I love TOEFL 1

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) has been one of my passions for 10 years...It is platonic love, that´s for sure.
The TOEFL iBT (internet based test) is divided into 4 sections:

1.Reading
2.Listening
3.Speaking
4.Writing

One of the greatest challenges about the TOEFL is to figure out what they want from the test takers. So, today I will write about some things they want and some things they do not want on the Writing section.
There are 2 tasks on the Writing section: Integrated and Independent Section. Check out some typical essay questions for the independent part:
http://kazuo.fc2web.com/English/TOEFL-essay.htm

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

For the independent questions, the essay question, DO:
1.Answer the questions directly. It is a question, after all! The worst thing you can do is to beat around the bush and be all abstract about the topic! Go straight to the answer, on the introduction.
2.Be simple and direct. Remember, the TOEFL is an American test and Americans are 100% pragmatic people, therefore, this is exactly what they expect from the test takers: going straight to the point.
3. If it is necessary, LIE. Sorry mom, but it true! Sometimes, the question can be so absurd that you must go for the easy answer choice, not the true choice. Remember that they do not care about your true feelings about something. Rather, they expect to see your ability to demonstrate a set of ideas coherently and efficiently. On the example above, what is easier to answer? To agree or to disagree that people are never satisfied? I´d say it is to agree with that. And forget about your true feelings. You do not have time to demonstrate what you really believe in just 30 minutes. So, again: choose the simplest choice
4. Give examples and justify them well
5. Use transitional expressions between paragraphs

DO NOT:
1. Be partial. This is an essay assassination: "it depends". Nothing is relative on the TOEFL, everything is absolute, so keep this in mind and defend your thesis until the end! Either you agree or you disagree with a statement. Never both!
2.Use contractions. The TOEFL is a formal exam and thus, they require formal writing. Contractions are not formal.
3.Use slangs. Stuff, awesome, guys, etc... Not a good place to use these words that are on 90% of the movies.
4. Use taboo topics such as politics, sex, religion, racism. Go ahead and make a SUBTLE statements about one of these topics, but under any circumstances write polemical sentences about these topics.


Well, students, I could give you many other tips on what to do and on what not to do. But these ones are definitely the most important ones to keep in mind.