The Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT^®exam evaluates candidates 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.

The practice test on 'The Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns' aims 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 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.

Social media has become a key part of political campaigns, significantly influencing how candidates communicate with voters and shape public opinion. One of the main benefits of social media in political campaigns is its ability to reach a large and diverse audience quickly and efficiently. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow candidates to share their messages with millions of people in real-time, avoiding traditional media channels.

Another big benefit is the interactive nature of social media. Unlike traditional media, social media platforms enable direct communication between candidates and voters. This interaction creates a sense of engagement and allows candidates to address voter concerns and questions quickly. For example, live Q&A sessions and town hall meetings on social media can make candidates more accessible and relatable to the electorate.

Social media also provides a cost-effective way to run political campaigns. Traditional advertising methods, such as television and print ads, can be very expensive, especially for smaller campaigns with limited budgets. Social media advertising, on the other hand, is relatively cheap and allows for targeted advertising. Campaigns can tailor their messages to specific groups, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their outreach efforts. Also, social media can boost grassroots movements and mobilize supporters. Hashtags, viral posts, and online petitions can generate significant support and bring attention to specific issues or candidates. This grassroots support can turn into real-world actions, such as increased voter turnout and volunteer participation, which are crucial for the success of any political campaign.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise on the arguments and claims provided in the lecture and highlight on the relevance stated in the reading section.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on the Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns

Curious about what a good TOEFL score looks like? Check it out first, then explore the Integrated Writing sample answers!

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns

A comprehensive analysis of various responses is provided below, enabling you to identify areas requiring improvement to achieve your target score.

High-Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response deserves 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 of contention between the reading and the lecture. For instance, the response clearly contrasts the reading's claim about reaching a large audience with the lecture's argument on the spread of false information. Similarly, it juxtaposes the reading's view on direct communication with the lecture's concerns about political division and echo chambers.

The response also maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions such as "The lecture argues," "Regarding political division," and "Lastly, the lecture addresses" helps to clearly signal the relationship between the two sources, enhancing the coherence and flow of the essay. Moreover, the language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The essay is concise, staying within the word limit while effectively conveying all necessary information. Overall, the response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in summarizing and synthesizing information from multiple sources, which is a key requirement for this task.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks some depth and detail, which is why it falls into the mid-level category. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, it omits some important details and examples that would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the material. For instance, the response mentions the lecture's point about the high initial investment and ongoing costs of digital services but does not elaborate on the specific expenses like regular updates and maintenance. Similarly, while it notes the lecture's concern about the traditional role of libraries, it does not fully explain how shifting to digital services might weaken the sense of community.

The response also contains a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as "Many people, especially in low-income areas, might not have reliable internet or the devices needed to use digital services." A more polished sentence would be, "Many people, particularly in low-income areas, may lack reliable internet access or the necessary devices to utilize digital services." Overall, while the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and is generally coherent, it lacks the depth, detail, and language control required for a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns.

• Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
• Listen actively to the lecture, noting 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.
• Integrate information from both sources throughout your essay.
• Use clear transitions and attributions for information from each source.

Prepared to enhance your TOEFL writing skills? Our collection of example responses and professional tips is here to support you in your journey. It's time to put your abilities to the test with some hands-on practice!

Additional Reads:

• TOEFL Integrated: Gain the Ability to Comprehend Information and Express Thoughts in Writing
• Chevalier de Seingalt - TOEFL Writing Integrated Test
• Economic Growth and Environment - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Test
• Targeted Advertising - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Test
• Grading Students - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Answers