TOEFL TPO -1 Writing Task 1 Sample: Write down the reasons for and against nuclear weapons, and your own views .
Historical user samples and AI evaluation results from an older TOEFL format.
1 archived user samples
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
Weapons of mass destruction (often referred to as WMDs) are weapons that cause huge amounts of damage and casualties, some of which cannot be controlled . WMDs are often contrasted with conventional weapons, such as guns , tanks and fighter planes, which are more controlled and do not cause destruction on the same scale. Many people are opposed to the use of WMDs owing to the devastating effects they have, particularly on civilians . However, other people believe countries must possess them to protect themselves in a dangerous world. Nuclear weapons serve as a deterrent to ensure peace- a country might not attack another if that country has nuclear weapons. Many countries give this as the reason for keeping nuclear weapons. In the 1900s , several conflicts were settled or sidestepped because nuclear weapons posed too big a risk. Some have a utilitarian perspective- the best course of action is the one that brings about the best balance of positive and negative results. The USA bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in WW2 as they thought that using nuclear weapons would save the most lives overall, and end the war faster.
Question
Write down the reasons for and against nuclear weapons, and your own views .
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
For : First of all, nuclear weapons serve as the ultimate deterrent. People believe that countries must posses nuclear weapons to protect themselves in a dangerous world. With the increasing number of conflicts and wars in the world, experts think that it is necessary to expand nuclear capacities. No one will dare to attack a country with nuclear weapons. Therefore, many countries recognize nuclear weapons as foundation of national defense. Others argue that nuclear weapons have a utilitarian perspective , and nuclear weapons could help to end the war, reduce the amounts of dead overall . For example, some experts believe that the two atomic bomb that US put in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in WW2 were effective in bringing about Japan ’s surrender and end the war. Against : first, they cause vast amounts of damage to the environment and the after-effects from radiation can last for many year. The destructive power of nuclear weapons is unparalleled and wide reach. It can destroy whole countries, even countries who did not involve with the conflicts would suffered from devastating effects. . The radiation can kill any natures in the area and last for generations. Exposure to radiation can cause acute, immediate effect by killing cells and directly damaging tissue. Radiation can also have effects that happen on longer scale, such as cancer, by causing mutations in the DNA of living cells. For example, the increasing risk of leukemia in atomic bomb survivors is high in two to six years after the attacks. Children are affected most severely . Consider the direct and long term devastating effects of nuclear weapons , using it is unhumanitarian. With regional conflicts escalating, the risk of nuclear warfare is high. In the conflicts of Russia and Ukraine, the russian leader putin has made nuclear threats publicly recently. In the Israel and Hamas war, Israel and Iran are both nuclear weapon countries. When the conflicts continuously upgrade, the limits on nuclear weapon is extremely urgent. My views : I think we should not use nuclear weapons. The devastating consequences bring by nuclear weapons can end millions of lives immediately .Furthermore, it takes decades to recovery of ecosystem , and the radiations causes disease and damage to people’s body. Using nuclear weapons in any countries is unhumanitarian . The international agreement should be reached to cut world nuclear arsenals, and implement strict restrictions on nuclear weapons, especially at the moment of high risk of nuclear warfare.
Evaluation Result
1.Sub Scores
Task fulfillment: 4 Organization: 4 Coherence and Cohesion: 4 Language Use: 3
2.Estimated Scores
Estimated Score: 25 (based on the average of Sub Scores)
3.Task completeness
The essay does a good job of addressing the reasons for and against nuclear weapons, as well as providing the writer's own views. However, it could be improved by focusing more on the information provided in the reading and listening passages. Additionally, the essay should include more specific examples and details from both passages to support the points being made.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Incorporate more information from both the reading and listening passages.
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Use specific examples and details from the passages to support your points.
Example 1: Instead of just mentioning that chemical and biological weapons are banned by international law, you could also mention that most countries have signed up to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits their use and production.
Example 2: When discussing nuclear weapons as a deterrent, you could include information from the reading passage about how several conflicts in the 1900s were settled or sidestepped due to the risk posed by nuclear weapons.
4.Essay structure and organization
The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing reasons for and against nuclear weapons, and a conclusion presenting your own views. However, it could be improved by making transitions between ideas smoother and ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a specific point with supporting details.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Improve transitions between ideas within paragraphs.
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Ensure each paragraph focuses on one specific point with supporting details.
Example 1: Instead of starting a new paragraph with "Against:", you could use a transition sentence like "On the other hand, there are several arguments against possessing nuclear weapons."
Example 2: In your paragraph discussing utilitarian perspectives on nuclear weapons, you could add a sentence like "This perspective suggests that the benefits of using nuclear weapons in certain situations may outweigh the negative consequences." This would help to better connect the ideas within the paragraph and provide a clearer focus.
5. Grammar
For :
For: First of all, nuclear weapons serve as the ultimate deterrent. People believe that countries must possespossess nuclear weapons to protect themselves in a dangerous world. With the increasing number of conflicts and wars in the world, experts think that it is necessary to expand nuclear capacities. No one will dare to attack a country with nuclear weapons. Therefore, many countries recognize nuclear weapons as foundation of national defense.
Others argue that nuclear weapons have a utilitarian perspective ,perspective, and nuclear weapons could help to end the war,wars, reduce the amounts of dead overall .number of deaths overall. For example, some experts believe that the two atomic bomb thatbombs that the US put in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in WW2 were effective in bringing about Japan 'sJapan's surrender and endending the war.
Against :
first,Against: First, they cause vast amounts of damage to the environmentenvironment, and the after-effects from radiation can last for many year.years. The destructive power of nuclear weapons is unparalleled and wide reach. It can destroy whole countries, evenand countries who did not involve with the conflicts would sufferedstill suffer from devastating effects. . The radiation can kill any naturesnature in the area and last for generations. Exposure to radiation can cause acute, immediate effecteffects by killing cells and directly damaging tissue. Radiation can also have effects that happen on longer scale, such as cancer, by causing mutations in the DNA of living cells. For example, the increasing risk of leukemia in atomic bomb survivors is high in two to six years after the attacks. Children are affected most severely .severely. Consider the direct and long termlong-term devastating effects of nuclear weapons ,weapons; using it is unhumanitarian.
inhumane. With regional conflicts escalating, the risk of nuclear warfare is high. In the conflicts of Russia and Ukraine, the russianRussian leader putinPutin has made nuclear threats publicly recently. In the Israel and Hamas war, Israel and Iran are both nuclear weapon countries. When the conflicts continuously upgrade, the limits on nuclear weapon isweapons are extremely urgent.
My views :
views: I think we should not use nuclear weapons. The devastating consequences bringbrought by nuclear weapons can end millions of lives immediately .Furthermore,immediately. Furthermore, it takes decades to recovery of ecosystem ,recover the ecosystem, and the radiations causes diseasecause diseases and damage to people's body.bodies. Using nuclear weapons in any countries is unhumanitarian .country is inhumane. The international agreement should be reached to cut world nuclear arsenals,arsenals and implement strict restrictions on nuclear weapons, especially at the moment of high risk of nuclear warfare.
- Revised Essay
Nuclear weapons, as a form of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), have long been a subject of debate due to their immense destructive power and potential for causing massive casualties. While some argue that possessing nuclear weapons is essential for national defense and deterrence, others contend that the catastrophic consequences of their use far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Proponents of nuclear weapons argue that they serve as the ultimate deterrent, protecting countries in an increasingly dangerous world. The presence of nuclear capabilities discourages potential aggressors from attacking or threatening a nation, as they are aware of the devastating retaliation that could follow. This deterrent effect was evident during the Cold War when the balance of power between the United States and the Soviet Union prevented direct conflict.
Additionally, some argue that nuclear weapons can have a utilitarian purpose by bringing about a swift end to conflicts and minimizing overall casualties. For instance, proponents often cite the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II as examples where nuclear force expedited Japan's surrender and ultimately saved lives by avoiding a prolonged war.
On the other hand, critics emphasize the unparalleled destruction caused by nuclear weapons, both in terms of immediate impact and long-term environmental consequences. The devastation wrought by these devices extends far beyond their initial blast radius, with radiation poisoning affecting both humans and ecosystems for generations to come. Furthermore, children are particularly vulnerable to radiation-induced illnesses such as leukemia.
Another concern is the escalating risk of nuclear warfare due to ongoing regional conflicts worldwide. Recent events involving Russia and Ukraine or tensions between Israel and Iran highlight this danger. In such volatile situations, strict limitations on nuclear weapons become increasingly urgent to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
In my view, we should not use or rely on nuclear weapons due to their inhumane nature and devastating consequences. The immediate loss of life is immense, while long-term effects on ecosystems and human health can persist for decades after an attack. Instead of perpetuating the cycle of fear and destruction, nations should work together to reach international agreements aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals and implementing strict restrictions on their use. By pursuing disarmament and diplomacy, we can strive for a safer, more peaceful world for future generations. (379 words)
For : Nuclear weapons, as a form of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), have long been a subject of debate due to their immense destructive power and potential for causing massive casualties. While some argue that possessing nuclear weapons is essential for national defense and deterrence, others contend that the catastrophic consequences of their use far outweigh any perceived benefits.
First of all, nuclear weapons Proponents of nuclear weapons argue that they serve as the ultimate deterrent. People believe deterrent, protecting countries in an increasingly dangerous world. The presence of nuclear capabilities discourages potential aggressors from attacking or threatening a nation, as they are aware of the devastating retaliation that countries must posses nuclear weapons to protect themselves in a dangerous world. With the increasing number of conflicts and wars in the world, experts think that it is necessary to expand nuclear capacities. No one will dare to attack a country with nuclear weapons. Therefore, many countries recognize nuclear weapons as foundation of national defense. could follow (revised for clarity). This deterrent effect was evident during the Cold War when the balance of power between the United States and the Soviet Union prevented direct conflict.
Others Additionally, some argue that nuclear weapons can have a utilitarian perspective , and nuclear weapons could help to end the war, reduce the amounts of dead overall . For example, some experts believe that the two atomic bomb that US put in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in WW2 were effective in purpose by bringing about Japan ’s a swift end to conflicts and minimizing overall casualties. For instance, proponents often cite the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II as examples where nuclear force expedited Japan's surrender and end the war. ultimately saved lives by avoiding a prolonged war (revised for coherence).
Against : ¶ first, they cause vast amounts of damage to the environment and the after-effects from On the other hand, critics emphasize the unparalleled destruction caused by nuclear weapons, both in terms of immediate impact and long-term environmental consequences. The devastation wrought by these devices extends far beyond their initial blast radius, with radiation can last for many year. The destructive power of nuclear weapons is unparalleled and wide reach. It can destroy whole countries, even countries who did not involve with the conflicts would suffered from devastating effects. . The radiation can kill any natures in the area and last for generations. Exposure to radiation can cause acute, immediate effect by killing cells and directly damaging tissue. Radiation can also have effects that happen on longer scale, poisoning affecting both humans and ecosystems for generations to come (revised for clarity). Furthermore, children are particularly vulnerable to radiation-induced illnesses such as cancer, by causing mutations in the DNA of living cells. For example, the increasing leukemia.
Another concern is the escalating risk of leukemia in atomic bomb survivors is high in two to six years after the attacks. Children are affected most severely . Consider the direct and long term devastating effects of nuclear weapons , using it is unhumanitarian. ¶ With nuclear warfare due to ongoing regional conflicts escalating, the risk of nuclear warfare is high. worldwide. Recent events involving Russia and Ukraine or tensions between Israel and Iran highlight this danger (revised for specificity). In the conflicts of Russia and Ukraine, the russian leader putin has made nuclear threats publicly recently. such volatile situations, strict limitations on nuclear weapons become increasingly urgent to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
In the Israel and Hamas war, Israel and Iran are both nuclear weapon countries. When the conflicts continuously upgrade, the limits on nuclear weapon is extremely urgent. ¶ My views : ¶ I think my view, we should not use nuclear weapons. The or rely on nuclear weapons due to their inhumane nature and devastating consequences bring by nuclear weapons (revised for clarity). The immediate loss of life is immense, while long-term effects on ecosystems and human health can end millions of lives immediately .Furthermore, it takes persist for decades to recovery of ecosystem , and the radiations causes disease and damage to people’s body. Using nuclear weapons in any countries is unhumanitarian . The after an attack. Instead of perpetuating the cycle of fear and destruction, nations should work together to reach international agreement should be reached to cut world nuclear arsenals, and implement agreements aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals and implementing strict restrictions on nuclear weapons, especially at the moment of high risk of nuclear warfare.their use (revised for coherence). By pursuing disarmament and diplomacy, we can strive for a safer, more peaceful world for future generations.
- Mind Map
- Introduction
- Nuclear weapons as WMDs
- Debate over benefits vs. consequences
- Pro-Nuclear Weapons Arguments
- Deterrence
- Cold War example
- Utilitarian purpose
- Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Anti-Nuclear Weapons Arguments
- Unparalleled destruction
- Immediate impact
- Long-term environmental consequences
- Escalating risk of nuclear warfare
- Regional conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Iran)
- Conclusion
- Reject reliance on nuclear weapons
- Pursue disarmament and diplomacy for a safer world
- Key Words
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | English Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deterrence | /dɪˈtɜrəns/ | Noun | The act of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences | N/A | The presence of nuclear weapons serves as a deterrence against potential aggressors. |
| Utilitarian | /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛriən/ | Adjective | Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive | N/A | Some argue that nuclear weapons have a utilitarian purpose in ending conflicts quickly. |
| Devastation | /ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/ | Noun | Great destruction or damage | N/A | The devastation caused by nuclear weapons is unparalleled in its immediate impact and long-term effects. |
| Escalating | /ˈeskəˌleɪtɪŋ/ | Adjective | Increasing rapidly | N/A | The escalating risk of nuclear warfare is a major concern in today's world. |
| Disarmament | /dɪsˈɑrməmənt/ | Noun | The reduction or withdrawal of military forces and weapons | N/A | Nations should work together to achieve disarmament and reduce nuclear arsenals. |
| Diplomacy | /dɪˈploʊməsi/ | Noun | The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad | N/A | Diplomacy is essential in resolving conflicts and promoting peace between nations. |
| Retaliation | /rɪˌtæliˈeɪʃən/ | Noun | The action of returning a military attack; counter-attack | N/A | Nuclear weapons deter potential aggressors due to the fear of devastating retaliation. |
| Vulnerable | /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ | Adjective | Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally | N/A | Children are particularly vulnerable to radiation-induced illnesses such as leukemia. |
| Prolonged | /prəˈlɔŋd/ | Adjective | _Continuing for a long time or longer than usual; lengthy | _N/A | _The use of nuclear weapons can sometimes prevent prolonged wars by forcing a swift surrender. |
| Disarmament | /dɪsˈɑrməmənt/ | _Noun | _The reduction or withdrawal of military forces and weapons | _N/A | _Global disarmament efforts aim to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and promote a more peaceful world. |
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