Chevalier de Seingalt - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test with Sample Answers
"Prepare for the TOEFL Writing Integrated task with our practice test on the topic "Chevalier de Seingalt" and enhance your reading, and writing skills."
Key Highlights
The TOEFL iBT® exam assesses a candidate's academic communication skills, with the writing section being particularly significant. The first writing task, known as the Integrated Writing Task, requires candidates to showcase their ability to combine information from various sources.
During the Integrated Writing task, you'll need to carefully read a brief passage and then listen to a corresponding lecture using the provided headphones. After the lecture, the passage will reappear on your screen along with instructions for the writing task. In a time frame of 20 minutes, you must construct a response that effectively blends insights from both sources.
So, we present you a test paper on the topic "Chevalier de Seingalt" to help you identify areas for improvement and work towards achieving your desired TOEFL iBT® score!
Writing Instructions
- You'll read a passage on an academic topic and listen to a corresponding lecture.
- You may take notes while reading and listening to aid comprehension.
- Then you will write a response to a question that asks you about the relationship between the lecture you heard and the reading passage.
- Answer the question comprehensively using information from both the reading and the lecture. Avoid expressing personal opinions in the response.
- You may refer to the reading passage again or may use your notes to help you answer the question.
- There is no strict word limit. However, an effective response is considered to be within 150 to 225 words.
- Your response will be assessed based on writing quality, content accuracy, and completeness.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Chevalier de Seingalt
In his final years, the Chevalier de Seingalt (1725-1798) penned an extensive memoir chronicling his life and escapades. While the Chevalier's encounters with numerous renowned individuals, such as monarchs and writers, render his memoir a valuable historical account of European society during the eighteenth century, his reputation remains somewhat controversial. Doubts have arisen among critics regarding the accuracy of the memoir, with some asserting that the Chevalier embellished or fabricated numerous events to portray his life as more thrilling and glamorous than it truly was.
In his memoir, the Chevalier asserts his affluent status while residing in Switzerland, citing lavish expenditures on parties and gambling. However, recent findings suggest he borrowed substantial sums from a Swiss merchant, casting doubt on his proclaimed wealth. Critics contend that borrowing money contradicts the notion of true affluence.
Furthermore, skeptics challenge the authenticity of the dialogues between the Chevalier and Voltaire, acknowledging their encounter but questioning the accuracy of recorded conversations. Given the memoir's composition years after these exchanges, critics argue against its ability to faithfully capture detailed discussions from the distant past.
The memoir's narrative of the Chevalier's escape from a Venetian prison also faces scrutiny. While he describes a daring ascent through the ceiling, skeptics propose alternative theories, suggesting the possibility of bribery to secure his release. Considering the Chevalier's influential connections in Venice, critics suggest that bribery was a more plausible means of escape than the depicted daring ascent.
Now play the audio.
Question
Provide a condensed overview of the lecture's arguments, emphasizing their relevance to the assertions made in the reading passage.
Response Time: 20 minutes
Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Chevalier de Seingalt
Narrator: Now, hear an excerpt from a lecture discussing the topic covered in the passage you just read.
Female Professor: While no memoir can claim absolute accuracy, the Chevalier's account remains largely dependable and serves as a valuable historical document. Let's examine the validity of the three incidents highlighted in the reading.
Firstly, regarding the loan from the merchant: This doesn't necessarily imply the Chevalier's financial destitution. Allow me to elaborate. In Switzerland, the Chevalier indulged in lavish spending on social gatherings and gambling, indicative of his wealth. However, his assets were primarily in non-liquid forms, requiring time to convert into cash. Therefore, when funds ran low, he resorted to borrowing temporarily while he had to wait for his money — but that’s not called being poor!
Secondly, regarding the conversations with Voltaire: The Chevalier asserts in his memoir that following each interaction with Voltaire, he diligently documented the details of their discussions. It appears that he maintained these records for an extended period and referenced them while composing his memoir. Witnesses who resided with the Chevalier later in his life attest to his consistent practice of consulting notes and journals during the memoir's composition.
Thirdly, concerning the Chevalier's escape from the prison in Venice: It's noteworthy that even prisoners with more influential connections than the Chevalier failed to secure their release through bribery. Hence, it seems improbable that bribery facilitated his escape. Compelling evidence emerges from ancient Venetian governmental records indicating that repairs were made to the ceiling of his former prison cell shortly after his escape. This raises the question: Why repair the ceiling if not to address the escape method described by the Chevalier?
In conclusion, while Chevalier de Scingalt's memoir presents a rich narrative of his life and adventures, critics have cast doubt on its accuracy, alleging embellishment to enhance the excitement and allure of his experiences.
For example, in his memoir, the Chevalier asserts that during his residence in Switzerland, he enjoyed significant wealth, evident from his lavish expenditures on festivities and gambling. However, recent revelations suggest that he borrowed substantial sums from a Swiss merchant. Critics contend that if the Chevalier truly possessed great wealth, borrowing money would have been unnecessary.
Moreover, critics express skepticism regarding the accuracy of the conversations documented by the Chevalier between himself and the renowned writer Voltaire. Although the authenticity of their encounters is undisputed, critics argue that recalling precise dialogues from conversations held years ago is implausible. Memories of extensive discussions from distant pasts are unlikely to be accurately captured in the memoir.
Furthermore, critics scrutinize the memoir's portrayal of the Chevalier's escape from a notorious Venetian prison. According to his narrative, he engineered his liberation by fashioning a hole in the prison ceiling with a piece of metal and ascending through it. However, critics suggest that such a daring escape may have been embellished for dramatic effect, proposing instead that the Chevalier's release could have been secured through bribery. They highlight the Chevalier's influential connections in Venice, positing that his associates may have facilitated his freedom by bribing his captors.
Curious about what a good TOEFL score looks like? Check it out first, then explore the Integrated Writing sample answers!
Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Chevalier de Seingalt
A comprehensive analysis of various responses is provided below. This analysis incorporates both mid-level and high-level perspectives, enabling you to identify areas requiring improvement to achieve your target score.
Mid-level Response
The lecture provides compelling arguments countering the doubts raised in the reading passage regarding the accuracy of the Chevalier's memoir. First, it challenges the notion of borrowing money contradicts the Chevalier's claim of wealth in Switzerland. Instead, it suggests that need for a loan could arose from the time required to convert assets into cash, rather than indicating financial insolvency. This perspective suggests that his financial situation might have been more complex than implied. Secondly, the lecture substantiates the credibility of the Chevalier's recorded conversations with Voltaire by highlighting his meticulous note-taking practices. This further supported by corroborative witness testimonies, which suggest that the memoir's recollections might indeed be reliable despite the passage of time. Lastly, concerning the Chevalier's escape from a Venetian prison, the lecture presents historical evidence of repairs to the prison ceiling following his purported escape. This cast doubt on the alternative hypothesis of bribery proposed in the reading passage. (155 words)
Rater’s Comments
The response effectively expands on the arguments presented in the lecture, providing detailed explanations and examples to support each point. However, there are still some minor grammatical errors and awkward phrasings present. Nonetheless, it demonstrates a solid understanding of the lecture's content and effectively addresses the skepticism outlined in the reading passage, indicating a mid-level proficiency in writing. Despite minor errors, overall language clarity is maintained, with no significant hindrance to comprehension.
High-level Response
In my opinion, the lecture meticulously dismantles the doubts raised by the reading passage concerning the veracity of Chevalier's memoir, presenting compelling counterarguments supported by evidence and reasoning. Firstly, it deftly refutes the inference drawn from the Chevalier's borrowing of money, asserting that such transactions don't necessarily negate his claims of wealth but could stem from logistical delays in converting assets to cash. This nuanced understanding of financial dynamics contextualizes the Chevalier's actions within a broader framework of economic pragmatism.
Secondly, the lecture dispels skepticism surrounding the accuracy of conversations with Voltaire by elucidating the Chevalier's meticulous note-taking practices and providing testimonies from contemporaries corroborating his commitment to documenting his interactions. This robust defense of the memoir's reliability over time highlights the meticulousness of the Chevalier's archival methods and underscores the enduring value of his firsthand accounts.
Lastly, historical evidence of repairs to the prison ceiling following the Chevalier's escape from Venice lends credence to his daring narrative, countering claims of bribery and reinforcing the authenticity of his memoir. By meticulously addressing each skepticism raised in the reading passage, the lecture convincingly establishes Chevalier's memoir as a credible historical source, enriching our understanding of eighteenth-century European society. (197 words)
Rater’s Comments
The response offers a comprehensive and articulate overview of the lecture's arguments, effectively synthesizing evidence and reasoning to counter the doubts raised in the reading passage. The candidate demonstrates a high level of proficiency in integrating key points from the lecture and presenting them cohesively to support their argument. However, a few minor grammatical errors and awkward phrasings slightly detract from the overall clarity and fluency of the response. Nonetheless, the candidate exhibits a strong understanding of the lecture's content and skillfully crafts a compelling argument.
Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Chevalier de Seingalt
To excel in the Integrated Writing Task section, the implementation of effective strategies is paramount. The following tips aim to equip you with the necessary tools to approach this task with confidence.
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Begin by carefully reading the prompt to grasp the specific task you need to accomplish in your essay. Identify the main points and requirements outlined in the prompt.
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Pay close attention to the lecture presented in the audio clip. Take notes on key arguments, examples, and evidence presented by the speaker to refute or support the assertions made in the reading passage.
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After listening to the lecture, revisit the reading passage. Analyze the claims made in the passage about the Chevalier de Seingalt's memoir and note any evidence or examples provided to support these claims.
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Identify areas of agreement and disagreement between the reading passage and the lecture. Look for discrepancies, contradictions, or additional information provided in the lecture that challenges the assertions made in the reading passage.
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Structure your response with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction, paraphrase the prompt and outline your response. In the body paragraphs, present your analysis of the reading passage and the lecture, citing specific examples and evidence.
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Incorporate specific examples from both the reading passage and the lecture to support your analysis. Quote directly from the audio clip and reading passage to strengthen your argument and demonstrate understanding.
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Ensure that your essay flows smoothly and logically. Use cohesive devices such as transition words, pronouns, and parallel structure to connect ideas and maintain coherence.
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