The Test of Written English (TWE) is a required component of the Computer-Based TOEFL and is designed to give you a chance to compose an essay under a thirty minute time constraint. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate academic writing proficiency in the following areas:
1. To generate and organize ideas on paper.
2. To support those ideas with evidence or examples.
3. To use the conventions of standard written English.
The purpose of the TWE, which was introduced in July 1986, is to give you, a nonnative speaker whose first language is not English, an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to express ideas in acceptable written English in response to an assigned task and topic.
TWE test results can assist institutions in evaluating your academic writing proficiency and in placing you in appropriate writing courses.
Educational Testing Service gives the following information about the scoring procedures for the TWE:
All Test of Written English (TWE®) essay readings are conducted in a central location under standardized procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the essay scores. Readers for the TWE test are primarily English and English as a second language (ESL) writing specialists affiliated with accredited colleges, universities, and secondary schools in the United States and Canada. In order to be invited to serve as a reader, an individual must have read successfully for at least one other ETS program or must qualify at a TWE reader training session. Each essay is scored by two readers working independently. The score assigned to an essay is derived by averaging the two independent ratings or, in the case of a discrepancy of more than one point, by the adjudication of the score by a reading manager. For example, if the first reader assigns a score of 5 to an essay and the second reader also assigns it a score of 5, 5 is the score reported for that essay. If the first reader assigns a score of 5 and the second reader assigns a score of 4, the two scores are averaged and a score of 4.5 is reported. However, if the first reader assigns a score of 5 to an essay and the second reader assigns it a 3, the scores are considered discrepant. In this case, a third reader scores the essay to adjudicate the score.
To date, more than 2,800,000 TWE essays have been scored, resulting in some 5,600,000 readings. Discrepancy rates for the TWE readings have been extremely low, usually ranging from 1 to 2 percent per reading. Educational Testing Service. http://www.TOEFL.org May 8, 2002. Princeton, New Jersey.
TWE Scores
Six levels of writing proficiency are reported for the TWE test, the scores ranging from 6 to 1. A score between two points on the scale (5.5, 4.5, 3.5, 2.5, 1.5) can also be reported. The following codes and explanations may also appear on your TWE score report:
1NR Examinee did not write an essay.
OFF Examinee did not write on the assigned topic.
* TWE not offered on this test date.
** TWE score not available.
Readers will assign scores based on the following scoring guide. Though you might be asked to write on a specific topic, parts of the topic may be treated by implication. Readers should focus on what you do well.
WHAT DOES A TWE SCORE INDICATE?
Below are 10 TWE essay prompts, followed by a discussion as to what is needed in order to score a 6.0. Click on the list to see an essay for each rated 6.0.
| 1. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important. |
| General criteria for this essay:
To score a "6," an essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the three requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must give at least two qualities which make someone a good roommate. Second, the writer must adequately support the qualities of a good roommate with specific reasons and examples. Third, through the specific reasons and examples given in the essay, the writer should show why the qualities are important. The writer may do this either explicitly or implicitly. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Dancing plays an important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. |
| General
criteria for this essay:
To score a "6," an essay will have a very well organized argument supported by specific reasons and examples to show whether or not dancing plays an important role in a culture. Not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. The writer should give two or more reasons to support his argument. The essay will have a high level of polish but may have minor errors in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 3. Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. |
| General
criteria for this essay:
To score a "6," an essay will have a well organized argument supported by specific reasons and examples to show which position the writer agrees with. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. The writer may acknowledge the opposing position, but he will refute it with well chosen examples and apt reasons. The essay will have a high level of polish but may have minor errors in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 4. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer. |
| General
criteria for this essay:
To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the two requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must give at least two ways to reduce stress. Second, the writer must show with specific reasons and examples how the two ways will be effective in reducing the stresses of modern life. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. |
| General
criteria for this essay:
To score a "6," an essay will have a well organized argument supported by specific reasons and examples to show whether or not teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. The writer should give two or more reasons to support his argument. The essay will have a high level of polish but may have minor errors in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 6. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question. |
| To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the two requirements of the assignment. First, focusing on a singular idea, the writer must identify an important characteristic for success. The characteristic chosen could be honesty, intelligence, or a sense of humor, or it may be a topic of the writer's preference. Second, the writer must use specific reasons and examples from his experience in explaining why the characteristic is important in helping a person be successful. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 7. It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by society? Give specific reasons to support your answer. |
| To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the three requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must compare (i.e., show similarities) the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Second, not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position by choosing either the artist or the scientist as the one who makes the most important contributions to society. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. Third, the writer should give two or more reasons to support his argument. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 8. Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference. |
| To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the three requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must compare (i.e., show similarities) the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Second, not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position by choosing which place he prefers to live. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. Third, the writer should give two or more reasons to support his argument. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 9. You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice. |
| To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the three requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must compare (i.e., show similarities) different kinds of transportation he could use. This implies that the writer discuss at least two or more differing transportation methods. Second, not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position by identifying which method of transportation he would use. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. Third, the writer should give two or more reasons to show why he would choose this method of transportation. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |
| 10. Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why. |
| To score a "6," the essay will be a well organized one that accomplishes the four requirements of the assignment. First, the writer must OBJECTIVELY discuss why a college or university education should be available to all students. Second, the writer must OBJECTIVELY discuss why a higher education should be available only to good students Third, not waffling on the issue, the writer should take a position by choosing which view he is in agreement with. The argument should be logical and plausible and cause the reader to reconsider his point of view if he is in disagreement or cause the reader to further bolster his position if he is in agreement. Fourth, the writer should give two or more reasons to show why he agrees with one of the viewpoints. The essay will have a high degree of grammatical correctness and syntactic variety but may have slight flaws in writing, consistent with timed, first draft prose. |