Preference Style TOEFL Essays.
A TOEFL preference question will give you a choice between two options and ask which of the two options you prefer. Usually, it is accompanied with the need to provide specific reasons why you prefer the option and examples to support your preference.
Test takers will often present at least two main body paragraphs that support their preference but will or might also present a concession paragraph that gives something about the other option. In other words, there can be three main body paragraphs.
Preference questions are not so common but very likely to appear.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS.
1- Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
2- Some people like to spend their money as soon as they earn it, while others think it is better to save their money for some time in the future. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Do not use memorized examples.
3- Some students prefer to study and do homework alone. Others prefer to study and work on class assignments with a group of fellow students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
4- Some people think the best way to learn new things is to study them alone. Others think that it is always better to get help from a skilled teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your choice.
5- Some people prefer to travel in their own country when they have some time off. Others think that it is better to take a trip to a foreign country. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your choice.
6- Some people think children should have unlimited access to the internet. Others believe parents should supervise their children’s use of the internet. Which do you believe?
SAMPLE TASK AND RESPONSE.
Few people prefer to live in urban areas or big cities. While some like to live in small towns. Which place would you prefer to live in for the rest of your life? Support your answer with specific examples.
It is common for some people to envisage living in big cities instead of small towns. There is no doubt small cities accord sundry advantages when one lives there however, I would vehemently prefer living in a big city as they offer far more in life than small towns.
First off, urban areas or big cities come with multifarious advanced amenities like schools, hospitals and roads compared to small towns. For any development of a country starts in cities, with schools having the best teachers, hospitals with the best doctors and good roads that facilitate better transportation. When one compares a city like Beijing to small towns, it is no doubt Beijing has advanced subway system, good roads and other good social amenities.
Suffice to note, big cities offer numerous opportunities compared to small towns. There are sundry job opportunities especially that many companies or multinational companies will set up offices in big cities because of the big population that accords them a wider consumer catchment area and labor mobility. In small towns, there are limited job opportunities and even then, there is little to drop into one’s coffers at the end of the month.
Admittedly small towns can have an edge on big cities when it comes to quietness and good environment. It is usually the case that big cities are polluted because of the many industries there, to an extent that some governments will announce red alerts. The social cohesion and understanding of each other in small towns makes people there a nuclear family that can offer help anytime when one is in need compared to big cities where everyone is one their own.
On the whole, city life is quite fascinating especially that there are many opportunities and better amenities compared to small towns. I would wholeheartedly prefer living in a big city the rest of my life.