The Impact of Global Warming on Polar Ice Caps - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

Time management and precision define success in TOEFL's Integrated Writing task. In today's practice session, we'll explore effective strategies for handling both reading and listening components within the 20-minute timeframe. By mastering these techniques, you'll approach this challenging task with greater confidence and skill. Let's transform your writing approach.

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 warming, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, has had a significant impact on the polar ice caps. The melting of these ice caps is one of the most visible and alarming signs of climate change, with major effects on the environment and human societies.

One of the main effects of global warming on polar ice caps is the faster rate of ice melt. Studies have shown that the Arctic ice is melting at a never-before-seen rate, with the extent of summer sea ice decreasing by about 13% per decade. This rapid melting contributes to rising sea levels, which pose a threat to coastal communities around the world. Low-lying areas are especially at risk of flooding, leading to moving of people and loss of property.

Another big impact is the disruption of environments. Polar ice caps are crucial habitats for various species, including polar bears, seals, and penguins. The loss of ice affects these animals' ability to hunt, breed, and survive. For example, polar bears rely on sea ice to reach their main prey, seals. As the ice shrinks, polar bears have to travel longer distances and use more energy to find food, leading to declining populations and higher death rates.

Moreover, the melting of polar ice caps adds to the increase of global warming. Ice and snow reflect a lot of solar radiation back into space. As the ice melts, it exposes darker ocean and land surfaces, which absorb more heat. This process, known as the reflectivity effect, speeds up the warming of the planet, creating a feedback loop that worsens climate change. This increase effect shows the urgency of addressing global warming to lessen its impact on polar ice caps and the broader environment.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.

Learn what a good TOEFL score is before you check out the sample answers to the Writing Integrated task!

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Global Warming on Polar Ice Caps

Examine the two sample responses provided—one at a mid-level and the other at a high-level. By comparing these examples, you'll gain valuable insights that can help you refine and improve your own writing response.

High-Level Response

The reading passage discusses the significant impact of global warming on polar ice caps, highlighting faster ice melt, environmental disruption, and the reflectivity effect. However, the lecture presents additional considerations that complicate these points.

The passage claims that the Arctic ice is melting at an unprecedented rate, contributing to rising sea levels. The lecture counters this by noting that the rate of ice melt can vary significantly from year to year due to natural climate changes. These fluctuations can obscure long-term trends, making it difficult to predict the exact rate of ice loss.

The passage also emphasizes the negative impact on polar habitats, particularly for species like polar bears. The lecture acknowledges this but adds that some species may adapt or even thrive in changing conditions. Additionally, reduced ice cover can open new areas for human activities, such as shipping routes and resource exploration, which could have economic benefits.

Lastly, the passage highlights the reflectivity effect, where melting ice exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, accelerating global warming. The lecture agrees but points out that other feedback mechanisms, such as cloud cover and vegetation changes, also influence global warming. These complex interactions indicate that the relationship between ice melt and global warming requires further research.

Rater's Comment

This response merits a high score as it 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 from the reading and its corresponding counterpoint from the lecture. Additionally, the response clearly explains the lecture's points about species adaptation and potential economic benefits, which provide a more nuanced view of the environmental impact. The discussion of the reflectivity effect and other feedback mechanisms is also well-handled, highlighting the lecture's emphasis on the complexity of global warming. The language used is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary, making the essay easy to read and understand. Overall, this response effectively presents the relationship between the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a high level of comprehension and writing ability.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage talks about the impact of global warming on polar ice caps, like faster ice melt, environmentel disruption, and the reflectivity effect. But the lecture presents some additional points.

The reading says the Arctic ice is melting at an unprecedented rate, contributing to rising sea levels. But the lecture note that the rate of ice melt can vary a lot from year to year due to natural climate changes.

The reading also emphasizes the negative impact on polar habitats, especially for species like polar bears. The lecture acknowledges this but adds that some species may adapt or even thrive in changing conditions. Reduced ice cover can also open new areas for human activities, like shipping rutes and resource exploration, which could have economic benefits.

Lastly, the reading highlights the reflectivity effect, where melting ice exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, speeding up global warming. The lecture agrees but points out that other feedback mechanisms, like cloud cover and vegetaton changes, also influence global warming. Clouds can reflect sunlight and cool the Earth, while more vegetation in polar regions can capture carbon dioxide, partly offsetting the warming effect. These interactions are complex and need more research.

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail in some areas. The essay is generally organized, but it could benefit from more specific examples and explanations. For instance, the response mentions the variability in the rate of ice melt but does not elaborate on how this contradicts the reading's claim of a consistent, unprecedented rate. Similarly, the discussion of species adaptation and potential economic benefits is brief and could be expanded to better explain the lecture's points. The response also touches on the reflectivity effect and other feedback mechanisms but does not fully explore how these interactions influence global warming. Additionally, there are a few grammatical errors which could be improved for clarity. Overall, while the response captures the main points, it lacks the depth and detail needed for a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Global Warming on Polar Ice Caps

Here are some effective strategies to approach this task with confidence.

• Thoroughly read the passage to identify the main arguments regarding fast fashion’s impact on the environment.
• Listen closely to the lecture, taking note of any agreements or conflicts with the passage, particularly concerning environmental outcomes.
• Structure your response with a well-organized outline, including an introduction, body paragraphs addressing both the reading and lecture, and a conclusion.
• Highlight and explain the key similarities and differences in perspectives, showing how they either align or diverge.

Now that you’ve reviewed strategies and sample responses, it’s time to practice and refine your skills further!

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