Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL Integrated Writing task, you will examine the topic, ‘Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right?’ This task will require you to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture, each presenting contrasting viewpoints on the issue. By mastering this skill, you will improve your ability to write clear, organized essays, which is crucial for success in the TOEFL Writing section.

Writing Instructions 

• You'll read a passage and listen to a lecture on an academic topic.
• You may take notes while listening to aid comprehension.
• Then you will write a response to a question that asks you about the lecture you heard.
• Answer the question comprehensively using information from the lecture. Avoid expressing personal opinions in the response.
• 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.

The debate over whether access to clean water should be considered a basic human right has gained a lot of attention. Supporters argue that clean water is essential for life and should be available to everyone. Without clean water, people are at risk of waterborne diseases, which can lead to severe health issues and even death. Ensuring access to clean water can significantly reduce the occurrence of such diseases, improving public health and increasing life expectancy.
Another argument for recognizing clean water as a basic human right is its role in promoting social and economic development. Access to clean water is crucial for farming, industry, and daily living. When communities have reliable access to clean water, they can grow crops more effectively, support local businesses, and maintain hygiene standards. This can lead to better economic conditions, reduced poverty, and an improved quality of life.Also, access to clean water is closely linked to education. In many developing regions, children, especially girls, are often tasked with fetching water for their families, which can take several hours each day. This responsibility can prevent them from attending school regularly. By ensuring access to clean water, children can spend more time in school. This leads to better educational outcomes and greater opportunities for future employment.
But some critics argue that while access to clean water is important, labeling it as a basic human right may not be practical. Putting such a policy into action would require significant financial and practical resources, which many governments, especially in developing countries, may not have. There is also the concern that declaring water a human right could lead to overuse and wastage, as people might not value a resource that is provided for free. Additionally, the responsibility of providing clean water could place a heavy burden on already stressed public facilities and resources.

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.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right

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 disagrees with the reading about making access to clean water a basic human right. The reading says clean water is essential for life and should be available to everyone, but the lecture says it would be too expensive for many governments. Building and maintaining water treatment plants and distribution systems costs a lot of money, which many developing countries don't have.The reading also says access to clean water promotes social and economic development. But the lecture points out that providing water for free or at a low cost can lead to overuse and wastage. People might not use water efficiently, especially in areas with water scarcity. Effective management and pricing strategies are needed to ensure sustainable use of water resources.Lastly, the reading links access to clean water with better education, especially for children in developing regions. However, the lecture argues that other barriers to education, like poverty and lack of schools, still exist. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach beyond just providing clean water. Also, declaring water a basic human right could place an unrealistic burden on public facilities, leading to inefficiencies and possible corruption. Private sector involvement might be a more viable solution, but it raises concerns about affordability and fair access.In conclusion, while the reading is positive about making access to clean water a basic human right, the lecture raises important concerns. These include the financial burden on governments, the potential for overuse and wastage, and the broader barriers to education. These points suggest that the issue is more complex than the reading implies.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a mid-level score due to its partial but not comprehensive coverage of the main points from both the reading and the lecture. The essay captures the essence of the lecture's counterarguments but lacks depth and detail in some areas. For example, the first paragraph mentions the financial burden on governments but does not elaborate on why this is significant or how it directly challenges the reading's claims about the essential nature of clean water.The second paragraph addresses the potential for overuse and wastage but could benefit from more specific examples or explanations to strengthen the argument. The final paragraph touches on the broader barriers to education and the potential burden on public facilities but does not fully explore the potential consequences.Additionally, there are a few grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the overall clarity and coherence of the response. For instance, the sentence "Building and maintaining water treatment plants and distribution systems costs a lot of money, which many developing countries don't have" could be more clearly phrased. Despite these issues, the response is generally well-organized and demonstrates a basic understanding of the material. With more detail and refinement, it could achieve a higher score.

High Level Response

The lecture challenges the reading's argument that access to clean water should be considered a basic human right by highlighting several practical challenges. Firstly, while the reading emphasizes the health benefits of clean water, the lecture points out the financial and practical burden on governments. Ensuring universal access requires substantial investment in water treatment plants and distribution systems, which many developing countries cannot afford.Secondly, the reading claims that access to clean water promotes social and economic development. However, the lecture argues that providing water for free or at a low cost can lead to overuse and wastage. Effective management and pricing strategies are necessary to ensure sustainable use of water resources, especially in areas facing water scarcity.Lastly, the reading links access to clean water with improved education, particularly for children in developing regions. In contrast, the lecture notes that other barriers to education, such as poverty and lack of schools, still exist. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach beyond just providing clean water. Additionally, declaring water a basic human right could place an unrealistic burden on public facilities, leading to inefficiencies and potential corruption. Private sector involvement might be a more viable solution, but it raises concerns about affordability and fair access.In summary, while the reading presents a strong case for considering access to clean water a basic human right, the lecture raises important concerns about financial burdens, sustainable use, and broader educational barriers. These points suggest that the issue is more complex than the reading implies.

Rater's Comment:

This response deserves a high score because it effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific counterargument from the lecture that challenges the reading. For instance, the first paragraph discusses the financial and practical burden on governments, directly countering the reading's claim about the health benefits of clean water. The second paragraph addresses the potential for overuse and wastage, which challenges the reading's assertion about promoting social and economic development. The final paragraph highlights the broader barriers to education and the potential burden on public facilities, questioning the reading's claims about improved educational outcomes.The response is coherent and flows logically from one point to the next, making it easy to follow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the use of transitions helps to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. Overall, this response effectively captures the key points from both sources and presents them in a well-structured and articulate manner.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right

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.

1. Summarize Key Ideas from Both Sources:
Start by clearly summarizing the main points from the reading passage, which may present the argument that access to clean water is a human right. Then, move on to the lecture, which might counter this claim. Ensure you capture the essence of both perspectives concisely.

2. Maintain Objectivity:
In the integrated task, your role is to present a balanced comparison of the viewpoints without showing bias. Whether you agree or disagree with the topic, focus on objectively analyzing how each source presents its argument, especially when dealing with ethical issues like clean water rights.

3. Organize Your Writing Clearly:
Structure your essay in a way that flows smoothly from summarizing the reading, to the lecture, to your synthesis of both. Be sure to address the topic at hand, but also demonstrate a strong organizational pattern that TOEFL graders expect—this will boost your overall writing score.

4. Highlight Contrasting Perspectives:
When summarizing the lecture and reading, point out how the two differ in their reasoning or conclusions. For example, the reading might advocate for access to clean water as a human right, while the lecture could discuss economic limitations. This contrast will show your ability to recognize differences, a key skill in the TOEFL Writing task.

5. Conclude with a Balanced Synthesis:
While the TOEFL integrated task doesn’t require personal opinions, it’s important to show that you can integrate the arguments from both the reading and the lecture effectively. Conclude your essay by synthesizing the key points, presenting how the perspectives complement or challenge each other in relation to access to clean water.

By practicing with the topic ‘Is Access to Clean Water a Basic Human Right’, you will develop the skills needed to synthesize information from both readings and lectures. This practice will not only enhance your ability to write balanced, organized essays but also prepare you for the broader challenges of the TOEFL Writing section. Keep refining these strategies to excel in your TOEFL exam!

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