Cracking the Toefl IBT 2009 edition part 41

If you know exactly what your essay is supposed to look like, you'll have an easier time writing, Step 2: Organize Your Essay In the first step, we looked at how your essay should be

IIL Tie reason #2 back to thesis

Based on (details about reason #2), (your choice) is a better

option than (the other option)

Paragraph #4: Body Paragraph

1 Transition/third reason

Finally, I think (your choice) is the right choice because

(reason #3)

Il Detail for reason #3

(Derails about reason #3)

IIl Tie reason #3 back to thesis

I like (your choice) over (the other option) due to (details about

reason #3)

Paragraph #5: Conclusion

1 Transition/restate thesis

Ultimately, I feel that (your choice) is the correct one

IL Final statement

believe this because (why you believe your choice is best)

In summary, familiarize yourself with these templates If you know exactly what

your essay is supposed to look like, you'll have an easier time writing,

Step 2: Organize Your Essay

In the first step, we looked at how your essay should be structured Now we need to

talk abour what your essay will contain Before you start writing, spend about five

minutes brainstorming examples and points for your essay Failing to do so may

lead you to write an essay that lacks focus and coherence

For the first rask, you'll be presented with a short reading passage While reading,

take notes on the main idea and some of the major facts presented Your notes do

not have to be very detailed—you'l be able to refer back to the passage while you

are writing However, itis important to know the general idea of the reading so

that you can relate it back to the lecture

During the lecture, try to note the major points presented by the professor There

will usually be three to five points, but you won't need all of them: Two or three

points will be sufficient for the task You will not be able to hear the lecture again,

0 itis important to remember some of the points

Try to organize your notes in the following way:

Reading:

Main idea:

Example/reason:

Example/reason:

Example/reason:

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Remember, if it’s too difficult to read and take notes, then do not attempt to do so,

“The reading passage will be available for reference while you write For the lecture, the main idea is generally opposite that of the reading, so don't worry about not- ing that The examples offered in the lecture are the parts you have to concentrate

‘on During the lecture, try to organize your notes as follows:

Lecture:

Even if you are unable to write down the details for the example, you'll need to try to remember them so you can refer to them in your essay If you don't mention specific points from the lecture, you will receive a lower score

For the second task, it is very important that you come up with good reasons for your viewpoint You need to tell the reader why you believe your opinion is better Here's a good way to organize your thoughts

Issue:

Your opinion:

A Sample Response: A Well-Organized Essay

Let's look at a sample response for the second writing task Here's the prompt

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

The purpose of education should be to teach skills, not values Support your position with details and examples

Before you start writing, ake time to organize First, write down what the issue is

Issue: Should schools teach only skills and not values?

Putting the statement into your own words or rephrasing it asa question is a

helpful way to approach the prompr Now, figure out which side of the issue you are on

‘Your opinion: Disagree—I believe schools should teach values as well

as skille

‘After figuring out your opinion, ask yourself why you have that

formation will be useful for your introduction inion ‘This in-

‘Why? Because etudents need to know how to act in the world,

‘Once you ask yourself why you have your opinion, you then need to list some spe-

cific examples

Reason #1: Students may not get educated about values at home,

Detail #1: Some parents don't teach values to their children Thus,

‘schools should teach them, Reason #2: Education is more than just skills

Detail #2: Students are going to use their education in the outside

world, They need to know what's right and wrong, Reason #3: It is easier to teach values when students are younger

Detail #3: Education plays an important role in a young person's life,

80 schools are a good place to teach values

Your Turn: Practice Writing a Well-Organized Essay

Now it’s your turn ro organize your thoughts on the prompt that follows

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

‘Students should be required to take regular standardized tests to

prove that they are learning

‘Support your position with details and examples

Issue:

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Now try it again, and time yourself See if you can brainstorm some examples within five or six minutes

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

The best way to teach is by example

Support your position with details and examples

Issue:

Step 3: Consider Your Audience

TOEFL graders are trained to look for certain features in your writing By ensur- ing thar your essay contains these features, you'll improve your score Similarly, there are some elements to avoid in your writing Make sure your essay contains

the following:

1 Anintroduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion More details

on these can be found in Core Concept: Writing,

2 Specific examples Your essay must use specific examples The more derail you use, the better your essay will be

3 Transitions One of the things TOEFL graders look for in an essay

is “unity and coherence.” That means that all the ideas are linked

together with appropriate transitions,

In addition, you'll want to avoid the following:

1 Repeating phrases from the reading or prompt word for word

Always put the examples and reasons into your own words Although

repeating a word or two is acceptable, you should never copy long

phrases directly from the text on screen TOEFL graders will penalize

you for this

2 Writing your essay as one long paragraph Make sure you divide

your essay into separate paragraphs Do not just write a single block of

text

3 Ineluding material not relevant to the task Your essay must remain

con topic Do not include any reasons or examples that do not connect

or relate to the task

By keeping these points in mind, you'll ensure that your essay is well received by

the TOEBL graders

Step 4: Use Your Time Wisely

If you had unlimited time, you would surely be able to achieve a top score on

the Writing section Unfortunately, your time on the TOEFL is extremely limited

‘Thus, you must make sure to use your time wisely The following tables provide a

good guide for how to spend your time:

Task #1: 20 minutes

5 minutes Organize your essay

2 minutes Write your introduction

10 minutes Write your body paragraphs,

2 minutes ‘Write your conclusion

1 minute Prooftead your essay to correct any mistakes

Cracking the Writing Section 409

Task #2: 30 minutes

7 minutes Organize your essay

2 minutes Write your introduction

16 minutes Write your body paragraphs

2 minutes Write your conclusion

3 minutes Prooftead your essay to correct any mistakes

To stick to these guidelines, you'll have to know exactly what your essay is going

10 look like Use the templates from Step 1 to focus as you read

Now you're ready to try some practice writing drills

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Writing Summary

the TOEFL But before you move on, keep the following

points in mind for cracking the Writing section:

‘you won't receive a top score unless you address

the task Make sure you know what each task

requires

© Focus on form The structure and organization

of your essay is crucial Make sure you know

hhow to put your essay together

© Make the graders’ jobs easy You know what the

uses detailed examples and good transitions

Let's practice some writing with the drills in the next chap-

ter Then, if you feel ready, go on to Part IV and take the

full-length practice TOEFL exam If not, review the lessons

in the previous chapters until you are confident you know

Chapter 16

Writing Practice Drills

You're now ready to crack the Writing section We've provided lined pages on which to write your responses, but it would be better to practice typing your answers

the actual TOEFL Try the following practice prompts After you've finished, read through the sample essays in the next chapter to get an idea of what TOEFL graders are looking for in the essay responses

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is t=as om

WRITING PRACTICE DRILL #1

“The frst cype of writing question will provide you with the following directions:

You will have 3 minutes to read the following passage You may take notes during your reading After the 3 minutes are up, you will hear a lecture on the topic You may take notes during the lecture as well

After the lecture ends, you will have 20 minutes to write your response An effective response

is generally 150 to 225 words long You may use your notes to help you answer, and you may:

refer to the reading passage Your essay will be graded on the quality of your writing and on the

completeness of the content

Now lets look at a writing question On the actual test, you will hear a prompt that will ask you to read a passage in

3 minutes, For our purposes here, you will need to stop the audio to read the passage and either time yourself or ask a friend to time you After 3 minutes, resume the audio for the listening passage

Begin playing Track 10 on the CD C)

Narrator: Now read the passage about the first grain-based food You have 3 minutes to read the

passage Begin reading now

[Stop the CD for 3 minutes]

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