TOEFL TPO -1 Writing Task 1 Sample: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.
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Older TOEFL Format
This task is from a previous version of the TOEFL exam. The current TOEFL has a different structure. These archived samples remain available as a reference for practice.
Task Overview
Reading Passage
Reading Throughout the Greek islands,archaeologists have found over 200 plate-sized ceramic disks dating to about 2000 to 3000 B.C.E. The disks are typically decorated on one side, while the other side is undecorated and has a raised cdge that creates a shallow basin. They usually also have short handles. Archaeologists are still unclear about what the objects were used for. Three theories about their function have been proposed. Pans for Cooking Food Some archaeologists believe that the objects were used for cooking food. These archaeologists believe that food was placed on thc undecorated side and that the raised edge on that side prevented the food from falling out of the pan. The handle would have made it easier and safer to remove the pan from a cooking fire or oven. Drums Other archaeologists believe that the objects were drums for making sounds. These archaeologists point out that animal skins could have been stretched over the side with the raised edge, creating an air chamber that would have amplified sound when the anima! skin was struck According to this theory, the person doing the drumming would hold the drum by the handle with one hand and strike the skin with the other hand. Mirrors Yet other archaeologists belicve that the objects were a kind of ancient mirror. Although the objects are not made of a reflective material, they could have been used to create a reflection by pouring a liquid, such as olive oil, into the shallow basin with the raised edge. Supporters of this theory point out that the decorations found on the ceramic disks are similar to decorations found on hand-held metal mirrors made in ancient Greece.
Question
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
The reading and the lecture both delve into the topic of the purpose of the ancient plate-sized ceramic disks. While the reading proposes three theories to explain the possible functions, the lecture states that none of it is very convincing and rejects it one by one. Firstly, the writer claims that the ancient ceramic disks possibly were pans used for cooking food. However, the professor refutes this view, arguing that it is unlikely used for cooking food because none of 200 ceramic disks were blacking or discolored. Considering the pan on your home, you will find that it will become blacking or discolored after used for a while because it contacts with high heat. Since we cannot find any one of these ceramic have this mark, so it could not often being contact with high heat and not used for cooking food. Secondly, the writer asserts that it could be used for drums since it can make sound when it covered with a stretched animal skin. Nevertheless, the professor challenges this point, stating that this shape and size of ceramic drums could not make pleasant sound even with animal skin. Besides, ceramic drums would have been heavy and difficult to use. What’s more, the wooden drums are much easier to play and could make better sound. Therefore, it is not reasonable for ancient people to make these ceramic drums when another better material was available. Finally, the writer states that it could be serve as mirrors for ancient people because they have similar decorations with metal ancient mirrors. Contrary to the reading’s view, the professor states that the elaborate decoration would not be seen if the objects were used for mirrors. She further explains that people must place the disks with its decoration side down to fill the basin with liquid and bend over to look down at the reflection. In contrast, metal mirrors work differently, people hold them up vertically, so everyone can saw the decorations. So it cannot explain why ancient Greece people make some decorations one ceramic disks when people actually could not saw it at all.
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分 任务完成度:4 组织:4 连贯性和衔接:4 语言使用:3
2.预估分数
25. 3.任务完成度
整体来说,这篇文章较好地完成了任务要求,概述了听力中的观点并对阅读中的论点进行了反驳。但是,有一些地方可以改进以使文章更清晰和准确。首先,在提到教授反驳的观点时,可以更具体地描述教授的论据。其次,在表达过程中要注意避免重复词汇,尝试使用不同的表达方式。
示例1: 原文:“Since we cannot find any one of these ceramic have this mark, so it could not often being contact with high heat and not used for cooking food.” 改进:“Since none of the ceramics show such marks, it indicates that they were not frequently exposed to high heat and thus not used for cooking food.”
示例2: 原文:“So it cannot explain why ancient Greece people make some decorations one ceramic disks when people actually could not saw it at all.” 改进:“This raises the question of why ancient Greeks would create decorations on ceramic disks if they were not visible during use.”
4.文章结构与组织 文章的结构和组织方面表现较好,有明确的引言、主体和结论部分。每个段落都集中在一个特定的观点上,并提供支持细节。然而,在段落之间可以使用更清晰的过渡词或短语来增强连贯性。
建议1:在引言部分,可以简要概括阅读和听力的主题,以便让读者更好地了解文章的背景。
示例1: 原文:“The reading and the lecture both delve into the topic of the purpose of the ancient plate-sized ceramic disks.” 改进:“The reading and the lecture both explore the potential functions of ancient plate-sized ceramic disks found in Greek islands.”
建议2:在段落之间使用过渡词或短语,使文章更加连贯。
示例2: 原文:“Firstly, the writer claims that...” 改进:“To begin with, the writer claims that...”
5. 语法批改
The reading and the lecture both delve into the topic of the purpose of the ancient plate-sized ceramic disks. While the reading proposes three theories to explain the possible functions, the lecture states that none of it is very convincing and rejects it one by one.
Firstly, the writer claims that the ancient ceramic disks possibly were pans used for cooking food. However, the professor refutes this view, arguing that it is unlikely used for cooking food because none of 200 ceramic disks were blacking or discolored. Considering the pan on your home, you will find that it will become blacking or discolored after used for a while because it contacts with high heat. Since we cannot find any one of these ceramic have this mark, so it could not often being contact with high heat and not used for cooking food.
Secondly, the writer asserts that it could be used for drums since it can make sound when it covered with a stretched animal skin. Nevertheless, the professor challenges this point, stating that this shape and size of ceramic drums could not make pleasant sound even with animal skin. Besides, ceramic drums would have been heavy and difficult to use. What’s more, the wooden drums are much easier to play and could make better sound. Therefore, it is not reasonable for ancient people to make these ceramic drums when another better material was available.
Finally, the writer states that it could be serveserved(can be access (accessed)) as mirrors for ancient people because they have similar decorations with metal ancient mirrors. Contrary to the reading’s view, the professor states that the elaborate decoration would not be seen if the objects were used for mirrors. She further explains that people must place the disks with its decoration side down to fill the basin with liquid and bend over to look down at the reflection. In contrast, metal mirrors work differently, people hold them up vertically, so everyone can sawsee(Auxiliary verb + found/saw) the decorations. So it cannot explain why ancient GreeceAncient Greece(Checks upper/lower case spelling of some proper nouns) people make some decorations one ceramic disks when people actually could not sawsee(Auxiliary verb + found/saw) it at all.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The reading passage and the lecture both discuss the potential purposes of ancient plate-sized ceramic disks found throughout the Greek islands. While the reading suggests three possible functions for these artifacts, the lecture contends that none of these theories are convincing and refutes each one in turn.
Firstly, the author of the reading posits that these ceramic disks may have been used as cooking pans. However, the lecturer disputes this idea, arguing that it is improbable they were employed for cooking food since none of the 200 ceramic disks discovered exhibit any signs of blackening or discoloration. The professor points out that, like modern-day pans, ancient cookware would have shown evidence of contact with high heat over time. Given that none of these ceramic disks bear such marks, it is unlikely they were used for cooking.
Secondly, the reading asserts that these artifacts could have functioned as drums due to their ability to produce sound when covered with stretched animal skin. Nevertheless, the lecturer challenges this notion by stating that ceramic drums of this size and shape would not create a pleasant sound even with an animal skin covering. Furthermore, such drums would be heavy and cumbersome to use. The professor also highlights that wooden drums are much easier to play and produce superior sound quality; thus, it seems illogical for ancient people to craft ceramic drums when better materials were readily available.
Lastly, the author suggests that these objects may have served as mirrors for ancient people since they share similar decorations with metal mirrors from antiquity. Contrary to this view, the lecturer argues that if these ceramics were used as mirrors, their elaborate decorations would be hidden from sight. She explains that in order to use them as mirrors filled with liquid (such as olive oil), individuals would need to place them decoration-side down and bend over to see their reflection in the shallow basin created by their raised edges. In contrast, metal mirrors were held vertically, allowing their decorations to be easily visible. Consequently, it is difficult to understand why ancient craftspeople would create intricate decorations on ceramic disks if they were not meant to be seen. (363 words)
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The reading passage and the lecture both delve into the topic of the purpose of the discuss the potential purposes of ancient plate-sized ceramic disks. disks found throughout the Greek islands (changed for clarity and conciseness). While the reading proposes suggests three possible functions for these artifacts, the lecture contends that none of these theories to explain the possible functions, the lecture states that none of are convincing and refutes each one in turn (rephrased for better flow).
Firstly, the author of the reading posits that these ceramic disks may have been used as cooking pans. However, the lecturer disputes this idea, arguing that it is very convincing and rejects it one by one. ¶ Firstly, the writer claims that the ancient ceramic disks possibly were pans used for cooking food. However, the professor refutes this view, arguing that it is unlikely used improbable they were employed for cooking food because since none of the 200 ceramic disks were blacking discovered exhibit any signs of blackening or discolored. Considering the pan on your home, you will find that it will become blacking or discolored after used for a while because it contacts with high heat. Since we cannot find any one of these ceramic discoloration (corrected grammar and phrasing). The professor points out that, like modern-day pans, ancient cookware would have this mark, so it could not often being shown evidence of contact with high heat and not over time. Given that none of these ceramic disks bear such marks, it is unlikely they were used for cooking food. (rephrased for clarity).
Secondly, the writer reading asserts that it these artifacts could be used for have functioned as drums since it can make due to their ability to produce sound when it covered with a stretched animal skin. Nevertheless, the professor lecturer challenges this point, notion by stating that ceramic drums of this size and shape and size of ceramic drums could would not make create a pleasant sound even with an animal skin. Besides, ceramic skin covering (corrected grammar). Furthermore, such drums would have been be heavy and difficult cumbersome to use. What’s more, the The professor also highlights that wooden drums are much easier to play and could make better sound. Therefore, produce superior sound quality; thus, it is not reasonable seems illogical for ancient people to make these craft ceramic drums when another better material was available. materials were readily available (rephrased for better flow).
Finally, the writer states that it could be serve Lastly, the author suggests that these objects may have served as mirrors for ancient people because since they have share similar decorations with metal ancient mirrors. mirrors from antiquity. Contrary to the reading’s this view, the professor states that the lecturer argues that if these ceramics were used as mirrors, their elaborate decoration would not decorations would be seen if the objects were used for mirrors. hidden from sight (corrected grammar). She further explains that people must place the disks with its decoration side down to fill the basin in order to use them as mirrors filled with liquid (such as olive oil), individuals would need to place them decoration-side down and bend over to look down at the reflection. see their reflection in the shallow basin created by their raised edges (clarified sentence). In contrast, metal mirrors work differently, people hold them up were held vertically, so everyone can saw the decorations. So allowing their decorations to be easily visible. Consequently, it cannot explain is difficult to understand why ancient Greece people make some craftspeople would create intricate decorations one on ceramic disks when people actually could if they were not saw it at all.meant to be seen (rephrased for clarity and conciseness).
8. Mind Map
Mind Map:
- Introduction
- Reading passage and lecture topic
- Disagreement between reading and lecture
- Ceramic Disks as Cooking Pans
- Reading: Possible use for cooking
- Lecture: No signs of blackening or discoloration, not likely used for cooking
- Ceramic Disks as Drums
- Reading: Could produce sound with animal skin covering
- Lecture: Unpleasant sound, heavy and cumbersome, wooden drums more practical
- Ceramic Disks as Mirrors
- Reading: Similar decorations to metal mirrors from antiquity
- Lecture: Decorations hidden when used as mirrors, metal mirrors more practical
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| artifact | /ˈɑːrtɪfækt/ | noun | An object made by a human being, typically of cultural or historical interest. | 文物 | The museum has a vast collection of ancient artifacts from various civilizations. |
| ceramic | /səˈræmɪk/ | adjective | Made of clay and hardened by heat. | 陶瓷的 | She collects ceramic plates from different countries. |
| blackening | /ˈblækənɪŋ/ | verb | Make or become black or dark, especially as a result of burning, decay, or bruising. | /变黑或变暗,尤指因燃烧、腐烂或淤伤而引起的。 "The fire blackened the walls of the room." | |
| discoloration | /ˌdɪskələˈreɪʃən/ | noun | The act of changing color, especially to one that is less attractive or unwanted. | 变色 | The painting had suffered from discoloration due to exposure to sunlight. |
| cumbersome | /ˈkʌmbərsəm/ | adjective | Large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy. | 笨重的 | The large, cumbersome package was difficult to carry up the stairs. |
| elaborate | /ɪˈlæbərət/ | adjective | Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated in design and planning. | /许多精心安排的部分或细节;设计和规划上详细而复杂。 "The cake had an elaborate decoration with flowers and butterflies made of icing." | |
| basin | /ˈbeɪsɪn/ | noun | A bowl for washing, typically attached to a wall and having faucets connected to a water supply; a washbasin. | /一个供洗涤的碗,通常固定在墙上并有水龙头连接到水源;洗脸盆。 "She filled the basin with warm water and began washing her face." |
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