TOEFL ESAYS 051-060

Giving an Explanation 51

Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

I think that we must all take risks in our lives, but they must be calculated risks. If we look at the great explorers and scientist of history, we see that their successes were usually combination of both risk taking and planning. Like the great thinkers, we must plan carefully, seize all opportunities, and reevaluate our plans when necessary.
It is hard to be successful without careful planning. In his search for a new route to India, Columbus drew maps, planned his route carefully, and gathered the necessary support and supplies. Madame Curie worked long hours in her laboratory and recorded very aspect of her experiments. Neither of them could have made their achievements without this planning.
Even with a careful plan, changes occur. Columbus was looking for India, but he ended up in the Caribbean instead. Lewis and Clark were looking for a river passage west, but they discovered much more. You have to be ready to take advantage of new things as they occur.
When things go against plan, you must be ready to change direction. Columbus didn’t bring back spices from the East Indies, but he did bring back gold from the Americas. It is important to make your mistakes work for you and change your plans when necessary.
You will never succeed in life if you don’t take chances. But before you start, you must plan carefully so that you are ready to take advantage of every opportunity and change your plans as required.
(248 words)


Making an Argument 52

What change would you make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

I think that people my age would like to have a place to go after school. They could go there to socialize, have meetings, and just relax.
In my town, there are a few teahouses, but these are reserved for our fathers and their friends. Teenagers do not go there unless it’s to carry messages to their fathers. We need a place where we can get together after school to talk about school and other subjects that interest us.
At our own teahouse, we could also have meetings. These would be like club meetings. We could have a debating society, a poetry reading group, or a political club. We could have our meetings once or twice a week after school.
We need a place where we could just relax away from our families. Our home life is very hectic. There are a lot of younger children making a lot of noise in the evenings. We need a quiet place to study, read, or just sit.
If our town had a teahouse reserved for teenagers, it would be good for our parents. They would always know where we were. They would know that we were at the teahouse socializing, having a meeting, or just relaxing with our friends.
(207 words)







Agreeing or Disagreeing 53

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

I certainly agree that the most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. When I get a job, I want to earn a lot of money. If I earn a lot of money, people will know I am successful, smart, and a good candidate for marriage.
Money equals success. If I earn a lot of money, I can wear nice clothes, get a big car, buy my parents a nice apartment, and spend a lot of money on my friends. Everyone will know I am rich and very successful.
Earning a lot of money will show people how smart I am. Everyone knows you can’t be stupid and earn a lot of money. Who will trust someone stupid to do a job?
When I earn a lot of money, my mother will be able to find me a good wife. She will be able to tell everyone what an important job I have. It will make it easy for her to find someone for me since all girls want to marry a rich man.
I don’t care what kind of work I do as long as I earn a lot of money. That is the most important thing for me. Having a well-paying job will show everyone that I am successful, smart, and a good catch.
(220 words)








Agreeing or Disagreeing 54

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

In most cases, you shouldn’t judge a person by external appearances. It is better to reserve judgment until you have had a chance to get to know