The Role of Technology in Preventing Climate Change - TOEFL iBT® Writing Integrated Practice Test

Summarize the main points of the lecture, highlighting how they relate to the claims presented in the reading passage.

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on The Role of Technology in Preventing Climate Change

Here’s a thorough breakdown of various responses, covering both mid-level and high-level insights, to help you identify areas for improvement and achieve your desired score.

Mid Level Response 

The reading talks about technology fighting climate change with renewable energy, better energy use, carbon capture, and improved transportation. The lecture argues against relying too much on technology.The reading says renewable energy can cut carbon emissions. The lecture says these sources depend on weather and time, causing reliability issues. Making and disposing of renewable energy equipment has environmental impacts.The reading mentions smart grids and energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy use. The lecture says high initial costs are a problem for many people. The rebound effect, where people use more energy because it's cheaper, can cancel out benefits.The reading sees carbon capture and storage as good for reducing emissions from fossil fuel plants. The lecture points out it's expensive and uses lots of energy. There are concerns about long-term stability of stored carbon and leaks.The reading praises electric vehicles and public transportation for reducing emissions. The lecture notes environmental impacts of mining for EV batteries and that electricity for EVs often comes from fossil fuels. Public transportation needs lots of investment and infrastructure, which is hard to do on a large scale. (185 Words )

Rater’s Comments

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 renewable energy due to reliability issues, but it does not elaborate on how these issues affect the overall effectiveness of renewable energy. Additionally, the response has some grammatical errors, such as "The reading sees carbon capture and storage as a good way to reduce emissions from fossil fuel power plants," which could be more clearly stated as "The reading views carbon capture and storage as an effective method to reduce emissions from fossil fuel power plants." 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.

High Level Response 

 The reading highlights technology's role in fighting climate change through renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture, and transportation advancements. The lecture presents counterarguments to these points. Initially, the reading suggests renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions. The lecture points out reliability issues due to weather dependence and environmental impacts of manufacturing and disposing of equipment. Additionally, the reading discusses benefits of smart grids and energy-efficient appliances. The lecture argues high initial costs are a barrier for many. The rebound effect, where increased efficiency leads to higher energy use, can negate benefits. On carbon capture and storage, the reading sees it as promising for reducing emissions from fossil fuel plants. The lecture highlights technical and economic challenges, including high costs and energy use. Concerns exist about long-term stability of stored carbon and potential leaks.

Finally, the reading praises transportation advancements like electric vehicles (EVs) and efficient public transit. The lecture notes environmental impacts of mining for EV batteries and that electricity for EVs often comes from fossil fuels. Public transit requires significant investment and infrastructure, challenging to implement widely.To conclude, the lecture presents several counterpoints to the reading's optimistic view of technology's role in combating climate change. (197 Words)

Rater’s Comments

This response merits 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 sources, while the second addresses the high initial costs and rebound effect of energy-efficient technologies. 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" 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.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on The Role of Technology in Preventing Climate Change

Here are some strategies to tackle the Integrated Writing Task on 'The Role of Technology in Preventing Climate Change' effectively:

1.Take the time to thoroughly read the prompt to grasp the task and its requirements. 

2. During the lecture, make detailed notes that highlight the main arguments and supporting evidence.

3. Cross-reference the information from the lecture with the reading material, paying attention to any discrepancies or additional insights.

4. Organize your response with a clear introduction, well-structured body paragraphs, and a succinct conclusion.

5. Incorporate specific examples and quotes from both the reading and the lecture to bolster your analysis.

6. Ensure a smooth flow and coherence by using appropriate transitions and connections between your points.

This practice test on 'The Role of Technology in Preventing Climate Change' helps you refine your TOEFL Writing Integrated skills by summarizing and comparing key points from both a reading passage and a lecture. Use the feedback provided to enhance your writing and boost your TOEFL score.

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