| TOEFL Writing Tutorial | TOEFL Writing Question 1: Integrated Writing – (Read, Listen, Explain) | Previous Up Next |
TOEFL Writing Question 1
Integrated Writing – (Read, Listen, Explain):
The reading and the lecture will be on an academic subject in one of the following areas.
Life science – Any of several branches of science, such as biology, medicine, anthropology, or ecology, that deal with living organisms and their organization, life processes, and relationships to each other and their environment.
Social science – The study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history.
Physical science – Any of the sciences, such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology, that analyze the nature and properties of energy and nonliving matter.
Humanities – Branches of knowledge that investigate human beings, their culture, and their self-expression, including the study of languages and literatures, the arts, history, and philosophy.
Social science – The study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history.
Physical science – Any of the sciences, such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology, that analyze the nature and properties of energy and nonliving matter.
Humanities – Branches of knowledge that investigate human beings, their culture, and their self-expression, including the study of languages and literatures, the arts, history, and philosophy.
If any of these subjects is unfamiliar to you, there are several things you can do to prepare. Read articles in academic journals at the library, download podcasts of lectures, subscribe to a blog on the subject, or buy lecture series such as the Great Courses.
To begin with, your focus should be on summarizing the main points of the lecture.
- Do not take notes in full sentence form. Use points.
- Expect structure. The main point will come first followed by explanations, examples, and reasons.
- Put things in your own words. Avoid the trap of copying down exact phrases.
- Make sure you've covered the 5W's and How. Do you know who, what, when, where, why, and how? You must mention specific details in your answer.
Your next task is to show how the lecture challenges or supports the reading. Begin by typing out an outline so your essay has a clear, coherent structure. You can fill it in and delete as you write.
Choose your words carefully so that you are answering the exact question that is asked. Just writing generally about the subject will not get you high marks.
Here are some key phrases you can use in your essay.
Challenges the reading
contest, dispute, query, question
doubt, mistrust
object (to), protest
oppose, resist, defy, face
doubt, mistrust
object (to), protest
oppose, resist, defy, face
Supports the reading
advocate, back, champion
confirm, bear out, corroborate, substantiate
validate, verify, vindicate
help, boost, support
confirm, bear out, corroborate, substantiate
validate, verify, vindicate
help, boost, support
Use verbs to indicate that you are summarizing:
suggest, say
report, tell
argue, question, ask
conclude
report, tell
argue, question, ask
conclude
| TOEFL Writing Tutorial | TOEFL Writing Question 1: Integrated Writing – (Read, Listen, Explain) | Previous Up Next |