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The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Writing Practice Tests

Akanksha Tripathi

6 min read

Updated On November 12, 2024

"Boost your TOEFL Writing skills with a practice task on ‘The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change.’ Learn to integrate multiple perspectives effectively."

Key Highlights

Writing Instructions
Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change
Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task

In the TOEFL Academic Discussion task, you’ll need to analyze information from both reading and listening sources. This practice test focuses on 'The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change', a crucial global issue where non-governmental organizations play an important role.

Through this exercise, you will improve your ability to connect contrasting viewpoints, an essential skill for succeeding in the TOEFL Writing section.

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 environmental studies. Write a post responding to the professor’s 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: In our upcoming class, we will look into the role of non-profits in addressing global climate change. Non-profits often play a crucial role in raising awareness. They also influence policy and start local projects. But their effectiveness can vary. What do you think is the most significant contribution that non-profits can make in the fight against global climate change?

Emily: I believe that the most significant contribution non-profits can make is raising public awareness and educating communities about climate change. Many people are still unaware of the severity of the issue and how their actions contribute to it. Non-profits can help people make more environmentally friendly choices. They do this by running educational campaigns and workshops. For example, Greenpeace has been successful in gathering public support and pressuring governments to adopt greener policies.

Oliver: While raising awareness is important, I think the most significant contribution non-profits can make is influencing policy at the governmental and international levels. Non-profits have the skills and resources to do research. They also give fact-based advice to policymakers. For example, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been key in supporting stronger environmental regulations and global deals like the Paris Accord. Without such policy changes, individual efforts may not be enough to combat climate change effectively.

Response Time : 10 Minutes

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change

To enhance your understanding of the scoring criteria for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, we have provided two sample responses: one scoring 3 and the other scoring 5:

Score 3 Response

I think non-profits can make a big impact on fighting climate change. There most important contribution is probably raising awareness and educating people. Many people don't know much about climate change or how there actions affect it. Non-profits can teach people about the problem and how to be more eco-friendly in there daily lives. They can do things like run campaigns and workshops to spread information.Another important thing non-profits do is try to influence government policies. They can do research and give advise to politicians about environmental issues. This could help get better laws and regulations passed to protect the environment.Non-profits also sometimes start local projects in communities. This could be things like planting trees, cleaning up pollution, or helping people switch to renewable energy. These projects can make a real difference in specific areas.I think all of these things are important, but education is probably the most significant overall. If more people understand the problem, they'll be more likely to support bigger changes in society to address climate change.

Rater's comment:

This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic but contains several grammatical errors and lacks depth. The ideas are somewhat repetitive and not fully developed. Sentence structure is simple and vocabulary is limited. There are notable grammatical mistakes, such as using "There" instead of "Their" when discussing the most important contribution, and confusion between "there" and "their" in phrases like "there actions" and "there daily lives". The response also contains a spelling error, using "advise" as a noun instead of "advice". These errors, while not severely impeding comprehension, indicate a need for improved language control. Despite these issues, the response manages to convey some relevant points about non-profits' role in climate change mitigation, though without the depth or sophistication expected for a higher score.

Score 5 Response

Non-profit organizations play a crucial role in addressing global climate change through multiple avenues. Their most significant contribution lies in their ability to bridge scientific research, public awareness, and policy implementation.Firstly, non-profits excel at translating complex climate data into accessible information for the public. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, they create widespread support for climate action. Organizations like 350.org have effectively mobilized global climate movements, demonstrating the power of an informed citizenry.Secondly, non-profits serve as watchdogs, holding governments and corporations accountable for their environmental practices. Their independence allows them to challenge powerful entities without constraints faced by governmental bodies or profit-driven companies. The Environmental Defense Fund, for instance, has successfully lobbied for stricter emissions standards and partnered with corporations to develop sustainable business practices.Furthermore, non-profits often spearhead innovative solutions and pilot projects that can be scaled up. The Nature Conservancy has pioneered market-based conservation strategies adopted worldwide. They also facilitate international cooperation on climate issues, providing neutral platforms for dialogue and contributing expertise to global climate negotiations.In conclusion, while all these contributions are vital, the most impactful role of non-profits in combating climate change is their ability to catalyze systemic change through a combination of public engagement, policy advocacy, and innovative solution development. By operating at the intersection of civil society, government, and the private sector, non-profits are uniquely positioned to drive the comprehensive approach required to address the global climate crisis effectively.

Rater's comment:

This response demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, presenting a well-structured and nuanced argument. The writer effectively analyzes multiple aspects of non-profits' contributions to climate change mitigation, providing specific examples to support each point. The language used is precise and varied, with complex sentence structures that enhance the flow of ideas. The conclusion synthesizes the main points and offers a thoughtful perspective. The response shows high-level critical thinking and a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter. The writer's ability to connect different facets of the issue and consider their interplay is particularly impressive. Overall, this is an excellent response that fully addresses the question with depth and clarity.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task

Here are strategies to approach the topic of The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change in the TOEFL Academic Discussion task:

1. Identify Key Contributions: Focus on understanding how the reading and lecture outline the various ways NGOs contribute to the fight against climate change.

2. Compare Perspectives: Analyze how the reading may emphasize policy initiatives, while the lecture could highlight grassroots efforts or the challenges NGOs encounter.

3. Address Conflicting Views: Show how NGOs can complement government actions, even when there are differing opinions regarding their effectiveness in tackling global climate issues.

4. Incorporate Examples: Use specific examples from the sources to bolster your argument, ensuring a balanced and well-supported response.

5. Stay Clear and Organized: Present your arguments in a structured way, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout your response.

By practicing the TOEFL Academic Discussion task on The Role of NGOs in Tackling Global Climate Change, you’ll improve your ability to synthesize information and present balanced arguments. This will enhance your confidence and performance in the TOEFL Writing section.

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