This is the second writing question on the TOEFL iBT Test. Get more samples and a template here. You can also check out our guide to this task.
The test-taker must read the question posted by the
professor and the two student responses. Finally, they should write
their own response which addresses the question and adds to the
conversation.
Your professor is teaching a class on marketing. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should
An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.
Professor: It's time to debate about renewable sources of energy. Some people argue that they are more expensive and less reliable than fossil fuels, while others view them as the best means to combat climate change. Where do you stand on this issue?
Jessica: While I agree that renewable sources are less harmful to the environment, I believe we need to find a balance. Technology is still catching up, and until it does, we may need to rely on non-renewable sources to meet energy demands efficiently.
Mike: Renewable sources of energy are unquestionably the better choice. They are sustainable and cause less harm to the environment. While their initial costs can be high, they will inevitably pay off in both economic and human health terms.
This is a critical question, especially in the wake of growing climate concerns. Personally, I see merit in James's points on renewable energy sources - the long-term sustainability they offer greatly outweigh the initial high costs. However, I also see validity in Emily's counterpoint. At the moment, renewable sources are not fully equipped to meet all our energy demands. So until we reach that stage, a possible solution could be a hybrid energy system drawing from both renewable and non-renewable resources, but with an active and rigorous strategy to phase out the non-renewable components eventually.
