Tips to practice the writing section of TOEFL iBT

There are 2 writing questions: integrated writing and independent writing. The first question, you need to read a passage and listen to a lecture and write, during 20 minutes, the points in the lecture and explain how they relate to specific points in the passage. The second question is to write an essay during 30 minutes your personal ideas about a topic.

I create template for each type of question and memorize the templates. I practice to type on the keyboard such that during the actual test I can type the template during 2 minutes. On the test day, I just choose a template and fill in the template according to topic.

Integrated writing for TOEFL

I divide an A4 paper into 2 columns: 1 column to write the mains ideas of the passage and other column to write the main ideas of the lecture. I use arrows to make the relationships between the mains ideas of the reading and the listening. Normally, the relationship is to strengthen or weaken the points of the passage. Then, I type the template (2 minutes) and type the answer. I check grammar and spelling when I type.

Here after are some of my templates for TOEFL integrated writing essays:

Writing Q1 – passage explain a definition, lecture give example

The lecturer talks about …+ topic….. He says that the theory definition/phenomenon/process… stated in the passage

was + adjective (very different / somewhat inaccurate / imprecise/inexact… ) when compared to what happened in the reality.

First, first point. .. This directly contradicts what the passage indicates.

Second, ……This was another part … that contradicts the theory / definition …. of the passage.

Finally,  Therefore, this is the third point against the idea stated in the passage.

Writing Q1 – lecture opposes or contrasts the passage

The lecturer talks about …+ topic….. He says that the theory definition/phenomenon/process… stated in the passage

was + adjective (very different / somewhat inaccurate) when compared to what happened in the reality

First,

Second,

Finally,

Independent essay

I have several templates for 3 or 4 type of questions. When I practice writing, I use the templates. On the test day, I type the template during 2 minutes and fill in each paragraph with the ideas.  I check grammar and spelling while typing. If I have time, I can develop some ideas that I think is important to have a better score.

I practice writing 2 times per week. I use the 185 topics of EST to practice. I don’t have time to practice all these topics so I choose some interesting topics to practice. We all know that we can not memorize our essay on the exam day. So I practice to think quickly, to use various vocabularies, to vary sentences and to type fast.

Here after are my 2 templates of the independent essay:

Writing Q2 – Agree or disagree

Personally I agree with the statement “                        “in that I believe …….  +  3 sentences (say that A ok for certain situations while not A also Ok for other situation??? Or introduce 3 ideas to be discussed later???)

First,

Second,

Finally,

In conclusion, I believe that ……… (  restate position).

Writing Q2 – Which do you prefer

Introduce topic (e.g. there are different opinions regarding + topic). Some say/argue/would like + topic, while on the other hand, others do not say/argue/would not like  + topic. In my opinion, state position   (eg people should do…).

First,

Second,

Finally,

In conclusion, I strongly think that + restate position.