TOEFL ESAYS 041-050

Agreeing or Disagreeing 41

Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Many animals are now extinct and many more are in danger of extinction. This is because their habitat is destroyed when people use land to build houses, factories, and farms. Does it matter? It certainly does. Our basic human needs, our quality of life, and the way we live are all affected when animals’ habitats are destroyed.
Many animals affect our basic human needs even though we may not realize it. There is a delicate balance of nature. If one small part is removed, it will affect all the other parts. For example, if certain trees are cut down, bats will have no place to live. If there are no bats, there will be no animal to eat certain insects that destroy our crops. This will affect our basic need for food.
The loss of certain animals affects the quality of our lives. Certain flowers are pollinated by butterflies that migrate from Canada to Mexico. Some of the breeding grounds of these butterflies was destroyed. Now, these flowers are disappearing. We will no longer be able to enjoy their beauty, and we will no longer be able to enjoy the beauty of the butterflies. This is just one small example.
When animals’ habitats are destroyed we may think that it only affects the animals, but it affects our way of life, too. Large parts of the Amazon rain forest have been cut down to make room for farms. This rain forest is an important part of the weather system all around the world. Weather patterns have been changing because of this. This will have a huge effect on how we live.
When animals’ live are endangered, our way of live is endangered, too. I would encourage humans to look for other alternatives for our farmlands, housing, and industries. We have alternatives; the animals do not. (305 words)
Making an Argument 42

What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

I do not define success economically. I define success socially. Therefore, the one skill I would choose for success is tolerance. To succeed in society, we need to be tolerant of one another’s background, opinions, and lifestyle.
People come from all different backgrounds. The world is becoming increasingly mobile. We are no longer able to work only with people who grew up in the same place we did, or who went to the same schools we went to. Now, we work with people whose backgrounds are completely different from ours. We all must be tolerant of these differences so we can work together amiably.
Different people have different opinions, but we cannot stop speaking to them just because of differences in opinion. We shouldn’t start a war just because someone has a different idea. We have to find common ground, an idea we can agree on. We have to learn to respect the people we live and work around. We need to be tolerant of differences of opinion.
Different people live different lifestyles. Woman can live on their own, hold important jobs, and raise children alone. Men can stay home and take care of the family. Social roles can change and we must be tolerant of the different lifestyles that people choose.
To succeed socially, you must be able to adapt to differences. You must be tolerant of all people regardless of their background, their opinion, or their lifestyle.
(239 words)



Making an Argument 43

Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Dangerous sports are interesting for most people to watch or read about. Only certain kinds of people, however, are attracted to participating in these sports. Often they are people who love risks, who seek a feeling of power, or who need a way to deal with some personal problems.
Dangerous sports attract risk takers. People often take risks in their lives. They take risks with their money, with their jobs, and in love. But these are ordinary risks. Nothing compares with the risk of putting your own life in danger. Risking one’s life in a dangerous sport has a special thrill that is very attractive to some people.
Dangerous sports attract people who want a feeling of power. It is a great accomplishment to climb a difficult mountain or to learn how to skydive. When people do these things and still end up alive, they feel like they have conquered the forces of nature. What a feeling of power that must give them!
Finally, I think dangerous sports attract some unhappy people. People who don’t like their jobs or who have problems with their family may turn to dangerous sports as a way of dealing with their problems.