Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an English proficiency exam for students wanting to study abroad for their graduation or post-graduation especially at the North American universities. The test conducted for over 4 to 4.5 hours is divided into 4 sections- reading, listening, speaking and writing. In the writing section, students have to write essays. Many students take TOEFL training in Delhi coaching centres to sharpen their English knowledge.
Here are 6 common TOEFL essay mistakes:
1. Use of abbreviations and slangs
In today’s age of smartphones and internet, there is rampant use of abbreviations by students of all age groups. Though abbreviation is cool in online messages, in academic essays, abbreviations are a strict no. Using modern slangs like gonna, wanna, blah blah blah, etc. may be relevant in friends’ circles but it can lower your essay marks considerably in TOEFL exam.
2. Writing an essay in complex language
Students have a wrong notion that using difficult English words impresses the assessor and he gives more marks for it. In reality, TOEFL always welcomes essays that conveys the message in simple and lucid language. Sometimes when you use complicated words, there’s high chance of grammatical error or spelling mistake.
3. Beginning sentences with conjunctions
It’s a bad habit amongst students to start sentences with conjunctions like and, but, or, etc. It reflects poorly of his calibre in English language in the minds of the assessor. Conjunctions should be used only for joining words, phrases or sentences.
4. Writing big paragraphs
Candidates must avoid writing run-on paragraphs comprising dozens of sentences. TOEFL assessors may find it boring to read long paragraphs. Ideally 4 short, crisp and informative paragraphs are enough to score high marks in essay. You can also write 5 paragraphs if time permits but shouldn’t exceed five.
5. Keeping a paragraph or an idea incomplete
Whenever you are conveying an idea in a paragraph you must ensure that the idea is given complete fruition. Ending a paragraph in just two three lines will always leave the examiner unimpressed. It is important to support your idea with 3-4 sentences and each sentences must end with proper punctuations.
6. Not going through the essay after completion
It has been observed that those students who check their essays after completion always scores high marks in TOEFL exam. In a time-bound exam like TOEFL, normally students write hurriedly and carelessly resulting in numerous grammatical as well as spelling errors. You must always keep a couple of minutes for rechecking your essay in TOEFL exam in order to make it error free.
The only way to improve the essay writing skill is by practicing more and more essays before the test. An avid reader is also a good essay writer since he can organize an idea very well. So, the only way to avoid making mistakes in the essay is by taking essay mock tests at TOEFL training institute in Delhi and by reading newspaper articles and magazines.
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