TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #038

This TOEFL Writing Task 1 (Integrated Writing) practice test provides an authentic experience with a real reading passage and a corresponding audio lecture. Follow the instructions carefully to simulate the exam and assess your skills accurately.

TOEFL Integrated Writing Detailed Instructions

Read the passage: You will read an academic passage on a topic, usually about 3 minutes.
Listen to the lecture: After reading, you will hear a lecture on the same topic, presenting a different perspective or additional information. You will not be able to see the reading passage while listening.
Take notes: While reading and listening, take notes on the key points and main ideas. Most of your focus should be on the lecturer since the passage is already available for reference.
Refer back to the reading: You can review the reading passage after the listening portion is complete.
Stay objective: Avoid adding personal thoughts, agreeing or disagreeing with the speaker, or evaluating the quality of their arguments. The key is to remain neutral and accurately report what each source says. Think of yourself as a reporter: your task is to explain what each side claims, how their points relate to each other, and how the lecture challenges the reading.
Organize clearly and have a plan: Use clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Personally, I prefer writing a concise introduction that presents both sides and briefly states their main reasons, followed by three body paragraphs, each focusing on one point and discussing it from both perspectives. If done properly, there’s no real need for a conclusion, especially since this isn’t a personal or opinion-based essay.
Write your response: Summarize the main points from the lecture and explain how they relate to or challenge the points in the reading passage.
Stay within the word limit: Your response should be 150-225 words.
Proofread: Ensure your grammar, spelling, and sentence structure are accurate.
Submit your writing: Use the form below to privately submit your writing for review, or post it publicly in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
Feedback (optional): Order detailed written analysis or a video session to review your response using the official TOEFL writing criteria and identify specific areas for improvement.

Reading Passage

In 1909, Robert E. Peary, a famous adventurer and arctic explorer, claimed to have reached the North Pole on April 7, making him an international celebrity. While some historians have expressed doubts about the accuracy of Peary’s claim, three key arguments support its validity.

First, the National Geographic Society conducted an investigation of Peary’s records and equipment. After a thorough review, the committee found his accounts to be consistent and persuasive, concluding that he did indeed reach the North Pole.

Second, a more recent expedition backs Peary’s timeline of reaching the North Pole in 37 days from Ellesmere Island, which had previously been doubted. Critics had argued that such a fast journey was impossible, as modern snowmobiles take longer. However, British explorer Tom Avery completed the same trek in fewer than 37 days, using the same type of dogsled and breed of dogs as Peary. This demonstrates that Peary’s claim of speed is feasible.

Third, photographs taken by Peary provide further evidence. By measuring the shadows in the photographs, researchers were able to calculate the Sun’s position in the sky. The calculated position matches exactly with the Sun’s expected location at the North Pole on that day, supporting Peary’s claim that he took the photographs there.