TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Which is better, focusing deeply on fewer subjects or covering a broad range of subjects in high school? (Revised)

Which approach do you think is better, focusing deeply on fewer subjects or covering a broad range of subjects in high school, and why?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.     What is high school education for?

2.     Would you like to take any of the following electives if your high school offered them? Why?

Mindfulness, Web Design, Business, Mandarin Chinese, Ceramics, Law, Business, Statistics.

 

 

☆Hints for Points

1.        High school students are still growing. Their interests may not have been fixed, yet.

2.        You can start learning other subjects later in life, while expertise can be gained only at school.

3.        To take liberal arts courses at college, students need a wide range of knowledge.

4.        Many studies in university are interdisciplinary, so you need to be well versed in a variety of subjects.

5.        Many high school students have narrowed down their academic interests according to their aptitudes and characteristics. They may want to be immersed in the subjects they like.

 

 

☆Sample Responses

Sample 1

【Thesis】I agree with Mark and think that learning a wide range of subjects is better for most high school students to prepare for their university education.

【Supporting Details】Many universities offer liberal arts for the first two college years, and these courses require intermediate level knowledge to take. Moreover, university subjects are related to many aspects of our lives, and so a wide range of general knowledge is necessary for comprehension and application of the subjects. Thus, students should be trained in a variety of courses in high school.

【Counterargument-treatment】While acquiring a profound understanding in a specific field would be an achievement as Jessica claims, most high school students are not ready for such endeavor. Rather, they need to have enough general knowledge to follow the wide-range of advanced-level studies to prepare for the comprehension of deep insights later in college.

【Conclusion】Therefore, it is better for high school students to choose the breadth rather than the depth. (155 words)

 

Sample 2

【Thesis】I think it is vital for high school students to delve into the subject of their interest, which facilitates true leaning and lead them to productive life.

【Depth】What makes an individual happy in a true sense is doing what the person likes. Intense and focused learning experiences with passion gives them the experience of getting a life, and this will set the standard of the person’s lifestyle high, which will positively affect many aspects of their lives from studies to work to family life. They can live life based not on someone else’s but on their own value.

【Broadness】On the other hand, browsing many kinds of subjects will help make a well-rounded lifestyle. They sow potential interests in the person’s mind that will blossom later and add a new layer to the person’s life. For example, Classical Chinese may not be drawn on in other majors or at work, but morals and anecdotes in the texts actually deepen numerous moments in everyday life. Be it as it may, serious pursuit of a subject will in the end organically connect to gaining knowledge in a wide range of subjects.

【Conclusion】Hence, learning a limited number of subjects is more suitable to high school students.

(202 words)

 

 

Sample Response Structures

A

【Thesis】

【Supporting Details】

【Counterargument】

【Conclusion】

 

B

【Thesis】

【Depth】

【Broadness】

【Conclusion】

 

C

【Thesis】

【What’s high school for?】

【Which choice is proper?】

【Conclusion】

Write your response in 10 minutes. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

                                                   DRAFT