Diagnostic Chapter Learning

Cocktail Party Introductions Game

Walk around the room, and introduce yourself to different classmates. Use the following
conversation format:
Student 1: Hi. My name is
and I'm from _ __ __ __ _
Student 2: Nice to meet you. My name is
and I'm from
- - -- - - - So, what is the personal characteristic that best describes you?
Student 1: (Answers the question.) How about you? What personal characteristic describes
you best?
Student 2: (Answers the question.)

WRITING
Writing Test: Career Studies

'

What Are Your Goals for the Future?

Review How to Approach the Independent Essay on page xlii. Quiz your partner about the
content.

Test Question
What are your goals for the future? Please give reasons, details, and examples to support
your response.

Pre-writing
Follow the five steps outlined below to prepare yourself to write your essay. On the TOEFL
iBT, you will have around five minutes to do this.

l. Brainstorm goals.

get a good job

get into an English university
get married and have a family
learn another language

2. Choose two goals.

get into an English university
get married and have a family

3. Make an outline including reasons for each goal.

Introduction
Body 1: get into an English university
Reason 1: need English for work
Reason 2: will get paid a higher salary
Body 2: get married and have a family
Reason 1: mutual support and encouragement
Reason 2: sharing = richer life experience
Conclusion

4. Write a thesis statement: the final sentence in your introduction.

My two most important goals are to get into an English university and to get married and
have a family.

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Diagnostic Chapter Learning

5. If you have time, brainstorm synonyms for key words in the prompt.
goals
objectives
aspirations
dreams
aims
purpose
future
in a few years
by 2020
next year
in time
over time

Writing your Essay

You have 30 minutes to write your essay on the TOEFL iBT. You need to spend five minutes
pre-writing, 20 minutes writing, and five minutes reading and editing your work. See the
fndependent Essay Checklist on the next page for an essay outline., Use it to guide you as you
write. Make sure to cover the sample essay.

Understanding the Independent Essay

II

DW1 Discussing Essays

1. Read the sample essay, and check off the items that apply on the Independent Essay
Checklist. Compare your answers with those of a partner.
2. Answer the following questions together:
a) How did the writer expand upon the reasons in the outline on the previous page?
b) What synonyms are used for "goals"?
c) What are the different ways the writer stated and rephrased the two main goals?
d) What transitions did the writer use in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4?
3. Have your partner evaluate your essay using the Independent Essay Checklist.
4. Complete a Writing Error Chart like the one on page 609 after your instructor corrects
your essay. Record you score in the Writing Test Score chart on page 607.

Independent Essay Checklist .I

1. Introduction
General statement about topic _
More specific statement _
Restate the question _
Thesis: Answered question _
Thesis: Lead-in to body _

2. The Body
1. Topic sentence supports thesis _
Support 1 _
Support 2 _
Support 3 _
Support4 _

Sample Essay: 274 words

Everyone has goals or objectives they
want to achieve in the future. They
assist individuals in finding purpose
and meaning in their lives. When I
consider my personal asprrations for
the upcoming years, I feel that obtaining
entrance into an English-language
unrversity and establishrng a loving
family are my two main aims.
First, attending an English university
is my principal focus at present. If I can
achieve this goal, I will be able to get
a better job and obtain a higher salary.
I'm personally interested in establishing
myself in international business.
However, there is a considerable
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Diagnostic Chapter Learning

2. Topic sentence supports thesis _

Support I _
Support2 _
Support 3 _
Support4_

3. Conclusion
Restatement of thesis
Paraphrase main ideas 1 and 2 _
Final comment: prediction, suggestion,
or conclusion

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amount of competition in this field,

and prospective employers are more
apt to hire a candidate with excellent
communication skills in English. This
candidate will also tend to earn a greater
amount of money.
Second, a more long-term goal I have
is to find a suitable partner and start a
family. In this way, we will be able to
offer each other mutual support and
encouragement in both good times
and bad. For example, we could assist
each other with problems and celebrate
accomplishments. By sharing my life
with a partner and guiding my children
through their own journeys, my life
will be richer and more fulfilling. I will
feel a strong sense of connectedness
and know that I am contributing to the
enhancement of my loved ones' lives.
To conclude, my two major objectives
at this point in time are to go to
university in English and start a family
with a supportive partner. If I can realize
these two dreams, I will feel a quiet
contentment and a growing sense of
confidence in my abilities.