چند سمپل تسک سوم رایتینگ تافل

این وبلاگ با هدف گردآوری و معرفی نمونه‌های معتبر (sample) از پاسخ‌های بخش نوشتاری آزمون TOEFL iBT ایجاد شده است. منابع اصلی ارائه‌شده در این وبلاگ از وب‌سایت معتبر TOEFL Resources انتخاب شده‌اند؛ پایگاهی شناخته‌شده که در یوتیوب نیز به‌واسطه‌ی محتوای آموزشی دقیق و کاربردی خود در زمینه‌ی مهارت‌های آزمون تافل، جایگاه مهمی میان داوطلبان دارد.

در این مجموعه، نمونه‌پاسخ‌های مربوط به بخش مهم رایتینگ یعنی: Write for an Academic Discussion (تسک سوم) ارائه شده‌اند. هدف از گردآوری این مطالب، فراهم‌کردن مجموعه‌ای منسجم و قابل اعتماد از نمونه‌پاسخ‌هاست تا داوطلبان بتوانند با ساختار، سطح زبانی و ویژگی‌های یک پاسخ استاندارد آشنا شوند.

اگر درباره‌ی فواید استفاده از نمونه‌پاسخ‌ها (Sample) در رایتینگ تافل—مثل کاهش استرس، آشنایی با ساختار استاندارد امتحان و همچنین هشدار درباره حفظ کردن صرف نمونه‌ها—نیاز به توضیح بیشتری دارید، می‌توانید به پست قبلی همین وبلاگ مراجعه کنید.

در این مجموعه، برای هر سوال:

1. ابتدا متن بحث کلاسی را می‌بینید (شامل نظر استاد و دو دانشجو)،
2. سپس یک نمونه پاسخ استاندارد برای همان سؤال ارائه می‌شود.

نکته درباره‌ی «سمپل»:

نمونه‌پاسخ‌ها برای این نیستند که صرفاً کلمه‌به‌کلمه حفظ شوند. هدف اصلی سمپل این است که به شما نشان بدهد یک پاسخ خوب در تافل چگونه ساخته می‌شود؛ یعنی:

• چگونه سریع موضع خودتان را مشخص می‌کنید،
• چگونه ایده‌ها را به شکل منطقی و دانشگاهی کنار هم می‌چینید،
• چطور با انتخاب درست، بحث را به یکی از حرف‌های دانشجو وصل می‌کنید،
• و از چه نوع عبارت‌ها و ساختارهایی برای قانع‌کننده‌تر شدن متن استفاده می‌شود.

با خواندن این نمونه‌ها، تلاش می‌کنیم به شما کمک کنیم به شکل عملی و قابل‌اجرا به این مهارت‌ها برسید:

• چطور در حدود ۱۰ دقیقه یک موضع روشن و قابل دفاع انتخاب کنید
• چطور بحثتان را به یکی از دو دانشجو (و استدلالش) وصل کنید
• از چه ساختارها و جمله‌هایی برای متقاعدکننده‌تر شدن پاسخ استفاده کنید

در ادامه، نمونه‌های تسک سوم را همراه با سوال‌های مربوطه مشاهده می‌کنید:

Question 1

Your professor is teaching a class on marketing. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Today, we’re discussing the ethics of targeted advertising. Some people argue that online advertising which uses personal information to target specific people is an invasion of privacy. Others argue that it’s simply an acceptable way to reach consumers with products and services they’re interested in. What’s your take? Do you think targeted advertising is ethical, or is it an invasion of privacy?

Jessica: I think targeted advertising is an invasion of privacy. Advertisers shouldn’t be able to track and use our personal information to sell us products. It’s not fair to consumers, and it’s a violation of our rights. Instead, advertisers should focus on creating high-quality ads that appeal to a broad audience.  By doing that they can both increase their sales and show respect for their customers.

Mike: I disagree with Jessica. To me, targeted advertising is ethical. It’s a more efficient way to reach consumers with products and services that are relevant to their interests.  With the money they save by using more effective marketing techniques, companies can afford to offer lower prices to their customers. Plus, we can always opt-out of targeted advertising by adjusting our privacy settings. As long as we get a choice, I think targeted advertising can be beneficial.

Sample Answer 1

This response expands and elaborates on what the other students said.

This is a controversial topic, but I think that targeted advertising isn’t an ethical problem and I’m not concerned about it. I really like Mike’s idea that we can just opt-out of targeted advertising if we are worried about it.  I’d add that it is extremely easy to do this nowadays, as Internet browsers are very user-friendly. Even people that are inexperienced with technology can find the right settings and adjust them. Jessica raised the relevant point that companies should create advertisements that appeal to a broad audience, but she didn’t mention how difficult it is to make advertisements like that.  Society is more diverse than ever before, so it is almost impossible to create messages that everyone finds attractive.  Small companies without large advertising and research budgets might go out of business if they are prevented from using cheap and effective targeted advertising.

Sample Answer 2

This response mostly ignores the other students and gives my own ideas.  This is also an acceptable approach to the question.

While I appreciate the points made by both Jessica and Mike, I strongly believe that targeted advertising is a major problem. This is because it can gather an immense amount of data about our personal preferences and manipulate us into purchasing products that we don’t actually need. For example, two weeks ago I spent some time reading articles about camping on the Internet, and I became really engrossed in the topic. Yesterday, I started seeing advertisements on my phone for extremely expensive camping equipment which I was really tempted to buy, even though I am on a tight budget nowadays. Some people might argue that targeted advertising helps us find what we need, but they overlook the fact that it might cause us to spend more money than necessary.

Question 2

Your professor is teaching a class on social studies. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Today, we’re going to discuss the impact of social media on society. On one hand, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have connected people from all over the world. However, there are concerns about the negative effects of social media, such as the spread of misinformation, the rise of cyberbullying, and addiction to social media use. What do you think? Does social media cause more harm than good?

Sarah: I think that social media has caused more harm than good. While it’s true that social media platforms have connected people in unprecedented ways, they have also caused real harm to individuals and societies. Additionally, when people spend too much time on social media platforms, they could suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.  This is probably because they allow people to anonymously bully and harass other users.

Mark: I think that social media has mostly improved society. For instance, it has given a voice to people that previously were ignored. Moreover, it has provided platforms for political activism that has led to positive change. And, of course, social media has made it easy for everyone to stay connected to family and friends who are far away.  In the past we had to make expensive phone calls to contact our loved ones, now we can talk to them and send them pictures for free on social networks.

Sample Answer 1

While I totally understand what both of you mean, I mostly agree with Mark’s idea that social media is beneficial. I really like how social media sites help people to hear the opinions from a diverse range of people. Traditional media outlets are controlled by the rich and powerful nowadays, so they don’t often include the voices of common people.  On the other hand, everyone can use social media as a platform to share their ideas. For instance, last week I read a Facebook post about an effort to unionize a coffee shop in Washington.  That’s not the sort of thing we can hear about on CNN or in the New York Times.

Sample Answer 2

In my opinion, social media is incredibly beneficial. I strongly agree with Mark’s idea that social media gives a voice to people that society used to ignore.  I’d add that it is almost impossible for most people to get their messages on television or in print media because those are controlled by companies and wealthy individuals.  Sarah raised the relevant point that social media causes mental health problems in some young people, but she didn’t mention that social media can also help us to cope with and recover from such problems.  For example, there are a lot of support groups on communities like Facebook where people can talk about their struggles and get advice from people going through similar experiences. Many people have mentioned that such groups are critically important to their lives.

Question 3

Your professor is teaching a class on education. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: In class today, we’re going to talk about grading students.  Before you come to class, I want you to think about whether grades are beneficial. On one hand, they provide a way to measure students’ progress. On the other hand, some argue that grades are too focused on performance and don’t provide an accurate picture of a student’s overall academic abilities. If you had to choose, would you say that students should be given grades or not? Why?

Lila: I think that students should not be given grades. Grades create a needlessly competitive environment and can make students feel like they are only valued for their academic performance. When students feel that grades are the most important thing, they get discouraged. Instead of giving specific grades, teachers should provide personal feedback that helps students understand what they need to improve and how they can do so.  I think that approach leads to more academic success.

Jake:  I believe that grades are the only way for students to understand how well they are doing and the only way to motivate them to work harder. Without grades, there would be no way to measure their progress or to identify areas where they need to improve. Moreover, grades prepare students for the real world where they will be judged based on their performance. The only way for adults to advance in their careers is to consistently perform well, and grading children prepares them for that.

Sample Answer 1

While I appreciate Lila’s point of view, I believe that children should be given grades on a regular basis.  Even young kids want to improve academically, and grades help them to do so.  Remember that students are aware that they must develop strong academic skills if they want to achieve their goals in life.  Grades indicate the current level of their skills and tell them whether or not they should change how they approach their studies. For instance, a student who has received a fantastic grade in math and a poor grade in science will know to spend more of his free time studying science.  In contrast, a student who hasn’t gotten any grades will have no idea what to focus on.

Sample Answer 2

While this is certainly a controversial topic, I don’t think students should be graded. I strongly agree with Lila’s idea that grades can create an overly competitive environment and may not accurately reflect a student’s progress. I’d add that grades can lead to a focus on test-taking strategies rather than actual learning, and as a result students may not fully engage with the material.  This means they could lack key knowledge that they’ll need when they move on to the next stage of their academic life.  Jake raised the relevant point that grades are the only way to identify the specific areas where students are weak, but he didn’t mention that teachers can study samples of their students’ work to find their weaknesses without actually grading the work.  For example, they could look at a student’s essay, see that he is weak when it comes to grammar, and tell him that in person. 

Question 4

Your professor is teaching a class on political science. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Today we’re going to discuss whether the government should tax unhealthy products, such as sugary drinks and junk food. On one hand, taxing these products could discourage people from consuming them and reduce health problems. On the other hand, some argue that such taxes unfairly target lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. If you had to choose, would you support or oppose taxing unhealthy products? Why?

Sam: I support the idea of taxing unhealthy products. These products are often high in sugar, salt, and fat, which can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As you said, by taxing these products, the government can discourage people from consuming them and resolve some of these health issues. Moreover, the revenue generated can be used to fund advertising campaigns that promote healthy eating habits.

Tanya: I believe that such taxes are unfair to families that don’t have a lot of money. Wealthy people will not care about the taxes and their habits won’t change. Additionally, when prices go up, people usually try to save money by purchasing lower-quality products that are cheaper to begin with.  If people start buying low-quality food they could suffer even more health problems.  There are better solutions to this problem than taxes.

Sample Answer 1

 While both Sam and Tanya raised some relevant points, I share Tanya’s opinion that the government probably shouldn’t tax unhealthy products. Remember that our health depends on a lot of factors, so focusing entirely on our diets is counterproductive. The food we eat certainly impacts our health, but so does the amount of exercise we get.  Even if we eat junk food all the time, we can avoid burdening the health care system by exercising on a regular basis. Therefore, I don’t think it is fair to punish people just for what they eat. Instead, the government should focus on educating people about healthy habits in general.

Sample Answer 2

In my opinion, it’s probably a good idea to tax some unhealthy products. I strongly agree with Sam’s idea that taxes on junk food can reduce the prevalence of serious health problems in society.  The government already spends an enormous amount of money treating people with such illnesses, but can’t afford to do that forever. I read that the budget of our national health care system has increased by 20% in the last five years, which I found shocking.  Tanya mentioned that people might turn to lower-quality products to save money, but she didn’t mention that the government can prevent this by using the money from the tax to make healthy choices more affordable. For example, they could subsidize products like fresh fruit and vegetables.

Question 5

Your professor is teaching a class on computer science.

Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor:  A new story about Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the news almost every day.  And, of course, companies are spending an

enormous amount of money to develop new technologies related to AI.  Before next class, I want you to consider the

following question: Is AI a dangerous technology that, overall, will be harmful to society, or is it a powerful tool that will improve the lives of people?

Megan: Personally, I think AI is a threat. As AI advances, many jobs may become automated, leaving people without work. That will certainly increase income inequality. Additionally, there’s the risk that AI systems could be programmed with biases or used to discriminate against certain groups. We need to be careful and ensure that AI is developed in an ethical and responsible way.  Since we can’t guarantee that right now, I think it is best to slow down.

David: I disagree with Megan. I’m of the opinion that AI has the potential to solve many of the world’s problems, from climate change to disease. Additionally, AI can help us make better decisions by analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns that humans may miss. That said, I agree with Megan that we must ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible way that benefits society as a whole.

Sample Answer 1

While I can understand both points of view, I think that AI is mostly helpful and will improve our lives over time. Like David, I’m really confident that AI will help us deal with many serious problems currently affecting society.  It has already been used to make driving safer and reduce car accidents, so we currently have some proof that AI is helping people around the world.  According to statistics I read last week, self-driving cars get in accidents 80% less frequently than cars driven by humans. That seems like an incredible advantage to me.  Remember that new technologies are always scary at first, but we shouldn’t let our fears prevent us from making progress.

Sample Answer 2

No one can predict the future with absolute certainty, but I am pretty sure that AI will cause a lot of problems in the long run.  For instance, think about the effect it will have on education.  We’ve already heard that many university students are using artificial intelligence to cheat on their assignments.  It is almost impossible for teachers to detect when an essay has been written by an AI bot, so lazy students have stopped writing their papers altogether. Not only are students using AI to write their essays, but some are even using it to do math assignments… or even write computer code for their computer science classes. While I’m sure that no one in THIS class is dishonest, we cannot ignore the overall trend.

Question 6

Your professor is teaching a class on social studies. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Life expectancies are increasing all over the world nowadays.  Some of you probably know someone who is more than 100 years old. This has been attributed to things like advances in medical technology, improvements in government services and even changes in lifestyle habits. Before our next class, I want you to consider the following question: What factor do you think has contributed the most to the increase in life expectancy?

Lisa: I think the main reason why people are living longer nowadays is recent advances in medical technology. Modern medicine has enabled us to better treat and manage chronic illnesses, and there have been major breakthroughs in areas such as cancer treatment and organ transplantation. As a result, people are able to live longer with diseases that may have been fatal in the past.  Not only that, but they can live more rewarding and fulfilling lives.

John: While medical technology has certainly played a role, I think improvements in government services have been just as important. We now have access to clean drinking water, sanitation systems, and free vaccines that have dramatically reduced health problems.  In the past, people didn’t have access to any of these things. Additionally, public health campaigns have helped educate people about healthy habits such as exercise, healthy eating, and about the danger of smoking.

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, new scientific discoveries are the main reason we live longer nowadays. New technology also makes it a lot easier for doctors to deliver those treatments.  In many cases, doctors can assist patients over the Internet, even from miles away.  That wasn’t possible when my parents were young. Back then, the average life expectancy was much lower than it is now.  It’s certainly true that public campaigns about healthy eating and exercise have improved our lives, but people actually have less healthy diets and get less exercise than they did in the past.  Despite that, they still live longer lives.  For example, although children are less likely to have physical education classes or play outside nowadays, they still suffer from fewer diseases than in the past. 

Sample Answer 2

A lot of things impact how long we live, but I’m fairly sure that our longevity is mainly due to improved government services. In the past, it was normal for people to go decades without getting a regular checkup, but nowadays local authorities encourage people to get checked out by a doctor on an annual basis. While individuals are certainly more likely to be diagnosed with life-threatening diseases nowadays, early detection means that they are also more likely to be cured. I think health care services like this will continue to be well-funded in the future, so our life spans might get even longer.

Question 7

Your professor is teaching a class on public administration. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.  You have ten minutes to read the question and write your answer.

Professor: Funding for education is a really hot topic nowadays, so today we’re going to talk about how universities use their limited resources.  In the discussion board please respond to the following question: Should universities prioritize funding academic facilities like libraries, or is it okay to spend just as much money on sports and athletic programs?

Rachel: I think universities should prioritize funding for libraries. Libraries are essential for academic research, and they provide students with access to information and resources that they might not have otherwise. Investing in libraries can also help attract and retain the most talented professors, which can ultimately benefit the university as a whole.  Sports, on the other hand, appeal to just a few people.

Mike: While I agree that libraries are important, I think that sports programs should also be a priority for universities. Sports can bring the campus community together, even if that just means they attend sports and cheer for their favorite athletes.  Meanwhile, among the athletes themselves, sports promote teamwork and leadership skills. Additionally, successful sports programs can generate revenue for the university and boost its reputation.

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, universities should spend more money on academic facilities. I’m convinced  that they also help schools recruit the best possible students, which improves their whole academic environment. Everyone enjoys classes a lot when their classmates are intelligent and devoted to their studies, so this seems like an obvious choice to make.   Mike raised the relevant point that athletic events bring people close together, but he didn’t mention that there are other ways to do that which are much more affordable.  For example, organizing a campus festival is a more cost-effective way to help students bond than funding an entire football team.

Sample Answer 2

While Rachel brought up a few great points, I still believe that it is worthwhile to fund athletics.  Remember that most universities in this country are pretty much the same in terms of classes and professors, but a winning sports team can help a school stand out from the crowd.  Many high school students pick their university based on the success of its sports teams, so it is probably a smart idea to make sure those teams get enough funding.  I certainly agree that libraries are ultimately more important than football stadiums, but when enrollment goes up there will be more money for libraries and other academic facilities.

Question 8

Your professor is teaching a class on political science.

Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Today we’re going to talk about the debate between economic growth and protecting the environment. Economic growth creates new jobs and gives people money they can use to improve their lives. On the other hand, if we protect the environment it can be enjoyed both by ourselves and future generations. If you had to choose between prioritizing economic growth or protecting the environment, which one would you choose.  Why?

Alex: I would prioritize the environment. We only have one planet and if we don’t take care of it, we won’t have pleasant lives in the future. Economic growth can be important, but not at the expense of the environment. I think we need to shift towards more things such as investing in renewable energy and promoting environmentally-friendly technologies.  We’ll all live much healthier lives if the world around us is clean.

Maggie: While I agree with Alex that environmental sustainability is important, I think that economic growth is the only way to solve many of the social and economic problems we face. We need a strong economy to create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve standards of living.  Not only that, but when companies grow stronger and more profitable, they can develop new technologies that solve our environmental problems.

Sample Answer 1

(Here’s a possible response to the above question.  It directly addresses the responses given by the other students.  As you can see, it elaborates on and challenges the arguments they made.  Some test-takers find this approach easiest.)

This is a challenging topic, but I think we should prioritize the environment at this time. I strongly agree with Alex’s idea that our lives will be unpleasant if we focus entirely on economic growth. I would add that if the environment is damaged by industrial development we’ll all be more likely to suffer from serious ailments like cancer and lung disease. These sorts of illnesses can be a real strain on our medical systems.  Maggie raised the relevant point that it’s possible that profitable companies will someday solve all of our problems using new technology, but she doesn’t mention that they might arrive far too late to be of use.  For example, it could take decades for an innovative company to create a source of clean energy.

Sample Answer 2

(Here’s a slightly different approach to the question.  It mostly ignores the responses given by the other students.  Instead, it focuses mostly on my own ideas.  This is an acceptable approach to the question.)

While I appreciate the points mentioned by both Maggie and Alex, I think that we should mainly focus on economic growth.  This is because our lives will become unpleasant if the economy slows down.  We all have bills to pay and those require us to earn an income. Remember that many people have families to take care of, so they need to earn a regular income.  That is only possible if the economy continues to grow at the same rate year after year. Some people may feel that preserving the environment is more important than maintaining our current standard of living, but I tend to disagree. My main focus is on the quality of life that people enjoy at this exact moment, not the lives that future generations will lead.

Question 9

Your professor is teaching a class on political science.

Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: As you know, governments have a responsibility to improve the lives of residents. In today’s class we’re going to discuss the best way for them to do that. What strategy do you think governments should use to improve the overall quality of life of residents? Why do you think it’s important?

Maria: I think investing in transportation should be the main priority for every local government. This could include things like repairing roads and bridges, expanding bus and train services, and even building bike lanes. When cities have good infrastructure it’s easier for residents to get around, and new businesses come to town.

Tom: While I agree that infrastructure is important, I think that social programs should also be a major focus. The government could invest in things like education, affordable housing, and healthcare. All of these sorts of programs can help address issues like poverty, inequality, and access to basic needs. By providing these types of services, the government can help improve people’s well-being. 

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, the government should help people by providing more funding for education.  I don’t just mean that they should spend more on schools.  In fact, I think that they should also spend money on adult education.  Nowadays, a lot of people have a hard time finding regular employment, but if they have access to training and programs that improve their skills they might have more success in the job market.  Cities with higher employment rates have happier people and lower crime rates, so I think this approach is a wise one. Although it’s true that governments already spend a lot on education, I think investing even more in this area will help a wide range of citizens.

Sample Answer 2

Some people in the class might disagree, but I am convinced that governments should invest more in maintaining national parks. As countries become more urbanized, the need for green spaces is increasing. While people can easily access a great number of fantastic amenities like stadiums and cinemas, sometimes we need to spend some time surrounded by nature. Well-maintained national parks can help citizens unwind and feel better about their hectic lives. For example, whenever I visit a park I am able to forget about the stress and anxiety I get from my classes, but the closest one is almost a two hour drive from campus.  Not only that, but its facilities are poorly maintained so sometimes my visits are unpleasant.

Question 10

Your professor is teaching a class on business. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Next week, we’re going to spend a lot of time in class discussing the positive and negative ways in which companies affect the world around us.  Before we start talking about that in class, I want to hear what you think about the topic.  So here’s a question for the message board:

In your opinion, what is the best way for a company to have a positive impact on society?

Sarah: I believe that companies should focus on making their operations more socially and environmentally friendly. While charitable giving can be beneficial, it doesn’t address the root causes of serious social and environmental problems. By doing business in more responsible ways, companies can have a more meaningful and lasting impact on society.  Moreover, if they attract positive attention from consumers they could inspire other companies to do the same.  That’s the only way we can really solve today’s problems.

John: While those are very good points, I think that companies should focus on charitable giving. Philanthropy can provide immediate relief to those in need and contribute to the overall well-being of society right away.  It could take years or decades for business changes to have a positive impact on society, and most people just can’t wait that long. 

Sample Answer 1

This is a challenging topic, but I think donating to charity is the best way for companies to make the world better. I strongly agree with John’s idea that charitable donations are a way to quickly address the serious problems that we are facing.  I’d add that some of these problems – like homelessness and food insecurity – are more serious than they have ever been, so companies certainly have a role to play. Even a small donation can save someone’s life. Sarah raised the relevant point that philanthropy might help businesses to attract new customers, but she didn’t mention that nowadays people’s purchasing decisions are mostly based on cost. Many people prefer to buy the cheapest products available, even if they are sold by unethical companies. Because the economy is in such rough shape, they just can’t afford to think about the reputation of a business when they are shopping.

Sample Answer 2

While I appreciate the points mentioned by both Sarah and John, I think that companies should focus on paying their employees higher salaries.  We all know that nowadays people around the world are struggling just to keep their heads above water. Everyone is also aware that inflation is out of control, so even basic necessities are quite expensive. Remember that children from poor households don’t always live up to their potential, so business executives ought to help them by paying their parents higher wages. Some people may feel that this approach doesn’t address long-term concerns like climate change, but I think that poverty is accelerating and could be an even bigger concern in the future.

Question 11

Your professor is teaching a class on business management. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Today, we’re going to talk about the benefits and drawbacks of remote work. Many companies have implemented remote work policies in the past few years, and many others are considering joining them. Given that this represents a major change in the way we work and interact with each other, companies must carefully consider all relevant details before making a decision.  What do you think?  Is remote work beneficial, or do you think it’s a bad idea?

Sara: I think remote work is a very positive trend. When we work from home, we spend less time commuting and we have more flexible schedules. Plus, many people find that they are more productive when working from home. Some people say this is because they aren’t distracted by their coworkers, while others suggest it’s because their energy isn’t drained during a long and bothersome commute.

Michael: While I can see the benefits of remote work, I don’t think it should become the new normal. There’s something to be said for the atmosphere that comes from being in the same physical space as your colleagues. I also think that remote work can make it harder to build relationships and collaborate effectively.  This means it might limit our chances to earn promotions and raises. And what about people who don’t have enough room for a home office? They’ll suffer if this trend continues.

Sample Answer 1

While a lot of people favor traditional workplace arrangements, I really think that letting employees work from home is a fantastic idea which more companies should consider. Most of us just feel much more comfortable when we are in our own house, and that makes it possible for us to think more creatively about our assignments.  Nowadays, employers value creativity above all else, so this option is probably best for everyone. While communicating with people in person can certainly inspire us to think about things from new perspectives, so can talking to people via social networks.  Actually, the ability to quickly share links to relevant articles sometimes leads to even greater inspiration and more rapid progress on work projects.

Sample Answer 2

While Ronald has raised some relevant points, I think that remote work is harmful. When we work from home, we don’t have many opportunities to directly interact with our supervisors. Consequently, we are likely to be overlooked when promotions are offered to employees. Remember that company managers only promote people they have very close personal connections with, and such relationships cannot be established through e-mail. Since almost everyone wants to advance in their careers and make more money, I think it’s a smart idea to give up remote work and return to our offices. It’s also important to keep in mind that spending time with our colleagues can improve our mental health.  That’s because socializing with people outside of our family is a good way to release stress. 

Question 12

Your professor is teaching a class on education. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should:

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Over the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about recent trends in education.  Specifically, we’ll discuss how many universities have started letting students take classes from home instead of taking them in person on campus. I want to know what you think about this issue, so here’s a quick question for the discussion board: “What do you think is the most significant impact of online classes?  Why do you think it has this impact?”

Jack: The main thing is that online classes make education more accessible. For one, they help reduce commuting times and costs for students. They also give them more flexibility in their schedules. Plus, online learning can be more accessible for students who have disabilities or live far away from campus. Traditionally, high costs have prevented many people from pursuing an education, but thanks to online classes cost is less of a problem.

Emily: I think that online classes cause people to learn less than before. There’s something to be said for the energy and engagement that comes from being in the same physical space as your classmates and instructor. Moreover, when we take classes in person it is easier to build relationships and collaborate. We learn just as much from personal connections as we do from our actual lectures and textbooks.

Sample Answer

While there are certainly some advantages of online learning, I think its biggest impact is that it makes people more likely to cheat on their assignments. When we study on campus, we can easily access resources like an academic library or a science lab.  We can even schedule meetings with our professors or other experts who work on campus.  That means it is easier to complete our assignments all by ourselves.  In contrast, when we study entirely at home it can be difficult to access beneficial resources.  Consequently, some people might feel that they have no choice but to plagiarize content online, or use AI to complete their essays. Honestly, I think people who study at home do this just to keep up with their peers on campus.

Question 13

Your professor is teaching a class on sociology. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Lately we’ve talked a lot about the impact of technology on our lives. With the prevalence of smartphones and other devices, we’re more connected than ever, but some people are distressed by this trend. We’ll discuss this in our next class, but before we do I’d like to hear your thoughts on the issue.  Overall, do devices like smartphones have a positive impact on the way we communicate?  Or a negative one?

Rachel: This sort of technology has had a negative impact on our ability to communicate face-to-face. People are too reliant on text messages and social media, and that reduces the nuance and depth in our interactions. It’s harder to read body language and tone of voice over text, and that can result in misunderstandings. If people want to become effective communicators, they should talk to people in person.

Mike: While I agree that it can sometimes be challenging to communicate in person, I also believe that modern technology is beneficial.

Smartphones make it possible for us to stay connected with acquaintances and loved ones who are far away, and social networks provide a platform for introverted people to express themselves in ways that they may not be able to do in person.

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, having a smartphone is advantageous in the modern world.  Certain groups of people just aren’t able to share their ideas in traditional media like newspapers and television broadcasts, but if they have smartphones they can easily share whatever is on their mind by posting to social networks like Twitter and Facebook.  When people are able to share how they feel about political and sociological issues, they can bring about positive change in society.  Think about the last election in our country. People were really upset about the policies of the Red Party, so they flooded social media with complaints and encouraged people to vote for the Blue Party.  I think those posts had a profound impact on the final result.

Sample Answer 2

While I can see where Mike is coming from, I am convinced that smartphones have a really detrimental impact on communication in the modern world.  People everywhere have become obsessed with watching short videos and reading social media posts when they have some time to kill, so their attention spans are almost non-existent. This means they have a hard time interacting with each other for long periods of time.  When my parents were young, they spent their free time reading newspapers and books. I think that improved their overall academic abilities, so when they went to college they were able concentrate on things for hours at a time, including conversations.  In contrast, I get pretty anxious when I have to talk to someone and am unable to look at my phone every five minutes!

Question 14

Your professor is teaching a class on education. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: In next week’s class we’ll talk about different approaches to education. You know, not everyone agrees about the best way for young people to gain knowledge and learn new skills.  Let’s prepare by discussing whether it’s better for students to take classes with a lot of discussions or classes mainly focused on lectures. What do you think?

Rachel: I prefer classes that have a lot of discussions. I just learn better when I’m actively engaged with academic material and can exchange ideas with my classmates. When I have the opportunity to get immediate feedback, I can understand things more deeply. I also benefit from hearing about different perspectives and new ways of thinking about challenging topics. Additionally, discussions help me retain the information better since they’re more interactive and memorable.

Mike: I see your point, Rachel, but I prefer lectures. I like being able to listen to an expert explain a topic and really get into it. With lectures, there’s usually a clear structure and a set agenda, which can help me stay focused and organized. I also appreciate being able to take notes and study at my own pace.  I can’t do those things if I have to engage in a discussion. Not only that, but discussions can sometimes get off track or become too argumentative, which can take away from the learning experience.

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, interactive classes are much better than ones where we just sit and passively listen to a professor. I strongly agree with Mike’s perspective, and I’d add that we need to prepare for discussions in advance, which also improves our retention of specific details and concepts. When we have a deeper understanding of academic topics, we get higher grades on tests and assignments. While Rachel is right about the fact that it is hard to stay focused while a conversation is going on, it is extremely easy to record our classes. If we need to refer back to things that were mentioned in a class, we can just listen to a recording of it.

Sample Answer 2

Both options have real advantages, but I’m convinced that interactive classes are much better than ones where we just sit and passively listen to a professor. Discussions require a certain amount of preparation, so they encourage learners to do plenty of pre-reading before coming to class.  Whenever we prepare for a topic in advance, we increase our likelihood of retaining memories of specific details and concepts. Remember that people who are able to master challenging academic topics get higher grades on tests and assignments. It’s also worth mentioning that nowadays it’s really easy to record our classes, so we can create a record to refer to later in case we forget something that was brought up by a classmate or professor.  Overall, I’d say that spirited discussions create a stimulating academic environment that everyone can benefit from.

Question 15

Your professor is teaching a class on marketing. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should:

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Hello class!  Next week we will be discussing the impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, we’ve seen the emergence of a new type of celebrity: the social media influencer. These influencers have large followings and can sway consumer behavior by endorsing products or services. What are your thoughts on this?

Jack: I think social media influencers have a significant impact. When young people start admiring these influencers and trust their recommendations, they are more likely to buy products or services that they endorse. However, I also think there are some concerns about the authenticity of these endorsements, as some influencers may promote products that they don’t actually use or believe in.

Emily: I’m not convinced that social media influencers have a significant impact on consumer behavior. While they may have large followings, most people are smart enough to make their own purchasing decisions based on their needs and preferences. Plus, there are so many influencers out there promoting different products that it can be hard to know who to trust.

Sample Answer 1

In my opinion, social media influencers aren’t as significant as some people suggest.  I agree with Emily’s idea that people are too smart to be influenced by them.  I’d add that twenty years ago a charismatic person might have convinced us to buy something we didn’t really need, but I think that doesn’t happen so much nowadays.  That’s because we can thoroughly research whatever products we are interested in using blogs, consumer magazines and social media.  Since we can use these sources of information to find goods that exactly suit our needs, we aren’t swayed by the exaggerated claims of social media influencers. Jack raised the relevant point that young people are especially vulnerable, but I think most parents these days take the time to educate their kids about misinformation and monitor their internet use.  As a result, young people aren’t likely to make rash decisions about what to buy.

Sample Answer 2

While I appreciate the points mentioned by Jack and Emily, I think that social media stars aren’t particularly influential nowadays.  Nowadays consumer behavior is affected by many different things, not just what we see on the Internet.  Twenty years ago a charismatic person might have convinced us to buy something we didn’t really need, but I don’t think that happens so often today.  Remember that the choices people make are also impacted by their peers, by their family members and even by traditional advertising, so the Internet isn’t a dominant force in their lives. Some people may feel that influencers are more powerful than ever, but I think their impact is actually declining.

Question 16

Your professor is teaching a class on economics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Today, we’re going to discuss whether the government should impose price controls on essential goods, such as housing, food, and medicine. On one hand, price controls can make necessities more affordable for everyone. On the other hand, critics argue that price controls can lead to shortages and inefficiencies. If you had to choose, would you support or oppose price controls? Why?

Sam: I support price controls because they ensure basic needs like housing and medicine remain affordable. For example, rent control prevents excessive rents in expensive cities, which helps low-income families a lot. While critics worry about shortages of apartments and houses, the government can address this by subsidizing new construction so that there is a balance affordability and availability.

Tanya: I oppose price controls because they often harm quality. Rent control, for instance, can discourage landlords from maintaining properties because of the cost. Instead of controlling prices, I think it is better to provide subsidies or targeted financial aid so that people can more easily afford essentials. If we give help only to people that actually need it, there is less chance that our actions will lead to unexpected and undesirable outcomes.

Sample Answer

In my opinion, it’s probably a good idea to control the prices of some goods. I strongly agree with Sam’s idea that this will ensure that people can access basic needs.  I’d add that due to current economic conditions, many parents have trouble buying healthy food for their kids.  This will be less of a problem if we reduce prices.  In the long run, this will pay off as the kids will grow up to be productive members of society.  Tanya mentioned that there could be unexpected outcomes, but she didn’t mention that price controls have been used successfully in the past. For example, the prices of essential medicines are already controlled by the government and there have been no problems related to safety and quality so far.

Question 17

Your professor is teaching a class on research techniques. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.  In your response, you should

• express and support your personal opinion
• make a contribution to the discussion in your own words

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Next week, we’re going to discuss the best way to determine if a website or article is reliable. There are many factors to consider in order to ensure that your essays are supported by reliable sources.  Before we meet, I want you to consider the following question: what do you think is the most effective way to assess whether a website or article can be trusted?

Laura: I think the best way is to check if the author of the article makes use of strong evidence and sources. A reliable article should cite credible studies, data, or expert opinions. If the author’s claims are backed by verifiable information and come from a trustworthy institution like a university or academic publisher, it’s a good sign the website or article can be trusted.

Caleb: I believe the author’s credibility is most important. If the writer has expertise or professional experience related to the topic, it’s more likely the content is accurate. For instance, I trust articles written by scientists about health topics more than random blogs. Checking the author’s background is a crucial first step.

Sample Answer

While I appreciate the points made by both Caleb and Laura, I think the best method of determining whether an article is reliable is to check who has published it. This is because if it has been published by a trustworthy source like the “New York Times” we know that a lot of time and money has been used to ensure that it is accurate. Moreover, when this sort of publisher realizes that they’ve made a mistake in an article they usually go back and fix it. Sometimes they even retract the article. Some people, like Laura, might argue that it is most important to check which sources the author has cited but they don’t realize that some unscrupulous writers might simply fabricate sources.

Question 18

The professor is teaching a class on science. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. 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: Next, we’ll be discussing the future of automation and its impact on the workforce. As industries integrate more advanced technologies, there are concerns about job displacement and the transformation of work. For example, automation may replace some jobs but could also create opportunities in technology and engineering fields. Given these changes, do you believe that automation will ultimately benefit or harm workers? Explain why you think so.

Juan: I believe automation will benefit the workforce by enhancing efficiency and creating high-skilled jobs in sectors like AI and robotics. This shift could lead to increased job satisfaction as people engage in more creative and less monotonous work, fundamentally improving our quality of life.

Alice: While Juan makes a valid point about job creation in certain sectors, I’m concerned about widespread job losses among less skilled people. Not everyone can transition into high-tech roles, so automation could widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Therefore, I think the harms could outweigh the benefits, especially in the short to medium term.

Sample Answer

In my opinion, automation will end up harming workers ten or twenty years down the road. My personal belief is that when a company has a choice between compensating an employee or utilizing cheap technology, the company will almost always choose to use technology. For example, the car manufacturing industry used to employ tens of thousands of workers, but due to advances in technology, the workforce has been reduced to a fraction of what it was fifty years ago. While Juan raised a relevant point about efficiency leading to the creation of new jobs, I believe he is missing a critical idea. To be more specific, high-skilled jobs like programming and game design are already disappearing due to the advent of AI technology that can do the same job for almost nothing.

Question 19

The professor is teaching a class on science. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. 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: In our upcoming classes, we will take an in-depth look at autonomous public transit systems. Such systems utilize technology to operate vehicles without human drivers, potentially increasing efficiency and safety while reducing operational costs. However, they also raise questions about employment in the transportation sector and the reliability of technology in public safety. With this in mind, do you oppose or support autonomous public transit systems?

Marco: I’m in favor of autonomous public transit. It’s not only about cutting costs but also improving consistency and safety. Autonomous vehicles can reduce human error, which is often a leading cause of accidents. This could make public transit a safer option for everyone.

Sofia: Marco raises valid points about safety and cost, but I’m concerned about the impact on jobs. Implementing these systems could lead to significant job losses for drivers. Also, relying heavily on technology might pose risks if systems fail or are hacked. Therefore, I believe a hybrid approach, where we use some autonomous transport while keeping current means of transportation in place, might be safer and more sustainable.

Sample Answer

I support autonomous public transit systems because they offer a safer and more efficient way to move people. Autonomous vehicles remove the chance for human error. Actually, in 2018 a self-driving shuttle was tested in France and it completed thousands of trips with a 90 percent on-time rate and no reported accidents, showing that the technology can work well in real-world conditions. I understand that some worry about the loss of jobs for drivers, and I agree that this is a serious concern. However, I do not think that this issue should stop us from using new technology because workers can be retrained to manage and maintain these systems. Sofia raised a good point about the risk of system failures and hacking, and I share that concern, yet I believe that careful planning and strong security measures can reduce these risks.

Question 20

The professor is teaching a class on scientific ethics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. 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: Next, we’ll be discussing the possibility of reviving extinct species. As new developments in genetic engineering are made, it seems more likely that at some point in the future, species that have been extinct for a long time might be revived and reintroduced into nature. What do you think?  Should scientists bring back extinct species?  Why or why not?

Juan: I believe that scientists should be encouraged to bring back species, even if they  have been extinct for a long time. Keep in mind that humans are the main reason why certain species of plants and animals no longer exist, so we almost have a responsibility to revive them if possible. Doing so could create richer and more vibrant ecosystems all over the planet.

Alice: Personally, I’m concerned about the possible side effects of this possibility, so I don’t support it. We don’t know what will happen if a particular species is reintroduced, even in its original habitat. In fact, it could actually cause harm to the populations of other species. Therefore, I think the potential risks could outweigh the benefits.

Sample Answer

While Juan has raised some interesting points, I share Alice’s opinion that reviving extinct species is a terrible idea. As she indicated, it could lead to unintended consequences.  For example, if we reintroduce a predator that has long been extinct, it could prey on other animals and cause irreparable harm to the overall food chain.  Even herbivores could have a major impact on a habitat, as they might reproduce quickly and consume large amounts of plants that other animals depend on for their survival. Moreover, reintroduced species might even cause the spread of diseases in certain areas. Unfortunately, I think we just have to accept that some species have died off and realize that it is important to focus on protecting species that do exist rather than trying to bring back ones that do not.

Question 21

The professor is teaching a class on ethics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. 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: Next week, we’ll begin exploring ethical issues in the medical field. There has been a lot of discussion recently about personal relationships between physicians and their patients.  Some people think it is acceptable for doctors to form friendships with their patients, while others believe that doctors should main strict boundaries and only interact regarding medical issues. What do you think about this issue? Is it alright for doctors to be friends with their patients?

Miguel: I believe that it can actually be beneficial for doctors to be friends with their patients. When people feel at ease around their physician, they are more likely to open up about problems with their health. This means that they are likely to experience better outcomes when it comes to serious illnesses.

Natalia: Personally, I don’t think it is a good idea for people to be friendly with the doctors who treat them. I want medical professionals to base their decisions purely on science, and not on personal feelings. What I mean is that when a doctor has a personal relationship with a patient they might bump them to the front of the line for a certain treatment.  As a result of this, a person who more desperately needs that treatment might go without.

Sample Answer

While I appreciate the points everyone has made, I share Juan’s position that close friendships between doctors and patients are beneficial.  Basically, people can be really shy about their health problems and this means they sometimes go months or years without mentioning critical problems. However, when they feel comfortable with their doctor they might be more willing to disclose them. For instance, a patient suffering from a lifestyle related disease might blame themselves and not want to bring it up.  This could lead to more serious consequences in the long run, including their possible death.  I understand what Natalia is saying about favoritism, but remember that doctors have all spent many hours studying medical ethics, and have even sworn oaths to uphold them.  As a result of that, I’m not worried that they will let their emotions cloud their judgement.

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