Как подготовиться к TOEFL Independent Writing за 30 дней

TOEFL тест разработан для определения уровня владения английским языком. Более 11 000 колледжей, университетов и лицензионных агентств в 150 странах принимают результаты этого экзамена. TOEFL также сдают для участия в стипендиях и программах по обмену. Согласно официальной статистике от ets.org, лучше всего сдают часть Writing. Удивительно, ведь многие считают письмо самой сложной частью! Но почему это так? Секрет раскрыт: к этой части легко подготовиться. А как именно это сделать, рассказываем ниже.

Independent Writing — второе задание в разделе Writing. На экране появится вопрос и у тебя будет 30 минут, чтобы написать развёрнутый ответ. Рекомендуемый объём не менее 300-350 слов.

Лайфхаки:

✅ Вначале составь план ответа. Это поможет сэкономить время и определить достаточно ли у тебя аргументов для выражения выбранной точки зрения.

✅ Используй в ответе шаблоны.

✅ Следи за временем! Последние четыре-пять минут выделенного времени отведи на проверку текста (proofreading): проверь нет ли spelling errors, vocabulary or grammar mistakes (особенно пропущенных артиклей).

✅Не используй зазубренные ответы! Экзаменатор сразу это заметит, и ты не получишь высокий балл.

Итак, если у тебя нет постоянной практики написание эссе на английском (тем более, если ты медленно печатаешь на компьютере), перед экзаменом надо много и часто писать. Чтобы набить руку, предлагаем каждый день писать по одному эссе.

Сначала посмотри видео Writing Q2 Independent о критериях оценивания. Там же разбирают sample answer.

Дальше уже сам напиши эссе на тему из списка ниже. Напечатай текст за 30 минут без словаря или spellchecker. Затем прогони текст через fluent.express, чтобы посмотреть, есть ли грамматические, лексические и пунктуационные ошибки, и через Oxford Text Checker, чтобы узнать уровень лексики в тексте. Последний штрих: оцени качество ответа по чек-листу для самопроверки.

𝥷 I used an outline to plan my essay.

𝥷 I wrote at least 300 words.

𝥷 I spent not more than 30 minutes.

𝥷 I proofread my answer.

DEVELOPMENT

𝥷 I have fully answered the question.

𝥷 I wrote detailed examples and reasons to support my ideas.

𝥷 I don’t have points that are not related to the main point.

ORGANIZATION

𝥷 I didn’t write about the same things over and over, just using different words.

𝥷 I don’t have unclear connections.

𝥷 I used paragraphs.

𝥷 I wrote an introduction and two well-developed body paragraphs.

𝥷 I wrote a short conclusion summarizing the main points and didn’t write any new ideas.

𝥷 I included at least two transitional words or phrases in each paragraph.

LANGUAGE USE

𝥷 I have no major mistakes.

𝥷 I used complex sentence structures (participle clause, conditional sentences).

𝥷 I used Advanced vocabulary.

𝥷 I have used words correctly.

30-days writing challenge

1. When employees feel that the management of their company is doing something wrong, what do you think is the best way for them to respond?

⚈ Talking to media

⚈ Speaking to the management directly

⚈ Quitting their jobs with the company.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People today are much better informed about international news than they were in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Although technology has made communication easier, there are still as many misunderstandings among people as there were in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

4. The expression “Never, never give up” means to keep trying and never stop working for your goal. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

5. Some people believe that it is an important part of a child's education to go on field trips(such as museums). Others think that children should spend time learning in a classroom at school. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

6. A school wants to train teachers to use new methods in their classrooms. Which is the best way to train the teachers?

⚈ Having all of the teachers attend a training program together

⚈ Have some of the teachers attend the program and later show their coworkers what they learned.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? For most jobs or areas of work, understanding the limits of your knowledge is more important than the knowledge you have. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Improving transportation is the best way for the government to promote economic growth. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? For students, the ability to listen well is just as important as the ability to read well. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? As long as they meet deadlines and attend meetings, company employees should be allowed to work any hour they choose. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

11. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television does not give people an accurate view of human nature. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

12. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more interesting to read a good book or see a good movie the second time than the first. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

13. Your friend wants to eat healthy, which of the following three suggestions is better?

⚈ Be more disciplined and have a stronger will

⚈ Work with people who share the same goals

⚈ Consult a professional expert.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

14. What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

15. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

16. People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

17. Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

19. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “It is more important for students to study art and literature than it is to study math and science.” Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

20. Your friend has decided to switch careers but isn’t sure which to choose. What advice would you give them? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

21. A university recognized that first-year students have poor study skills and believed that the best way to address this problem is to require all first-year students to take courses on study skills, while others don't agree with this requirement. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

22. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better for older people to take risks and explore new things than younger people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

23. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People today spend too much time on personal enjoyment, and not enough time on more serious duties and obligations. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

24. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students are more interested in politics today than they were in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

25. Which one of the following do you think is the best way to get to know a city in a limited amount of time when you first visit it?

⚈ Touring historic sites

⚈ Going to markets or shops

⚈ Eating in restaurants or spending time in cafes. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

26. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In order to solve the problems of the present and future, it is necessary to understand the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

27. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to use your own knowledge and experience to solve problems than to ask other people for advice. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

28. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Scientists should be responsible for the negative effects of their discoveries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

29. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Movies are worth watching only when they teach people things about real life. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

30. Do you agree with the following statement? To succeed in school or work, the ability to adapt to changing conditions or circumstances is more important than excellent knowledge in a job or a field of study. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

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