The Impact of Global Migration on Local Economies - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, the writing test assesses a candidate's ability to write academically, where they are required to successfully integrate the knowledge into their work and organize the ideas coherently. The two Writing Sections, such as Academic Discussion and Integrated Writing, make up the Writing Section.

In this practice test on 'The Impact of Global Migration on Local Economies', you will hear a lecture on a certain subject from a professor in the Academic Discussion activity. After that, you'll take part in a conversation where you'll have to voice your opinion and provide solid justification for it

The best method to get ready for this part of the test is to practice on tests specifically made for the Academic Discussion format. Let's start your study with our "The Role of Citizen Science in Environmental Conservation"-themed TOEFL Academic Discussion practice exam.

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 economics. 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.

Professor: Today, were going to discuss the impact of global migration on local economies. Some say migration helps local economies by bringing in different workers and new ideas. Others think it puts a strain on public resources and leads to job competition. Do you think global migration has a positive or negative impact on local economies? Why?

Jessica: I think global migration has a positive impact on local economies. Migrants often fill job gaps and bring different skills that can spark new ideas. For example, many tech companies in Silicon Valley succeed because of skilled immigrants. Also, migrants often start their own businesses, creating jobs and helping the economy grow.

Charles: While I see Jessica's points, I think global migration can have negative effects on local economies. It can put a strain on public resources like healthcare and education, leading to higher taxes for residents. Also, a large number of migrants can increase job competition, which might lower wages and make it harder for local workers to find jobs.

Before delving into sample responses, let us examine the parameters of a strong TOEFL score!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Impact of Global Migration on Local Economies

Below are the two responses for the Academic Discussion Writing question where one of them showcases a mid-level proficiency while the other exhibits a high level of skills. Through examining the distinctions, you will acquire valuable insights into the components that lead to attaining an exceptional score in the Writing section.

Score 3 Response

I think global migration has both positive and negative impacts on local economies. On one hand, migrants bring new skills and ideas, which can help local businesses grow. For example, many tech companies in Silicon Valley have benefited from skilled immigrants. On the other hand, migration can put a strain on public resources like healthcare and education, this can lead to higher taxes for residents. Also, job competition can increase, making it harder for local workers to find jobs. While migration can help fill job gaps, it can also create challenges that need to be managed. Governments should invest in public services and create training programs to help local workers stay competitive. (Word Count - 112)

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a mid-level score due to its attempt to address both the positive and negative impacts of global migration on local economies. The writer acknowledges the benefits of migration, such as bringing new skills and ideas, and provides an example of tech companies in Silicon Valley benefiting from skilled immigrants. However, the response lacks depth and detailed reasoning. The writer briefly mentions the strain on public resources and increased job competition but does not elaborate on these points or provide specific examples. Additionally, there are noticeable grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "migration can put a strain on public resources like healthcare and education, this can lead to higher taxes for residents" is a comma splice. Another error is in the sentence "migration can help fill job gaps, it can also create challenges," which also contains a comma splice. These errors disrupt the flow of the response and make it less coherent.

Overall, while the response addresses the prompt and presents a somewhat clear argument, it lacks the depth and development needed for a higher score. The grammatical errors further detract from the overall quality of the response.

Score 5 Response

While both Jessica and Charles make valid points, I believe that global migration has a predominantly positive impact on local economies. Jessica rightly highlights that migrants often fill essential job gaps and bring diverse skills that can drive innovation. For instance, the tech industry in Silicon Valley thrives largely due to the influx of skilled immigrants who contribute to technological advancements and entrepreneurship. Additionally, migrants frequently start their own businesses, which not only creates jobs but also stimulates economic growth.

However, Charles's concerns about the strain on public resources and increased job competition are not unfounded. Yet, these challenges can be mitigated through effective policy measures. For example, governments can invest in expanding public services and infrastructure to accommodate the growing population. Moreover, job competition can be addressed by implementing training programs that help local workers upgrade their skills, making them more competitive in the job market.

In conclusion, while global migration does present certain challenges, the overall benefits to local economiessuch as filling job gaps, fostering innovation, and stimulating economic growthfar outweigh the drawbacks. Effective policy measures can further enhance these positive impacts, making global migration a valuable asset to local economies. (Word count - 193 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response deserves a high score because it effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a clear and well-reasoned argument. The writer acknowledges both sides of the debate, as seen in the references to Jessica's and Charles's points, and provides a balanced perspective. The response is well-organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The writer supports their opinion with specific examples, such as the impact of skilled immigrants on Silicon Valley and the potential for migrants to start businesses. Additionally, the response suggests practical solutions to the challenges posed by migration, such as investing in public services and implementing training programs for local workers. The language used is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and there are no major grammatical errors. Overall, the response is coherent, well-developed, and effectively contributes to the discussion on the impact of global migration on local economies.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task 

The TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task may seem difficult and can cause you to become nervous. But don't feel scared! You can do this task effectively by incorporating a few vital strategies to ace your proficiency in academic writing.

• It is important to have a detailed examination of the question which is necessary to comprehend both the main idea and the setting for that specific question. It is necessary to consider the provided guidelines, such as providing a response that addresses all relevant angles.
• Finding the key arguments is made simpler by dissecting the question into its constituent parts. It's critical to successfully manage each component at the same time while organising the response.
• Before attempting to write the answer, always plan and come up with ideas and use them as examples so that you can showcase a range of perspectives.
• Making an outline ensures that the response is cohesive and the concepts are well-organized.
• Giving evidence or statistics to support assertions and points of view demonstrates your grasp of the subject.
• Avoid using any slang or informal language; instead, stick to professional language and academic terminologies, paying close attention to grammar and punctuation.

Finally, it's time for you to shine! Attempt the practice question and share your response in the comments! 

Our TOEFL experts are more than willing to provide valuable feedback which would help you achieve your target score!  Let's improve your writing skills together!

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