Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL Integrated Writing task, you will synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture. The topic for this task is 'Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial', which addresses the debate surrounding the adoption of elements from one culture by another.

This practice will help you refine the essential skills needed to compare and integrate differing viewpoints, preparing you to succeed 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.

Cultural appropriation, where elements from one culture are adopted by another, often faces criticism for being harmful. Critics argue that it exploits and turns marginalized cultures into commodities. When dominant groups take on cultural symbols, clothing, or practices without understanding their true meaning, it can strip these elements of their original significance, reducing them to mere fashion statements. For example, traditional Native American headdresses, which hold deep spiritual value, are often worn as costumes at music festivals, making light of their cultural importance.Also, cultural appropriation can keep stereotypes going and reinforce power imbalances. When the dominant culture adopts elements from a minority culture, it can lead to the misrepresentation and oversimplification of that culture. This can result in harmful stereotypes being perpetuated, as seen in the portrayal of African American hairstyles in mainstream media. Such portrayals often ignore the historical and cultural context, leading to a distorted and superficial understanding of the culture.On top of that, cultural appropriation can have economic implications. Artisans and creators from disadvantaged cultures often rely on their traditional crafts for their livelihood. When these cultural elements are mass-produced by companies from dominant cultures, it can take away economic opportunities for the original creators. For instance, traditional Mexican textiles and patterns are frequently replicated by large fashion brands, depriving local artisans of their rightful earnings and recognition.In summary, critics highlight that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their meaning, perpetuate stereotypes, and have negative economic impacts on marginalized communities. These concerns underscore the importance of respecting and understanding the cultural significance of the elements being adopted.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise the lecture’s key points and explain how they challenge or support the reading passage’s claims.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial

The following analysis offers insights into various response levels, from mid-level to high-level, highlighting key areas for enhancement to help you achieve your target score:

Mid Level Response 

The reading passage argues that cultural appropriation is harmful, while the lecture presents some potential benefits. The reading says that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their original significance and perpetuate stereotypes. For example, Native American headdresses are worn as costumes, which trivializes their spiritual value.The lecture, on the other hand, suggests that cultural appropriation can drive innovation and creativity. The professor points out that blending different cultural elements has led to new art forms, like jazz and hip-hop. This counters the reading's claim by showing that cultural exchange can enrich the global cultural landscape.The reading also argues that cultural appropriation reinforces stereotypes and power imbalances. It mentions the misrepresentation of African American hairstyles in mainstream media. However, the lecture contends that adopting elements from other cultures can lead to greater understanding and appreciation. The professor uses the popularity of yoga in the West as an example, explaining that it has led many to explore Indian philosophy and spirituality.Lastly, the reading highlights the economic disadvantages of cultural appropriation, noting that it can deprive local artisans of their rightful earnings. Conversely, the lecture argues that cultural appropriation can create new markets and opportunities for collaboration. The professor mentions the global popularity of Japanese anime, which has opened up numerous opportunities for Japanese artists and studios.In summary, while the reading focuses on the negative aspects of cultural appropriation, the lecture provides a balanced view by discussing its potential benefits, such as fostering innovation, cultural understanding, and economic growth.

Rater's Comment:

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some limitations that prevent it from achieving a higher score. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, there are some coherence issues, such as the lack of clear transitions between paragraphs. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to enhance the flow of ideas.There are also a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "The reading says that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their original significance and perpetuate stereotypes" could be clearer with better punctuation. Additionally, the phrase "The professor uses the popularity of yoga in the West as an example, explaining that it has led many to explore Indian philosophy and spirituality" could be rephrased for better clarity.Despite these issues, the response does a good job of summarizing the main points from both the reading and the lecture. It demonstrates an understanding of the material and provides relevant examples to support its points. However, the coherence and grammatical issues, along with the lack of clear transitions, prevent it from achieving a higher score. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise but lacking in some areas of clarity and coherence.

High Level Response 

The reading passage argues that cultural appropriation is harmful, while the lecture presents a more nuanced view, highlighting potential benefits. The reading emphasizes that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their original significance, perpetuate stereotypes, and have negative economic impacts on marginalized communities. For instance, it mentions how Native American headdresses are worn as costumes, trivializing their spiritual value.In contrast, the lecture suggests that cultural appropriation can drive innovation and creativity. The professor points out that blending different cultural elements has historically led to new art forms, such as jazz and hip-hop. This counters the reading's claim by showing that cultural exchange can enrich the global cultural landscape.The reading also argues that cultural appropriation reinforces stereotypes and power imbalances. It cites the misrepresentation of African American hairstyles in mainstream media as an example. However, the lecture contends that adopting elements from other cultures can lead to greater understanding and appreciation. The professor uses the popularity of yoga in the West as an example, explaining that it has led many to explore Indian philosophy and spirituality.Lastly, the reading highlights the economic disadvantages of cultural appropriation, noting that it can deprive local artisans of their rightful earnings. Conversely, the lecture argues that cultural appropriation can create new markets and opportunities for collaboration. The professor mentions the global popularity of Japanese anime, which has opened up numerous opportunities for Japanese artists and studios.In summary, while the reading focuses on the negative aspects of cultural appropriation, the lecture provides a balanced view by discussing its potential benefits, such as fostering innovation, cultural understanding, and economic growth.

Rater's Comment:

This response 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 contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first body paragraph contrasts the reading's view that cultural appropriation strips cultural elements of their significance with the lecture's argument that it can drive innovation and creativity. This shows a clear relationship between the two sources.The response also uses appropriate transitions to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "In contrast" and "However," which helps maintain coherence and flow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the essay remains objective throughout, avoiding personal opinions.Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score. It successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, is well-organized and coherent, and demonstrates strong language control with only minor errors. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise and to the point.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial

Here are some strategies to approach the topic of 'Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial' in the TOEFL Integrated Writing task:

1. Focus on the Arguments from Both Sources: The reading passage may outline the negative impacts of cultural appropriation, such as disrespect or exploitation, while the lecture might highlight potential advantages, like cultural exchange and innovation.

2. Identify Conflicting or Supporting Evidence: Look for differences or similarities in the data or examples provided by the reading and lecture. One source may present historical instances, while the other could focus on contemporary examples of cultural borrowing.

3. Integrate Key Points, Don’t Summarize: Your aim is to connect the ideas presented in the reading and lecture rather than merely restating them. Illustrate how the points complement or contradict each other to create a cohesive analysis.

4. Highlight Specific Examples: Use concrete examples from both the reading and lecture to show how cultural appropriation can either harm or benefit societies. This will demonstrate your ability to understand and convey nuanced arguments.

5. Present a Balanced Conclusion: Make sure your response reflects both the positive and negative views on cultural appropriation presented by the sources, summarizing the key findings and offering a clear, integrated perspective.

By practicing the TOEFL Integrated Writing task on 'Is Cultural Appropriation Harmful or Beneficial', you will improve your ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. This will enhance your critical thinking and writing skills, preparing you for success in the TOEFL exam.

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