TOEFL Writing Vocabulary - 15 Words You Need to Score 30/30

Summary

This video provides a practical guide to essential vocabulary for the TOEFL writing section. It emphasizes using simple yet impactful words to craft well-structured essays. The focus is on 15 key terms, such as 'while', 'believes', and 'position', which are vital for improving writing scores. These words help create longer, more complex sentences, which are crucial for achieving higher scores. The presenter also offers templates and examples for both tasks, highlighting how to integrate these terms effectively to build clear arguments and present ideas persuasively in the TOEFL writing tasks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Using simple vocabulary effectively is better than complicating your writing with difficult words that you don't fully understand or can't use properly.
• 😀 The word 'which' helps to introduce a topic and define it, while also allowing you to create longer sentences, which can boost your score.
• 😀 Using 'while' in contrastive sentences helps structure your essay better by showing opposing viewpoints from the reading and listening passages.
• 😀 The word 'believes' (and its synonyms) is essential to express opinions in the writing tasks, especially for reporting what others think or claim.
• 😀 'Cast doubt on' is a useful phrase for indicating disagreement or challenges to an argument presented in the reading passage.
• 😀 'According to' is a great phrase to introduce sources of information, and it's commonly used in integrated writing tasks.
• 😀 The word 'critical' emphasizes the importance of an issue and helps express ideas that need particular focus or attention in your essay.
• 😀 'Flaws' are useful for pointing out weaknesses or problems in the arguments of the reading or listening passages.
• 😀 Using 'position' is important for expressing someone's opinion or stance on an issue, a term that will frequently appear in your essay.
• 😀 'Moreover' or its synonyms (like 'furthermore' and 'in addition') can help you add extra information or strengthen your argument.
• 😀 Focus on practicing how to use words like 'complicated', 'touch on', 'raise a point', 'concern', 'focus on', and 'strengthen' to structure your essay effectively and score better.

Q & A

Why are the 15 words discussed in the video important for the TOEFL writing section?

The 15 words are essential because they help you write longer, more structured sentences, improving your writing score. These words are frequently useful for both Task 1 and Task 2 of the TOEFL writing section, allowing you to express opinions and relationships between ideas clearly.

What role does the word 'which' play in TOEFL writing?

'Which' is useful in Task 1 to introduce a topic and define it. It also helps structure longer sentences with commas, improving the complexity of the sentence, which is valuable for a higher score.

Why is using simple vocabulary like 'which' and 'while' advantageous in TOEFL writing?

Simple vocabulary, when used correctly, can be more effective than complicated words. It helps to form longer, grammatically correct sentences and avoid misuse of complex words, which can negatively affect the writing score.

How can the word 'believes' be varied in TOEFL writing?

'Believes' can be substituted with synonyms like 'contends,' 'asserts,' 'argues,' 'claims,' or 'insists.' Using a range of synonyms is important as it shows flexibility in vocabulary and helps avoid repetition in the essay.

What does the phrase 'cast doubt on' mean and how is it used in TOEFL writing?

'Cast doubt on' means to challenge or disagree with something. It's often used in Task 1 to describe how the lecture casts doubt on the claims made in the reading passage, demonstrating the contrasting opinions between the two sources.

What is the purpose of the phrase 'according to' in TOEFL writing?

'According to' is used to indicate the source of information, whether it's from the reading passage or the lecture. It's a neutral phrase that helps incorporate information from both sources without personal opinion.

How should the word 'critical' be used in the TOEFL writing section?

'Critical' should be used to express something of great importance or significance, rather than to show disapproval. For example, 'The issue is critical to understanding the topic' emphasizes importance.

Why is the word 'flaws' important for TOEFL Task 1?

'Flaws' refers to imperfections or weaknesses in an argument. It's commonly used in Task 1 to describe how the lecture identifies flaws in the author's position or opinion presented in the reading passage.

How is 'position' used in TOEFL writing?

'Position' refers to someone's stance or viewpoint. It's useful in Task 1 when discussing the differences between the author’s and the lecturer's opinions, helping to clarify each party's stance on the topic.

When should 'focus on' be used in Task 2 of TOEFL writing?

'Focus on' is used to direct attention to specific points or aspects of an issue. In Task 2, you use it to concentrate on the most relevant arguments or perspectives, making your writing more precise and organized.