TOEFL STRUCTURE

There are five basic structures of questions for TOEFL essays: Agree or Disagree, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect, Order of importance, and hypothetical questions. These are all also useful for other types of Academic Writing.

Agreeing or Disagreeing (most common question type)
Choose one side. You can address the counter-arguments but stick to one side. It saves time and space. One way to do that without adding too many paragraphs is to use complex sentences with adverb clauses. Ex. Although I agree that B has some advantages such as …, A is better than B because….

•	Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? …
•	… Do you support or oppose this plan?

Compare and contrast 
Comparison and contrast structure words 66, 67, 142, 145
Good site to review irregular comparative forms with quizzes. http://www.btinternet.com/~britishempire/esl/comparatives.htm

Compare two sides, but choose one. However, you should at least mention both sides. One way to do that without adding too many paragraphs is to use complex sentences. Ex. Although B has some advantages such as …, A is better than B because…. http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/sentence/2_5c.htm

•	In your opinion which is better?
•	Compare and contrast…
•	Discuss the advantages and disadvantages…
•	Some people … Others prefer…. Which do you prefer?

Order of importance Transition signals 63

What is the best way to do something?
What are some of the most important qualities of a good roomate?

Cause and effect
Explains what causes something. Cause and effect transition words 135, Cause and effect structure words 136, 137.

•	In general people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. 
•	How do movies and television influence people’s behavior?
•	Has this change improved the way people live?

Hypothetical questions

Expressed with conditional tenses. Make absolutely sure you know how to use conditionals http://grammar.englishclub.com/verbs-conditional_3.htm if not it is a serious grammar mistake in your answer.

•	If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? 
•	If you were asked …
•	If you could go back in time…
•	Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. 

© Adam Turner | ifli@hotmail.com | http://hanyangwriting.tripod.com |