Should Plastic Bags Be Completely Banned - TOEFL Writing Practice Test (Integrated)

As one of the most dynamic components of the TOEFL, the Integrated Writing task challenges test-takers to synthesize information from a variety of sources. This practice test is tailored to help you understand the nuances of the task, structure your responses with precision, and enhance your overall writing performance. Let’s discover your potential and prepare for a great 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.

The debate over whether plastic bags should be completely banned has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to growing environmental concerns. One of the main arguments for banning plastic bags is their harmful impact on the environment. Plastic bags do not break down easily and can take hundreds of years to decompose. During this time, they pollute oceans and landscapes, harming wildlife that may eat them or get caught in them. This environmental damage is a strong reason to get rid of plastic bags entirely.

Another argument for a complete ban is the strain plastic bags place on waste management systems. Plastic bags often clog recycling machines and contaminate other recyclable materials, making the recycling process less efficient and more costly. By banning plastic bags, cities can reduce the burden on their waste management systems, leading to more effective recycling programs and less environmental pollution.

Also, banning plastic bags can encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives. Reusable bags made from materials like cloth or hemp are more environmentally friendly and can be used many times, reducing the overall demand for single-use plastics. This shift towards sustainable practices can have a long-term positive impact on the environment and help create a culture of environmental responsibility among consumers.

Also, the economic benefits of banning plastic bags should not be overlooked. The production of plastic bags relies on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By reducing the demand for plastic bags, we can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and promote the development of green industries. The costs associated with cleaning up plastic bag pollution and managing waste can be significantly reduced, freeing up resources for other essential services.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.

Curious about what a good TOEFL score looks like? Check it out first, then explore the Integrated Writing sample answers!

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on - Should Plastic Bags Be Completely Banned

Examine the provided pair of sample answers - one representing a mid-level and the other a high level. By studying these responses closely, you'll discover valuable lessons to enhance and polish your written responses.

High-Level Response

The reading passage argues for a complete ban on plastic bags. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments.

The lecture acknowledges the environmental concerns but highlights the convenience and cost-effectiveness of plastic bags for consumers and retailers. Banning them could lead to higher costs for businesses, which may be passed on to consumers, challenging the reading's economic benefits argument.

Regarding sustainable alternatives, the lecture points out that these options also have environmental impacts. This counters the reading's claim that alternatives are inherently better for the environment.

The lecture also addresses the social consequences of a ban, noting that low-income communities might be unfairly affected by the increased costs of alternative bags. Plastic bags are often reused for various purposes, and banning them could create extra financial burdens for these communities, challenging the reading's view on economic benefits.

Lastly, the lecture suggests a balanced approach instead of a complete ban. Improving recycling programs and encouraging the responsible use of plastic bags through education campaigns and rewards can reduce plastic waste without needing an outright ban. This approach retains the benefits of plastic bags while mitigating their environmental impact, contrasting with the reading's call for a total ban.

Rater's Comment

This response effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the relationship between the two. The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. The use of transitions such as "however," "regarding," and "lastly" helps to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, making the essay coherent and easy to follow.

Additionally, the essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This is crucial for the TOEFL Integrated Writing task, as the goal is to report on the relationship between the two sources rather than to take a side.

Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, including presenting all key information from both the reading and the lecture, being well-organized and coherent, and demonstrating strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary with only minor errors that do not affect meaning.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage argues for banning plastic bags but the lecture has some opposing views.

The lecture says that plastic bags are very convenent and cost-effective for consumers and retailers. Banning them could lead to higher costs for busineses, which may be passed on to consumers. This challenges the reading's economic benefits argument.

Regarding sustainable alternatives, the lecture points out that these options also have environmental impacts. For example, paper bags require a lot of water and energy to produce, and reusable bags need to be used many times to offset their production resources. This counters the reading's claim that alternatives are better for the environment.

The lecture also mention the social consequences of a ban, noting that low-income communities might be unfairly affected by the increased costs of alternative bags. Plastic bags is often reused for various purposes, and banning them could create extra financial burdens for these communities, challenging the reading's view on economic benefits.

Lastly, the lecture suggests a balanced approach instead of a complete ban. Improving recycling programs and encouraging responsible use of plastic bags through education campaigns and rewards can reduce plastic waste without needing an outright ban. This approach retains the benefits of plastic bags while reducing their environmental impact, contrasting with the reading's call for a total ban.

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail in some areas. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing specific points from the reading and the lecture. However, the transitions between points are not as clear as they could be, making the essay somewhat less coherent.

There are also some grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the overall quality of the response. The response does a good job of paraphrasing the information from both sources, but it occasionally lacks specificity.

Overall, this response meets the criteria for a mid-level score. It provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks some detail and clarity. The organization is generally good, but the transitions could be clearer. There are also some grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the overall quality of the response.

With these strategies and examples in mind, you're ready to practice and refine your writing abilities!

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