The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT®exam, candidates are evaluated on various abilities, placing particular importance on their communication skills. Among the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills from TOEFL examinees.

With this practice test, you would be able 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.

  Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health

The widespread eating of fast food has serious negative effects on public health. One major concern is the high calorie content of fast food meals, which often leads to obesity. Fast food items are typically rich in fats, sugars, and salts, leading to too much calorie intake. For example, a single fast food meal can have more calories than the recommended daily intake for an average adult. This can cause weight gain and related health problems. Another issue is the poor nutrition of fast food. These meals often lack essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Instead, they are full of unhealthy ingredients that can cause various health issues. Regular eating of fast food has been linked to a higher risk of long-term diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The lack of good nutrition in fast food diets can weaken the immune system and reduce overall health.

Fast food eating also promotes unhealthy eating habits. The ease and cost of fast food make it an attractive option for many people, especially those with busy lifestyles. However, this ease comes at a cost. Frequent eating of fast food can lead to a preference for unhealthy, processed foods over healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This change in food choices can have long-term harmful effects on public health. Also, the marketing strategies used by fast food companies often target at-risk groups, including children and low-income families. Heavy advertising and ads make fast food seem appealing and accessible. This further worsens its negative impact on public health. These marketing tactics can influence food choices and add to the growing public health crisis related to poor nutrition and obesity.

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 Influence of Fast Food on Public Health’

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on ‘The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health’

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 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 counterargument from the lecture. The writer uses appropriate transitions, such as "Firstly," "Secondly," and "Lastly," to guide the reader through the essay, ensuring coherence and logical flow. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and showcasing the writer's ability to convey ideas in their own words. For example, the writer rephrases the reading's point about the high calorie content of fast food and the lecture's counterpoint about moderation and healthier options.

The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a high-scoring response. Additionally, the writer demonstrates strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect meaning. The response is concise, staying within the word limit, and effectively communicates the key points from both the reading and the lecture. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, including presenting all key information, maintaining coherence and organization, and demonstrating good language control.

Mid-Level Response 

Rater’s Comment 

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some limitations that affect its overall quality. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. However, there are some coherence and organization issues that make the response less effective. The writer uses simple transitions like "First," "Second," and "Lastly," which help guide the reader but could be more varied to enhance the flow of the essay. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, but there are some grammatical errors that hinder comprehension. For example, the sentence "But the lecture says that fast food can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in moderation" could be improved for clarity.

The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a mid-level score. The writer demonstrates some control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, but there are noticeable errors that affect the overall quality. For instance, the sentence "People can use fast food as an occasional convenience, and education about balanced eating can reduce its negative effects" could be rephrased for better clarity. Overall, this response meets some of the criteria for a mid-level score, including relating key points from both the reading and the lecture and maintaining coherence and organization. However, the grammatical errors and occasional lapses in clarity prevent it from achieving a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Fast Food on Public Health

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Fast Food on Public Health :

• 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:

• TOEFL iBT Integrated: Gain the Ability to Comprehend Information and Express Thoughts in Writing
• Important Discoveries and Inventions - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Social Media - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Eco-Certified - TOEFL Writing Integrated Test