TOEFL Integrated TOEFL Integrated Writing TaskWriting Task

with examplewith example

What?What? You have 3 minutes to read a passage You have 3 minutes to read a passage

on an academic topic on an academic topic

Then, you listen to a lecture on the Then, you listen to a lecture on the same topic, that either same topic, that either supportssupports or or casts casts doubtdoubt on the reading on the reading

Finally, you have 20 minutes to plan Finally, you have 20 minutes to plan and write an essay (about 150 to 225 and write an essay (about 150 to 225 words), that summarizes the lecture and words), that summarizes the lecture and compares it to the readingcompares it to the reading

Let’s look at an exampleLet’s look at an example

The ReadingThe Reading Altruism is a type of behavior in which an animal sacrifices its own Altruism is a type of behavior in which an animal sacrifices its own

interest for that of another animal or group of animals. Altruism is interest for that of another animal or group of animals. Altruism is the opposite of selfishness; individuals performing altruistic acts gain the opposite of selfishness; individuals performing altruistic acts gain nothing for themselves.nothing for themselves.

Examples of altruism abound, both among humans and among Examples of altruism abound, both among humans and among other mammals. Unselfish acts among humans range from the other mammals. Unselfish acts among humans range from the sharing of food with strangers to the donation of body organs to sharing of food with strangers to the donation of body organs to family members, and even to strangers. Such acts are altruistic in family members, and even to strangers. Such acts are altruistic in that they benefit another, yet provide little reward to the one that they benefit another, yet provide little reward to the one performing the act.performing the act.

In fact, many species of animals appear willing to sacrifice food, or In fact, many species of animals appear willing to sacrifice food, or even their life, to assist other members of their group. The meerkat, even their life, to assist other members of their group. The meerkat, which is a mammal that dwells in burrows in grassland areas of which is a mammal that dwells in burrows in grassland areas of Africa, is often cited as an example. In groups of meerkats, an Africa, is often cited as an example. In groups of meerkats, an individual acts as a sentinel, standing guard and looking out for individual acts as a sentinel, standing guard and looking out for predators while the others hunt for food or eat food they have predators while the others hunt for food or eat food they have obtained. If the sentinel meerkat sees a predator such as a hawk obtained. If the sentinel meerkat sees a predator such as a hawk approaching the group, it gives an alarm cry alerting the other approaching the group, it gives an alarm cry alerting the other meerkats to run and seek shelter. By standing guard, the sentinel meerkats to run and seek shelter. By standing guard, the sentinel meerkat gains nothing - it goes without food while the others eat, meerkat gains nothing - it goes without food while the others eat, and it places itself in grave danger. and it places itself in grave danger.

After it issues an alarm, it has to flee alone, which might make it After it issues an alarm, it has to flee alone, which might make it more at risk to a predator, since animals in groups are often able to more at risk to a predator, since animals in groups are often able to work together to fend off a predator. So the altruistic sentinel work together to fend off a predator. So the altruistic sentinel behavior helps ensure the survival of other members of the behavior helps ensure the survival of other members of the meerkat’s group. meerkat’s group.

Notes from the ReadingNotes from the Reading

Altruism = gain nothing - opp. SelfishAltruism = gain nothing - opp. Selfish

Ex.1 Humans share and give – Ex.1 Humans share and give – receive no benefitreceive no benefit

Ex.2 Meerkats – Guard alerts others Ex.2 Meerkats – Guard alerts others – selfless act - no food + danger for – selfless act - no food + danger for itselfitself

Listening ScriptListening Script You know, often in science, new findings force us to re-examine earlier You know, often in science, new findings force us to re-examine earlier

beliefs and assumptions. And a recent study of meerkats is having exactly beliefs and assumptions. And a recent study of meerkats is having exactly this effect. The study examined the meerkat’s behavior quite closely, much this effect. The study examined the meerkat’s behavior quite closely, much more closely than had ever been done before. And some interesting things more closely than had ever been done before. And some interesting things were found… like about eating habits… it showed that typically meerkats were found… like about eating habits… it showed that typically meerkats eat before they stand guard – so the ones standing guard had a full eat before they stand guard – so the ones standing guard had a full stomach! And the study also found that since the sentinel is the first to see stomach! And the study also found that since the sentinel is the first to see a predator coming, it’s the most likely to escape… because it often stands a predator coming, it’s the most likely to escape… because it often stands guard near a burrow, so it can run immediately into the burrow after giving guard near a burrow, so it can run immediately into the burrow after giving the alarm. The other meerkats, the ones scattered about looking for food, the alarm. The other meerkats, the ones scattered about looking for food, are actually in greater danger. are actually in greater danger.

And in fact, other studies have suggested that when an animal creates an And in fact, other studies have suggested that when an animal creates an alarm, the alarm call might cause the other group members either to alarm, the alarm call might cause the other group members either to gather together or else to move about very quickly, behaviors that might gather together or else to move about very quickly, behaviors that might actually draw the predator’s attention away from the caller, increasing that actually draw the predator’s attention away from the caller, increasing that animal’s own chances of survival.animal’s own chances of survival.

And what about people – what about some human acts that might be And what about people – what about some human acts that might be considered altruistic? Let’s take an extreme case, uh, suppose a person considered altruistic? Let’s take an extreme case, uh, suppose a person donates a kidney to a relative, or even to a complete stranger. A selfish act, donates a kidney to a relative, or even to a complete stranger. A selfish act, right? But …. Doesn’t the donor receive appreciation and approval from the right? But …. Doesn’t the donor receive appreciation and approval from the stranger and from society? Doesn’t the donor gain an increased sense of stranger and from society? Doesn’t the donor gain an increased sense of self-worth? Couldn’t such non-material rewards be considered very self-worth? Couldn’t such non-material rewards be considered very valuable to some people?valuable to some people?

Notes from ListeningNotes from Listening Altruism – New findingsAltruism – New findings

Meerkats – eat before guarding – Meerkats – eat before guarding – most likely escape – others more in most likely escape – others more in dangerdanger

Humans – organ donors receive Humans – organ donors receive appreciation and approval – valuableappreciation and approval – valuable

The QuestionThe Question

Summarize the points Summarize the points made in the lecture you just made in the lecture you just heard, being sure to heard, being sure to specifically explain how specifically explain how they cast doubt on points they cast doubt on points made in the reading.made in the reading.

Model AnswerModel AnswerIntroduction:Introduction:

In the lecture, the professor made several In the lecture, the professor made several points about altruism. He argues that the points about altruism. He argues that the behavior of animals and humans may not be behavior of animals and humans may not be altruistic. However, the reading states that altruistic. However, the reading states that both humans and meerkats are altruistic and both humans and meerkats are altruistic and gives evidence for this opinion. The gives evidence for this opinion. The professor’s lecture casts doubt on the reading professor’s lecture casts doubt on the reading by using a number of points that are contrary by using a number of points that are contrary to the reading’s theory that humans and to the reading’s theory that humans and animals are altruistic.animals are altruistic.

Body Paragraph 1:Body Paragraph 1:

Firstly the professor casts doubt on the Firstly the professor casts doubt on the idea that the meerkat sentinels are acting idea that the meerkat sentinels are acting through altruism. According to the through altruism. According to the professor they, in fact, eat before standing professor they, in fact, eat before standing guard, and they are more likely to escape guard, and they are more likely to escape than the rest of the meerkats. This is than the rest of the meerkats. This is different from the reading in that the different from the reading in that the reading states that the sentinels don’t eat reading states that the sentinels don’t eat before standing guard, and that they are before standing guard, and that they are more in danger. The point made by the more in danger. The point made by the professor casts doubt on the idea that the professor casts doubt on the idea that the meerkat guards are being altruistic.meerkat guards are being altruistic.

Body Paragraph 2:Body Paragraph 2:

Secondly the professor casts doubt on the Secondly the professor casts doubt on the altruistic acts committed by humans. He altruistic acts committed by humans. He claims that humans, who donate organs to claims that humans, who donate organs to relatives or strangers actually receive relatives or strangers actually receive appreciation and approval from other appreciation and approval from other people. This can be seen as valuable and people. This can be seen as valuable and not totally unselfish. However, the reading not totally unselfish. However, the reading states that these people receive no benefit states that these people receive no benefit from their actions and that they can be from their actions and that they can be seen as altruistic. The point made by the seen as altruistic. The point made by the professor casts doubt on the reading professor casts doubt on the reading because he shows that these acts are not because he shows that these acts are not entirely without benefit for the person who entirely without benefit for the person who is giving.is giving.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

In summary, the points made in the In summary, the points made in the lecture contrast with the reading. lecture contrast with the reading. The professor demonstrates that The professor demonstrates that both the meerkats and humans do both the meerkats and humans do not act altruistically as first thought not act altruistically as first thought and that the idea of altruism in and that the idea of altruism in humans and animals is in doubt.humans and animals is in doubt.

Ask yourself these questionsAsk yourself these questions

1.1. Have I answered the question? Did I compare Have I answered the question? Did I compare the main points of the lecture to the reading.the main points of the lecture to the reading.

2.2. Did I organize my response in paragraphs?Did I organize my response in paragraphs?3.3. Have I used transition words?Have I used transition words?4.4. Does each paragraph start with a topic Does each paragraph start with a topic

sentence and end with a concluding sentence?sentence and end with a concluding sentence?5.5. Did I paraphrase the main points from the Did I paraphrase the main points from the

reading and the listening using my own words?reading and the listening using my own words?6.6. Have I only used information from the lecture Have I only used information from the lecture

and passage, and not my own ideas?and passage, and not my own ideas?