The Effects of a Cashless Society - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

Question 

Highlight the core arguments of the lecture and show how they relate to the assertions found in the reading passage.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on The Effects of a Cashless Society

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on The Effects of a Cashless Society

Below, you’ll find a thorough examination of responses from mid-level to high-level, with guidance on enhancing your performance to reach your target score:

Mid Level Response

The reading passage talks about the benefits of a cashless society, like convenience, better security, more access to banking, and cost savings. But the lecture gives some counterarguments to these points.First, the reading says that digital payments are convenient. But the lecture says that this convenience brings up privacy concerns. Every payment leaves a digital trace that can be tracked and analyzed, leading to privacy issues.Second, the reading mentions that digital payments offer better security. However, the lecture argues that digital systems are not free from risks. Online security threats like hacking and data leaks can affect millions of people, causing financial loss.Third, the reading suggests that cashless systems can help more people access banking services. But the lecture points out that this assumes everyone has access to the needed technology. Many people in remote or poor areas don't have smartphones or internet access, which can make existing inequalities worse.Lastly, the reading claims that a cashless society can save money for businesses and governments. However, the lecture says that these savings can lead to job losses. Many people work in roles related to cash handling, and moving to a cashless society could make these jobs unnecessary, leading to higher unemployment.In conclusion, while the reading passage presents a positive view of a cashless society, the lecture provides several counterarguments that highlight potential drawbacks.

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 affect its overall quality. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. However, there are some coherence and organization issues that make the response less effective.The writer uses simple transitions like "First," "Second," and "Lastly," which help guide the reader but could be more varied to enhance the flow of the essay. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, but there are some grammatical errors that hinder comprehension. For example, the sentence "But the lecture says that this convenience brings up privacy concerns" could be improved for clarity.The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a mid-level score.The writer demonstrates some control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, but there are noticeable errors that affect the overall quality. For instance, the sentence "Many people in remote or poor areas don't have smartphones or internet access, which can make existing inequalities worse" could be rephrased for better clarity.

Overall, this response meets some of the criteria for a mid-level score, including relating key points from both the reading and the lecture and maintaining coherence and organization. However, the grammatical errors and occasional lapses in clarity prevent it from achieving a higher score.

High Level Response

The reading passage highlights several benefits of moving to a cashless society, such as increased convenience, better security, greater access to banking services, and cost savings for businesses and governments. However, the lecture presents counterarguments that challenge these points.Firstly, while the reading emphasizes the convenience of digital payments, the lecture raises privacy concerns. Every digital transaction leaves a trace that can be tracked and analyzed, potentially leading to significant privacy issues as personal information becomes accessible to companies and governments.Secondly, the reading claims that digital payments offer better security by reducing theft and loss. However, the lecture argues that digital systems are not free from risks. Online security threats like hacking, data leaks, and identity theft can affect millions of people, causing widespread financial loss and instability.Thirdly, the reading suggests that cashless systems can help more people access banking services. In contrast, the lecture points out that this assumes everyone has access to the necessary technology. Many people in remote or poor areas lack smartphones, internet access, or tech skills, which can exacerbate existing inequalities.

Lastly, the reading mentions cost savings for businesses and governments as a benefit of a cashless society. However, the lecture contends that these savings can lead to job losses. Many people work in roles related to cash handling, and moving to a cashless society could make these jobs unnecessary, leading to higher unemployment and financial disruption.In summary, while the reading passage presents a positive view of a cashless society, the lecture provides several compelling counterarguments that highlight potential drawbacks.

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 writer uses appropriate transitions, such as "Firstly," "Secondly," and "Lastly," to guide the reader through the essay, ensuring coherence and logical flow.The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and showcasing the writer's ability to convey ideas in their own words. For example, the writer rephrases the reading's point about the convenience of digital payments and the lecture's counterpoint about privacy concerns.The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a high-scoring response.Additionally, the writer demonstrates strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect meaning. The response is concise, staying within the word limit, and effectively communicates the key points from both the reading and the lecture.

Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, including presenting all key information, maintaining coherence and organization, and demonstrating good language control.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Effects of a Cashless Society

To succeed in the TOEFL Integrated Writing task, it's important to implement effective strategies. Here are some essential approaches to improve your writing and comprehension skills.

1. Read and Listen Actively: Pay attention to key points in both the reading and the lecture, noting how the reading emphasizes the benefits of a cashless society while the lecture raises concerns about privacy and technological risks.

2. Summarize, Don’t Paraphrase: Aim to summarize the main ideas without directly copying sentences, such as outlining the reading's argument regarding increased convenience.

3. Compare and Contrast Key Points: Connect similar ideas from both sources and highlight their differences, for example, contrasting the reading’s assertion about enhanced security with the lecture's worries about cyber risks.

4. Stay Objective and Neutral: Refrain from sharing personal opinions and focus on summarizing the arguments, such as detailing the differences between the reading’s advantages and the lecture’s apprehensions.

5. Use Clear Structure and Transitions: Organize your response by addressing each point sequentially, using transitions to guide the reader, like stating that "While the reading emphasizes convenience, the lecture raises privacy concerns."

6. Avoid Overwriting: Adhere to the word limit of 150-225 words, prioritizing clarity and completeness without adding unnecessary details.

We hope this practice test was helpful for you in mastering the TOEFL Writing Integrated Task. By engaging with the reading and lecture on 'The Effects of a Cashless Society,' you can refine your ability to compare and summarize key points effectively, which is essential for achieving a high score. Keep practicing to enhance your writing skills further!

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