The Role of Blockchain Technology in Modern Finance - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

The challenge of comparing reading and listening materials intimidates many TOEFL test-takers. In today's practice session, we'll break down the Integrated Writing task into manageable components. By understanding how to identify key points, take effective notes, and structure your response, you'll approach this task with greater confidence.

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.

Blockchain technology is changing modern finance by offering new levels of security, transparency, and efficiency. One major benefit of blockchain is its ability to provide a secure and immutable ledger. Transactions recorded on a blockchain are encoded and linked to previous transactions, making it nearly impossible to alter past records. This high level of security is especially useful for financial institutions, which handle sensitive data and need strong measures to prevent fraud and cyberattacks.

Another key benefit of blockchain technology is transparency. All transactions on a blockchain are visible to everyone in the network, ensuring a clear and auditable trail of financial activities. This transparency can help reduce corruption and increase trust among the parties involved. For example, in supply chain finance, blockchain can provide real-time visibility into the movement of goods and payments, cutting the risk of fraud and improving efficiency.

Efficiency gains are also a major advantage of blockchain in finance. Traditional financial systems often involve multiple middlemen, leading to delays and accumulating costs. Blockchain technology can streamline these processes by enabling direct transactions without the need for middlemen. This can significantly reduce transaction times and costs. For instance, cross-border payments, which typically take several days and incur high fees, can be completed in a matter of minutes using blockchain technology.

In summary, blockchain technology offers significant benefits in terms of security, transparency, and efficiency, making it a powerful tool for modern finance.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarize the lecturer's arguments, highlighting how they challenge specific assertions in the reading passage.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on the Role of Blockchain Technology in Modern Finance

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 Role of Blockchain Technology in Modern Finance

The following section presents a comprehensive analysis of a range of responses, incorporating both mid-level and high-level proficiency.

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 of contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first body paragraph contrasts the reading's view that blockchain provides efficiency with the lecture's argument that network congestion can lead to slower transaction times and higher fees. This shows a clear relationship between the two sources.

The response also uses appropriate transitions to signal the relationship between the reading and the lecture, such as "In contrast" and "Furthermore," which helps maintain coherence and flow. The language is clear and concise, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary. There are no significant errors that hinder understanding, and the essay remains objective throughout, avoiding personal opinions.

Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score. It successfully presents all key information from both the reading and the lecture, is well-organized and coherent, and demonstrates strong language control with only minor errors. The response is also within the word limit, making it concise and to the point.

Mid-Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response earns a mid-level score due to its partial but not comprehensive summary of the reading and the lecture. The writer captures some key points from both sources, however, the response lacks depth in explaining how the lecture challenges these points.

The essay is somewhat organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point, but the transitions between ideas are not as smooth as they could be.

There are noticeable grammatical and punctuation errors. These errors do not severely hinder understanding but do affect the overall clarity and coherence of the essay.

Overall, the response provides a limited summary of the reading and the lecture, with some lapses in organization and coherence, justifying the mid-level score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Role of Blockchain Technology in Modern Finance

Here are some key strategies for approaching the Integrated Writing Task on the Role of Blockchain Technology in Modern Finance.

• Listen attentively to the lecture, focusing on its relationship to the reading passage.
• Manage your time to allow for planning, writing, and reviewing.
• Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs comparing the reading and lecture, and a conclusion that reinforces the main points of contrast.
• Maintain a formal, academic tone throughout your response, focusing on clarity and precision in expressing the ideas from the reading and lecture.
• Before submitting, take a few minutes to review your response for grammar, punctuation, and coherence to ensure a polished final draft.

Are you ready to pave your path to TOEFL success? We've provided sample answers and expert strategies to support you. Now it's time for you to start practicing!

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