TOEFL iBT Independent Writing 1) Which should your country spend money on, the military or other things? 2) Physical education, home economics, or current events? 3) School teachers, whether they work for public or private schools, should not express their opinions on current politics? - revised -

 

Writing Topic A

Some people think it is important for a country to maintain a strong army in case of war. Others think it is better for a country to spend money and energy on other things than the military. Do you feel that your country should have a strong army?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       Why do you think some people think like the first sentence of the writing topic? Is there any chance of war? Does a strong army help Japan in case of war?

 

2.       Why do you think some people think like the second sentence? What other things concern them?

 

 

☆Hints for points

Reasons that people who are for having a strong army give for armament

1.       Neighboring countries such as China, South Korea, and ASEAN countries are spending more money on their military than before.

                                                                                           

2.       The Unites States and other powers request Japanese militaristic participation in their activities to suppress insurgents, terrorists, or bandits.

 

Reasons that people who are against having a strong army give for armament

1.       The government must spend money to improve and protect its people rather than to help stabilize and maintain the ruling of world powers, in other words, the richest people of the world.

 

2.       War is a business. It makes profits for the military industrial complex, especially the weapon manufacturers.

 

3.       Use of military, in other words, having a war is a failure. Once a war begins, people will die and the country will be destroyed. If the war escalates, nuclear war may begin. In the worst case scenario, the nuclear winter starts, and most human beings will be gone in a short time.

 

4.       Japan is already the fifth largest military power in the world, while its military spending is the ninth place in the world. The Self-Defense Forces is technically a military because it has been training with the U.S. army for about fifteen years as well as having even unnecessary weapons that U.S. forces us to buy, although they can barely protect citizens when a real war starts.

 

5.       Diplomatic solutions of conflicts have been the norm since the end of WWII, and doubts about solution of international conflicts by military power have been stronger because wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq and “war on terror” brought about only loss of lives and destruction, which the rich making money.

 

6.       There is less chance of war now than before. Economic ties between countries discourage conflicts. China and Japan, for instance, have strong ties in business, so related companies try to avoid conflicts.

 

7.       No arms, no battles. Being armed is the call for violence. Strengthening the military just stimulates those who are ready to start wars. For example, Putin pointed out the increase of the countries joining NATO near the border of Russia as the reason to invade Ukraine, although his conduct is unforgivable.

 

8.       The position and image of Japan indicates it is better to maintain pacifism.

1)     Article Nine in our constitution renounces war and military force. Peaceful diplomacy under this pacifist constitution since the end of WWII has gained Japan a good reputation and economic prosperity.

 

2)      Japan is the only country that experienced nuclear bombing. It should work for disarmament.

 

3)     Japan has a history of violent past, imperial Japan before and during WWII. Imperial Japan invaded China, Korea, and other Asian countries, killed civilians, and caused suffering of the people in these countries. Thus, militarization will give a bad impression to other countries, especially countries that Japan invaded in the past.

 

4)     Peaceful diplomacy since the end of WWII has gained Japan a good reputation and economic prosperity.

 

5)     The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which maintains American military bases in Japan, makes it meaningless to think whether Japan should have a strong army. It is decided by the United States. When we have extra money, use it for ourselves.

 

9.        There are many other priorities.

1)     Paying people to stay home to control COVID-19

 

2)     Recovery of the economy by supplying money to the small companies and cancelling the consumption tax to raise consumption and rebuild businesses and industries

 

3)     Raising the self-sufficiency rate by supporting farming and fishing, especially small farmers and fishermen

 

4)     Improving education by increasing teachers and improving their work conditions

 

5)     Support for the disadvantaged people such as those affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster and other disasters, the unemployed, physically challenged people, children of foreign nationals, etc.

 

6)     Solution to child-raising problems such as paid maternity leave for everyone, public nannies, and enough day-care centers

 

7)     Solution to young people feeling solitude and anxiety like free mental care

 

8)     Preparation for predicted disasters such as effects of global warming and huge earthquakes

 

9)     Improving systems to support the aging society and shrinking population

 

10)  Narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor by taxing the reserve money in big companies which has been accumulated by raising the consumption tax over the last 30 years

 

11)  Maintenance of the aging infrastructure

 

12)  Working on new lifestyle to save energy and resources

 

13)  Tackling pollution, especially air and water pollutions

 

 

☆Your Sample Essay Structure

A.

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Why the other choice does not matter】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

B.

【Introduction = Outline】

【Comparison 1】

【Comparison 2】

【Comparison 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【       】

【       】

【       】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time   Make a one-minute speech on this topic. Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Topic B

In your school schedule, you are required to take an extra class in one of the following subjects:

1) physical education (sports and exercise activities), 2) home economics (cooking or sewing), or 3) current events (the study of topics from recent news stories). Which one of the three subjects would you choose to study?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       How does physical education benefit you?

 

2.       How do you benefit from home economics?

 

3.       What are the merits of taking current events?

 

4.       Which one would you choose? Why?

 

5.       Why do you not choose the other two?

 

 

☆Hints for points

Physical Education

(1) I need more time to stay healthy/stay in good shape/keep fit.

(2) The class offers us opportunities to try unfamiliar sports.

(3) Moving our bodies is a refreshment.

(4) Taking part in P.E is a good opportunity to make friends with classmates.

 

Home Economics

(1) This class helps students get ready for independence.

(2) I want to be confident of my ability to do household chores.

(3) This subject provides a viewpoint to understand the world at the level of household, which is the basic unit of society.

 

Current Events

(1)  To understand what is going on in the world is related to the understanding of many important aspects of our society such as economy, politics, and history.

(2)  I expect that the class deal with the areas that TV reports do not cover in detail such as international affairs, unknown facts about the government, or those who are suffering from post-disaster problems.

(3)  The custom of my country prevents me from talking about current issues with others.

 

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

Structure Pattern A

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Reasons for not choosing the other two choices】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Structure Patter B

【Introduction = Outline】

【About Physical Education】

【About Home Economics】

【About Current Events】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【                     】

【                     】

【                     】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a one-minute speech on this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Writing Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? School teachers, whether they work for public or private schools, should not express their opinions on current politics.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       Who usually express their opinions on current politics?

Note: In a democracy, all citizens are supposed to talk about politics. It is their duty to be involved.

2.       Is it bad for teachers to do it in their classes? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for points

Yes, school teachers should not express their opinions on current politics.

1.       Teachers are supposed to follow the curriculum and stick to the textbook. They are not supposed to teach their own views, which are not endorsed by the government. In fact, contracts between teachers and the schools they work for prohibit the teachers from taking a stand in politics in class.

 

2.       Teachers should convey the consensus of the public. They should inform students of a variety of well-balanced views, not a personal view.

 

3.       Having a radical political view is a stumbling block in any place, including universities. Therefore, it is unthinkable and unacceptable for teachers, who are responsible for their students’ future, to affect their students’ political views.

 

No, school teachers should express their opinions on current politics.

1.       If the view is what is objectively necessary for students to know, they should comment on it. For example, if the teacher shares the same view as other adults in the community about the credibility of the information that the government provides and it is clear that not mentioning it will risk students’ health or future, they should say it because they serve society before the school and the government.

 

2.       There is no neutral view. Statements in textbooks approved by the government are sterilized and have no ideas that appeal to the learners, and thus they have little impact on students’ learning. In class, teachers are the only representative of the real world and this often requires their candid expressions of their personal views for students’ better understanding of the subject and deeper understanding of the reality.

 

3.       As long as they clearly say to their students that what they say is only a personal view, it is fine.

 

4.       Except for young children, who are still vulnerable to brainwash, students know better than to believe everything their teachers tell them. They take their teachers’ opinions as one of many.

 

 

 

Sample Essay Structures

A

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Exception】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

B

【Introduction = Outline】

【       】

【       】

【       】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time   Make a one-minute speech on this topic.