Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL Integrated Writing task, you will explore the topic, ‘Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy’ This debate focuses on the balance between environmental sustainability and the economic realities of transitioning to renewable sources.

In this practice test, you will synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture, developing your ability to compare differing viewpoints. Mastering this skill will enhance your performance 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 question of whether countries should invest more in renewable energy has gotten a lot of attention. Supporters argue that increasing investment in renewable energy offers numerous benefits for both the environment and the economy.One of the main advantages of investing in renewable energy is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are major contributors to climate change due to their high carbon dioxide emissions. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, produce little to no greenhouse gases. By investing in renewable energy, countries can greatly reduce their carbon footprint and fight global warming. This shift is essential for meeting international climate goals and ensuring a sustainable future.Another significant benefit is the potential for energy independence. Many countries rely heavily on imported fossil fuels to meet their energy needs, making them vulnerable to global tensions and supply disruptions. Renewable energy sources are abundant and locally available, reducing the need for energy imports. By investing in renewable energy facilities, countries can achieve greater energy security and reduce their dependence on foreign energy sources.

Renewable energy investments can also drive economic growth and job creation. The renewable energy sector offers numerous opportunities for innovation, investment, and employment. Developing and maintaining renewable energy infrastructure requires a skilled workforce, leading to the creation of new jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Also, the growth of the renewable energy industry can stimulate economic activity and attract investment, contributing to overall economic development.Also, renewable energy can provide long-term cost savings. While the initial investment in renewable energy infrastructure can be high, the operational costs are relatively low compared to fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources, such as sunlight and wind, are free and inexhaustible. Over time, the cost savings from reduced fuel expenses and lower maintenance costs can offset the initial investment. Investing in renewable energy can lead to more stable and predictable energy prices, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise the lecture’s key points and explain how they challenge or support the reading passage’s claims.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy 

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy 

Below is a detailed review of different responses, including both mid-level and high-level examples, to help you pinpoint areas for improvement and reach your desired score:

Mid Level Response

The reading passage argues that investing in renewable energy benefits the environment and the economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving energy independence, driving economic growth, and providing long-term cost savings. But the lecture has some points against this idea.The reading says investing in renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. But the lecture argues that the initial costs of renewable energy infrastructure are substantial, especially for developing countries. Allocating large sums of money to renewable energy projects might divert resources from other critical areas, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.Regarding energy independence, the reading claims that renewable energy sources are abundant and locally available, reducing the need for energy imports. The lecture, however, argues that renewable energy sources are inconsistent and dependent on weather conditions. Ensuring a consistent energy supply requires substantial investment in energy storage technologies, which are still expensive and have their own environmental impacts.The reading also emphasizes that renewable energy investments can drive economic growth and job creation. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that the economic benefits of renewable energy investments are not guaranteed. The renewable energy market is highly competitive and subject to policy changes and market fluctuations. If government financial supports are reduced or eliminated, the economic stability of the renewable energy industry could be compromised, affecting job creation and economic growth.

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. While the response accurately identifies the key arguments from both sources, it lacks depth in its analysis and explanation. For example, the response mentions that the lecture argues against the initial costs of renewable energy infrastructure, but it does not elaborate on how these costs can divert resources from other critical areas. Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors, such as "The reading says investing in renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change," which could be more clearly stated as "The reading suggests that investing in renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change." The response also lacks a conclusion, which would help to summarize the overall relationship between the reading and the lecture. Furthermore, the response could benefit from more effective use of transitions to improve coherence and flow. Despite these issues, the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and provides a clear comparison of the opposing viewpoints. Overall, this response meets the criteria for a mid-level score, but it could be improved with more detailed analysis, better organization, and fewer grammatical errors.

High Level Response

The reading passage highlights the benefits of investing in renewable energy, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving energy independence, driving economic growth, and providing long-term cost savings. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments to these points.The reading suggests that investing in renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The lecture counters this by arguing that the initial costs of renewable energy infrastructure are substantial, especially for developing countries. Allocating large sums of money to renewable energy projects might divert resources from other critical areas, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.Regarding energy independence, the reading claims that renewable energy sources are abundant and locally available, reducing the need for energy imports. The lecture, however, argues that renewable energy sources are inconsistent and dependent on weather conditions. Ensuring a consistent energy supply requires substantial investment in energy storage technologies, which are still expensive and have their own environmental impacts.The reading also emphasizes that renewable energy investments can drive economic growth and job creation. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that the economic benefits of renewable energy investments are not guaranteed. The renewable energy market is highly competitive and subject to policy changes and market fluctuations. If government financial supports are reduced or eliminated, the economic stability of the renewable energy industry could be compromised, affecting job creation and economic growth.

Finally, the reading highlights that renewable energy can provide long-term cost savings due to low operational costs. The lecture, however, argues that focusing solely on renewable energy might overlook the potential of other low-carbon technologies, such as nuclear power. A balanced approach that includes a variety of low-carbon technologies is essential for ensuring energy security and meeting climate goals.

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 response is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first paragraph discusses the initial costs of renewable energy infrastructure, while the second addresses the inconsistency of renewable energy sources. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and demonstrating the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, the response maintains an objective tone, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions, such as "The lecture counters this by arguing" and "The lecture, however, argues," effectively highlights the opposing viewpoints, contributing to the overall coherence and flow of the essay. The language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary, and only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, effectively presenting the key information from both the reading and the lecture in a well-organized and coherent manner.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy 

Here are some strategies to effectively tackle the topic, ‘Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy’:

1. Summarize Key Points: Reword the main arguments from both the reading and the lecture. Illustrate how the lecture either supports or contradicts the points made in the reading.

2. Use Clear Structure: Arrange your response with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that contrast different viewpoints, and a conclusion.

3. Avoid Personal Opinions: Concentrate solely on the content presented in the reading and lecture. Maintain an objective tone throughout your response.

4. Practice Time Management: Allocate your time wisely between reading, listening, and writing to ensure a comprehensive response.

5. Highlight Contradictions: Identify areas where the lecture disagrees with the reading to clearly showcase the differences between the two sources.

6. Use Transition Words: Incorporate transitions such as "however," "in contrast," and "on the other hand" to illustrate the relationships between the reading and the lecture.

7. Paraphrase Ideas: Express information in your own words to demonstrate your language skills and avoid direct copying.

 We hope this practice test on ‘Should Countries Invest More in Renewable Energy ’ has sharpened your TOEFL Writing skills. Keep practicing, and you’ll gain the confidence and ability to succeed in your exam!

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