TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Drills 1) One should never get angry. 2) Many Japanese people are relatively uninterested in politics. / People use their smartphone in every aspect of their daily lives. / One should learn only through personal experience.

Drill 1  Read the following question and answers. Which do you think is a more appropriate answer? Why?

 

Question: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never get angry.

 

Answer A: I do not agree with the idea that one should never get angry for two reasons. Getting angry is good for survival. For example, it will stop bullying. If you do not get angry, bullies will take advantage of it and you will never be free from their abuse. Anger also helps others. Mothers get angry to educate their children; or else, their children would hurt or anger other people in the future. Getting angry has these good points. Therefore, I do not think that one should never get angry.

 

Answer B: I do not entirely agree with the idea that one should never get angry for two reasons. Certainly, getting angry is not a popular behavior. It intimidates others. It is embarrassing to get upset and lose integrity, because it is usually the result of ignorance, ego, or fear. However, one should sometimes get angry if necessary. If you are bullied, you must get angry to end the abuse. Mothers have to show anger to teach their ill-behaved children dos and don’ts. One ought to get angry if there is a right reason.

 

Drill 2  Discuss the following three statements and write your idea about them by giving reasons. Use at least one of the expressions and sentence patterns below in each answer. Use hints for points if you like.

 

● It is wrong that… / I am upset that… / Most people are happy that… / Because of～, they are worried that…

● ～. However, …. / ～, but …. / While ～, …. / Whereas ～, …. / ～. On the other hand, ….

 

Statement 1: Many Japanese people are relatively uninterested in politics.

Hints for Points: uneducated, never fought for democracy, shy, Neither TV nor newspaper report the truth.

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

 

Statement 2: People use their smartphone in every aspect of their daily lives.

Hints for Points: versatile, communicate in person, People do some things without using their phones.

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

 

Statement 3: One should learn only through personal experience.

Hints for Points: real experience, others’ advice, multiple viewpoints, Two heads are better than one.