Should Space Tourism Be Regulated by International Law - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The Academic Discussion task in the TOEFL Writing section evaluates how well you can engage in scholarly discussions. This task requires you to analyse a lecture, respond thoughtfully, and express your perspective using relevant evidence. This practice test will guide you in developing these essential skills. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should Space Tourism Be Regulated by International Law".

Writing Instructions

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic.
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instructions: Your professor is teaching a class on environmental science. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should -

1. express and support your personal opinion,
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: As space tourism becomes more possible, there is a growing debate about whether it should be controlled by international law. Some argue that international rules are necessary to ensure safety, environmental protection, and fair access. Others believe that such rules could hold back new ideas and place unnecessary burdens on private companies. What do you think? Should space tourism be controlled by international law?

Emily: I believe that space tourism should be controlled by international law. Without proper rules, there could be big safety risks for tourists and potential environmental damage to outer space. International laws could set safety standards and guidelines to protect both tourists and the space environment. Also, rules could ensure that space tourism is accessible to people from all countries, not just the wealthy or those from technologically advanced nations.

Michael: Although I understand the concerns about safety and environmental protection, I think that controlling space tourism through international law could hold back new ideas. Private companies have been the driving force behind recent advancements in space travel. Imposing strict rules could slow down their progress. Instead, I believe that self-regulation by the industry, combined with national supervision, could be a more flexible and effective approach. This way, companies can continue to innovate while still maintaining safety and environmental standards.

Wait! Let's learn more about the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus before checking out the sample answers to the Academic Discussion Writing task!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should Space Tourism Be Regulated by International Law

We’ve provided two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one showcasing a high-level response and the other a mid-level one. Analyzing these examples will help you grasp the scoring criteria for each level and improve your writing skills accordingly.

High-level Response

While Michael raises valid points about the potential for international laws to stifle innovation, I strongly believe that space tourism should be controlled by international law. The unique and shared nature of outer space necessitates a coordinated approach to ensure safety, environmental protection, and equitable access. Without proper international regulations, there could be significant safety risks for tourists and potential environmental damage to outer space, which is a global commons.

International laws could establish uniform safety standards and guidelines to protect both tourists and the space environment. This would not only ensure the safety of individuals but also preserve the integrity of outer space for future generations. Additionally, international regulations could promote fair access to space tourism, ensuring that it is not limited to wealthy or technologically advanced nations. By fostering collaboration and setting clear standards, international law can create a balanced framework that encourages innovation while safeguarding essential principles. In essence, the benefits of international regulation in ensuring safety, environmental protection, and fairness far outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively counters Michael's concerns by emphasizing the necessity of international regulations for safety, environmental protection, and equitable access. The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the discussion. The first paragraph aligns with Emily's viewpoint on the importance of international laws for safety and environmental protection, while the second paragraph highlights the need for fair access and collaboration. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from grammatical errors. Overall, the student demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Mid-level Response

I think space tourism should be controlled by international law. Like Emily said, without proper rules, there could be big safety risks and environmental damage. International laws could set safety standards and guidelines to protect tourists and the space environment.

However, I also understand Michael's concern about stifling innovation. Private companies have made a lot of progress in space travel. But I believe that international regulations can provide a balanced approach. They can ensure safety and environmental protection while still allowing companies to innovate. This way, we can have safe and sustainable space tourism for everyone.

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the need for international regulations and the importance of innovation, aligning with points made by Emily and Michael. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some grammatical errors, such as "big safety risks" instead of "significant safety risks," and "provide a balanced approach" instead of "create a balanced framework." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "big safety risks" and "a lot of progress." While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could benefit from more detailed reasoning and a more formal tone.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should Space Tourism Be Regulated by International Law

It's time to examine the tips our experts have developed and put them to work as we practice with TOEFL Writing mock tests. Check the following strategies for taking an academic discussion task.

• Start your preparation by reading opinion articles from newspapers or online platforms, and actively respond to them by expressing your agreement or disagreement.
• To improve your skills, create multiple reasons to support your stance on a topic, backing them up with detailed points and examples.
• While practicing, identify common grammatical mistakes and focus on correcting them.
• Strengthen your ability to fix errors, and reserve time at the end of your writing sessions to review and apply these corrections.

Feeling confident after exploring the sample response and writing strategies? Put your knowledge into practice! All the best!

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