Should Countries Abolish Nuclear Weapons for Global Peace - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Practice Test

Professor: Today were going to discuss the topic of nuclear disarmament. Some argue that eliminating nuclear weapons is essential for global peace, while others believe that nuclear prevention is necessary to maintain international stability. What do you think? Should countries eliminate nuclear weapons for global peace?

Emily: I believe that countries should eliminate nuclear weapons. The existence of these weapons poses a constant threat to humanity. Even a small-scale nuclear conflict could have disastrous consequences for the environment and human life. By getting rid of nuclear weapons, we can reduce the risk of accidental launches. This will promote a more peaceful international community. Additionally, resources currently spent on maintaining nuclear stockpiles could be redirected towards addressing global issues like poverty and climate change.

Oliver: Though I understand Emily's concerns, I think that nuclear prevention plays a crucial role in maintaining international stability. The presence of nuclear weapons can prevent large-scale wars because countries are aware of the devastating consequences of a nuclear conflict. History has shown that the threat of shared destruction can act as a powerful prevention against aggression. Until we have a reliable and enforceable global disarmament system, eliminating nuclear weapons might lead to increased instability and conflict.

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on Should Countries Abolish Nuclear Weapons for Global Peace

To enhance your understanding of the scoring criteria for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, we have provided two sample responses: one scoring 3 and the other scoring 5:

Score 3 Response 

I think that while eliminating nuclear weapons is a good goal, we need to be careful about how we do it. Oliver mentioned that nuclear weapons can prevent large-scale wars because of the threat of mutual destruction. This has helped keep international stability for many years.However, we should still work towards reducing the number of nuclear weapons. Creating a global disarmament system with strict verification and cooperation between countries is important. This way, we can move towards a world without nuclear weapons while keeping stability. In the meantime, reducing nuclear stockpiles and preventing their spread can help make the world safer.

Rater's Comment:

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and development needed for a higher score. The writer presents a clear opinion that while eliminating nuclear weapons is a good goal, it should be done carefully to maintain stability. The response provides some support for this view, such as the role of nuclear deterrence in preventing large-scale wars. However, the argument is not fully developed, and the response lacks detailed reasoning and examples. The second paragraph attempts to address the importance of a global disarmament system but does not add much new information or insight to the discussion. Additionally, there are minor grammatical errors, such as "we need to be careful about how we do it," which could be more clearly stated. Overall, the response addresses the prompt and contributes to the discussion, but it lacks the depth and coherence of a higher-scoring response.

Score 5 Response 

While the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons for global peace is noble, I believe that nuclear deterrence is currently necessary to maintain international stability. Oliver makes a compelling point about the role of nuclear weapons in preventing large-scale wars. The concept of mutually assured destruction has historically acted as a powerful deterrent against aggression, as countries are aware of the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear conflict. This deterrence has contributed to a relatively stable international order since the end of World War II.However, this does not mean that we should abandon the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Instead, we should focus on creating a reliable and enforceable global disarmament framework. This would involve rigorous verification mechanisms, international cooperation, and trust-building measures to ensure that all countries comply with disarmament agreements. In the meantime, efforts should be made to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and prevent their proliferation. By taking a gradual and balanced approach, we can work towards a world without nuclear weapons while maintaining international stability and security.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-developed argument. The writer effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a balanced view on the necessity of nuclear deterrence while advocating for gradual disarmament. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph discusses the role of nuclear deterrence in maintaining international stability, while the second paragraph emphasizes the importance of pursuing a reliable global disarmament framework. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from major grammatical errors. Overall, the writer provides a compelling and coherent argument that contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

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