The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL Writing Integrated Task tests your ability to combine and synthesize information from a reading passage and a listening segment. In this practice test on ‘The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities,’ you will develop and refine your writing skills.

This exercise is designed to help you effectively summarize and compare the points from both sources. Use this opportunity to enhance your writing and prepare for the TOEFL exam with confidence.

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.

Tourism has long been seen as a powerful economic boost for local communities, bringing many benefits that can lead to sustainable growth. One of the biggest advantages is the creation of jobs. Tourism creates work opportunities in various areas, like hospitality, transportation, and retail. This arrival of jobs can lower unemployment rates and improve the standard of living for local people. For example, in many developing countries, tourism has become a key source of income, helping to lift communities out of poverty.Also, tourism can lead to the development of infrastructure that benefits both tourists and locals. Building roads, airports, and public facilities often goes hand in hand with the growth of the tourism industry. These improvements can make life better for locals by providing better access to services and amenities. In areas where infrastructure was previously lacking, tourism-driven development can be transformative, encouraging greater connection and economic growth.Also, tourism promotes cultural exchange and preservation. Tourists are often attracted to places with rich cultural heritage, encouraging local communities to preserve their traditions and historical sites. This cultural preservation can instill a sense of pride among residents and ensure that their heritage is passed down to future generations. Also, the interaction between tourists and locals can lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures, encouraging global harmony.

Now play the audio.

Question 

Summarise the lecture’s key points and explain how they challenge or support the reading passage’s claims.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities

A thorough evaluation of diverse responses is presented here, covering both mid-level and high-level examples to assist you in identifying and addressing areas for improvement:

Mid Level Response

The reading passage says that tourism is good for local communities because it creates jobs, improves infrastructure, and promotes cultural exchange. It mentions that tourism can lower unemployment rates and improve living standards by creating work opportunities in hospitality, transportation, and retail. Also, tourism can lead to the development of infrastructure like roads and airports, which benefits both tourists and locals. Lastly, tourism encourages local communities to preserve their traditions and historical sites, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.The lecture, however, says that tourism can have negative impacts on local communities. It says that the arrival of tourists can strain local resources like water and energy, leading to shortages for residents. Also, tourism can cause environmental damage, such as increased waste and pollution, which harms natural landscapes and wildlife habitats. Lastly, the lecture mentions that tourism can lead to the commercialization of local traditions, eroding cultural identity and causing cultural clashes and resentment among residents.

Rater's Comment:

This response provides a basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail. While it captures the general arguments, it does not fully explore the nuances of each point. For example, the response mentions that tourism creates jobs and improves infrastructure, but it does not delve into the specific examples provided in the reading, such as the development of roads and airports.The organization of the essay is somewhat clear, but there are lapses in coherence. The transition between the reading and the lecture is abrupt, and the response does not effectively compare and contrast the two sources. Additionally, there are noticeable grammatical errors, such as "tourism is good for local communities" and "tourism can cause environmental damage," which affect the overall readability.Despite these issues, the response does demonstrate an understanding of the main points from both the reading and the lecture. It captures the essence of the lecture's argument that tourism can strain local resources, cause environmental damage, and lead to the commercialization of local traditions. However, the lack of detail, coherence, and grammatical accuracy prevents it from achieving a higher score.

High Level Response

The reading passage highlights the economic and cultural benefits of tourism, such as job creation, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation. However, the lecture counters these points by discussing the negative impacts of tourism on local resources, the environment, and cultural authenticity.The reading emphasizes that tourism creates jobs in hospitality, transportation, and retail, which can lower unemployment rates and improve living standards. In contrast, the lecture argues that tourism can strain local resources like water and energy, leading to shortages for residents, especially in areas with limited resources.

Additionally, the reading suggests that tourism-driven infrastructure development benefits both tourists and locals by providing better access to services and amenities. The lecture, however, points out that tourism can cause environmental damage, such as increased waste and pollution, which harms natural landscapes and wildlife habitats. This environmental degradation can diminish the attractions that draw tourists, creating a cycle of damage.Lastly, the reading claims that tourism promotes cultural exchange and preservation, encouraging locals to maintain their traditions and historical sites. The lecture counters this by stating that tourism can lead to the commercialization of local traditions, eroding cultural identity and authenticity. Furthermore, the presence of tourists can sometimes cause cultural clashes and resentment among residents.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a high score as it effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, clearly illustrating how the lecture challenges the reading. The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the two sources. The response begins with a concise introduction that sets the stage for the discussion, followed by body paragraphs that systematically compare the reading and the lecture on key issues such as job creation, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation.The language used is clear and precise, with appropriate transitions that help maintain coherence and flow. For example, phrases like "In contrast" and "The lecture, however, points out" effectively signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. The response also demonstrates strong control over grammar and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning.Overall, the response successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, making it a comprehensive and coherent summary. The logical flow and clear organization further enhance its quality, justifying a high score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities

Here are some strategies to excel in the TOEFL Writing Integrated Task on 'The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities':

1. Understand Both Sources: Carefully read the passage and listen to the lecture to grasp all key points and arguments.

2. Take Effective Notes: Jot down important details from the lecture and passage to help with summarising and comparing information.

3. Organize Your Response: Plan your response by outlining how the lecture supports or challenges the reading passage’s claims.

4. Be Clear and Concise: Summarize the main points from both sources clearly and concisely. Avoid personal opinions and focus on presenting factual information.

5. Review and Revise: After writing, check for clarity, accuracy, and grammatical correctness. Make sure you’ve addressed all key points effectively.

We hope this practice test on 'The Effects of Tourism on Local Communities' has been helpful in honing your TOEFL Writing skills. Use these insights to refine your ability to synthesize and compare information effectively. Keep practicing to boost your confidence and improve your performance on test day.

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