TOEFL TPO 54 Writing Task 1 Sample: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific solutions proposed 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
The Salton Sea in California is actually a salty inland lake. The level of salt in the lake’s water—what scientists call its salinity—has been increasing steadily for years because the lake’s water is evaporating faster than it is being replaced by rainfall or rivers. If the trend continues, the lake’s water will soon become so salty that the lake will be unable to support fish and bird populations. The lake would then become essentially a dead zone. Fortunately, there are several ways to reverse the trend that is threatening the lake’s health.One option is direct removal of salt from the lake’s water in special desalination facilities. Water from the lake would be pumped into the facilities and heated. This would cause the water to evaporate into steam, while salt and other materials dissolved in the water would be left behind. The steam would then be cooled down and returned to the lake as salt-free water. Gradually, the high salt levels would be reduced and the lake’s overall health would be restored.Another possible solution is to dilute the salt level in the lake with water from the ocean. Since water in the Pacific Ocean is 20 percent less salty than water in the lake, bringing ocean water into the lake would decrease the lake’s salinity. The ocean water could be delivered through pipelines or canals.Yet another solution would be to control the lake’s salinity by constructing walls to divide the lake into several sections. In the smaller sections, salinity would be allowed to increase. However, in the main and largest section, salinity would be reduced and controlled by, among other things, directing all the freshwater from small rivers in the area to flow into that main section of the lake.
Question
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific solutions proposed in the reading passage.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
The same question on how to decrease salinity of lake has been well analyzed in both passage and lecture. In the passage, three solutions, including, removing salt, diluting and seperating lake, has been elaborated. However, the professor in the lecture contradicts that all these methods are not useful. Firstly, the writer points out that salt in the lake can be directly removed by pumping and heating. Nevertheless, the speaker refutes that toxic chemicals could be generated in such process. In detail, she contends that when the water of lake is heating, some solid matter is left, which contains both salt and toxic matters. Toxic matters are transmitted with air and harmful for people's health. Secondly, the reading states that diluting lake's water by ocean water is plausible. However, the listening disapproves that it is too expensive to transport water from the ocean to the lake. To delve further, she maintains that the lake is 100 km far away from the ocean, which means that building long pipeline takes lots of money. Goverment can not afford for this infrastructure. Lastly, the passage conveys the point that the lake could be divided into small sections that is easy to control salinity. Yet, the lecture contradicts that dividing is not a long useful plan. She advances the theory by saying that walls for dividing the lake will collapse if meet earthquake or other intense earth's activities. In this case, the effort before would be wasted and water from main section will flow to other section with high salinity. Hence, the speaker completely disagrees with the opinions expressed in the reading.
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,你的文章回答了题目要求的问题,总结了听力中提到的观点,并对阅读中提出的解决方案进行了反驳。但是,有些地方可以进一步改进。例如,在批驳阅读中提出的解决方案时,可以更详细地说明听力中提到的原因和例子。此外,在文章开头和结尾部分,可以更明确地表达出对阅读和听力观点的支持或反对。
示例1: 原文:“Toxic matters are transmitted with air and harmful for people's health.” 改进:“The toxic matters, such as selenium, would be released into the air and pose a serious health risk to people who breathe them in.”
示例2: 原文:“Goverment can not afford for this infrastructure.” 改进:“The local government may not have enough resources to pay for such major construction projects like pipelines or canals.”
4.文章结构与组织 你的文章结构清晰,包括引言、正文和结论。每段都集中讨论了一个具体观点,并提供了支持细节。然而,在段落之间加入更明确的过渡词或短语会使文章更连贯。此外,可以在引言部分简要介绍文章的主题和结构,以帮助读者更好地理解文章内容。
示例1: 原文:“In the passage, three solutions, including, removing salt, diluting and seperating lake, has been elaborated.” 改进:“In the passage, three solutions are proposed to address the increasing salinity of the lake: removing salt through desalination, diluting the lake's water with ocean water, and dividing the lake into smaller sections.”
示例2: 原文:“Firstly, the writer points out that salt in the lake can be directly removed by pumping and heating.” 改进:“Firstly, while the writer suggests that salt in the lake can be directly removed by pumping and heating through desalination facilities, the lecturer argues that this method has some serious drawbacks.”
5. 语法批改
The same question on how to decrease salinity of lake has been well analyzed in both passage and lecture. In the passage, three solutions, including, removing salt, diluting and seperatingseparating(misspelling) lake, has been elaborated. However, the professor in the lecture contradicts that all these methods are not useful.
Firstly, the writer points out that salt in the lake can be directly removed by pumping and heating. Nevertheless, the speaker refutes that toxic chemicals could be generated in such process. In detail, she contends that when the water of lakethe lake(This rule identifies whether the article 'the' is missing in a sentence.) is heating, some solid matter is left, which contains both salt and toxic matters. Toxic matters are transmitted with air and harmful for people's health.
Secondly, the reading states that diluting lake's water by ocean water is plausible. However, the listening disapproves that it is too expensive to transport water from the ocean to the lake. To delve further, she maintains that the lake is 100 km far away from the ocean, which means that building longa long(This rule identifies whether the article 'a' is missing in a sentence.) pipeline takes lots of money. GovermentGovernment(misspelling) can not afford for this infrastructure.
Lastly, the passage conveys the point that the lake could be divided into small sections that isare(Detects potentially wrong usage of "is") easy to control salinity. Yet, the lecture contradicts that dividing is not a long useful plan. She advances the theory by saying that walls for dividing the lake will collapse if meet earthquake or other intense earth's activities. In this case, the effort before would be wasted and water from main section will flow to other section with high salinity.
Hence, the speaker completely disagrees with the opinions expressed in the reading.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The issue of decreasing the salinity of the lake is thoroughly analyzed in both the passage and the lecture. The passage elaborates on three potential solutions: direct salt removal, dilution with ocean water, and dividing the lake into separate sections. However, the professor in the lecture contends that none of these methods are practical or effective.
Firstly, the author suggests that salt can be removed from the lake by pumping and heating its water. The lecturer, on the other hand, argues that this process could generate toxic chemicals. Specifically, she explains that when lake water is heated, solid matter containing both salt and toxic substances is left behind. These toxic substances can become airborne and pose a threat to human health.
Secondly, the passage posits that diluting the lake's water with ocean water is a viable solution. Nevertheless, the speaker refutes this idea by highlighting its high cost due to transportation challenges. She emphasizes that since the lake is located 100 km away from the ocean, constructing a long pipeline or canal system would be prohibitively expensive for local government resources.
Lastly, while the passage proposes dividing the lake into smaller sections to better control salinity levels, the lecturer disputes this as a long-term solution. She reasons that any walls built for this purpose would likely collapse during earthquakes or other intense geological activities common in that region. Consequently, previous efforts would be wasted as water from different sections with varying salinity levels would mix again.
In conclusion, the speaker strongly disagrees with all of the solutions presented in the reading passage due to their impracticality and potential negative consequences. (273 words)
The same question on how to decrease issue of decreasing the salinity of lake has been well the lake is thoroughly analyzed in both passage and lecture. In the passage, the passage and the lecture (reason: improved clarity and coherence). The passage elaborates on three solutions, including, removing salt, diluting and seperating lake, has been elaborated. potential solutions: direct salt removal, dilution with ocean water, and dividing the lake into separate sections (reason: improved sentence structure). However, the professor in the lecture contradicts that all contends that none of these methods are not useful. practical or effective (reason: clearer expression of disagreement).
Firstly, the writer points out author suggests that salt in the lake can be directly removed from the lake by pumping and heating. heating its water (reason: improved clarity). The lecturer, on the other hand, argues that this process could generate toxic chemicals (reason: clearer expression of disagreement). Specifically, she explains that when lake water is heated, solid matter containing both salt and toxic substances is left behind (reason: improved sentence structure). These toxic substances can become airborne and pose a threat to human health (reason: clearer explanation).
Secondly, the passage posits that diluting the lake's water with ocean water is a viable solution (reason: better word choice). Nevertheless, the speaker refutes that toxic chemicals could be generated in such process. In detail, she contends that when the water of lake is heating, some solid matter is left, which contains both salt and toxic matters. Toxic matters are transmitted with air and harmful for people's health. ¶ Secondly, the reading states that diluting lake's water this idea by ocean water is plausible. However, the listening disapproves that it is too expensive highlighting its high cost due to transport water from the ocean to the lake. To delve further, she maintains that the lake is transportation challenges (reason: clearer expression of disagreement). She emphasizes that since the lake is located 100 km far away from the ocean, which means that building constructing a long pipeline takes lots of money. Goverment can not afford or canal system would be prohibitively expensive for local government resources (reason: improved sentence structure).
Lastly, while the passage proposes dividing the lake into smaller sections to better control salinity levels (reason: improved clarity), the lecturer disputes this as a long-term solution (reason: clearer expression of disagreement). She reasons that any walls built for this infrastructure. ¶ Lastly, the passage conveys the point that the lake could be divided into small sections that is easy to control salinity. Yet, the lecture contradicts that dividing is not a long useful plan. She advances the theory by saying that walls for dividing the lake will purpose would likely collapse if meet earthquake during earthquakes or other intense earth's activities. In this case, the effort before geological activities common in that region (reason: better explanation). Consequently, previous efforts would be wasted and as water from main section will flow to other section different sections with high salinity. varying salinity levels would mix again (reason: clearer explanation).
Hence, In conclusion, the speaker completely strongly disagrees with the opinions expressed all of-the solutions presented in the reading.reading passage due to their impracticality and potential negative consequences (reason: improved clarity and coherence).
8. Mind Map
Mind Map:
- Introduction
- Passage: Three potential solutions
- Lecture: Disagrees with solutions
- Direct Salt Removal
- Passage: Pumping and heating water
- Lecture: Generates toxic chemicals
- Dilution with Ocean Water
- Passage: Viable solution
- Lecture: High cost, transportation challenges
- Dividing the Lake into Sections
- Passage: Better control of salinity levels
- Lecture: Walls may collapse, not a long-term solution
- Conclusion
- Speaker disagrees with all solutions due to impracticality and negative consequences.
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation (if needed) | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinity | /səˈlɪnɪti/ | Noun | The saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. | 盐度 | The salinity of the lake has become a major concern for the local government. |
| Dilution | /daɪˈluːʃən/ | Noun | The process of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution. | 稀释作用 | Dilution with ocean water could potentially decrease the lake's salinity. |
| Toxic substances | /ˈtɒksɪk səbˌstænsɪz/ | Noun phrase | Harmful chemicals that can cause damage to living organisms. | 有毒物质 | Heating the lake water could generate toxic substances that pose health risks. |
| Pipeline | /ˈpaɪp.laɪn/ | Noun | A long pipe, typically underground, for conveying oil, gas, etc. over long distances. | 管道 | Constructing a pipeline to transport ocean water would be expensive. |
| Canal | /kəˈnæl/ | Noun | An artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation. | 运河 | Building a canal system to dilute the lake's water could be costly and challenging. |
| Geological activities | /dʒiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ækˈtɪvɪtiz/ | Noun phrase | Processes that occur within the Earth's crust, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. | 地质活动 | The region is prone to geological activities that could cause walls dividing the lake to collapse. |
| Impracticality | /ˌɪmprækˈtɪkəlɪti/ | Noun | The quality of being unsuitable or unrealistic in practice. | 不切实际性 | The lecturer argues against the solutions due to their impracticality and potential negative consequences. |
| Prohibitively expensive | /prəˈhɪbɪtɪvli ɪkˈspensɪv/ | Adjective phrase | So costly as to discourage purchase or use. | 价格昂贵得令人望而却步的 | Constructing a pipeline or canal system would be prohibitively expensive for local government resources. |
| Collapse | /kəˈlæps/ | Verb | To fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support. | 倒塌,崩溃 | Walls built for dividing the lake may collapse during earthquakes or other intense geological activities. |
| Consequences | /ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/ | Noun | Results or effects of an action or condition. | 后果,结果 | The speaker disagrees with the solutions due to their potential negative consequences. |
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