Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^®exam, the test takers are evaluated on various abilities, particularly on their communication skills. With the practice test on 'Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity', candidates can level up their preparation as the Writing Section is one of the significant ones.

This Writing Integrated practice test aims to enhance your writing abilities. It aims to assist you in understanding task instructions, structuring responses effectively, and enhancing your performance in the TOEFL Writing segment. So, let's start your journey towards attaining your desired TOEFL score!

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.

Climate change is often seen as the biggest threat to humanity today. The proof for this is huge, and the outcomes of doing nothing are severe. One major impact of climate change is the rise in extreme weather events. Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are happening more often and with greater strength, causing widespread damage and loss of life. For example, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the busiest on record, with 30 named storms, including 13 hurricanes. These events not only destroy communities but also put a strain on emergency services and economic resources.

Another big issue is the rising sea levels due to melting polar ice caps and glaciers. Coastal cities worldwide are at risk of flooding, which could force millions of people to move and lead to a huge refugee crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says sea levels could rise by up to 1.1 meters by 2100 if current trends continue. This would have terrible effects on low-lying areas, especially in countries like Bangladesh and island nations in the Pacific. Climate change also threatens global food security. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns disrupt farming, leading to crop failures and food shortages. The World Food Programme estimates that climate change could push an extra 100 million people into poverty by 2030 due to its impact on food systems. This would worsen existing inequalities and increase the risk of conflicts over limited resources.

Finally, the health impacts of climate change are significant. Rising temperatures help spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever, while air pollution from more fossil fuel use causes breathing problems and early deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that climate change will cause about 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. These health issues put a huge burden on healthcare systems and make it harder to improve public health outcomes.

Now play the audio.

Question

Provide a brief summary on the lecture's arguments and also highlight their relevance on the claims provided in the reading passage. 

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity

A comprehensive analysis of various responses is provided below, enabling you to identify areas requiring improvement to achieve your target score.

High-Level Response

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 point of contrast between the reading and the lecture. For instance, the response begins by summarizing the reading's emphasis on climate change and then systematically addresses how the lecture counters each point with technological advancements, nuclear threats, infectious diseases, and the need to tackle economic inequality and political instability. The language used is clear and concise, with appropriate transitions that help maintain coherence and flow. Phrases like "the lecture argues," "this counters the reading's assertion," and "this perspective contrasts with" effectively signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. The response also avoids personal opinions, focusing solely on summarizing the content from both sources.

Moreover, the response demonstrates strong control over grammar and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. The essay's length is appropriate, staying within the word limit while covering all necessary points. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, showcasing a thorough understanding of the task and the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response provides a reasonable summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some notable weaknesses that prevent it from achieving a higher score. The essay is generally organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contrast between the reading and the lecture. However, the transitions between ideas are less smooth, and the language is more simplistic compared to a higher-level response. There are a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For example, the sentence "This goes against the reading's idea that climate change will lead to severe consequences" could be clearer if rephrased. Additionally, the sentence "This is different from the reading's focus on climate change as the main threat to global security" is repetitive and could be more concise.

The response also lacks depth in its analysis. While it mentions the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it does not provide detailed explanations or examples to support these points. For instance, the discussion of new technologies and their potential to mitigate climate change issues is brief and lacks specific details. Overall, this response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material but falls short in terms of coherence, depth, and language control. The essay meets the minimum requirements but does not go beyond to provide a thorough and well-articulated summary of the reading and lecture.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on Is Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Humanity.

• Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
• Listen actively to the lecture, noting its relationship to the reading.
• Begin your response by clearly stating how the lecture relates to the reading.
• Explain any contradictions or connections between the reading and lecture.
• Integrate information from both sources throughout your essay.
• Use clear transitions and attributions for information from each source.

Prepared to enhance your TOEFL writing skills? Our collection of example responses and professional tips is here to support you in your journey. It's time to put your abilities to the test with some hands-on practice!

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