HOW TO APPROACH WRITING TASK 2: ACADEMIC DISCUSSION
Publicado en 19 de julio de 2025
From July 2023 the TOEFL Writing Section shows a clear change in the college experience as technology has advanced. The second TOEFL writing prompt now asks for students to participate in an academic discussion.
Task formats
The discussion is similar to that used in many current university classes. It includes an explanation of the task, like all TOEFL questions. The discussion includes a question from the professor and responses from other students. You have 10 minutes to express and support your opinion.
The goal of this assignment is to demonstrate that you can actively participate in a class discussion and add your own ideas.
Response format
This assignment does not involve an essay. You should have a short response of about 100 words.
You only have 10 minutes to read the other forum posts and add your own contribution, so think quickly.
Your response should begin with a clear statement of your opinion (similar to a thesis statement). The following sentences should support your opinion.
Other students' responses can help guide you in organizing your ideas, but you should strive to add original ideas to your post. You don't want to repeat what someone else has already said. You can acknowledge the idea with a statement such as "I agree with..." or "My perspective is similar to that of...". However, your ideas and language should be clearly distinct from what others have said.
Scoring
The official rubric for the TOEFL writing section indicates that for a Task 2 response to receive a high score, it must be clearly related to the question and the ideas must be well communicated.
EXAMPLE:
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Instructions: Your professor is teaching a class on education. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response you should:
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Professor Carson This week, we’re going to talk about what makes a great teacher. I’m sure all of us can recall a teacher from school who made a positive impression on us, as well as other teachers whose lessons we didn’t enjoy going to. It’s fascinating to consider why this is. What do you think? In your opinion, what is the most important quality for a teacher to have? |
Mell I believe a teacher’s ability to connect with students is the most important quality. It’s not just about the information being taught. It’s also about how students feel in the classroom. When a teacher creates a positive and supportive environment, students are more likely to engage with the material and feel motivated to learn.
Daniel While I agree with Mellthat a good relationship with students is important, I think the most essential quality for a teacher is their knowledge of the subject. Teachers need to be experts in the content they’re teaching so that they can answer questions, explain concepts thoroughly and provide accurate information. Without this foundation, students can’t fully benefit from the lessons. |
Sample Answer (129 words):
Mell and Daniel make valid points, but I would say that it is most important for a teacher to be patient. First of all, every student learns at a different pace, and a patient teacher can provide the support and encouragement students need to succeed. For example, when a student struggles to grasp a concept, a patient teacher will calmly explain it in different ways without showing frustration, helping the student build confidence and stay motivated. In addition, managing a classroom can be challenging, and patience allows teachers to handle disruptions or mistakes in a constructive manner. Instead of reacting harshly to misbehaviour or errors, a patient teacher can guide students to reflect on their actions and learn from their mistakes, creating a more positive and respectful learning environment.
