The Impact of Video Surveillance on Public Safety - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT® exam evaluates candidates on certain abilities, especially on their communication skills. Among all the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills from TOEFL examinees.

This practice test on 'The Impact of Video Surveillance on Public Safety' helps 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.

The use of video surveillance in public spaces has been widely supported as a way to improve public safety. One of the main benefits is that it can discourage potential criminals from committing crimes. Knowing that their actions are being watched and recorded, they may think twice. This can lead to fewer incidents like theft, vandalism, and violent crimes, creating a safer environment for everyone. Another big advantage of video surveillance is its help to law enforcement. Surveillance footage can provide critical evidence in criminal investigations, helping to identify suspects and understand what happened. This can lead to higher rates of solving crimes and charging offenders, ensuring justice is served. Also, the ability to monitor public spaces in real-time allows law enforcement to respond more quickly to incidents. This can potentially stop crimes from getting worse.

Also, video surveillance can boost public confidence in safety measures. When people know that surveillance systems are in place, they may feel more secure in public areas like parks, streets, and transportation hubs. This increased sense of security can encourage more public engagement and use of communal spaces. This contributes to a lively and active community life. But critics argue that video surveillance can violate individual privacy rights. The constant monitoring of public spaces can create a sense of being watched, which may be uncomfortable for many people. There is also the concern that surveillance footage can be misused or accessed without proper permission, leading to potential abuses of power. Additionally, the effectiveness of video surveillance in actually preventing crime is debated, as determined criminals may find ways to evade detection or may not be deterred by cameras.

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 Video Surveillance on Public Safety’

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on ‘The Impact of Video Surveillance on Public Safety’

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 deserves a high score because 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 counterargument from the lecture that challenges the reading. For instance, the first paragraph discusses privacy concerns, directly countering the reading's claim about crime deterrence. The second paragraph addresses the reliability of surveillance footage, which challenges the reading's assertion about aiding law enforcement. The final paragraph highlights the potential for a false sense of security, questioning the reading's claims about boosting public confidence.

The response is coherent and flows logically from one point to the next, making it easy to follow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the use of transitions helps to clearly signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture. Overall, this response effectively captures the key points from both sources and presents them in a well-structured and articulate manner.

Mid-Level Response 

Rater’s Comment 

This response merits a mid-level score due to its partial but not comprehensive coverage of the main points from both the reading and the lecture. The essay captures the essence of the lecture's counterarguments but lacks depth and detail in some areas. For example, the first paragraph mentions privacy concerns but does not elaborate on why this is significant or how it directly challenges the reading's claims about crime deterrence. The second paragraph addresses the reliability of surveillance footage but could benefit from more specific examples or explanations to strengthen the argument. The final paragraph touches on the potential for a false sense of security but does not fully explore the potential consequences.

Additionally, there are a few grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the overall clarity and coherence of the response. For instance, the sentence "Constant monitoring can make people feel uncomfortable and watched all the time, which can affect their behavior" could be more clearly phrased. Despite these issues, the response is generally well-organized and demonstrates a basic understanding of the material. With more detail and refinement, it could achieve a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Impact of Video Surveillance on Public Safety

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task :

• 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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