The Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT®exam evaluates candidates on various abilities, placing particular importance on their communication skills. Among the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant which the TOEFL examinees can prepare by attempting practice test like 'The Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade'.

This practice test aims to enhance your writing abilities, concentrating specifically on the Integrated Writing task of the TOEFL test. It aims to assist you in understanding task instructions, structuring responses effectively, and enhancing your performance in the TOEFL Writing segment. So, let's start your journey towards attaining your desired TOEFL score!

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 r 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.

Global pandemics have a big impact on international trade, disturbing supply chains and reducing business activities. One of the most immediate effects is the stop of supply chains. Pandemics often lead to lockdowns and limits on movement, which can stop the production and transportation of goods. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many factories around the world had to shut down, leading to shortages of important products like medical supplies and electronics.

Another major impact is the decline in customer demand. During pandemics, financial uncertainty and job losses can lead to reduced customer spending. This decline in demand affects international trade as businesses face lower sales and fewer orders from foreign markets. For instance, the aviation and tourism industries saw a dramatic drop in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to big financial losses and reduced international trade in related sectors. And, global pandemics can lead to increased trade barriers as countries focus on their local industries and public health. Governments may impose export restrictions on critical goods like medical equipment and food supplies to ensure their supply for domestic use. These trade restrictions can disturb international trade flows and lead to conflicts between trading partners. The export bans on medical supplies during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic clearly show how trade barriers can affect global trade.

Now play the Audio.

Question

Provide a brief summary of the lecture's main ideas and describe the various manners in which the lecturer questions some of the reading passage's claims.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on ‘The Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade’

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on ‘The Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade’

This section provides a thorough evaluation of various responses, including both High-level and Mid-level answers. Through a detailed review of these responses, you can identify areas that need improvement to attain your target score in the TOEFL.

High-Level Response 

Rater’s Comment 

This response effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first body paragraph contrasts the reading's view that pandemics disrupt supply chains with the lecture's argument that they accelerate digital transformation. This shows a clear relationship between the two sources. The response also uses appropriate transitions to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "In contrast" and "Furthermore," which helps maintain coherence and flow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the essay remains objective throughout, avoiding personal opinions.

Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score. It successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, is well-organized and coherent, and demonstrates strong language control with only minor errors. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise and to the point.

Mid-Level Response 

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. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, there are some coherence issues, such as the lack of clear transitions between paragraphs. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to enhance the flow of ideas.

There are also a few grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "The reading says that cultural appropriation can strip cultural elements of their original significance and perpetuate stereotypes" could be clearer with better punctuation. Additionally, the phrase "The professor uses the popularity of yoga in the West as an example, explaining that it has led many to explore Indian philosophy and spirituality" could be rephrased for better clarity.

Despite these issues, the response does a good job of summarizing the main points from both the reading and the lecture. It demonstrates an understanding of the material and provides relevant examples to support its points. However, the coherence and grammatical issues, along with the lack of clear transitions, prevent it from achieving a higher score. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise but lacking in some areas of clarity and coherence.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Global Pandemics on International Trade:

• Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
• Listen actively to the lecture, and evaluate its relationship to the reading.
• Begin your response by clearly stating how the lecture relates to the reading.
• Explain any contradictions or connections between the reading and lecture.
• Incorporate the given information from both sources throughout your essay.
• Use clear transitions for information from each source to make a point.

Additional Reads:

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