Is Renewable Energy the Future of Global Power - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test (Integrated)

The Integrated Writing task in the TOEFL Writing section assesses your ability to merge and present ideas from two sources effectively. This practice test will help you refine your response strategies, strengthen your analytical abilities, and improve your writing fluency. Let’s dive into the challenge!

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.

Renewable energy is set to become the future of global power because of its environmental benefits, economic potential, and technological advancements. One of the most convincing reasons for the shift towards renewable energy is its positive impact on the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power produce little to no greenhouse gas pollution. This reduction in pollution is key for fighting climate change and reducing air pollution, which has significant health benefits for people worldwide.

Economic factors also favor the move to renewable energy. The cost of renewable energy technologies has been decreasing steadily, making them more competitive with traditional fossil fuels. For example, the cost of solar panels has dropped sharply over the past decade, making solar power one of the cheapest sources of electricity in many parts of the world. And, the renewable energy sector creates many job opportunities in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, contributing to economic growth and energy security.

Technological advancements are further pushing the adoption of renewable energy. New developments in energy storage, like advanced battery technologies, are solving the reliability issues associated with renewable sources like solar and wind. These advancements ensure a stable and reliable energy supply, even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing. Also, smart grid technologies are improving the efficiency and combination of renewable energy into existing power systems, making it easier to manage and distribute renewable power on a large scale.

In summary, renewable energy offers environmental benefits, economic potential, and technological advancements that make it a promising future for global power.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.

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 - Is Renewable Energy the Future of Global Power

Examine the provided pair of sample answers - one representing a mid-level and the other a high level. By studying these responses closely, you'll discover valuable lessons to enhance and polish your written responses.

High-Level Response

The reading passage argues that renewable energy is poised to become the future of global power due to its environmental benefits, economic potential, and technological advancements. It highlights that renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial for combating climate change and improving public health. Additionally, the passage notes that the decreasing costs of renewable technologies and the job opportunities they create contribute to economic growth.

In contrast, the lecture points out several challenges and limitations that could hinder the widespread adoption of renewable energy. The professor emphasizes the reliability issue, noting that solar and wind power depend on weather conditions, which can be unpredictable and vary by location. This can lead to instability in the power supply, making it difficult to rely solely on renewables. The lecture also highlights the high initial investment required for renewable energy infrastructure, which can be a significant barrier, especially for developing countries. Furthermore, the professor discusses the logistical and regulatory hurdles involved in integrating renewable energy into existing power grids, which can be time-consuming and costly.

In summary, while the reading passage focuses on the benefits of renewable energy, such as environmental advantages, economic potential, and technological advancements, the lecture provides a balanced view by discussing the challenges, including reliability issues, high initial costs, and logistical and regulatory hurdles, that need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of renewable energy as the future of global power.

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.

The response also uses appropriate transitions to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "In contrast" and "Furthermore," 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.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage argue that renewable energy is set to become the future of global power due to its environmental benefits, economic potential, and technological advancements. It highlights that renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power produce minimal greenhouse gas emisions, which are crucial for combating climate change and improving public health. Additionally, the passage notes that the decreasing costs of renewable technologies and the job opportunities they create contribute to economic growth. Technological advancements, such as improved energy storage and smart grid technologies, further support the adopsion of renewable energy by ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.

In contrast, the lecture point out several challenges and limitations that could hinder the widespread adoption of renewable energy. The professor emphasizes the reliability issue, noting that solar and wind power depend on weather conditions, which can be unpredictable and vary by location. This can lead to instabillity in the power supply, making it difficult to rely solely on renewables. The lecture also highlights the high initial investment required for renewable energy infrastructure, which can be a significant barrier, especially for developing countries. Furthermore, the professor discusses the logistical and regulatory hurdles involved in integrating renewable energy into existing power grids, which can be time-consuming and costly.

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. There are also a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response.

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 and conclusion, 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.

With these strategies and examples in mind, you're ready to practice and refine your writing abilities!

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