对于很多TOEFLer来说，托福独立写作最让人惆怅的并不是不会写，而是不知道该写啥?托福独立写作部分话题涉及各类领域，考察考生对特定话题的独立观点阐述， 而让很多考生感到头疼的恰恰不是语言表达本身，而是拿到题目不知从何写起，遇到自己之前不熟悉不了解的话题，往往大脑一片空白。还有些同学因此走极端开始进行各类素材的疯狂记忆积累，背到最后舌头打结却并不能清楚明晰自己到底都背了啥。
其实，托福独立写作的思路拓展我们完全可以“功夫在平时”，通过日常阅读和听力材料积累必要的话题素材，不求字字句句铭记只需大概了解特定范畴，再在日常托福备考中注意练习应用，学会触类旁通融会贯通，考场上自然可以心中有数。下面我们来看一些和成功有关的话题素材拓展。
Sample Question：
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is easier to succeed nowadays than in the past.
一个人的成功会被哪些因素影响呢?这些因素古往今来是否有所变化呢?
Factor 1: ability (能力)
包括知识储备(knowledge reserves)，沟通技巧(communication skills)，抗挫折能力(ability to resist setback)和情商(emotion quality)。
Sample Sentences:
1. In the last century, it’s hard to obtain information because of the lack of technology, while currently we can access to any information in seconds.
2. In the past, someone possessed a special skill could succeed easily, however, it’s no longer feasible nowadays since the exploration of knowledge.
Factor 2: Partner(合作伙伴)
换个方式说就是teamwork的重要性。过去一个裁缝可以开裁缝铺给人做衣服糊口，现在讲究teamwork，要有合作精神。但实际上要想做大做强，任何人都需要与他人合作。所以其实在任何时代，合作伙伴的忠诚度(loyalty)和契合度(compatibility)对成功都是至关重要的。
Sample sentences:
1. Twenty years ago, people could achieve success by working alone, such as starting a personal business, however, after the industrialization, cooperation have became one of the most important factors for success.
2. In fact, it’s essential to cooperate if one wants to succeed. As a consequence, no matter in any times, the degree of loyalty and compatibility of partners is crucial.
Factor 3: Competition(竞争)
在很大程度上，成功是一个相对性(relative)的概念，而非绝对性的(absolute)概念，也就是说衡量一个人是否成功在于他在某个特定的圈子中能否脱颖而出。所以，竞争环境(competitive environment)是一个重要的影响因素(factor)。
Sample sentences:
1. As the explosion of population, the world has been becoming increasing competitive; as a consequence, it’s harder to stand out nowadays than in the past.
2. Competition and opportunities coexist, the more competitive, the more opportunities there are. Consequently, it’s not sensible to assert it’s easier to succeed in our age than in the past.