70 Bài luận luyện thi TOEFL

Nội dung text: 70 Bài luận luyện thi TOEFL

1. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays A neighbor can be as close as a good friend, or more like a distant acquaintance. Either way, a good neighbor is someone who respects you and supports you as he can. We should all be lucky enough to have good neighbors. ( 255words) Stating a Preference 16 It has recently been announced that a new restaurant may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. I can see both advantages and disadvantages to having a new restaurant built in our neighborhood. I believe, however, that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. A new restaurant would bring more traffic problems to the area. In addition, it could attract undesirable people. Most of all, I think there are other types of business that would be more beneficial to the neighborhood. Traffic congestion is already a problem in our neighborhood. Our streets are too narrow for the traffic we have now. A new restaurant would just bring more traffic. In addition, it is difficult to find parking on our streets, especially on weekend evenings. Unless it has its own parking lot, a new restaurant would make it even harder for residents to find places to park their cars. I’m also concerned about the type of patrons the new restaurant would bring into our neighborhood. If the restaurant serves drinks and has dancing, there could be problems. The restaurant would stay open late and people leaving the restaurant might be drunk. They could be noisy too. This is not the kind of thing I want to see in my neighborhood. Finally, there are other types of businesses that we need in our neighborhood more. We already have a restaurant and a couple of coffee shops. But we don’t have a bookstore or a pharmacy, and we have only one small grocery store. I would prefer to see one of these businesses established here rather than another restaurant. Any one of them would be more useful to the residents and would maintain the quiet atmosphere of our streets. A new restaurant disrupt the quiet lifestyle of our neighborhood. It might bring jobs, but it also bring traffic and noise, and it would use space that might be better used for another type of business. This is why I would oppose a plan for a new restaurant. (315 words) PR Stating a Preference 17 11
2. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay. Most people can learn to do something simple on their own with just a set of instructions. However, to learn about something more complex, it’s always best to have a teacher. Teachers help you find the way you lean best. They help you stay focused on what you’re learning. They provide you with a wider range of information than you might find on your own. In short, teachers provide you with a lot more support and knowledge than you can usually get by yourself. Teachers can help students learn in the way that is best for each student because teachers understand that different people have different learning styles. For example, some students learn better by discussing a topic. Others learn more by writing about it. A teacher can help you follow your learning style, while a book can give you only one way of learning something. Teachers help you focus on what you are learning. They can help keep you from becoming distracted. They can show you the most important points in a lesson that you have to understand. If you study on your own, it might be difficult to keep your attention on the material, or to know which parts are most important. Teachers bring their own knowledge and understanding of the topic to the lesson. A book presents you with certain information, and the teacher can add more. The teacher might also have a different point of view from the book, and can provide other sources of information and ideas, as well. There is nothing wrong with studying on your own. For the best possible learning though, a teacher is the biggest help you can have. (278 words) Making an Argument 18 What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important. Even though job situations can be very different, there are several qualities that all good supervisors have in common. A good supervisor treat her employees fairly. She gives clear directions. Most important of all, she acts as a good example for her employees. A good supervisor is fair. She treats all her employees with equal respect and doesn’t have favorites. She uses the same set of criteria to evaluate each employee’s performance. She doesn’t let her personal feelings about an individual influence her treatment of him. A good supervisor gives clear and understandable directions. She doesn’t constantly change her mind about what she wants employees to do. She also doesn’t get angry when an employee is confused and needs more explanation. 12
3. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays Finally, a good supervisor sets the standards for her employees by her own behavior. She works hard and acts responsibly and gets her work done on time. She can only expect her employees to act professionally if she acts professionally, too. Employees are more likely to do the best job they can when they are treated fairly, given good directions, and have a good example in front of them. This is why good supervisors are so important to the success of any type of business. (206 words) Making an Argument 19 Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay. Governments should definitely spend more money on improving all forms of transportation. The widespread use of private cars has contributed to some serious problems in society, including depletion of natural resources, increased pollution, and the loss of a sense of community. By encouraging the use of public transportation, governments can do a lot to counteract these problems. Cars depend on oil and gasoline, which are nonrenewable resources. Once we have used them up, they are gone forever. Every time a person gets into a private car to go to work, to the store, or anywhere, gasoline is used up just to take one person to one place. The more people drive their cars, the more resources are used up. When people use public transportation, on the other hand, less oil and gasoline are used up per person. Cars cause pollution. Every time a person drives his car somewhere, more pollution is put into the air. In many big cities, the high amount of air pollution causes health problems for the residents. Public transportation means fewer cars on the road, and that means less pollution. Cars tend to isolate people from each other. When a person uses a private car, he is alone or only with people that he already knows. He doesn’t have the opportunity to see other people or talk to them or feel that he is part of a larger community. When he uses public transportation, however, he is surrounded by neighbors and other fellow city residents. He has a chance to be with people he might not otherwise see, and maybe even to get to know them a little. Environmental problems and increased isolation are some of the most serious problems of modern society. Encouraging the use of public transportation is one way governments can work against these problems and start creating a better world. (308 words) 13
4. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays Agreeing or Disagreeing 20 It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay. I have to disagree that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside. In the countryside, children have limited opportunities to see and learn about things. In the city, on the other hand, they are exposed to many different things. They see all kinds of different people every day. They have opportunities to attend many cultural events. They see people working in different kinds of jobs and therefore can make better choices for their own future. Growing up in the city is definitely better. All different kinds of people live in the city, while in a small town in the countryside people are often all the same. City people come from other parts of the country or even from other countries. They are of different races and religions. When children grow up in this situation, they have the opportunity to learn about and understand different kinds of people. This is an important part of their education. In the city, there are many opportunities to attend cultural events, whereas such opportunities are usually limited in the countryside. In the city there are movies and theaters, museums, zoos, and concerts. In the city children can attend cultural events every weekend, or even more often. This is also an important part of their education. People in the city work in different kinds of jobs, while in the countryside there often isn’t a variety of job opportunities. People in the city work at all different types and levels of professions, as well as in factories, in service jobs, and more. Children growing up in the city learn that there is a wide variety of jobs they can choose from when they grow up. They have a greater possibility of choosing a career that they will enjoy and do well in. This is perhaps the most important part of their education. People usually move to the city because there are more opportunities there. Children who grow up in the city have these opportunities from the time they are small. The city is definitely a better place for children to grow up. (349 words) Stating a Preference 21 Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even 14
5. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion. Even though I have lived in the same house, in the same neighborhood, in the same city my entire life, I know I would be happy living in a variety of places. Moving would expose me to new people, new weather, and new housing. Even if I moved to another part of my own city, I would encounter new people. Each neighborhood has a distinct personality. If I moved to a new neighborhood, I would meet the shopkeepers and residents that shape that neighborhood’s personality. It would be a new experience for me and I could become part of a new community. If I want to experience a different kind of climate, I would have to move far from my city. Where I live now, it is the same temperature all year. I would like to go to a place where there are four seasons so I can experience really cold weather. I would like to walk in the snow and learn winter sports such as skiing. Now I live with my parents in their house. It is a one-story house built around a courtyard where we spend a lot of time. If I could move to a different kind of house, I would like to live in an apartment on a very high floor so I could see all around me. I could also meet my neighbors on the elevator and we could get together for coffee in my apartment. I like to have a variety in my life. I like to have the opportunity to get to know different kinds of people and see new places. I can go far away to do this, or I can do it close to where I live now. Either way, I think it is important to experience a variety of places and people, and I want to do this while I am still young. (313 words) Making an Argument 22 Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it, or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. When I have a choice between spending money or putting it in my savings account at the bank, I always put it in the bank. I will have a lot of expenses in the future, like my education, travel, and unforeseen emergencies. I need to set money aside for these expenses. Education is expensive. I can’t depend on my parents to pay all my bills. I have tuition, room and board, books, and incidental expenses to pay for. My parents help me, but I have to pay part of it. If I spend my money now, I won’t be able to pay for my education. Travel is also very expensive. I don’t mean vacation travel. I mean travel to and from school, because my school is far from home. First I have to get to school, then, of course, I want to return to my family for important festivals and family occasions. I need to save money for these trips. 15
6. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays Emergencies could arrive at any moment. I might have an unexpected illness while I am at school. One of my family members may need help and I will have to send them money. You can’t predict emergencies like these, but you can be prepared. I need to save money for these emergencies. When you are not rich, you cannot spend your money carelessly. You must plan ahead. I know I will have expenses for my schooling and for traveling to and from home. I know that I will also have unexpected expenses from time to time. I must be prepared. I need to save money for these events. (268 words) Stating a Preference 23 You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. The choice between spending money on tickets to a concert or spending money on jewelry is an easy one. Given this choice, I would buy jewelry. The reasons are obvious. Jewelry is an investment, it is permanent, and it is fashionable. Jewelry is a very good investment. It is a good idea for everyone to own some gold jewelry because its value increases every year. In addition, if you have a financial problem, you can always sell your jewelry to get the money you need. You could not sell your used concert tickets. Jewelry, unless you sell it, is permanent. You always have it to wear. Each time you put it on, you will remember the day you bought it. It will give you pleasure for years and years. You could not wear the ticket stub from the concert. Jewelry is very fashionable. I would feel very smart wearing a beautiful gold bracelet or diamond pin. People would comment and tell me how much they love my jewelry. They would compliment me on my good taste. I would feel very rich with my jewelry. I would have a good investment that is permanent and fashionable. Then, when someone invites me to a concert (and pays for my ticket), I will have something beautiful to wear. (215 words) Agreeing or Disagreeing 24 16
7. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. In some business cultures, it is the practice to hire workers when they are young and employ them until they retire. In other business cultures, companies hire people to do a job and then fire them when they are not needed. I agree with the latter position. In today’s economy it is not important to hire employees for their entire lives. The important considerations for companies are an employee’s performance, speed, and ability to change. Loyalty is not a consideration. Today there is a lot of competition so we need to hire workers who can perform their jobs well. We need to find skilled workers who can do a job without a lot of extra training. We need to match the job to the worker, and if the job changes, we change the worker. Because of competition, we also need to be able to produce our goods and services quickly. We need young people who are aggressive and will push themselves to do their job faster. We need young people who are willing to work long hours. In order to compete, we have to be able to change to meet the changing demands of the market. By changing our workforce frequently, we can bring in new ideas. By hiring young workers, we get fresh points of view. Although a feeling of loyalty between a company and its workers is a noble idea, it is not practical today. A company needs to keep up with the changing forces of the economy. In order to be able to do this, it needs to be able to change its workforce as necessary. (269 words) Agreeing or Disagreeing 25 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Some people think that attending a live performance is preferable to watching it on television. I say, however, that if you have a good TV, it is much better to watch a performance that way. It is much more convenient and comfortable, and it is cheaper, too. I almost never attend a live performance of anything. It is much more convenient to stay home and watch a performance on TV. I don’t have to go anywhere. I don’t have to worry about leaving the house on time. I don’t have to worry about traffic or parking. I don’t have to stand on line for a ticket. I just turn on the television at the time the event begins, sit back, and enjoy myself. 17
8. TOEFL ESSAY – Model essays It is much more comfortable to watch a performance at home. I can wear any clothes that I want to. I know I will have a good seat with a good view. I can get up and get a snack at any time. I can relax and enjoy myself in the comfort of my own home. It is much cheaper to watch a performance on TV. I don’t have to buy a ticket. I don’t have to pay for parking or for dinner at a restaurant before the performance. I already own a TV, so watching a performance on it doesn’t cost me anything. If it turns out I don’t like the performance, I can just turn off the TV and go do something else. I haven’t lost any money, or much time either. Watching a performance on TV is so comfortable and convenient, I don’t know why people attend live performances. It’s much better to enjoy them at home. (283 words) EX Giving an Explanation 26 Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people’s lives: automobiles, bicycles, airplanes. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. An airplane is a form of transportation that has changed people’s lives. Thanks to the plane, our lives are now faster, more exciting, and more convenient than before. You cannot deny that a plane is fast. The Concorde flew at supersonic speed. A businessperson could have left Paris at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in New York at 8:00 the same morning in time for the day’s work. Many businesspeople in Europe fly to London for a noon meeting and then return home to Rome or Madrid for dinner. It is always exciting to take a plane trip. When you travel by plane, you might cross time zones, oceans, and many countries. When you get off the plane, you could be in a place where the people speak a different language. You are in a completely different place from where you started. Nothing can beat the convenience of a plane. You can go anywhere at any time you want. Other forms of transportation are not so convenient. Boats, for example, leave only on certain days of the week and they can’t go everywhere. Planes give you the option to leave several times a day and they take you very close to your final destination. Although other forms of transportation may be more comfortable, none has changed the way we do business and live our lives more than the plane. Thanks to the speed, excitement, and convenience of the plane, our lives are richer. ( 242 words) Agreeing or Disagreeing 27 18