Should the Government Fund the Arts - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT^®exam evaluates candidates on various abilities, placing particular importance on their communication skills. Among the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills from TOEFL examinees.

 The Writing Integrated practice test on 'Should the Government Fund the Arts' aims to 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 the government should fund the arts is a heated one, with strong arguments on both sides. Supporters believe that government funding is vital for the arts to grow, which in turn benefits society in many ways. One major point is that government funding ensures everyone has access to the arts, no matter their financial situation. Without this support, many cultural places like museums, theaters, and music groups would have to raise ticket prices, making them too expensive for lower-income families. This would create a cultural gap where only the wealthy could enjoy high-quality art. Government help makes the arts accessible to everyone, ensuring that all can enjoy cultural experiences.

Another argument for government funding is the economic boost that the arts provide to communities. Cultural events and institutions draw tourists, create jobs, and help local economies. For instance, cities with lively arts scenes often see more business for local restaurants, hotels, and shops. The arts can drive economic growth, and government investment in this area can bring big returns.

Also, the arts play a key role in education and personal growth. Studies have shown that exposure to the arts can improve school performance, enhance critical thinking, and boost creativity. Schools with strong arts programs often have more engaged students and lower dropout rates. By funding the arts, the government can support educational programs that help young people develop overall.

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 the Government Fund the Arts

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 the Government Fund the Arts

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 effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The writer accurately identifies the key arguments from the reading, such as the importance of government funding for accessibility, economic growth, and education. They then skillfully present the counterarguments from the lecture, including the need to prioritize essential services, the limited economic impact of the arts, and the potential constraints on artistic freedom.

The response is well-organized and coherent, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. The writer uses clear and concise language, making the essay easy to follow. Additionally, the response maintains objectivity, refraining from expressing personal opinions and instead focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture.

The use of transitions, such as "however" and "in summary," helps to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, enhancing the overall coherence of the essay. The writer also demonstrates strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect 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 basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail. The writer identifies the key arguments from the reading, such as the importance of government funding for accessibility, economic growth, and education. They also present the counterarguments from the lecture, including the need to prioritize essential services, the limited economic impact of the arts, and the potential constraints on artistic freedom.

However, the response is somewhat disorganized and lacks coherence. The writer does not clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, making it difficult to follow the flow of the essay. Additionally, there are noticeable grammatical and punctuation errors, such as "the reading says that government funding helps everyone access the arts, but the lecture argues that government budgets are limited and should focus on more urgent needs like healthcare and education." This sentence is too long and could be broken into two separate sentences for clarity. The response also lacks transitions, which would help to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. For example, the writer could use phrases like "however" or "in contrast" to better connect the ideas.

Overall, while this response provides a basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it lacks depth, organization, and coherence. The grammatical and punctuation errors also hinder comprehension, making it difficult to follow the writer's argument.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should the Government Fund the Arts

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should the Government Fund the Arts.

• 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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