The Role of Public Transportation in Reducing Carbon Emissions - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, the writing test assesses a candidate's ability to write academically, where they are required to successfully integrate the knowledge into their work and organize the ideas coherently. The two Writing Sections, such as Academic Discussion and Integrated Writing, make up the Writing Section.

In this practice test on 'The Role of Public Transportation in Reducing Carbon Emissions', you will hear a lecture on a certain subject from a professor in the Academic Discussion activity. After that, you'll take part in a conversation where you'll have to voice your opinion and provide solid justification for it

The best method to get ready for this part of the test is to practice on tests specifically made for the Academic Discussion format. Let's start your study with our "The Role of Public Transportation in Reducing Carbon Emissions"-themed TOEFL Academic Discussion practice exam.

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 science. 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: As we explore the various strategies to combat climate change, one important area of focus is public transportation. Do you believe that investing in public transportation is a good way to reduce carbon emissions? Why or why not?

Ruby: Yes, I believe investing in public transportation is a useful way to reduce carbon emissions. Buses and trains carry many people, reducing the number of cars and emissions. Cities with large transit systems, like New York City, have lower carbon emissions per person than cities that use more cars.

Thomas: Although public transportation helps reduce emissions, I think its not the only solution. Many systems still use fossil fuels, therefore they still contribute to emissions. Rather, we should focus on developing electric and hybrid vehicles for both public and private use. Encouraging cycling and walking can also significantly reduce our carbon footprint without the need for large infrastructure investments.

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 Public Transportation in Reducing Carbon Emissions

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 investing in public transportation is a good way to reduce carbon emissions, but its not the only solution. Public transportation can carry many people at once, which means fewer cars on the road and less emissions. However, many public transportation systems still use fossil fuels, so they still contribute to emissions. We should also focus on developing electric and hybrid vehicles for both public and private use, this can help reduce emissions even more. Encouraging cycling and walking is also important, it can reduce our carbon footprint without needing big infrastructure investments. So, while public transportation is important, we need a mix of solutions to effectively combat climate change. (Word Count - 111)

Rater’s Comment

This response earns a mid-level score due to its attempt to address the prompt and contribute to the discussion, but it lacks depth and coherence. The student begins by agreeing that investing in public transportation is beneficial for reducing carbon emissions, which aligns with Ruby's point. However, the argument is not well-developed, and the examples provided are somewhat generic. The response mentions that public transportation can reduce the number of cars on the road, but it does not provide specific examples or data to support this claim. Additionally, the student acknowledges that many public transportation systems still use fossil fuels, echoing Thomas's concern, but does not elaborate on how this issue could be mitigated.

The suggestion to focus on developing electric and hybrid vehicles is valid, but it is introduced with a comma splice: "We should also focus on developing electric and hybrid vehicles for both public and private use, this can help reduce emissions even more." This grammatical error affects the clarity of the sentence. Similarly, the sentence "Encouraging cycling and walking is also important, it can reduce our carbon footprint without needing big infrastructure investments" is another example of a comma splice. The response concludes by stating that a mix of solutions is needed to combat climate change, which is a reasonable point but lacks the depth and specificity required for a higher score. Overall, the response is generally comprehensible but falls short in terms of clarity, coherence, and detailed support for the argument.

Score 5 Response

While Ruby and Thomas both make valid points, I believe that investing in public transportation is indeed a highly effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Public transportation systems, especially when powered by renewable energy sources, can significantly lower the number of individual vehicles on the road. This not only reduces emissions but also alleviates traffic congestion and lowers the overall carbon footprint of urban areas. For instance, cities like Copenhagen have successfully integrated electric buses and trains into their public transit systems, resulting in a noticeable decrease in air pollution. Additionally, public transportation is more energy-efficient per passenger mile compared to private cars. While Thomas is correct that some systems still rely on fossil fuels, the transition to electric and hybrid public transport is already underway in many parts of the world.

Moreover, investing in public transportation can have broader social benefits, such as increased accessibility and reduced transportation costs for low-income communities. Encouraging cycling and walking, as Thomas suggested, is also important, but these methods alone cannot handle the transportation needs of large urban populations. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that includes robust public transportation infrastructure is essential for sustainable urban development and effective climate action. (Word count - 196 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear, well-developed argument and logical structure. The student effectively addresses the prompt by supporting the idea that investing in public transportation is a good way to reduce carbon emissions. The response begins by acknowledging the points made by Ruby and Thomas, which shows an understanding of the ongoing discussion. The student then provides specific examples, such as the case of Copenhagen, to illustrate how public transportation can reduce emissions when powered by renewable energy sources.

The response also highlights the energy efficiency of public transportation and addresses the concern raised by Thomas about fossil fuel usage by noting the ongoing transition to electric and hybrid systems. Additionally, the student broadens the discussion by mentioning the social benefits of public transportation, such as increased accessibility and reduced costs for low-income communities. This adds depth to the argument and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

The language used is formal and appropriate for an academic setting, and the response is free from major grammatical errors. Overall, the response is well-organized, coherent, and effectively contributes to the discussion, making it deserving of a high score.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task 

The TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task may seem difficult and can cause you to become nervous. But don't feel scared! You can do this task effectively by incorporating a few vital strategies to ace your proficiency in academic writing.

• It is important to have a detailed examination of the question which is necessary to comprehend both the main idea and the setting for that specific question. It is necessary to consider the provided guidelines, such as providing a response that addresses all relevant angles.
• Finding the key arguments is made simpler by dissecting the question into its constituent parts. It's critical to successfully manage each component at the same time while organising the response.
• Before attempting to write the answer, always plan and come up with ideas and use them as examples so that you can showcase a range of perspectives.
• Making an outline ensures that the response is cohesive and the concepts are well-organized.
• Giving evidence or statistics to support assertions and points of view demonstrates your grasp of the subject.
• Avoid using any slang or informal language; instead, stick to professional language and academic terminologies, paying close attention to grammar and punctuation.

Finally, it's time for you to shine! Attempt the practice question and share your response in the comments! 

Our TOEFL experts are more than willing to provide valuable feedback which would help you achieve your target score!  Let's improve your writing skills together!

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