Section 4:
Writing
This section
is only used on the CBT. If you are taking the paper test,
you can request to take the TWE (Test of Written English).
You should do so if the institution you want to attend
requires an essay score. On the CBT you can choose to write
or type your essay. You will have 30 minutes to complete one
essay. The topic is provided for you. It will be marked out
of 6. At least two people will read your essay. The scores
that each reader gives you will be averaged. You will be
evaluated on how well you can generate and support ideas.
Your spelling, grammar, and style will also be evaluated.
You are allowed to write down your thoughts and essay plan
on a separate piece of paper during the test. This will help
you to develop a more organized essay. You can download a
list of practice topics from the
TOEFL information bulletin.
Question
types:
- Which do
you prefer?
- Give your
opinion
- Discuss
an issue
- Personal
experience
- Pros and
Cons
- Compare
and Contrast
- Analyse a
quote or statement
Example:
Read the
example of a student's essay. When you are finished reading
the example look at the checklist and find out why this
student deserves a perfect score of 6.
Some people prefer to settle down and start a family in a
rural area. Other people prefer the convenience of the big
city. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples
to support your opinion.
Does
this scenario sound familiar to you? A young couple meets
and falls in love in the city. Later they get married and
decide to move to a rural area. They plan to start a family.
This may have been the case years ago, but today more
couples are choosing to settle down in the city. In my
opinion a city has more to offer a new family than a rural
area. These things include jobs, institutions, and support
systems.
There
are more work opportunities for young couples in a city than
in a rural area. Unemployment is much lower in urban
centers. One reason for this is that many jobs in rural
areas are seasonal. It is more common for large companies to
be based in the city. Even though the cost of living is
higher in the city than it is in a rural area, people who
work in the city tend to have much higher salaries.
Furthermore, financial stress is a leading cause of divorce
and leads to the break up of families.
The city offers important institutions such as the best
hospitals and schools that rural areas don't always have.
For instance, people who get sick or have babies in rural
areas often have to travel to the city for medical
attention. This can lead to bills and transportation
problems. While their parents have to commute to work, kids
sometimes have to travel a long way on a bus to school. All
of the travel takes away from family time. In addition, kids
who grow up in rural areas are less likely to go to post
secondary schools. Most have to go to the city to get a good
education.
It is more likely that a young couple will have the support
of friends and family in the city than in a rural area. When
a young couple moves away from this support system, they
often feel isolated. On the other hand, small communities
are usually close and friendly. It doesn't take long to meet
new friends in a small town. People look out for each other
and the crime rate is much lower. Even still, you can never
replace your best friends and relatives. Consequently,
birthdays and holidays feel lonely without grandparents and
childhood friends to join in the celebration.
Living in the city is a new trend for young families. This
is partly because people are starting families later. I have
already established my career and home in the city. My
friends and family and all of the things I need are here.
When I meet my future spouse I hope he agrees to settle down
in the city.
|
Essay
checklist |
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Do I have
an interesting introductory sentence? |
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Do I have
a thesis? |
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Does my
introduction state the topics that I plan to cover? |
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Does each
paragraph have a topic sentence? |
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Do I use
examples and reasons to support my points? |
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Is my
spelling and punctuation correct? |
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Do I use
simple grammatical structure that I am comfortable
with? |
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Do I use
transitional phrases? |
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Have I
covered both sides of an issue fairly? |
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Did I
prove my thesis? |
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Does my
conclusion end with an interesting thought or idea? |
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