TOEFL Writing Example | TOEFL Independent Task Q11-20

The second set of ten sample essays, continuing from Q1–10, covering prompts on success, family, tourism, dress codes, lifelong learning, space exploration, school calendars, study habits, friendship, and careers.

The same advice applies here: study how each essay states its position in the opening paragraph, then commits to two or three reasons, each developed with a concrete example. To practice for the shorter responses on today's test, take one essay's position and its strongest reason and rewrite them as a four- or five-sentence answer, using reusable position-and-reason phrases where they fit.

Q11: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In order to succeed, it is better to be like other people than to be different from everyone else.

Success can be defined and achieved in many different ways. Some people believe that being different is the key, while others credit fitting in with everyone else. I agree with the first view, because success depends on how we learn, the experiences we seek, and the relationships we build, and in each of these areas, being different helps.

First, the best way to learn is different for every person. A study method may work perfectly for one person but be counterproductive for another. Take my roommate, for instance. He rushes from the library to the lab and from the classroom to the tennis court, studies late into the night before finals, and still earns straight A's every semester. I tried to follow his example and joined several study groups, but before long I had taken on more than I could handle and was completely stressed out. Working around the clock may suit him, but it clearly does not suit me.

Second, there is no single path to success. When people who want to make a difference face a challenge, they think outside the box, try new ideas, and avoid conventional routines. Steve Jobs is often quoted as saying that innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower. Being creative and different gives people an edge when things are unpredictable, while those who only imitate others are easily left behind. For example, many young people now study abroad to broaden their horizons, believing the experience will build critical thinking and give them new perspectives that improve their job prospects after graduation. When you choose the path less traveled, you are more likely to stand out.

Finally, differences between people can make relationships stronger and longer-lasting. Many people believe that "birds of a feather flock together," meaning that similar people get along best. But if two hot-tempered friends have an argument, they will probably end up shouting at each other, and neither will be willing to compromise. If one of them thinks differently and tries to see the situation from the other's point of view, the quarrel can be settled calmly. People who accept that everyone is unique are less likely to force their ideas on others and more careful not to offend people who are different from them.

In conclusion, being different gives people a way of learning that suits them, unusual experiences, and better relationships, all of which lead to greater success.

Q12: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Because the world has changed so much in the past fifty years, the advice our grandparents give us is not useful.

I disagree with the idea that our grandparents' advice is no longer useful. The world has certainly changed in the past fifty years, but many of the problems people face have not, and my grandparents' advice has helped me more than once.

First, advice about relationships does not go out of date. In high school, I had a serious argument with my best friend over a group project, and for almost two weeks we did not speak. I was sure she was the one who should apologize. When I complained to my grandmother, she told me that the person who apologizes first is not the one who was wrong, but the one who values the friendship more. That idea stayed with me. The next day, I sent my friend a message saying I was sorry about how the argument had gone, and she replied within minutes with an apology of her own. People communicate through phones now instead of letters, but pride, hurt feelings, and forgiveness work the same way they did when my grandmother was young.

Second, my grandparents' advice about money has proved surprisingly practical. My grandfather always told me to put away a small part of every paycheck before spending anything, no matter how little I earned. When I got my first part-time job at a bakery, I followed his rule and saved a fixed amount each month. It did not feel like much at the time, but by the end of the year, I had enough to pay for a summer language course without asking my parents for help. Prices and banking apps have changed, but the habit of saving before spending has not lost its value.

Admittedly, some of my grandparents' advice does not fit modern life. Their idea of finding one stable job for life, for example, does not match today's job market, and they cannot help me set up a new laptop or deal with a social media problem.

Still, the most important things they have taught me are about people and habits, not technology, and those lessons are as useful today as they ever were.

Q13: To attract more tourists, should a city government improve safety by hiring more police officers or improve the city's appearance by restoring old buildings and streets?

Many cities today rely on tourism to support their economies, and governments are looking for ways to attract more visitors. Some people believe the best approach is to hire more police officers so that the city is known to be safe. I hold a different opinion: I believe restoring old buildings and improving streets is a better choice.

Admittedly, hiring more police officers might help attract tourists. More officers would improve public safety, visitors would feel more comfortable, and the city's reputation would improve. However, safety alone is not enough. If a city has no cultural sites or attractions worth seeing, tourists will not come, no matter how safe it is. A more effective approach is to improve the city itself.

First, restoring old buildings preserves a city's culture, and many tourists travel specifically to see places with cultural and historical value. For example, when parts of the Great Wall near Beijing were restored, experts carefully rebuilt damaged sections, restored stone relics, and repaired steps so that visitors could climb safely. Today, the restored sections attract huge numbers of visitors from around the world who come to see the wall winding across the mountains. Hiring more police officers might earn a government praise for good management, but it would not add any cultural attraction.

Second, improving streets makes a city more convenient for tourists. Visitors prefer places that are easy to get around, and when I plan a trip, I look for cities with walkable streets and good public transportation. When a city has well-designed streets and attractive public spaces, tourists get a sense of a modern, lively city and feel encouraged to explore it. Good streets also make public transportation more efficient, so visitors can easily see sights both in the city center and in the surrounding area.

In conclusion, for the reasons above, I believe a government is more likely to attract tourists by restoring old buildings and improving streets than by hiring more police officers.

Q14: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is important to have rules about the types of clothing that people are allowed to wear at work and at school.

People have different opinions about whether it is important to have rules about what people can wear at work and at school. Some people argue that clothing is part of a person's professional or school identity. In my opinion, however, such rules are unnecessary, for the following reasons.

Admittedly, dress codes at work or school can improve efficiency to some extent. When employees wear uniforms, they may focus on their work instead of on clothing, and concentration leads to productivity at work and better results at school. However, compared with the benefits of letting people choose their own clothing, these advantages are minor.

First, allowing employees to choose what they wear shows respect for them. By giving workers the freedom to dress as they like, employers show that they trust them. Many employees I know dislike strict dress codes and feel that such rules treat them like children, and a strict code can create tension between managers and staff. In addition, when employees are free to choose their clothes, the variety of colors and styles creates a more lively atmosphere in the office. This can even help productivity, because people who feel free to express themselves often feel freer to share ideas and solve problems in their own way.

Second, at school, choosing their own clothing helps students develop a sense of style and judgment. Students are at an age when they need a well-rounded education, and deciding what to wear every day teaches them about appearance and appropriateness. For example, my friend Katie grew up in the United States, where she could wear what she liked at school. When she started working in China, she knew exactly what to wear to the office, because she had already developed her own sense of style. In contrast, many of my classmates who wore uniforms for years found it hard to choose suitable work clothes when they started their first jobs. Because they never had the chance to choose, they lacked the trial-and-error experience, and it took them longer to find out what suited them.

In conclusion, despite some merits of strict dress codes, I believe they should not be imposed at work or at school.

Q15: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is as important for older people to study or learn new things as it is for younger people.

I agree that learning new things is just as important for older people as it is for younger people. The reasons are different — young people often learn to build a career, while older people learn to stay independent and connected — but they matter just as much.

First, learning helps older people stay independent in a world that keeps changing. My grandmother is a good example. When she turned seventy, her bank closed the branch near her home, and most of its services moved online. At first, she depended on my father to pay her bills and check her account, and she hated asking for help every time. So she signed up for a free computer class at the local library and practiced on a tablet every evening. After a few months, she could pay her bills, book doctor's appointments, and even order groceries on her own. Learning a new skill at seventy did not just save her time; it gave her back control over her own life.

Second, learning gives older people a sense of purpose and a way to meet others. After my neighbor retired from his job as an accountant, he told me that his days felt long and empty. His children lived in other cities, and many of his friendships had been with coworkers. A year later, he started taking a pottery class at the community center. Now he goes twice a week, has made several close friends there, and proudly gives his bowls and cups to everyone on our street. The class taught him a craft, but more importantly, it gave him a reason to leave the house and a group of people who expect to see him.

Admittedly, young people have more urgent reasons to study, since their education shapes their future jobs and income. Older people may also have less time or energy for learning. However, being less urgent is not the same as being less important.

For older people, learning can be the difference between feeling left behind and staying active, independent, and involved in the lives of the people around them.

Q16: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Spending money on space travel and space exploration is a waste.

Whenever a country launches a new crewed spacecraft, such as China's Shenzhou missions, many people discuss whether it is worth the cost. Some argue that space exploration wastes money because it brings no direct benefit to ordinary citizens. I hold a different opinion: I believe space exploration is necessary.

Admittedly, space exploration costs a great deal of money. When a government spends heavily on space research, critics say it is neglecting problems on Earth, where many people still suffer from hunger, pollution, and disease. It is easy to understand their complaints. However, from a different angle, space exploration is a long-term investment, and we should not expect it to bring immediate economic returns. Viewed this way, it is very valuable.

First, space exploration may help us find new resources. Other bodies in our solar system, such as the Moon and certain asteroids, may contain minerals that are scarce on Earth. If engineers can solve the enormous problems of mining and transporting these resources, they could one day be used on Earth and reduce the pressure on our own planet's limited supplies.

Second, space exploration drives technological progress. Exploring outer space is only possible with advanced technology, so scientists and engineers must constantly improve their knowledge to launch rockets and satellites safely. To protect astronauts, they must design spacesuits that shield the body from radiation and life-support systems that provide enough oxygen, and they test this equipment again and again. Only when it is completely reliable can astronauts work safely in space. Many of the technologies developed for these missions, such as advances in materials, satellites, and communications, eventually find uses in everyday life.

In conclusion, although space exploration may seem expensive and useless, it can bring important benefits, both in the search for new resources and in the development of new technology.

Q17: Which schedule is better for children's education: nine months of school followed by a three-month break, or three months of school followed by a one-month break?

The question of how to balance study time and vacation time is widely discussed by teachers and parents. Some parents believe that nine months of school followed by a three-month break helps students concentrate, because they spend a long, continuous period in school. I disagree. In my opinion, three months of study followed by a one-month break is better for students.

Admittedly, a nine-month school year has some advantages. Because students study for nine months in a row, they may stay more focused. Day after day, they are immersed in their coursework: they discuss problems in class, do their homework after school, and have fewer distractions. However, a three-month vacation comes after that long stretch of study. Many students treat it as a complete escape and spend the whole summer playing without any study at all. As a result, they forget much of what they have learned, which makes the next school year harder. A three-month term with a one-month break avoids this problem.

First, a three-month study period helps students balance coursework and rest. In a shorter term, teachers can choose a manageable amount of material that is not too difficult for students. In a physics class, for example, a teacher might spend one term on Newton's laws and leave more abstract topics for later. If students have trouble during the term, they can use the one-month break to review. They can make their own study plans at home, such as reading in the morning and working on math problems in the afternoon, or take online courses on the same topics to fill in gaps in their knowledge. Either way, students study a focused amount of material in a relatively short time and have a chance to fix their misunderstandings.

Second, shorter terms benefit teachers as well. At the end of each term, teachers can review their syllabus based on students' feedback. They can ask students how difficult each topic was and, if a part of the course proved too hard, adjust it before the next term. As a result, students who struggled in the previous term are less likely to feel frustrated and more likely to keep trying.

In conclusion, although a long, continuous school year sounds reasonable, it puts students under too much pressure and leads to a long period of forgetting. A schedule of three months of study and a one-month break is better for both students and teachers.

Q18: Many students do other things, such as using the internet or listening to music, while they study. Do you agree or disagree that doing other things while studying has a negative effect on learning?

I agree that doing other things while studying, such as browsing the internet or listening to music, usually has a negative effect on learning. It may make studying feel more pleasant, but in my experience, it makes studying slower and less effective.

First, splitting my attention makes me study much less efficiently. Last semester, I was preparing for a biology quiz with a messaging app open on my laptop. Every few minutes a new message appeared, and I would answer it and then go back to my notes. By the end of the evening, I realized I had read the same page on cell division three or four times without really understanding it. Before the next quiz, I tried something different: I left my phone in another room and closed every tab except my notes. I covered the same material in about half the time, and I still remembered it the next morning. Studying felt harder while I was doing it, but it was far more productive.

Second, background activities can compete directly with what I am trying to learn. My roommate liked to memorize vocabulary lists while listening to her favorite pop songs. She said the music helped her relax, but when I quizzed her, she could sing every line of the songs yet struggled to recall many of the words she had just studied. The lyrics seemed to take up the space in her mind that the new words needed. When she switched to studying in silence, she remembered far more words and no longer had to review the same list again and again.

Admittedly, not every distraction is equally harmful. Some students find that quiet instrumental music helps them block out noise in a busy dormitory, and sometimes the internet is necessary to look up a definition or check an assignment. These uses are fine when they support the studying rather than interrupt it.

In most cases, though, studying works best when it gets my full attention, and that is why I think doing other things at the same time harms learning.

Q19: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to have a few close friends than a large number of casual friends.

Some people enjoy having a wide circle of friends they can call on for any occasion, while others prefer to spend their time with a small group of people they know well. Both approaches have their benefits, but I believe it is better to have a few close friends, for two main reasons.

First, close friends offer real support when life becomes difficult. A casual friend may be fun to see at a party, but a close friend is the person who will listen to your problems at midnight and tell you the truth, even when it is hard to hear. When my father was in the hospital last year, I received many polite messages from classmates. However, it was my two closest friends who brought me meals, helped me catch up on my coursework, and simply sat with me when I was worried. That kind of help only comes from people who know you well and care deeply about you.

Second, deep friendships are easier to maintain than many shallow ones. Everyone has limited time and energy. If I tried to keep in touch with dozens of people, I would only be able to have short, surface-level conversations with each of them. By focusing on a few people, I can spend real time with them: we cook dinner together, travel together, and talk about our plans for the future. These shared experiences make the friendships stronger every year, instead of letting them fade.

Admittedly, having many casual friends has advantages. A large network can help you find a job, learn about opportunities, and meet people with different backgrounds. However, you can build a professional network through classes, clubs, and work without calling everyone a friend. Friendship, in my view, is about trust and loyalty, and those qualities take time to develop.

In conclusion, although a wide social circle can be useful, a few close friends provide the support and depth that make friendship truly valuable.

Q20: Some people prefer to work for a large company, while others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

When choosing a first job, many graduates must decide between a large, well-known company and a small one. Large companies offer stability and a famous name, but I would prefer to work for a small company, because it offers broader experience and a clearer view of how my work matters.

First, employees at a small company usually take on a wider range of tasks. In a large company, a new employee is often given one narrow job and repeats it for years. In a small company, there are fewer people, so everyone helps wherever they are needed. My cousin, for example, joined a small design firm with only twelve employees. In her first year, she worked with clients, managed social media, and even helped plan the budget. By the time she moved to a new job, she had skills that friends at large firms were still waiting to learn.

Second, in a small company it is easier to see the results of your work and to be noticed for it. When a team has only a few members, each person's contribution directly affects the company's success. This is motivating, because you know your effort matters. It also means that managers see your work every day, so a hardworking employee can earn more responsibility quickly instead of waiting for a formal review.

Admittedly, large companies often pay higher salaries and offer more job security, and these are important, especially for someone with a family to support. However, early in a career, I believe experience is worth more than a slightly higher salary. The skills I gain at a small company will make me more valuable wherever I work in the future.

In conclusion, although large companies have real advantages, I would prefer to work for a small company because it would help me learn faster and let me see the impact of my work.