TOEFL Independent Writing Task: Syllabus, Question Types, Topics, and Sample Papers

Updated on, Feb 21, 2025

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

TOEFL Independent Writing Task is the second part of the writing section. Candidates get 30 minutes to write TOEFL independent writing tasks on the computer. TOEFL independent writing topics ask candidates to provide their opinion on a particular topic. Independent TOEFL essay doesn’t have any specific word count. A TOEFL independent writing essay of around 300 words is considered a proper essay.

Most TOEFL independent writing topics are based on education, work, and lifestyle. TOEFL iBT has updated its exam pattern and removed the independent writing section. The current TOEFL writing section includes two tasks; an Integrated writing task, and a Writing for an Academic Discussion task. You need to type your responses on a computer keyboard.

Table of Contents

Independent Writing Syllabus
1.1 Question Types
Independent Writing Topics
Independent Writing Tips
3.1 Structure of Independent Task
Practice Papers
Sample Answers
FAQs

TOEFL Independent Writing Task Syllabus

Candidates need to write an essay based on their opinion in 30 minutes. TOEFL independent writing sample helps candidates in writing a structured and grammatically correct essay. TOEFL independent writing task doesn’t include any reading passage or recording, unlike TOEFL integrated writing task.

Independent writing task TOEFL asks candidates to either agree/disagree or support/oppose the idea. Candidates need to provide relevant pieces of evidence or opinions to write TOEFL writing topics independent. TOEFL iBT writing questions of independent task is scored on a raw score range of 0 to 5. This raw score is converted to a scaled TOEFL score of 0 - 30. TOEFL writing score includes both independent and TOEFL integrated task.

TOEFL Writing Independent Question Types

TOEFL independent writing task has four major types of questions. Candidates can study TOEFL independent writing topics with answers for better understanding the different question types:

Agree or Disagree(65% weightage): Here, candidates need to write a response explaining their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the given subject. Proper logic and related examples will contribute to writing TOEFL independent task. There are numerous TOEFL writing independent sample online for a better idea.

Agree/disagree TOEFL independent writing topic

Multiple Choice Type questions(15% weightage): In TOEFL independent writing task multiple-choice questions, you are given a situation and a few options. You need to choose one option and write an independent essay TOEFL explaining why you support that idea. TOEFL independent writing essay samples help with understanding the MCQ types of questions.

Multiple choice TOEFL independent writing task topic

Preference Type of questions(15% weightage): In preference type TOEFL writing topics, you are provided with two more situations. You need to write an explanatory response of which option you would prefer. Your reasons and examples must be appropriate and support your position strongly. Candidates can refer TOEFL independent writing sample essays for practice.

Preference TOEFL independent writing topic

Good Idea(Rarely comes): Good Idea-type TOEFL independent writing topics ask you to explain whether you find the given idea good or bad. You have to write an essay explaining your reasons supporting your answer.

Good Idea TOEFL independent writing topic

TOEFL Independent Writing Topics

TOEFL writing topics 2020 and 21 consists of a wide range including education, lifestyle, work, business, economy, and more. A few of the TOEFL writing independent topics 2020 and 21 are listed below:

Education	Business	Technology	Economy
Family	Children	Travel	Friendship
Newspaper	Money	Game	Literature
TV	Emotions	Culture	Astro

TOEFL Independent Writing Tips

Below are a few TOEFL preparation tips for the independent writing section:

Daily practicing of timed TOEFL practice tests will result in maintaining a proper pace. This will not puzzle the candidates when they will have to plan, write, and revise during the 30 minutes.
Writing a factual, well-detailed, coherent writing of just one paragraph may fetch you a 4 or 5 score. Whereas writing a lengthy essay may not achieve so much because of irrelevance and incoherency.
Make your own sentences with vocabulary that you’re comfortable with. Examiners keep an eye on the wide range of sentences and vocabulary.
Having an opinion or at least faking it is necessary. Read about current events to cover the latest topics.
Time yourself when you practice TOEFL writing samples with answers
Practice the spellings of the words you want to use in your TOEFL independent writing
Be sure that the words, idioms, phrases, and sentences you write in the TOEFL independent writing essay are grammatically correct
Do not write irrelevant logic that may mislead the examiner. This is also applicable for TOEFL integrated writing practice questions.
Do not make your response unnecessarily long.

How to Write a TOEFL Independent Writing Task?

TOEFL independent writing templates guide the candidates in structuring the perfect essay. The examiners look for well-structured and precise essays. Here is given a few tentative TOEFL independent writing templates:

The Introduction

Start with an interesting line that gives a basic introduction of the topic
The second line gives an idea of your personal argument
Start explaining your take on the topic with smooth transitions

The Body

The body may contain two or three paragraphs.
Explain your personal experience and how it affected your mindset
Next, use a transitory sentence to present your personal experience
Explain your thought
Mention your supporting reason in brief

The Conclusion

The conclusion must be short and crisp
Mention the main point of the thesis
Mention the two reasons supporting your idea

TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Papers

The following are TOEFL writing practice papers that will help candidates prepare:

TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 1	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 2
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 3	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 4
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 5	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 6
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 7	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 8
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 9	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 10
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 11	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 12
TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 13	TOEFL Independent Writing Practice Test 14

TOEFL Independent Writing Sample Answers

The best way to prepare for the TOEFL independent writing task is referring to TOEFL independent writing topics with answers. Here we have given some of the TOEFL writing topics with answers.

How do movies or TV affect people? TOEFL Independent Writing Sample	Sports or library-TOEFL Independent Writing Sample
Luck or Hard work - TOEFL Independent Writing Sample	Has the easiness of cooking improved life? TOEFL Independent Writing Sample
Books or experience? TOEFL Independent Writing Sample	Eat out or eat at home? TOEFL Independent Writing Sample
Why do people go to museums? TOEFL Independent Writing Sample	Why Go to University? - TOEFL Independent Writing Sample

Both independent and TOEFL integrated writing holds equal importance in raising the TOEFL writing score of the candidates. Practicing from the TOEFL writing practice papers increases the chances of a high score.

FAQs

Ques: How do I prepare for TOEFL independent writing?

Ans: You can prepare for TOEFL writing by reading articles, listening to lectures, and reading books, and by regularly solving sample papers.

Ques: What is TOEFL independent writing?

Ans: TOEFL independent writing task is a 30-minute essay where you have to state your position on an issue and then support it with reasons and evidence.

Ques: How to get 30 in TOEFL writing?

Ans: To get 30 in TOEFL writing, you need to do effective preparation, take coaching classes, and increase your vocabulary and grammar skills.

Ques: can I practice TOEFL writing?

Ans: You can practice TOEFL writing by taking coaching classes, regularly solving sample papers, and reading comprehensive books.

Ques: Can I prepare for TOEFL myself?

Ans: You can prepare for TOEFL by yourself by solving practice papers, reading comprehensive books, and getting feedback from experts.

Ques: How long is TOEFL independent writing?

Ans: TOEFL independent writing task is 30 minutes, and candidates need to write an essay based on their personal experience and opinion in response.

Ques: Is TOEFL writing difficult?

Ans: Candidates with a good grasp of English, and with proper preparation, candidates can easily pass TOEFL exam.

Ques: Is 25 a good score in TOEFL?

Ans: TOEFL score ranges on a scale of 0-120 and each section is scored on a scale of 0-30 level. Achieving a score of 25 is a good score in TOEFL.

Ques: How is TOEFL writing scored?

Ans: TOEFL writing is scored on a scale of the raw score then the raw score is calculated as the final score.

Ques: What is a good writing score in TOEFL?

Ans: A score above 24 or higher is a good writing score in TOEFL. Candidates need to do effective preparation to achieve a good score in TOEFL.

Ques: Which is the hardest part in TOEFL?

Ans: Most of the candidates consider TOEFL speaking as the hardest part of the exam. Candidates need to do effective preparation to achieve a higher score.

Ques: What is the minimum passing score for TOEFL?

Ans: There is no specific passing or failing score in TOEFL, candidates need to achieve a score of 100 to get a successful admission in some of the best universities worldwide.

Ques: How hard is TOEFL for Indian students?

Ans: TOEFL is an English language proficiency test for internal students. Indian students with a good grasp of the English language and proper preparation can achieve a good score.

Ques: What are the most common topics in TOEFL writing?

Ans: History, environment, Health, Science and Technology, and the Internet are some of the common topics in TOEFL.

Ques: What is the minimum words for TOEFL independent writing?

Ans: The minimum TOEFL words for TOEFL is 250-350. Candidates need to do effective preparation to achieve a higher score on TOEFL.

Ques: Why is my TOEFL writing score so low?

Ans: Candidates need to do effective TOEFL preparation and improve vocabulary and grammar knowledge for better scores.

Ques: What is the average TOEFL score in India?

Ans: The average TOEFL score in India is 90. Candidates need to achieve a score of 100 to get successful admission to some of the best colleges and universities worldwide.

Ques: How can I improve my TOEFL writing?

Ans: You can improve your TOEFL writing by practicing sample papers, and practice writing samples. You can join coaching classes to practice TOEFL writing under expert mentorship.

Ques: How can I practice TOEFL writing?

Ans: You can practice TOEFL writing by solving practice papers and practicing writing daily. Candidates need to do regular writing practice for better results.

Ques: How can I get full marks in TOEFL writing?

Ans: You can get full marks in TOEFL writing by first understanding the task requirement, planning your essay, using verified sentence structures, and using academic vocabulary.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.