Topic Development
One of the most common questions that arises when preparing for the TOEFL Independent Speaking and Academic Discussion sections is how to generate ideas. In this discussion, I will address this topic development question by providing three sample responses.
The actual TOEFL question I'd like to use as an example is as follows:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools.
At first glance, this question might seem challenging if approached from a general and abstract perspective. However, it becomes more manageable when you relate it to your personal experiences. After all, we've all attended school at some point. How did you feel about attending schools separated by gender?
Sample Response 1: To effectively address this question, draw upon your own life experiences, just as I'm doing now. Sharing a personal anecdote makes your response more authentic and engaging for the rater. Remember, everyone enjoys a good story, and your rater will appreciate your genuine example, which can lead to a higher score.
Sample Response 2: Another approach is to consider the potential societal impact of such a policy. For instance, if boys and girls attend separate schools, it may reinforce traditional gender roles, which many find objectionable. Crafting a response from this perspective can provide valuable insights into the topic.
Sample Response 3: Alternatively, you can connect this question to a current social issue, such as transgender students. Contemplate how such a policy might affect these students. When viewed through this lens, the idea of gender-segregated schools can become a matter of concern for the minority. Remember that one of the roles of the US Constitution is to protect the rights of minority groups, making this angle particularly relevant for a thoughtful response.
By considering these three approaches, you can effectively develop your ideas and provide well-supported responses to TOEFL Independent Speaking and Academic Discussion questions.
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Sample Responses
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools.
Response 1
I disagree with the idea that boys and girls should attend separate schools. Separating students by gender can deprive them of equal educational opportunities. My personal experience illustrates this point. Growing up in Korea, I attended an all-girls middle and high school, which was the default system at that time. One required course for girls' schools was teaching domestic skills like cooking and sewing. I did not enjoy this class at all, as I had already learned these skills by watching my mom do these chores. Naturally, I found the class to be pointless. I distinctly remember feeling envious of boys because I learned that, instead of the cooking and sewing class, boys' schools taught skills like making chairs and wiring electric cords. Whenever some appliances broke at home, I wished I had the opportunity to learn these skills that were only available at boys' schools. My experience clearly suggests that schools should not segregate students by gender.
Response 2
I do not believe that it is a good idea for boys and girls to attend separate schools. When students are segregated by gender, they are often taught subjects that align with societal gender norms. Consequently, boys tend to receive education in fields perceived as appropriate for men, while girls are directed towards subjects considered suitable for women. This practice reinforces harmful gender-role stereotypes. Separating boys and girls leads to the internalization of distinct stereotypes about men's and women's roles in society, such as the notion that men are primary breadwinners and women are primarily homemakers. Such ideas are out of touch with modern society, where many women have careers outside the home, and some fathers choose to stay at home to raise children. Gender-segregated schools promote these rigid gender roles, which can be detrimental to all those involved.
Response 3
I strongly disagree with the idea of boys and girls attending separate schools, especially when considering one of the most debated social issues of our time—transgender young adults. Not all students are comfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth. Some individuals who were assigned female at birth do not identify as female, and the same goes for those assigned male at birth. It's widely known, through news media and research, that a significant number of young people grapple with their gender identity. Given this reality, if schools continue to segregate students by gender, they inevitably reinforce the outdated and rigid binary gender system, neglecting the needs and rights of transgender students. This amounts to treating them without respect and dignity. In this way, gender-segregated schools parallel the once-prevalent American school policy of segregating students by race, which was eventually deemed unconstitutional. Similarly, the idea of segregating students by gender should be considered outdated and unconstitutional.
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