TOEFL Writing Topics: Best TOEFL Essay Topics for Your Practice

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In the fourth and last exam of TOEFL, candidates have to prove their ability to understand the English language at a university level. For this, they need to clear two tasks. One is Integrated Writing Task, and the other is Independent Writing Task which individuals must complete within 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. 

However, since there is limited time, many students get nervous despite this exam being fairly easy. Therefore, it is best to practice samples before appearing in the exam by setting a timer to overcome it. For reference, one can find some common TOEFL writing topics below. 

TOEFL Writing Topics

Independent Writing Task

Before looking into TOEFL writing independent topics, individuals must first understand what it is. Under the Independent writing task, candidates are given a question regarding a topic they must present their opinions on. In addition, candidates will also have to provide reasonable points to support their answers, along with examples. 

One must remember to keep his or her essay to a minimum of 300 words. Also, the approach to presenting it will depend on the question type. Broadly categorising, there are three types of questions asked:

Agree or disagree: This is the most common prompt that holds a 50% chance of appearing in the Independent Writing Task. Here individuals must pick a side and give a reason with examples why they chose the particular side. 

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TOEFL Writing Topics: Best TOEFL Essay Topics for Your Practice

Explain both sides: Here, candidates must talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, provide their personal view on them, and support it with facts. 

Pick from many options: In this section, individuals will find multiple possible answers to one question. They must pick one and share their opinion with examples to express why. 

TOEFL Independent Writing Topics 

Topics for TOEFL Independent Writing will be different depending on the type of question. This is why, here, we have divided the suggested topics according to respective categories.

Agree or Disagree Style

The following are the TOEFL essay topics that candidates can practice under agree or disagree style:

Question 1: ‘When carrying out research, it is best to refer to printed articles and books than to use an online mode of information.’ Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Provide specific reasons with examples to support your answer. 

Question 2: In our country, young people are enjoying a better life than the ones that their parents had when they were young. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Provide specific reasons with examples to support your answer.

Question 3: Movies and dramas strongly influence the way people think. Do you agree or disagree with it? State reasons to support your answer, along with some examples. 

Explain Both Sides

To understand the types of questions that a candidate may face under explain both sides prompt, refer to the following TOEFL Independent writing topics:

Question 4: Provide the advantages and disadvantages of living in a metropolitan city versus a small town. Use supportive reason to justify your answer, along with examples. 

Question 5: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying in a group versus studying independently. Use reasons with supportive examples to explain your thought.

Question 6: Provide the advantages and disadvantages of keeping college freshmen for one year before letting students pursue majors for further specialisation. Support your answer with reasons along with examples.

Question 7: Some colleges let school students take a one year gap after passing 12th for work and travel purposes. What are your views on this? Express advantages and disadvantages of this one-year gap, along with reasons and examples. 

Pick from Many Options

Question 8: What are the qualities that make a person leader? Incorporate specific reasons with examples to support your view. 

Question 9: Take a scenario where you have a vacant piece of land in your town. How will you make the best use of it? Support your answer with appropriate reasons and examples. 

Question 10: What is the biggest problem the world is facing in today’s world, in your opinion? Explain why you think it is the biggest problem with reasons and examples. 

Question 11: If you get an opportunity to learn a new skill that you always wanted to but never got the chance to, what will it be? Use specific reasons to support your answer, along with examples. 

TOEFL Integrated Writing Tasks 

TOEFL Integrated writing is a test of how one can read, listen and write English. As candidates face the task, they have three minutes to read the paragraph and listen to a short audio clip. Then, using these sources, they have to write an essay of 150 to 225 words that contains both the content of the audio clip and passage. 

Here, there is no requirement to give an opinion just to summarise the topic. However, the catch is once an applicant starts writing, he or she cannot listen to the audio again. 

TOEFL Integrated Writing Topics

It is essential to refer to TOEFL writing topics examples to train oneself in TOEFL integrated writing. Therefore, one sample has been provided for candidates’ reference below:

Integrated TOEFL Writing Prompt Sample 

Direction: You have 3 minutes to read this passage.

Passage Sample:

An international organisation recently took an initiative to promote ecologically sustainable forestry practices. For this purpose, it started issuing certificates to companies dealing in wood while meeting all ecological standards, including recycling materials and conserving resources. Companies can use this certificate as their promotional agenda by claiming their products to be ‘eco-certified.’ While many companies worldwide make an effort to carry out the certification process, many US companies do not have any interest in it for many reasons. 

Firstly, as many American products use ‘improved’ or ‘new’ labels, customers now do not trust the advertisement claims in general. Also, they are so exposed to advertising that people will not even pay attention to the eco-certification label. 

The second reason is customers, in general, are highly motivated by price. However, since companies have to pay extra to get authorities to examine their products for certification, it increases the cost per product, which later is borne by the customers. So, they may choose to buy uncertified wood products for a cheaper option. 

Thirdly, some people claim that it is always progressive for companies to keep up with worldwide development. So, it would make sense to get wood certification when producers marketed their products abroad. However, as most products are sold within the country, there’s no need for certification.  

TOEFL Writing Topics

Conclusion:

Candidates looking for TOEFL writing topics for practice can find the exact sample in the above section. However, to train oneself in the perfect ways, individuals must follow all the regulations set by the exam authorities and complete the task within time. 

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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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