# TOEFL Academic Discussion: Model Answer and Tips | topin TOEFL guidesWrite for an Academic Discussion Where Writing, last task Time 10 minutes Task A professor's question and two student posts with different views Scoring 0–5 for relevance, development, and range and accuracy of language Length No fixed count; around 100–150 words is realistic ## How it works The professor posts a question on a class discussion board, and two students reply with different opinions. You write a post that answers the professor's question and takes part in the discussion, ideally adding something new. ## Worked example Professor: Many cities are adding more cycle lanes, sometimes by removing space for cars. Should city governments give road space to bicycles even if this makes driving slower? Maya: Yes. Cycling is cheap and clean, and more lanes would get more people cycling. Tom: I disagree. Many people live too far from work to cycle, so slowing down cars punishes them. Show the answer I think cities should add cycle lanes, but I want to add a point neither Maya nor Tom raised: safety. Many people I know would like to cycle but do not, because riding next to fast traffic feels dangerous. A separate lane changes that. When my home town built a protected lane to the railway station, I started cycling there every day, and so did several of my neighbours. Tom is right that some people live too far away to cycle, but that actually supports the lanes: every person who switches to a bicycle is one less car in the traffic, so the drivers who have no choice may lose less time than they expect. The post takes a clear position in the first sentence and adds a new reason, safety, that neither student gave. A short personal example makes the reason concrete. It then answers Tom's point directly, which shows real engagement with the discussion, and it stays focused rather than reading like a formal essay. ## A method for Write for an Academic Discussion 1. 1 ### Read the professor's question closely Make sure you answer that exact question, not the general topic. Some questions ask you to choose between options; others ask for a factor or an example. 2. 2 ### Decide your view and your new idea Spend the first minute choosing a position and one reason or example the classmates did not give. This is what lifts a post above a restatement. 3. 3 ### State your position first Open with a direct answer. There is no need for an introduction about the topic. 4. 4 ### Develop one reason fully Explain the reason and support it with a specific example, from your experience or a plausible situation. One developed reason beats several listed ones. 5. 5 ### Refer to a classmate briefly Agree, disagree or build on one student's point in a sentence. Then leave a minute to proofread. ## Traps to avoid * Repeating a classmate's argument in different words instead of adding a new one. * Writing a formal essay with an introduction and conclusion instead of a direct post. * Listing three reasons without explaining any of them. * Answering the general topic rather than the professor's exact question. * Spending so long planning that the post is unfinished at 10 minutes. ## Write for an Academic Discussion FAQs How many words for the TOEFL Academic Discussion? There is no strict limit. Around 100–150 words is enough to state a view, develop a reason with an example and respond to a classmate. Should I agree with one of the students? You can agree with either, both or neither. What matters is a clear view and a contribution that adds something new. Can I use personal examples in the TOEFL Academic Discussion? Yes. A short, specific personal example is a good way to support your reason. How long is the TOEFL Academic Discussion task in 2026? 10 minutes, as the last task of the Writing section. ## Try Write for an Academic Discussion under real timing Your first full-length TOEFL mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/toefl/login)