The Role of Renewable Energy in National Security - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

 The TOEFL iBT^®exam evaluates candidates on various abilities, placing particular importance on their communication skills. Among the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills from TOEFL examinees.

 The Writing Integrated practice test on 'The Role of Renewable Energy in National Security' aims to enhance your writing abilities. It aims to assist you in understanding task instructions, structuring responses effectively, and enhancing your performance in the TOEFL Writing segment. 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.

The role of renewable energy in national security has become an increasingly important topic. Advocates argue that transitioning to renewable energy sources offers several benefits that can enhance a nation's security. One of the main advantages of renewable energy is the reduction of dependence on foreign oil. Many countries rely heavily on imported fossil fuels to meet their energy needs, making them vulnerable to global tensions and supply disruptions. By investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, nations can achieve greater energy independence. This shift reduces the risks associated with energy imports and enhances national security by ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.

Another significant benefit is the strength of renewable energy infrastructure. Traditional energy systems, such as centralized power plants and extensive grid networks, are susceptible to attacks, natural disasters, and technical failures. Renewable energy systems, particularly decentralized ones like rooftop solar panels and local wind farms, are less vulnerable to such disruptions. The spread-out nature of renewable energy infrastructure can enhance the strength of the energy grid, making it more difficult for adversaries to target and compromise the entire system.

Renewable energy also contributes to environmental security, which is increasingly recognized as a component of national security. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change, leading to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and resource shortages. These environmental challenges can worsen conflicts, displace populations, and strain national resources. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy can lessen the impacts of climate change and contribute to a more stable and secure environment. 

Also, the transition to renewable energy can stimulate economic growth and job creation. The renewable energy sector offers numerous opportunities for innovation, investment, and employment. By fostering a strong renewable energy industry, nations can strengthen their economies and reduce the economic vulnerabilities associated with fossil fuel markets. A strong economy is a critical component of national security, providing the resources needed to address various security challenges.

Now play the audio.

Question

Summarise on the lecture's arguments by putting emphasis and connect their relevance to the reading passage. State your opinion.

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on the Role of Renewable Energy in National Security

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 Renewable Energy in National Security

A comprehensive analysis of various responses is provided below, enabling you to identify areas requiring improvement to achieve your target score.

High-Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response deserves a high score because it effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. For example, the first paragraph discusses the reliability issues of renewable energy, while the second addresses the vulnerabilities of renewable energy infrastructure. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and demonstrating the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, the response maintains an objective tone, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions, such as "The lecture counters this by arguing" and "The lecture, however, argues," effectively highlights the opposing viewpoints, contributing to the overall coherence and flow of the essay. The language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar and vocabulary, and only minor errors that do not affect the overall meaning. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, effectively presenting the key information from both the reading and the lecture in a well-organized and coherent manner.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some limitations that prevent it from achieving a higher score. While the response accurately identifies the key arguments from both sources, it lacks depth in its analysis and explanation. For example, the response mentions that the lecture argues against the reliability of renewable energy, but it does not elaborate on how the inconsistency of solar and wind energy can lead to reliability issues. Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors, such as "The reading says renewable energy reduces dependence on foreign oil, enhancing national security by ensuring a stable energy supply," which could be more clearly stated as "The reading suggests that renewable energy reduces dependence on foreign oil, enhancing national security by ensuring a stable energy supply."

The response also lacks a conclusion, which would help to summarize the overall relationship between the reading and the lecture. Furthermore, the response could benefit from more effective use of transitions to improve coherence and flow. Despite these issues, the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and provides a clear comparison of the opposing viewpoints. Overall, this response meets the criteria for a mid-level score, but it could be improved with more detailed analysis, better organization, and fewer grammatical errors.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Role of Renewable Energy in National Security

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Role of Renewable Energy in National Security

• Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
• Listen actively to the lecture, noting its relationship to the reading.
• Begin your response by clearly stating how the lecture relates to the reading.
• Explain any contradictions or connections between the reading and lecture.
• Integrate information from both sources throughout your essay.
• Use clear transitions and attributions for information from each source.

Prepared to enhance your TOEFL writing skills? Our collection of example responses and professional tips is here to support you in your journey. It's time to put your abilities to the test with some hands-on practice!

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