Year-Round School or Vacations? – TOEFL iBT Essays Writing Score 26 +

Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It is better for students to take classes for more than 11 months throughout the year.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

BrainStorming_Year-Round School or Vacations
BrainStorming_Year-Round School or Vacations
Outlining_Year-Round School or Vacations
Outlining_Year-Round School or Vacations
Writing your Draft_Year-Round School or Vacations
Writing your Draft_Year-Round School or Vacations
Body-Round School or Vacations
Body-Round School or Vacations

Sample Essay

[Opening sentence] I have heard that some educators want students to attend class for practically the entire year. I could not disagree more with them. [Thesis statement] Having students attend class for over eleven months is a bad idea that is detrimental to both the physical health of students and their self- improvement.

[Topic sentence 1] Going to school for eieven months will wear down students. [Supporting details] Students need a break from school to recharge their batteries. At my school, we get two six- or seven-week breaks for summer and winter, but even that does not feel long enough sometimes. Students attend classes from eight a.m. to three or four p.m. Many also attend private lessons afterwards, and every student has hours of homework each night. Maintaining such a schedule for most of the year is guaranteed to wear down even the most enthusiastic students. Without a longer break, students simply would not have the energy to focus on their schoolwork.

[Topic sentence 2] Students also need breaks to improve themselves in ways not involving school. [Supporting details] In fact, a lot of students use their breaks to do various activities other than their schoolwork. For example, some get part-time jobs during the breaks to earn spending money. Other students study new languages, learn a musical instrument, or play sports during their breaks. All these experiences will help them in the future. As for me, I often travel with my family. We visit places in my country and take trips abroad. These trips help me broaden my horizons and see new places. Going to school eleven months out of the year would prohibit people from doing these exciting and beneficial activities.

[Restatement of the thesis] Students cannot attend school practically all year round to take classes. [Summary] They would not have the energy to put maximum effort into studying. And they would lose out on many chances to improve themselves. [Closing] I really need my summer and winter breaks, and I hope that schools do not take them away from me.