-3 days to the test: independent writing

[m@zzi]

So, this is one of my last effort for the preparation to the TOEFL.

Here it is my independent writing. I rate my integrated taks 3.5
Please rate this one for me.

PS: can I also post some of my speaking attempts in the speaking section of the forum? I really need some feedbacks since it is my weakest part for the exam (and I need a 24!!!).

Our past experiences shape the way we look at people and the world around us.
What are some of the experiences that have shaped your outlook and the way you live now?

Past experiences can build up our own character and personality. In my opinion, some choices made when you are a teenager are crucial in developing who you are nowadays. Think about your friends, your education, your lifestyle. I am sure you can link everything that characterizes you to some main choices or experiences you have done in your life. This is also my case and I am going to describe the most important ones.

To begin with, the choice of my high school was very important. In Italy you have to make this choice at the age of 14. Even if your current teachers suggest which school be best for you, it is not always an easy task. However, I was able to choose a scientific school with an heavy mathematical oriented program. This turned out to be a brilliant choice, since now I have got a master degree in mathematics. If I had not choosen this type of school when I was younger, nowadays I could still be struggling in some others majors, without discovering my real passion.

In addition to the decision of my high school, joining a basketball team has helped me a lot. I started playing basketball at the age of 7, but I really joined a team at the age of 12. I do not have the necessary experience to state this as a general claim for every sport or every team, but the friendship and kindness I found in such a team were outstanding. Maybe the fact that a basketball team only counts 15 people helps to build a solid group, but I can assure that joining it has helped me socializing with others more than attending lectures at school. This was a crucial aspect in such a difficult age, the first year of teen ages, and if today I am not a shy person and I cannot find myself having any kind of problem talking with new people I have to say thanks mainly to this experience.

Finally, in combination with the choice of my high school and the joining of a basketball team, my last year experience studying as an exchange student in Denmark has widen my personal perspective about living in a foreign country. It was my first, and unique for now, experience living by myself, far from my family for more than a couple of weeks. Of course I was able to learn how to cook, how to handle little common problems happening in a house, how to clean it and so on. But the most valuable lesson I had from this experience is that one day I coul live and work very far from my country without facing very big difficulties. I did not miss my family very much, even if I had calls two or three times in a week, and I did not find myself struggling with a foreign culture and habits. This has convinced me to look for advanced education in a foreign country and this the reason why I am taking this English test.

In considering which past experiences have shaped my actual personality, I have described the choice of my high scool; the joining of a basketball team; and my recent experience in Denmark. In my view these were the main choices and experiences that have defined the way I am living right now. Change or delete a single one of these, and I would be a different person.

TOEFL listening discussions: Why did the young woman sit in the rear seat of the car?

[Luschen]

Please post your speaking task in the speaking section - I would be interested in hearing it.

[m@zzi]

ok in 2-3 hours or so I will make a lot of tasks for you ;-)
thank you so much