The Effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The challenge of integrating reading and listening materials intimidates many TOEFL candidates. In today's session, we'll break down this complex task into manageable components, helping you develop strategies for success. Through focused practice and proven techniques, you'll learn to approach this task with confidence and skill.

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 effects of ocean pollution on marine life are serious and widespread. Various forms of pollution, including plastic waste, chemical contaminants, and oil spills, have harmful impacts on marine ecosystems.

One of the main concerns is the ingestion of plastic debris by marine animals. Many species, including fish, seabirds, and turtles, mistake plastic particles for food. Eating plastic can lead to internal injuries, blockages, and even death. Tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which come from the breakdown of larger debris, are especially harmful as they can build up in the tissues of marine organisms. This buildup can disrupt feeding behavior, growth, and reproduction, ultimately threatening the survival of affected species.

Another significant issue is the contamination of marine environments with toxic chemicals. Industrial runoff, agricultural pesticides, and household waste introduce harmful substances into the ocean. These chemicals can build up in the tissues of marine organisms, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Predatory species at the top of the food chain, such as sharks and marine mammals, are particularly at risk from these effects. Chemical contamination can cause a range of health problems, including reproductive disorders, weakened immune systems, and developmental issues.

Oil spills are another major source of ocean pollution that severely impacts marine life. When oil is released into the ocean, it spreads rapidly, forming a slick on the water's surface. This slick can coat the bodies of marine animals, impairing their ability to swim, breathe, and regulate body temperature. Oil ingestion can also be fatal, causing internal damage and poisoning. The long-term effects of oil spills can last for years, disrupting entire ecosystems and slowing the recovery of affected species.

Also, ocean pollution can lead to the breakdown of critical marine habitats. Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds are particularly sensitive to pollution. Contaminants can weaken these habitats, making them more susceptible to disease and climate change. The loss of these habitats has ripple effects on marine biodiversity, as they provide essential shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for many species. The decline of these habitats can lead to reduced fish populations and the collapse of local fisheries, impacting both marine life and human communities that rely on these resources.

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.

Learn what a good TOEFL score is before you check out the sample answers to the Writing Integrated task!

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on the Effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life

Review the two sample responses provided—one at a mid-level and the other at a high-level. By analyzing these examples, you'll gather valuable insights that can assist in enhancing your writing response.

High-Level Response

The reading passage highlights the serious and widespread effects of ocean pollution on marine life. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments to these points.

The reading suggests that the ingestion of plastic debris by marine animals leads to internal injuries, blockages, and death. The lecture counters this by arguing that many marine species have shown remarkable adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Regarding chemical contamination, the reading claims that industrial runoff, agricultural pesticides, and household waste introduce harmful substances into the ocean, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The lecture, however, argues that natural processes can help lessen the effects of pollution. Ocean currents, wave action, and microbial activity can break down and spread pollutants over time, aiding in the recovery of polluted areas and reducing the long-term impact on marine life.

The reading also emphasizes the severe impact of oil spills on marine life, causing internal damage and poisoning. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that naturally occurring bacteria can degrade oil spills, consuming hydrocarbons and aiding in the recovery of polluted areas.

Finally, the reading highlights the breakdown of critical marine habitats due to pollution, leading to reduced fish populations and the collapse of local fisheries. The lecture, however, argues that conservation efforts and regulations are making a difference. International agreements, national policies, and habitat restoration projects are showing positive results in protecting marine environments. Additionally, increasing public awareness and education are leading to more responsible behavior and reduced pollution, offering hope for the future of marine life.

Rater's Comment

This response deserves a high score because it effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and demonstrating the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Additionally, the response maintains an objective tone, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions, such as "The lecture counters this by arguing" and "The lecture, however, argues," effectively highlights the opposing viewpoints, contributing to the overall coherence and flow of the essay. The language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary, and only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. Overall, this response meets all 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.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage argue that ocean pollution negatively impacts marine life but the lecture has some points against this idea.

The reading says the ingestion of plastic debries by marine animals leads to internal injuries, blockages, and death. But the lecture argues that many marine species have shown remarkable adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Some species have developed mechanisms to cope with pollution, such as the ability to break down harmful substances, suggesting that marine life may be more resilient to pollution than previously thought.

Regarding chemical contamination, the reading claims that industrial runof, agricultural pesticides, and household waste introducing harmful substances into the ocean, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The lecture, however, argues that natural processes can help lessen the effects of pollution.

The reading also emphasized the severe impact of oil spils on marine life, causing internal damage and poisoning. The lecture challenges this by suggesting that naturally occurring bacteria can degrade oil spills, consuming hydrocarbons and aiding in the recovery of polluted areas. These natural processes can reduce the long-term impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems.

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 prevent it from achieving a higher score. While the response accurately identifies the key arguments from both sources, it lacks depth in its analysis and explanation.

Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors. The response also lacks a conclusion, which would help to summarize the overall relationship between the reading and the lecture. Furthermore, the response could benefit from more effective use of transitions to improve coherence and flow. Despite these issues, the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and provides a clear comparison of the opposing viewpoints. Overall, this response meets the criteria for a mid-level score, but it could be improved with more detailed analysis, better organization, and fewer grammatical errors.

Now that you've explored the sample responses, it's time to put them into practice and continue improving your skills!

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