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If you wish to pass your TOEFL ITP exam with a good score, it is important to learn everything you can about all of the sections. In this article we will go over the TOEFL ITP writing section. It is called Structure and Written Expression. Like the other sections of the TOEFL ITP test, the questions are all multiple choice. How many questions, time, and scoring range depending on if you are taking the level 1 or level 2 exam. The aim of this part of the exam is to test your recognition of structural and grammatical points in standard written English. This is the part where your understanding of grammar is really tested! 

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What does the test format look like for the TOEFL ITP structure and written expression paper?

Well, you have to pick A, B, C or D as an answer and correctly, and very carefully, mark it on a separate answer sheet. This is really important! This exam paper is a test of your ability to understand English grammar and structure. If you are just using the same ones over and over again, you are going to need to study hard for this part. 

Here is a summary of the test details.

 Level 1Level 2
Scoring range31-6820-50
Time25 minutes17 minutes
Number of questions4025

As you can see from the table, it’s less than 1 minute per question. So you really need to know your stuff! Like all multiple choice questions, if you really don’t know then make a guess. You have a 1 in 4 chance it will be right!

Practice the Writing section of the TOEFL ITP.

Let’s look at an example on the TOEFL ITP structure and written expression paper.

Question #1

Advocates __________ on aquarium hobbyists to buy only fish bred in captivity.

  • A. have called
  • B. are called
  • C. calls
  • D. is calling

Question #2

Up to 90 percent of saltwater aquarium fish __________ to the U.S. are caught using cyanide.

  • A. import
  • B. importing
  • C. imports
  • D. imported

Question #3

Proponents see endless __________ for the use of solar energy, but others raise questions about cost, efficiency, and durability.

  • A. possible
  • B. possibilities
  • C. possibles
  • D. possibility

(Answers = 1. A; 2. D; 3. B)

What are some tips to help me study for the TOEFL ITP Structure and Written Expression paper?

  • Study, study study!
  • Complete English grammar exercises to help you practice.
  • Take a past paper and get used to using an answer sheet.
  • Take a practice test and time yourself. This will be key to your success.
  • Highlight keywords in the questions
  • Stay calm and don’t panic.
  • If you don’t know the answer, pass it and go back to it later.
  • If you really don’t know, take a guess. It’s best not to leave answer questions unanswered.

Get ready with GlobalExam

Help with your studying is available to you at every turn. The ETS website has some sample past papers with answers that are free for you to use. You can buy TOEFL ITP study books, Google the exam and read what people have said about it etc. And you can let us help you! GlobalExam built an exam study platform just for candidates like you. We put all the materials you need into one place to make studying easier. You can access our online portal from any device, anytime! How awesome is that!. We have areas for past papers, grammar and vocabulary activities, and you can track your progress throughout. 

Get ready for the other sections of the test as well: