How To Think of Reasons and Examples For Any TOEFL Question-02.18.20

TST Prep - TSB Handout
How to Think of Reasons and Examples for Any TOEFL®

Question

How to Think of Reasons and
Examples for Any TOEFL® Question
A Guide to Perfecting Your TOEFL
Speaking and Writing Responses

How to Think of Reasons and Examples for Any TOEFL® Question

How to Think of Reasons and Examples

for Any TOEFL® Question

Introduction

In both the independent speaking and writing sections of the exam, you are asked to elaborate on your
personal opinion to a random question. This is challenging because you will have to speak for 45 seconds
or write for up to 30 minutes about your opinion on a simple question. Once you formulate your opinion,
you will have to come up with reasons to support it and examples to elaborate on those reasons. Some
students struggle in this area.

The purpose of this document is to provide TOEFL takers with a psychological framework to help you
come up with reasons and examples for your opinion, no matter what the question.

Many test-takers feel the demands placed on them by ETS are unreasonable. Since independent question
topics range from high school uniforms to space travel, it seems unfair to expect students to come up with
a personal example for every possible question. Even a fluent English speaker would struggle to think of
an appropriate personal example that directly relates to a random question. Still, it does not look like the
TOEFL test is going to change anytime soon and arguing the merits of the test are beyond the scope of this
handout. If you would like to learn about the academic literature supporting TOEFL test validity, you can
read more on ETS’s official website https://www.ets.org/toefl/research.

Our goal here is to get you prepared for the exam by teaching you a new way to think when confronted
with an independent question in the speaking and writing sections of the test. In part one, you will learn
how to come up with reasons for your opinion, no matter what the question. In part two, you will learn
how to use anecdotes and themes to support your stance on any issue. And in part three, you will practice
applying your knowledge to a few examples of previous TOEFL independent questions.

Read carefully and be sure to experiment with these strategies on your own. Through consistent practice,
you will discover which of the following advice works best for you. There is a reason why TST Prep’s second
principle reads “Growth requires active thought and consistent effort.” Only through the application and
experimentation of this information will it start to solidify in your mind.

Let’s get started...


Part 1: Categorical Thinking: Using Reasons to Support Your Opinion

A category is a way to group a large collection of information together into a meaningful section. A movie
genre is a good example of a category. Instead of trying to find a new movie you will enjoy without
knowing anything about it, you can visit the comedy genre and safely assume that you will find a movie
that is amusing (hopefully). Or perhaps instead, you like scary movies and visit the horror genre. Either
way, dividing the movies into different categories provides our brain with a bit of a rest. We do not have to
treat each movie as completely unique but as part of a group.

TOEFL takers should do the same once they formulate their opinion on a question. Instead of trying to put
the question in a category, try to fit y our opinion into a category. Here are four specific categories to
consider when you encounter a TOEFL independent speaking or writing question:

1. Money
2. Relationships
3. Time
4. Education

Why these four categories?

These are four aspects of life that we should each care deeply about. If a topic is going to affect our
money, relationships, time, or education, then it is something we should be able to discuss with a clear
and well-articulated opinion.

The best way to illustrate this concept is through an example.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Our current way of life will have a negative impact on
future generations.” Use specific reasons and examples to support your point of view.

If you do not think in categories, then you will try to think of reasons for your opinion without any
structure, hoping that you will find eventually find one or two. The problem with this approach is that you
are not thinking in a systematic way. Thinking in systems is crucial when you are in an environment where
you do not know what to expect.

Do not treat every question as a new and unique proposition, but instead as another example of a topic
that somehow influences your money, your relationships, your time, and/or your education. Give your
mind a rest. Think in terms of these four simple questions, which relate to these categories:

1. How would this influence my f inancial situation, my loved ones’ financial situation, my community’s
financial situation, or the world’s financial situation?
2. How would this influence my r elationships, my loved ones’ relationships, my community’s relationships,
or the world’s relationships?


3. How would this influence my t ime, my loved ones’ time, my community’s time, or the world’s time?
4. How would this influence my e ducation, my loved ones’ education, my community’s education, or the
world’s education?

You have probably already noticed that I have separated each of the four categories into four levels of
influence. Sometimes you will have an opinion based on how a particular question affects you, and at
other times you will see how it affects others. Here are the levels of influence:

a. Personal
b. Family and friends
c. The community
d. The world

At this point, you have four specific categories in your head that will provide your thoughts with a structure
when you encounter an independent question on the TOEFL. The topic at hand has the potential to
influence you on a personal level, a familial level, a communal level, and even a global level. Note that you
do not have to address all four of these questions, nor do you have to think on all four levels of influence.
Memorize these categories and levels of influence first. Next, experiment with real TOEFL questions and
choose the category that resonates most with the given question.

Let’s look back at the question with a fresh mindset:


The main point of this question is the proposal that current human behavior will negatively impact future
generations. I do believe this is true. Now it’s time to look at the categories to help develop reasons and
examples that support my view. Consider the following examples:

● How would this influence my f inancial situation, my loved ones’ financial situation, my community’s
financial situation, or the world’s financial situation?

When I think about the current behavior of human beings, I think of how much money
Is wasted on unnecessary products. If the current way of life continues, people will
continue to prioritize products rather than relationships, which will lead to increased
financial instability on a personal and communal level, which will have a negative impact
on future generations who will have to rely on themselves for income.


● How would this influence my r elationships, my loved ones’ relationships, my community’s relationships,
or the world’s relationships?

When I think about our current way of life, my mind gravitates towards the
growing influence of technology in our relationships. Growing up, teachers
were friendly and more open with students. They weren’t afraid to let more
sensitive sides of themselves show in class. This isn’t the case anymore. Most
people, especially teachers, are afraid because a single cell phone video out of
context at an unfortunate moment could completely destroy someone’s career.
We have become way too sensitive, which I imagine will only get worse in the
future.

● How would this influence my t ime, my loved ones’ time, my community’s time, or the world’s time?

Nothing really jumps out in my mind in terms of time for this particular question. In cases like this, it’s
important to move on to the next question without searching too deeply for an example for each category.
Remember, in the speaking section, you only have 15 seconds to prepare your response.

● How would this influence my e ducation, my loved ones’ education, my community’s education, or the
world’s education?

In terms of education, I see both positive and negative potential. On the positive
side, I see education as expanding its reach since more people around the world
can access top-quality resources with nothing but an Internet connection. However,
with an increased amount of information comes more noise. With so much information,
it is growing increasingly difficult for people to identify information that is useful and
practical. Since my opinion is mixed on this particular category, I probably will not include
it in my response.

At this point, you should now see how these categories help to organize your thoughts and develop your
response. You can relate to almost any question; all you have to do is look a bit closer at the topic to find
the connections.

***Important note I’d like to squeeze in here. Categories are intended to help you come up with reasons
and examples for your opinion; they are not designed to provide you with a stance on the issue. Y ou must
decide your opinion first and then think in terms of categories.

You have your reasons but now comes the even harder part: coming up with examples to elaborate on
your reasons.


Part 2: Using Anecdotes and Themes to Provide Examples to Any TOEFL Question

Most teachers suggest that to extend your response in both spoken and written form, it is best to include
a personal example to support your stance. A personal example strengthens your point of view and takes
time to develop. The problem most face is coming up with a personal example that directly relates to
whatever random topic you are asked about on test day. The simplest approach to providing personal
examples to almost any TOEFL independent speaking and writing question is to tell a story about what you
heard, rather than what you experienced. Imagine watching the news about a massive storm approaching
your area. You would want to share that information with other people. This isn’t a personal example that
you experienced, but instead, a story you heard. This is an example of an anecdote. While there may be a
limited amount of experiences you can have, the stories you have heard on the news or from friends are
almost infinite.

When you use personal examples, you usually begin with the following phrases:

● I remember when…
● When I was...
● This reminds me of the time when I…

When you use anecdotes, the introductory phrases will be different:

● I remember watching the news about…
● There was a story in the newspaper the other day about…
● My friend once told me a story about…

After you start, tell the anecdote like a personal example with a beginning, middle, and end. Be sure that
the end directly relates to the topic of the question and connects the two. Here’s an example of a body
paragraph that includes an anecdote to the following question:


First of all, people are producing more garbage than ever. The modern age is filled
with disposable goods like plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper bags, which
can cause long term damage to the earth's atmosphere. Even though most citizens
are aware that these materials are non-recyclable, they continue to use and dispose
of them. I heard a story on the news once that illustrates my point quite well. Every
day, the city of New York piles its garbage onto dozens of boats. These boats then
sail out into the Atlantic Ocean and dump the garbage into the bottom of the sea.
This short term solution fails to consider the long term implications of dumping
thousands of pounds of waste into the ocean on a daily basis. For this reason, I do
believe that our contemporary lifestyle will cause more distress for individuals in
the future.


This particular anecdote begins with the source of information: I heard a story on the news once that
illustrates my point quite well.

After sharing the source, I elaborate on the story with details that are relevant to the topic: Every day, the
city of New York piles its garbage onto dozens of boats. These boats then sail out into the Atlantic Ocean and dump
the garbage into the bottom of the sea.

In the last two sentences, I share my opinion based on this anecdote and show how it’s relevant to the
question: T his short term solution fails to consider the long term implications of dumping thousands of pounds of
waste into the ocean on a daily basis. For this reason, I do believe that our contemporary lifestyle will cause more
distress for individuals in the future.

Anecdotes are powerful because you have heard thousands of them already. Try not to worry about
getting all the details right. I had heard of a story similar to the one I shared in my response, but I am not
certain if all the details I included are 100% correct. Pieces of this response may be inaccurate, but the
TOEFL graders will not ask Google to confirm whether you are telling the truth or not. Don’t let the truth
get in the way of a good story. Use the first anecdote that comes to mind. Worry less about the facts and
more about connecting this story to the reason for your stance on the question.

One challenging component of using anecdotes is that they sometimes require you to use reported
speech. Reported speech is a grammatical term that describes when a speaker’s words are reported by
another, requiring a change in verb tense and person. For example, if my friend Jun says, “I went to the
movies with Shirley yesterday,” that is a simple story in the simple past.

Things get complicated when I want to share that same anecdote with another friend on another day. The
sentence:

“I went to the movies with Shirley yesterday,”

Changes to:

“Jun told me that h
e had gone to the movies with Shirley t he other day.”

The verb tense, time marker, and pronoun have all changed. In reported speech -- sometimes referred to
as indirect speech -- there are various changes that must be made to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Indirect speech is more of a problem in the writing section than in the speaking. While reported speech
usage is correct in a textbook, it is often misused or ignored in spoken dialogue. If I were talking with a
friend about Jun’s story, I would probably say “ Jun told me that he went to the movies with Shirley t he
other day.” This sounds perfectly natural, which is your goal for the TOEFL Speaking section.
Reported speech is a challenge to use correctly, so try to avoid it as much as possible.


In my own anecdote, I elaborated on an issue that still occurs on a daily basis, permitting me to use the
present tense. “Every day, the city of New York p iles its garbage onto dozens of boats. These boats then
sail out into the Atlantic Ocean and d ump the garbage into the bottom of the sea.” The present tense is
much easier to use than indirect speech. When possible, keep your writing in the simple present and
simple past to avoid any costly grammatical errors.

Themes

You have read seven pages of brand new information about the TOEFL that you have probably never
heard anywhere else before. Your mind may already be buzzing with possibilities. I hope you take the time
to explore using categories and anecdotes in your responses.

Principle #2: Active thought and consistent practice are required.

This final section is the most challenging: thematic thinking. This is an advanced strategy and I do not
usually recommend it to students because it is hard to use effectively. However, this idea will help you gain
some insight into how an individual could have an opinion about a variety of different subjects. You are
encouraged to be skeptical of the information ahead and use it sparingly in your responses.

Remember the problem: the TOEFL independent speaking and writing questions are unpredictable. You
are expected to form an opinion and elaborate on this random question by speaking for 45 seconds and
by writing at least 350 words. In our everyday lives, an opinion takes less than five seconds and ten words
to articulate. On the TOEFL, however, you are expected to expand on your answers.

The first step is to provide reasons for your opinion. Not only must you state w hat you believe, but you
must also include why you believe it. Still, this will only net you, at best, about 15 seconds of the spoken
word and 50 words of the written form. This is where personal examples become a necessity.

Like categories, thinking in terms of themes will cut through the notion that questions are isolated from
one another. They are deeply connected, as long as you have the right way of thinking. You must establish
a foundation to build your thoughts and beliefs upon. One way to structure your thought process is
through categories, but another is through themes.

There are five popular themes you can use as a filter to help narrow your focus and refine your opinion on
various topics. These themes are in fact questions, and once you articulate your stance on these five
particular questions, you will see how your stance can apply to other questions dealing with seemingly
unrelated topics.

1. Is personal freedom always most important?
2. Are risks worth taking?
3. Is hard work always valuable?


4. Is it better to know through assumption or experience?

5. Does technology have a positive or negative influence on people?

You will soon discover why each question is important and how to use your feelings toward each to
answer various TOEFL topics. Don’t worry, you will learn the step-by-step process of how to implement this
style of thinking when formulating your own opinions.

● Theme #1: Is personal freedom always most important?

For each of these questions, you might have a nuanced opinion. There are times when I believe personal
freedom should be sacrificed for the good of others or the community at large. In other instances, I do
think that loved ones exercise too much control over my life, and in those instances, my personal freedom
takes precedence. In this exercise, however, pick one side of the argument. A nuanced opinion that is
based on context is more challenging to speak and write about. Pick a side and stick to it.

Step 1: State your opinion. Now it’s your turn to pick a side and decide your stance on personal freedom.

I am going to say that personal freedom is most important (of course, I’m American)!

Step 2: Find your example. Now it’s your turn to think of a snippet from your past that influenced your
current stance on personal freedom. Try to write about an experience in 80-120 words.

***Do not copy my own examples. It’s important for you to think these questions through and develop a
believable personal story. Even if you lie, you will perform better on test day if you create your own stories
related to the given theme, rather than try to memorize my own.

Once you have established your opinion, search your memory for a personal example that somehow
informed your opinion. You do not have to worry about making it like a TOEFL example at this point. Just
tell a short and simple story from your past that relates to your current feelings on personal freedom.

I remember when I was in junior high school and I wanted to join the football team.
My father didn’t think I’d like football very much, but he said that if I wanted to do it,
I could. After three months of football practice and riding the bench I ended up
hating football, but I was and still am grateful for the experience. I f my father hadn’t
let me try, I would have blamed him for the way things turned out. It was important
for me to make the decision myself so I could take responsibility for my own choices
and learn not to blame others.

I have highlighted the last two sentences because they are the most important of any personal example.
This part concludes the story and indicates the lesson I learned from it, which informs my stance on the
theme. This story is 105 words, which might be a tiny bit too long to squeeze into your independent
speaking. Ninety words, give or take ten, is usually an ideal length for a single personal example in your
speaking.


Step 3: Use your theme in a response. Steps 1 and 2 are easy, but step 3 is tricky. Let’s try to integrate this
story into a question that looks like it has nothing to do with football or personal freedom.

Do you think scientists should be given the freedom to test and experiment however they please, or should they
be limited in what they can study? Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

To me, scientists should be given the freedom to experiment because when you tell
people that they can’t do something, they will resent you for it. I remember when I
was in junior high school and I wanted to join the football team. My father thought I
was too small, but he still let me join. I ended up hating football, but it was
important for me to make the decision so I could take responsibility for my own
choices and learn not to blame others. I f governments decide to enforce rules and
limit the amount of freedom for scientists to experiment and research, more people
will resent the government and blame them for their problems. (116 words)

Your TOEFL independent speaking responses should be somewhere between 115 - 130 words. Keep that
in mind as you write out your own responses.

Step 4: Connect your theme to the question.

The conclusion is the most important part of a themed response because it reminds the TOEFL grader
what the question is and how this story is relevant to the topic. My experience playing junior high school
football has nothing to do with government policy on scientific experimentation, but I focused less on the
topic at the surface and more on the underlying principle of granting people the freedom to pursue what
they wish.

You might be a bit confused, and that’s okay. This strategy is new and different from anything you have
heard before. Even though you may not have heard about it in a TOEFL textbook, I am sure you have
experienced it while listening to politicians. The personal freedom theme is an underlying principle that
crops up time and again in American political discourse. The topics in political debates vary, so how could
a politician have an opinion on subjects ranging from gun ownership to social welfare?

It depends on your principles.

Some people feel that individual freedom is most important, so they vote against more restrictive gun laws
and higher taxes for the wealthy. Others feel that some personal freedom should be sacrificed for others,
so they are in favor of increased limitations on gun ownership and higher taxes for the wealthy. While the
topics vary, the reason behind each decision is based on their stance on personal freedom.
Once you take a stand on one of these themes and have a personal example to support it, you can apply
this thematic way of thinking to a bunch of different questions.

Homework: Look for two unrelated questions in the student exercise section in the back of this handout
and apply your stance on personal freedom along with your personal example to answer it.


● Theme #2: Are risks worth taking?

Refer back to Theme #1 and follow steps one to four to create a stance and personal example connected
to each theme. There will be an example of each so you have a model to refer back to when in doubt.

For this theme, decide if you are the type of person who prefers safe, comfortable choices with a
guaranteed outcome, or you enjoy mysterious, untested options that could turn out to be a complete
failure or a wild success. As is the case for most independent questions on the TOEFL, my honest opinion
is that it would depend on the situation. However, since this is the TOEFL, I will take a firm stand and
declare that risks are always worth taking.

When I think of risk, I immediately think of the stand-up comedy class I tried a few
years ago. For my birthday, my wife paid for me to take a stand-up comedy class
because I was too nervous to try it on my own. The first time I took the stage I could
hardly say a word, but by the end of the three-month class, I gave a ten-minute
stand-up routine to a packed comedy club in midtown Manhattan. P utting myself
on a stage in front of an audience was terrifying, but it made me a stronger person.
If I had never taken the risk, I would still regret it today.

Here comes the fun part. Let’s take a question that has absolutely nothing to do with stand-up comedy,
and somehow find a way to connect the two.

Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring space (for example,
traveling to the moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this
money on our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and
details to support your answer.

It may seem like my experience in stand-up comedy has nothing to do with space travel, but it follows the
same logic. I decided to try stand-up because it was a big dream of mine. Even if it didn’t end well, it was
still worth the risk. I believe the same holds true for governments investing in space travel.

To me, I definitely believe that governments should invest more in space travel.
Even though it’s a risk, the reward could mean discovering or establishing life on
other planets. When I think of risk, I immediately think of the stand-up comedy class
I tried a few years ago. I had to swallow my pride and open myself up to the real
possibility of failure. It was terrifying, but the experience made me a stronger
person. If I had never taken the risk, I would still regret it today. T
he same holds true
at the societal level. Nations must be willing to embrace bold risks, like space travel,
if they hope to survive and thrive in the future. (117 words)

Pretty cool, right?


Keep in mind that unlike templates, you don’t have to remember each word and phrase. Instead, focus on
the beginning, middle, and end of the story and how it relates to the question.

● Theme #3: Is hard work always valuable?

Remember that your opinion should be your own. Please do not copy these responses. Use this
information to create something unique. TST Prep’s first principle states:

Principle #1: Each student is an individual.

You are special. Don’t hesitate to explore your own thoughts. This concept is a bit challenging to
understand, so it is necessary to provide examples to illustrate the point, but do not copy these stories
word for word. Utilize this information to create something that expresses your unique experience.

If you think hard work is worth it, then you probably overcame an obstacle and succeeded. If you think
hard work is a waste of time, then you might have worked hard for something and failed. I do think that
hard work is worth it. The proof is in the words you’re reading right now.

I’ve always wanted to write something special. At first, I tried to write a screenplay,
and when that failed I tried to write a TV show. Even after all these failures, for some
reason, I still had an urge to write. A few years ago, I started teaching TOEFL and
discovered that I had learned some valuable information that I could present in a
new and unique way. After years of writing and failing, I finally completed a TOEFL
course that I could be proud of. B ut more importantly, through hard work, I learned
more about my strengths, weaknesses, and the direction I wanted my life to take.

Remember that your conclusion is crucial. It not only explains what you believe but why you believe it. In
this example, hard work is worth it because it helped the author learn more about their own strengths,
weaknesses, and the type of life they wanted to live.

In the second theme about risks, the author concludes that risks are positive because it is better to try and
fail than live with regret.

In the first theme about personal freedom, the author believes individual liberty is paramount because
you might blame others for your situation instead of taking personal responsibility.

The examples are merely vehicles to help illustrate this crucial point, the conclusion, which acts a lesson
for the reader to learn from. Never forget to include it when wrapping up your personal example.

Here’s the question that has absolutely nothing to do with my writing:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a
person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


For me, money is not the most important aspect of a job. Of course, I think about
the money I make, but the personal satisfaction I feel from my work is much more
important than the salary. For example, I’ve always wanted to write a book, and for
over a decade I failed at it. After years of writing and failing, I finally completed a
book that I could be proud of. B ut more importantly, I learned more about my
strengths, weaknesses, and the direction I wanted my life to take. It doesn’t matter
how much money you make at a job if you don’t know who you are or what type of
life you want to live. (118 words)

This question is about money while the theme is hard work. When you answer in terms of themes and do
it well, your response seems well-developed and persuasive, no matter the question. Practice this skill.

● Theme #4: Is it better to know through assumption or experience?

This is the only question with a fairly obvious answer. The only way to truly know something is through
direct experience. There’s a famous expression about making assumptions in America, “When you assume
something, you make an ass of you and me.” In other words, assumptions are often dangerous and
misguided. Better not to assume anything and instead research and experience something before drawing
any conclusions about it.

Your independent writing and speaking responses are meant to be persuasive. Your goal is for the grader
to agree with your stance on the issue in question. Telling a story about a time when you were wrong
humanizes your character and builds empathy with the listener or reader. Show how much you have
learned through experience with a specific example of a time when you made a mistake.

I decided to become an educator because in American public schools teachers get a
lot of holidays, so I thought it would be an easy job. However, on my first day, my
very first class was huge and filled with students from different economic, social,
and cultural backgrounds. I was exhausted after teaching just one class for forty
minutes, and I had five more to go that day on top of all the planning required for
the day after that. I finally understood that how something looks on paper is much
different than the reality. From that point on, I have remained careful about
romanticizing things I have never directly experienced.

Now let’s apply this thematic way of thinking to a TOEFL question that does not seem connected to this
idea.

“What advice would you give to a friend who is traveling to another country to go to school?”

To me, the best advice I could give to my friend studying abroad is to be open to
new experiences. Even though I have never left the country, I had a similar
experience of journeying into the unknown on my first day of teaching. You see, I
decided to become a teacher because I thought it would be an easy job. But after


my first day, I realized that teaching was much more demanding than I had
anticipated. I finally understood that how something looks on paper is much
different than reality. That’s something my friend is going to soon discover when he
moves abroad, which is why I would strongly advise him to open up to new people
and experiences while studying overseas. (123 words)

Even though the example of becoming a teacher is not directly related to advice to a friend traveling
abroad, the reason for my opinion is based on the importance of directly experiencing something before
creating a strong opinion about it. The question is no longer about advice, but about the time when I
learned that direct experience is more informative than assumption.

Themes provide the framework needed to have an opinion on a multitude of topics, without much prior
knowledge of the given subject. You see the question in terms of your foundational beliefs, and you apply
those principles to various situations.

● Theme #5: Does technology have a positive or negative influence on people?

This question is more direct and less thematic. You will NOT use your personal example and opinion on
this particular theme in a wide range of subjects. T his example will only be used for technology questions.
Recently, there has been a growing number of TOEFL independent questions connected to technology and
its role in society. Usually, the test will ask you about some piece of technology and decide whether it has
had a positive or negative effect.

Be careful with the personal example you construct for this one when applying it to other questions. The
passage I shared below is directly connected to smartphones, so it wouldn’t work with a question about
robots. While the specifics of my personal example may change, the reason for my opinion can be applied
to almost any question dealing with technology: i t has had a negative impact on face-to-face interaction.

Of course, there have been both positive and negative effects since the invention of
the smartphone, but in regards to face-to-face interaction, it has done a lot of harm.
For example, my friends and I used to go out to restaurants a lot. Some people
were quieter than others, but it was no big deal since we were all together.
Nowadays, whenever we’re out, everyone just stares at their phone the whole time.
In the end, I think the smartphone has done more harm than good because it has
altered people’s perception of what is worthy of attention and hurt the quality of
communication between loved ones.

When constructing your own example on your stance towards technology, focus on one aspect of it so you
can use the same idea for multiple responses. For example, you may say that t echnology brings people
closer together or that it helps people express themselves individually. Both of those reasons could be applied
to almost any question about the positive and negative aspects of a certain technological breakthrough.

I’m going to use my sample response and tweak it to fit in with the following question:


Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so
much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your opinion.

To me, the Internet is an invaluable resource that has improved my life in many
respects. However, I have to admit that it has caused some problems, particularly
with the way I interact with my friends. In the past, some people were quieter than
others, but it was no big deal since we were all together. Nowadays, whenever my
friends and I go out, we are constantly on our phones. We used to just talk, but now
there is a constant need to be entertained and sound interesting, so we all retreat
to our phones. I n the end, I think the Internet has done more harm than good
because it has altered people’s perception of what is worthy of attention and hurt
the quality of communication between loved ones. (128 words)

Questions about technology have become more popular on the TOEFL, so be prepared to see a question
about it on test day.

In conclusion...

The best type of personal example is one that directly addresses the topic you are given. If, on test day,
you get a question you can easily think of a personal example for, then use it. However, if you get a
question that you struggle to answer, think back to these five themes and construct an answer that aligns
with one of your personal examples. Once you finish your example, be sure to show the reader how your
story connects to the question topic.

This strategy works because personal opinion is not based on facts. No one can tell you your opinion is
wrong; it is just how you feel. Most of the time, you feel a certain way about an issue based on your
personal experience. Even though my football experience has nothing to do with government policy, it
does relate to the reasons why I feel that someone in power shouldn’t control the actions of others.

***Note that the theme strategy is the most challenging. Most students find it too difficult to use, and you
may feel the same way. This is only advice, nothing more. Experiment when you practice on your own and
choose the approach that you find most comfortable.

Question

Part 3: Student Practice

In the space provided after each question, construct your own well-developed personal example that
corresponds to the theme of each question. Look back at the previous examples whenever in doubt.

Theme # 1: I s personal freedom always most important?

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TOEFL Questions:

Now that you have developed your personal example, try to apply it to the following two questions. Write
out your response and keep it between 115 - 130 words.

1. 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.

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Question

2. Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so
much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to

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Theme # 2: A
re risks worth taking?

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TOEFL Questions:


1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to be a member of a group than to be a
leader of a group. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Question

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2. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you
prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

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Question

Theme # 3: I s hard work always valuable?

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TOEFL Questions:


1. What is the best age to learn a language?

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Question

2. For your senior year of college, you must volunteer at the school library. Would you rather stack books, read to
children, or help with Internet searches?

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Theme # 4: Is it better to know through assumption or experience?

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Question

TOEFL Questions:


1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: It is better to live with your best friend than to live
alone. Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

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2. Are robots more intelligent than humans? Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

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Question

Theme # 5: D
oes technology have a positive or negative influence on people?

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TOEFL Questions:


1. Do you think it’s a good idea for parents to buy cell phones for their children? Give reasons and examples to

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Question

2. Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

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Question

References

Education Testing Services. (2020). TOEFL research program. ETS TOEFL. https://www.ets.org/toefl/research

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