The Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Drugs - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The TOEFL iBT^®exam evaluates the test takers on various different abilities, specifically on their communication skills. Among all the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills which candidates can practice by attempting test like 'The Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Drugs'.

This practice test 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.

The debate over legalizing recreational drugs has become a hot topic recently. Supporters believe that legalising these substances could bring many benefits, both economically and socially. One major advantage is the potential for large tax revenue. By regulating and taxing the sale of recreational drugs, governments can produce significant income, which can be used to fund public services like education and healthcare. For example, states like Colorado and Washington have reported millions of dollars in tax revenue from legalized marijuana sales.

Another important point is the reduction in crime rates. Legalizing recreational drugs can weaken the black market and reduce the power of drug cartels and criminal organizations. When drugs are illegal, they are often sold in unregulated and dangerous environments. This leads to violence and other criminal activities. Legalization can move the market to a regulated framework, ensuring safer transactions and reducing the load on law enforcement agencies. Also, legalization can lead to better public health outcomes. When drugs are legalised, they can be regulated for quality and safety, reducing the risk of pollution and overdose. People who use drugs recreationally can seek help without fear of legal consequences. This leads to more effective addiction treatment and harm reduction strategies. This approach can ultimately result in a healthier society with fewer drug-related health issues.

Now play the audio.

Question

Provide a summary on the lecture's claims and viewpoint while highlighting on the relevance stated and mentioned in the reading section.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on the Pros and Cons of Legalising Recreational Drugs

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 Pros and Cons of Legalising Recreational Drugs

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 effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The writer accurately presents the lecture's counterarguments to the reading's claims, maintaining a logical flow throughout the essay. For instance, the response clearly contrasts the reading's point about tax revenue with the lecture's argument about the costs of increased drug use. Similarly, the discussion on crime rates and public health outcomes is well-organized and coherent, highlighting the differences between the reading and the lecture.

The response is well-structured, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. The use of transitions, such as "however" and "in contrast," helps to clearly signal the relationship between the two sources. Additionally, the writer paraphrases the information effectively, avoiding direct copying from the reading or the lecture. The language used is appropriate for a college-level essay, with strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the response remains objective, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions.

Overall, this response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in summarizing and analyzing the relationship between the reading and the lecture, making it a strong example of a well-written TOEFL Integrated Writing 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 depth and detail in some areas. The writer presents the lecture's counterarguments to the reading's claims, but the explanations are somewhat brief and lack specific examples. For instance, the discussion on tax revenue and the costs of increased drug use could be expanded to provide a clearer understanding of the lecture's argument. The response is generally well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, the transitions between ideas could be smoother to improve the overall coherence of the essay. For example, the transition between the discussion on crime rates and public health outcomes could be more clearly signaled.

There are a few grammatical and punctuation errors that affect the clarity of the response. For instance, the sentence "The professor says that the revenue might not be enough to cover these long-term costs" could be rephrased for better clarity. Additionally, the sentence "Criminal organizations might still sell drugs at lower prices than the legal market" could benefit from a clearer explanation of how this undermines the reading's argument.

Overall, this response demonstrates a basic understanding of the relationship between the reading and the lecture, but it could be improved with more detailed explanations and smoother transitions. The grammatical and punctuation errors also detract from the overall quality of the essay.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Drugs

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, 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
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• Grading Students - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Answers