Should Governments Control Population Growth - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^®exam, the test takers are evaluated on various abilities, particularly on their communication skills. With the practice test on 'Should Governments Control Population Growth', candidates can level up their preparation as the Writing Section is one of the significant ones.

This Writing Integrated practice test aims to enhance your writing abilities. It aims to assist you in understanding task instructions, structuring responses effectively, and enhancing your performance in the TOEFL Writing segment. So, let's start your journey towards attaining your desired TOEFL score!

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.

Governments should take active steps to control population growth to ensure long-term development and improve the quality of life for their citizens. One of the main reasons for this is the strain that unchecked population growth places on natural resources. As the population increases, the demand for water, food, and energy also rises, leading to overuse of these resources. For example, many regions around the world are already facing severe water shortages, and this problem is expected to worsen with continued population growth.

Another significant concern is the impact on the environment. Rapid population growth leads to forest loss, loss of different species, and more harmful gas emissions. The expansion of cities and farmland to accommodate a growing population often destroys natural habitats. According to the United Nations, human activities have significantly changed 75% of the Earth's land systems, mainly due to population pressures. Also, high population growth rates can slow down economic development. Countries with rapidly growing populations often struggle to provide good education, healthcare, and job opportunities for their citizens. This can lead to high levels of poverty and inequality, as well as social unrest. For example, many developing countries with high population growth rates face challenges in achieving long-term economic growth and improving living standards for their people.

Finally, controlling population growth can help improve public health outcomes. Overcrowded living conditions and poor access to healthcare services can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and higher death rates. By implementing policies to manage population growth, governments can ensure better access to healthcare and improve overall public health. Family planning programs, for instance, have been shown to reduce mother and child death rates by allowing families to space out births and have fewer children.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise on the lecture's claims and also highlight their relevance on the assertions as well as arguments provided in the reading passage. State your opinion.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should Governments Control Population Growth

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Should Governments Control Population Growth

A comprehensive analysis of various responses is provided below, enabling you to identify areas requiring improvement to achieve your target score.

High-Level Response

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 of contrast between the reading and the lecture. For instance, the response begins by summarizing the reading's emphasis on the need for population control and then systematically addresses how the lecture counters each point with concerns about individual rights, historical examples, consumption patterns, and natural reductions in birth rates through development and education. The language used is clear and concise, with appropriate transitions that help maintain coherence and flow. Phrases like "the lecture argues," "this contrasts with the reading's view," and "this challenges the reading's focus" effectively signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. The response also avoids personal opinions, focusing solely on summarizing the content from both sources.

Moreover, the response demonstrates strong control over grammar and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. The essay's length is appropriate, staying within the word limit while covering all necessary points. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, showcasing a thorough understanding of the task and the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response provides a reasonable summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some notable weaknesses that prevent it from achieving a higher score. The essay is generally organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contrast between the reading and the lecture. However, the transitions between ideas are less smooth, and the language is more simplistic compared to a higher-level response.

There are a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For example, the sentence "This is different from the reading's view that such policies are necessary" could be clearer if rephrased. Additionally, the sentence "This challenges the reading's focus on population control as the main solution" is repetitive and could be more concise. The response also lacks depth in its analysis. While it mentions the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it does not provide detailed explanations or examples to support these points. For instance, the discussion of negative outcomes of historical population control policies is brief and lacks specific details.

Overall, this response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material but falls short in terms of coherence, depth, and language control. The essay meets the minimum requirements but does not go beyond to provide a thorough and well-articulated summary of the reading and lecture.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Governments Control Population Growth

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Governments Control Population Growth.

• Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
• Listen actively to the lecture, noting its relationship to the reading.
• Begin your response by clearly stating how the lecture relates to the reading.
• Explain any contradictions or connections between the reading and lecture.
• Integrate information from both sources throughout your essay.
• Use clear transitions and attributions for information from each source.

Prepared to enhance your TOEFL writing skills? Our collection of example responses and professional tips is here to support you in your journey. It's time to put your abilities to the test with some hands-on practice!

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