TOEFL Writing Samples: Scoring Table, Tips & Strategies

Introduction to TOEFL Writing Section

The TOEFL writing section assesses your ability to write in English for academic purposes. Further, TOEFL writing samples provide students with a clear view of the exam format. In fact, taking a variety of sample tests is beneficial to understand the type of questions and how to answer them correctly. As you know, it consists of two tasks: the Integrated writing task and the Academic Discussion task, totaling 50 minutes. From the following information, you can explore a variety of TOEFL essay samples for both tasks.

Sample TOEFL Writing Task 1 with Answer

You are allowed 3 minutes to read the passage. Further, there will be an audio related to the same topic; it is advised to take notes of the key points of the passage and the audio. Follow these instructions for your practice. Here are TOEFL integrated writing samples for your reference. The passages, as well as the audio, are provided below.

Sample 1

Response:

The reading and the lecture both explore the reasons behind the sudden drop in sea otter populations. While the reading attributes this decline mainly to water pollution, the lecturer disagrees and argues that predation, especially by orcas, is a more likely cause. He challenges each point made in the reading with counter-evidence.

To begin with, the reading suggests that pollution is responsible for the drop, as higher levels of pollutants have been found in water samples. However, the lecturer questions this explanation. He points out that if pollution were the cause, we would expect to find dead sea otters washed up on the shore. Since that hasn’t been the case, he believes it’s more likely that predators, like orcas, are to blame—they consume the otters, leaving no remains.

Next, the article claims that other small marine animals have also experienced a decline, which supports the pollution theory. But the lecturer refutes this. He explains that due to a decrease in the whale population—previously the main prey for orcas—the orcas have turned to smaller animals like sea otters for food. This shift in diet explains the broader decline in smaller marine species without needing to blame pollution.

Lastly, the reading argues that the uneven pattern of sea otter declines across different areas can be explained by varying levels of pollution. In contrast, the lecturer proposes that the uneven decline matches where orcas are present. In locations where orcas can’t reach—such as shallow or rocky waters—sea otter populations have remained stable. This, he says, further supports the predation theory.

In summary, while the reading presents pollution as the main cause of the sea otter population drop, the lecturer provides strong arguments suggesting that orca predation is a more convincing explanation.

Sample 2

Response:

The reading and the lecture both focus on the negative impacts of social media on society. While the reading highlights three main issues—a false sense of connection, cyberbullying, and reduced productivity—the lecturer expands on these ideas with real-life examples that illustrate just how serious these problems can be.

To begin with, the reading mentions that social media can damage real-life relationships by creating a false sense of connectedness. The lecturer builds on this by explaining that many people now prioritize online relationships over face-to-face interactions. As a result, they’re losing touch with reality, along with their ability to build and maintain authentic, meaningful relationships and social skills.

Next, the reading points out the rise of cyberbullying as another major downside of social media. It describes how people use online platforms to harass or mock others, often while staying anonymous. Supporting this, the lecturer cites a CBS report revealing that 42% of young people have experienced cyberbullying, which shows how widespread and damaging this issue has become due to the rise of social platforms.

Finally, the reading argues that social media can hurt productivity by serving as a constant distraction. Instead of focusing on work or school tasks, people often turn to scrolling and chatting online. The lecturer adds to this by sharing a study by Morse, which found that businesses in the UK lost around $2.2 billion annually due to employees being distracted by social media during working hours. This example clearly shows the economic cost of decreased productivity linked to social media overuse.

In conclusion, both the reading and the lecture emphasize how social media can negatively affect society. The lecturer supports the reading’s points with concrete data and examples, reinforcing the idea that while social media can connect people, it also brings significant social and professional drawbacks.

Sample TOEFL Writing Task 2 with Answer

In this task, based on a discussion, the candidate must draft an answer. You will see questions posted by a professor along with two student responses. Further, you are expected to read the questions and responses to frame your own answer within the allotted time, i.e., 10 minutes. Candidates must write a 100-word answer. Besides, the need to take notes is eliminated in this particular task as candidates can see the questions and responses while writing the answers. Besides, here are TOEFL independent writing samples, now called as Academic Discussion task, for your reference.

Sample1

Response:

In this fast-changing world today, most individuals are busy with work and meeting obligations, so they do not even have time for themselves. In fact, many individuals do not have time to perform activities they enjoy doing. I, however, don't agree with the given statement. For me, most people are very concerned about what they should do. In fact, the contemporary life we live today necessitates a balance between pleasure and responsibilities.

To begin with, the demands of modern living comprise long working hours and necessary tasks. Besides, as per several studies, the boundaries between work and personal life have become increasingly blurred, leading to higher levels of stress and burnout. This indicates that individuals are literally finding it difficult to find time for personal enjoyment.

Secondly, the value of indulging in activities of personal pleasure is good for the overall health of a person. According to psychological studies, the concept of leisure activities, hobbies, and relaxation is important in order to keep mental stability and work output high. If individuals spend some time doing what they like, then they are more likely to come back to their work with much greater concentration. Personal enjoyment is, therefore, an essential part of a healthy and meaningful life.

Overall, the notion that people today spend too much time on personal enjoyment overlooks the realities of modern work culture and the importance of self-care. Rather than criticizing individuals for seeking happiness, we should recognize the value of leisure as an essential part of a healthy, productive society. Finding the correct amount of duty and pleasure is paramount, and most individuals are working towards finding just that.

Sample 2

Response:

The best study method, either group or individual, is determined by personal needs, learning, and the nature of the topic. Both have disadvantages as well as advantages. I, however, would like to study individually because the key to successful learning.

First, you can control your environment, pace, and tempo. While studying alone, I can concentrate on the areas of study that prove to be most difficult for me without the distraction or influence of other people's questions or interests. This individualized study allows me to spend additional time on challenging topics and speed through topics with which I am familiar more rapidly, thus making my study sessions much more effective.

Second, learning alone creates a sense of discipline and responsibility. Without group member support, I am left to devise my own ways of understanding and memorizing information. This independence not only produces better grades for me but also helps me to gain vital life skills such as time management and self-perseverance. For example, when preparing for the big exam that semester, I established a strict study plan and adhered to it zealously. By doing so, I nailed the test, and much credit for how well I did is due to having the focused, undisturbed time to study on my own.

Third, working alone eliminates distractions. With others, it is extremely easy to drift off-topic while conversing, and study habits may result in disagreements or time wastes. Alone, I can create a calm and comfortable environment to my liking, which helps me concentrate intensely and process information better.

In total, while group study could be helpful in certain situations, I firmly believe that studying alone is generally more helpful. It provides an individualized learning experience, fosters self-sufficiency, and reduces distractions. For these reasons, I consistently prefer to study alone and discovered this to be the optimal way to pursue my scholarly goals.

Scoring Rubric for TOEFL Writing

The TOEFL exam - Writing section is scored using detailed rubrics for each of its two tasks: the Integrated Writing Task and the Academic Discussion task. Each task is rated on a scale from 0 to 5, and these raw scores are averaged and converted to a scaled score out of 30. Scoring 24 or above reflects strong writing skills with clear organization, rich vocabulary, and accurate grammar.

Scoring for Integrated Writing Task 1

Scoring for Academic Discussion Task 2 

TOEFL Writing Tips & Strategies

To excel in the TOEFL Writing section, you need a few tips and effective strategies. You may practice using the TOEFL writing template at first, so that you can get the hang of it. Further, look at the most important tips and strategies to boost your score for both tasks as well as for general writing: 

Integrated Writing Task (Task 1)

1. Understand the Task: This task requires you to summarize information from a reading passage and a related lecture, explaining how they relate.
2. Take Precise Notes: During the listening passage, note down the key points and how they relate to the reading passage. You only hear the audio once, so focus on the main ideas and contrasts.
3. Paraphrase Both Sources: Do not copy; you must summarize the reading and listening passages using your own words. Refrain from directly quoting from both sources.
4. Emphasize the Lecture: Clearly show and focus more on summarizing the points and details presented in the lecture, as this is the main purpose of the task.
5. Avoid Personal Opinions: Stick to summarizing and comparing the information from the sources, not your own views.

Academic Discussion Task (Task 2)

1. Understand the Question Type: You may be asked for an opinion, a preference, or an explanation based on the prompt. You must look at TOEFL essay examples for reference.
2. Brainstorm and Outline: Spend 1–2 minutes planning your main points and supporting examples before you start writing.
3. State Your Opinion Clearly: Present your main opinion or argument in the introduction and support it throughout the essay.
4. Support with Specific Details: Use relevant examples and explanations to back up your points.
5. Maintain a Clear Stance: Express your opinion clearly and stick to it throughout your essay.

General TOEFL Writing Tips

1. Organize Your Essay Clearly: Structure your writing with a strong introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph should have a clear main idea and supporting details.
2. Use Varied Sentence Structures: Include both simple and complex sentences to demonstrate your range and fluency. There are several TOEFL writing samples free for students; use them to understand the sentence structure.
3. Employ Transitional Words and Phrases: Linking words like “however,” “for example,” and “in addition” help your essay flow and clarify relationships between ideas.
4. Check Grammar and Spelling: Write grammatically correct sentences and avoid common mistakes. There is no spellcheck on the TOEFL, so leave time to review, edit, and correct any errors.
5. Practice Paraphrasing: Instead of copying phrases from the reading or listening passages, restate ideas in your own words to show vocabulary range and avoid plagiarism.

Note: With consistent practice, including writing essays under timed conditions and getting feedback from teachers or experts, is the best way to improve your TOEFL Writing scores.

Conclusion

To wrap up, we discussed the TOEFL writing examples for both tasks 1 and 2, along with the scoring tables. Further, a list of tips and strategies is also mentioned above. Understanding the entire TOEFL syllabus - question types and answer techniques, particularly for this section, is quite crucial. Further, reading the TOEFL writing samples and responses for both the Integrated Writing and Academic Discussion tasks will give you a better understanding. Apart from this if you can also take up TOEFL online coaching and learn everything related to the templates.

FAQ’s

1. How Long Should My Essay Be in TOEFL Writing?

You must try to write at least 250-350 words in the TOEFL writing task 1. On the other side, in the TOEFL writing task 2 the answer length must be around 100-150 words.

2. Can I Crack TOEFL Without Coaching?

Of course yes, you can crack TOEFL without coaching if make a proper study plan with use right kind of study material and resources.

3. How Can I Practice Writing for TOEFL?

Use notes to form ideas and structure sentences according to your thoughts. This will be beneficial for you to improve your writing skills and confidence to crack tough questions in the exam.

4. How to Score 30 in Writing TOEFL?

To score 30 in the TOEFL writing plan and prepare well for the exam. Also, prefer different TOEFL writing samples with answers to become familiar with the exam format.

5. What Is the Writing Pattern for TOEFL?

There are two writing tasks in the TOEFL exam; the first is the Integrated Writing task for 20 minutes and the second is the Academic Discussion task for 10 minutes. Based on different topics, each candidate has to write the answers correctly.