TOEFL iBT準備心得 - 寫作

教材

• 知英高分托福寫作120 II
• 新托福寫作真經（中國新航道出版社，簡體）
• 機經

心得
寫作最重要的三點：

1. 一定要請人批改
2. KISS法則
3. 明確的親身經驗

前兩次考試，我都不曾請人改過我的作文，總覺得字數衝的夠多、寫的完就好了，以致於兩次考試都是自己寫的志得意滿，但成績出來總是讓我傻眼。因此準備第三次考試時，我的每篇作文練習都請英文家教批改並且檢討。有人幫忙看，真的找出我幾個低分的關鍵問題。

KISS法則（Keep It Simple and Stupid.）是英文家教給我的建議。他說考生常常喜歡賣弄句型或艱深字彙，硬背幾個難字、複雜句型就上戰場，殊不知這樣反而自曝其短。所以，除非可以徹底了解並靈活運用這些難字和句型，否則最好不要用。再者，simple and stupid是最不會出錯的，與其勉強使用難句難字卻錯誤百出，還不如寫的簡單明瞭，輔以有結構的模板，讓考官可以迅速且清楚地了解自己的意見。

整合寫作
前兩次考試我使用的教材是「知英高分托福寫作120 II」，這本書的好處是有附模考軟體，可以培養對實戰的感覺。出題方向也跟實戰滿一致的，但兩次考試下來，我覺得這本書整合寫作的出題有點太中規中矩了，跟實戰還是有點差距。因此準備第三次考試時，我改用「新托福寫作真經」，這跟「新托福口語真經」是同一系列的，也都是考古題，題目的擬真度可以說是百分之百。只可惜沒有模考軟體，我只能自己計時，寫在Notepad上。

獨立寫作
前兩次考試因為沒有人幫我抓漏，所以我根本沒有發覺自己的問題，就是總愛舉一些自以為specific的例子，例如我媽如何如何，我堂弟如何如何 等。但這些舉例不是ETS愛看的例子，而且也不具說服力。對托福來說，最好的例子就是發生在自己身上的事情。托福寫作完全不想看考生唱高調、長篇大論，如何 在300字左右的短文裡清楚有力地闡述自己的立場和原因才是重點。

教材的部份，我是拿機經來練習。TOEFL iBT的獨立寫作已經漸漸脫離ETS以前所公佈的185題，因此我認為直接練習機經的題目是最好的。既是真題，又有可能在實戰時遇到相同的題目（我非常幸運地就遇到了！），當然是最佳的練習教材了。台灣一名補教界老師幾乎每月都會發布他所預測的機經，拿這個來做就可以。

以下分享我所使用的模板，以及我練習時的內容，跟實戰時的作答內容差不多，所以大家可以參考一下，這樣的內容差不多可以拿25分。

整合寫作

Both the reading passage and the lecturer discuss the effects of imported species. The writer draws a conclusion that imported species would bring negative effects to the host lands. However, the lecturer disagrees with this conclusion because of positive effects, peaceful coexistence, and better substitutions.

First of all, the writer says that the population of local species may be damaged by newly imported species. Yet, this is very different from the lecturer’s claim that imported species can be better substitutions for native ones. The lecturer takes maize as an example. As soon as maize was imported from America into Asia, it was popular among farmers, because it is easy to plant. Thus, the lecturer believes that imported crops can provide local agriculture with an alternative choice.

Second, although the writer states that new species, such as the cane toad, may put local ecosystems in danger, the lecturer holds a different viewpoint. According to the lecturer, cane toads in Florida can coexist with human beings peacefully. Furthermore, this animal can  help people in Florida eliminate some pests, like flies and mosquitoes. Therefore, the lecturer concludes that imported species do not always endanger the local ecological system.

Thirdly, the lecturer disputes the writer’s opinion that newly introduced species, the mesquite tree for example, have no positive economic effects to the local people. The lecturer points out that mesquite trees are actually a priceless plant  in Africa. It grows fast and can easily be burned, so it is very good firewood in Africa. Hence, the lecturer holds that imported species can economically benefit the local habitants.

In conclusion, because of positive effects, peaceful coexistence, and better substitutions, the lecturer does not find the arguments in the reading passage convincing.

獨立寫作

Some people believe that government should spend more money on accessing the Internet than public transportation. However, I disagree with this statement because of reducing fossil fuel, promoting exercise, and protecting our environment.

First of all, public transportation can help people protect our environment. With increasing private vehicles, our society is getting more noisy and over-crowded, and not to mention the air pollution problem. For example, every morning I am always waked up by the noise on the street. Meanwhile, car exhaust is so dirty that I can barely open my windows. Therefore, improving public transportation and reducing private cars can benefit the environment we live in.

In addition, our government can promote exercise by spending money on accessing public transportation. Since people can feel convenient to go outside by public transit, they will prefer to do some outdoor activities rather than to stay at home being couch potatoes. For instance, when I found that it took me ten minutes to go to the sport center by the Metro Railway Train, I went to the gym for doing exercise more often. Hence, convenient public transit can attract people to walk out the buildings and enjoy their life.

Last but not least, improving public transportation can reduce the limited fossil fuel. Take oil as an example. The more private cars, the more oil consumption, and then the sooner we will deplete all the oil in the world. If that day comes, it would be a catastrophe. As a result, government should take measures to stop this tragedy, that is cutting down the number of private vehicles and pursuing better public transportation.

In conclusion, because of reducing fossil fuel, promoting exercise, and protecting our  environment, I am of the opinion that government should spend more money on accessing public transportation.