In this lesson we will look at the TOEFL WRITING Section and more particularly Giving opinion.
In this guide you’ll learn how give your opinion so as to answer TOEFL writing section questions in order to score maximum points. This type of question is very similar to agree/disagree questions.
Lesson 22 Dialogue.
Writing section – Giving opinion
In this guide you’ll learn how give your opinion so as to answer TOEFL writing section questions in order to score maximum points. This type of question is very similar to agree/disagree questions:
The question states two opposite views and asks you to give your opinion.
In this lesson you will see TOEFL writing section 2 sample question + model answer and learn
- how to choose your opinion
- how to brainstorm valid arguments
- how to write a high quality essay that clearly states your opinion.
TOEFL giving opinion question
Let’s look at an example of TOEFL writing section 2 question that asks you to give your opinion:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people believe that violence on television and in computer games has a damaging effect on the society. Others deny that these factors have any significant influence on people’s behaviour. What is your opinion?
Write at least 250 words
Choose your opinion & generate arguments.
First of all, you need to take sides and chose from the two opinions offered.
For the task above, you need to choose from these opinions:
- violence in media has a damaging effect on the society
- violence in media doesn’t have a damaging effect on the society
Then, you have to think of your arguments for the chosen opinion.
Let’s brainstorm some supporting points for each of the given opinions:
- violence in media has a damaging effect on the society
- People see so much violence they see it as normal
- violent video games teach people that aggressiveness is normal in everyday life
- you have an example of the connection between violence in media and social violence
- violence in media doesn’t have a damaging effect on the society
- people become immuned to violence on the television and disassociate it from the real thing
- video games and television can reduce social violence by providing a safe outlet for aggressiveness
- If it were true the streets would be running with blood
For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.
How to answer this task?
Introduction
Paraphrase the statement (sentence 1) and give your own opinion (sentence 2):
These days, the amount of violence in the media is great and it is still growing. While some people argue that this trend will undoubtedly lead humans being exposed to actual violence, others claim that it has no real effect on the actions of people in society. I believe the latter that in most cases media violence doesn’t affect people’s behavior.
Body paragraphs
Describe each argument to support your opinion in a separate paragraph. Your essay should have 2-3 body paragraphs. Use linking structures, vocabulary to write essays
Firstly, I think that people act for deeper motives that depend of physical states and environmental factors, regardless what they see on the television. That is to say, if someone becomes violent it is not due , to watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person’s character and education or some real event. Although it is generally considered that violence in the media accustoms viewers to it, I do no subscribe to this view . I think reasonable, and intelligent people act humanely irrespective of what they see or hear on the television.
Moreover,according to some video games and television are away to channel social aggression by providing a safe outlet for it. In other words, wannabe killers and bullies can fight in virtual reality instead of dragging innocent parties into their sick world. This is perhaps a great safety valve and that it could reduce violence overall.
Personally I have never encountered any manifestations of antisocial behaviour resulting from a social media experience.
Conclusion
In the conclusion paragraph briefly summarize what you have written and restate your opinion:
Taking everything into consideration, I would say that there was no real evidence that violence in contemporary media has had a substantial influence on people’s violent tendencies. Television and computers are not the main factors that cause people to snap or to premeditate vicious acts.
Model answer
These days, the amount of violence in the media is great and it is still growing. While some people argue that this trend will undoubtedly lead humans being exposed to actual violence, others claim that it has no real effect on the actions of people in society. I believe the latter that in most cases media violence doesn’t affect people’s behavior.
Firstly, I think that people act for deeper motives that depend of physical states and environmental factors, regardless what they see on the television. That is to say, if someone becomes violent it is not due , to watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person’s character and education or some real event. Although it is generally considered that violence in the media accustoms viewers to it, I do no subscribe to this view . I think reasonable, and intelligent people act humanely irrespective of what they see or hear on the television.
Moreover, according to some video games and television are away to channel social aggression by providing a safe outlet for it. In other words, wannabe killers and bullies can fight in virtual reality instead of dragging innocent parties into their sick world. This is perhaps a great safety valve and that it could reduce violence overall.
Personally I have never encountered any manifestations of antisocial behaviour resulting from a social media experience.
Taking everything into consideration, I would say that there was no real evidence that violence in contemporary media has had a substantial influence on people’s violent tendencies. Television and computers are not the main factors that cause people to snap or to premeditate vicious acts.
Giving examples
- For example, …
- For instance, …
- A good illustration of this is …
- Evidence for this is provided by …
- We can see this when …
- Example: A lot of wild animals are endangered. Evidence for this is proved by decreasing number of species.
Concluding
- To summarise, …
- In conclusion, …
- Overall, …
- On balance, …
- Taking everything into consideration, …
- Example: Overall, no parents should neglect their children.
Exercises toefl writing section
