Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL Integrated Writing task tests your ability to combine information from reading and listening materials. In this task on the topic ‘Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations,’ you will analyze contrasting viewpoints to create a cohesive response.

Through practice, you can sharpen your writing skills by organizing ideas and comparing them logically. This will boost your confidence and improve your TOEFL Writing score. Let's get started!

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 control the use of personal data by companies to protect individual privacy and prevent misuse. With the rise of digital technologies, companies collect vast amounts of personal data, often without clear permission from users. This data can include private information like financial details, health records, and personal preferences. Without control, there's a big risk that this data could be misused or sold to third parties without the knowledge or permission of the people involved.And, the lack of control can lead to data breaches and cyberattacks, putting personal information at risk. High-profile incidents, like the data breaches at major companies such as Equifax and Facebook, have exposed the personal information of millions of users. These breaches show the need for strict rules to ensure that companies put strong security measures in place to protect personal data.

Control can also promote transparency and accountability. When companies have to reveal how they collect, store, and use personal data, it empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their privacy. Like, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union requires companies to provide clear information about data processing activities and get clear permission from users. This level of transparency can help build trust between consumers and companies.In summary, controlling the use of personal data by companies can protect individual privacy, prevent misuse, and promote transparency and accountability, making it a necessary step in the digital age.

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 Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations

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 governments should control the use of personal data by companies to protect individual privacy, prevent misuse, and promote transparency. It highlights the risks of data breaches and cyberattacks, citing incidents at Equifax and Facebook as examples. The passage also mentions that regulations like the GDPR in the European Union can help build trust by requiring companies to provide clear information about data processing activities.In contrast, the lecture discusses the potential downsides of strict data regulations. The professor argues that overregulation can limit innovation and economic growth. Companies rely on data to develop new products and services, and strict rules can create administrative obstacles that slow down these processes. This directly challenges the reading's assertion that regulation is necessary for protecting personal data.

The lecture also points out the high costs of compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The professor mentions that the GDPR has imposed significant financial burdens on companies, causing some SMEs to struggle or even shut down. This counters the reading's claim that regulation promotes transparency and accountability without considering the economic impact.Furthermore, the professor highlights the challenge of applying data protection laws consistently across different countries. Varying levels of regulatory systems and resources can create loopholes that companies might exploit. This undermines the effectiveness of data protection laws, contradicting the reading's view that regulation is a straightforward solution to data misuse.In summary, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of regulating personal data use by companies, the lecture provides a balanced view by discussing the potential drawbacks, including limiting innovation, high compliance costs, and application difficulties.

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. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, there are some coherence issues, such as the lack of clear transitions between paragraphs. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to enhance the flow of ideas.There are also a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "The reading says that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their original significance and perpetuate stereotypes" could be clearer with better punctuation. Additionally, the phrase "The professor uses the popularity of yoga in the West as an example, explaining that it has led many to explore Indian philosophy and spirituality" could be rephrased for better clarity.

Despite these issues, the response does a good job of summarizing the main points from both the reading and the lecture. It demonstrates an understanding of the material and provides relevant examples to support its points. However, the coherence and grammatical issues, along with the lack of clear transitions, prevent it from achieving a higher score. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise but lacking in some areas of clarity and coherence.

High Level Response

The reading passage argues that governments should control the use of personal data by companies to protect individual privacy, prevent misuse, and promote transparency. It highlights the risks of data breaches and cyberattacks, citing incidents at Equifax and Facebook as examples. The passage also mentions that regulations like the GDPR in the European Union can help build trust by requiring companies to provide clear information about data processing activities.In contrast, the lecture discusses the potential downsides of strict data regulations. The professor argues that overregulation can limit innovation and economic growth. Companies rely on data to develop new products and services, and strict rules can create administrative obstacles that slow down these processes. This directly challenges the reading's assertion that regulation is necessary for protecting personal data.The lecture also points out the high costs of compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The professor mentions that the GDPR has imposed significant financial burdens on companies, causing some SMEs to struggle or even shut down. This counters the reading's claim that regulation promotes transparency and accountability without considering the economic impact.Furthermore, the professor highlights the challenge of applying data protection laws consistently across different countries. Varying levels of regulatory systems and resources can create loopholes that companies might exploit. This undermines the effectiveness of data protection laws, contradicting the reading's view that regulation is a straightforward solution to data misuse.

In summary, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of regulating personal data use by companies, the lecture provides a balanced view by discussing the potential drawbacks, including limiting innovation, high compliance costs, and application difficulties.

Rater's Comment:

This response 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 contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first body paragraph contrasts the reading's view that regulation is necessary for protecting personal data with the lecture's argument that overregulation can limit innovation and economic growth. This shows a clear relationship between the two sources.The response also uses appropriate transitions to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "In contrast" and "Furthermore," which helps maintain coherence and flow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the essay remains objective throughout, avoiding personal opinions.Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score. It successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, is well-organized and coherent, and demonstrates strong language control with only minor errors. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise and to the point.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations

Here are some strategies for tackling the TOEFL integrated writing task on 'Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations':

1. Identify Key Arguments: Clearly differentiate the main points from the reading, which may support regulation, and the lecture, which could offer counterarguments regarding government involvement.

2. Active Listening: Take thorough notes during the lecture to capture contrasting arguments. This is crucial for organizing your response effectively.

3. Balanced Summary: Provide a fair summary of both sources without including personal opinions. Your response should accurately reflect the viewpoints presented in the reading and the lecture.

4. Plan Your Response: Spend a few minutes organizing your thoughts and structuring your writing for clarity. This will help ensure you address all necessary points.

5. Effective Word Count: Aim for a concise response of 150 to 225 words that highlights the key points from both the reading and the lecture.

Hope this practice test on 'Should Governments Regulate the Use of Personal Data by Corporations' was helpful for you! Keep practicing to master the TOEFL Writing section and boost your confidence for the exam.

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