Body B
Body C
This 5 paragraph structure approach can be used for 5 out of the 6 essay question types. The “Compare and Contrast” question type is the only essay question that will require a different structure.
Now, let's learn how to write a good introductory, body, and conclusion paragraph for the TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task.
How to write a high-scoring introductory paragraph - part 2, how to write a high-scoring body paragraph, how to write a high-scoring conclusion paragraph.
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access this lesson.
When you complete your TOEFL test, your writing must be evaluated. This is done by a combination of human readers and a computer program called e-rater®. Each of your essays is given a score from 0 to 5. Your combined essay scores are converted to a section score of 0 to 30.
There are four basic criteria on which your essay is evaluated. These four criteria are:
"Writing conventions" are the special rules of writing in English, including spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
As for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, here are four basic criteria on which your essay is evaluated. These four criteria are:
It takes time to develop good writing skills. Chances are a good English writer already has years of experience writing English and using English in their daily life. If you are not a good English writer, do not get frustrated.
The good news is that you only need to be able to write well on TOEFL independent and integrated tasks. Here are a few things we suggest you do in order to complete the TOEFL Writing section in the most effective manner.
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The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is an esteemed English proficiency exam divided into four sections. Under TOEFL writing, candidates must show how skilled they are in reading, writing, and listening to the language.
Table of Contents
There are two tasks that candidates need to face when writing this section. Task 1 is TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, and Task 2 is TOEFL Independent Writing Task. Combinedly, it is an exam of 50 minutes, but here individuals will find detailed information on Task 1 and its sample question.
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Integrated Writing TOEFL expects its candidates to use their reading, listening and writing skills to complete this task. In this, these candidates get three minutes to prepare for an essay by reading a short passage and listening to an audio clip relating to a single topic.
After preparing, they have 20 minutes to provide an essay providing their response to these two sources. There are two scenarios which applicants can encounter under this exam:
However, no matter the nature of these cases, applicants need to summarize their topic in 150 to 225 words. Also, they must establish a connection between the passage and the audio clip.
Students aspiring to study abroad must take the initiative to sharpen their skills by practising sample papers. For this purpose, candidates can refer to the below questions on integrated task writing TOEFL .
Question 1: Summarise the essential points mentioned in this passage and give inputs according to what is mentioned in the lecture.
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The water on the west coast of North America used to contain several Sea Otters (small mammals), starting from California to Alaska. However, in these few years, the population of Sea Otters on this Alaskan coast has rapidly declined. Moreover, this has started directly affecting its coastal ecosystem because of its important role in maintaining a balance. With several concerns rising now, many investigators have started investigating this matter. They found it was mainly because of two reasons. One is due to attacks by predators, and the second is environmental pollution.
Environment pollution formed one of the reasons because of the fact that there is a pollution source on the Alaskan coast, i.e., oil rigs. Also, investigators took water samples to test the chemical content in it. The result was high enough to affect the immune system of water creatures, which may result in death.
Another piece of evidence pointing out water pollution as its main culprit was a similar case of decline in other sea mammals, like the seal. This proved that whatever was causing the death of Sea Otters was also taking the lives of other sea mammals. Two things can affect an entire species. It can either be water pollution or a large water predator like orcas.
Finally, researchers also blamed the pollution hypothesis for explaining the uneven decline of Sea Otter. In other words, due to ocean currents and other natural factors, the pollution may have concentrated unevenly along the coast resulting in the death of mammals in that part.
Question 2: Summarise the belief of the lecturer and how they relate to this reading passage given below.
The International Astronomical Union Conference declared the inexistence of Pluto planet on 24th August 2006. It was initially discovered by scientists in 1930. It is when they were searching for the cause of what was interfering with the orbit of Uranus planet. At first, researchers believed Pluto was of the same size as the earth but later found it was even smaller than our earth’s moon and other moons as well.
Now there are thousands of planetary objects found in space similar to Pluto, like Eris, which is even a bit larger than Pluto. So, choosing to reclassify Pluto as one of the dwarf planets acknowledges that science is making progress. While it is disheartening news for Pluto planet lovers, people at large have accepted its lost status. Moreover, when it comes to today’s generation of students, they will know that currently, there are only eight planets, and Pluto was never a part of them.
To complete this above exercise with sheer perfection, candidates should know about the recommended TOEFL integrated writing template . It is as follows:
Here, candidates must begin writing integrated task TOEFL with a sentence like:
The lecture and the reading passage both talk about (topic). The articles support the thought that (thought) and/but the lecturer feels that (sayings). The lecturer and the author agree/disagree on points 1/2/3, which I have discussed in detail in the following essay.
As per this reading passage (statement 1), the point of discussion of this article is that (discussion). This point is (challenged/affirmed) by the lecturer in the audio clip. He or She states that (statement).
Secondly, the author talks about (statement 2). The article says that (point of discussion). The lecturer agrees/claims that (audio content) in its response. He or She goes on to say that (discussion).
Finally, the author suggests that (statement 3). He or She means that (explanation). The lecturer agrees/disagrees with this point stating (statement). He or She notes that (explanation).
Candidates may or may not give a one-line conclusion at the end.
The writing section of the TOEFL exam forms an integral part of the English language proficiency exam. To clear it, here are some crucial tips for candidates to consider. It can help them perform better in their TOEFL writing integrated task and secure a seat in a foreign university:
Individuals looking for TOEFL Integrated Writing task samples for practice can find some references above. Along with it, there is information about the time one gets to complete this task, how many words they have to produce within this period and the recommended template to follow. Also, one can refer to these above tips while writing to make sure they score the highest marks possible.
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The writing section is the final section of the TOEFL test. It has 2 different question types, and you get one question from each question type in your test. You only get 20 minutes for question 1 and 30 minutes for question 2 , so it can be difficult at first to come up with a high-scoring essay within such a short time. To help you with that, here are the structure templates that can help you write a high-scoring TOEFL Integrated essay.
This blog post is a part of a series where I post templates for all TOEFL Speaking and Writing questions. As a part of this series, I will introduce you to structure templates for 4 speaking and 2 writing tasks, along with model answers written based on those templates.
This is the second post: How to write a TOEFL integrated essay.
I will include the reading passage and the lecture script just so you have an idea of what the topic is about when I am explaining the structure using the model essay.
Table of Contents
Despite the worldly fame of William Shakespeare’s literary works, little is known about his life. Most of the facts we know are simply theories and rumors. The lack of specific records created many doubts about Shakespeare’s existence. Some have been arguing that there were other people who actually wrote the works under Shakespeare’s name. The first candidate is Francis Bacon, who was a famous scientist, theorist, and philosopher in the 16th century. This theory gained support because of the legal references indicated in Shakespeare’s plays and poems. For example, some of Shakespeare’s poems such as “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece” imply legal ideas that Francis Bacon was known to support. The second candidate is Christopher Marlowe, who was a playwright and poet that lived in the same period as Shakespeare. Marlowe’s death is thought to be linked to the birth of the Shakespeare name. Some people believe that his death was faked to allow him to escape religious trials. He is then thought to have used the name of William Shakespeare to continue writing. The third candidate is Edward de Vere, an English nobleman who worked as a courtier in the 16th century. Back then, the writings of the authors that were from the noble class were restricted to a private audience. Edward de Vere was also one of those authors. Since he wasn’t able to take credit for his writing publically, many claim that Edward de Vere used a false name, William Shakespeare, to reach a broader audience. This enabled him to receive the spotlight and create famous masterpieces.
Although there is no clear historical evidence that proves William Shakespeare’s existence, the theories in the reading about the identity behind the Shakespeare name are full of errors. First of all, even though Francis Bacon and Shakespeare shared similar legal ideas, Francis Bacon’s academic background contradicts some of the scientific ideas in Shakespeare’s works. For instance, certain parts in Shakespeare’s canon and plays show a misunderstanding of the mainstream scientific beliefs of the time that Francis Bacon would not have had. Especially about astronomy beliefs, we can know that the ideas of these two figures don’t match. Next, Christopher Marlowe’s death has nothing to do with Shakespeare. All the plays Marlowe wrote were published under his own name after his death in 1593, which was very unlikely to happen for a person who was regarded as a religious criminal. Meanwhile, 37 other plays and 154 sonnets were published under the name of William Shakespeare. This theory doesn’t make sense because there was no reason for Marlowe to use a different name. And lastly, Edward de Vere couldn’t have used the name of Shakespeare because he died before the time some of Shakespeare’s works were newly published. Evidence clearly shows that many of Shakespeare’s plays and poems such as Macbeth, King Lear, and Tempest were written and revised in 1621, which is long after Edward de Vere died in 1604. Even if someone else had given the works to the publishers instead, revising them would have been quite impossible because no one would know what kind of stories Shakespeare wanted to publish.
Both the reading passage and the lecture discuss three theories regarding the real identity of William Shakespeare. The reading passage mentions three people who could have used the name William Shakespeare as an alias, while the lecture contradicts the reading passage on all three points. First, the reading passage talks about the possibility of Francis Bacon being the person behind the name of Shakespeare. This theory is based on the idea that the legal references that appear in Shakespeare’s works are also known to be supported by Bacon. However, the lecture refutes this claim by stating that although the two people shared the same legal ideas, Shakespeare’s works also included scientific ideas that would not be supported by Bacon. Bacon’s academic background would contradict such ideas. Since Shakespeare’s works did not follow the mainstream scientific beliefs, his ideas on astronomy significantly differed from Bacon’s. Second, the reading passage suggests Christopher Marlowe as the second candidate. According to the passage, Marlowe faked his death to escape from religious trials and used the name of Shakespeare to publish his work. The lecture refutes this by asserting that Marlowe’s death had nothing to do with Shakespeare. Since some of Marlowe’s works were published under his own name after his death, it does not make sense for Marlow to also use a different name. The final theory in the reading is about Edward de Vere, an English nobleman who might have used the name of Shakespeare to receive credit publically. The lecture opposes this theory as well by stating that de Vere could not have used the name of Shakespeare since he died before some of Shakespeare’s works were revised and published. Even if someone else had given the works to a publisher, there is no way that the publisher would have known how to revise the work. In conclusion, while the reading passage introduces three different candidates who might have used the name of William Shakespeare, the lecture refutes all of the theories.
Before moving on to individual paragraphs, you should be aware of the general structure of TOEFL integrated essays. Your essay should include an introduction, 3 body paragraphs(one for each point), and a conclusion(optional). Since you need to show that you understood the connection between the reading passage and the lecture, each body paragraph should include one point from the reading and the related point from the lecture.
Main Topic: In this part, you explain the topic that is being discussed in both the reading passage and the lecture. This shows that you understood what the reading passage and the lecture were talking about.
Link between the reading passage and the lecture : This is where you explain the connection between the two sources. Most of the time, the lecture goes against whatever the reading says, so keep that in mind.
Transition Word: Make sure you start your body paragraphs with appropriate transition words. This makes your essay look coherent and easy to read. You can also include transitions between your explanation of the reading passage and the lecture.
Reading Passage: This part is where you paraphrase the information you got from the reading passage. Make sure you do not copy the sentences word by word from the reading passage. You should always rephrase the sentences in your own words because copying them will lead to point deductions. Also, notice how in all 3 body paragraphs, the explanation of the reading passage is 2 sentences or less? Some students tend to include a lot of details from the reading passage because they can always read the passage while writing the essay. However, your explanation of the lecture should be longer and more detailed than your explanation of the reading passage. This means you should not waste your time trying to explain ALL the details mentioned in the reading passage. Use the passage as a guide to help you organize the key points in case you miss anything while trying to take notes for the lecture part.
Lecture: This is the most important part of your body paragraph. In order to get this part right, you need to have solid note-taking skills. So assuming you have taken good notes, the lecture part should be fairly easy to write. Just connect the information that you noted down to the information you got from the reading passage. Make sure you include appropriate details to support the key points mentioned in the lecture. And always keep in mind that you should try to include more information about the lecture than the passage.
Here is an example of a note-taking table that you can use to match key points from the two sources.
In conclusion, while the reading passage introduces three different candidates who might have used the name of William Shakespeare, the lecture refutes all of the theories.
In TOEFL integrated essays, the conclusion paragraph is totally optional. If you have enough time left, go ahead, but if you do not have enough time, focus on the body paragraphs and skip the conclusion. If you do write one, your conclusion should restate the information in the introduction paragraph. Here, the author rephrases the “Link between the reading passage and the lecture” part.
The final structure of your integrated essay should look like this:
This concludes today’s post. Please look forward to upcoming posts on the speaking section!
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Preparing for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task can be challenging, but with the right tips and strategies, you can achieve a high score. The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task assesses your ability to combine information from a reading passage and a listening clip to create a well-structured, cohesive essay. This comprehensive guide will explore essential techniques, provide valuable tips, and share sample essays to help you master the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your TOEFL writing skills or need a top score for your academic goals, our expert advice will give you the edge you need to succeed.
Table of Content
Toefl integrated writing topics, toefl integrated writing rules, toefl integrated writing tips, writing structure for toefl integrated writing task, toefl integrated writing task sample answers, what is toefl integrated writing task.
There’s no strict limit on the length of your TOEFL iBT writing integrated task response, but aiming for 150 to 225 words is recommended for an effective answer. Consistent practice with TOEFL-integrated writing examples can boost your score to 26 or higher in the writing section.
In this section of the TOEFL exam , you will be presented with a passage to read and a lecture to listen to. The passage typically provides background information or an argument related to an academic topic, while the lecture offers additional information, challenges the ideas presented in the passage, or provides examples to support or oppose the argument.
Your task is to write a response that combines both the information from the reading passage and the lecture. You must demonstrate your understanding of the main points, identify the relationship between the ideas presented in the passage and the lecture, and effectively convey your thoughts in a coherent and organized manner.
Solve Free TOEFL Practice Papers:
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Students who want to study overseas have to be the ones who practice writing sample papers and hone their skills. Candidates may use the integrated task writing TOEFL questions below for this purpose.
Question 1: Summarise the essential points mentioned in this passage and give inputs according to what is mentioned in the lecture.
Sample Reading Passage: The water on the west coast of North America used to contain several Sea Otters (small mammals), starting from California to Alaska. However, in these few years, the population of Sea Otters on this Alaskan coast has rapidly declined. Moreover, this has started directly affecting its coastal ecosystem because of its important role in maintaining a balance. With several concerns rising now, many investigators have started investigating this matter. They found it was mainly because of two reasons. One is due to attacks by predators, and the second is environmental pollution. Environment pollution formed one of the reasons because of the fact that there is a pollution source on the Alaskan coast, i.e., oil rigs. Also, investigators took water samples to test the chemical content in it. The result was high enough to affect the immune system of water creatures, which may result in death. Another piece of evidence pointing out water pollution as its main culprit was a similar case of decline in other sea mammals, like the seal. This proved that whatever was causing the death of Sea Otters was also taking the lives of other sea mammals. Two things can affect an entire species. It can either be water pollution or a large water predator like orcas. Finally, researchers also blamed the pollution hypothesis for explaining the uneven decline of Sea Otter. In other words, due to ocean currents and other natural factors, the pollution may have concentrated unevenly along the coast resulting in the death of mammals in that part.
Question 2: Summarise the belief of the lecturer and how they relate to this reading passage given below.
Sample Reading Passage: The International Astronomical Union Conference declared the inexistence of Pluto planet on 24th August 2006. It was initially discovered by scientists in 1930. It is when they were searching for the cause of what was interfering with the orbit of Uranus planet. At first, researchers believed Pluto was of the same size as the earth but later found it was even smaller than our earth’s moon and other moons as well. Now there are thousands of planetary objects found in space similar to Pluto, like Eris, which is even a bit larger than Pluto. So, choosing to reclassify Pluto as one of the dwarf planets acknowledges that science is making progress. While it is disheartening news for Pluto planet lovers, people at large have accepted its lost status. Moreover, when it comes to today’s generation of students, they will know that currently, there are only eight planets, and Pluto was never a part of them.
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task covers a wide range of topics, reflecting the types of subjects encountered in academic settings. While the specific topics may vary from test to test, there are several common themes that frequently appear.
Topic Category | Common Topics |
---|---|
Education | The role of education in society |
Different approaches to learning | |
Challenges and innovations in education | |
Science and Technology | Advancements in technology and their impact on society |
Ethical considerations in scientific research | |
Environmental issues and solutions | |
Arts and Culture | Cultural diversity and its significance |
The impact of art and literature on society | |
Preservation of cultural heritage | |
Social Issues | Gender equality and women’s rights |
Poverty and social inequality | |
Immigration and multiculturalism | |
Health and Wellness | Public health initiatives and challenges |
Lifestyle choices and their effects on health | |
Access to healthcare services | |
Environment | Climate change and its consequences |
Conservation efforts and sustainability | |
Renewable energy sources | |
Globalization | Economic globalization and its effects |
Cultural globalization and identity | |
International cooperation and conflict resolution | |
Business and Economy | Market trends and economic forecasts |
Entrepreneurship and small business | |
Corporate social responsibility | |
Politics and Government | Democratic governance and political participation |
Human rights and civil liberties | |
International relations and diplomacy | |
Lifestyle | Urbanization and city planning |
Trends in leisure and recreation | |
Consumerism and materialism |
Read More: TOEFL Writing Topics
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task follows specific rules and guidelines that test takers must adhere to. Here are the key rules for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task:
Understanding the Task The TOEFL iBT test is primarily for those aiming to study in foreign universities. It evaluates your ability to comprehend the main ideas presented in lectures and texts. Proficiency in understanding spoken and written English is crucial for those planning to travel or work abroad or with English-speaking individuals in their home country.
TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing Samples Utilize TOEFL sample papers and integrated writing task practice sets to familiarize yourself with the exam format and topics. Expand your vocabulary by reading newspapers, magazines, and other materials for effective TOEFL integrated writing practice.
Read More: TOEFL Writing Tips
Read More: 10 Common Writing Mistakes in TOEFL Exam
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task requires a structured and organized approach to effectively convey your ideas and analysis. A well-structured response not only helps you articulate your thoughts clearly but also demonstrates your ability to comprehend and synthesize information from both the reading passage and the lecture. Here’s a recommended writing structure for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task:
1. Introduction Start with a brief introduction that provides context for your response. Summarize the main topic or argument presented in the reading passage and the lecture. Clearly state your thesis or main idea, indicating how you will address the relationship between the reading and the lecture. Example : “In the reading passage, the author discusses [topic], asserting that [main argument]. However, the lecturer challenges this viewpoint by presenting [counter argument]. In this essay, I will examine the relationship between the reading passage and the lecture to determine [thesis statement].” 2. Body Paragraphs Develop your response with two or three body paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of the relationship between the reading passage and the lecture. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point or argument you will discuss. Provide specific examples, details, and evidence from both the reading passage and the lecture to support your points. Analyze the similarities and differences between the information presented in the reading passage and the lecture. Use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and ensure coherence within and between paragraphs. Example: Topic Sentence: “One key point raised in the reading passage is [topic].” Supporting Details: “For example, the author mentions [specific detail or evidence from the passage].” Analysis: “This demonstrates [interpretation of how the detail supports the main argument].” Transition: “In contrast, the lecturer provides a different perspective on [topic].” Supporting Details: “During the lecture, it is mentioned that [specific detail or evidence from the lecture].” Analysis: “This challenges the argument made in the reading passage because [explanation of how the detail contrasts with the passage].” Repeat this structure for each body paragraph, focusing on different aspects of the relationship between the reading passage and the lecture. 3. Conclusion Summarize the key points you’ve made in your response. Reinforce the relationship between the reading passage and the lecture, highlighting any significant insights or conclusions. End with a closing statement that reinforces your thesis and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Example: “In conclusion, while the reading passage argues [main argument], the lecture provides compelling evidence to suggest [alternative perspective]. By considering both viewpoints, it becomes clear that [reiterate thesis statement]. Further research may shed additional light on this complex issue.”
Here are some sample prompts that reflect the type of tasks you might encounter in the TOEFL Integrated Writing section:
Reading passage: discusses the benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified organisms (gmos) in agriculture., lecture: challenges the reading passage by highlighting potential health risks and environmental concerns associated with gmos..
Sample Response Analysis:
a. Introduction: Summarizes the main points of the reading passage and the lecture, and states the thesis.
Example: “The reading passage outlines the benefits of GMOs in agriculture, such as increased crop yields and resistance to pests. However, the lecture raises concerns about the potential health risks and environmental impact of GMOs.”
b. Body Paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Addresses the benefits mentioned in the reading passage and the health risks highlighted in the lecture.
Example: “The reading passage claims that GMOs can lead to larger and more reliable crop yields. Conversely, the lecture argues that GMOs might pose health risks, citing studies that have found potential allergenic effects.”
Paragraph 2: Discusses the environmental impact.
Example: “While the reading passage suggests that GMOs can reduce the need for pesticides, the lecture counters this by pointing out that GMOs could harm biodiversity and lead to the development of pesticide-resistant pests.”
c. Conclusion : Restate the thesis and summarizes the main points.
Example: “In conclusion, although the reading passage emphasizes the agricultural benefits of GMOs, the lecture presents significant health and environmental concerns that cannot be overlooked.”
In conclusion, to score highly on the TOEFL exam and prove your academic English competence, you must understand the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task. You can successfully prepare for this difficult section of the test by keeping to a clear and structured writing structure, understanding the common topics, and practicing with sample papers. Don’t forget to concentrate on integrating the knowledge from the reading passage and the lecture, clearly expressing your thoughts, and practicing frequently using a variety of prompts. You will be prepared to take on the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task with confidence and get the scores you want if you put the ideas and advice in this resource to use.
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What is the toefl integrated writing task.
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write an essay that synthesizes information from both sources.
Common topics include education, science and technology, arts and culture, social issues, health and wellness, environment, and globalization.
Your response should include an introduction, body paragraphs that address key points from the reading and lecture, and a conclusion that summarizes your main ideas.
Sample papers can be found on official TOEFL websites, in prep books like “The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test,” and on educational websites like Magoosh and Kaplan.
Effective strategies include taking detailed notes, clearly organizing your essay, using transition words for coherence, and practicing with a variety of prompts.
Similar reads.
TOEFL iBT ®
The premier test of academic English communication
Learn more by selecting any step in your TOEFL iBT ® journey.
The TOEFL iBT test Writing section measures your ability to write in English in an academic setting, and to present your ideas in a clear, well-organized way.
There are two writing tasks.
You'll type your responses on a computer keyboard.
Test time: It should take about 29 minutes to complete the Writing section.
Scoring: Writing tasks are scored based on the Writing Scoring Guides (Rubrics) (PDF) by a combination of AI scoring and certified human raters. Raw scores are converted to a scaled section score of 0–30.
Explore a variety of official prep offerings to practice your English-writing skills with TOEFL ® TestReady ™ . Get insights and feedback on your grammar, usage, mechanics and more.
Watch these videos to learn about the questions in the Writing section, plus helpful tips.
Read a passage and listen to a lecture. Then write a response comparing them.
View Transcript
Share your opinion in an online discussion with a professor and other students.
The writing tasks measure your English proficiency, so you don't need deep knowledge on a specific topic to get a high score. Score raters recognize that each essay is a first draft, and you can receive a high score with an essay that contains some errors.
Exam Date | Booking From - To | Result Date |
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The TOEFL Writing Section is the fourth and final section of the exam. It is 50 minutes long and contains two tasks: The Integrated Writing Task and The Independent Writing Task. But, what does this mean? What are these two tasks? They are basically two essays that you have to type on your laptop. In this guide, you will get an overview of these two essays, information about what topics can appear on each essay, and suggestions on how to approach each essay.
INTEGRATED ESSAY OVERVIEW
Of the two tasks, the Integrated Writing comes first. In this task, you will have to read a passage and listen to a speaker before writing your essay . The first part is the reading passage which is approximately 250-300 words long. You will have 3 minutes to read this passage. Next, you will listen to a lecture related to the information from the passage you have just read. This audio clip is typically 2-3 minutes long. Then you will have 20 minutes to write about the information from both the reading and listening passages. The TOEFL suggests an Integrated Writing that is 150-225 words, but we recommend writing 250-300 words.
Writing Time: 20 minutes Recommended Length: 250-300 words
TOPICS TO EXPECT ON THE INTEGRATED ESSAY
Your Integrated essay will always be about what you read and listen to in the passages. You should cover the main points of the author in the reading passage, and the lecturer’s response to the author’s main points. You should also include details that support their points. Never write about your own opinion in the Integrated Task!
The topics of the reading and listening passages are typically related to an academic subject, such as science or history. The author will state his or her opinion about a subject, and then provide three main points that support it. The lecturer will state his or her opinion about the same subject with three counterpoints to the author’s points. The lecturer is almost always going to offer views which conflict with the author is some way. For example, the lecturer may cast doubt on, disprove or debunk the author’s points. For examples of Integrated Essay topics, click here.
Before you start writing, it is very important to take good notes. You should write down as much as you can, especially from the audio clip because you will only get to hear it once. The reading passage will reappear for you to refer to while you are writing, but it is also important not to copy the points in the reading word for word, as this does not show your writing skills. It is better to paraphrase and rewrite the author’s main points in your essay.
INDEPENDENT ESSAY OVERVIEW
The last task you will have to do in the TOEFL exam is write your independent essay. You will be given a question relating to a topic which asks for your opinion. You will have 30 minutes to plan and write your opinion on the topic, including providing reasons for your opinion. The TOEFL suggests an Independent Writing that is 300-325 words long, but we recommend writing 350-400 words.
Writing Time: 30 minutes Recommended Length: 350-400 words
TOPICS TO EXPECT ON THE INDEPENDENT ESSAY
Unlike the Integrated Writing, your Independent Writing essay should be all about your opinion. Often these questions are designed for you to discuss a controversial topic, and can appear in three forms:
1. Agree or Disagree
This question form is by far the most common questions on the TOEFL Independent Tasks . For this question type, you will usually be given a statement and then will be asked if you agree or disagree with that statement. It is important to only choose one side. Don’t try to write about both sides.
For examples of “Agree or Disagree” Independent Essay topics, click here.
2. Pick a Side
Also often called the “preference” question, this prompt is asking what you would prefer or choose. Most often the choices, typically two or three, are provided, but sometimes they are not. It is important to only choose one option and stick with it.
For examples of “Pick a Side” Independent Essay topics, click here.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Finally, the rarer question type is where you have to write about both sides of a topic. This most often appears as a question asking you to explain the advantages and disadvantages of an issue. Unlike the other two forms, you should cover both sides for this question type. For examples of “Advantages and Disadvantages” Independent Essay topics, click here.
HOW TO APPROACH THE INDEPENDENT ESSAY
For the first two question types, you need to strongly you express opinion. This means that even if you don’t have a strong opinion on the topic, or if you could go either way on the choices, choose a side and stick to it. It is better for your score to pretend to be passionate about your position. So, make sure your position is clear in the very first sentence (or two) of your essay. Then, provide at least two supporting reasons for your opinions with detailed personal experiences.
For the last question type, you will need to write about both sides equally. Make sure you use your time wisely and don’t dedicate too much of your essay writing about only one side.
Finally, regardless of the kind of question you are asked, it is always a good idea to spend a few minutes before you start writing outlining you answer.
SAMPLE TOEFL ESSAY TOPICS
The best advice is to practice writing TOEFL essays in advance. There are numerous sample writing topics out there for you to practice before test day. For more samples, click here.
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The best toefl writing templates for any prompt.
Even if English composition isn’t your forte, you can still earn a high score on the TOEFL Writing section by following a template. But what exactly is a TOEFL Writing template? Simply put, TOEFL essay templates teach you how to organize your thoughts, select strong pieces of evidence, and get the Writing score you want .
In this article, we’re providing you with two high-quality TOEFL essay templates for the Integrated and Independent Writing tasks. Before that, we’ll go over the differences between the two TOEFL Writing tasks and then discuss how our TOEFL essay templates can benefit you. After, we’ll teach you how to customize and use our templates.
The Writing section is the final section you’ll face on the TOEFL, and it consists of two separate tasks: an Integrated Writing task and an Independent Writing task . The Integrated task requires you to write a response comparing a lecture and an article, whereas the Independent task requires you to write an opinionated essay in which you agree or disagree with an idea.
Below, we examine the two TOEFL Writing tasks in detail.
For the Integrated task, you must read a passage on an academic topic for three minutes and then listen to a short lecture on the same topic. This lecture will either support or challenge what’s written in the passage. Your response must summarize the main points discussed in the lecture and explain how these points relate to the reading .
You’ll have a total of 20 minutes to write your response. Your response should be around 150-225 words . During this time, you may reread the passage; however, you may not listen to the lecture again.
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The score you receive for this task will be on a scale of 0-5 . According to the official rubric , a level-5 essay (i.e., a perfect essay) selects the most crucial information from the lecture and presents it in a coherent, accurate, and well-organized manner. A level-3 essay is satisfactory but overall vague, with fewer key points and several grammatical errors. Finally, a level-1 essay offers minimal coherency and fails to address any of the main points in the lecture. ETS (the creators of the TOEFL) offers several samples of scored Integrated essays online.
Below is an example of an Integrated Writing task borrowed from ETS :
Reading Passage
Critics say that current voting systems used in the United States are inefficient and often lead to the inaccurate counting of votes. Miscounts can be especially damaging if an election is closely contested. Those critics would like the traditional systems to be replaced with far more efficient and trustworthy computerized voting systems.
In traditional voting, one major source of inaccuracy is that people accidentally vote for the wrong candidate. Voters usually have to find the name of their candidate on a large sheet of paper containing many names—the ballot—and make a small mark next to that name. People with poor eyesight can easily mark the wrong name. The computerized voting machines have an easy-to-use touch-screen technology: to cast a vote, a voter needs only to touch the candidate’s name on the screen to record a vote for that candidate; voters can even have the computer magnify the name for easier viewing.
Another major problem with old voting systems is that they rely heavily on people to count the votes. Officials must often count up the votes one by one, going through every ballot and recording the vote. Since they have to deal with thousands of ballots, it is almost inevitable that they will make mistakes. If an error is detected, a long and expensive recount has to take place. In contrast, computerized systems remove the possibility of human error, since all the vote counting is done quickly and automatically by the computers.
Finally some people say it is too risky to implement complicated voting technology nationwide. But without giving it a thought, governments and individuals alike trust other complex computer technology every day to be perfectly accurate in banking transactions as well as in the communication of highly sensitive information.
Lecture Transcript
(Narrator) Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
(Female professor) While traditional voting systems have some problems, it’s doubtful that computerized voting will make the situation any better. Computerized voting may seem easy for people who are used to computers. But what about people who aren’t? People who can’t afford computers, people who don’t use them on a regular basis—these people will have trouble using computerized voting machines. These voters can easily cast the wrong vote or be discouraged from voting altogether because of fear of technology. Furthermore, it’s true that humans make mistakes when they count up ballots by hand. But are we sure that computers will do a better job? After all, computers are programmed by humans, so “human error” can show up in mistakes in their programs. And the errors caused by these defective programs may be far more serious. The worst a human official can do is miss a few ballots. But an error in a computer program can result in thousands of votes being miscounted or even permanently removed from the record. And in many voting systems, there is no physical record of the votes, so a computer recount in the case of a suspected error is impossible! As for our trust of computer technology for banking and communications, remember one thing: these systems are used daily and they are used heavily. They didn’t work flawlessly when they were first introduced. They had to be improved on and improved on until they got as reliable as they are today. But voting happens only once every two years nationally in the United States and not much more than twice a year in many local areas. This is hardly sufficient for us to develop confidence that computerized voting can be fully trusted.
Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.
For the Independent task, you will write about your opinion on a certain topic . You must provide clear reasons and specific examples for why you agree or disagree with the issue or statement. (This doesn’t have to be your real opinion, though!) You’ll have 30 minutes to write your response. A typical high-scoring essay is at least 300 words .
You’ll receive a score on a scale of 0-5 . According to the official rubric , a level-5 essay effectively addresses the topic, provides clear and ample details, and contains at most only minor issues with grammar and word choice. A level-3 essay offers a generally coherent response with occasional slips in clarity. Finally, a level-1 essay offers little to no detail and contains multiple technical errors. You can look at samples of Independent essays on the ETS website.
Here is an example of an Independent Writing task taken from ETS :
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
So far we’ve covered all of the basic components of the TOEFL Writing tasks. To briefly recap, here is an overview of the Integrated and Independent Writing tasks:
3 minutes to read a passage, 20 minutes to write a response | 30 minutes to write a response | |
150-225 words | At least 300 words | |
0-5 | 0-5 | |
To summarize the main points of a lecture and compare the lecture to a passage | To explain whether you agree or disagree with an issue or statement | |
You must read a passage and listen to a lecture you begin writing. You may look at the passage as you write your response. | You do have to write about your real opinion! You may pretend to agree or disagree. |
The purpose of a TOEFL Writing template is to help you compose a detailed and eloquent essay — and of course get you a high Writing score! But what exactly is a template?
It’s easiest to think of an essay template as a skeleton . While a skeleton is the framework for a body, a template is the framework for an essay . Thus, a TOEFL Writing template highlights basic structural patterns and phrases you can integrate into your own writing. What a template doesn’t do is write your essay for you. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how you’ll add the skin and muscles (i.e., the details and supporting evidence) to your “skeleton.”
Furthermore, writing templates are typically created to suit different types of essays . For example, a template for a compare/contrast essay will differ from a template for an editorial piece. This is why it’s so important you use a writing template specifically geared toward the TOEFL!
There are three major benefits to using a TOEFL Writing template.
Using a TOEFL Writing template ensures you’ll have a focused and well-organized response . A high-quality template teaches you how to structure your response so that your introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs are all clearly defined. This way, even if your grammar and spelling aren’t perfect, your response will still have an overall strong framework that’s easy to follow.
TOEFL essay templates also show you what kinds of transitions you can use and where . Transitions are a key component of essays that allow you to connect your thoughts and progress to new ideas smoothly. Truth be told, you probably won’t score super highly on the TOEFL Writing section if you don’t use any transitions!
Another big benefit of using a TOEFL Writing template is that it saves you time on the Writing section. Since you’ll already have a sense of how you’re going to structure your essay, you’ll spend less time planning it out and coming up with transitions, openings, and closings. As a result, you’ll get more time to actually write out your response!
Lastly, a TOEFL Writing template allows you to feel more prepared on test day. Many test takers find it difficult to write out responses to English-language prompts in only 20 or 30 minutes. But TOEFL essay templates equip you with the skills you’ll need to feel more confident in your writing skills — and confidence is the first step toward getting a great TOEFL score!
In this section, we offer you a TOEFL Integrated Writing template and an Independent Writing TOEFL template . We also provide you with a handy list of key transitional words and phrases you can incorporate into your essays.
Please note that you do not need to follow these templates directly. In fact, we strongly encourage you to replace our sample words and phrases with your own . We will talk more about how to customize our TOEFL essay templates in the following section. But for now, let’s take a look at the templates!
Before we dive into our TOEFL Integrated Writing template, let’s get a quick reminder of what the Integrated task entails.
For this task, you’ll read a passage and then listen to a lecture. Your task is to summarize the lecture and explain whether the lecture challenges or supports what’s written in the passage. You’ll have 20 minutes to compose a response of around 150-225 words .
We’ll divide our template into four paragraphs: an introduction and three body paragraphs . You shouldn’t need a separate concluding paragraph for this task, as you can still score a 5 without one (plus, you likely won’t have enough time to write one!). But if you want to write a conclusion, just be sure you keep it short — two to three sentences at most.
Now, on to the TOEFL Integrated Writing template!
Your first paragraph will introduce the lecture and how it relates to the reading. This paragraph doesn’t need to be long; a simple two or three sentences should suffice.
1. Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the lecture.
2. Next, explain whether the passage refutes or supports the main point of the lecture.
Examples (Contrast):
Examples (Agreement):
In this paragraph, you’ll want to focus on one of the key points in the lecture and explain whether the passage refutes or supports this idea.
1. Introduce the main point you’ll be discussing.
2. Next, describe this particular point in more detail and then discuss how the passage either refutes or supports it. I suggest using one to two sentences here.
3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining what this difference or similarity means .
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In this paragraph, you’ll focus on another key point in the lecture and again discuss how the passage either agrees or disagrees with this idea. The structure here is essentially identical to that of paragraph 2, so make sure you are using new transitions and varying your word choice.
1. Start by introducing the second point in the lecture you’ll be discussing. Because this is your second body paragraph, do not use transitions such as “first” or “first of all.”
2. Next, explain this key point in more detail and elaborate on how it is either refuted or supported by the passage. As with paragraph 2, I recommend using one to two sentences here.
3. Finally, explain what this difference or similarity means .
This final body paragraph will offer your last key point in addition to a brief conclusion . Once again, try to vary your transitions and words here so that your body paragraphs do not sound redundant.
1. Introduce and summarize the third point in the lecture . This is your third and final body paragraph, so do not use transitions such as “first” or “next.” Instead, use transitions such as “third,” “finally,” “last,” and “lastly.”
2. Then, explain this point in more detail and discuss whether the passage matches or challenges it. Use one or two sentences here.
3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining the significance of this similarity or difference . You should also look at this sentence as the conclusion to your entire response . Remember, you do not need to write a separate concluding paragraph for this task; it’s perfectly OK to combine it with your last body paragraph!
For this task, you will read a short prompt and then write a response explaining whether you agree or disagree with the issue or idea. Unlike the Integrated task, here you’ll be writing an opinionated response (though you do not have to write about your actual opinion).
You’ll have 30 minutes to write an essay of at least 300 words . Because this essay should be longer than the Integrated task, it’s best to use the basic five-paragraph structure, with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Note that many of the example sentences below are based on the sample Independent Writing prompt used above . This means that these sentences will not apply exactly to other prompts! So don’t simply copy the sentences onto your test; instead, use them as a general guide to help you develop a better sense of style and flow in your writing.
Now, let’s take a look at our Independent Writing TOEFL template.
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce the main issue or idea and rephrase the prompt in your own words. Then, you’ll state whether you agree or disagree with the statement and why.
1. For your first sentence, you’ll want to come up with a hook that introduces the topic of your essay in a unique and creative way. Most people start broad and then get specific . This sentence is also a great opportunity to insert a hypothetical question.
2. Next, introduce your opinion on the topic . You may list your specific reasons for your opinion here or in the following sentence(s). Remember, this doesn’t need to be your real opinion!
3. Here, state how many points (three is ideal) you’ll be discussing in your essay and then briefly summarize what these reasons for agreeing or disagreeing are . Your reasons may come from facts, predictions, personal beliefs, experiences, etc.
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce your first key point about the issue and offer specific examples illustrating why you agree or disagree.
1. For the first sentence, introduce the key point you want to talk about.
2. Next, provide an example to explain why you believe this is the case . I suggest using a hypothetical situation somewhere in your essay to help illustrate one of your points.
3. Continue your paragraph by elaborating on your example . Explain any effect or consequence of the example and discuss how this outcome supports your viewpoint.
This paragraph will follow a similar structure to that of paragraph 2, only this time you’ll discuss your second key point . To prevent this paragraph from sounding too similar to the one before it, vary your word choice and choose a different type of example on which to focus.
1. In the first sentence, introduce your second key point . Because this is your second body paragraph (and second point), make sure you employ appropriate transitions, such as “second,” “secondly,” and “next.”
2. As you did in paragraph 2, use these next few sentences to elaborate on your point and offer specific examples . Always clarify how your examples support your stance (agree or disagree) and how they relate back to the issue stated in the prompt.
This is the last body paragraph in which you will introduce and explain your third and final key point .
1. First, introduce your third point . As this is your final body paragraph, make sure you’re using appropriate transitions, such as “finally,” “last,” “lastly,” and “third,” to introduce your point.
2. As you did in paragraphs 2 and 3, elaborate on this point by providing new evidence, details, and/or examples. Explain why this point is important and how it supports your stance on the issue.
Like the Integrated Writing task, a separate concluding paragraph isn’t always necessary here . That said, if you have time, I recommend quickly wrapping up your points in a concise yet effective conclusion. One to three sentences should suffice.
1. In the first sentence or two, summarize your stance and explain why you feel this way . You may re-introduce your three main points here. You may also paraphrase the prompt and explain once more whether you agree or disagree with the issue and why.
2. Finally, if you have time, bring together your concluding paragraph with a single general statement about your viewpoint .
In addition to TOEFL essay templates, we offer you an assortment of common transitions and phrases you can use in your TOEFL responses. These words will allow your writing to flow more smoothly and connect your thoughts in a clearer, more logical manner.
To add information to a point, or to introduce a new (related) point:
To introduce an example:
To introduce an opinion:
To start a new body paragraph:
To add similar or related information:
To restate information in a shorter or clearer way:
To contrast information:
To show cause and effect:
To emphasize information:
To conclude information, a paragraph, or your overall response:
Below, we offer you a few pieces of advice to help you customize your TOEFL Writing template.
Here are two ways to customize our TOEFL Integrated Writing template.
The sample sentence and openers we’ve provided above don’t contain any specific information, so you are welcome to incorporate these examples into your own Integrated Writing response however you like.
That said, you don’t need to use these examples exactly as they are . If you’d like to tweak them, try replacing the verbs and transitions with other (synonymous) words. I also suggest adding adverbs to emphasize certain words. So for example, instead of writing, “The author, however, disagrees with this belief,” you could write, “The author, on the other hand, strongly challenges this concept.”
Just be sure that the examples you’re using in your essay fit with the type of lecture-passage relationship you’re given. Remember, this relationship can be either supportive (in which the lecture agrees with the passage) or contrastive (in which the lecture disagrees with the passage).
Most Integrated Writing tasks will give you a lecture that challenges what’s written in the passage. In these cases, it’s important you use a variety of transitions, conjunctions, and prepositions to emphasize this important contrast throughout your essay.
There is one caveat, though: do not use a single transition more than once in your response . For instance, if you were to consistently start your supporting sentences with “however,” your essay would lack balance and begin to sound redundant. So be sure to vary your word choice!
Here is a list of strong contrastive words you can use in your Integrated Writing response:
Here are three ways you can customize our Independent Writing TOEFL template.
Although the Independent Writing task asks specifically whether you agree or disagree with an idea, you do not need to write about your real opinion . What you should really do is choose the side that’s easier to argue — regardless of whether you actually agree or disagree with it!
In other words, it’s perfectly OK to make things up for this response and pretend you support something you don’t actually believe. Remember, you are not being judged on which stance you choose but on how effectively you support your stance.
For this task’s examples, I’ve primarily supplied you with whole sentences, all of which were based on the sample Independent Writing prompt used above. Because our examples refer to a specific prompt, you cannot copy these sample sentences word for word and use them in your own essay . Failing to change these sentences means your essay won’t make a whole lot of sense, if any at all!
Therefore, what you should actually be doing is using these example sentences to learn what types of details to include in your Independent Writing response. You may also use our examples to get a feel for how you can change up your sentences and word choice.
For your response, you must come up with specific details and examples to support your viewpoint. These examples can range from facts and statistics to experiences and hypothetical situations.
In order to produce a truly compelling response (and get a high essay score), you must incorporate a variety of effective examples into your essay. This means you’ll want to avoid using the same types of examples for each point you make . So if you were to discuss a personal experience for your first body paragraph, focus on a different type of detail, such as a universally accepted fact or a hypothetical scenario, for your second body paragraph.
Finally, here are four general tips for using a TOEFL Writing template effectively.
The sample sentences and openers we’ve given you for each template above contain different transitions to help link ideas together; thus, we encourage you to use a variety of transitions in your own essays . For ideas, refer to our transition list above. This list can help you swap out some of our sample transitions for other ones you believe fit better with your writing.
Ultimately, varying your word choice is critical to ensuring your essay is well written . This means that a high-scoring TOEFL essay will not simply use transitions but use them well . So if you’ve already inserted “therefore” in one area, try using “as a result” or “thus” in another area. You’ll still get the same meaning but with a stronger, more versatile effect.
Don’t feel limited by the number of sentences we’ve included in each body paragraph in our templates. If you need to use two or three sentences to explain a point, that’s OK! You should always give a lot of detail for your points — so long as you are staying concise and focused.
For example, if you spend a paragraph discussing a hypothetical scenario but fail to offer any analysis, you probably won’t receive a high TOEFL score. Likewise, if you write a verbose introduction or conclusion, your score may end up being lower than you wanted it to be.
Basically, you must find the perfect balance between detail and analysis. A good way to monitor this balance is to always try to hit the word minimum for each task . Doing this means you’ll likely have an essay that’s sufficiently detailed. Just try not to exceed the maximum or you’ll risk rambling!
Each of our TOEFL essay templates above has three body paragraphs and three main points. Although three points is a solid number of points, if you can only think of two points, just stick with those and try to support them as clearly and effectively as possible.
As you can see in the sample TOEFL essays here , many essays with scores of 2 and 3 actually address three points — but their points are altogether weak, with few supporting details and insufficient analysis. What this means is that just having three points in your essay isn’t enough to guarantee you a high essay score . Thus, it’s far better to write an essay with two strong points than three weak ones.
If you struggle with English, you might be tempted to borrow some sentences and phrases from the prompt. While it’s OK to paraphrase sentences, you should never copy exact sentences from your prompt .
Copying the prompt shows evaluators that you lack the English level necessary for writing creatively and analytically. On top of this, copying is also a form of plagiarism, which means you are essentially “stealing” another’s work.
So what does this mean for your score? If you copy entire sentences and phrases from the reading or topic, you will receive a score of 0 .
In addition to our templates above, here are a couple of online resources offering high-quality TOEFL essay templates you can use for free.
TOEFL essay templates are an especially useful component of TOEFL prep because they raise your chance of achieving a high TOEFL Writing score .
With TOEFL essay templates, you can organize your thoughts more clearly, spend less time outlining your responses, and prepare for the TOEFL with increased confidence. Our templates are also flexible , allowing you to customize certain elements to your liking and cater the templates to many different prompts.
When using a TOEFL template, always remember the following four tips:
Now that you’re equipped with our TOEFL essay templates and the knowledge of how to use them, you should have no trouble getting a great TOEFL Writing score!
Seeking additional help with the TOEFL Writing section? Start practicing with our 13 Writing topics and get information on what resources you can use for high-quality Writing topics .
What does a high-scoring TOEFL essay look like? Take a look at our analyses of two perfect-scoring TOEFL essays to learn what you can do to guarantee yourself a high essay score on test day.
Want more TOEFL templates? Check out our TOEFL Speaking templates to improve your English-speaking skills and confidence.
Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz
Shubhankar Das
Content Writer Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Jun 24, 2024
TOEFL Integrated Writing Task is the first part of the writing section. Candidates are allocated 20 minutes to complete the integrated writing section . In TOEFL integrated writing template, you need to read a short passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response . You have to type TOEFL iBT independent writing responses on a computer keyboard.
TOEFL integrated writing tasks are scored based on the Writing Scoring Guides by a combination of AI scoring and certified human raters . The writing section TOEFL score ranges from 0 to 30 level. You must have a clear idea about how TOEFL integrated writing task is scored, the tasks in the writing section will each be given an overall score from zero to five.
There is no maximum length for TOEFL iBT writing integrated task response, but writing within 150 to 225 words is considered an effective response . Regular practice with TOEFL integrated writing samples will help you to achieve a 26+ score in the writing section . You can find updated TOEFL integrated writing samples from the official websites or some best TOEFL books.
From the TOEFL integrated writing examples, we can notice the diversity of the topics. Test-takers need to engage themselves in reading different texts as given in the below topics. The TOEFL writing topics may include:
TOEFL writing is nonetheless a difficult section and the candidates need to learn the general rules of TOEFL writing tasks:
The main aim of the TOEFL integrated writing test is to analyze how well the candidate can read, listen and respond in the form of an essay. TOEFL integrated writing templates guide the candidates in structuring the perfect essay. The examiners look for well-structured and precise essays. The following are points that will guide the candidates during integrated writing task TOEFL practice:
The TOEFL iBT test is basically for studying in universities abroad. In that case you need to prove that you can understand the main ideas of lectures and texts. To understand spoken and written English is utmost important for anyone who wants to travel abroad, work abroad or work with English-speaking people in their home country.
In the writing section, you will have to read a passage that consists of 250-300 words and listen to a lecture which is of 1- 2 minutes. Both the written passage and the lecture are about the same academic topic and they convey two perspectives on the same issue.
You must take notes while reading and listening so that you can remember the important things you need to write about. After you read and listen, you will have to write about 150-225 words in response to how the reading and the listening passages are related.
You must take notes while reading and listening in order to be able to write about the main ideas in the two passages and show how they are related.
Use Keywords
Use Symbols & Templates
For example, you could use to show contrast between two ideas.
Use —>to show cause and effect.
Practice More and more
Use a Table to Take Notes in a Structured Way
You must spend only 1-2 minutes to plan your written response.
You should attempt to write 4-5 paragraphs..
You can follow the structure of the example paragraphs below:
Example: Both the reading and the listening passage discuss__________. The author of the reading passage argues that__________, while the lecturer challenges the points made by the article. He/She claims that__________.
Example: First of all, the author of the reading passage states that__________. He/She claims that__________. However, the lecturer in the spoken passage implies that__________. Moreover, he/she believes that__________.
Last but not least, the reading passage mentions__________. The author seems to believe that__________. In contrast, the lecturer argues that__________. He/She discusses__________. The two perspectives differ in their approach to__________.
Using connectors give your writing more structure and logic is necessary.
To sequence ideas use- firstly, secondly, last but not least
To contrast ideas use- however, although, nevertheless, in contrast, on the one hand/ on the other hand
To show cause and effect use- as a result, consequently, therefore
Save 1-2 minutes to proofread your work. Remember, you don’t have time for big changes, rather check the spellings and punctuation mistakes.
TOEFL sample papers helps candidates to understand the exam format and question topics. TOEFL integrated writing task practice sets can help you further in practice. For more TOEFL integrated writing task practice try to read newspaper articles, magazines and more to enhance your vocabulary. Here are few TOEFL integrated writing task sample questions to give you an idea :
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Ques: What is a TOEFL integrated writing task?
Ques: How is the integrated writing task structured?
Ques: What types of questions are asked in the integrated writing task?
Ques: How long do I have to complete the integrated writing task?
Ques: How should I structure my integrated writing response?
Ques: What is the independent writing task?
Ques: How long do I have for the academic discussion task?
Ques: How is the TOEFL writing section scored?
Ques: What are good practices for the TOEFL writing section?
Ques: How can I improve my integrated writing skills?
Ques: What are some common mistakes in integrated writing?
Ques: How can I improve my integrated writing score?
Ques: What is a good structure for integrated writing responses?
Ques: How do I choose which points to include from the reading and lecture?
Ques: How do I write a strong introduction for integrated writing?
Ques: How do I write a strong conclusion for integrated writing?
Ques: How do I use transition words in integrated writing?
Ques: How do I incorporate academic vocabulary?
Ques: How do I vary my sentence structures?
Ques: How do I manage my time for the writing tasks?
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Learning to write well is a skill, like any other. This skill is important not only on your TOEFL exam, but also in your academic and professional career. The TOEFL Writing section consists of two parts:
The following free sample TOEFL essays illustrate how to get a high score on the independent writing section of the iBT. By reading through the essays, you can learn how to:
Try to write an essay each day. The added practice will enable you to complete a strong essay, with ease, confidence, and speed, on the day of your TOEFL exam and throughout your life.
Toefl overview.
2. toefl skills, primary skills.
Toefl books, in-class training.
Studying toefl abroad, 4. attitude, test anxiety.
6. toefl blog.
Test Resources
Sample toefl integrated essay, the question.
This integrated (Type 1) question is taken from one of the writing drills in the 2016 edition of Cracking the TOEFL from Princeton Review . I am not permitted to provide the lecture and reading here, but if you need some practice questions, Princeton’s book is a decent choice.
You can now sign up to have your practice essays evaluated and scored by the author of this page. This service is a great way to learn how you will do before test day and how you can best prepare for the big day. Sign up today .
The reading and the lecture are both about the consumption of wheat by humans in the pre-historic period. The author of the reading believes that bread was the first product produced from wheat. The lecturer casts doubt on the claims made in the article. She thinks that, in fact, beer was the first product that resulted from wheat production.
First of all, the author claims that early humans prepared wheat for consumption by grinding it between two stones. He notes that wheat was much easier to consume if it was ground into a thin paste in advance, rather than just being chewed raw. This point is challenged by the lecturer. She says that it was not necessary to grind wheat as it could be sprouted naturally in a moist environment. Furthermore, she points out that sprouted wheat is sweeter, softer and more nutritious than ground wheat.
Secondly, the author states that early humans would have easily discovered how to bake bread by exposing their ground wheat to fire. He argues that baked bread could be stored for long periods of time which would have greatly increased the value of wheat as food. This argument is rebutted by the lecturer. She suggests that humans during this period did not know how to cook food with fire. She notes that applying fire to food in order to make it more palatable was simply not an obvious idea at that time.
Finally, the author mentions that early humans would have noticed the effects of yeast spores landing on the ground wheat paste when it was left out in the open. He is of the opinion that the bubbles that formed when the yeast landed indicated to people that baked bread would be lighter and easier to eat than raw wheat. The lecturer, on the other hand, feels that fermentation happened very quickly when wheat paste was put into storage. She puts forth the idea that the nice taste of the bubbles that formed when fermentation happened would have been more likely to lead to beer production than to bread production.
This is a sample TOEFL integrated essay written by a native speaker. It follows our TOEFL writing templates for integrated essays. If you find it useful, please remember that we have many more sample essays for you to read!
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Here's how the TOEFL Integrated Essay works: It is the first writing task on the TOEFL test. First, you will have three minutes to read an article (four paragraphs, 250 to 300 words) about an academic topic. Next, you will listen to a lecture (about 2 minutes) about the same topic. Finally, you will have 20 minutes to write an essay about the ...
The TOEFL integrated writing task is the first of the two writing tasks in the TOEFL exam. It's designed to assess your ability to combine listening and reading skills to write a coherent and well-structured essay. Here's a detailed breakdown: Reading passage: A passage around 200-250 words long is provided.
Below is an official TOEFL Integrated Writing sample question and as well as an essay response that received a score of 5. It includes a written passage, the transcript of a conversation (which would be an audio recording on the actual TOEFL, and the essay prompt. After the prompt is an example of a top-scoring essay.
Practice TOEFL Integrated Essays. On test day, you'll first get a TOEFL Integrated Writing Question. You will first read an article, then listen to a lecture, and finally write an essay using details from both. Below are some practice questions you can use to get ready for the test. Complete Sample Questions and Responses!
The TOEFL Integrated Writing task is the first of two Writing tasks. For this task, you must combine your reading, listening, and writing skills to produce a compelling essay that compares a passage with a lecture on the same topic. In order to get a high score on TOEFL Integrated Writing, try to practice with high-quality resources.
This first task in TOEFL Writing really is all about note-taking, paraphrasing, and reporting. Read on to learn all about TOEFL Writing Task 1! The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task requires you to read a passage that is about 250-300 words long. You then must listen to a lecture that is 2 to 2.5 minutes long. The lecture will challenge or disagree ...
Your TOEFL integrated essay should be about 280 to 300 words. To see this template in use, check out my collection of sample essays. Writing for Academic Discussion (Writing Question Two) Here's a template that focuses on expanding on and challenging the points mentioned by the other students.
It's my guide to the TOEFL integrated essay, updated for 2022. This video describes how ETS designs the question, provides a sample question and gives you a...
A TOEFL template is basically a pre-organized set of words and phrases that you can use in almost any TOEFL Writing response. Here's TST Prep's template for the integrated TOEFL Writing question (question one): The article introduces the topic of (general topic). More specifically, the writer discusses (stance of the author on the topic).
Here's a sample TOEFL Integrated Writing Task!For more samples, check out this page: https://www.toeflresources.com/sample-toefl-essays/For my essay evaluati...
TOEFL Writing Introduction. The writing section is the fourth section of the TOEFL iBT test and takes about 50 minutes to complete. It consists of two separate tasks: an Integrated Writing task and an Academic Discussion Writing task.The Independent task requires you to write an opinionated essay based on your own knowledge and experience, whereas the Integrated task requires you to write a ...
There are two tasks that candidates need to face when writing this section. Task 1 is TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, and Task 2 is TOEFL Independent Writing Task. Combinedly, it is an exam of 50 minutes, but here individuals will find detailed information on Task 1 and its sample question. Crack IELTS in 4 Weeks!
How to Write a TOEFL Integrated Essay. The writing section is the final section of the TOEFL test. It has 2 different question types, and you get one question from each question type in your test. You only get 20 minutes for question 1 and 30 minutes for question 2, so it can be difficult at first to come up with a high-scoring essay within ...
The time given to write your essay is 20 minutes and you will need to write a minimum of 150 words. Here is a sample question for this task. Please take note that the audio recording is presented as a transcript here but in the actual test, you will not see this transcript but will only hear it. TOEFL Integrated Writing Task sample.
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task assesses your ability to combine information from a reading passage and a listening clip to create a well-structured, cohesive essay. This comprehensive guide will explore essential techniques, provide valuable tips, and share sample essays to help you master the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task.
The writing section is the final part of the TOEFL ® test. You'll have about 30 minutes to answer two writing questions. They are known as the TOEFL Integrated essay, and the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion Task.You'll be graded based on your content, organization, grammar and language use. Below are links to my best stuff, or read on for descriptions of each task.
The TOEFL iBT test Writing section measures your ability to write in English in an academic setting, and to present your ideas in a clear, well-organized way. There are two writing tasks. Integrated writing task (20 minutes) — read a short passage and listen to a short lecture, then write in response to what you read and listened to.
The TOEFL suggests an Integrated Writing that is 150-225 words, but we recommend writing 250-300 words. Writing Time: 20 minutes. Recommended Length: 250-300 words. TOPICS TO EXPECT ON THE INTEGRATED ESSAY. Your Integrated essay will always be about what you read and listen to in the passages.
The score you receive for this task will be on a scale of 0-5.According to the official rubric, a level-5 essay (i.e., a perfect essay) selects the most crucial information from the lecture and presents it in a coherent, accurate, and well-organized manner.A level-3 essay is satisfactory but overall vague, with fewer key points and several grammatical errors.
TOEFL Integrated Writing Tips. The main aim of the TOEFL integrated writing test is to analyze how well the candidate can read, listen and respond in the form of an essay. TOEFL integrated writing templates guide the candidates in structuring the perfect essay. The examiners look for well-structured and precise essays.
Integrated Writing, which includes reading, listening and then writing a summary/ comparison piece of 250 word in 20 minutes; Independent Writing, which involves writing a four to five-paragraph essay of 300-350 words in 30 minutes; The following free sample TOEFL essays illustrate how to get a high score on the independent writing section of ...
This is a sample TOEFL integrated essay written by a TOEFL expert. It follows our TOEFL writing templates for integrated essays. If you find it useful, please remember that we have many more sample essays for you to read! Sample TOEFL Integrated Essay The Question This integrated (Type 1) writing question is taken from a Chinese textbook which ...
The Sample Essay. The reading and the lecture are both about the consumption of wheat by humans in the pre-historic period. The author of the reading believes that bread was the first product produced from wheat. The lecturer casts doubt on the claims made in the article. She thinks that, in fact, beer was the first product that resulted from ...