Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL Integrated Writing task evaluates your ability to summarize and compare reading and listening materials. In this practice test on the topic ‘Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens,’ you'll focus on key arguments from both sources.

By practicing, you can improve your skills in organizing ideas and presenting them effectively. Understanding the structure and demands of the task will help you achieve your desired TOEFL score. Let’s begin!

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.

Mandatory military service for all citizens has been debated for many years. Supporters say it offers several big benefits to both individuals and society. One of the main advantages is the promotion of national unity and patriotism. When people from different backgrounds serve together, they develop a sense of friendship and shared purpose, which can strengthen national identity and social bonds.Another benefit is the development of valuable skills and discipline. Military service teaches responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. These skills are useful in civilian life and can boost career prospects. For example, veterans often find that their military training makes them more attractive to employers, who value their discipline and ability to work under pressure.Mandatory military service can also help with national security. A larger, well-trained military force means a country is better prepared to defend itself against outside threats. This can deter potential enemies and provide a sense of security to the nation's citizens. Also, a mandatory service system ensures that the burden of defense is shared equally among all citizens, rather than falling on a small volunteer force.Finally, mandatory military service can promote social equality. By requiring all citizens to serve, regardless of their economic status, it ensures that everyone contributes to the nation's defense. This can help break down social barriers and reduce inequality, as people from different backgrounds work and live together during their service.

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 Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Lecture on Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens

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 highlights the benefits of mandatory military service, such as national unity, skill development, national security, and social equality. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments that challenge these points.The lecture argues that mandatory military service can violate individual freedoms. Forcing citizens to serve in the military can be seen as a violation of personal liberty, as it makes people participate in activities they may not support or find morally acceptable. This contradicts the reading's claim that mandatory service promotes national unity and patriotism.Regarding economic impact, the lecture points out that mandatory military service can delay young people's education or career plans, affecting their professional growth and earning potential. This counters the reading's assertion that military service boosts career prospects by teaching valuable skills and discipline.

The lecture also highlights the potential for inefficiency and resource strain. Forcing people who are unwilling or unfit to serve can lead to a less effective military force. Additionally, the resources needed to train and maintain a larger drafted force can be substantial, possibly diverting funds from other critical areas like education and healthcare. This opposes the reading's view that mandatory service enhances national security.In summary, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of mandatory military service, the lecture provides reasons to question its effectiveness and fairness, focusing on issues of individual freedom, economic impact, and efficiency.

Rater's Comment:

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks some depth and detail, which is why it falls into the mid-level category. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, it omits some important details and examples that would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the material.For instance, the response mentions the lecture's point about the high initial investment and ongoing costs of digital services but does not elaborate on the specific expenses like regular updates and maintenance. Similarly, while it notes the lecture's concern about the traditional role of libraries, it does not fully explain how shifting to digital services might weaken the sense of community.The response also contains a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as "Many people, especially in low-income areas, might not have reliable internet or the devices needed to use digital services." A more polished sentence would be, "Many people, particularly in low-income areas, may lack reliable internet access or the necessary devices to utilize digital services."

Overall, while the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and is generally coherent, it lacks the depth, detail, and language control required for a higher score.

High Level Response

The reading passage advocates for mandatory military service, highlighting benefits such as national unity, skill development, national security, and social equality. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments that challenge these points.The lecture argues that mandatory military service can violate individual freedoms. Forcing citizens to serve in the military can be seen as a violation of personal liberty, as it makes people participate in activities they may not support or find morally acceptable. This contradicts the reading's claim that mandatory service promotes national unity and patriotism.Regarding economic impact, the lecture points out that mandatory military service can delay young people's education or career plans, affecting their professional growth and earning potential. This counters the reading's assertion that military service boosts career prospects by teaching valuable skills and discipline.

The lecture also highlights the potential for inefficiency and resource strain. Forcing people who are unwilling or unfit to serve can lead to a less effective military force. Additionally, the resources needed to train and maintain a larger drafted force can be substantial, possibly diverting funds from other critical areas like education and healthcare. This opposes the reading's view that mandatory service enhances national security.Lastly, the lecture challenges the idea that mandatory military service promotes social equality. In practice, wealthier individuals often find ways to avoid service or get less demanding roles, while those from lower economic backgrounds bear most of the burden. This can exacerbate existing inequalities rather than reduce them, contradicting the reading's claim that mandatory service ensures equal contribution from all citizens.

In summary, while the reading passage emphasizes the benefits of mandatory military service, the lecture provides compelling reasons to question its effectiveness and fairness, focusing on issues of individual freedom, economic impact, efficiency, and social equality.

Rater's Comment:

This response deserves a high score as 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 contention between the reading and the lecture. For instance, the response clearly contrasts the reading's claim about national unity with the lecture's argument on individual freedoms. Similarly, it juxtaposes the reading's view on career prospects with the lecture's concerns about the economic impact of delaying education and career plans.The response also maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions such as "The lecture argues," "Regarding economic impact," and "Lastly, the lecture challenges" helps to clearly signal the relationship between the two sources, enhancing the coherence and flow of the essay.

Moreover, the language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The essay is concise, staying within the word limit while effectively conveying all necessary information. Overall, the response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in summarizing and synthesizing information from multiple sources, which is a key requirement for this task.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Lecture on Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens

Here are the strategies for approaching the TOEFL integrated writing task on 'Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens':

1. Focus on Key Points: Clearly identify the main points from both the reading and the lecture. The reading may emphasize benefits like national security and unity, while the lecture might challenge these with concerns about individual freedoms or economic impact.

2. Take Notes: While reading the passage and listening to the lecture, jot down contrasting arguments. This will help you structure your response more effectively.

3. Summarize Without Opinion: Ensure your response accurately reflects the material without adding personal views. Stick to the comparisons between the reading and the lecture.

4. Time Management: Spend a few minutes outlining your response before writing. This helps maintain a clear, logical flow.

5. Word Count Guidance: Aim for a response between 150 to 225 words, ensuring it is concise yet comprehensive.

Hope this practice test on 'Should Military Service Be Mandatory for All Citizens' was helpful for you! Keep practicing to enhance your TOEFL Writing skills. Best of Luck!

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