Professors - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test with Sample Answers

In the TOEFL iBT^®  Writing section, the Integrated Writing task is the first challenge you'll face. This task requires you to synthesize information from a short passage followed by a related lecture, demonstrating your ability to comprehend and analyze complex ideas. 

As exemplified in our TOEFL Writing practice tests, this task assesses your listening, reading, and writing skills in an integrated manner. You'll listen to the lecture, after which the passage will reappear on your screen along with instructions for the writing task. With a strict time limit of 20 minutes, mastering effective strategies for this task is essential to succeed in the TOEFL exam.

Therefore, let’s get going with the TOEFL Writing Integrated practice test to figure out the areas that you need to work on to achieve your desired TOEFL 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.

Professors are traditionally associated with university settings, conducting research, delivering lectures, and engaging with students in classrooms, offices, and libraries. However, an increasing trend sees them taking on roles as television commentators, offering expert analysis on current global events. This shift to television appearances holds significant advantages for the professors themselves, their respective universities, and the wider public.

For professors, television exposure expands their recognition as authoritative figures within their academic disciplines to a much broader audience beyond the confines of academia. While academic publications reach primarily fellow scholars, television appearances allow professors to disseminate their ideas to thousands of individuals outside the academic realm. Consequently, appearing on television elevates the professors' stature as scholars.

Similarly, universities reap benefits from their professors' television appearances through enhanced visibility and positive publicity. When esteemed faculty members contribute their expertise to televised discussions, it reflects positively on their affiliated institutions, fostering a favorable perception among the public. This improved reputation translates into increased philanthropic support and higher enrollment rates from prospective students.

Moreover, the general public stands to gain from professors' television appearances by gaining exposure to expert insights and perspectives they may not encounter otherwise. While television commentary often skims the surface, professors bring depth and thoughtfulness to discussions, offering viewers genuine expertise and profound insights that enrich their understanding of complex issues. Thus, television serves as a platform for the dissemination of valuable knowledge and expert analysis to a wide audience.

Now play the track.

Question:

Provide a concise overview of the lecture's arguments, detailing their opposition to specific claims presented in the reading passage.

Wait! Before you check out the sample answers to the Writing Integrated task, let’s learn what a good TOEFL score is!

Sample Responses for the Writing Integrated Task on Professors

Take a look at the two sample responses we've provided a mid-level response followed by a high-level response. By comparing these samples, you'll gain valuable insights into how to improve your own writing response. 

Mid-level Response

The question posed is whether the appearance of a professor on television is beneficial or detrimental. On this matter, the text and the lecture present contrasting views.

Initially, one might assume that it is advantageous for the professors themselves, given the fact that today a lot of people desire to be known and television is the best way to do that. However, the lecture argues that such appearances may harm their professional reputation. People think they are not very serious when they pass on television, leading to them being excluded from important conferences.

Regarding the impact on students and universities, the text suggests that television appearances can attract donations, which is positive. Conversely, the lecture highlights the significant time professors spend traveling for these appearances, reducing availability for students and research, thus resulting in financial losses for the university.

Lastly, for the general public, television appearances by professors offer educational opportunities, especially for those who lack access to higher education. However, it is true that such intervention isn't often best as something that a journalist could prepare.

Rater’s Comments

The response demonstrates a reasonable organizational structure. Following a brief introduction, each point from the reading passage is succinctly summarized, followed by corresponding points from the lecture. However, it falls short of achieving a high-level score due to several issues in summarizing the lecture. There are instances of imprecision, such as attributing the perception of the professor's seriousness to "people" rather than fellow academics. Additionally, key ideas from the lecture, such as television networks' preference for superficial content and the financial impact on universities, are omitted. Furthermore, the connection between ideas is weak, as the assertion that universities lose money due to television appearances is not effectively linked to the time constraints faced by professors. Moreover, there are significant language proficiency issues, evident in awkward word choices like "pass on television" and "intervention isn’t often best as something," which hinder clarity and understanding. As a result, while the writer may have grasped the intended ideas, they were not effectively conveyed to the reader due to language difficulties.

High-level Response

The passage presented three rationales for professors to appear on television: enhancing the professor's reputation, benefiting the college, and educating the public. However, the lecture presents a contrary viewpoint.

Professors who frequently appear on television are generally perceived as lacking seriousness as scholars. Consequently, they may receive fewer invitations to academic conferences or reduced opportunities for research grants, hindering their academic advancement.

Moreover, professors' frequent television appearances have adverse effects on students and the university. The time spent preparing for TV appearances, including material preparation, travel time, and grooming, detracts from time that could be spent teaching, assisting students, or conducting research.

Additionally, television appearances by professors often fail to effectively educate the general public. TV networks prioritize simplistic explanations over intellectual depth, preferring basic background information or historical context that can be easily delivered by proficient reporters.

Considering the aforementioned points, the advantages of professors appearing on television are highly questionable. In reality, such appearances may lead to negative consequences for both professors and the universities they represent.

Rater’s Comments

While the response effectively covers all three main points from the lecture, it maintains a well-structured development. A clear linkage between the reading passage and the lecture is established in the introductory and concluding paragraphs. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that highlights the lecture's opposing view to the reading passage, followed by detailed elaboration supported by relevant examples. Although minor grammatical errors are present, they do not significantly impact the coherence or accuracy of the content presented, aligning with the expectations outlined in the Scoring Guide for the integrated task.

Strategies for Taking the Writing Integrated Task on Professors

Feeling stressed about the TOEFL Writing test? Don't worry! Strategic practice is the key to scoring high in those writing tasks.  

Let's dive into the tips below and put them to the test with some sample practice problems in our next test paper. You'll be a writing whiz in no time! Here are some key strategies to help you approach this task with confidence.

• Start by carefully reading and understanding the passage provided. Pay close attention to the specific instructions and the relationship between the reading passage and the lecture.
• Take note of the main arguments, evidence, and overall tone. Understand the author's perspective on the topic and the key points they are making.
• Identify the main points of contrast or agreement between the reading passage and the lecture. Look for discrepancies in viewpoints, evidence, or conclusions drawn by the author and the lecturer.
• Before writing your response, take time to plan your response. Outline the main points you want to address, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Structure your essay logically to effectively convey your analysis.
• Compare and contrast the arguments presented in the passage and the lecture. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective and consider how they complement or contradict each other.
• Offer a critical analysis of the topic by evaluating the validity of the arguments presented in the passage and the lecture. Provide your own insights and interpretations based on the information provided.

Now that you've explored the sample responses and effective writing strategies, it's time to put your skills to the test!  

Feel free to share your response to the practice question in the comments below for expert feedback from our TOEFL specialists.

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