List of TOEFL Writing Topics with Examples and Tips
Content Curator | Updated On - Dec 27, 2023
TOEFL Writing topics comprises two different types of essays or sections. They are TOEFL Integrated Writing Task and Academic Discussion task. The time allocated for TOEFL Integrated Writing Task is 20 minutes and Academic Discussion task is 10 minutes. The TOEFL Writing topics are taken from academic areas such as technology, education, social media, family, and many more.
In TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, you need to read a short passage and listen to a short lecture. Then you need to write in response to what you have read and listened to. In Writing for an Academic Discussion task, you need to state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion. All the answers should be typed on the computer keyboard for TOEFL Writing section.
The scoring of TOEFL Writing topics are done by human and AI (Artificial intelligence). The raw scores provided by the combination of human and AI are converted to scaled scores from 0-30. There are multiple TOEFL essay examples available online. The TOEFL practice tests can help you ace the TOEFL Writing section.
TOEFL Writing Topics
The TOEFL for Writing topics include multiple genres that you can think of. You need to share your opinion and write about the topic asked for. You can find TOEFL writing essay examples online and on the official website. Some of the common TOEFL Writing topics include:
- The benefits of construction
- The qualities of a good neighbor
- Life for university students
- Work and Lifestyle
- Social media
- The impact of human activity on the environment
- Education (the education of young children, high school students, young adults, etc.)
- Different kinds of people you’d want to work with
- Important characteristics of a co-worker
- Cell phones
- The traits of the best teachers
- The attitudes of young people
- Traveling to new places
- Use of free time
TOEFL Integrated Writing Topics
In TOEFL Exam pattern, for Integrated writing tasks, you will read a passage first and then listen to a lecture related to the same topic. There is no limit of words to the response in TOEFL essay topics. The TOEFL Integrated Writing Section comprise of the following:
- Reading Passage: You will see a 3-minute long reading passage in TOEFL Integrated Writing Section.
- Lecture: A lecture of 2-minute-long is played for the candidates to listen in the TOEFL Integrated Writing Section.
The screenshot below shows TOEFL exam writing sample. The TOEFL Integrated Writing task looks like this:
An effective response ranges from 150-200 words. The TOEFL writing topics related to the TOEFL Integrated Writing tasks are:
| Genres | TOEFL Integrated Writing Topics |
|---|---|
| Science and technology | Use of technology in education. Impact of renewable energy sources on the environment. |
| Social Sciences and Culture | Effects of urbanization on communities. Role of social media in modern society. Significance of traditional customs in different cultures. |
| History and Literature | Influence of historical events on contemporary society. The interpretation of classic literature in modern contexts. The significance of famous figures from history or literature. |
| Environment and Sustainability | Consequences of climate change on ecosystems. The significance of conservation efforts for endangered species. |
| Health and Wellness | The benefits and drawbacks of different healthcare systems. The importance of physical fitness and mental health. The role of preventive medicine in public health. |
| Education and Learning | The effectiveness of various teaching methods. The advantages of online education and e-learning platforms. |
Essay Sample TOEFL Integrated Writing
The sample essays and practice tests will help you understand the question and answer pattern. Few samples are:
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 1
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 2
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 3
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 4
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 5
- TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 6
TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion
The new TOEFL Writing for an Academic discussion will replace the TOEFL Independent Writing task on and from July 26. This is included in the TOEFL new pattern. This is basically a discussion board on a university website. The questions are posted by a professor and two student responses. You should write at least 100 words and the word counter will be displayed on screen. The types of TOEFL writing topics examples for an Academic Discussion are:
| Type of Questions | Examples |
|---|---|
| State a preference between two similar things | Do you think it is better for university attendance to be optional or if it should be mandatory |
| Yes or No Questions | Whether or not social media influencers have a major impact on society. |
| Open ended questions | State what the biggest impact the Internet has had on society |
The question will look like this in TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion:
TOEFL Exam Writing Topics
The sample questions for the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion is provided below for each question type. The TOEFL Writing topics for this section is based on the discussion or lecture related to the university. You can find TOEFL independent writing topics with answers available online for free.
| Question Type | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| Yes or No Questions | Your professor is teaching a class on marketing. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should: Express and support your personal opinion Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words An effective response will contain at least 100 words. Professor: Hello class! Next week we will be discussing the impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, we’ve seen the emergence of a new type of celebrity: the social media influencer. These influencers have large followings and can sway consumer behavior by endorsing products or services. Here’s a question for the discussion board: Do social media influencers have a major impact on consumers? Why or why not? |
| State a Preference | Your professor is teaching a class on political science. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should Express and support your personal opinion Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write. Professor: Today we’re going to talk about the debate between economic growth and protecting the environment. Economic growth creates new jobs and gives people money they can use to improve their lives. On the other hand, if we protect the environment it can be enjoyed both by ourselves and future generations. If you had to choose between prioritizing economic growth or protecting the environment, which one would you choose. Why? |
| Open-Ended | Your professor is teaching a class on business. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should express and support your personal opinion make a contribution to the discussion in your own words An effective response will contain at least 100 words. Professor: Next week, we’re going to spend a lot of time in class discussing the positive and negative ways in which companies affect the world around us. Before we start talking about that in class, I want to hear what you think about the topic. So here’s a question for the message board: In your opinion, what is the best way for a company to have a positive impact on society? |
TOEFL Writing Tips
The TOEFL Writing section is based on a wide range of topics. The TOEFL writing tips and tricks will help you get higher TOEFL scores and avoid the mistakes. The tips are:
- You must build relevant ideas that contribute to discussion
- Do not forget to include examples
- Use a variety of idea, structure and vocabulary
- Strong and consistent grammar
- Avoid redundancy and write in paragraphs
- Practice multiple TOEFL writing practice tests
The TOEFL writing topics ensure that you present an argumentative and logical answer. The TOEFL writing section measures the proficiency of the English language of the candidate. You can get multiple practice papers and TOEFL mock tests available online. The TOEFL books will also help you ace the TOEFL exam.
FAQs
Ques: What are the most used TOEFL writing topics?
Ans: The TOEFL writing topics include academic areas such as technology, education, social media, work, culture, environment, family, and many more. You need to practice all the topics since the questions can be related to one.
Ques: What are the sections of TOEFL Writing section?
Ans: The TOEFL Writing section has two parts - TOEFL Integrated writing task and TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion. The total time taken is 30 minutes including both sections.
Ques: What is the time taken to complete the TOEFL Writing section?
Ans: The TOEFL Integrated writing task has a time limit of 20 minutes. The time frame for TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion is 10 minutes. The total time is 30 minutes for both the sections.
Ques: What is the word limit for TOEFL Writing task?
Ans: There is no specific word limit for TOEFL writing tasks. However, as per ETS, the effective word limit is 150-200 words. You can increase the word count if required.
Ques: What are the types of questions in TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion?
Ans: There are three types of questions in TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion. They are Yes or No questions, State the preference questions and open ended questions.
Ques: What is the time allowed for reading or listening before writing the answer?
Ans: You will see a 3-minute long reading passage in TOEFL Integrated Writing Section. You will also hear a lecture of 2-minute-long. The lecture will be played only once.
Ques: What are the tips and tricks for TOEFL writing?
Ans: You must include examples and use correct grammar while writing TOEFL writing tasks. Any grammatical errors and mistakes will reduce the TOEFL writing scores.
Ques: What are the general essay topics of the TOEFL exam?
Ans: The general essay topics for the TOEFL exam include discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a certain issue, expressing an opinion on a controversial topic, or providing solutions to a problem.
Ques: How do I prepare for the TOEFL essay writing?
Ans: Preparing for the TOEFL essay writing section involves practicing your writing skills, familiarizing with the types of essay, and learning how to structure and organize your essays effectively.
Ques: How do I come up with ideas for TOEFL İBT writing?
Ans: To come up with ideas for TOEFL iBT writing, you can follow examples, samples, consider different perspectives and practice writing.
Ques: How to address the TOEFL writing academic discussion
Ans: To address TOEFL writing academic discussion, write from your true personal perspective. If you are asked for your opinion, personal values or lessons learned in a lifetime of being who you are, an honest and personal answer will count.
Ques: Are 340 words too much for the integrated task of TOEFL?
Ans: Yes, 340 words are more for the TOEFL writing section. As per ETS, the effective essay should be within the range of 150-200 words.
Ques: What is the hardest TOEFL part?
Ans: Although the level of difficulty varies from person to person, the Speaking section is frequently mentioned as the most difficult part of the test.
Ques: Is TOEFL tougher than IELTS?
Ans: Determining whether TOEFL or IELTS is easier depends on individual preferences and strengths. Both tests assess English language proficiency but have distinct formats.
Ques: Which is the easiest section in TOEFL?
Ans: As per the surveys, the Listening section is the easiest section on TOEFL. You need to pay attention to the lecture/conversation and make notes. It'll be easy to score there.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.