Should Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^®exam, the test takers are evaluated on various abilities, particularly on their communication skills. The Writing Section is one of the significant ones for which candidates have to use various skills to attempt the question provided.

This Writing Integrated practice test on 'Should Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment' would help you with your preparation and 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.

The debate over whether prisons should focus on rehabilitation over punishment has gained a lot of attention. Advocates for rehabilitation argue that it offers numerous benefits for both individuals and society. One of the main advantages of focusing on rehabilitation is the potential for reducing committing crimes again. Rehabilitation programs, such as education, job training, and therapy, equip inmates with the skills and support they need to rejoin society successfully. By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior, such as substance abuse or lack of education, rehabilitation can help prevent committing crimes again. Lower reoffending rates lead to safer communities and reduced costs associated with the criminal justice system.

Another big benefit is the positive impact on inmates' mental health and well-being. Punishing measures often worsen feelings of anger, hopelessness, and resentment among prisoners. In contrast, rehabilitation programs provide a more supportive and helpful environment, promoting personal growth and self-improvement. This approach can lead to better mental health outcomes and a greater sense of purpose for inmates, ultimately aiding their rejoining into society.

Making amends also aligns with the principles of restorative justice, which emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. By focusing on rehabilitation, the criminal justice system can help offenders make amends and contribute positively to their communities. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility, encouraging inmates to take active steps toward making positive changes in their lives. Restorative justice can lead to more meaningful and lasting resolutions for both victims and offenders.

Also, rehabilitation can have economic benefits. Imprisonment is expensive, with significant costs associated with maintaining prisons and supporting inmates. Rehabilitation programs, while requiring initial investment, can lead to long-term savings by reducing the number of repeat offenders and the overall prison population. Also, rehabilitated individuals who gain employment and become productive members of society contribute to the economy through taxes and consumer spending.

Now play the audio.

Question

Provide a brief summary on the lecture's arguments and also highlight their relevance on the claims provided in the reading passage. State your opinion.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment

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 Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment

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 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 potential impact on recidivism, while the second addresses the mental health benefits. 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.

Mid Level Response

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 effectiveness of rehabilitation for all offenders, but it does not elaborate on why some individuals may have deeply rooted criminal tendencies or lack the motivation to change. Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors, such as "The reading says rehabilitation programs can reduce recidivism by addressing issues like substance abuse and lack of education," which could be more clearly stated as "The reading suggests that rehabilitation programs can reduce recidivism by addressing issues like substance abuse and lack of education." 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.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Prisons Focus on Rehabilitation Over Punishment.

• 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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