The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL Writing Integrated Task, you'll be assessed on your ability to synthesise information from a reading passage and a lecture. This practice test on 'The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies' provides sample responses to help you understand how to effectively integrate these sources. Use these examples to refine your skills and improve your performance in the Writing section.

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 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 trade has been a driving force behind growth and development for many countries. By opening up markets, countries can export goods and services to a broader audience. This leads to increased income and growth. For instance, nations that focus on certain industries can make the most of their strengths, exporting products where they have an advantage. This focus often leads to higher efficiency and output, benefiting the home economy.

Also, global trade encourages new ideas and technological advancements. Exposure to international markets pushes companies to innovate to stay competitive. This can lead to the creation of new products and services, which can further boost growth. Plus, the arrival of foreign goods and services can bring new technologies and practices to home markets, improving overall efficiency.Global trade also gives consumers a wider variety of goods at lower prices. By importing products from countries where they can be made more cheaply, home consumers benefit from lower costs and more choices. This can lead to a higher standard of living, as people have access to a broader range of affordable goods and services. Competition from foreign companies can also drive home firms to improve their products and reduce prices, further benefiting consumers.

Now play the audio.

Question 

Provide a brief recap of the lecture's arguments and discuss their relevance to the statements in the reading passage.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies

The analysis below examines responses across different levels, from mid to high, and highlights areas where improvement is needed to meet your target score:

Mid Level Response 

The lecture disagrees with the reading about the benefits of global trade on domestic economies. The professor says that global trade can lead to job losses in certain industries. When companies move production to countries with lower labor costs, home workers can lose their jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates. This goes against the reading's idea that global trade leads to increased income and growth.

The professor also talks about trade imbalances. When a country imports more than it exports, it can result in a trade gap, leading to increased national debt and a weakened home currency. This can make imports more expensive and lead to inflation, reducing the buying power of consumers. This challenges the reading's claim that global trade benefits consumers by providing a wider variety of goods at lower prices.Lastly, the professor points out that global trade can increase income gaps. While high-skilled workers and competitive industries may benefit, low-skilled workers and less competitive industries may suffer. This can lead to a growing gap between the rich and the poor, creating social and economic tensions. This undermines the reading's claim that global trade encourages new ideas and technological advancements that benefit the overall economy.

Rater's Comment

This response is adequate but has some limitations that prevent it from receiving a higher score. While it summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it lacks depth and detail. For example, the explanation of why global trade might lead to job losses is brief and could be expanded to provide a clearer understanding. Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors, such as "This goes against the reading's idea that global trade leads to increased income and growth," which could be more clearly phrased. The organization is generally good, with each paragraph addressing a specific point, but the transitions between ideas are somewhat abrupt. Phrases like "This goes against the reading's idea" and "This challenges the reading's claim" are used effectively to show the relationship between the reading and the lecture, but the overall coherence could be improved. The response also maintains an objective tone and avoids personal opinions, which is appropriate for this task. However, the grammatical errors and lack of detail indicate that the response could be more polished and comprehensive.

High Level Response 

The lecture challenges the reading's positive view on the impact of global trade on domestic economies. The professor argues that global trade can lead to job losses in certain industries. When companies move production to countries with lower labor costs, home workers can lose their jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates and instability. This contradicts the reading's claim that global trade leads to increased income and growth.

The professor also highlights the issue of trade imbalances. When a country imports more than it exports, it can result in a trade gap, leading to increased national debt and a weakened home currency. This can make imports more expensive and lead to inflation, reducing the buying power of consumers. This challenges the reading's assertion that global trade benefits consumers by providing a wider variety of goods at lower prices.Lastly, the professor points out that global trade can increase income gaps. While high-skilled workers and competitive industries may benefit, low-skilled workers and less competitive industries may suffer. This can lead to a growing gap between the rich and the poor, creating social and economic tensions. This undermines the reading's claim that global trade encourages new ideas and technological advancements that benefit the overall economy.

Rater's Comment:

This response deserves a high score because it effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, clearly highlighting how the lecture challenges the reading. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. For instance, the first paragraph discusses job losses, the second addresses trade imbalances, and the third focuses on income gaps. The language used is clear and concise, with appropriate transitions that enhance the coherence of the essay. Phrases like "This contradicts the reading's claim" and "This challenges the reading's assertion" effectively signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. Additionally, the response avoids personal opinions and maintains an objective tone, which is crucial for this type of task. Overall, the response demonstrates strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect meaning.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies

To master the Integrated Writing Task, especially on topics like 'The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies,' use these targeted strategies:

1. Read the Prompt Carefully: Understand what the task requires. For instance, identify how you need to relate the lecture to the reading passage specifically about global trade impacts.

2. Take Effective Notes: As you listen to the lecture, focus on key arguments related to global trade, such as job losses, trade imbalances, and income disparities. Note any counterpoints to the reading passage.

3. Compare and Contrast: Examine how the lecture’s points about global trade challenge or support the information in the reading passage. Look for specific examples and discrepancies.

4. Structure Your Response: Start with an introduction that paraphrases the task, then use body paragraphs to address specific points of contention or support between the reading and the lecture. Conclude by summarizing the key comparisons.

5. Use Specific Examples: Cite precise examples from both the reading and the lecture about global trade impacts to support your analysis. This demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic.

6. Ensure Smooth Flow: Connect your ideas with transition words and ensure that your essay is coherent and logically organized.

We hope this practice test on 'The Impact of Global Trade on Domestic Economies' has been helpful in preparing you for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task. Use these insights and sample responses to enhance your skills and boost your confidence in effectively integrating and contrasting information.

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