TOEFL iBT Independent Writing What do you think are some of the main reasons so many people are interested in attending college or university? - revised -

Writing Topic

There are many different reasons to attend a college or university. What do you think are some of the main reasons so many people are interested in attending college or university? Include specific reasons and details in your response.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       Name as many reasons to go to college or university as possible.

 

 

 

2.       Are they all “main” reasons to attend a college or university?

 

 

Notes

1)     The first sentence of the writing topic says that people go to college for “many different reasons.” Some people may believe that a college diploma promises a good job, while others regard college years as moratorium before going into workforce. Some might want to receive higher education so that they can study the subject they are interested in and hopefully became a specialist. Others might feel it is better for them to do so just because they can and everyone else is doing so, and still others may intend to make as many friends as possible.

 

2)     The question requires you to name some of the MAIN reasons why people think of going to college. Minor reasons such as exemption from military service might be irrelevant in a normal society.

 

 

☆Ideas and expressions

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY

Taken from http://www.upforitclub.org.uk/whataboutuniversity/whatwherewhyhow/whygotouniversity/

INDEPENDENCE: You could get the chance to live away from home during term time and won't have somebody telling you to tidy your room and do your homework. It's a great way of finding your feet before you move out completely.

 

OPPORTUNITIES: You get to meet people from all over the world who are interested in the same subject as you. You can join clubs and societies for almost every interest you can think of.

 

COURSES AND CHOICES: If you are thinking about university, then hopefully you have a course in mind that you may like to study. If you enjoy the subject and find it interesting, university allows you to explore and expand your knowledge for three years, normally with the use of fantastic facilities and experts in that subject who teach you.

 

SOCIAL LIFE: You get to socialize and take advantage of some fantastic facilities right on your doorstep! Never again will entertainment be so cheap and you'll meet people who might possibly end up being your friends for life.

 

JOBS: Graduates are much more likely to get a job, particularly at a 'professional' level and when they are working, graduates earn about a third more money than non-graduates. If you want to work in certain areas like medicine, teaching or law, you'll need a degree in the subject before you start.

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】 I think people think of going to college to fulfill their rights, for academic pursuit, and for their future careers.

【Reason 1】We go to college to exercise our right to get a good education.

【Reason 2】Pure interest in the subject may well be another reason.

【Reason 3】Spending another four years at school is attractive for many people who feel that they need some more years to expand their horizon.

【Conclusion】Many people are interested in going to college because they want to become a highly educated citizen.

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】

【Reason 1】

【Reason 2】

【Reason 3】

【Conclusion】

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

Sample A

【Main Idea】We go to college to exercise our right to get a good education.

【Supporting Details (general)】Until recently, going to college was a privilege of wealthy people.

【Supporting Details (specific)】Still now, many people give up the opportunity for financial reasons. Not a few parents think that girls do not need higher education. Some minorities were banned from going to university before. Thus, we consciously or unconsciously know that not going to college when we can is a waiver of the hard-earned right that people in the past left for us.

【Follow-up & Wrap-up】Of course, there is a right to choose your own future and college diploma often seems meaningless, but we must remember that going to college itself is an accomplishment as a citizen.

Sample B

【Main Idea】People go to college because they want a college diploma to get a good job.

【Supporting Details (general)】They think having a college degree is an advantage when they look for a job.

【Supporting Details (specific)】Most highly-paying jobs require at least a Bachelor’s degree. Also, finding a regular job without going to college is very difficult in today’s job market.

【Follow-up】It is often said that interpersonal skills count in employment more than academic background, but the latter is more advantageous in the screening of application documents than the former.

【Wrap-up】 It is natural to think that it is safe to get a college degree as insurance.

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details (general)】

 

 

【Supporting Details (specific)】

 

 

 

 

【Follow-up】

 

 

 

【Wrap-up】