今回の Topic は、Official Guide to the TOEFL の Independent Essay 第２７問です。

１. Topic          

     Some students prefer to study alone.  Others prefer to study with a group of students.  Which do you prefer?  Use specific examples and reasons to support your answer.

２. Struture

a) Thesis Statement (Introduction)                

    I prefer to study with other students as a group because the group-study would foster motivation to learn, make learning effective and efficient, and develop the sense of collaboration.

b) Body の部分を構成する３つの Paragraph の Main Idea は、

第１ Paragraph　グループによる学習は、一人の場合よりも学習意欲を高める

第２ Paragraph　グループメンバーの知識や考えを共有することで、より高い成果が期待できる

第３ Paragraph　グループに学習においては、目標達成に向けて協力することの重要性を学ぶことができる

 

 ３. Sample

     I prefer to study with other students as a group because the group-study would foster motivation to learn, make learning effective and efficient, and develop the sense of collaboration.                          

     To begin with, studying together with other students is likely to foster motivation to learn.  Seeing other students studying hard, we are encouraged to keep up with them.  For example, a group usually sets targets and deadlines to study effectively and efficiently.  These common objectives between the members of the group not only promote stimulation for learning but serve as risk-hedges against falling behind the rest of the group members.  As a result, the group should raise productivity per members.                                                

       In addition, the group members could share knowledge and ideas with each other.  As each of the members has his or her specialty in certain areas, they could take advantage of collective knowledge and ideas of the group.  Moreover, the knowledge and ideas would be examined through discussions or brainstorming.  In some cases, they could break the challenging academic issues into manageable tasks and these tasks could be assigned to each member.  This way, the members of the group could achieve higher goals than studying alone.                                                                                                                                 

     Finally, with studying other students, they could develop a sense of collaboration.  In a group, each student has to contribute to the progress of the specific study.  As I mentioned eariler, every member would be given certain assignment to achieve their study goals.  With this interdependent relationship between the members, they would appreciate the importance of working together.  And the positive attitude towards collaborations would lead to altruistic communities.                                          

     It is true that each member of the group has to keep the pace with others.   However, because of the three reasons I mentioned above, I prefer to study with a group of students. 

 

To be continued.