The Role of Blockchain Technology in Revolutionizing Supply Chains - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, the Writing Section plays a crucial role in demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively in English in Academic setting. In the practice test on 'The Role of Blockchain Technology in Revolutionising Supply Chains', you'll be asked to respond to a prompt that challenges you to provide with constructive viewpoint and provide different sharpener. By practising diligently, you will improve your language proficiency and also think critically.

By engaging with such academic content, you'll be able to construct a well-organized and coherent essay that clearly communicates your ideas. So, why wait longer? Let's dive into it.

Writing Instructions:

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic. 
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instruction: Your professor is teaching a class on technology and its impact on business. Write a post responding to the professors question. In your response, you should

1. express and support your personal opinion
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Next week, we will explore how blockchain technology is changing various industries, especially supply chains. Blockchain can make things more transparent, cut down on fraud, and improve efficiency. But it also has challenges like high costs and regulatory issues. Do you think the benefits of blockchain in supply chains are greater than the challenges? Why or why not?

Sophie: I think the benefits of blockchain in supply chains are greater than the challenges. Blockchain gives unparalleled transparency, letting all parties track products in real-time, which cuts down on fraud and mistakes, leading to smoother operations. For example, Walmart uses blockchain to track food from farm to store. This makes it much faster to find the source of pollution. Although the costs to set it up are high, the long-term savings and increased trust from consumers make it worth it.

Daniel: Although blockchain technology has big advantages, I think the challenges are too big to ignore. High setup costs can be a big barrier for small and medium-sized businesses. Also, regulatory issues can create uncertainty and slow down adoption. For example, different countries have different rules on blockchain, making it hard for global supply chains to use a single system. Until these challenges are fixed, using blockchain widely in supply chains may be limited.

Before delving into sample responses, let us examine the parameters of a strong TOEFL score!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Role of Blockchain Technology in Revolutionising Supply Chains

Below are the two responses for the Academic Discussion Writing question where one of them showcases a mid-level proficiency while the other exhibits a high level of skills. Through examining the distinctions, you will acquire valuable insights into the components that lead to attaining an exceptional score in the Writing section.

Score 3 Response

I think blockchain has many benefits for supply chains, but the challenges are also big. Blockchain can make supply chains more transparent and reduce fraud, which is very important. For example, Walmart uses blockchain to track food, and this helps find problems faster. But, the high costs to set up blockchain systems can be a problem, especially for small businesses. Also, different countries have different rules about blockchain, which makes it hard to use one system everywhere. Until these issues are fixed, it might be hard for everyone to use blockchain in supply chains. (Word Count - 94)

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and development needed for a higher score. The student addresses both the benefits and challenges of blockchain in supply chains, showing an understanding of the topic. However, the argument is not as well-developed or supported as it could be. The response mentions the transparency and fraud reduction benefits of blockchain, using Walmart as an example. While this is a relevant point, it is not elaborated upon in detail. The student could have provided more specific examples or explained how these benefits impact the overall efficiency of supply chains.

The challenges of high setup costs and regulatory issues are also mentioned, but again, the discussion is superficial. The student notes that these challenges are significant, especially for small businesses, but does not explore potential solutions or future developments that could mitigate these issues. This lack of depth makes the argument less compelling. There are also a couple of grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the response. For example, the incorrect linking word "but" in "Blockchain can make supply chains more transparent and reduce fraud, but the challenges are also big" should be "yet" to correctly convey the contrast. Additionally, the misuse of the preposition "about" in "different rules about blockchain" should be "on" to be grammatically correct.

Score 5 Response

While both Sophie and Daniel make valid points, I believe the benefits of blockchain in supply chains outweigh the challenges. Blockchain's ability to provide real-time transparency is a game-changer. For instance, as Sophie mentioned, Walmart's use of blockchain to track food sources significantly reduces the time needed to identify contamination, thereby enhancing food safety. This level of transparency not only cuts down on fraud but also builds consumer trust, which is invaluable.

However, Daniel's concerns about high setup costs and regulatory issues are legitimate. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) might find it difficult to bear the initial costs. Yet, as the technology matures, these costs are likely to decrease, making it more accessible. Moreover, regulatory frameworks are evolving, and international cooperation could standardize rules, mitigating the current uncertainties.

In conclusion, while there are hurdles to overcome, the long-term benefits of blockchain such as enhanced transparency, reduced fraud, and improved efficiency make it a worthwhile investment for supply chains.

 (Word count - 158 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear, well-structured argument and effective engagement with the ongoing discussion. The student begins by acknowledging the points made by Sophie and Daniel, demonstrating an understanding of the existing arguments. The response then provides specific examples, such as Walmart's use of blockchain, to support the claim that the benefits outweigh the challenges. This not only strengthens the argument but also shows the student's ability to apply real-world examples to theoretical discussions.

The response also addresses the counterarguments presented by Daniel, acknowledging the high setup costs and regulatory issues. By suggesting that these challenges will diminish as the technology matures and regulatory frameworks evolve, the student provides a balanced view that considers both current limitations and future possibilities. This approach adds depth to the argument and shows critical thinking. The language used is formal yet accessible, making the response easy to follow. The student avoids overly complex words and sentences, which helps maintain clarity and coherence. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points, reinforcing the argument that the long-term benefits of blockchain in supply chains are greater than the challenges.

Overall, this response is well-organized, coherent, and provides a strong, well-developed argument supported by relevant examples. The few minor grammatical errors do not interfere with understanding, making this a high-quality response.

Awesome Job! You can also share your response in the comments and access more practice tests to get familiarised with the exam format. Let's improve your writing skills together!

Additional Reads:

• Teamwork - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key
• Should High School Education Be Extended to Five Years - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test
• Domesticated Mammals - Speaking Practice Test with Answer Key
• Wearing Masks During Pandemic - TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key
• The Role of Space Exploration in Advancing Science - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test