The Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping and Global Stability - TOEFL iBT® Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

The TOEFL Academic Discussion task assesses your ability to synthesize information from reading and listening materials. In this practice test, you’ll engage with the topic 'The Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping and Global Stability', analyzing differing perspectives and crafting a balanced response.

This exercise will strengthen your skills in organizing and presenting ideas, key for excelling 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 international relations. 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.

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping and Global Stability

To improve your writing skills for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, carefully study the two sample responses we have provided, which demonstrate scores of 3 and 5:

Score 3 Response 

I think the United Nations plays an important role in maintaining global stability and peace. Like Maria said, the UN has successfully resolved many conflicts and provided help in crisis situations. For example, the UN's missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia have helped restore order after civil wars.However, I also understand David's concerns about the UN's effectiveness. The failure to prevent the Rwandan genocide in 1994 shows that the UN has significant issues. To improve, the UN needs better funding, more resources, and less political interference from member states. With these changes, the UN can become a more effective force for global stability and peace.

Rater's Comment:

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the successes and limitations of the UN, aligning with points made by Maria and David. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some inappropriate phrases, such as "restore order after civil wars" instead of "restore order and rebuild societies after devastating civil wars," and "shows that the UN has significant issues" instead of "highlights the need for substantial reforms within the organization." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "shows that the UN has significant issues" and "more effective force." While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could benefit from more detailed reasoning and a more formal tone.

Score 5 Response 

While David raises valid concerns about the limitations and failures of the United Nations, I believe that the UN plays a crucial role in maintaining global stability and peace. The organization has successfully resolved numerous conflicts and provided essential humanitarian aid in crisis situations. For instance, the UN's peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia have been instrumental in restoring order and rebuilding societies after devastating civil wars. These missions have helped to disarm combatants, support democratic elections, and facilitate the reintegration of former fighters into civilian life.However, it is undeniable that the UN has faced significant challenges, such as the tragic failure to prevent the Rwandan genocide in 1994. These shortcomings highlight the need for substantial reforms within the organization. To enhance its effectiveness, the UN should focus on improving funding mechanisms, ensuring adequate resources for its missions, and reducing political interference from member states. Additionally, strengthening the mandate and capabilities of peacekeeping forces can help the UN respond more swiftly and effectively to emerging conflicts. In essence, while the UN is not without its flaws, its role in promoting peace and stability is indispensable, and with the right reforms, it can become an even more effective force for global good.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively counters David's concerns by emphasizing the successes of the UN in peacekeeping missions and providing concrete examples. The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the discussion. The first paragraph aligns with Maria's viewpoint on the positive impact of the UN, while the second paragraph acknowledges the organization's shortcomings and suggests practical reforms. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from grammatical errors. Overall, the student demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task

Here are some strategies to tackle The Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping and Global Stability in the TOEFL Academic Discussion task:

1. Understand the Core Arguments: Focus on identifying the main points from both the reading and lecture regarding the effectiveness and challenges of the UN in maintaining peace and stability globally.

2. Compare and Contrast Ideas: Look for similarities and differences in how each source views the UN's peacekeeping efforts and its role in global stability.

3. Present Clear and Balanced Ideas: Structure your response by comparing the reading and lecture clearly, ensuring both viewpoints are fairly represented.

4. Use Precise Language: Convey your ideas with clarity, sticking to a logical structure of introduction, body, and conclusion.

5. Stay Within Time Limits: Practice managing your time effectively to write a structured, coherent response within the given time frame.

By practicing the TOEFL Academic Discussion task on 'The Role of the United Nations in Peacekeeping and Global Stability', you will develop a strong ability to compare viewpoints and communicate ideas clearly. This will be essential in helping you achieve success in the TOEFL Writing section.

Also Read:

• University Spending - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Classroom Learning vs. Online Education - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Important Discoveries and Inventions - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Scientific Research - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers