Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT^® exam evaluates a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in an academic setting, and the writing section plays a crucial role in this assessment. The first writing task, the Integrated Writing Task, requires test-takers to demonstrate their proficiency in synthesizing information from diverse sources which candidates can practice with tests like 'Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies'.

The Integrated Writing task demands attentiveness as you read a short passage and then listen to a corresponding lecture using the provided headphones. Following the lecture, the reading passage reappears on your screen, accompanied by instructions for the writing task. Within a time limit of 20 minutes, you must craft a response that effectively integrates the insights from both sources.

So, let’s start the TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test to figure out the areas that you need to work on to achieve your ideal TOEFL score!

Writing Instructions

• You'll read a passage on an academic topic and listen to a corresponding lecture.
• You may take notes while reading and listening to aid comprehension.
• Then you will write a response to a question that asks you about the relationship between the lecture you heard and the reading passage.
• Answer the question comprehensively using information from both the reading and the lecture. Avoid expressing personal opinions in the response.
• You may refer to the reading passage again or may use your notes to help you answer the question.
• 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.

Mandatory voting in democratic societies is often suggested as a way to boost public involvement and ensure fair representation. One main argument for compulsory voting is that it leads to higher voter turnout. In many democracies, voter participation is worryingly low, which can weaken the credibility of elected officials. By making voting mandatory, more citizens are likely to take part in the voting process, leading to results that better reflect the will of the whole population.

Another benefit of mandatory voting is that it promotes political equality. Voluntary voting systems often see higher participation rates among certain groups, like the wealthy and educated, while disadvantaged groups are underrepresented. Compulsory voting ensures that all parts of society have an equal voice in elections, creating a more inclusive and representative democracy. This can lead to policies that better address the needs of the entire population, not just a privileged few. Mandatory voting can also strengthen the sense of civic duty among citizens. Voting is a key part of democratic participation, and making it compulsory can reinforce the idea that it is not just a right but also a responsibility. This can lead to a more politically informed and engaged public, as people are more likely to educate themselves about candidates and issues when they know they have to vote.

Finally, compulsory voting can reduce the influence of money in politics. When voter turnout is low, political campaigns often focus on mobilizing their base, which can lead to excessive spending on ads and other forms of voter outreach. Higher voter turnout, driven by mandatory voting, can lessen the impact of such spending, as politicians would need to appeal to a broader audience rather than just their core supporters.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise on the arguments made in the lecture by emphasizing their relevance to the assertions made in the reading passage. State the opinion.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies

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 Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies 

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

The response effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. It accurately presents the benefits of mandatory voting as outlined in the reading, such as higher voter turnout, political equality, a strengthened sense of civic duty, and reduced influence of money in politics. The response then contrasts these points with the concerns raised in the lecture, such as the violation of individual freedom, potential for uninformed voting, administrative and financial burdens, and the lack of genuine political engagement.

The response is well-organized and coherent, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point of comparison between the reading and the lecture. The use of transitions like "however," "additionally," and "lastly" helps to clearly signal the relationship between the two sources. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary, making the response easy to read and understand. Overall, the response successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a strong ability to synthesize and summarize complex material. The minor errors present do not affect the overall meaning or clarity of the response, making it a high-level response.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

The response provides a basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail. It correctly identifies the benefits of mandatory voting mentioned in the reading, such as higher voter turnout and political equality. However, the explanation of these points is somewhat superficial and lacks specific examples or details. The response also addresses the concerns raised in the lecture, such as the violation of individual freedom, potential for uninformed voting, and the cost of enforcement. However, it does not fully explore these issues or provide specific examples from the lecture. For instance, the response mentions that mandatory voting can lead to uninformed voting but does not elaborate on how this affects election outcomes.

There are some grammatical errors in the response, such as "The lecture also mentions that mandatory voting can lead to uninformed voting, where people make random choices without knowing much about the candidates or issues." The phrase "where people make random choices" could be more clearly connected to the rest of the sentence. Additionally, the sentence "This makes it hard to justify forcing people to vote" could be rephrased for clarity.

Overall, the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material but lacks the depth, detail, and coherence needed for a higher score. The grammatical errors and lack of specific examples also detract from the overall quality of the response.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democratic Societies.

• Read the passage carefully and taking concise notes on key points is ideal.
• 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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