TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing Task

Homeschooling notes
Reading passage
Main idea: Disadvantages of homeschooling
MP1 --- less learning possible in homeschools than in trad. schools
               --  trad schools huge amount of material covered to pass grade
               -- homeschools not set up this way
MP2 --- less social interaction in homeschools than in trad. schools
              -- no classroom full of classmates
              -- homeschool only parent or siblings
MP3 --- less varied curriculum than in trad. schools
              -- trad school offers large number of subjects
              -- can't be done in home


Listening passage
Main idea: Advantages of homeschooling (many people disagree with trad schools)
MP1 --- more learning possible in homeschools than in trad. schools
               -- many studies (research) show homeschooled kids learn more
MP2 --- more social interaction in homeschools than in trad. schools
              -- parents can arrange meetings with other homeschooled kids
              -- can meet at any time of day
MP3 --- more varied curriculum than in trad. schools
              -- parents can offer very broad curriculum e.g. astronomy, Chinese
              -- not restricted by government curriculum

In this set of the materials the reading passage outlines the disadvantages of homeschooling, and the listening passage informs us that not everyone agrees with this view.

In the reading passage it is claimed traditional schools are better for children that homeschools. It is stated that in traditional schools more learning takes place because children are required to cover a very large amount of material in order to go up to the next grade. Homeschools, however, have no such requirement. It is also claimed that  homeschooled children can only interact with their parents and brothers and sisters and therefore have less social interaction than children  in a traditional school who study alongside around thirty classmates. A further criticism of homeschooling is that the children only study a restricted curriculum, whereas traditional schools can offer a much larger number of subjects.

In the listening passage, however, we are given a totally different viewpoint. It is stated that homeschooled children actually learn more than those in traditional school, and lots of research studies have proved this is true. The lack of social interaction in homeschooling is also said to be untrue. The parents of homeschooled can easily arrange meetings with other homeschooled  children, and can do this any time during the day. Finally, the idea that traditional schools can offer a broader curriculum is shown to be false. Because they are not restricted by the government curriculum, parents can offer any subject they are skilled in, even subjects not usually included in the traditional school curriculum, for example Chinese or astronomy. (260 words)


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Click here for listening transcript

Click here for sample notes

Click here for sample essay

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