TOEFL ESAYS 061-070

Agreeing or Disagreeing 61

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15-18 year old) teenaged children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

No one knows me as well as my parents, and no one cares about me like they do. It is natural that I should allow my parents to make important decisions for me. I think all older teenagers should take their parents advice on decisions that concern their education, their social life, and their future careers.
My parents are the ones who can make the best decisions about my education. They have always chosen the best school for me to attend. They have hired tutors to make sure I understood my classes well. They have sent me to special prep classes to help me prepare for exams. When it is time to choose a college, I know they will choose the right college for me.
My parents make good decisions about my social life. When I was young, they invited children over to play with me. I became very close to these children and we are still friends. Even though I am older now, my parents still guide me in my social life. I know they don’t want me to hang out with the wrong crowd. I know they want me to marry a good person who is right for me. They have more experience than I have and they can help me make decisions about my social life.
I need my parents to help me make decisions about my future career. Both my parents have successful careers of their own. My father runs a business and my mother is a well-known politician. I want to be as successful as they are, so of course I will listen to their advice about my career.
If all children follow their parents’ wishes, they will be happier. They will be more successful in school, in work, and in their social life. After all, parents want only the best for their children.
(309 words)
Making an Argument 62

What do you want most in a friend – someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

I like people who are intelligent and I always enjoy someone with a good sense of humor. What I look for first, however, is a friend who is reliable. I need to be able to rely on my friends to provide me with companionship, to support me, and to encourage me.
I depend on my friends for companionship. If I want to see a movie or go to a concert, of course I ask some friends to accompany me. If I feel sad or lonely, I can count on my friends to spend some time with me. If I feel happy, I can invite all my friends to a party. I know they will come over to have a good time with me.
When I am having troubles, I turn to my friends for support. If I fail an exam, or have a fight with someone, I call up a friend. I rely on my friends to be willing to talk to me and help me solve my problems. I expect my friends to be there when I need them, and I do the same for them.
I need my friends to encourage me. If I am afraid to do something such as enroll in a difficult course or apply for a job to earn some extra money, my friends help me. They talk to me and give me the confidence I need to try new and difficult things. I know I can count on them to give me encouragement when I need it.
We all like to spend time with smart and entertaining people. I think the people who make the best friends, though, are people who are reliable. If someone is reliable, you know he or she will always be ready to give you companionship, support, and encouragement when you need it. That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?
(311 words)



Agreeing or Disagreeing 63

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

People say that experience is the best teacher, and I believe this is true. Difficult experiences, especially, can teach us valuable lessons. They can help us overcome fears, they can teach us better ways to do things, and they can show us that we have friends who are ready to help us.
Difficult experiences can help us overcome fears. I remember the first time I had to give a presentation to my classmates. I was very shy and afraid to speak in front of the whole class. I spend a long time preparing for my presentation. I was nervous and didn’t sleep well the night before. I was surprised when I gave my presentation and everyone