Solar Energy - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test Paper with Sample Responses

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.

This practice test aims to enhance your writing abilities, concentrating specifically on the Integrated Writing task of the TOEFL iBT^® test. 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 r 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.

Solar Energy

Despite being a relatively new technology, solar energy benefits everyone on the planet. First, we become independent on non-renewable fossil fuels thanks to solar energy. Many energy sources can only be replenished for millions of years; however, people use those more quickly than they are made. As a constant energy source, solar energy may eventually replace non-renewable resources. 

Furthermore, solar energy is beneficial for everyone because it doesn't produce any pollution. It is well known that burning fossil fuels releases fatal pollutants, yet solar energy emits no toxic byproducts. Solar energy doesn't produce any objectionable sounds, sights, or scents like present energy sources do. Lastly, because solar panels last a long time without regular maintenance, there is almost no upkeep. Even though solar panels are an expensive one-time purchase, their lifespan is thirty years after installation. Additionally, this also offers peace of mind as there is no worry about resource shortages or if price increases. Therefore, the merits appear to encourage continued production. 

In conclusion, these advantages encourage more individuals to think about making the move to solar energy. There will be extra advantages for people, cities, and the environment because of both the renewable and non-polluting aspects. Benefits last a lifetime because of the minimal installation and maintenance costs. Thus, solar energy looks to be one of the world’s great ideas.

Now play the Audio.

Question

Summarize the points in the lecture, being sure to explain how they address the specific ideas about solar energy described in the reading passage.

Points to Remember

In order to respond to this specific question, you must clarify the definition as well as the arguments regarding the benefits of solar energy that the professor has given you. It is essential to include relevant points and examples from the lesson without including any  outside sources. Setting the stage for your response is accepting that solar energy can be useful. Next, outline the three advantages of moving with solar energy.

You can start by clarifying the first advantage of solar energy where it is narrated how solar energy reduces the load on fossil fuels and produces energy. Humans have consumed renewable sources of energy over the years leading to an increase in the fear of reproduction. Elucidate further by outlining that solar energy is offset production and is the renewable clean energy. Secondly, the professor agrees that solar energy is non-pollutant and can be used in various sectors without the fear of pollution. Analyse it more by providing examples of solar powered water heaters which are designed to optimize energy efficiency.

Furthermore, elucidate the third advantage of using solar energy. Under this broad advantage, the cost of solar energy is remarkably low. The professor in the lecture supports this point by mentioning that the entire money invested is worth utilizing. Subsequently, provide the example of how some people install solar panels and they have access to energy produced and end up selling extra energy to other sources.

To reiterate, the passage's and the lecturer's primary points are still the same where solar energy appears to be one of the greatest ideas in the world and is a non-renewable energy source. Provide sufficient information to expound on the three advantages. As with all tasks, ensure coherence, effective grammar and vocabulary utilization, and comprehensive development in your response.

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on ‘Solar Energy’

This section provides a thorough evaluation of various responses, including both High-level and Mid-level answers. Through a detailed review of these responses, you can identify areas that need improvement to attain your target score in the TOEFL.

High-Level Response 

In the lecture, the professor discusses the three advantages of using solar energy - clean energy, optimisation, and the financial benefits. To begin with, solar energy has been discussed as a clean and renewable resource. Even though the professor explains how fossil fuels are used in order to produce solar panels, he also points out that the panels producing the amount of energy exceeds. For instance, in a time frame of five years, a solar panel will be producing more electricity as compared to the amount needed to produce it. Therefore, solar energy is a sustainable alternative if used in the long run, even if, in the initial stage, it has to rely on fossil fuels.

Moreover, being a clean energy source, it has many uses. For example, solar-powered water heaters, which are made to maximize energy efficiency, lowering the expenses and energy waste. This builds on the idea presented in the reading section that solar energy has a wide range of uses and can help people both financially and health-wise. People may now regulate how much energy they produce and use thanks to energy privatization, which highlights the flexibility of solar technology.

Finally, solar energy's financial advantages are also taken into consideration, even if the initial investment in installing the solar panels can be expensive. However, the excess energy generated through solar panels can be sold to energy companies, recovering the cost. Thus, it emphasizes both cost savings and money generation. In summary, adopting solar energy has many multifaceted applications and usage which can be a compelling option for the future.

Rater’s Comment 

The response successfully provides an analysis and also connects the lecture's knowledge to the concepts of solar energy, indicating a thorough comprehension of the subject matter. There is a summary elaborating the three primary advantages of the lecture, such as clean energy, diverse applications, and financial advantages. The explanation also has relevant examples to support the advantages discussed which has helped maintain coherence and clarity. Likewise, the conclusion also summarizes the reasons effectively and outlines the lecture content. Overall, this has a detailed analysis and the explanation has been articulated effectively.

Mid-Level Response 

In the lecture, the professor discusses about the need for solar energy and its benefits. Solar energy is very good because it is clean and a renewable energy. The solar panels does use fossil fuels but it also gives back more energy than it used to make them. This is why solar energy is a good choice if used in the long run. The lecture also talks about different ways solar energy can be used. For instance, solar-powered water heaters.  In this way, people save money because they don't energy. In this way, people can manage finances and also be healthy. Lastly, the professor spoke about the cost of solar panels because it can be very expensive, but the energy can be sold to companies and get tax benefits. So, the initial cost is recovered eventually. Overall, solar energy is a great option because it is a clean energy, has several uses, and saves money.

Rater’s Comment 

The response is very brief and not elaborated much because it lacks sufficient details to justify the reasons. The logical arrangement of the ideas are not coherent because the reasons are not explained with relevant examples in support of the advantages mentioned. Due to this, it lacks depth and does not provide a well-organised explanation. There could have been more varied sentence structure to enhance the effectiveness in mentioning and conveying the advantages accurately. Overall, this is a mid-level answer as it has answered the prompt but has not developed further.

Are you ready to achieve TOEFL success? We've included sample responses and expert tactics to help you reach your target score. Now, it's your turn to engage in practice tests!

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