TOEFL iBT Independent Writing 1) It is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. 2) Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? - revised -

Writing Topic A

Consider the following statement. It is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Support your response by including specific reasons and examples.

 

 

☆Let’s think

 

1.     Which of the following sounds objective and which sounds subjective?

a.    I enjoy winning a game.

b.    It is enjoyable for most of us to win a game.

Note: You are supposed to make an objective decision as the answer to Writing Topic A, although you can include your subjective view as one of your supporting details for your argument.

 

2.    Which of the following expressions is for the feeling from the bottom of the heart of the speaker?

a.    “I’m sorry.”

b.    “I’m truly sorry.”

Note: “It is truly enjoyable” means that you enjoy something from the bottom of your heart.

 

3.    Which of the following allows no exception?

a.    You can kill the dragon if you have the special sword.

b.    You can kill the dragon only if you have the special sword.

Note: Expressions like “only”, “all”, and “every” allow for no exception.

 

4.    What are games for?

 

5.    Name things that are truly enjoyable but are not related to games. e.g. Being with your beloved

 

6.      Is there anything that makes you say to yourself, “Well, I truly enjoyed the game!” after a game you lost?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

1.      We play games to kill time, to have fun with others, to release stress, to be inspired, to try your luck, etc.

 

2.      The examples of things that are truly enjoyable are making friends, feeling refreshed, receiving kindness, learning something, seeing someone extraordinary, etc.

 

 

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions

Humans have had many kinds of games since ancient times, and there seem to be many reasons for our fascination with this activity. I disagree with the statement that it is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. I think games are for fun, development, and more, not just for winning.

 

We play games to have fun. We play games to kill time, to release stress, or to spend time with others. When feeling empty or stressed out, people take out a game machine, play it for a while, and feel good whether they lose or win. Games are also used to promote good companionship. At a party, for example, a game helps people laugh and talk, both winners and losers enjoying themselves. It is precisely because games are not to win but for fun that people enjoy them.

 

Many truly enjoyable things happen during a game. For example, playing a game involves joy of improvement. Humans instinctively have a desire to learn something new, and fulfilling this desire is a great joy of life. Gamers lose more often than they win, and yet they are absorbed in gaining new skills, by thinking hard or by trial and error. This process let them truly enjoy games. Also, witnessing a great player or an incredible performance gives you delight comparable to nothing. Lost Olympians often express joy of witnessing superb performances of the medalists. A miracle goal at the last moment in an amateur soccer game would make all the participants excited and have them talk about it even years later.

 

Winning may bring euphoria, as it proves you that you are on top of a competition. It confirms you and others that you are the best in terms of talent, efforts, or luck. It strengthens self-confidence, and we need it. Adults even deliberately lose to their young children so that their offspring can trust itself. Yet, the joy of winning games is all about one’s self, except when you are in a team and wish for the win for others. It has a gravity as it is related to our very existence, but as people grow, they experience a higher degree of delight that surpasses tiny self, such as those I have written above. When they experience that greater joy, the result of a game is of their least concern.

 

Joy of winning is satisfaction of ego, which is only one of many factors for euphoria. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. When we feel more delight in losing than in winning, we can celebrate ourselves for the journey of life we have gone through and know the meaning of playing games.   (457 words)

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Main Idea】I disagree with the statement that it is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win.

【Point 1】Games are for fun.   e.g.to kill time, to spend time with family or friends

【Point 2】Many things that are truly enjoyable happen in playing a game. e.g. improvement

【Counterargument treatment】The joy of winning games is all about one’s self.

【Conclusion】Joy of winning is satisfaction of ego, which is only one of many factors for euphoria. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win.

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Main Idea = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 or Counterargument treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a one-minute speech on this topic.

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】A game can be really enjoyable even if you lose.

【Supporting Details】 You say to yourself, “Well, I truly enjoyed the game!” after a game you lost when the atmosphere was great, everyone smiling and being considerate to others; when your best friend won; when the winner won in an amazing way; when you have got something important during the game like a new friend or information; or when you were not concerned about winning or losing from the beginning.

【Wrap-up】 Therefore, winning is not the only factor to enjoy a game.

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

 

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Wrap-up】

 

Show each other what you have written. Ask questions or make suggestions.

 

1.        

Writing Topic B

Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.      What requires the ability to read and write?

2.      When in the past were most people illiterate?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree:

1         Unlike two centuries ago, most of our daily tasks involve reading and writing. There is written information everywhere such as signs and scripts on TV screens. Literacy is necessary in our daily lives.

 

2         Literacy and wealth are related. The higher the literacy rate is, the wealthier the country is. When our country opened up to the West, the government focused on education to make the country powerful. Developing countries that make efforts to educate their people raise their GDP soon if everything else goes well.

 

3         Development of technology allows and requires you to be involved in more intellectual tasks than physical ones. For example, entrance examinations for university include more essays than before. In business, there are more need for research and presentation skills as automatization and robotization proceeds.

 

4         The present era is called the information age, which is based on letters. People usually exchange information through scripts, e-mails and text messages. To learn the latest information and communicate exactly what you think or feel, you need to be literate.

 

5         In conclusion, the ability to read and write is more important today than in the past for us to get the most out of our lives in this age of information.

 

Disagree:

1.          There are few opportunities to read and write today due to development of technology. Most tasks are done just by clicking icons. Many people can spell less than before due to predictive transform and spell check functions of their gadgets, while they find few problems in their daily lives.

 

2.          Robots take care of high levels of literacy while we do what we need to do. Human culture has evolved along with technological development. Just as the ability to make fire is unnecessary anymore thanks to lighters, so is the ability to read and write now that we have developed technology for it. We can think and communicate more freely and creatively while machines read and write for us.

 

3.          Successful people are not necessarily persons of letters. There are professors who cannot even move their fingers. There are CEOs who are dyslexic.

 

4.          To sum up, reading and writing is just a part of human intellectual activity like calculation. Our lives have been filled with many more important things than literal things. The ability to read and write has just a marginal importance now as it has always been. What is most important is the ability to think and feel.

 

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Main Idea】The ability to read and write is much more important now than before.

【Past】The number of people who needed to read and write were limited in the past. e.g. agricultural society

【Present】Children learn to read around 5 and people need to read throughout their lives.

【Counterargument treatment】Automatization reduces chances to read and write, but without the ability to read and write, a high level of intelligence cannot be maintained.   e.g. abstract ideas

【Conclusion】Literacy rate should be kept high so that we can keep surviving.

 

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a one-minute speech on this topic.

 

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】 Automatization reduces chances to read and write, but without the ability to read and write, a high level of intelligence cannot be maintained. 

【Supporting Details】 It is true that with the advancement of technology, keyboards are disappearing and speakers have started to read out loud for us, but it does not mean that we can be illiterate. Abstract ideas develop with the aid of letters because thought is related to language and language ability develops with literacy.

【Wrap-up】 It might be frivolous to declare that technology will free us from reading and writing.

 

 

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

 

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

 

 

 

【Wrap-up】

 

 

 

Show each other what you have written. Give feedback.

 

 

TOEFL iBT Independent Writing 1) In what ways do you think movies and televisions influence people's thoughts and actions? 2) In your education up to now, what is the most important or enjoyable class you have ever taken? - revised -

Writing Topic A

In what ways do you think movies and televisions influence people's thoughts and actions? Support your answer with specific details and examples.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Let’s start by discussing the words in the writing topic.

1)    What do movies and televisions have in common? e.g. good-looking people, happy-ending, stereotypes

2)    What do these factors influence people’s thoughts and actions? 

3)  Check the word, “media propaganda”.

 

 

☆Hints for Points

1.    The commonalities between movies and television programs are celebrities, sponsors, advertisements, trends, media most people use to get information, etc.

 

2.    Movies and television programs widen people’s views by providing information from around the world and reporting data from the past. For example, documentaries show us hidden facts and buried historic events and let us know what kind of world we live in and what kind of nature humans have.

 

3.    They give us false impressions about the present and past events and promote racial stereotypes by dramatizing the stories or exaggerating some aspects. For example, by emphasizing enthusiasm of Columbus during his exploration and omitting massacre of native Americans he conducted, his heroic impression will be instilled in us. Also, focusing on the technological inferiority of some tribes would make us believe the people are uncivilized and ignorant although in fact they have sophisticated cultures in their own ways, which are untold in the story.

 

4.    They help us learn “common sense.” For example, children learn dos and don’ts and adults learn what actions are viewed normal in public. Boys and girls learn from them how men and women should behave. There were scenes in which women were treated as materials like hitting a woman in the face to make her stop talking, but there were little objections before. They also shape our habits. There were many smoking scenes and many smokers in the past.

 

5.    They narrow our views and interests. Sports, music, fashion, food, and celebrity life are what most of our thought are about because they are featured in TV programs and movies. This prevents us from seeing the whole picture of our society. Great athletes, beautiful people, or amazing love affair do not actually exist around us, and yet many spend much time fancying them. On the other hand, human rights are violated, the income gap is widening and global warming gases are accumulating, but they are not taken up in TV programs or on the movie screen. Thus, we are ignorant of what are vital in our lives.

 

6.    They make us spend money. Cool advertisements such as product placement make people believe unnecessary items are necessary. They make people obsessed with unimportant things like fashion trend and distract their attention from what they really need to know.

 

7.    They shorten our attention spans because most television programs attract our attention in thirty seconds from their start, keep doing it every thirty seconds and give us a conclusion or moral in fifty minutes. Movies also end in two hours. Thus, we are accustomed to being entertained every thirty seconds and seeing a conclusion or leaning something in a few hours. However, many things in reality require patience and long time to see the results or get an insight, and some even do not provide any prospect of coming to a conclusion. Few of us have tolerance to it.

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】Movies and televisions make people easier to control.

【Point 1】Movies and televisions greatly help shape people’s values.

e.g.  Most good guys are white men although most mass-shooters are white men in reality.

【Point 2】TV and movies encourage consumerism.

e.g. Thousands of brand names are instilled in children in the US.

【Counterargument-treatment】There can be good news shows and documentaries, but as most media depend on sponsors, they cannot go so far as to be straightforward about the dark side of the power, and people’s perception of the world will be biased.

【Conclusion】Movies and television programs provide information and values which comply with the status quo, and people tend to think and behave accordingly.

 

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a 50-second speech on this topic.

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】Movies and televisions greatly help shape people’s values.

【Supporting Details】 They create people’s desire for what is valued in their society. For example, children watch TV and decide what they want to be. With the intense attention to the celebrity life of the media, American girls fancy being a celebrity instead of someone in a specific profession like an actress. On the other hand, in the Islamic extremists’ animation, Americans are villains, and their boys aspire to become soldiers to be a martyr, i.e. suicide bomber.

【Follow-up】 Other media and the society that we are in also help shape our values, but since movies and televisions are more attractive and easier to access than others, the influence is greater.

【Wrap-up】 By watching popular movies and televisions we acquire values they value.

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Follow-up 】

 

 

【Wrap-up】

 

Show each other what you have written.                                   

 

 

 

Writing Topic B

In your education up to now, what is the most important or enjoyable class you have ever taken? Why did this class have an impact on you? Include specific details and reasons in your explanation of your choice.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Answer the following questions, and ask each other these questions.

1)    Why did you take the class? What were impressive aspects about it?

e.g. practical skill, good lesson, nice teacher, enjoyable atmosphere, key events, good facility, etc.

a.

 

 

b.

 

 

c.

 

 

 

 

2)    What impact did it have on you?

e.g. interest in the subject, interest in studying, acquisition of some skills or knowledge, finding what you want to do in the future, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】The most important class I have ever taken is a mock language class for English language instructors.

【About the Class】A non-existent language was taught using picture cards. It was my first experience to learn a “language” without the aid of my mother tongue.

【Reason of Impact 1】I learned effective skills.

【Reason of Impact 2】I also learned students’ psyche in class.

【Conclusion】The class was not only informative but also inspiring.

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】

【           】

【           】

【           】

【Conclusion】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a 50-second speech on this topic.

 

 

☆Paragraph development

Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】 I also learned students’ psyche in class.

【Supporting Details】 The foreign language class showed me how students feel in class and helped me improve my job as an English instructor. I was surprised at and frustrated by the slow speed of my learning.

I repeatedly failed to pronounce words properly and had difficulty in memorizing names of the things on picture cards.

【Follow-up】 Since I had thought that I was a quick learner and had a confidence in my short-time memory, the class was shocking enough for me to double my ability. This helped me reflect on my ability and attitude as a teacher in class, where I would often expect my students to learn new skill and information with ease.

【Wrap-up】 I came to see students’ uneasiness in class and became more patient with them.

 

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Follow-up 】

 

【Wrap-up】

 

 

Show each other what you have written.

 

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.