Should University Education be Free for All - TOEFL Writing Practice Test (Integrated)

The TOEFL Writing section assesses your ability to express ideas clearly and coherently in English. The Integrated Writing task, in particular, challenges you to combine information from a reading passage and a lecture into a well-structured response. This practice test is designed to help you develop the skills needed to summarise, analyse, and synthesise information effectively. Let’s refine your writing skills and prepare for success on the TOEFL!

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 idea of making university education free for all has gained a lot of support, with supporters saying it would bring many social benefits. One of the main advantages is increased access to higher education. By getting rid of tuition fees, students from low-income families would have the chance to get a university degree, which can lead to better job prospects and higher earning potential. This would help reduce the income gap and encourage social movement.

Also, free university education would ease the weight of student debt. Many graduates are weighed down by large loans that take years to repay, limiting their financial independence and postponing major life decisions like buying a home or starting a family. By removing the cost obstacle, students can focus on their studies without constantly worrying about building up debt, leading to better school performance and general well-being.

Additionally, a more educated population can boost economic growth and innovation. Higher education gives people the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various fields, adding to a more qualified workforce. Countries with higher education levels tend to have stronger economies, as they can draw high-tech industries and encourage research and development. Free university education would ensure that talent is not wasted due to financial limits, maximizing the capability of the workforce.

Also, making university education free can lead to more knowledgeable and active citizens. Education fosters analytical thinking and public awareness, enabling people to make informed decisions and participate actively in democratic activities. A well-educated population is better equipped to address social challenges and contribute to the general improvement of society.

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 University Education be Free for All

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 advocates for free university education, citing benefits such as increased access, reduced student debt, economic growth, and a more informed citizenry. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments to these points.

Firstly, while the reading emphasizes increased access to higher education, the lecture highlights the financial strain on the government. Funding free university education would require significant public spending, potentially leading to higher taxes or cuts in essential services like healthcare and infrastructure.

Secondly, the reading mentions that free education would ease student debt burdens. In contrast, the lecture argues that a surge in students could lead to overcrowded classrooms and overworked faculty, thereby reducing the quality of education. This could ultimately devalue a university degree.

Thirdly, the reading claims that a more educated population boosts economic growth and innovation. However, the lecture points out that free education might reduce students' incentive to perform well, as they have not made a financial investment. This could result in higher dropout rates and lower academic achievement.

Lastly, the reading suggests that free university education fosters knowledgeable and active citizens. The lecture counters this by emphasizing the importance of primary and secondary education. Without addressing inequalities in K-12 education, free university education alone will not achieve true educational fairness.

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 essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture.

The language used is clear and concise, with appropriate transitions that help maintain coherence and flow. Phrases like "Firstly," "Secondly," and "In contrast" effectively signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture.

Additionally, the essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The grammar and vocabulary are strong, with only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. Overall, this response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in summarizing and synthesizing information from both the reading and the lecture, making it deserving of the highest score.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage talks about the benefits of free university education, like better access, less student debt, economic growth, and more informed citizens. But the lecture points out some negative effects.

First, the reading say free education increases access to higher education, but the lecture says it would put a financial strain on the government. This could lead to higher taxes or cut in other important services like healthcare.

Second, the reading mentions that free education would reduce student debt. However, the lecture say that a surge in students could lead to overcrowded classrooms and overworked faculty, reducing the quallity of education.

Third, the reading highlights that a more educated population boosts economic growth. But the lecture argue that free education might reduce students' insentive to perform well, as they have not made a financial investment. This could lead to higher dropout rates and lower academic achevement.

Lastly, the reading suggests that free university education creates more informed citizens. The lecture, however, says that without addressing inequalities in primary and secondary education, free university education alone will not achieve true educational fairness.

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, which is why it falls into the mid-level category. The essay is generally organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its counterargument from the lecture. However, the transitions between points are not as smooth, and the language is more simplistic.

There are also some grammatical errors that affect the overall quality of the response. Overall, while the response covers the main points and shows a basic understanding of the material, it lacks the depth, detail, and language control needed for a higher score.

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

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