TOEFL TPO 72 Writing Task 1 Sample: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge the specific theories presented in the reading passage.
Historical user samples and AI evaluation results from an older TOEFL format.
243 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
Transient lunar phenomena (TLP) are relatively brief flashes of light that appear to come from the surface of the Moon. Such flashes of light have been observed for centuries by both amateur and professional astronomers, and several theories have been put forward to explain them. One theory is that TLP are not genuine lunar phenomena, but only random observational errors caused by defects in the telescopes some observers use. Optical instruments such as telescopes or microscopes are complex pieces of machinery; even small flaws in their design can create artificial optical impressions like flashes or other distortions in the visual field. To an observer, a flash of light caused by an instrument error may sometimes look like a real phenomenon taking place in nature. A second theory is that meteors striking the Moon cause TLP. Because the Moon has no atmosphere, meteors often reach the lunar surface. In fact, meteors strike the Moon every day. According to the meteor theory, when meteors strike the lunar surface, they explode, creating enough heat energy to appear as a flash of light to observers on Earth. When people observe TLP, they are actually observing flashes of light generated by meteor impacts. A third theory is that TLP are the result of lunar rocks emitting their own light by a process called thermoluminescence. It is known that the Moon does in fact contain certain rocks that are capable of generating light in this way when they are heated by the Sun. This is strong empirical support that TLP are caused by thermoluminescence.
Question
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge the specific theories presented in the reading passage.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In the reading, the author proposes three possible explanation for TLP. However, the listening argues that none of these explanations are able to explain TLP, and opposes the points in the reading material. First and foremost, the author argues that TLP are random observational errors caused by the optical equipments. However, the speaker rebuts that if TLP are random errors, the reports and the places where people observe the TLP should also be random. However, the observed TLP are always associated with two specific location, which indicates that TLP is real happening on the Moon. In addition, the speaker casts doubt on the author's second viewpoint that TLP are resulted from the meteors striking; the speaker also demonstrates that the light generated by metors striking normally lasts one second, whereas the avergae duration of TLP is twenty minutes. Moreover, the vast majority of TLP do not appear with metors shower. Therfore, TLP must have other causes. Finally, in the reading, it is said that the light emitted by lunar rocks contribute to TLP. On the other hand, the speaker points out that the light from lunar rocks are much weak if we observe it on the Earth. Furthermore, moonlight are reflacted from the sun, which is much brighter than thermoluminescence, and thus we are unable to see thermoluminescence at that kind of background. Therefore, the thermoluminescence is not the source of TLP.
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：3
2.预估分数
25. 3.任务完成度
整体来说，你的文章在任务完成度方面表现得相当不错。你成功地总结了听力材料中的观点，并对阅读材料中的理论进行了挑战。然而，为了更好地完成任务，你可以尝试更详细地解释听力中提到的观点，以便让读者更好地理解它们是如何挑战阅读材料中的理论的。
示例1： 原文：“However, the speaker rebuts that if TLP are random errors, the reports and the places where people observe the TLP should also be random.” 改进：“However, the speaker rebuts that if TLP were caused by random errors in telescope design, we would expect to see reports of TLP occurring at various random locations on the Moon's surface. Instead, most observers report TLP from two very specific locations on the Moon's surface, suggesting that they are real events happening on the Moon rather than flaws in telescopes.”
示例2： 原文：“Therfore, TLP must have other causes.” 改进：“Therefore, while it is possible that a few TLP are caused by meteor impacts, the great majority of them must have other causes.”
4.文章结构与组织 在文章结构和组织方面，你的表现也很好。文章有明确的结构，包括引言、正文和结论。每个段落都集中在一个具体的观点和支持细节上。然而，为了进一步改进文章结构，你可以尝试在段落之间使用更清晰的过渡词或短语，以帮助读者更好地理解你的观点。
示例1： 原文：“In addition, the speaker casts doubt on the author's second viewpoint that TLP are resulted from the meteors striking;” 改进：“Furthermore, the speaker casts doubt on the author's second viewpoint that TLP are caused by meteor impacts;”
示例2： 原文：“Finally, in the reading, it is said that the light emitted by lunar rocks contribute to TLP.” 改进：“Lastly, the reading passage suggests that thermoluminescence from lunar rocks could be responsible for TLP.”
5. 语法批改
In the reading, the author proposes three possible explanation for TLP. However, the listening argues that none of these explanations are able to explain TLP, and opposes the points in the reading material.
First and foremost, the author argues that TLP are random observational errors caused by the optical equipments. However, the speaker rebuts that if TLP are random errors, the reports and the places where people observe the TLP should also be random. However, the observed TLP are always associated with two specific location, which indicates that TLP is real happening on the Moon.
In addition, the speaker casts doubt on the author's second viewpoint that TLP are resulted from the meteors striking; the speaker also demonstrates that the light generated by metorsmeters(misspelling) striking normally lasts one second, whereas the avergaeaverage(misspelling) duration of TLP is twenty minutes. Moreover, the vast majority of TLP do not appear with metorsmeters(misspelling) shower. TherforeTherefore(misspelling), TLP must have other causes.
Finally, in the reading, it is said that the light emitted by lunar rocks contribute to TLP. On the other hand, the speaker points out that the light from lunar rocks are much weakmuch weaker(Superfluous article before 'much', e.g. 'a much work') if we observe it on the Earth. Furthermore, moonlight areis(Detects potentially wrong usage of "are") reflactedreflected(misspelling) from the sun, which is much brighter than thermoluminescence[No Replacement Word Found](misspelling), and thus we are unable to see thermoluminescence[No Replacement Word Found](misspelling) at that kind of background. Therefore, the thermoluminescence[No Replacement Word Found](misspelling) is not the source of TLP.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The reading passage presents three possible explanations for Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP), while the lecture challenges each of these theories, asserting that none of them adequately account for TLP.
Firstly, the reading suggests that TLP may be random observational errors caused by defects in optical equipment. However, the lecture counters this argument by stating that if TLP were merely random errors, the reports and locations of observed TLP should also be random. Instead, TLP are consistently associated with two specific locations on the Moon's surface, indicating that they are genuine lunar events rather than telescope flaws.
Secondly, the reading posits that meteors striking the Moon could cause TLP. The lecture disputes this theory by explaining that light generated by meteor impacts typically lasts only one second, whereas the average duration of a TLP is twenty minutes. Furthermore, most TLP are not reported during meteor showers. Thus, while some TLP may be caused by meteor impacts, the majority must have other origins.
Lastly, the reading proposes that thermoluminescence from lunar rocks could be responsible for TLP. In contrast, the lecture argues that light emitted by lunar rocks is too weak to be observed from Earth and would be overshadowed by sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface. As a result, thermoluminescence cannot be considered as a viable source for observed TLP flashes. (223 words)
Revised essay: In the reading, the author proposes three possible explanation for TLP. explanations for Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP). However, the listening argues that none of these explanations are able to explain TLP, TLP and opposes the points in the reading material. (The original sentence was revised to include "Transient Lunar Phenomena" for clarity.)
First and foremost, the author argues that TLP are random observational errors caused by the optical equipments. equipment. However, the speaker rebuts that if TLP are were random errors, the reports and the places where people observe the TLP them should also be random. However, the Instead, observed TLP are always associated with two specific location, locations on the Moon's surface, which indicates that TLP is real happening on the Moon. they are genuine lunar events rather than telescope flaws. (The revised sentence provides a clearer explanation of why TLP is not likely due to observational errors.)
In addition, the speaker casts doubt on the author's second viewpoint that TLP are resulted result from the meteors striking; the speaker also demonstrates that the light generated by metors striking meteor impacts normally lasts one second, whereas the avergae average duration of TLP is twenty minutes. Moreover, the vast majority of most TLP do not appear with metors shower. Therfore, TLP during meteor showers. Therefore, while some TLP may be caused by meteor impacts, most must have other causes. (The revised sentence corrects grammar issues and provides a clearer explanation of why meteors are not likely responsible for most observed TLP.)
Finally, in the reading, reading passage, it is said that the light emitted by thermoluminescence from lunar rocks contribute contributes to TLP. On the other hand, the speaker points out that the light from emitted by lunar rocks are much is too weak if we observe it on the Earth. Furthermore, moonlight are reflacted to be observed from the sun, which is much brighter than thermoluminescence, and thus we are unable to see Earth and would be overshadowed by sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface. As a result, thermoluminescence at that kind of background. Therefore, the cannot be considered as a viable source for observed TLP flashes. (The revised sentence corrects grammar issues and provides a clearer explanation of why thermoluminescence is not the source of likely responsible for observed TLP.)
8. Mind Map
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transient | /ˈtrænʒənt/ | adjective | Lasting only for a short time; impermanent | 短暂的 | The transient nature of TLP makes them difficult to study. |
| Phenomena | /fəˈnɒmɪnə/ | noun | Facts or situations that are observed to exist or happen, especially those whose cause is unknown | 现象 | TLP are unexplained phenomena occurring on the Moon's surface. |
| Optical | /ˈɒptɪkəl/ | adjective | Relating to light or the ability to see | 光学的 | Optical equipment is used to observe TLP from Earth. |
| Meteor | /ˈmiːtiər/ | noun | A small body of matter from outer space that enters the Earth's atmosphere, appearing as a streak of light | /流星 | /Meteors can cause flashes of light when they strike the Moon's surface. |
| Thermoluminescence | /θɜːrməluːmɪˈnesns/ | /noun | /The emission of light from a substance caused by heating it | /热发光 | /Thermoluminescence is one possible explanation for TLP. |
| Dispute | /dɪˈspjuːt/ | verb | To argue or disagree with someone about something | 争论 | The lecture disputes the theories presented in the reading passage. |
| Duration | /dʊˈreɪʃən/ | noun | The time during which something continues | 持续时间 | The average duration of a TLP is twenty minutes. |
| Overshadow | /ˌəʊvərˈʃædəʊ/ | verb | To make someone or something seem less important compared to someone or something else | /使...相形见绌 | /The light emitted by lunar rocks would be overshadowed by sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface. |
| Viable | /ˈvaɪəbəl/ | adjective | /Capable of working successfully; feasible | /可行的 | /Thermoluminescence cannot be considered a viable source for observed TLP flashes. |
Section Title: 6. Article Revision
The reading passage presents three possible explanations for Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP), while the lecture challenges each of these theories, asserting that none of them adequately account for TLP.
Firstly, the reading suggests that TLP may be random observational errors caused by defects in optical equipment. However, the lecture counters this argument by stating that if TLP were merely random errors, the reports and locations of observed TLP should also be random. Instead, TLP are consistently associated with two specific locations on the Moon's surface, indicating that they are genuine lunar events rather than telescope flaws.
Secondly, the reading posits that meteors striking the Moon could cause TLP. The lecture disputes this theory by explaining that light generated by meteor impacts typically lasts only one second, whereas the average duration of a TLP is twenty minutes. Furthermore, most TLP are not reported during meteor showers. Thus, while some TLP may be caused by meteor impacts, the majority must have other origins.
Lastly, the reading proposes that thermoluminescence from lunar rocks could be responsible for TLP. In contrast, the lecture argues that light emitted by lunar rocks is too weak to be observed from Earth and would be overshadowed by sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface. As a result, thermoluminescence cannot be considered as a viable source for observed TLP flashes.
Current TOEFL Format
The TOEFL exam has been updated. Explore the latest format and practice with current question types.
Rooting for Your Goal Score Today!
With LingoLeap, an expert in English exams
Get to Your Dream Score Faster