What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Sea Otters - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Writing Practice Tests

Sea Otters - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test with Answers

Sanskriti Gupta

5 min read

Updated On May 30, 2024

The TOEFL exam, which evaluates a range of abilities including communication, places significant emphasis on the Writing section. This section requires you to draw on a variety of skills, with the Integrated Writing Task specifically designed to assess your capacity for effectively understanding the information presented.

This practice test has been meticulously crafted to aid you in honing your writing abilities for the TOEFL's Integrated Writing Task. It will equip you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to tackle this task, including how to approach it, structure your responses, and ultimately enhance your overall performance in the TOEFL Writing section. So, let's begin your TOEFL journey together to help you reach 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.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Sea Otters

Researchers were alarmed by the rapid decline of sea otter populations along the coast of Alaska, which play a vital role in the health of the ecosystem. Two main theories emerged to explain the die-off: environmental pollution and increased predation.

Pollution initially seemed like the most likely culprit. Known sources of pollution, like oil rigs, existed along the coast. Additionally, water samples revealed elevated levels of chemicals known to weaken immune systems, potentially leading to otter deaths.

Another piece of evidence for pollution was the decline of other sea mammals, like seals, in those areas. This suggested a broader environmental factor harming various species, which is a characteristic of pollution rather than targeted predation. Typically, predators that hunt across large areas, like orcas, focus on bigger prey.

Finally, scientists believed pollution could explain the uneven decline observed. Some otter populations saw drastic drops, while others remained stable. Ocean currents or other factors might have caused uneven distribution of pollutants along the coast, according to some experts.

Now play the Audio.

Question:

Summarize the points made in the lecture and explain how the speaker cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.

Response Time: 20 minutes

Transcript of the Audio for the Integrated Writing Task on Sea Otters

Professor: New research suggests that sea otters are most likely being eaten by predators, not dying from pollution.

Firstly, unlike what we'd expect if pollution were causing illness, there aren't many dead otters found on Alaskan beaches. This lack of carcasses actually strengthens the predator theory. If a predator hunts an otter, it likely eats it whole, leaving nobody to wash ashore.

Secondly, orcas typically hunt whales, but due to human hunting, these whales have vanished from the area. With fewer whales available, orcas have likely adapted their diet to include more readily available prey. This shift towards smaller sea creatures, including otters, could explain the decline in all the mentioned species.

Finally, the uneven pattern of the decline further supports predation as the cause. Otter populations in areas easily reached by orcas have suffered more, while those in shallow, rocky areas where orcas can't go have remained stable.

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Sea Otters

For your benefit, we have included two sample responses below, representing contrasting proficiency levels (high-level and mid-level). A comparative analysis of these responses will equip you with valuable insights into the key linguistic elements that contribute to achieving a superior score on the TOEFL.

Mid-Level Response

The professor said pollution isn't the main reason for fewer sea otters. Unlike the passage, they say there aren't many dead otters, which wouldn't happen if pollution made them sick. The lecture also mentioned orcas having to eat different things because humans hunted their usual food, leading them to eat otters. Finally, the professor explained why some otter populations are stable – they live in areas where orcas can't reach them. (70 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response effectively summarizes the key points from the lecture (pollution not the main cause, orca diet shift, location impacting otter populations) and highlights the contradiction with the reading passage (lack of dead otters). Here are some suggestions for improvement. Consider replacing "fewer sea otters" with "sea otter decline" for improved clarity. While the answer is clear, consider replacing "having to eat different things" with "switching prey" to demonstrate a wider vocabulary range. "Unlike the passage" can be replaced with a transition phrase like "contradicting the passage" to show a stronger understanding of the task (identifying contrasting information). Overall, this is a mid-level response that demonstrates an average grasp of the lecture's content and its relation to the reading passage.

High-Level Response

The text and the lecture both address the concerning decrease in sea otter populations, but they differ on the main culprit. The reading points to environmental pollution along the Alaskan coast as the cause, while the lecture emphasizes predation by other animals. Firstly, the reading blames pollution sources for the decline, while the lecture argues that predators are directly responsible for hunting and consuming the otters. Secondly, the reading suggests pollution has a greater impact on otters due to the death of other marine mammals. The lecture counters this by proposing that the decline in orca populations, another prey for these predators, is also due to predation. Human hunting eliminated the whales, the predators' primary food source, forcing them to switch to smaller prey like orcas and eventually sea otters. Thirdly, the reading claims pollution explains the uneven decline patterns observed in otter populations. The lecture disagrees, attributing it to predator presence. The lecturer argues that areas with a robust predator population, like orcas, have lower sea otter numbers, whereas regions where these predators are scarce see a more stable otter population. In conclusion, the text and the lecture offer contrasting perspectives on the cause of the sea otter decline, with pollution versus predation being the central debate. (207 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response effectively summarizes the key points from both the reading passage and the lecture, highlighting the contrasting views on the cause of the sea otter decline. The use of transition words ("Firstly," "Secondly," and "Thirdly") helps structure the response and clarifies the progression of arguments. Additionally, the answer accurately explains how the lecture contradicts specific points from the passage. However, for a stronger response, consider including a sentence or two that demonstrates a deeper understanding of the connection between the arguments. Overall, a clear and well-organized response demonstrates a good grasp of the contrasting viewpoints.

Ready to write your way to TOEFL success? We've provided sample answers and expert strategies to guide you. Now it's your chance to practice! Don’t forget to check out additional tests to continue your TOEFL Preparation.