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

The TOEFL iBT^® Writing Test is one of the critical sections which is designed to assesses your ability to write academically, express, and organise your thoughts in your answer. This segment not only tests your proficiency but also examines your ability to think critically. In this practice test on 'The Impact of Global Sporting Events on Local Economies', you will practice to write and organise well-structured essays while responding to a complex academic question. 

Through this practice test, you would be practising to clearly communicate ideas, structure your arguments logically, and showcase a nuanced understanding of the topic. So, let's get started!

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: Next week, we will explore the economic effects of hosting global sporting events like the Olympics or the World Cup. These events can bring financial benefits but also come with big costs. What do you think is the overall impact of global sporting events on local economies? Are they more beneficial or harmful?

Sophie: I think global sporting events are generally good for local economies. They attract tourists, which boosts local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and shops. For example, the 2012 London Olympics generated billions in revenue and created thousands of jobs. The facilities built for these events can benefit the community long after the event is over.

James: But Sophie makes good points, I think global sporting events can be bad for local economies. The costs of building stadiums and other facilities often exceed the money made. For example, the 2004 Athens Olympics left Greece with massive debt and unused facilities. The arrival of tourists can strain local resources and disrupt daily life for residents.

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 Sporting Events 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 2 Response

I think global sporting events can be both good and bad for local economies. They bring in tourists, which helps local businesses like hotels and restaurants. However, the costs of building new stadiums and facilities can be very high. For example, the 2004 Athens Olympics left Greece with a lot of debt. Also, the influx of tourists can strain local resources and make life difficult for residents. While there are benefits, the long-term costs and disruptions often make these events not worth it.

(Word Count - 83)

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity needed for a higher score. The student addresses both the benefits and drawbacks of hosting global sporting events, which shows an understanding of the topic. However, the argument is not well-developed, and the points are somewhat superficial. The response mentions the 2004 Athens Olympics as an example of high costs, but it does not elaborate on this point or provide additional examples. There are also grammatical issues, such as the sentence fragment "While there are benefits, the long-term costs and disruptions often make these events not worth it." This fragment could be more effectively integrated into the preceding sentence for better coherence. Additionally, the response lacks a clear conclusion, making it feel incomplete. Overall, while the response is generally comprehensible and addresses the prompt, it lacks the depth, clarity, and organization needed for a higher score.

Score 5 Response

While both Sophie and James present valid points, I believe the overall impact of global sporting events on local economies tends to be more harmful than beneficial. Although these events can generate significant revenue and create jobs, the costs often outweigh the benefits. For instance, James mentioned the 2004 Athens Olympics, which left Greece with substantial debt and abandoned facilities. This is not an isolated case; many host cities struggle with similar issues. Additionally, the influx of tourists can strain local infrastructure and resources, leading to long-term problems for residents. While the short-term economic boost is appealing, the long-term financial burden and social disruption often make these events more harmful than beneficial.

(Word count - 112 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 student acknowledges the points made by Sophie and James, thereby engaging with the ongoing discussion. The response is well-organized, beginning with a clear stance that global sporting events are more harmful than beneficial. Specific examples, such as the 2004 Athens Olympics, are used to support the argument, demonstrating a good understanding of the topic. The response also considers the long-term impacts on local infrastructure and resources, adding depth to the analysis. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic setting, with no major grammatical errors. Overall, the response is coherent, logical, and effectively contributes to the discussion.

Good work! You can share us your response and our TOEFL experts would also provide valuable feedback to help you enhance your writing skills!

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