TOEFL Outlines ( 1 – 50 ) TOEFL question #16: Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. I. People all over the world enjoy movies. There are many reasons movies are popular. They offer an escape, they provide entertainment and they are generally available everywhere. II. Movies offer an escape a. Some people go to the movies to see how others live b. If you are poor, it is a way to escape that life for a few hours III. Movies provide entertainment a. Movies are fun to watch b. Movies let you imagine what other people’s lives are like c. Movies let you see what you can’t see in your own environment (travel all over the world in a movie) IV. Movies are available everywhere a. Movie theaters can be found in almost every town, all over the world b. If there is no theater, there is usually a video store with movies V. In short, there are many reasons that people enjoy movies. They provide entertainment for some and an escape for others. They all you to dream and show you worlds you might not otherwise see. TOEFL question #17: Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents’ generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. I. Each generation is unique. My parents’ generation is different from my generation in many ways such as: employment, dress, and values. II. Employment a. In my parents’ generation, the husband usually worked and the wife did not. In my generation, 75% of wives work. b. There were many more small, locally owned businesses in my parents’ generation, now there are many more large corporations. III. Dress a. My parents dressed more conservatively .shirts and ties, long dresses. In my generation, people wear anything .short shorts, tight jeans, etc. b. In my parents’ generation, they had to dress up for work but in my generation, more casual dress is usually the norm. IV. Values a. My parents value things like eating dinner together, taking a drive in the country, going to a movie together or attending church. b. In my generation, people are more materialistic and value things: computers, stereos, cars, big houses, and nice yards. V. In short, there are a number of differences in my parents’ generation and in my generation. However, that does not mean one is better than the other .they are just different. TOEFL question #18: You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. I. If I could visit any country in the world for two weeks, I would choose to go to Switzerland. There are many reasons for this choice. II. History a. My ancestors come from Switzerland and I would like to see where they lived b. I could learn more about the history of the country by visiting & see important places III. Beauty a. Switzerland is mountainous and I enjoy going to the mountains b. There are lots of green valleys and high mountains IV. The People a. I could learn more about the culture and customs of my ancestors b. I have heard the people are very friendly and accommodating V. In conclusion, I would like to visit Switzerland to learn more about my own history. I could learn about my ancestors; how they lived, their customs and culture. TOEFL question #19: People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. I. People often remember gifts they were given when the gift was given for a special occasion. They also remember gifts because of the person who gave the gift or because of the meaning of the gift itself. II. Special occasion a. People remember gifts given for special occasions (birthday, graduation, etc) because it is a big day in a person’s life. b. I was given a very special necklace on my 10 th birthday. It had a picture of my mother in it so it was special to me. III. Special person a. People remember the gift because of the special person who gave it to them (grandparent, professor, neighbor) b. My favorite professor gave me a special book when I graduated from college. The fact that he gave it to me made it very special. IV. Meaning of the gift a. People remember gifts that have special meaning (a piece of jewelry you always wanted, a special toy or book). b. I received a beautiful ring that I had wanted for many years but couldn’t afford. When I got the gift, it became very special to me. V. There are many reasons that people remember the gifts they receive. The gift may not be the most important thing. It may be the person who gave the gift of the occasion for the gift. Whatever the reason, gifts are fun to receive but even more fun to give. TOEFL question #20: A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either to go on vacation or to buy a car. Your friend has asked you for advice. Compare your friend’s two choices and explain which one you think your friend should choose. Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. I. There are good reasons to take a vacation and equally good reasons to buy a car. After comparing the two, I would advise my friend to take a vacation rather than to buy a car. II. Longevity a. A car will last about 8 – 10 years but the memories of a vacation will last a lifetime. III. Experience a. A car will take you many places and give you many interesting experiences but a vacation will take you to places that a car cannot and allow you to learn about other cultures. IV. Cost a. A car will cost you more than the purchase price .you need to do maintenance, fill it with gas and keep it in good condition but the cost of a vacation will not increase after you have finished the vacation. V. In conclusion, a vacation will last much longer than a car and cost less overall. My friend should choose to take a vacation that will last a lifetime. As for transportation, he can take the bus! . TOEFL Outlines ( 1 – 50 ) TOEFL question #16 : Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why. special occasions (birthday, graduation, etc) because it is a big day in a person’s life. b. I was given a very special necklace on my 10 th birthday. It