Write for an Academic Discussion Test #123
Write for an Academic Discussion
TOEFL iBT / Writing / Write for an Academic Discussion Video Solution (Tips & Tricks)
A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.
Your professor is teaching a class on psychology.
In your response, you should do the following.
- • Express and support your opinion.
- • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Professor’s question:
For centuries, thinkers have debated the ‘nature versus nurture' question: are we more shaped by our genetics or our environment? # Some psychologists emphasize the role of inherited traits in determining personality. # Others argue that our experiences, upbringing, and culture are the primary influences. # In your view, which of these two forces plays a greater role in making us who we are? # Why?
Student response 1:
I believe our environment, or ‘nurture,' is more important. # This is because our family, friends, and the culture we grow up in teach us how to behave and what to value. # For instance, two twins with the same genes can grow up to be very different people if they are raised in separate homes.
Student response 2:
I have a different perspective. # Even though the environment is influential, I think our fundamental personality traits are determined by genetics. # Some people are naturally more outgoing or cautious from a very young age. # Therefore, I believe our basic nature sets the foundation that our experiences then build upon.
Sample Score 5
While genetic predispositions are undeniable, I firmly believe that environmental factors exert a more profound influence on the development of our identities| By navigating diverse social landscapes, individuals acquire the values and behavioral patterns that define their adult lives
Student 2 makes a compelling point regarding innate temperaments; however, these biological blueprints are often significantly modified by one's upbringing| Even a child born with a cautious disposition can become a risk-taker if they are raised in an environment that consistently rewards courage and exploration| This suggests that while nature provides a baseline, nurture determines the actual trajectory of personality growth
Ultimately, the way we perceive and interact with the world is a product of our lived experiences rather than just our DNA| Therefore, the cultural and familial contexts in which we are immersed remain the primary architects of our character
Sample Score 4
In my opinion, our genetic makeup plays a more significant role in shaping our personalities than the environment does| I believe that we are born with certain characteristics that stay with us throughout our entire lives
Although Student 1 argues that external factors like family are most important, I agree with Student 2 that basic traits are visible from birth| For example, some babies are very calm while others are more active, even before they have had many life experiences| This indicates that our DNA is the main factor that guides how we react to the world around us
While our environment can influence us, it cannot completely change our core nature| Our genes provide the fundamental map for who we become
Sample Score 3
I think that our environment is more important for our personality| People learn many things from their parents and teachers
Student 1 said that twins can be different if they live in different places, and I agree with this| If a person goes to a good school, they will be smart and kind| Genetics are important, but the way we are raised changes us more
In conclusion, I believe our life experiences make us who we are today| Without a good environment, our natural traits cannot grow well
TOEFL Writing – Write an Email Scoring Guide
SCORE 5: A fully successful response
The response is effective, is clearly expressed, and shows consistent facility in the use of language.
A typical response displays the following:
- Elaboration that effectively supports the communicative purpose
- Effective syntactic variety and precise, idiomatic word choice
- Consistent use of appropriate social conventions (e.g., politeness, register, organization of information and formulation of actions such as requests, refusals, criticisms, etc.)
- Almost no lexical or grammatical errors other than those expected from a competent writer writing under timed conditions (e.g., common typos or common misspellings or substitutions like there/their)
SCORE 4: A generally successful response
The response is mostly effective and easily understood. Language facility is adequate to the task.
A typical response displays the following:
- Adequate elaboration to support the communicative purpose
- Syntactic variety and appropriate word choice
- Mostly appropriate social conventions
- Few lexical or grammatical errors
SCORE 3: A partially successful response
The response generally accomplishes the task. Limitations in language facility may prevent parts of the message from being fully clear and effective.
A typical response displays the following:
- Elaboration that partially supports the communicative purpose
- A moderate range of syntax and vocabulary
- Some noticeable errors in structure, word forms, use of idiomatic language and/or social conventions
SCORE 2: A mostly unsuccessful response
The response reflects an attempt to address the task, but it is mostly ineffective. The message may be limited or difficult to interpret.
A typical response exhibits one or more of the following:
- Limited or irrelevant elaboration
- Some connected sentence-level language, with a limited range of syntax and vocabulary
- An accumulation of errors in sentence structure and/or language use
SCORE 1: An unsuccessful response
The response reflects an ineffective attempt to address the task. The message may be limited to the point of being unintelligible.
A typical response exhibits one or more of the following:
- Very little elaboration, if any
- Telegraphic language (i.e., short and/or disconnected phrases and sentences) with a very limited range of vocabulary
- Serious and frequent errors in the use of language
- Minimal original language; any coherent language is mostly borrowed from the stimulus
SCORE 0: No response / irrelevant response
The response is blank, rejects the topic, is not in English, is entirely copied from the prompt, is entirely unconnected to the prompt, or consists of arbitrary keystrokes.
Highlights
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