TOEFL iBT - Exam 1 - Writing

Exercises: 1 2

TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Test – Exam 1

Task 1

For this task, you will have 3 minutes to read a passage about an academic topic. Then you will listen to a lecture about the same topic.

You will have 20 minutes to write. In your response, provide a detailed summary of the lecture and explain how the lecture relates to the reading passage. While you write, you will be able to see the reading passage.

Now you will see the reading passage. It will be followed by a lecture. You may take notes to help you answer the test questions and prepare your responses. Your notes will not be scored.

Urban Green Spaces

Urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in cities. These areas provide residents with numerous environmental, social, and health benefits, making them indispensable in urban planning.

Green spaces contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. They help reduce urban heat islands by providing shade and releasing moisture through evapotranspiration. This cooling effect can lower temperatures in cities by several degrees, mitigating the impact of climate change. Additionally, plants and trees in these spaces improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen, thus contributing to the overall health of urban populations.

Urban green spaces foster social cohesion and community well-being. Parks and gardens serve as gathering places where people of diverse backgrounds can interact, fostering a sense of community. These areas provide venues for recreational activities, such as sports, picnics, and festivals, which enhance social interactions and build stronger community ties. Moreover, well-maintained green spaces can increase property values and attract businesses, contributing to the economic vitality of urban areas.

Access to green spaces has been linked to numerous health benefits. Regular exposure to natural environments has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Physical activities such as walking, jogging, and playing sports in these areas can help combat obesity and associated health problems. Furthermore, green spaces provide safe areas for children to play, promoting their physical and mental development.

Green spaces promote biodiversity in urban areas. Parks and gardens serve as habitats for various plant and animal species, supporting ecological balance. They provide opportunities for residents to engage with nature, increasing environmental awareness and promoting conservation efforts.

Writing Task One

Directions: Plan and write your response. Your response will be judged based on the quality of your writing and how well your response presents the points in the lecture and their relationship to the reading passage. Typically, an effective response will be 150 to 225 words.

Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge or support specific claims made in the passage.

Exercises: 1 2

The TOEFL iBT Writing section

Summary

The TOEFL iBT Writing section includes:

Tasks: 2 writing tasks
Types of tasks:
- 1 Integrated writing task
- 1 Independent writing task
Preparation time: 3 minutes for reading, 20 minutes for the Integrated writing task
Writing time: 30 minutes for the Independent writing task
Total duration: 50 minutes to complete this section

Important details

The Integrated task requires you to read a short passage and listen to a lecture on the same topic, then write a summary of both, explaining how the listening either supports or contradicts the reading.
The Independent task asks you to write an essay expressing your opinion on a familiar topic, using reasons and examples to support your argument.
You can take notes during both the reading and listening parts of the Integrated task to organize your response.
Your writing is evaluated based on the quality of your ideas, organization, development, grammar, and vocabulary usage.

Writing scores

Each of the four sections of the TOEFL iBT—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing—is scored on a scale of 0-30, totaling 120 points. The proficiency levels for writing are:

Advanced: 24-30
High-Intermediate: 17-23
Low-Intermediate: 13-16
Basic: 7-12
Below Basic: 0-6

Scores provide personalized feedback and performance insights. Writing scores are usually released a few days after the test. There are no passing or failing scores; institutions set their own requirements. For more details, visit the TOEFL score understanding page.

Question types

The Writing section includes two types of tasks:

Integrated Writing:
You will read a short passage on an academic topic and listen to a lecture on the same topic. Your task is to write a summary of the lecture and explain how it either supports or contradicts the reading passage.

Example: “Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they challenge the points made in the reading passage.”
Independent Writing:
You will write an essay expressing your personal opinion on a given topic. You need to support your argument with reasons and examples from your own experience.

Example: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? ‘It is better to live in a big city than a small town.’ Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.”

Tips for success

Organize your essay with a clear structure: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Use transitions to connect your ideas logically and smoothly.
Support your points with specific examples and reasons to make your argument stronger.
Practice writing under timed conditions to get used to managing your time effectively in both tasks.

We are working on this!

We're developing a NEW LEARNING PLATFORM with a subscription plan that includes additional features at an affordable price. One of those features will be PDF downloads.

Learn more!