manuzinha

Hey, guys! I got a 5.0 on my essay. I am very happy! I should have practiced more, though... if I had found out about this site before, I could have even gotten a 6.0, who knows? I am satisfied with my 5.0, though... quite relieved. Tks!!! Manuzinha

I am so happy!!!! I got: 27 L 27 S/W 26 R essay: 5.0 final score: 267 I did better on the powerprep, which disappointed me a little bit at first, but I needed 250!! So, what the hell, I am thrilled with my score! [w00t] Good luck to you all! Manuzinha

Hieu, I think I improved my listening a lot watching american movies. I watch them with the english subtitles, then if I don't know a word or expression I pause it and look it up, or just rewind it and watch the part again with the portuguese subtitles (my native language). Sometimes they don't translate it literally, in that case I write it down, look it up right away or later. Listening to songs also help, but not as much. I dowload the songs I like and get the lyrics on-line. Your grammar score is not bad. So read as much as you can (I like magazines on the subjects that interest me, that way it is not boring) to improve your reading and watch movies you like. Sounds fun? I think the reading part is not difficult, but tricky. Make sure you exercise it with exercises like the TOEFL ones. Sometimes you understand the text, the vocabulary, but gets "trapped" anyway. So, you just need get used to the TOEFL style of questions... I hope to have helped! Manuzinha

Hey, Asim! They have something like that in this site. The best essays (from 5.0 to 6.0) are here: http://www.TestMagic.com/test/ViewTopicsOfEssays6.asp

Hello! I think they don't use "among" instead of "between" because "earth's land and water surfaces" is only 1 thing - even though it seems like 2 items, the idea of it should be thought as "2 in 1". Otherwise, there would be a comma (,) separating the first from the second item and not 2 "AND"s in the same sentence. So, think of the exchange of heat BETWEEN 2 things: the atmosphere AND the earth's surface - land & water. I hope I am clear! Manuzinha

Wow, at first I was petrified at the first question... I mean, I thought I could just not understand English anymore... for how could Mars be the Sun's father anyway? Hahahaha, just a simple missin "r" got me sooooo confused... (faRther)

Thank you so much for helping me. That is definetely something I need to work on... I tend to get out of the subject and drift away a "little" bit... I wrote something similar to that on my real TOEFL exam (same topic), and very poor introduction... I did not even know they cared so much for the text strucure! Silly me. I hope I did not get a very bad grade, though. This site rocks! Thank you again for helping me. Manuzinha

I don't know that book, so I can't comment about it. I think it is important to prepare, especially the essay (within 30 minutes). I downloaded the free sample TOEFL test from their official site, it is good because you have a very good idea of how the test is like (although there are less questions than the original test). Some centers also offer simulated tests for a low fee, that's how I prepared. This site can help you a lot, though. I found about it after I had already taken the test, which is a pitty! Good luck on your new test! Manuzinha

Actually, I am not sure if "offer" should be "offers". Would that be third person or not? Maybe not. Can someone explain that? I am sure that if there was only 1 sentence it would be third person, but there are two: "Staying in a new place AND meeting new people": To begin with, you will be exposed to a new experience, new culture and new environment while you study oversea. Staying in a new place and meeting new people sometimes offers you several new ideas. SO?

Hey, joyyoj! Great essay there. I would give you a 6.0, but who am I anyway? I am also new here!! Your essay is very well-structured and defined - good vocabulary and grammar... I would just write "be exposed" instead of expose, because you are not actually exposing anything, but yet, BEING exposed to a new country, right? I don't know, passive sounds better to me in that case. Another thing: articles are americans' best friends. There usually exists one, unless you use plural for your nouns. That's the way I see it... I am no english master, but I think good essays deserve to be analysed! Good luck on your TOEFL! Manuzinha

This is my essay, please correct it! I am working hard on helping others as well (I already helped to correct 2 other essays)! I am new, but I am here to stay and I plan to learn and contribute however I can for this site! I am glad to be a part fo this!!! #168: Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. I believe students choose to study abroad for various reasons, but mainly, for the life experience that they will be rewarded with by doing so. However, it all depends on the age and goal of the students to determine what exactly their objectives in “studying abroad” are. First of all, there are the high schools students. These ones would usually choose to study in other countries for a couple of different reasons than the more “mature” students would. Adventure at a younger age represents a very convincing factor for that kind of experience. Obviously, that is not their only reason for such changes in their life. The parents represent great influence on them – and many times the idea first comes from the parents themselves. Besides, learning a second language during the adolescence is a lot easier than doing it afterwards – the idiom fluency and even grammar skills are better absorbed earlier in life (especially in a country where that language is spoken). Nevertheless, the opportunity of living in another country as an exchange student and learning how to respect other cultures is very helpful for young students - as it builds their personality and character. Then there are college students, whose motivation and goals when choosing another country for their education can be a little more complex. Normally, college students decide to have that certain "change" in their life for the very basic need of seeking better education in their related field. That means, if in their home country their field is not yet totally economically developed, than the possibility of pursuing it abroad may seem like a great idea. Based on my own experience as a hopefully future American college student, that would be the most important reason for me to study abroad. My profession – fashion designer - is still considered relatively new in Brazil. It is considered, though, a growing market in my country. However, its schools are brand new and the reputation of many colleges abroad – in Europe and in the USA mostly - are worldly respected. Moreover, the possibility of working with great “international” names of the profession always highlights the choice of education abroad. In conclusion, I believe that students choose to study abroad because their life will have always been enriched by this great experience. Furthermore, despite the adventures, the contact with a new culture and the learning of a new language, these students might have – in the case of college students – better chances of becoming successful in their careers. At the end, it will have definitely been worth all costs.

Hello, Hieu! I just took my test too, and I might have to take it again to achieve the grade I was expecting... Why do you need your TOEFL score? It depends on the score you need to achieve (meaning: the school that you plan to be accepted at) to know if the score is high/low! Master degrees require higher cores than undergraduate degrees, for instance. So, wait until you get your final score, and if you need to take it again to achieve a certain mark, don't lose your motivation! Most people who get high grades have tried more than once, or prepared for a long time. Just relax, and if you feel like taking the test again, concentrate on your lower marks. How were your listening, reading, strucuture grades? Manu

Hey, IRA! Congratulations on your scores!:D I had one of your essays corrected by an english-speaker (my personal "helper"), I did not know you had already taken your TOEFL exam. I hope you enjoy that (even though you don't need it anymore, you got yourself a 6!!!).[^] Anyway, I chose your essay because it was one of the best ones! That mean I am a good judge of essays!! I got a partial on (max.) 260-something (I don't remember the partial range exactly, I must have fried all my neurons on that test) on Jan. 30th., and I am now waiting for my final score... I am hoping for a 250. I choose good essays to practice on them (those that are too hard for me to spot the mistakes...) - I am still doing it in case I need to take the TOEFL again...[xx(] Well, you did a good job![goodjob] Manuzinha

Hello, I am new here... and I spent the whole night (literally - the sun is up) checking on this site. I must say you did a great job on it!! Too bad I did not hear about this site BEFORE I took the TOEFL test... it would have been of great help! I will definetely try to help others with my experience, though - and make sure I keep learning by doing it!:) I have an essay I would like to have posted and graded, but there is no open topic for it. It is a cool one, so maybe you should consider opening it! Do you agree with the statement: "Dissatisfaction leads to progress"? Support your opinion with examples... Anyway, I would love to help correcting essays. I even think that if one of mine is graded, I will have more ways to help people by having an idea of which grade they could get (comparing it to mine)... - OK, this looks like an attempt to get a topic open and one of my essays corrected - but truly, I will try to help the best I can. My score will only be sent in 2 weeks, and I really need to have an idea of my final score... I am going nuts about this. Well, congratulations again on this terrific site - I'll make sure to inform my friends about it!! Regards, manuzinha

Wow, I love your essay... I hate that introduction, body, conclusion thing too! My first essay was also like that (no "form") - until I was told to do it the "proper" way. I took the TOEFL test last Friday, by the way, I tried to do it their way, but my ideas just don't flow easily when there is "structure" to follow. I'll get my score in 2 weeks, I have no idea of my ESSAY score, though... so maybe I am not the best person to help others. Your essay, however, was the best one I read so far. I could not spot any grammar/structure mistakes (not that I am a super-wirter, but I have studied English for years, lived in the States and taught it to little ones). Anyway, you write so well and in such short time, you would definetely get a super high mark. Practice the damn strucure, so you will be able to flow your ideas like that too! Have you already taken the test? If so, you might not even see this message... if you did take it (and luckly still checks these messages), what was your score? Good job again!! Manu

Hi, ditoman!! I thing your essay is really good! I had my English adviser (he is american, not a teacher, but great writer) correct it for you (for free!), I hope you like that. He is really good, and my knowledge of English is not the same as a native speaker's one, so I could not help you 100% if I hadn't had his "hints" - and I also learn from this a lot. Anyway, keep up the good work, you did really well. I can't help you on the TOEFL score, though. That's something I don't understand. I already took my TOEFL exam and I now await my final score... I keep insisting that people should practice a LOT the thirty-minute essay writing. It is tougher than it seems... Manu[goodjob]

Hello, IRA! I really think you did a good job on your essay! I had an English-native speaker help me correct it for you, so that the corrections would be accurate. He is not a TOEFL prep teacher, but he knows all about essays... and corrects mine gladly too (the only problem - he has no idea of how to grade them in that TOEFL scale). Anyway, I took the TOEFL exam last Friday and the biggest problem I had was time. I am a slow writer, unfortunately… Did you manage to write all that in 30 minutes? If not, my tip is to practice that many times too. Anyway, good luck on your test. p.s. - I tried to send this message before, but for some reason it did not work (and it just quoted your essay). Let's see if it works now! "The issue of whether students should be required to attend classes or if going to classes should be optional is a controversial one. There are those who feel that in order for a student to achieve the best results while studying, they have to be pushed. If students would have a choice between going to classes and partying, I think they would choose the second one. On the other hand, students who are willing to study will attend as many classes as possible, and if they do not go to certain classes it is only because they use other activities for studying. However, in the final analysis, I believe that all students should be required to attend classes. One reason for my belief is that from the nature people are lazy (consider: One reason for my belief is that many people are intrinsically lazy). Studying is a hard work (got rid of Nevertheless that). Aristotle once said, “The educated differ from the uneducated as the living from the dead” (got rid of the comma after dead and put a period). People have to be motivated to study. When we are in the university, we meet many interesting people. The life of a student (got rid of the plural) is full of different activities, such as sports, visiting friends and celebrating different events. Since studying requires time and a lot of work, attending class may not rest atop the priority list if students would have that choice. Another reason for my belief is that students do not have the experience and knowledge (got rid of “that would help them”) to choose the classes that would be the most useful for them. Study curriculums (instead of studying subjects, because it is necessary to define the difference between a “class” and a “program”. A class is like subject, whereas a program is like and area or a field) are made (consider a word such as “assembled” instead of made, because the teacher does not really make it, more…put it together, although, made will work) by professors and administrators (got rid of many people) who have (got rid of “done”, you can just say “researched”) researched (got rid of about) which classes would be the most useful for studying different programs. For example, if people study Market of Economy (also known as either Marketing, or Economics depending on how you are translating) and Management, they have to attend many classes that include mathematics, economy, etc. What would happen if someone did not like calculus? Then he or she (consider “they”- unisex, or “he/she”) would not be able to graduate. If they did, he or she (“they” instead of he or she) would (consider “may” instead of “would”) not have enough skills to be a good specialist in their field. However, some classes should be optional. And, if so, these classes have to be an addition to the classes that are required. For instance, if one studies in the School of Business and wants to get a job in a particular finance area, then he or she (they) should attend those classes that would be most helpful in order to obtain the knowledge of that profession (deleted that he or she wants to get). (What you’re saying about studying in the school of business does not pertain to what you opened the paragraph with. You are saying that it is o.k. for a student to not attend classes in some situations. In your “For Instance, you do not support why, but instead, give another example of why a student should attend classes. Consider following profession with this: “Although, it may not be as important for the student to attend an elected class that does not pertain to their particular area of study”. Just remember, the corrector of your test will think that is important that a student attends every class including the elected ones because this will assure that they become a well-rounded student). For all these reasons I believe that university students have to be required to attend classes. However, there should be some additional classes that students could choose in order to increase their knowledge of the particular profession (your conclusion may sound a little redundant. Consider your strongest point, but don’t simply repeat it. Instead, try to enhance it with a moral reason. For example: “In conclusion, I feel as though there is a good reason why administrators and professors require students to attend classes. It is their experience that we rely on to learn and their advice that we should follow. If students did not need to attend classes in order to receive a proper education, then we would not need Universities. Of course, responsibility is a large part of this learning experience, and it is the choices that we make - to attend class or not - that will one day be a part of what will separate us from the rest”)."

Hello! I just took the TOEFL test and got a worse partial score (max. 260) than the one achieved on a simulate test last week (220-277). I paid extra attention to all the questions and still, didn't do such a nice job... :( It has a little bit to do with luck, I guess - and the fact that I did not prepare for it the way I should have (I was also quite nervous). Anyway, I am worried about my ESSAY, the passage that was given me was quite easy to write about, but I am not sure I reached the 300 word-requirement (I found out about that number today - I mean, that it was necessary for the essay to be considered "good"). Besides, I had just enough time to finish correcting the "typing" mistakes of one of the last lines and that was it, time was over. It is really hard to write under pressure, so I should have practiced that more. I also found out (today) that words like "some", "many", "most" are considered "vague" by them and I remember to have used them on my essay. I had a tough time thinking of "non-too-ordinary" words too (my boyfriend is american and I usually only practice coloquial english). So, my question is: what could my score on the essay be, considering I wrote a poor introduction (by repeating the line from the passage itself, not having time to change it), 2 or 3 5-lined paragraphs with supported examples (it was not a subject I had to choose a side to be on, but a question like "why do you think that school and college students choose to study abroad?") and a conclusion with "The costs are definetely worth the experience, etc...". I also mentioned myself as an example (in the structure part), and based it on my own experience as a future american university student. Is that ok to do? Should I have left it less "personal"? Am I still eligible to receive a min. 250 (600 paper test) score? I hope you can help me out with these doubts!!!!! I will know the final score in 2 weeks, but I can't stop worrying about it. And good luck to the TOEFL test takers - I really advise the essay practicing... I am a very slow-perfectionist writer and 30 minutes is less than I had imagined! Regards, Manu