The Impact of Tourism on Historical Sites - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

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Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Tourism on Historical Sites

Review the two sample responses, one at a mid-level and the other at a high-level. Comparing these examples will give you useful insights to help enhance and polish your writing response.

High-Level Response

The reading passage argues that tourism benefits historical sites by generating funds for maintenance, raising cultural awareness, and boosting the local economy. However, the lecture presents several counterarguments to these claims.

The reading suggests that tourism generates money for the upkeep of historical sites through entrance fees and souvenir sales. In contrast, the lecture argues that the influx of tourists can cause physical damage to these sites. The wear and tear from large crowds, erosion of pathways, and even vandalism can lead to costly and sometimes irreversible harm to historical landmarks.

The reading also claims that tourism raises awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage, leading to greater public support for preservation. However, the lecture counters this by stating that tourism can shift the focus of historical sites towards business interests. The construction of modern facilities to attract tourists can undermine the historical character of the site, turning it into a tourist trap rather than a place of genuine historical significance.

Lastly, the reading highlights that tourism boosts the local economy by creating jobs and supporting businesses. The lecture, however, points out the environmental impact of tourism. Increased tourism leads to pollution, waste, and strain on local resources. The infrastructure needed to support tourists, such as roads and waste management systems, can disrupt the natural landscape and ecosystem surrounding historical sites, further threatening their preservation.

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 writer accurately identifies the key arguments from the reading, such as the financial support for maintenance, cultural awareness, and economic benefits of tourism.

The response is well-organized and coherent, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. The writer uses clear and concise language, making the essay easy to follow. Additionally, the response maintains objectivity, refraining from expressing personal opinions and instead focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture.

Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, effectively presenting the key information from both the reading and the lecture in a well-organized and coherent manner.

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage argues that tourism benefit historical sites by generating funds for maintenence, raising cultural awareness, and boosting the local economy. However, the lecture presents several reasons why tourism might not be so beneficial.

The reading says that tourism generates money for the upkeep of historical sites through entrance fees and souvenir sales. The lecture counters this by saying that the influx of tourists can cause physical damage to these sites. The wear and tear from large crowds, erosion of pathways, and even vandaliesm can lead to costly and sometimes irreversible harm.

The reading also claims that tourism raise awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage. The lecture argues that tourism can shift the focus of historical sites towards business interests. The construction of modern facilities to attract tourists can undermine the historical character of the site, turning it into a tourist trap.

Lastly, the reading highlights that tourism boosts the local economy by creating jobs and supporting businesses. The lecture points out the environmental impact of tourism. Increased tourism leads to pollution, waste, and strain in local resources. The infrastructure needed to support tourists, such as roads and waste management systems, can disrupt the natural landscape and ecosystem surrounding historical sites.

Rater's Comment

This response provides a basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks depth and detail. The response is somewhat disorganized and lacks coherence. The writer does not clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, making it difficult to follow the flow of the essay. Additionally, there are noticeable grammatical and punctuation errors.

The response also lacks transitions, which would help to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. Overall, while this response provides a basic summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, it lacks depth, organization, and coherence.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Tourism on Historical Sites

Here are essential strategies to complete this task effectively.

• Thoroughly review the passage to pinpoint the main arguments regarding fast fashion's environmental effects.
• Pay attention to the lecture, identifying any contrasting or supporting viewpoints, especially concerning environmental impact.
• Analyze how the reading and lecture are related—whether they agree, differ, or expand on one another.
• Organize your essay with a structured outline, including an introduction, body paragraphs addressing both the reading and lecture, and a conclusion.
• Focus on comparing and contrasting the perspectives, explaining where they align or differ in their viewpoints on the topic.

Now that you've gone through the sample responses and picked up some helpful writing techniques, it's time to apply your skills in practice!

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