Writing: Write for an Academic Discussion

To give special importance to a fact or idea.

“I want to emphasize that these dates are still uncertain.”

“The professor emphasized the role of trade in the city's growth.”

Often used: emphasize the importance · strongly emphasize · I'd like to emphasize

TOEFL tip: Phrases like 'I want to emphasize' are direct exam signals — such sentences appear almost verbatim in correct answer choices.

To offer an idea or plan for someone to think about.

“I suggest meeting earlier in the day.”

“May I suggest an alternative date?”

Often used: suggest a solution · may I suggest · suggest an alternative

TOEFL tip: Follow 'suggest' with an -ing verb ('suggest meeting') to avoid a common grammar error.

Officially acceptable and able to be used, usually for a stated period.

“This pass is valid for thirty days from the date of purchase.”

“Please bring a valid form of photo identification.”

Often used: valid for · valid until · a valid ticket

TOEFL tip: 'Valid for' signals duration and 'valid until' signals an end date — read the preposition carefully before choosing a date answer.

To give reasons for or against an idea in order to persuade others.

“I would argue that flexible schedules make students more productive, not less.”

“The professor argues that both factors influence the result equally.”

Often used: argue that · argue for · argue against

TOEFL tip: Open your position with 'I would argue that...' to sound academic without saying the plain 'I think'.

To state that something is true, usually without yet proving it.

“Some students claim that online classes reduce motivation.”

“The article claims that remote work lowers stress levels.”

Often used: claim that · a bold claim · support a claim

TOEFL tip: Use 'claim' to summarize a classmate's point neutrally before you agree or push back on it.

To make an idea clearer by giving an example or story.

“To illustrate this point, consider what happened in Iceland in 1783.”

“The graph illustrates how quickly the population recovered.”

Often used: to illustrate this point · illustrate the concept · clearly illustrates

TOEFL tip: 'To illustrate' introduces an example, and TOEFL loves asking 'Why does the professor mention X?' — the answer is usually 'to illustrate' the preceding idea.

To suggest something indirectly without stating it openly.

“The author implies that early maps were symbolic rather than accurate.”

“These findings imply a much earlier date of human settlement.”

Often used: strongly imply · the passage implies · imply that

TOEFL tip: Inference questions frequently ask what a paragraph 'implies'; the correct answer is a small logical step from the text, never a large assumption.

In the end; used to state a final result or the most basic point.

“Ultimately, the colony was abandoned after three harsh winters.”

“What matters ultimately is whether the model predicts new data.”

Often used: ultimately led to · ultimately, the question is · ultimately responsible

TOEFL tip: Near the end of a lecture, 'ultimately' usually introduces the take-away message tested by the final purpose question.

To state firmly that something is true, often without giving proof.

“Critics assert that the survey ignored rural populations entirely.”

“The passage asserts a link between deforestation and local rainfall decline.”

Often used: assert that · boldly assert · assert a claim

TOEFL tip: Rhetorical Purpose questions often use stance verbs in the answer choices; 'assert' means the author states without evidence, so don't pick it when the paragraph actually presents data — pick 'demonstrate' or 'establish' instead.

Introduces a clause that contrasts with or concedes something to the main clause.

“Although the study was small, its findings were widely cited.”

“The team finished the project on time, although two members were absent.”

Often used: although it is · although there are · although some people

TOEFL tip: In Build a Sentence, 'although' must start a full clause (subject + verb) and can sit either first or in the middle — but never before a noun alone; use 'despite' for that.

Used to introduce a fact that contrasts with what was said before.

“The theory was elegant. However, it failed to predict the 1998 data.”

“Most students expect a simple answer; the evidence, however, is mixed.”

Often used: however, in reality · there is, however · however, this changed

TOEFL tip: Information after 'however' usually corrects a common assumption, and correct answers often come from that corrected version.

In addition to what has just been said.

“Furthermore, the treaty was never ratified by the northern states.”

“The method is cheap and, furthermore, extremely fast.”

Often used: furthermore, research shows · and furthermore · furthermore, unlike

TOEFL tip: Hearing 'furthermore' means the current subtopic is not finished — keep your note under the same heading instead of starting a new one.

In addition to what has already been said, and often more importantly.

“The soil is poor; moreover, the growing season is extremely short.”

“Moreover, the technique requires no specialized equipment.”

Often used: moreover, the evidence · moreover, it is · and moreover

TOEFL tip: In Insert Text questions, 'Moreover' must follow a sentence making a similar point, never a contrasting one.

Used to compare two things by showing how they differ.

“Deciduous trees shed their leaves annually, whereas conifers retain theirs.”

“Whereas the northern colony grew rapidly, the southern one stagnated.”

Often used: whereas in contrast · whereas others · whereas previously

TOEFL tip: Sentence Simplification answers must keep 'whereas' contrasts intact; eliminate options that merge the two contrasted ideas into one.