Some urban planners argue that cities should stop investing in massive central parks and instead focus on creating many small community gardens throughout residential neighborhoods. This approach aims to make nature more accessible to everyone daily. Do you agree or disagree that prioritizing small local gardens over large central parks is a good idea for modern cities?
TOEFL Writing / 2026
TOEFL Writing Explained: 2026 Format & Task Types
Overview
TOEFL Writing at a Glance
PurposeHow clearly you share your ideas in written English
Task typesBuild a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion (3)
TimeAbout 23 minutes (directions not included)
Items12 in total (10 Build a Sentence, 1 email, 1 discussion post)
FormatNot adaptive: everyone gets the same three tasks in the same order.
ScoreReported from 1.0 to 6.0 in half-point steps.
The three tasks
The Three Writing Tasks
01Build a Sentence
You put a set of words or short phrases in the right order to make a complete sentence or question. The task checks your understanding of English sentence structure, such as word order in a question or the best place for an adverb. Each item has one correct answer, and a computer marks all 10.
02Write an Email
You read a short situation and write an email about it. A strong email answers every point the situation asks for, in a polite tone that fits the reader. Unlike Build a Sentence, there is no single correct answer. Software reads your email and gives it a score.
03Write for an Academic Discussion
You join an online class discussion. A professor asks a question and two classmates give their opinions. You write one paragraph that gives your own opinion with a reason, and that also answers what the classmates said.
What each task measures
What Each Task Measures
| Task | Main skill |
|---|---|
| Build a Sentence | Accurate sentence structure |
| Write an Email | Clear communication for a purpose |
| Write for an Academic Discussion | Developing and supporting ideas |
The three tasks ask for different things, but the goal is the same: accurate sentences, and clear language that works for your reader.
Try it
Try It Yourself: Build a Sentence
Build a Sentence
Make an appropriate sentence.
1 / 10
Are you signing up for summer classes again this year?
I can't decide .
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: I can't decide whether to take a break this time.
Is your coworker going to the meeting?
can.
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: He hopes to be there if he can.
The new assistant's really settling in, isn't she?
, how .
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: Yeah, everyone has noticed how efficient she's become.
Last night's study group went really well.
, before the exam.
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: Yeah, the notes we put together should help everyone before the exam.
The TA said she might extend office hours during finals week.
?
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: Would she be able to go over the exam with us then?
I feel like making something special for dinner.
?
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: What kind of food are you thinking?
People loved your research paper.
, .
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: Thanks, it's the best work I've ever done.
Did your parents enjoy their trip to Italy?
.
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: My mom said the food there was amazing.
Is the landscaper done with your backyard yet?
.
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: He still hasn't finished putting up the fence.
I'm thinking about taking Friday off for a long weekend.
if .
Correct.
Not quite.
Correct sentence: Check if your manager already approved anyone else's time off.
Build the sentences, then select See answers.
StudyGround tip: some items include one extra word that does not belong. When your sentence looks finished, read it once in your head. Wrong word order is easier to hear than to see.
Try it
Try It Yourself: Email and Academic Discussion
Write an Email
Write an Email
Psychology Final Study Group
You are currently taking a challenging psychology course and want to form a study group for the final exam. You decide to reach out to a classmate named Sam to see if he wants to join you. You think studying together would help both of you review the difficult theories.
Write an email to Sam. In your email, do the following:
- Explain why you are interested in starting a study group for the psychology class.
- Describe how you think working together could help you both prepare for the final exam.
- Suggest a time or place where you could meet to discuss a study plan.
- To
- Sam
- Subject
- Forming a study group for psychology
Time is up. Like the real test, the editor is now locked. Select Start over to practice again.
StudyGround tip: give each of the three numbered points its own short paragraph, so you answer all of them. Sam is a classmate, so a friendly but polite tone works well.
Write for an Academic Discussion
Academic Discussion
Community Gardens Versus Parks
Doctor Achebe
Claire
I think this is a great idea because small gardens are much more practical for busy people. Most residents don't have time to travel across town to a massive park, but they can easily visit a local garden on their street. This ensures that more people actually benefit from green space and fresh air every single day.
Paul
I disagree because small gardens cannot provide the same ecological benefits as a large park. Big parks support diverse wildlife and help cool down the entire city's temperature, which a tiny garden simply can't do. Furthermore, large parks offer enough space for major recreational activities like sports and concerts that bring the whole community together.
Time is up. Like the real test, the editor is now locked. Select Start over to practice again.
StudyGround tip: give your opinion in the first sentence, then answer Claire or Paul, then add a reason of your own. A new reason or example is stronger than repeating what the students wrote.
Scoring
How Writing Is Scored
| Task | Items | Scoring | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build a Sentence | 10 | Machine-scored (right or wrong) | 1 point each |
| Write an Email | 1 | AI-scored | Up to 5 points |
| Write for an Academic Discussion | 1 | AI-scored | Up to 5 points |
Build a Sentence items are marked right or wrong by computer. Your email and your discussion post are each scored up to 5 points by the automated system that ETS (the company that makes the TOEFL) uses.
ETS says scoring looks at how clearly and effectively you share your ideas. You do not need a perfect first draft. Small errors matter less than writing that is clear and fits the task.
Misconceptions
Three Common Misconceptions
"Longer is always better." Length alone does not raise your score. A short answer that covers the task with connected ideas does better than a long one that goes off topic or repeats itself.
"Difficult vocabulary impresses the scorer." Big words do not make writing better by themselves. A clear, accurate answer is worth more than an impressive-sounding one that misses the question.
"You need a perfect first draft." What you type in the test room is a first draft. Use the last minute or two to check word order and verb forms. That alone removes many small errors.
Watch
Watch: Understanding TOEFL Writing
Watch Daniel’s Writing overview for a step-by-step walkthrough of the section.
StudyGround · TOEFL 2026If the video does not load, watch on YouTube ↗
Next steps
Continue Learning: TOEFL Writing
Once you understand the format, practice one task at a time. StudyGround has a practice set for each Writing task.
