TOEFL TPO 52 Writing Task 1 Sample: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they respond to the specific points made in the reading passage.
Historical user samples and AI evaluation results from an older TOEFL format.
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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
Asteroids are large space objects made of rock and ice. There are hundreds of thousands of asteroids in our solar system. Though we often hear ideas about establishing colonies of humans to live and work on our Moon or our neighboring planet, Mars, some think that sending people to an asteroid would actually be the best colonization option for a number of reasons.Low GravityTo begin with, asteroids are often much smaller than planets, so they have lower gravity. When landing a spaceship, the craft would not be pulled as strongly or as forcefully toward the asteroid’s surface, making the landing safer than landing on the Moon or Mars; it would also allow a spacecraft to carry much more equipment needed to set up the colony. It would also be easier for the spacecraft to take off again, so the spaceship would need to carry considerably less fuel for the trip back to Earth.Mining Valuable MetalsNext, some asteroids are rich in valuable elements and precious metals that are relatively rare on Earth, such as gold and platinum. An asteroid colony would be extremely profitable and a good source of these raw materials. The colonists or businesses sponsoring them could more than pay for the cost of their support by mining minerals and sending them back to Earth.Easy to ReachFinally, asteroids are a good option for colonization because some of them would be very easy to reach. There are a number of asteroids that periodically come within or near Earth’s orbit. Some of them actually get closer to Earth than our Moon. So these asteroids would be much easier and more affordable to get to and get back from than a planet like Mars, which would require a two-year trip in each direction.
Question
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they respond to the specific points made in the reading passage.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In the reading passage, the author presents several reasons to support the claim that asteroids can be the best colonization option. However, the lecturer counters this by arguing that all these reasons are not practical and systematically refuting each of the three claims made in the reading. Firstly, the author makes clear that low gravity can make it easier for people to land safely, carry more equipment and use less fuel. The lecturer, on the other hand, believes that there are flaws in this position. He contends that there are certain risks owing to low gravity, such as bone density and muscle massive loss. In the long run, these can cause serious health problems for people. Therefore, the low gravity has its downside. Secondly, according to the passage, the author posits that it is profitable to mine valuable elements and precious metals that are relatively rare on Earth. The lecturer disputes this notion as well, asserting that the author fails to mention the extra costs including colonization and transportation. Furthermore, he goes on to say that these high costs will reduce the profit. What's more, people couldn't make sure the marketing price will stay the same. This is because when the supply is increasing, the price usually decreases. Thirdly, the author claims that there are a number of asteroids that periodically come within or near Earth’s orbit and when they get closer to Earth, it would be more affordable to get to and get back. Casting doubt on this claim, the lecturer points out it can be a challenge if people want to get back from the asteroid. He suggests that even if the asteroid is close to Earth at one point, it will move away to a distant location. In this case, people will get into trouble when they want to leave in such a distant location.
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分 任务完成度:4 组织:4 连贯与衔接:4 语言使用:4
2.预估分数
25. 3.任务完成度
你的文章基本上完成了任务要求,但在某些方面还有改进的空间。首先,在论述每个观点时,可以尝试更详细地解释听力部分中提到的反驳。这将使你的文章更具说服力。其次,在引用听力材料时,尽量避免直接翻译,而是用自己的话来解释和总结。
示例1: 原文:“In the long run, these can cause serious health problems for people.” 改进:“Over time, these health issues could become severe and significantly impact the well-being of the colonists.”
示例2: 原文:“What's more, people couldn't make sure the marketing price will stay the same.” 改进:“Moreover, it is uncertain whether the market prices of these metals would remain stable over time.”
4.文章结构与组织 你的文章结构清晰,段落划分合理。但在组织方面还有一些可以改进的地方。首先,在引入和总结每个观点时,可以使用更多的过渡词和短语来增强连贯性。其次,在呈现听力部分反驳阅读部分观点时,可以考虑使用对比句式来强调两者之间的差异。
示例1: 原文:“Firstly, the author makes clear that low gravity can make it easier for people to land safely, carry more equipment and use less fuel.” 改进:“To begin with, although the author emphasizes that low gravity can facilitate safe landings, increased equipment capacity, and reduced fuel consumption, the lecturer presents a different perspective.”
示例2: 原文:“Casting doubt on this claim, the lecturer points out it can be a challenge if people want to get back from the asteroid.” 改进:“Contrary to this claim, the lecturer highlights the potential challenges colonists might face when attempting to return from an asteroid.”
5. 语法批改
In the reading passage, the author presents several reasons to support the claim that asteroids can be the best colonization option. However, the lecturer counters this by arguing that all these reasons are not practical and systematically refuting each of the three claims made in the reading.
Firstly, the author makes clear that low gravity can make it easier for people to land safely, carry more equipment and use less fuel. The lecturer, on the other hand, believes that there are flaws in this position. He contends that there are certain risks owing to low gravity, such as bone density and muscle massive loss. In the long run, these can cause serious health problems for people. Therefore, the low gravity has its downside.
Secondly, according to the passage, the author posits that it is profitable to mine valuable elements and precious metals that are relatively rare on Earth. The lecturer disputes this notion as well, asserting that the author fails to mention the extra costscosts,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) including colonization and transportation. Furthermore, he goes on to say that these high costs will reduce the profit. What's more, people couldn't make sure the marketing price will stay the same. This is because when the supply is increasing, the price usually decreases.
Thirdly, the author claims that there are a number of asteroids that periodically come within or near Earth’s orbit and when they get closer to Earth, it would be more affordable to get to and get back. Casting doubt on this claim, the lecturer points out it can be a challenge if people want to get back from the asteroid. He suggests that even if the asteroid is close to Earth at one point, it will move away to a distant location. In this case, people will get into trouble when they want to leave in such a distant location.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The reading passage posits that asteroids are the best option for colonization, citing reasons such as low gravity, mining valuable metals, and easy accessibility. However, the lecturer challenges these claims by highlighting the impracticality of each point.
Firstly, while the author asserts that low gravity would facilitate safer landings and takeoffs, as well as allow spacecraft to carry more equipment and use less fuel, the lecturer counters this argument by emphasizing the health risks associated with low-gravity environments. He explains that long-term exposure to low gravity can lead to muscle mass loss and decreased bone density, posing significant health problems for colonists.
Secondly, the passage suggests that asteroid colonies could be profitable due to their abundance of valuable elements and precious metals that are scarce on Earth. However, the lecturer disputes this notion by pointing out additional costs involved in supporting a colony and transporting mined materials back to Earth. He also argues that an increased supply of these metals could potentially lower their market value, thus diminishing profits.
Lastly, the author claims that certain asteroids periodically come within or near Earth's orbit, making them more accessible and affordable to reach than planets like Mars. The lecturer challenges this assertion by explaining that while an asteroid may initially be close to Earth, its orbital path could take it much farther away over time. This would make returning from an asteroid colony a considerable challenge for colonists.
In conclusion, although the reading passage presents seemingly convincing arguments in favor of asteroid colonization, the lecturer effectively refutes each point by exposing their practical limitations and potential drawbacks. (268 words)
In the The reading passage, passage posits that asteroids are the best option for colonization, citing reasons such as low gravity, mining valuable metals, and easy accessibility. However, the lecturer challenges these claims by highlighting the impracticality of each point.
Firstly, while the author presents several reasons to support the claim that asteroids can be the best colonization option. However, asserts that low gravity would facilitate safer landings and takeoffs (allowing spacecraft to carry more equipment and use less fuel), the lecturer counters this by arguing that all these reasons are not practical and systematically refuting each of the three claims made in the reading. ¶ Firstly, the author makes clear that argument by emphasizing the health risks associated with low-gravity environments. He explains that long-term exposure to low gravity can make it easier for people to land safely, carry more equipment and use less fuel. The lecturer, on the other hand, believes that there are flaws in this position. He contends that there are certain risks owing to low gravity, such as lead to muscle mass loss and decreased bone density and muscle massive loss. In the long run, these can cause serious density, posing significant health problems for people. Therefore, the colonists (therefore demonstrating that low gravity has its downside. downsides).
Secondly, according to the passage, the author posits that it is the passage suggests that asteroid colonies could be profitable to mine due to their abundance of valuable elements and precious metals that are relatively rare scarce on Earth. The However, the lecturer disputes this notion as well, asserting that the author fails to mention the extra by pointing out additional costs including colonization and transportation. Furthermore, he goes on to say that involved in supporting a colony and transporting mined materials back to Earth (which would offset potential profits). He also argues that an increased supply of these high costs will reduce the profit. What's more, people couldn't make sure the marketing price will stay the same. This is because when the supply is increasing, the price usually decreases. metals could potentially lower their market value (thus diminishing profits even further) and highlights the uncertainty of market prices remaining stable.
Thirdly, Lastly, the author claims that there are a number of certain asteroids that periodically come within or near Earth’s orbit and Earth's orbit, making them more accessible and affordable to reach than planets like Mars. The lecturer challenges this assertion by explaining that while an asteroid may initially be close to Earth, its orbital path could take it much farther away over time (making returning from an asteroid colony a considerable challenge for colonists who wish to leave when they get closer to Earth, it would be more affordable to get to and get back. Casting doubt on this claim, the lecturer points out it can be a challenge if people want to get back from the asteroid. He suggests that even if the asteroid is close to Earth at one point, it will move away to in a distant location. location).
In this case, people will get into trouble when they want to leave conclusion, although the reading passage presents seemingly convincing arguments in such a distant location.favor of asteroid colonization, the lecturer effectively refutes each point by exposing their practical limitations and potential drawbacks.
8. Mind Map
-
Introduction
- Reading passage: Asteroids are the best option for colonization
- Lecturer's counterarguments
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Low Gravity
- Reading passage: Safer landings, more equipment, less fuel
- Lecturer: Health risks (muscle mass loss, decreased bone density)
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Valuable Metals
- Reading passage: Profitable mining opportunities
- Lecturer: Additional costs, potential market value decrease
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Accessibility
- Reading passage: Asteroids periodically close to Earth's orbit
- Lecturer: Orbital path changes, returning challenges
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonization | /ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Noun | The act of establishing a colony or colonies in a new territory. | 殖民地化 | The colonization of Mars has been a topic of discussion for many years. |
| Impracticality | /ˌɪmprækˈtɪkəlɪti/ | Noun | The quality or state of being unsuitable or unrealistic. | 不切实际性 | The impracticality of colonizing asteroids was highlighted by the lecturer. |
| Counterargument | /ˈkaʊntərˌɑrɡjəmənt/ | Noun | An argument made to oppose another argument. | 反论 | The lecturer presented several counterarguments to challenge the author's claims. |
| Accessibility | /ækˌsɛsəˈbɪlɪti/ | Noun | The quality of being easy to approach, reach, or use. | 可达性 | The accessibility of certain asteroids was a point of contention between the author and the lecturer. |
| Orbital Path | /ˈɔrbɪtl pæθ/ | Noun | The path followed by an object in space as it moves around another object. | 轨道路径 | The orbital path of an asteroid can change over time, making it difficult to return from a colony. |
| Health Risks | /hɛlθ rɪsks/ | Noun | Potential hazards or dangers to one's health. | 健康风险 | Long-term exposure to low gravity can lead to various health risks for colonists. |
| Market Value | /ˈmɑrkət ˈvælju/ | Noun | The price at which something can be sold in a particular market. | 市场价值 | An increased supply of valuable metals could potentially lower their market value. |
| Bone Density | /boʊn ˈdɛnsəti/ | Noun | A measure of the amount of minerals in bones, indicating their strength and durability. | 骨密度 | Decreased bone density is a health risk associated with living in low-gravity environments. |
| Fuel Efficiency | /fjul ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ | Noun | The ability to use fuel effectively and economically. | 燃油效率 | Low gravity would allow spacecraft to have greater fuel efficiency during takeoffs and landings. |
| Precious Metals | /ˈprɛʃəs ˈmɛtəlz/ | Noun | Rare and valuable metallic elements, such as gold, silver, or platinum. | 贵金属 | Asteroid colonies could potentially mine precious metals that are scarce on Earth. |
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