The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

Improve your TOEFL Writing with our practice test on 'The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change.' This test includes a reading passage and a lecture, challenging you to summarize and integrate both sources effectively. You’ll have 20 minutes to read, listen, and write a response that showcases your ability to synthesize information. Perfect your writing technique and build confidence for the TOEFL exam with this focused practice.

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 movements have historically played a key role in driving political change. These movements, often grassroots in nature, gather large groups of people to push for social, economic, and political reforms. One of the most significant impacts of social movements is their ability to raise awareness about critical issues. By organizing protests, rallies, and campaigns, social movements bring attention to injustices and unfairness that might otherwise be ignored by mainstream politics.Also, social movements can put pressure on political leaders and institutions to make changes. Through ongoing activism and public demonstrations, these movements can create a sense of urgency that forces leaders to address their demands. The civil rights movement in the United States, for example, was key in the passing of important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended deep-rooted racial segregation and discrimination.

Also, social movements often serve as starting points for new political ideas and leaders. Many influential politicians and policymakers began their careers as activists within social movements. These movements provide a platform for new leaders to develop their skills, build networks, and gain visibility. This process can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions into politics.

Finally, social movements can create a sense of community and togetherness among participants. By uniting people around a common cause, these movements create a shared identity that can go beyond individual differences. This sense of unity can be a powerful force for change, as it motivates people to work together towards shared goals and resist efforts to divide them.

Now play the audio.

Question 

Outline the main arguments from the lecture and their connection to the points made in the reading passage.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change 

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change 

A thorough evaluation of diverse responses is presented here, covering both mid-level and high-level examples to assist you in identifying and addressing areas for improvement:

Mid-Level Response

The reading passage argues that social movements are important for political change by raising awareness, pressuring leaders, starting new ideas, and creating unity. The lecture, however, points out some issues with this view.The professor says social movements often lack the organization and resources for long-term success. Without proper leadership and funding, they may struggle to continue their efforts, which challenges the reading’s claim.The professor also mentions that movements might be co-opted by political elites. Politicians may use their language without making real changes, leading to superficial results. This contradicts the reading’s idea that movements effectively pressure leaders for significant changes.Another issue is that movements can cause divisions and unrest. Confrontational tactics might worsen splits in society and provoke backlash, opposing the reading’s view of movements fostering unity.

Finally, the lecture points out that media coverage can affect a movement’s success. Negative portrayals might limit support, which goes against the reading’s claim that movements effectively raise awareness and gather support. (162 Words)

Rater's Comment:

This response summarizes the main points from the reading and the lecture, but lacks detail and depth. While it covers the key arguments, some points are not fully explained. For example, the impact of lacking resources on the sustainability of movements is mentioned but not elaborated. There are also grammatical errors, such as in the sentence ‘Without proper leadership and funding, they may struggle to continue their efforts.’ The response generally captures the essence of the lecture's counterarguments but could benefit from more detailed explanations and improved grammatical accuracy.

High-Level Response

The reading passage argues that social movements are crucial for political change by raising awareness, pressuring leaders, introducing new ideas, and fostering unity. However, the lecture offers several counterpoints.The professor argues that social movements often lack necessary organization and resources for long-term success. Without proper leadership and funding, these movements may struggle to maintain their efforts, which challenges the reading’s claim of their effectiveness.

Additionally, the lecture highlights that movements may be co-opted by political elites. Politicians might adopt their rhetoric without enacting meaningful reforms, leading to superficial changes that don’t address core issues. This contradicts the reading's assertion about movements effectively pressuring leaders for significant change.The professor also points out that movements can cause divisions and social unrest. Confrontational tactics may exacerbate societal splits and provoke backlash, opposing the reading’s view of movements creating unity.

Finally, the lecture notes that media coverage can affect a movement’s success. Negative portrayals can hinder support, which challenges the reading’s claim of movements’ effectiveness in raising awareness and garnering support. (169 Words)

Rater's Comment:

This response comprehensively covers the main arguments from both the reading and the lecture, providing a well-structured analysis. It clearly addresses the lecture's counterpoints to the reading's claims and adds depth by discussing the potential fragmentation of social movements. The response is organized and demonstrates a strong understanding of the material. The analysis is clear and thorough, with appropriate transitions that enhance coherence. The language is precise, and there are no grammatical errors. This well-rounded response effectively meets the criteria for a high score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change 

Here are some strategies to effectively tackle the Integrated Writing Task on 'The Influence of Social Movements on Political Change':

1. Understand the Texts: Take the time to read the passage and listen to the lecture thoroughly to grasp the key points. The passage highlights how social movements can drive change, while the lecture addresses their limitations.

2.Take Effective Notes: Write down the main arguments and counterarguments presented in both the reading and the lecture.

3.Identify Key Points: Focus on how the lecture either supports or contradicts the claims made in the reading.

4.Compare and Contrast: Clearly show how the points made in the lecture differ from or align with those in the reading.

5.Be Clear and Concise: Write in a straightforward manner, summarizing the main points without adding personal opinions.

6.Organize Your Response: Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion for better clarity.

7.Use Specific Examples: Incorporate examples from both the reading and the lecture to strengthen your arguments.

8. Practice Timing: Write within the given time limit to improve your efficiency.