TOEFL iBT Indepedent Writing, Which would you choose,a small private room or a larger room that you would share with a roommate, and why? - rewrite-

Writing Topic

Imagine that you have decided to attend college and to live in the college dormitories, and you have a choice of a small private room or a larger room that you would share with a roommate. Which would you choose, and why? Give specific reasons for your choice.

☆Let’s Think

Let’s make sure the choices you have: a SMALL, PRIVATE room or a LARGER room with A roommate, and let’s picture them what they would be like …

            

☆Now let’s think of the merits and demerits of each choice.

What are the good points of a small private dorm room?

Are there any bad points in living in a single dorm room? Are there any solutions to them?

What are the good points of a larger dorm room that you would share with a roommate?

Are there any bad points of having a roommate? Are there any solutions to them?

☆Hints for Points

◍ Good points of a small private dorm room

You can concentrate on your study well.

You can use time and space on your own.

You do not have to care about your roommate’s feelings.

◍ Bad points in living in a single dorm room and the solutions to them

You might feel lonely. ⇔ You can visit other rooms or go out to meet people when you feel lonely.

You might become lazy living all alone. ⇔ Learning self-discipline is part of college life.

◍ Good points of a larger dorm room with a roommate

You can use or do things together.

You can talk about daily matters or share information.

It would be safer to have someone living close to you than to live alone.

If you are lucky, you would find a lifetime friend.

◍ Bad points about having a roommate and the solutions to them

You might not be able to concentrate on your study. ⇔You could go to the library when you want to cram or do research.

You might hit a jack-pot and get a troublemaker as your roommate. ⇔ It could be a good experience in the long run. You could learn to be patient and learn a high-level of social skills. If things get out of your hand, you could ask for an intervention from your dorm office anytime.

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】Both a small private room and a large room with a roommate have merits and demerits, but I would choose a large dorm room with a roommate.

【Single Room】A small private room would make me feel as if I were at home, in my bedroom. Everything is within my reach under my control and I can work and day dream freely.

【Shared Room】Room-sharing saves money. If lucky, I can make friends with the roommate. Even if we are not compatible, it will be a good experience to live with someone of your age away from home.

【Your Choice】College life is not only for studies but also for experiences. Therefore, I would like to share a room with someone.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】Although the coziness of a small private room is attractive, I would prefer a large dormitory room with a roommate to make my college life richer.

Your Sample Body Structure

Use one of the following the patterns if you like.

Pattern 1

【Single Room】

【Shared Room】

【Your Choice】

Pattern 2

【Merit 1】

【Merit 2】

【Disadvantages & Solutions】

Blank Form

【                     】

【                     】

【                     】

☆Sample Reasoning

I would choose a small single room because you can use time and space on your own in a single room. I have a lot of habits that I am sure would drive my roommate to her breaking point. For example, I study after midnight. Since I cannot change this habit, my roommate would have difficulty in sleeping because of the light and noises I would make if she is a day person. It is true that you might sometimes feel lonely to be in a single room, but you could go out to see people anytime. Also, that loneliness may occur even when you have a companion. To feel that you are really not alone, something like a strong interest which you can share with others is necessary, and you cannot necessarily share it with your roommate. In terms of friendships, you can find them anywhere, in class, at the cafeteria, in your club, and in other dorm rooms. Based on the same logic, I do not care about the sizes of the rooms. I could go out any time when I get suffocated with the cell-like dorm room. To secure some personal time and space, I would choose a small private room.

Your Sample Reasoning

I would choose a small single room / a larger room with a roommate because …

For example,

It is true that …                             

but …

☆Speech Time and Full Essay Writing

Make a one-minute speech on this writing topic, and then write a full essay on the same topic.