Should the School Day Be Shortened - TOEFL Writing Practice Test (Integrated)

The Writing section of the TOEFL exam is a vital component for demonstrating academic English proficiency. The Integrated Writing task requires you to merge your reading and listening skills with your ability to produce a logical and structured written response. This test aims to improve your understanding of task requirements and sharpen your writing abilities for the TOEFL Writing section. 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.

The debate over whether the school day should be shortened has gained attention in recent years, with supporters arguing that a shorter school day offers many benefits for students and teachers alike.

One main argument for shortening the school day is that it can improve students' mental health and well-being. Long school hours can lead to stress, tiredness, and burnout among students. By reducing the length of the school day, students would have more time to relax, pursue hobbies, and engage in physical activities. These activities are essential for keeping a healthy balance between school and personal life. This extra free time can also help reduce anxiety and improve overall mental health.

Another big advantage is the potential for better academic performance. Research suggests that students are more focused and productive during shorter, more intense periods of study. A shorter school day could lead to more efficient use of classroom time, with teachers focusing on core subjects and essential skills. This focused approach can result in better keeping of information and higher academic achievement. Also, students would have more time for homework and independent study, allowing them to strengthen what they have learned in class.

Shortening the school day can also help teachers by reducing their workload and preventing burnout. Teachers often spend long hours preparing lessons, grading assignments, and managing classroom activities. A shorter school day would give them more time for planning and professional development, in the end leading to more effective teaching. This change could also improve teacher spirit and job satisfaction, which are crucial for maintaining a high-quality education system.

Also, a shorter school day can strengthen family bonds. With more free time in the afternoons, students can spend quality time with their families, participate in community activities, and develop social skills outside the classroom. This increased family interaction can have a positive impact on students' emotional and social development, contributing to a well-rounded education.

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 the School Day Be Shortened

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 that shortening the school day offers numerous benefits. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments to these points.

The reading suggests that a shorter school day can improve students' mental health by reducing stress and providing more time for relaxation and hobbies. The lecture counters this by arguing that the extra free time might be used unproductively, such as excessive screen time, which could harm mental health rather than improve it.

The reading also claims that shorter school days can lead to better academic performance by allowing for more focused and efficient use of classroom time. The lecture, however, argues that less instructional time could result in superficial learning and gaps in students' knowledge, as teachers might rush through the material.

Regarding teacher benefits, the reading states that a shorter school day can reduce teachers' workload and prevent burnout. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that teachers might still need to cover the same amount of material in less time, leading to increased pressure and stress.

Finally, the reading highlights the positive impact of a shorter school day on family bonds, allowing students to spend more quality time with their families. The lecture, however, points out that this change could create childcare challenges for working parents, particularly affecting low-income families who may struggle to arrange for after-school care.

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. 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

The reading passage argues that shortening the school day has many benefits but the lecture has some points against this idea.

The reading says a shorter school day can improve students' mental health by giving them more time to relax and pursue hobbies. But the lecture argues that students might use the extra free time for unproductive activities, like exccessive screen time, which could harm their mental health.

The reading also claims that shorter school days can lead to better academic performance by alowing for more focused and effisient use of classroom time. The lecture, however, argue that less instructional time could result in superficial learning and gaps in students knowledge, as teachers might rush through the material.

Regarding teacher benefits, the reading states that a shorter school day can reduce teachers' workload and prevent burnout. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that teachers might still need to cover the same amount of material in less time, leading to increased pressure and stress.

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.

Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors. 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.

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

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