Have you ever needed to write an argument essay on the TOEFL writing section, the independent task? Various categories of topics exist on the independent writing, one being make an argument. Clearly, it is important to know each category of the topics in order to address the question more readily in a particular writing. Becoming familiar with the make an argument list of topics below will help you become prepared for a potential topic you may receive on the day of the exam. Once you know these argument topics, you will be apt to tackle the argumentative essay.

1. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
2. Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
3. Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
4. What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.
5. Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
6. In general, people living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
7. We all work or will work in jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important of a good co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.
8. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.
9. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
10. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it, or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
11. What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
12. Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
13. What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
14. A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
15. What do you want most in a friend–someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.
16. Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
17. Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
18. If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.
19. Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
20. Which would you choose–a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.
21. Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
22. Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
23. Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use specific reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
24. Some people think the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creaste problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
25. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
26. If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
27. What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
28. If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history, what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
29. If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
30. Many students have to live with a roommate 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.
31. People have different ways of escaping the stress 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.
32. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.
33. 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. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
34. Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available to only good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why?
35. The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community should be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion. (Discuss both.)
36. Some people trust their first impressions about a person’s character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person’s character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples. (Discuss BOTH ATTITUDES in the essay.)
37. Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Give specific reasons and details to support your answer.
38. A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation.
39. Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. (Discuss both.)
40. Some high schools required all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
41. If you could make one important change in a school that you attended, what change would you make? Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
42. A gift (such as a camera, soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you five to help a child develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.
43. Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
44. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
45. You school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
46. Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.
47. What is the most important animal in your country? Why is this animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.
48. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
49. In some countries people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.
50. Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
51. When famous people such as actors, athletes, and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
52. The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.
53. Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
54. Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
55. People recognize a difference between children and adults. What events (experience or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.
56. Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy–computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your recommendation.
57. Imagine you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
58. A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either to go on a vacation/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.
59. In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural condition or is there more for land to be developed for housing and industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
60. Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
61. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.
62. Of three government environmental policies–protect nature’s forests, protect clean air, and protect clean water–which is the best policy? What should the government do in those three cases?

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