TOEFL 2026 Writing Free Sample test (for score +70) #1
Build a Sentence · Email · Academic Discussion — full mock test with model answers.
Video explanation
Watch the explanation video before attempting the test.
Part A: Build a Sentence
Answer all 10 questions. You have about 6 minutes for all 10 questions (around 36 seconds each).
Question 1
Is the museum open today?
It.
Show answer
It is open until nine tonight.
Question 2
Where did you buy that bag?
I.
Show answer
I bought it at the mall.
Question 3
Why were you late this morning?
I.
Show answer
I missed the bus to school.
Question 4
What is your new teacher like?
She.
Show answer
She is kind and very funny.
Question 5
When is your next piano lesson?
It.
Show answer
It is on Thursday after school.
Question 6
What are you doing this weekend?
I.
Show answer
I am going to visit my grandmother.
Question 7
Do you want to eat lunch together?
Let's.
Show answer
Let's meet in front of the cafeteria.
Question 8
Could you tell me where the gym is?
It.
Show answer
It is next to the student center.
Question 9
Did you finish the science homework?
I.
Show answer
I finished it right after dinner.
Why "finish" is wrong here: The question asks about something that already happened ("Did you finish?"), so the answer needs the past tense "finished." The base form "finish" is only used after "did" in questions and negatives.
Question 10
Does your brother like soccer?
He.
Show answer
He plays it every weekend with his friends.
Why "play" is wrong here: In the simple present, a singular subject like "he," "she," or "it" needs a verb ending in -s. So we say "he plays," not "he play."
Part B: Write an Email
Read the information and write an email in response. You have 7 minutes.
Email Writing Task
To: Nina
Subject: Your Birthday Dinner on Saturday
Your friend Nina invited you to her birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant this Saturday evening. You really want to go, but your cousin is getting married in another city that same day. Your whole family is driving there in the morning, and you will not be back until late at night.
Write an email to Nina.
- Thank her for the invitation.
- Explain why you cannot come to the dinner on Saturday.
- Suggest another way the two of you can celebrate her birthday.
Perfect Score Answer30/30
SubjectYour Birthday Dinner on Saturday
Hi Nina,
Thank you so much for inviting me to your birthday dinner. The Italian restaurant sounds wonderful, and I was really happy that you thought of me.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to come on Saturday. My cousin is getting married that day in another city, and my whole family is driving there early in the morning. The ceremony is in the afternoon and the party goes until late, so I won't be back in time. I feel bad about missing your special day.
Could we celebrate together next week instead? I'd love to take you out for dessert on Tuesday or Wednesday after class. There's a new bakery near campus, and the birthday cake will be my treat. Let me know which day works best for you.
Have a great time on Saturday!
Best,
[Your Name]
Score30 / 30
Logic
Each of the three points gets its own short paragraph, in the same order as the task. The reason for missing the dinner is specific (a family wedding in another city, back late at night), which makes the apology sound real. The suggestion is concrete: a day, a place, and an offer to pay, so Nina can answer right away. The tone is warm and friendly, which is correct for an email to a friend.
Golden Vocabulary
UnfortunatelyGetting marriedI feel bad aboutCould we ... instead?My treat
High Score Answer25/30
SubjectBirthday Dinner
Hi Nina,
Thank you for inviting me to your birthday dinner. I really want to go.
But I can't come on Saturday because my cousin is getting married in another city. My family is going there all day.
Maybe we can meet next week and eat dessert together? I will buy you a cake.
Happy birthday and have fun!
Best,
[Your Name]
Score25 / 30
Logic
All three points are covered and the email is easy to understand, so the task is complete. It scores lower because each point is only one short sentence. The suggestion ("next week") has no day or place, and the reason for missing the dinner is not explained in any detail.
Golden Vocabulary
InvitingWeddingDessert
Part C: Academic Discussion
Write a response to the academic discussion. You have 10 minutes.
Academic Discussion Topic
Your professor is teaching a class in Education. During the lecture, the professor asks the following question.
Professor
“This week, we are talking about school rules. In many countries, students must wear a school uniform every day. In other places, students can wear whatever they like. What do you think? Should schools require students to wear uniforms? Why or why not?”
Lily
I think uniforms are a good idea. When everyone wears the same clothes, students don't compare expensive brands, so nobody feels left out. It also saves time in the morning because you don't have to choose an outfit.
Marcus
I disagree. Clothes are one way young people show who they are. If students have to wear uniforms, they lose a chance to express their personality. Also, uniforms can be expensive, because families must buy them in addition to normal clothes.
Perfect Score Answer30/30
I agree with Lily that schools should require uniforms, mainly because they reduce pressure on students. When I was in middle school, we could wear our own clothes, and many of my classmates worried about having the newest sneakers or brand-name jackets. Some students were even teased for wearing the same shirt twice in one week. Uniforms remove this problem, so students can focus on their friends and their classes instead of fashion. Marcus makes a fair point that clothes help young people show their personality. However, students still have many other ways to express themselves, such as their hairstyle, their backpack, or the clubs they join. In my opinion, a calm and equal classroom is more important than choosing an outfit every morning.
Score30 / 30
Logic
The first sentence gives a clear opinion and the main reason. A personal example from middle school (brand-name clothes, teasing) supports the reason with a real situation. The response then answers Marcus directly: it agrees his point is fair, then explains why it is not strong enough. The last sentence brings the argument back to the professor's question. The language is simple, but every sentence has a job.
Golden Vocabulary
Reduce pressureBrand-nameMakes a fair pointExpress themselvesIn my opinion
High Score Answer25/30
I agree with Lily. I think schools should have uniforms. When students wear their own clothes, some students buy very expensive clothes and other students feel bad. With uniforms, everyone looks the same, so this problem goes away. Also, uniforms are easy because you don't need to think about what to wear every morning. Marcus says clothes show personality, but I think school is a place for studying, not for fashion. So I believe uniforms are better for students.
Score25 / 30
Logic
The opinion is clear and the response mentions both students, so it stays on topic. It scores lower because the reasons mostly repeat what Lily already said, and there is no personal or specific example to support them. The reply to Marcus is one short sentence and does not really explain why his point is weaker.
Golden Vocabulary
ExpensivePersonalityFashion
Every answer graded, for less than one tutoring lesson.
You read the model answers. Write both tasks in a full TOEFL test and each essay gets a band from 1 to 6 and a line by line note, like this sample.
Online classes are convenient, but I believe students learnslearn more in a classroom, because they can discuss aboutdiscuss ideas with theretheir classmates right away.
That was one essay. Your full test has two. Both get this.