TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #043

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

Populations of the yellow cedar, a tree species native to northwestern North America, have been declining steadily since around 1880. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon.

One hypothesis suggests that the decline may be due to insect parasites, specifically the cedar bark beetle. The beetle larvae feed on the wood of cedar trees, and there are documented cases of sustained beetle attacks leading to the death of yellow cedars. This makes the beetle a plausible candidate for causing the trees’ decline.

Another hypothesis attributes the decline to brown bears. These bears sometimes claw at the trees to eat the bark, which contains high levels of sugar, comparable to wild berries, a major part of their diet. Although clawing alone may not destroy the trees, the bears’ aggressive feeding could weaken the trees enough to contribute to the overall decline.

The third hypothesis involves gradual climate change. Over the past century, temperature patterns in northwestern North America have shifted, affecting the yellow cedar’s root systems. The trees’ fine surface roots now grow in late winter instead of early spring, making them vulnerable to freezing on cold nights. This root damage may ultimately compromise the health of the trees, leading to their death.