The Pros and Cons of Space Exploration Investment - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

Critical thinking meets writing proficiency in the TOEFL Integrated Writing task. Today's practice will sharpen your ability to analyze academic content from both written and spoken sources. We'll focus on developing clear comparisons, maintaining objectivity, and organising your ideas effectively within the 20-minute time constraint. 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.

Investing in space exploration has sparked a lot of debates. Supporters believe the benefits are worth the costs, pointing to improvements in technology, economic growth, and the potential for future resource gaining.

Historically, space exploration has driven technological innovation. For example, satellite technology has changed communication, weather forecasting, and GPS. These improvements have made daily life better and fueled further scientific research. Often, technologies developed for space missions find uses in other industries. This leads to wider technological progress.

Economic growth is another strong reason for investing in space exploration. The space industry creates high-paying jobs in engineering, research, and manufacturing. Also, private companies entering the space sector have boosted competition and innovation, leading to more effective and cost-effective solutions. The commercial space industry, including satellite launches and space tourism, could generate important revenue and contribute to the economy.

The potential for future resource gain is also a big deal. As Earth's resources become scarcer, space exploration offers the chance to access untapped resources from asteroids and other space objects. These resources could include rare minerals and metals essential for various industries. Investing in space exploration now could pave the way for future missions that secure these valuable resources, ensuring long-term lasting.

Now play the audio.

Question

Provide a concise overview of the lecture's arguments, detailing their opposition to specific claims presented in the reading passage.

Wait! Before you check out the sample answers to the Writing Integrated task, let’s learn what a good TOEFL score is!

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on the Pros and Cons of Space Exploration Investment

Take a look at the two sample responses we've provided a mid-level response followed by a high-level response. By comparing these samples, you'll gain valuable insights into how to improve your own writing response.

High-Level Response

The lecture presents several reasons to be cautious about investing in space exploration, countering the reading's optimistic view.

The passage emphasizes that space exploration drives technological innovation, citing satellite technology as an example. However, the lecture argues that these advancements come at a high cost. The funds used for space missions could address urgent issues on Earth, such as healthcare and education, which also drive technological progress and have a more immediate impact on people's lives.

Regarding economic growth, the passage claims that the space industry creates high-paying jobs and boosts competition. The lecture, however, points out that these jobs are highly specialized and limited in number. The significant investment required for space exploration could be seen as a financial burden, diverting resources from other critical sectors that contribute to economic development.

The passage also highlights the potential for future resources gaining from space. In contrast, the lecture argues that this idea is still uncertain. The technology and infrastructure needed to mine asteroids are in their early stages, and the costs and risks are enormous. Focusing on sustainable resource management on Earth might be a more practical solution to resource scarcity.

In summary, while the passage highlights the benefits of space exploration, the lecture provides a more cautious perspective, emphasizing the high costs, limited economic benefits, and uncertainties associated with space resource acquisition.

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 of contention between the reading and the lecture.

The response accurately paraphrases the information from both the reading and the lecture, avoiding direct copying. The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture rather than expressing personal opinions.

Transitions are used effectively to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "However, the lecture argues" and "In contrast, the lecture argues." The language used is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the essay flows logically from one point to the next.

Mid-Level Response

The lecture gives reasons to be careful about investing in space exploration, which challenges the reading's positive view.

The passage say space exploration drives technology innovation, like satellite technology. But the lecture says these advancements cost a lot. The money spent on space missions could be used for urgent issues on Earth, like healthcare and education, which also drive technology progress and have a more immediate impact on people's lives.

The passage also say space exploration creates high-paying jobs and boosts competition. The lecture, however, says these jobs are highly specialized and limited in number. The big investment needed for space exploration could be seen as a financial burden, taking resources from other important sectors that help economic development.

The passage highlight the potential for future resource gaining from space. But the lecture says this idea is still uncertain. The technology and infrastructure needed to mine asteroids are in early stages, and the costs and risks are huge. Focusing on sustainable resource management on Earth might be a better solution to resource scarcity.

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading passage and the lecture, but it lacks some depth and detail. The transitions between points are not as smooth, and the language is more simplistic.

The response has some grammatical errors that affect clarity. For example, "The reading says space exploration drives technology innovation, like satellite technology" could be more clearly stated as "The reading claims that space exploration drives technological innovation, such as satellite technology."

The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture rather than expressing personal opinions. However, the language used is more simplistic, and there are noticeable grammatical errors that affect the overall quality of the response.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Pros and Cons of Space Exploration Investment

Let's dive into the tips below and put them to the test with some sample practice problems in our next test paper. Here are some key strategies to help you approach this task with confidence.

• Focus on the instructions and how the passage relates to the lecture.
• Identify the main arguments, supporting evidence, and overall tone of the passage.
• Look for discrepancies or agreements between the viewpoints, evidence, or conclusions in the passage and the lecture.
• Outline your main points, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ensure a clear structure.
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the reading and lecture arguments, and highlight how they align or contradict each other.

Now that you've explored the sample responses and effective writing strategies, it's time to put your skills to the test!

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