The Ethics of Drone Warfare in Modern Conflicts - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Practice Test

In the TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion task, you will engage with the topic, ‘The Ethics of Drone Warfare in Modern Conflicts.’ This task assesses your ability to analyze and discuss academic subjects in a coherent manner. You will need to synthesize information and form logical conclusions.

By practicing this task, you'll improve your ability to express complex ideas, making it easier to excel 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 international relations. 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 Drone Warfare in Modern Conflicts

To improve your writing skills for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, carefully study the two sample responses we have provided, which demonstrate scores of 3 and 5:

Score 3 Response 

I think the most important ethical consideration regarding the use of drones in warfare is the potential for increased civilian casualties. Like Emily said, while drones can be accurate, they are not perfect, and mistakes can lead to the loss of innocent lives. This raises serious moral questions about their use.However, I also understand Michael's point about reducing the risk to human soldiers. Drones allow military operations to be conducted without putting soldiers in harm's way, which can save lives. To address these concerns, it is important to implement strict rules and supervision to minimize errors and ensure responsibility. Overall, the ethical implications of drone warfare must be carefully considered.

Rater's Comment:

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the potential for increased civilian casualties and the reduction of risk to human soldiers, 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 "raises serious moral questions about their use" instead of "raises serious moral questions about the justification for their use," and "implement strict rules and supervision" instead of "implement strict rules and oversight mechanisms." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "raises serious moral questions" and "implement strict rules and supervision." 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 reduction of risk to human soldiers, I believe the most important ethical consideration regarding the use of drones in warfare is the potential for increased civilian casualties. Although drones offer precision, they are not infallible, and mistakes can lead to the tragic loss of innocent lives. This raises serious moral questions about the justification for their use and the potential for collateral damage. Additionally, the separation of operators from the battlefield can create a sense of detachment, making it easier to make life-and-death decisions without fully understanding their consequences.Moreover, the use of drones can lead to a lack of accountability. When operators are physically removed from the battlefield, there is a risk that they may become desensitized to the realities of war, potentially leading to more reckless decision-making. To address these ethical concerns, it is crucial to implement strict rules and oversight mechanisms to ensure that drone operations are conducted responsibly and with the utmost care for civilian lives. This includes thorough pre-strike assessments, real-time monitoring, and post-strike evaluations to minimize errors and ensure accountability. In essence, while drones offer significant advantages in reducing risk to soldiers, the ethical implications of their use must be carefully considered and managed to prevent unnecessary harm to civilians.

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 concerns related to civilian casualties and the detachment of operators from the battlefield. 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 potential for increased civilian casualties, while the second paragraph addresses the issue of accountability and suggests practical measures to mitigate ethical concerns. 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 effectively approach the topic ‘The Ethics of Drone Warfare in Modern Conflicts’:

1. Understand the Main Points: Start by gaining a clear understanding of the task and identifying key themes, such as ethical implications, civilian safety, and military effectiveness.

2. Compare and Contrast Viewpoints: Utilize the reading and listening materials to capture various perspectives on drone warfare. Emphasize ethical considerations, potential benefits, and associated risks.

3. Create a Structured Response: Organize your essay by summarizing the reading and lecture first, then proceed with your analysis by comparing both viewpoints while incorporating your own perspective.

4. Use Formal and Specific Language: Maintain clarity and formality in your language, and employ relevant vocabulary related to ethics and military operations.

5. Manage Your Time: Ensure you allocate your time wisely to allow for planning, writing, and reviewing your response. Aim to cover all major points within the time constraints.

Practicing tasks like this one on ‘The Ethics of Drone Warfare in Modern Conflicts’ will enhance your analytical and writing skills. Mastering the presentation and organization of complex arguments is essential for success in the TOEFL Writing section.

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