TOEFL TPO -1 Writing Task 1 Sample: Summarize the points in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.
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
Chaco Canyon, located in a desert region in the southwestern United States, is an impressive cultural and historic site. The canyon was inhabited by Chacoan people between the ninth and twelfth centuries. Because of the region's dry climate, many historians believe that the Chacoans could not grow enough crops to be self-sufficient and had to import food from other locations. There are several reasons to think that the Chacoans could not fully support themselves with agriculture. Amount of Rainfall Historical weather patterns-information about temperatures or rainfall in the past-can be reconstructed using various evidence, for example, the analysis of growth rings of old trees. Based on this evidence, scientists found that the annual rainfall in the canyon was typically below the minimum amount necessary to grow corn(maize) and beans, the Chacoans' main crops. Therefore, the water in ChacoCanyon was too limited to grow enough crops. Salty Soil The soil in Chaco Canyon was largely unsuitable for agriculture. Researchers tested samples of soil from the canyon and found that the samples contained very high levels of salts. In fact, some of the soil samples were saltier than seawater. Given that crops do not grow well in highly salty soil, it is unlikely that the Chacoans could have supported themselves with agriculture. Population Size The Chacoan population was too large to survive only on the food produced in Chaco Canyon. The canyon has ruins of many large, multi-roomed buildings. From the size of those buildings, historians estimate that the Chacoan population was around a few thousand residents. Even if all available in the canyon had been used to grow crops, the quantity of food produced could not have fed a population of this size. The Chacoans thus had to import food from other locations.
Question
Summarize the points 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 suggests several reasons that Chacoans could not grow enough corps to support themselves. However, the listening suggests an opposite view that Chacoans could support themselves. Firstly, the reading claims that the amount of of rainfall could not support enough corps. Admittedly, there was little rain there. However, the Chacoans have clever ways to conserve water and there were traces of irrigation. To be specific, Chacoans used water reservoirs to store water and built canals to distribute water even when water resources is limited. So, they could raise enough crops even with limited rainfall. Secondly, the reading asserts that salty soil is another factor which makes Chacoans unable to grow enough crops. However, the listening refutes that by claiming that there were few soil samples being collected and they are located at the surface. Test only occurred at the surface, test should also be conducted below the surface. When experts extracted samples from deeper soil, they found the salt was not that salt. In addition, deeper soil contained minerals which were very fertile for crops. Consequently, those less salty soil was good for crops. Thirdly, the reading suggests that the whole crops yield could not feed the large population. However, the listening views this from another angle, according to him, Charcoans’ population were smaller than thousand. Charcoans was a religious place and attracted visitors to stay that’s why there were many large structures. Those visitors will bring food to Charcoans, thus they have enough food to support smaller population.
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分 Task fulfillment: 4 Organization: 4 Coherence and Cohesion: 4 Language Use: 3
2.预估分数 Estimated Score: 25
3.任务完成度 从任务完成度的角度来看,文章基本上回答了问题,总结了听力中的观点,并解释了它们如何对阅读材料中的观点产生怀疑。但是,有些地方可以改进以使文章更清晰和准确。例如,可以更详细地描述听力中提到的证据和例子。此外,在引用听力材料时,可以使用更准确的措辞。
示例1: 原文:However, the Chacoans have clever ways to conserve water and there were traces of irrigation. 改进:However, the Chacoans developed effective strategies to conserve water, as evidenced by the traces of an ancient irrigation system found in the canyon.
示例2: 原文:When experts extracted samples from deeper soil, they found the salt was not that salt. 改进:When experts extracted samples from deeper soil, they found much lower levels of salts compared to the surface samples.
4.文章结构与组织 The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point and provides supporting details from the listening passage. However, there is room for improvement in terms of organization and transitions between ideas and paragraphs.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Use clearer topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph to guide readers through your argument.
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Improve transitions between ideas and paragraphs by using appropriate linking words or phrases.
Example 1: Original: Firstly, the reading claims that the amount of rainfall could not support enough corps. Improved: Firstly, the reading claims that the limited amount of rainfall in Chaco Canyon made it impossible for the Chacoans to grow sufficient crops.
Example 2: Original: Consequently, those less salty soil was good for crops. Improved: Consequently, this deeper, less salty soil was actually suitable for crop cultivation.
5. Grammar
The reading suggests several reasons that Chacoans could not grow enough corpscrops to support themselves. However, the listening suggests an opposite view that Chacoans could support themselves.
Firstly, the reading claims that the amount of of rainfall could not support enough corps.crops. Admittedly, there was little rainrainfall there. However, the Chacoans havehad clever ways to conserve water and there were traces of irrigation. To be specific, Chacoans used water reservoirs to store water and built canals to distribute water even when water resources iswere limited. So, they could raise enough crops even with limited rainfall.
Secondly, the reading asserts that salty soil is another factor which makes Chacoans unableit difficult for Chacoans to grow enough crops. However, the listening refutes that by claiming that there were few soil samples being collected and they arecollected, and they were located at the surface. Test only occurred at the surface, testTests should also be conducted below the surface.
When experts extracted samples from deeper soil, they found the salt was not that salt. In addition,content was not as high and deeper soil contained minerals which were very fertile for crops. Consequently, those less salty soil wassoils were good for crops.
Thirdly, the reading suggests that the whole cropscrop yield could not feed the large population. However, the listening views this from another angle, accordingangle. According to him, Charcoans' population werewas smaller than thousand.previously thought, and Charcoans was a religious place andthat attracted visitors to stay that's why there werestay, resulting in many large structures. Those visitors willwould bring food to Charcoans, thus they havehad enough food to support smaller population.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
The reading passage posits that the Chacoans could not grow enough crops to support themselves due to insufficient rainfall, salty soil, and a large population. In contrast, the lecture presents evidence that challenges these claims and supports the idea that the Chacoans were indeed self-sufficient.
Firstly, although the reading asserts that limited rainfall made it difficult for the Chacoans to grow crops, the lecture contends that they developed effective strategies to conserve water. The Chacoans built water reservoirs and canals as part of an ancient irrigation system, which allowed them to collect and distribute rainwater efficiently. This ingenuity enabled them to grow sufficient crops despite scarce rainfall.
Secondly, while the reading claims that highly salty soil hindered crop growth in Chaco Canyon, the lecture refutes this by pointing out flaws in the soil tests conducted. The initial tests only examined surface-level samples; however, when experts analyzed deeper soil samples, they discovered significantly lower salt levels. Moreover, some of these salts contained essential minerals that actually made the soil more fertile for crop cultivation. Consequently, it appears that Chaco Canyon's soil was more conducive to agriculture than initially believed.
Lastly, contrary to the reading's assertion that a large population size rendered local agriculture insufficient for sustaining residents, the lecture explains that Chaco Canyon's actual population was much smaller—perhaps only a few hundred people. The presence of numerous large buildings can be attributed to its status as a religious site attracting visitors who brought their own food supplies. Given this smaller resident population size and contributions from visitors' provisions, agriculture in Chaco Canyon could have produced enough food for its inhabitants. (272 words)
Section Title: 7.文章批改
The reading suggests several reasons that passage posits that the Chacoans could not grow enough corps crops to support themselves. However, the listening suggests an opposite view that themselves due to insufficient rainfall, salty soil, and a large population. In contrast, the lecture presents evidence that challenges these claims and supports the idea that the Chacoans could support themselves. were indeed self-sufficient (Changed "opposite view" to "evidence that challenges these claims and supports the idea" for clarity).
Firstly, although the reading asserts that limited rainfall made it difficult for the Chacoans to grow crops, the lecture contends that they developed effective strategies to conserve water (Rephrased "clever ways" as "effective strategies" for a more formal tone). The Chacoans built water reservoirs and canals as part of an ancient irrigation system, which allowed them to collect and distribute rainwater efficiently. This ingenuity enabled them to grow sufficient crops despite scarce rainfall (Changed "limited" to "scarce" for better word choice).
Secondly, while the reading claims that the amount highly salty soil hindered crop growth in Chaco Canyon, the lecture refutes this by pointing out flaws in the soil tests conducted (Clarified sentence structure). The initial tests only examined surface-level samples; however, when experts analyzed deeper soil samples, they discovered significantly lower salt levels. Moreover, some of of rainfall could not support enough corps. Admittedly, there these salts contained essential minerals that actually made the soil more fertile for crop cultivation (Added "for crop cultivation" for clarity). Consequently, it appears that Chaco Canyon's soil was little rain there. However, the Chacoans have clever ways to conserve water and there were traces of irrigation. To be specific, Chacoans used water reservoirs to store water and built canals to distribute water even when water resources is limited. So, they could raise enough crops even with limited rainfall. more conducive to agriculture than initially believed.
Secondly, the reading asserts that salty soil is another factor which makes Chacoans unable to grow enough crops. However, the listening refutes that by claiming that there were Lastly, contrary to the reading's assertion that a large population size rendered local agriculture insufficient for sustaining residents, the lecture explains that Chaco Canyon's actual population was much smaller—perhaps only a few soil samples being collected and they are located at the surface. Test only occurred at the surface, test should also be conducted below the surface. ¶ When experts extracted samples from deeper soil, they found the salt was not that salt. In addition, deeper soil contained minerals which were very fertile for crops. Consequently, those less salty soil was good for crops. ¶ Thirdly, the reading suggests that the whole crops yield could not feed the large population. However, the listening views this from another angle, according to him, Charcoans’ hundred people (Changed "Charcoans’ population were smaller than thousand. Charcoans thousand" to "Chaco Canyon's actual population was much smaller—perhaps only a few hundred people" for clarity and accuracy). The presence of numerous large buildings can be attributed to its status as a religious place and attracted site attracting visitors to stay that’s why there were many large structures. Those visitors will bring who brought their own food to Charcoans, thus they supplies (Changed "Charcoans" to "Chaco Canyon's" for consistency). Given this smaller resident population size and contributions from visitors' provisions, agriculture in Chaco Canyon could have produced enough food to support smaller population.for its inhabitants (Changed "support" to "produced enough food for" for better word choice).
8. Mind Map
1. Introduction
- Chacoans: self-sufficient or not?
2. Limited Rainfall
- Reading: insufficient rainfall for crops
- Lecture: water reservoirs and canals for irrigation
3. Salty Soil
- Reading: salty soil hinders crop growth
- Lecture: deeper soil samples show lower salt levels, essential minerals for fertility
4. Large Population
- Reading: too many people to support with local agriculture
- Lecture: smaller population, religious site with visitors bringing food supplies
5. Conclusion
- Chacoans were likely self-sufficient in agriculture.
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ingenuity | /ˌɪndʒɪˈn(j)uːɪti/ | noun | the quality of being clever, original, and inventive | 独创性,独创力 | The Chacoans' ingenuity allowed them to grow sufficient crops despite scarce rainfall. |
| reservoirs | /ˈrezəvwɑr/ | noun | a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply | 水库,蓄水池 | The Chacoans built water reservoirs to collect rainwater efficiently. |
| canals | /kəˈnæl/ | noun | an artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation | 运河,水道 | - The ancient irrigation system included canals that distributed rainwater effectively. |
| fertile | /ˈfɜrtaɪl/ | adjective | (of soil or land) producing or capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops | 肥沃的,富饶的 | - The deeper soil samples revealed essential minerals that made the soil more fertile for crop cultivation. |
| provisions | /prəˈvɪʒənz/ | noun | supplies of food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey | 食物供应,给养 | - Visitors to Chaco Canyon brought their own provisions, contributing to the food supply. |
| population | /ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən/ | noun | all the inhabitants of a particular area | 人口,居民总数 | - The actual population of Chaco Canyon was much smaller than initially believed. |
| religious | /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/ | adjective | relating to or believing in a religion; sacred, divine | - 宗教的,神圣的 | - Chaco Canyon was a religious site that attracted visitors from other areas. |
| cultivation | /ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/ | noun | the process of trying to acquire or develop a quality or skill; the action of cultivating land, or the state of being cultivated | - 栽培,耕作 | - Agriculture in Chaco Canyon could have produced enough food for its inhabitants through effective cultivation techniques. |
| irrigation | /ˌɪrɪˈgeɪʃən/ | -noun- | the supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels | -灌溉,水利设施 | -The Chacoans developed an ancient irrigation system that allowed them to grow crops despite limited rainfall. |
| self-sufficient | /ˌsɛlf səˈfɪʃənt/ | adjective | needing no outside help in satisfying one's basic needs, especially with regard to the production of food | - 自给自足的,自立的 | - The evidence presented in the lecture supports the idea that the Chacoans were self-sufficient. |
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