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 third type, in which you are asked to think one theme relevant to the prompt and discuss it.
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 modern culture. Write a post responding 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
People often talk about major historical events such as wars or political revolutions when discussing turning points in history. However, many smaller changes in everyday life have quietly transformed how people live, work, and interact with others. These changes may not appear dramatic at first, but over time they reshape society in meaningful ways. What social or cultural change from the last 200 years—other than the rise of the internet—would you choose as having the greatest impact on daily life? Why?
Student 1
One invention that stands out is the modern sanitation system. The development of sewage systems and clean water infrastructure dramatically reduced disease and increased life expectancy. Although it is rarely discussed in everyday conversation, its influence on public health and urban development has been enormous.
Student 2
I would choose vaccines as the most impactful scientific development. Vaccination programs have prevented millions of deaths and allowed societies to grow more stable and economically productive. Their effect extends beyond health, influencing education, travel, and global cooperation.
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.
Among the many inventions of the past two centuries, the modern sanitation system stands out as especially important. Clean water and reliable sewage systems have transformed everyday life in ways people often overlook. In my own experience, I once visited a region where access to safe water was limited, and even simple daily tasks required extra effort and caution. That experience made me realize how essential sanitation infrastructure is for health and stability. By preventing the spread of disease, sanitation systems have increased life expectancy and supported population growth in cities. They also allow schools, hospitals, and businesses to operate safely. For these reasons, modern sanitation has had a lasting and profound impact on society.
Opening of the Response
Since this is an open-ended question, you should begin by clearly stating your opinion. As shown in the model response, sanitary development is one useful and versatile idea that can be applied to many open-ended prompts.
For example, you can refer to sanitary development when responding to many societal prompts, such as
The most important invention in history
The most impactful invention in your society
The difference between developed and developing countries
In short, as long as the prompt is related to culture, society, or quality of life, sanitary development can serve as a strong and flexible supporting idea.
Provide Two Supports for Your Opinion
In TOEFL Writing Part 3 (Academic Discussion), it is strongly recommended that you provide two supports for your opinion. Doing so helps you meet two important scoring criteria:
Writing more than 100 words
Developing your idea logically
First, it is much easier to exceed 100 words when you include two supporting points rather than just one. Second, relying on only one personal or subjective example may weaken your argument. It may seem too specific and not clearly applicable to a broader context.
Now, let’s consider what kinds of support you should include in your response.
What to Include in Your Response
You only have 10 minutes to complete this task, so deciding what to write before the test can make a significant difference. If you spend too much time thinking about your ideas during the exam, you may not finish your response.
For TOEFL Academic Discussion, it is recommended that you include two types of support:
A personal experience
A general idea or broader observation
In the model response, for example, the writer supports the importance of sanitary systems by referring to travel experiences in places where sanitation was underdeveloped. The response also mentions the broader benefits of sanitation, such as enabling schools and hospitals to function properly.
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.
