Lesson One: Intro to TOEFL ibt Independent Writing

Introduction

There are four language skills being tested in TOEFL--listening, reading, speaking and writing.

The Writing section measures a test taker's ability to write in an academic setting and consists of 2 tasks, 1 integrated task and 1 independent task. In the integrated task, test takers read a passage on an academic topic and then listen to a speaker discuss the same topic. The test taker will then write a summary about the important points in the listening passage and explain how these relate to the key points of the reading passage. In the independent task, test takers must write an essay that states, explains and supports their opinion on an issue, supporting their opinions or choices, rather than simply listing personal preferences or choices.

Lesson Objectives

After completing the course activities and assignments in this lesson, you will be able to

1. generally state the TOEFL independent writing test requirements
2. identify how the independent writings will be evaluated

Lesson Activities

• Go to [1] to watch the flash video that explains four TOEFL test sections--listening, reading, speaking and writing. You can only choose to watch the part that talks about TOEFL writing by clicking on the "writing" button on the navigation bar. When watching this part, pay attention on what is independent writing and its characteristics and requirements.

• Go to the document File:TOEFL Writing Rubrics.pdf, read only page 2 to get familiar with TOEFL independent writing rubrics.

• Go to the document File:TOEFL ibt Writing Sample Responses.pdf, read from page 9 to page 14, learn how different writing samples from high to low scores are evaluated based on the evaluation rubrics.

Assignments

• Read the following sample writing responses:

1. "Doing Unenjoyable Things" File:Sample TOEFL Essay 1.pdf
2. "Money & Success"File:Sample TOEFL Essay2.pdf
3. "Studying Abroad"File:Sample TOEFL Essay3.pdf

• Choose one of the essays above, discuss with your peers to evaluate the essay by comparing the essay with independent writing rubrics.

Reflection

Through the activities and assignments in this lesson, the learners should have understood the requirements of TOEFL independent writing and how their writings will be evaluated. Thus, they can set a goal for themselves when preparing TOEFL independent wring before taking the real test. Reading sample writings and try to score the writing with peers can help learners further understand the important points they should work hard on in an independent writing.

To go on to the next unit click here: Lesson Two: The structure of ibt independent writing

Click here to return to the beginning of the course:TOEFL ibt Independent Writing Step-by-step