{"id":377,"date":"2020-05-25T15:15:20","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T15:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/?p=377"},"modified":"2020-09-09T12:51:27","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T12:51:27","slug":"toefl-essay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/toefl-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"TOEFL Essay \u2013 How to Pass the Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>TOEFL exam is an international exam in English that is\nrecognized all over the world. If you are a foreign student planning to enroll\nin some college in the USA or other English-speaking countries, you must pass\nthis exam. Its results are mandatory for your application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get into college, you&#8217;ll need a minimum score of 90\nout of 120. However, it is the floor marker, and many institutions set higher\nstandards. As competitiveness is fierce, you should aim for the maximum score. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The TOEFL exam consists of four blocks, each dedicated\nto the essential skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. As for the\npreparations, not all candidates pay equal attention to all these aspects. Some\nof them focus on reading, listening, and speaking. Writing gets less attention,\nthat is incorrect \u2013 it is a critical part that you can&#8217;t afford to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TOEFL Essay \u2013 What Is It and When You Face It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The last TOEFL section that is the \u201cWriting\u201d test consisting of two parts:\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"def-ol\"><li>The\nintegrated writing task.<\/li><li>The\nindependent writing task.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To pass this exam section, you\u2019ll need to compose two\nseparate essays according to the requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The integrated writing task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This section is the test of several skills \u2013 reading,\nlistening, writing. You read a short text fragment, then listen to the audio\nclip dedicated to the same theme. Note that it won\u2019t double the contents of the\nwritten text. Reading will take 3 minutes, and listening takes 2 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After that, you\u2019ll get a question on the contents.\nBasing on the information from these two sources, you\u2019ll have to write a short\nessay. You\u2019ll have 20 minutes to compose this essay, and the size is about\n150-225 words. Here, you need only to provide the information, but not your\njudgments or opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The independent writing task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The second section of the writing test is also an\nessay. Unlike the previous one, you\u2019ll need to show your opinion on some\nmatter. This task is more complicated, as you must formulate the statements and\nprovide arguments to support them. Besides, this essay is longer \u2013 it should be\n300 words minimum. To complete it, you\u2019ll have only 30 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, the total duration of the writing exam is 50\nminutes for the planning and writing of two short essays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Goals and criteria of the TOEFL essay writing tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The complex writing TOEFL exam has several goals. It\nis not only about testing your writing skills and grammar. In general, it\nrefers to the following abilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Absorb and process the information.<\/li><li>Analyze and summarize the data.<\/li><li>Expose your opinions on the matter in\nwritten form. <\/li><li>Persuade and support your thoughts by\nevidence.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to write extensive essays. The core\nrequirement is to write excellent pieces with proper exposition, arguments, and\nevidence. The score will depend on several factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>The correctness of the answer (for\nthe integrated task);<\/li><li>The logical connections in your\nessays;<\/li><li>The quality of the text \u2013 it should\nbe easy to read and understand;<\/li><li>Usage of extra evidence like facts,\ndates, stats numbers;<\/li><li>Your grammar skills \u2013 the structure\nof the sentences;<\/li><li>Your vocabulary \u2013 the word choices,\nthe presence of synonyms, understanding of the words\u2019 meanings. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prepare to the TOEFL Writing Exam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, refer to reliable resources. Official\npublishers present guides for you to find recommendations on time management,\noutlining, as well as helpful writing tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides, there are resources dedicated to <a href=\"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/toefl-essay\/\">TOEFL essays<\/a> on the Web. You\u2019ll get familiar with the successful and failed pieces and their analysis. This way, you can get a clear understanding of what to stress and what to avoid while doing these essays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the most efficient help is practice. You should <a href=\"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/write-my-essay\/\">write essays<\/a> daily and train writing and analytical skills. Besides, it lets you improve the speed of writing. This factor can be critical for doing essays on-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t know your topic or prompt before the exam, but\nyou can refer to items from the past tests. Use them for training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some TOEFL essay topic suggestions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a rule, the essay prompts for independent writing\ntasks are questions. You have to agree or disagree with the statement and\nexplain your reasons. Let&#8217;s consider some of the suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"def-ol\"><li>Do\nyou agree to let some corporation build a new factory in your neighborhood?<\/li><li>Will\nyou agree to follow the colleague&#8217;s decision on doing a project if your opinion\nis the opposite?<\/li><li>Do\nyou agree that we always have to ask for other people\u2019s advice before making\nimportant decisions? <\/li><li>Do\nyou agree that learning from experts is better than independent studies? <\/li><li>Would\nyou agree to let the franchise open a large shopping center in your\ndistrict?&nbsp; <\/li><li>Do\nyou agree that traditional libraries should be replaced by electronic ones?<\/li><li>Do\nyou prefer eating at home or in the restaurant? Explain your reasons. <\/li><li>Would\nyou like to live in a large city or in the village? Why?<\/li><li>Do\nyou support discussions in the classroom? Give your reasons.<\/li><li>Do\nyou consider the environmental protection programs valid? Explain why.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Structure of the TOEFL Essay <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the TOEFL writing exam implies that you write two\nshort essays, you have to be super-concise. The structure is essential for this\ntask. The short piece has the traditional three-parts build \u2013 the Introduction,\nthe Body, and the Conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Introduction is the first paragraph.\nIt should present the central theme and idea of the piece. It is a very\nsignificant element, as it should attract attention and explain what this text\nis about and why you consider the views necessary. The last component of the\nIntroduction is the thesis statement.<\/li><li>The thesis statement is an integral\npart of the essay. It includes the main argument and plays a pivotal role. You\nshould not make it complicated \u2013 it is better to formulate it directly. As your\ntime is limited, you won&#8217;t have to elaborate on complicated statements.<\/li><li>The Body consists of two or three\nparagraphs. There, you explain your thesis by offering claims and showing arguments\nin their favor. It is the most substantial part of the essay.&nbsp; <\/li><li>The Conclusion is the last paragraph.\nYou summarize your previous arguments and relate them to the thesis statement. The\ntask is to make sure that you\u2019ve proved your opinion. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To develop the structure and logical connections, you\nshould make an essay outline. Many candidates tend to skip this stage, as it\ntakes time, while you are under a strict deadline. However, it is better to\nspend a couple of minutes on planning. Further, it will make the other works\nfaster. Would you like to rewrite the essay after finding some logical gaps in\nthe middle of the process? You avoid this with a good outline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can look as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Introduction (draft a couple of\nwords).<\/li><li>The thesis statement \u2013 your leading\nides.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Your argument to support the idea. <\/li><li>Some more reasoning on the matter. <\/li><li>Evidence (some fact or citation). <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 3. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Another argument to support the idea.\n<\/li><li>The look from a different angle or\nyour response to the opposite point of view. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Conclusion \u2013 the summary of arguments\nand the thesis restatement. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This scheme is excellent for organizing your thoughts.\nNote the conjunctive words \u2013 they will stress the logical connections. With\ntheir help, you also ensure the smooth progress from one element (idea) to the\nnext one. It is called the text flow, and if you have it sound \u2013 it is a great plus.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Writing Process of the TOEFL Essays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The exam is always massive stress for even the\nbest-prepared candidates. However, proper training makes this job more\nmanageable. It is why all guidelines recommend writing essays of the TOEFL\nformat daily \u2013 you exercise the elements and make them routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>For the integrated task, you should\nmake notes while reading and listening. You won\u2019t have an opportunity to refer\nto these materials again, so you need to remember the key points. Pay attention\nto details, reasoning, and examples mentioned in those passages.&nbsp; <\/li><li>For the independent task, define your\nposition clearly, pick the arguments up, and consider reliable evidence for\nyour ideas. <\/li><li>Make an outline! It can take about 5\nminutes, but it will be paid off. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grammar requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Writing test is that section where all gaps in grammar\nare apparent. They will affect the quality of your essay and negatively influence\nthe overall score. During the preparations for the TOEFL exam, you need to\nfocus on English grammar. Doing regular exercises is the most efficient\npractice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>You can use complex sentences and\ntenses if you are sure of using them correctly. Otherwise, it\u2019s better to stick\nto simple tenses. The risk of making mistakes is sufficient, and the price of\nan error is too high. <\/li><li>Pay attention to using gerunds. It is\na tricky case with many complications. It might be better to play safe and\nsimplify the form.<\/li><li>Avoid passive voice. Though it is one\nof the academic writing style markers, an active voice is preferable for all\nessays. &nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vocabulary requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When your vocabulary is robust, it gives you an\nadvantage. So, when it&#8217;s better to use simple forms in grammar, the approach is\nopposite with vocabulary. Of course, you should not make it over-complicated,\nbut it would be a failed strategy to rely on flat and over-used words. Poor\nvocabulary will reduce the score even if your ideas and grammar structures are\ndecent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"check-list\"><li>Read as much as possible and note the\nnew words. Learn their meanings and examine their contexts. Include these words\ninto grammar exercises to train their regular usage. <\/li><li>Make a list of the most often English\nwords in your active vocabulary. Then refer to the thesaurus to find their\nsynonyms. Here, you should also be very careful about the context. Expressions\nshould not be too rare and sophisticated, but they should stress the shades of\nmeanings and emotions.<\/li><li>Ensure that you understand the\nmeanings of all words. Never use \u201cvague\u201d terms, as the word\u2019s misuse is a\nsevere error that can cost you much. Learn the concepts and their contexts, and\ntrain yourself to use them. If you have the slightest doubt \u2013 replace the word\nwith another variant.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The TOEFL exam is tough and challenging, but its\nresults have significant value. The high TOEFL score is a strong argument for\nthe college or job application. You may spend weeks and months on preparations,\nbut it will be a valuable resource investment in self-development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, if you need more assistance with writing the TOEFL essays \u2013 our <a href=\"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/\">qualified tutors<\/a> will be glad to help you. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TOEFL exam is an international exam in English that is recognized all over the world. If you are a foreign student planning to enroll in some &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":522,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377\/revisions\/522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcessay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}