The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons in Modern Warfare - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Practice Test

In the TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion task, you will engage with the complex issue of ‘The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons in Modern Warfare.’ This task will assess your ability to think critically and formulate arguments on ethical challenges in technological advancements.

By practicing this task, you’ll enhance your ability to express nuanced ideas and respond to varied perspectives, which is essential for success in the TOEFL Writing section.

Writing Instructions:

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic. 
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instruction: Your professor is teaching a class on ethics in modern warfare. Write a post responding to the professors question. In your response, you should

1. express and support your personal opinion

2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons in Modern Warfare

To enhance your understanding of the scoring criteria for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, we have provided two sample responses: one scoring 3 and the other scoring 5:

Score 3 Response

I think self-operating weapons are not right to use in warfare. Like Emily said, the lack of human oversight can lead to unintended consequences, such as civilian casualties. The question of responsibility is also troubling. If a self-operating weapon makes a mistake, who is held responsible?
However, I also see Michael's point about the potential benefits. Self-operating weapons could reduce the number of soldiers in harm's way and be more precise. But I think the risks are too high. Until we can ensure these systems are safe and ethical, we should not rely on them in combat situations.

Rater's Comment:

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the risks and potential benefits of self-operating weapons, aligning with points made by Emily and Michael. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some grammatical errors, such as "are not right to use" instead of "are not suitable for use," and "the risks are too high" instead of "the ethical and practical concerns are too significant." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "are not right to use" and "the risks are too high." While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could benefit from more detailed reasoning and a more formal tone.

Score 5 Response 

While Michael raises valid points about the potential benefits of self-operating weapons, I strongly believe that they are not right to use in warfare. The lack of human oversight can lead to unintended consequences, such as civilian casualties and breaches of international law. The ethical implications of delegating life-and-death decisions to machines are deeply troubling. If a self-operating weapon makes a mistake, the question of responsibility becomes murky. Who is held accountable for the actions of an autonomous system?

Moreover, the potential for misuse is significant. In the wrong hands, self-operating weapons could be used to commit atrocities without accountability. Until we can ensure that these systems operate within strict ethical guidelines and have robust fail-safes, it is too risky to rely on them in combat situations. Instead, we should focus on improving human oversight and decision-making processes to minimize the risks associated with warfare. In essence, the ethical and practical concerns surrounding self-operating weapons outweigh their potential benefits, making them unsuitable for use in modern warfare.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively counters Michael's points by emphasizing the ethical and practical concerns associated with self-operating weapons. The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the discussion. The first paragraph aligns with Emily's viewpoint on the risks of unintended consequences and accountability, while the second paragraph addresses the potential for misuse and suggests alternative approaches. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from grammatical errors. Overall, the student demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task

Here are some strategies to help you effectively approach the topic of ‘The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons in Modern Warfare’:

1. Understand the Key Themes: Begin by identifying major aspects such as moral implications, accountability in warfare, and the potential misuse of autonomous weapons.

2. Examine Different Perspectives: Compare viewpoints from the reading and listening materials. Consider arguments related to human safety, ethical decision-making, and the future of military technology.

3. Develop a Clear Structure: Organize your essay by summarizing the main points from the reading and lecture. Provide a well-rounded analysis that contrasts these views and incorporates your perspective.

4. Use Precise Language: Maintain a formal and precise tone, utilizing specific terms related to ethics, technology, and warfare.

5. Manage Your Time Effectively: Be aware of time constraints to ensure you can plan, draft, and review your response, addressing all significant points within the time limit.

Practicing tasks like this one on ‘The Ethics of Autonomous Weapons in Modern Warfare’ will sharpen your critical thinking and writing skills. Mastering the discussion of complex ethical dilemmas is essential for success in the TOEFL Writing section.

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