The Role of Taxation in Reducing Income Inequality - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

TOEFL success hinges on demonstrating strong language abilities, particularly your power to communicate effectively. Within this comprehensive exam, the Writing Section plays a pivotal role, challenging test-takers to showcase multiple competencies.

Today's practice test focuses exclusively on the Integrated Writing component, walking you through task requirements, response organisation, and performance optimisation. Time to transform your TOEFL writing skills!

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.

Taxation plays a crucial role in reducing income inequality by distributing wealth from the richer parts of society to the poorer ones. Progressive tax systems, where higher income earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes, are particularly effective in narrowing the income gap. By imposing higher taxes on the wealthy, governments can generate revenue that can be used to fund social programs and public services, such as education, healthcare, and social security, which unequally benefit lower-income individuals.

Another way taxation helps reduce income inequality is through tax credits and deductions aimed at low-income families. For instance, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the United States provides financial relief to working families with low to moderate incomes. These tax benefits increase the spendable income of lower-income households, helping them to afford basic necessities and improve their standard of living.

Taxes also enable governments to invest in basic services and public goods that benefit society as a whole. Better public transportation, affordable housing, and access to quality education can provide opportunities for advancement, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By leveling the playing field, these investments can help reduce long-term income inequality.

Also, corporate taxes play a role in addressing income disparity. By taxing corporate profits, governments can ensure that businesses contribute their fair share to the economy. This revenue can then be used to support small businesses and create job opportunities, fostering a more fair economic environment. Also, corporate taxes can discourage excessive executive pay, which is often a big factor in income inequality.

Now play the audio.

Question

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

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on the Role of Taxation in Reducing Income Inequality

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 Taxation in Reducing Income Inequality

The following section offers a thorough examination of different answer types. It includes insights from both mid-level and high-level perspectives, helping you identify areas of improvement.

High-Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response deserves a high score as it 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 instance, the response clearly contrasts the reading's claim about the effectiveness of progressive taxes with the lecture's argument on tax evasion and avoidance. Similarly, it juxtaposes the reading's view on the benefits of taxation with the lecture's concerns about economic consequences and administrative complexity.

The response also maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. The use of transitions such as "The lecture points out," "Regarding economic consequences," and "Lastly, the lecture emphasizes" helps to clearly signal the relationship between the two sources, enhancing the coherence and flow of the essay.

Moreover, the language used is appropriate for a college-level response, with strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The essay is concise, staying within the word limit while effectively conveying all necessary information. Overall, the response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in summarizing and synthesizing information from multiple sources, which is a key requirement for this task.

Mid Level Response

Rater's Comment

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it lacks some depth and detail, which is why it falls into the mid-level category. The essay is generally well-organised, with each paragraph addressing a specific point of contention between the reading and the lecture. However, it omits some important details and examples that would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the material.

For instance, the response mentions the lecture's point about the high initial investment and ongoing costs of digital services but does not elaborate on the specific expenses like regular updates and maintenance. Similarly, while it notes the lecture's concern about the traditional role of libraries, it does not fully explain how shifting to digital services might weaken the sense of community.

The response also contains a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as "Many people, especially in low-income areas, might not have reliable internet or the devices needed to use digital services." A more polished sentence would be, "Many people, particularly in low-income areas, may lack reliable internet access or the necessary devices to utilize digital services."

Overall, while the response demonstrates a basic understanding of the material and is generally coherent, it lacks the depth, detail, and language control required for a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Role of Taxation in Reducing Income Inequality

Here are effective strategies for tackling the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task.

• Carefully read both the reading passage and listen to the lecture. Identify the key points, contrasting views, or connections between them to ensure a strong grasp of the content.
• Jot down key details from both the reading and lecture, such as main ideas, examples, and any opposing viewpoints.
• Focus on how the lecture either supports, contradicts, or expands upon the reading.
• When referring to the reading and lecture, try to paraphrase the content instead of copying.
• Support your comparisons or contrasts with specific examples from the reading and lecture.

These strategies will help you organize your thoughts and craft a well-structured, clear response for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task.

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