TOEFL iBT – Exam 1 – Writing

TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Test – Exam 1

Task 2

For this task, you will read an online discussion. A professor has posted a question about a topic, and some classmates have responded with their ideas.
You have 10 minutes to write a response that contributes to the discussion.

Professor-Johnson

Professor Johnson

In today’s lecture, we discussed the nature versus nurture debate in psychology, particularly regarding personality development. Some argue that genetics play a dominant role, while others emphasize environmental factors such as upbringing and social experiences. What do you believe has a greater influence on shaping an individual’s personality—nature (genetics) or nurture (environment)? Why?

Sophia

Sophia

I believe that nurture, or the environment in which a person grows up, has a more significant impact on shaping personality. Our experiences with family, friends, and society mold our beliefs, behaviors, and values from a young age. For example, children raised in supportive and nurturing environments tend to exhibit more positive personality traits compared to those from less stable backgrounds. While genetics may predispose us to certain traits, it is our environment that ultimately determines how these traits are expressed.

Miachel

Michael

I disagree with Sophia’s view that nurture is more influential than nature in shaping personality. Research in behavioral genetics has shown that genetic factors contribute significantly to various aspects of personality, such as temperament and predisposition to certain behaviors. Studies on identical twins raised in different environments have demonstrated that despite different upbringing, they often share striking similarities in personality traits. Therefore, I argue that nature, or genetic predisposition, plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s personality alongside environmental influences.

The TOEFL iBT Writing section

The TOEFL iBT Writing section includes:

Important details

• The Integrated task requires you to read a short passage and listen to a lecture on the same topic, then write a summary of both, explaining how the listening either supports or contradicts the reading.
• The Independent task asks you to write an essay expressing your opinion on a familiar topic, using reasons and examples to support your argument.
• You can take notes during both the reading and listening parts of the Integrated task to organize your response.
• Your writing is evaluated based on the quality of your ideas, organization, development, grammar, and vocabulary usage.

Writing scores

Each of the four sections of the TOEFL iBT—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing—is scored on a scale of 0-30, totaling 120 points. The proficiency levels for writing are:

Scores provide personalized feedback and performance insights. Writing scores are usually released a few days after the test. There are no passing or failing scores; institutions set their own requirements. For more details, visit the TOEFL score understanding page.

Question types

The Writing section includes two types of tasks:

Tips for success