Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritized Over Urban Development - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL exam evaluates candidates on various abilities, with a strong emphasis on communication skills. Among its sections, the Writing Segment is particularly significant, requiring diverse competencies from examinees.

In this practice test on the topic 'Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritised Over Urban Development,' you'll focus on the Integrated Writing task. This will help you understand instructions, structure your responses effectively, and enhance your overall performance. Sample answers are provided to guide you as you work toward achieving 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 wildlife conservation should come before urban development is a big issue in many places. Supporters of prioritising wildlife conservation argue that saving natural habitats is key to keeping the variety of life. Losing species and ecosystems can have wide-ranging effects, upsetting natural balance and causing the collapse of important environmental services like plant fertilization, water purification, and climate control. Also, wildlife conservation is vital for protecting endangered species. Many animals and plants are close to extinction because of habitat destruction from urban growth. By focusing on conservation efforts, we can ensure these species survive and keep the variety in genes needed for healthy ecosystems. This is not just an ethical duty but also a practical need for the long-term health of our planet.Also, natural areas bring significant economic benefits through nature tourism. Many regions depend on money from tourists who come to see wildlife and natural landscapes. This income can be crucial for local communities and conservation projects. By saving natural habitats, we can support sustainable economic growth that helps both people and the environment.

Lastly, natural spaces offer many health and well-being benefits for humans. Access to green areas has been shown to lower stress, improve mental health, and encourage physical activity. Urban development that takes over these areas can take away these benefits, leading to a lower quality of life. Prioritizing wildlife conservation ensures that future generations can enjoy the physical and mental advantages of natural environments.

Now play the audio.

Question 

Present a short overview of the lecture’s main points, focusing on how they align with or dispute the reading passage’s assertions.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritised Over Urban Development

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritised Over Urban Development

The following analysis offers insights into various response levels, from mid-level to high-level, highlighting key areas for enhancement to help you achieve your target score:

Mid Level Response 

The reading passage argues that wildlife conservation should be prioritized over urban development because it maintains biodiversity, protects endangered species, provides economic benefits through nature tourism, and offers health benefits to humans. However, the lecture presents some challenges to these points.The professor says that the growing demand for housing and basic facilities needs urban development. As populations grow, cities need to expand to house more people. Prioritizing wildlife conservation over urban development can lead to housing shortages and high property prices. This goes against the reading's claim that conservation should come first.The professor also mentions the economic benefits of urban development. Building infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals creates jobs and boosts local economies. This development is crucial for improving living standards and providing necessary services to growing populations. This challenges the reading's idea that conservation is more beneficial for economic growth.

Another point the professor makes is that urban development can include green spaces and promote environmental health. Modern urban planning includes natural elements like parks, green roofs, and urban forests. These plans can offer some benefits of natural habitats while still allowing necessary development. This opposes the reading's view that urban development harms natural areas.Lastly, the professor says that the focus on wildlife conservation can overlook the immediate needs of human populations. In many developing areas, the priority is to provide basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. Putting resources into conservation efforts instead of these basic needs can be seen as misplacing priorities. This contradicts the reading's claim that prioritizing wildlife conservation is essential for long-term health and well-being.

Rater's Comment:

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks some depth and detail. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific counterargument from the lecture. However, some key points from the lecture are not fully developed. For example, the response mentions the need for housing and basic facilities but does not elaborate on the extent of the impact on housing shortages and property prices. Similarly, the discussion on the economic benefits of urban development could be more detailed.There are also some grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "As populations grow, cities need to expand to house more people" could be clearer with better punctuation. Additionally, the phrase "This challenges the reading's idea that conservation is more beneficial for economic growth" is somewhat vague and could be more specific about how urban development impacts economic growth.Despite these issues, the response does capture the main points from both the reading and the lecture and demonstrates a basic understanding of the material. The language used is generally clear, but there are noticeable errors that affect the overall coherence. Overall, this response meets the criteria for a mid-level score, providing a summary of the key information but lacking in depth and detail, with some grammatical and punctuation errors.

High Level Response

The reading passage argues that wildlife conservation should be prioritized over urban development due to its importance in maintaining biodiversity, protecting endangered species, providing economic benefits through nature tourism, and offering health benefits to humans. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments that challenge these points.The professor argues that the growing demand for housing and basic facilities necessitates urban development. As populations increase, cities need to expand to accommodate more people. Prioritizing wildlife conservation over urban development can lead to housing shortages and high property prices, making it difficult for people to find affordable housing. This contradicts the reading's claim that conservation should come first.Additionally, the lecture highlights the economic benefits of urban development. Building infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals creates jobs and boosts local economies. This development is essential for improving living standards and providing necessary services to growing populations. This challenges the reading's assertion that conservation is more beneficial for economic growth.The professor also notes that urban development can incorporate green spaces and promote environmental health. Modern urban planning includes natural elements like parks, green roofs, and urban forests, which can offer some benefits of natural habitats while still allowing for necessary development. This opposes the reading's view that urban development inherently harms natural areas.

Lastly, the lecture emphasizes the immediate needs of human populations, particularly in developing areas. Providing basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare should take precedence over conservation efforts. This contradicts the reading's claim that prioritizing wildlife conservation is essential for long-term health and well-being.

Rater's Comment:

This response effectively captures 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 counterargument from the lecture that challenges a point made in the reading. For example, the response accurately summarizes the lecture's argument about the need for housing and how this contradicts the reading's claim about the importance of conservation. The response also highlights the economic benefits of urban development, the incorporation of green spaces in urban planning, and the immediate needs of human populations, all of which are key points from the lecture that challenge the reading's assertions.

The language used is clear and concise, with appropriate transitions that help to maintain coherence and flow. The response avoids personal opinions and focuses on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture, which is a crucial aspect of the task. Additionally, the response demonstrates strong control over grammar and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. Overall, this response meets 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.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritized Over Urban Development

Here are some strategies to help you excel in this practice test on 'Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritized Over Urban Development':

1. Identify Key Arguments: Focus on grasping the main points from both the reading and the lecture. Pay attention to the differing perspectives on wildlife conservation and urban development.

2. Compare and Contrast: Emphasize how the reading highlights the significance of wildlife conservation, while the lecture discusses the need for urban development. Make clear comparisons in your response.

3. Use Clear Examples: Cite specific examples from both the passage and the lecture to back up your points. This will enhance your argument and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the topic.

4. Organize Your Response: Structure your writing logically, beginning with an introduction to the topic, followed by a comparison of the key arguments, and concluding with a summary of the insights gained.

5. Practice Time Management: During the exam, monitor the time to ensure you finish your response within the 20-minute limit. Set aside time for both note-taking and writing.

6. Stay Objective: Refrain from personal opinions; your response should concentrate on synthesizing information from the reading and the lecture. This will keep your writing aligned with the task requirements.

 We hope this practice test on 'Should Wildlife Conservation Be Prioritized Over Urban Development' has been helpful for you. By reviewing the sample responses, you can enhance your writing skills and prepare effectively for the TOEFL exam. Good luck as you continue your journey towards achieving your desired score!

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