Can Sustainable Tourism Help Conserve Natural Resources - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT^® exam assesses a candidate's ability to write academically in the Writing Section by looking if the candidate could successfully organise the ideas coherently. 

In this Writing Academic Discussion practice test on 'Can Sustainable Tourism Help Conserve Natural Resources', you will hear a lecture on a certain subject from a professor in the Academic Discussion activity. Following that, you'll have to voice your opinion and provide relevant justification for the same.

Let's begin the test paper on "Can Sustainable Tourism Help Conserve Natural Resources" to familiarise yourself with the structure used in TOEFL Academic Discussion practice exam.

Writing Instructions:

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic. 
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instruction: Your professor is teaching a class on environmental science. Write a post responding to the professors question. In your response, you should

1. express and support your personal opinion
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words. 

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Today, were going to discuss the role of sustainable tourism in conserving natural resources. Sustainable tourism aims to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on the environment while supporting conservation efforts. Do you think sustainable tourism can effectively help conserve natural resources? Why or why not?

Sophie: I think sustainable tourism can really help conserve natural resources. By supporting eco-friendly practices, like reducing waste and saving water, tourism can lower its environmental impact. For example, eco-friendly hotels often use renewable energy sources and support local conservation projects. Also, sustainable tourism can make tourists more aware of the importance of preserving natural areas, leading to more responsible behavior.

Daniel: While sustainable tourism has good intentions, I'm doubtful about its overall usefulness. Many tourists might not follow eco-friendly rules, and the facilities needed to support tourism can still harm the environment. For instance, building roads and hotels in remote areas can disturb local ecosystems. Additionally, the increased number of visitors can put extra pressure on natural resources, potentially leading to their depletion rather than conservation.

Before delving into sample responses, let us examine the parameters of a strong TOEFL score!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on Can Sustainable Tourism Help Conserve Natural Resources

Below are the two responses for the Academic Discussion Writing question where one of them showcases a mid-level proficiency while the other exhibits a high level of skills. Through examining the distinctions, you will acquire valuable insights into the components that lead to attaining an exceptional score in the Writing section.

Score 3 Response

I think sustainable tourism can help conserve natural resources, but it has some challenges. For example, eco-friendly hotels can reduce waste and save water, which is good for the environment. However, not all tourists follow the rules, and some might still harm the environment. Also, building new facilities like hotels and roads can disturb local ecosystems. But, if we have strict regulations and educate tourists about the importance of conservation, sustainable tourism can be more effective. Overall, it has potential, but we need to address the issues to make it work better. (Word Count - 92)

Rater’s Comment

This response is moderately effective in addressing the prompt but lacks depth and clarity in its argument. The student acknowledges both the benefits and challenges of sustainable tourism, such as eco-friendly hotels reducing waste and water usage, and the potential harm caused by tourists who do not follow rules. However, the response is somewhat vague and does not provide specific examples or detailed reasoning to support these points. The mention of strict regulations and tourist education as solutions is a positive contribution, but it is not elaborated upon. Additionally, there are minor grammatical issues, such as redundancy in "reduce waste and save water, which is good for the environment" and incorrect linking word usage in "However, not all tourists follow the rules, and some might still harm the environment." These errors slightly hinder the overall clarity and coherence of the response. While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could be improved with more specific examples and a clearer structure.

Score 5 Response

Sustainable tourism indeed holds significant potential for conserving natural resources. Unlike Daniel, I believe that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For instance, eco-friendly hotels and tour operators often implement practices such as waste reduction, water conservation, and the use of renewable energy. These measures can substantially lower the environmental footprint of tourism. Moreover, sustainable tourism can serve as an educational tool, raising awareness among tourists about the importance of preserving natural habitats. This heightened awareness can lead to more responsible behavior, such as reducing litter and respecting wildlife. While it's true that infrastructure development can impact ecosystems, careful planning and regulation can mitigate these effects. For example, building eco-lodges instead of large hotels can minimize habitat disruption. Therefore, with proper management and tourist education, sustainable tourism can be a powerful tool for natural resource conservation. (Word count - 135 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear, well-developed argument and logical structure. The student effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a strong stance in favor of sustainable tourism, countering Daniel's skepticism with specific examples and reasoning. The mention of eco-friendly hotels and tour operators implementing waste reduction, water conservation, and renewable energy practices provides concrete evidence supporting the argument. Additionally, the response highlights the educational aspect of sustainable tourism, emphasizing how it can lead to more responsible tourist behavior. The student also acknowledges potential drawbacks, such as infrastructure development, but offers solutions like careful planning and the construction of eco-lodges to mitigate these impacts. This balanced approach demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion. The response is well-organized, coherent, and free from major grammatical errors, making it easy to follow and understand.

Finally, you can attempt the practice question and share your response in the comments! Our TOEFL experts would provide constructive feedback which would help you achieve your target score!  Let's improve your writing skills together!

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