TOEFL iBT Independent Writing 1) Do you think fashion and clothes are important? 2) Would it be a good and useful thing for many foreigners to study the language of your country? - revised -

 

Writing Topic A

Some people think it is important to spend effort and money to dress fashionably and attractively, others think that clothes are not an important way of spending one’s money and energy. Do you think fashion and clothes are important? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       The first part of the first sentence of the writing topic says, “Some people think it is important to spend effort and money to dress fashionably and attractively”. What makes some people think this way?

 

2.       The second half of the first sentence says that others think that clothes are not an important way of spending one’s money and energy. What is more important than clothes to this lifestyle?

 

3.       Which approach to fashion do you sympathize with?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

The first view

1.       Dressing yourself well is a sign of your good attitude. It gives others a good impression about you. For example, you wear a suit for a job interview to show that you have common sense and respect for the company you are applying for. The same goes in every aspect of our daily lives. We communicate partly by how we dress.

 

2.       Enjoying fashion is enjoying life. You have to respect and take care of yourself, and naturally you will be conscious of fashion. You have to make a decision on what to wear seriously and try to enjoy embellishing yourself as part of this philosophy.

 

3.       How you dress shows your identity. Whether you wear a suit or a street fashion decides how others see you, and the choice gives you a sense of belonging to a certain group of people who enjoy the same type of fashion. Thus, you have to take it seriously to spend some amount of money on clothes.

 

The second view

1.       As the saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover. What counts more is one’s personality, not what he or she wears. Money and energy should be spent on self-improvement. A good appearance would follow later naturally. 

 

2.       Fashion is part of the industry or the economic activity. Advertisements make many of us buy more than what we need. Spending much money on fashion makes you only a good customer. There were no fashion magazines for young women and men some decades ago, while there are many, including those for teenagers and men.

 

3.       Fashion is not eternal. Its trend changes every year. There are many things that you should be concerned about in life than fashion. You should be focused more on something that lasts forever such as art, science, or politics.

 

                 

☆Sample Body Structure

A.

【Caring about Fashion】Fashion-conscious people may think that good fashion is a status symbol.

【Not Caring about Fashion】People who do not care about fashion usually have things that are more important to them than fashion.

【My View】I like animals and fashion is not the first priority in my life although I do not blame those who are preoccupied with following trends if it make them happy.

 

B.

【Reason 1】It is natural for humans to care about their looks.

【Reason 2】If you wear decent clothes, people treat you well.

【About the View that I do not Agree】It is true that fashion does not relate to fundamental matters of life like procuring food or protecting your beloved. However, fashion is the flower of life, the brightest part of civilization. Therefore, it is worth minding.

 

Your Sample Body Structure

Use either of the following forms or the blank form and make your sample body structure.

 

【About Caring about Fashion】

【About Not Caring about Fashion】

【My View】

 

 

【Reason 1】

【Reason 2】

【About the View that I do not Agree】

 

【            】

【            】

【            】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a speech on this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Topic B

Do you agree or disagree that it would be a good and useful thing for many foreigners to study the language of your country? Express your opinion on this question by including specific reasons and examples.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.    What are the purposes of learning a language?

 

2.    In the case of your language, is it beneficial for foreigners to lean it for the purposes you mentioned in the discussion on the first question? Why/Why not?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.       In business, things would work more smoothly in doing business with representatives from foreign companies if you speak their language.

 

2.       It is at least not a bad thing for many people to learn Japanese. Those who love things related to Japan might well learn Japanese. They have nothing to lose while they would be some rare people who can understand us well and work as liaison between Japan and other countries.

 

3.       Japanese companies provide employment domestically and internationally. There are many Japanese multinational conglomerates and there are many Japanese firms that are expanding overseas.

 

⇔ There is more demand for English as the international language. Also, demands for other major languages such as Spanish and Chinese are stronger than that for Japanese. ⇔ It is a niche to be proficient in Japanese since there is a sound demand although competition is low.

 

4.       To learn about some culture, the knowledge of the language is a must, for language is part of culture and plays a very important role in it.

 

5.       Japan has traditional cultures and sub-cultures that are loved all over the world.  e.g. manga, anime, J-pop, cool and cute fashion of the young, healthy traditional food, good service, etc.

 

⇔ Japanese culture is so famous and popular that there are abundant translations of relevant materials in many languages. Moreover, many people learn Japanese by being exposed to Japanese sub-culture through the media. ⇔ To know the culture deeply, learning the language is necessary.

 

6.       To understand or make friends with someone, you have to talk with him or her. Without language, communication will be hampered.

 

7.       The number of Japanese who can use English well is small. Thus, there are many opportunities for Japanese-learners to help communication between Japanese and people from other cultures.

 

⇔ In ten years from now, most young Japanese will be able to have a basic conversation in English because of the curriculum change directed by the government. ⇔ For higher morale and better relationships, proficiency of Japanese is a big plus.

 

Disagree

1.       Since Japanese is a minor language, there is little need to study it. People who are interested in learning foreign languages should prioritize English and languages of developing countries to help better communication between rich countries and poor countries.

 

 

 

☆Writing a single paragraph essay

Let’s write a single paragraph essay before writing a full essay using the following template if you like.

Template:

I think / do not think it is a good and useful thing for many foreigners to learn the language of my country, because …

 

For example,

 

 

It is true that …    

                         

but …

 

 

Therefore,

 

 

 

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a speech on this topic.

Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

If the class is small or no one wants to speak out, show each other what you have written.