TOEFL Writing & Composition 3

Question 1

In a TOEFL Independent Writing essay, a student writes: "There are many reasons why remote work is beneficial.
First, it saves time.
Second, it is more comfortable.
Third, it is good for the environment." What is the primary weakness of this body section?

Accepted Answer

The points are listed without development, evidence, or explanation—they are assertions rather than supported arguments.

Answer

The essay uses too many transition words.

Answer

The three reasons are not logically connected to each other.

Answer

The student should have argued against remote work instead.

Question 2

Which revision of this sentence demonstrates improved academic style: "People in cities have a hard time because everything is too crowded and noisy."

Accepted Answer

Urban residents often experience significant challenges related to population density and noise pollution.

Answer

City people have it hard because of noise and crowd problems.

Answer

In cities, things can be hard sometimes.

Answer

The problem with cities is that there are too many people and sounds.

Question 3

In a TOEFL essay arguing that public transportation should be subsidized, which sentence provides the strongest support?

Accepted Answer

Studies in cities with subsidized transit systems, including Seoul and Singapore, show 30–40% reductions in private vehicle use and corresponding decreases in carbon emissions.

Answer

Public transportation is used by many people every day.

Answer

Some people prefer driving to taking the bus or train.

Answer

Public transportation is a good idea and should receive more money from the government.

Question 4

Which of the following demonstrates the best use of hedging language appropriate for an academic essay?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that heavy social media use may be associated with increased depressive symptoms in some adolescent populations.

Answer

Social media definitely causes depression in all teenagers who use it.

Answer

Social media might possibly probably cause depression for some people sometimes.

Answer

No one can know whether social media affects mental health.

Question 5

A student uses the word "however" to connect two sentences in a body paragraph. When is this transition appropriate?

Accepted Answer

When the second sentence introduces a contrasting idea or qualification to the first

Answer

When the second sentence adds more evidence supporting the same point as the first

Answer

When the second sentence provides a definition of a term used in the first

Answer

When the second sentence is the topic sentence of a new paragraph

Question 6

A TOEFL essay prompt asks students to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social media. A student writes only about advantages. How does this affect the score?

Accepted Answer

The score may be reduced because the essay failed to address both aspects of the task as specified by the prompt, indicating incomplete task completion.

Answer

The score is not affected because TOEFL essays can be one-sided.

Answer

The score improves because focused essays are better than balanced ones.

Answer

Task completion is irrelevant to TOEFL Writing scores.