Writing Topics
updated Wednesday, October 18, 2000
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Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test. You should become familiar with this list before you take the computer-based TOEFL test. Remember that when you take the test you will not have a choice of topics. You must write only on the topic that is assigned to you.
People attend college or university for many different reasons (for
example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge).
Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are
the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.
Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved
the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.
It has been said, Not everything that is learned is contained in
books. Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with
knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more
important? Why?
A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near
your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new
influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory?
Explain your position.
If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what
would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your
answer.
How do movies or television influence peoples behavior? Use reasons
and specific examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has
destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in
a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific
reasons and details to support your answer.
When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to
do with success. Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above?
Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities
should give the same amount of money to their students sports
activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you
think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.
Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people
prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people believe that university students should be required to
attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be
optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use
specific reasons and details to explain your answer.
Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are
the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples
in your answer.
It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in
your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use
specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with
a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher.
Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.
What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use
specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are
important.
Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways,
or should governments spend more money on improving public
transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons
and details to develop your essay.
It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big
city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to
develop your essay.
In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this
phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of
people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a
co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific
examples to explain why these characteristics are important.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sometimes it
is better not to tell the truth. Use specific reasons and details to
support your answer.
In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students.
Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using
specific reasons and details.
A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do
you think this person would like and dislike about living in your
town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your
essay.
It has recently been announced that a large shopping center may be
built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why?
Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built
in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use
specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should
sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television,
newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the
personal lives of famous people such as public figures and
celebrities. Use specific reasons and details to explain your
opinion.
Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human
activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better
place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.
It has recently been announced that a new high school may be built in
your community. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific
reasons and details in your answer.