In TOEFL Writing Part 3, professors typically present discussion prompts in one of three formats.
Agree or disagree
Which do you prefer: A or B?
Open-ended questions
On this page, you will focus on practicing the first type: agree–disagree academic discussion questions.
Practice Question
Prompt
A professor has posted a question about a topic, and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.
Your professor is teaching a class on material culture and design. Respond to the professor’s question.
In your response, you should do the following:
Express and support your opinion.
Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
—
Professor
Objects that people use every day often carry more meaning than their practical function alone. Items such as furniture, tools, or clothing can reflect personal taste, social identity, or cultural values. Some researchers argue that everyday objects should be designed primarily for practical usefulness, while others suggest that expressing aesthetic or artistic qualities is just as important. Do you agree or disagree with the idea that practical usefulness should always be the most important factor in designing everyday objects? Explain your reasoning.
Student 1
Practical usefulness should come first because everyday objects exist mainly to serve specific purposes. If an object is difficult to use, its appearance becomes less important. People rely on tools, appliances, and other items to perform tasks efficiently, so functionality should remain the top priority.
Student 2
Design should not focus only on practical function. The appearance of everyday objects can influence how people feel about the spaces they live in. Attractive design can make environments more pleasant and meaningful, even when the objects themselves perform simple tasks.
Remember that, according to official TOEFL Writing guide video, you don’t necessarily have to address each student’s response. Indeed, if you can express your ideas with more than 100 words, you can simply write that down, and you will still have 5 marks out of 5.
Practical usefulness should not always be the most important factor in designing everyday objects. While function is certainly necessary, the appearance of an object can strongly influence how people experience their surroundings. A well-designed item can make daily environments feel more comfortable and meaningful.
Something similar became clear to me when I redecorated my study space last year. Replacing plain office supplies with items that had thoughtful design and color made the room feel more inviting, even though the objects served the same practical purposes. Because people interact with everyday objects constantly, their aesthetic qualities can affect mood and motivation. For this reason, design should balance usefulness with visual and artistic elements.
How the Response Is Built
This prompt does not simply ask whether function matters. The real issue is whether function should always come first in the design of everyday objects. That word is important because it leaves room for a response that recognizes the value of practicality while still rejecting the idea that it must be the top priority in every case.
The model answer handles this well in its first sentence:
Practical usefulness should not always be the most important factor in designing everyday objects.
This opening works because it answers the professor’s question directly without becoming extreme. The response does not say that usefulness is unimportant. Instead, it argues that usefulness should not automatically outweigh every other consideration.
Why the First Supporting Idea Works
After stating its position, the response does not jump straight into a personal story. It first establishes a broader point:
While function is certainly necessary, the appearance of an object can strongly influence how people experience their surroundings.
This is an effective move because it defines the debate more carefully. The paragraph shifts the focus from pure utility to the way people actually live with objects. That helps the response move beyond a narrow “tool” perspective. The next sentence continues this line of reasoning:
A well-designed item can make daily environments feel more comfortable and meaningful.
At this stage, the answer is doing more than saying that beautiful objects are pleasant. It is arguing that design affects everyday life itself. That claim prepares the reader for the example that follows.
How the Personal Example Strengthens the Argument
The experience in the middle of the paragraph is brief, but it is well chosen:
Something similar became clear to me when I redecorated my study space last year.
This sentence doesn’t feel abrupt because it connects smoothly to the earlier general idea. The writer is not changing direction. The example is presented as proof of the point already introduced.
The next sentence is especially important:
Replacing plain office supplies with items that had thoughtful design and color made the room feel more inviting, even though the objects served the same practical purposes.
What makes this example effective is the contrast inside it. The objects still performed the same function, so practicality did not change. What changed was the atmosphere of the space. Because of that contrast, the example directly supports the claim that visual design has value beyond usefulness.
Effective Ending
The final part must not introduce a completely new argument. Instead, they should extend the logic of the example and bring the response back to the main claim.
Because people interact with everyday objects constantly, their aesthetic qualities can affect mood and motivation.
This sentence widens the point slightly. The writer moves from one study space to everyday life in general, but the idea remains closely connected to the earlier example.
The response then ends with
For this reason, design should balance usefulness with visual and artistic elements.
This is a strong conclusion because it avoids an extreme position. The answer does not reject function. It argues for balance. That makes the paragraph sound more thoughtful and more persuasive.
Hi, I completed a Master’s program at Purdue University, where I specialized in test design and assessment effectiveness. My academic focus was English-language standardized tests, including the TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, SAT, and GRE. I began writing these articles because, when I was preparing for the SAT and GRE myself, I found few resources that explained the tests in a systematic and practical way. My goal is to create materials in which solving questions naturally builds the background knowledge needed for the exams, helping learners manage both content and strategy more effectively.
