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TOEFL Writing Topics: Examples of TOEFL Independent Writing Topics

BY LUCAS FINK ON AUGUST 24, 2020 , UPDATED ON DECEMBER 10, 2020, IN TOEFL WRITING TASK 2 (INDEPENDENT)

While the TOEFL is generally a very different type of test from the GRE, the GMAT, and the SAT, there are a few similarities, and the nature of the TOEFL Writing topics (specifically TOEFL Independent Writing topics) is one of them. As with most standardized tests, the TOEFL asks you to write an essay.
Well, it asks for two essays. For a quick summary of the two Writing tasks (Independent Writing and Integrated Writing) and how they fit into the Writing section as a whole, see Kate’s breakdown of the TOEFL Writing section. And for TOEFL Integrated Writing topics, jump down to this part of the post.

Table of Contents

Click the links below to go to each section of our guide to TOEFL Writing Topics.

• 
  TOEFL Writing Topics: Task 2 Subject Matter
  
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  The Basic Structure of TOEFL Independent Writing Topics
  
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  Practicing TOEFL Independent Writing Topics with Magoosh
  
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  Question Types for TOEFL Writing Task 2
  
  • 
    Choose a Side
    
  • 
    View Both Sides
    
  • 
    Describe or Explain
    
• 
  Integrated TOEFL Writing Task
  
• 
  Further Practice With TOEFL Writing Topics
  

TOEFL Writing Topics: Task 2 Subject Matter

Let’s look at the TOEFL Writing topics that you might see for that second TOEFL essay, the “independent task.” (Also note that the TOEFL Independent Writing task is particularly similar to the GRE issue AWA task, something to bear in mind if you are prepping for the TOEFL and GRE at the same time.)
On the one hand, there are a LOT of different TOEFL Writing topics. You might be asked to write an essay about any of the following:
technology, education, media, family, small towns vs. big cities, the benefits of constructing something such as a large factory or new movie theater, the qualities of a good neighbor, life for university students, the way people should work, social media, the impact of human activity on the environment, education (the education of young children, high school students, young adults, etc.), different kinds of people you’d want to work with, important characteristics of a co-worker, cell phones, the traits of the best teachers, the attitudes of young people, traveling to new places, use of free time, etc., etc…
You get the idea. There are many different topics for the test-taker to think about and give a personal opinion on.