Should College Athletes Be Paid - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

In this TOEFL Integrated Writing task, you will analyze the topic, ‘Should College Athletes Be Paid?’ This task tests your ability to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture that present opposing views on this topic.

Through this practice test, you will develop the skills needed to connect differing perspectives and present a balanced response. Mastering this skill is essential for excelling 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.

The debate over whether college athletes should be paid has gained significant attention in recent years. Those in favor of paying college athletes argue that it is a matter of fairness and equity.College athletes generate a lot of revenue for their schools. Major college sports, especially football and basketball, bring in millions of dollars through ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights. Despite their key role in generating this income, athletes do not receive a share of the profits. Paying them would ensure they are fairly compensated for their contributions.Also, the demands placed on college athletes are tough. They often spend as much time training and competing as they would in a full-time job, leaving little room for academics or part-time work. This busy schedule can make it difficult for athletes to support themselves financially. Providing them with a salary or stipend would ease financial stress and allow them to focus on both their sports and studies.

Moreover, paying college athletes could help address issues of unfair treatment. Many athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds and see sports as a pathway to a better future. However, the current system takes advantage of their talents without offering adequate financial rewards. Compensating athletes would acknowledge their hard work and dedication, giving them the financial security they deserve.

Now play the audio.

Question

Outline the main arguments from the lecture and their connection to the points made in the reading passage.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should College Athletes Be Paid

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Should College Athletes Be Paid

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 college athletes should be paid because they generate a lot of revenue, have demanding schedules, and face unfair treatment. It says that major college sports bring in millions of dollars, yet athletes do not get a share of the profits. Paying them would ensure fair compensation. Also, the busy schedules of athletes leave little time for academics or part-time work, making financial support necessary. Lastly, many athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and compensating them would acknowledge their hard work and provide financial security.However, the lecture presents several counterarguments. The professor points out that paying college athletes could undermine the amateur status of college sports, shifting the focus from education to commercialization. This change might detract from the educational mission of colleges and universities. Furthermore, the financial practicality of paying athletes is questioned, as not all colleges generate significant revenue from sports. Smaller schools might struggle to pay their athletes, creating disparities between institutions. Lastly, the professor highlights potential complications related to team dynamics and fairness. Determining fair compensation across different sports and positions could lead to tensions and conflicts within teams, disrupting the unity of college athletics.In conclusion, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of paying college athletes, the lecture raises significant concerns about the potential impact on the amateur status of college sports, financial feasibility, and team dynamics.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a mid-level score due to several factors. While it does summarize the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it lacks depth and detail in its analysis. The response is generally well-organized, but it does not fully develop each point, leading to a somewhat superficial treatment of the material. For example, the discussion of the potential impact on the amateur status of college sports is mentioned but not elaborated upon, leaving the reader wanting more information.Additionally, there are a few grammatical and punctuation errors that detract from the overall clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "Paying them would ensure fair compensation" could be clearer with better punctuation. Similarly, the phrase "making financial support necessary" could be more effectively integrated into the sentence.The response also lacks some coherence, with transitions between points feeling somewhat abrupt. While the language is generally clear, it does not demonstrate the same level of control and precision as a higher-scoring response. Overall, this response shows a good understanding of the material but falls short in terms of depth, detail, and language control, justifying a mid-level score.

High Level Response

The reading passage argues that college athletes should be paid due to the revenue they generate, the demanding nature of their schedules, and the need to address issues of unfair treatment. It highlights that major college sports bring in millions of dollars, yet athletes do not receive a share of the profits. Paying them would ensure fair compensation. Additionally, the rigorous demands on athletes leave little time for academics or part-time work, making financial support necessary. Lastly, many athletes come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and compensating them would acknowledge their hard work and provide financial security.However, the lecture presents several counterarguments. The professor points out that paying college athletes could undermine the amateur status of college sports, shifting the focus from education to commercialization. This change might detract from the educational mission of colleges and universities. Furthermore, the financial practicality of paying athletes is questioned, as not all colleges generate significant revenue from sports. Smaller schools might struggle to pay their athletes, creating disparities between institutions. Lastly, the professor highlights potential complications related to team dynamics and fairness. Determining fair compensation across different sports and positions could lead to tensions and conflicts within teams, disrupting the unity of college athletics.In summary, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of paying college athletes, the lecture raises significant concerns about the potential impact on the amateur status of college sports, financial feasibility, and team dynamics.

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 from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. For example, the first body paragraph discusses the potential impact on the amateur status of college sports, directly challenging the reading's claim about fair compensation. The second body paragraph addresses the financial practicality for all institutions, countering the reading's assertion about easing financial stress for athletes. The final body paragraph highlights complications related to team dynamics and fairness, questioning the overall feasibility of paying college athletes.The response is coherent and flows logically, with clear transitions between points. The language is precise and concise, avoiding unnecessary complexity while effectively conveying the ideas. Additionally, the response maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. Overall, this response demonstrates strong language control, organization, and comprehension, meeting the criteria for a high score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on

Here are some strategies to help you effectively tackle this task:

1. Active Reading and Listening: Pay close attention to the reading passage and the lecture. Take notes on the main points and arguments from both perspectives. 

2. Identify Contradictions: The lecture will typically challenge the reading. Recognize these contradictions early on.

3. Organize Your Response: Structure your essay by comparing the reading and lecture point by point. Begin with the argument from the reading, then counter it with the perspective from the lecture.

4. Use Paraphrasing: Avoid directly copying phrases from the reading and lecture. Instead, rephrase the key ideas in your own words to demonstrate understanding.

5. Stay Objective: Concentrate on summarizing the opposing views without sharing your own opinion.

By working on this TOEFL Integrated Writing task, you’ll improve your skills in analyzing differing arguments and organizing a clear response. This is an essential ability for excelling in the TOEFL Writing section. Continue practicing, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the test!

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