TOEFL Writing Section Overview
Two Writing Tasks
Integrated Writing (20 minutes)
Read a passage, listen to a lecture, then write 280-300 words
Academic Discussion (10 minutes)
Contribute to online classroom discussion with your opinion
Key Skills Evaluated
Writing Success Strategy
TOEFL Writing tests your ability to communicate in academic English. Focus on clear organization, specific examples, and connecting ideas logically rather than trying to impress with complex vocabulary.
Integrated Writing Task
Task Format & Template
Integrated Essay Template
Introduction:
The reading and the lecture are both about _____. While the author of the article argues that _____, the lecturer supports this by stating _____ or disputes this by stating _____.
Body Paragraphs:
According to the reading, _____. The article mentions that _____. However, the lecturer challenges this argument by claiming that _____.
Target: 280-300 words
Complete Example: Cave of the Hands
Reading Passage
The Cave of the Hands, found in the mountains of southern Argentina, is an archeological site that has attracted attention from scholars for many years. The cave's fame comes from the vibrant handprints found inside, some of which were created more than nine thousand years ago. While the exact reasons these handprints were created remains a mystery, there are several theories.
Firstly, the handprints in the Cave of the Hands may have served as an early form of written communication, similar to an alphabet. Handprints of different sizes may have been used to convey distinct concepts, and further meaning could have been communicated through their arrangement. In this way, the handprints might have told stories about families, climate changes or even significant events in the lives of the ancient inhabitants.
Secondly, the handprints could have had religious significance. The act of leaving handprints on the cave walls could have been part of ceremonies connected to spiritual beliefs and the cave's secluded location might have given it some religious significance, creating a space visited by people seeking spiritual fulfillment.
Lastly, the handprints may have served a practical purpose related to hunting. The cave is quite close to areas where evidence of hunting has been found, and the handprints might have been a way for the community to make a record of successful hunts or even celebrate the collective efforts of the whole group.
Lecture Summary
The lecturer challenges the reading's theories about the Cave of the Hands. Regarding the alphabet theory, while handprint size variations could indicate communication, the arrangement appears random with no logical sequence or repeated patterns—fundamental aspects of known alphabets.
For the religious significance theory, archaeologists have thoroughly examined the cave but found no religious artifacts, unlike other confirmed ceremonial sites. This absence of physical evidence weakens the religious theory.
Finally, while the cave's proximity to hunting grounds is noted, the absence of actual hunting scenes or animal symbols raises doubts about a direct connection to hunting activities. Most early humans recorded hunting through pictures of animals.
High-Scoring Sample Response
The reading and lecture are both about the Cave of the Hands, a famous archeological site in Argentina. While the author of the article argues that the handprints may represent an early form of written communication, the lecturer disputes this by stating that the variations in size might just reflect artistic expression rather than a systematic language.
According to the reading, handprints of different sizes may convey distinct concepts. The article mentions that their arrangement could tell stories. However, the lecturer challenges this argument by claiming that experts have not found any logical patterns in the prints. Additionally, the author suggests that the handprints could have had religious significance. The article notes that they might have been part of ceremonies. In contrast, the lecturer asserts that no religious artifacts have been found in the cave, weakening this theory.
Finally, the author puts forth the idea that the handprints relate to hunting. The author contends that they might represent successful hunts. Conversely, the lecturer's stance is that the absence of hunting imagery undermines this claim, as most early humans recorded hunting activities through pictures of animals. Thus, the lecturer effectively refutes the theories presented in the reading.
Academic Discussion Task
Discussion Templates & Strategies
Opinion Templates
Expressing Opinion
- While some people might think [opposite], I really believe that [my opinion].
- I strongly agree with [student]'s idea that...
- This is a challenging topic, but I think that...
Supporting Ideas
- First of all, [elaborate on opinion].
- I'd add that [expand on the point].
- For example, [elaborate with your own ideas].
Challenging Points
- While [other student] raised the relevant point that...
- Some people may feel that [challenge], but [respond].
- He/she didn't mention that [challenge point].
Complete Discussion Example
Professor's Question
Today, we're going to discuss the impact of social media on society. On one hand, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have connected people from all over the world. However, there are concerns about the negative effects of social media, such as the spread of misinformation, the rise of cyberbullying, and addiction to social media use. What do you think? Does social media cause more harm than good?
Sarah's Response
I think that social media has caused more harm than good. While it's true that social media platforms have connected people in unprecedented ways, they have also caused real harm to individuals and societies. Additionally, when people spend too much time on social media platforms, they could suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. This is probably because they allow people to anonymously bully and harass other users. The negative effects can be profound, leading to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem in many individuals.
Mark's Response
I think that social media has mostly improved society. For instance, it has given a voice to people that previously were ignored. Moreover, it has provided platforms for political activism that has led to positive change. And, of course, social media has made it easy for everyone to stay connected to family and friends who are far away. In the past, we had to make expensive phone calls to contact our loved ones; now we can talk to them and send them pictures for free on social networks. This accessibility has transformed how we maintain relationships and engage with the world around us.
High-Scoring Student Response
While some people might think that social media is solely beneficial, I really believe that it causes more harm than good. First of all, social media platforms often facilitate the spread of misinformation, which can lead to significant societal issues. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many false claims circulated on social media, leading to confusion and panic among the public. I have seen friends sharing unverified information, which not only misguides individuals but can also influence public health decisions negatively. This demonstrates how misinformation can have real-world consequences.
Interactive Writing Practice
Integrated Writing Practice
Practice Reading: Volcanic Rock Construction
In recent years, the use of volcanic rock in the construction of homes has gained attention due to its numerous advantages. This natural material, formed from volcanic lava, offers significant benefits that make it an excellent choice for building.
First, volcanic rock is renowned for its exceptional durability. Unlike conventional building materials such as concrete and wood, volcanic rock is highly resistant to weathering, erosion, and natural decay. Its robust nature means that structures built with volcanic rock can withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and high winds, without deteriorating over time.
In addition, the porous nature of volcanic rock enables it to trap air within its structure, providing an excellent source of natural insulation. This helps to maintain a stable indoor temperature, keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a result, homes constructed with volcanic rock require less energy for heating and cooling, leading to lower utility bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
Finally, using volcanic rock in construction has notable environmental benefits. The extraction and processing of volcanic rock is more environmentally-friendly than the production of other building materials. Moreover, volcanic rock is abundant and often found locally, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and associated carbon emissions.
Listen to the lecture (Summary provided)
The lecturer challenges the reading's claims about volcanic rock. Regarding durability, while volcanic rock resists weathering, it's brittle and prone to cracking during earthquakes, potentially requiring costly repairs. Modern materials like concrete are better designed for seismic activity.
For insulation properties, the lecturer argues these are overstated. Interior temperatures can fluctuate significantly, and advanced materials like foam or fiberglass provide much more stable temperature control than volcanic rock.
Finally, concerning environmental benefits, large-scale volcanic rock extraction can cause significant ecological damage, including habitat destruction and landscape alteration. The mining process requires heavy machinery and fossil fuels, reducing overall environmental friendliness.
Write your integrated response here (280-300 words):
Academic Discussion Practice
Discussion Question
What do you think is the most important invention of the 21st century? Consider how this invention has impacted society, individual lives, and global communication. Support your opinion with specific reasons and examples.
Write your discussion response here:
Writing Evaluation & Scoring
Integrated Writing Criteria
Integration
Successfully synthesizes information from reading and lecture
Organization
Clear progression of ideas with effective transitions
Language Use
Accurate grammar and varied vocabulary
Academic Discussion Criteria
Contribution
Meaningfully adds to the discussion with relevant ideas
Development
Supports opinion with clear reasoning and examples
Language
Appropriate academic tone and clear expression
Scoring Tips for Success
High Scores (4-5)
- Clear thesis and organization
- Specific examples and details
- Varied sentence structures
- Academic vocabulary usage
- Minimal grammatical errors
Areas to Improve
- Incomplete task response
- Unclear organization
- Limited vocabulary range
- Frequent grammar errors
- Off-topic content
Final Writing Tips
Remember: TOEFL Writing evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in academic English. Focus on clarity, organization, and supporting your ideas rather than using overly complex language that might lead to errors.