TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #052

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

Each year, forests in the northwestern United States experience significant damage due to forest fires and intense storms. One method to address the aftermath of these disasters is known as salvage logging, where dead trees are removed from affected areas and the wood is repurposed for lumber, plywood, and other wood products. There are several reasons why salvage logging is advantageous for both the forest’s recovery and the economy.

Firstly, after a destructive fire, forests are left crowded with dead trees. If these trees are not cleared, they will take years to naturally decompose, preventing new trees from growing in the overcrowded environment. Salvage logging, however, clears away the dead trees, allowing new growth to occur immediately, which can accelerate the forest’s recovery process.

Additionally, dead trees do more than just occupy space. Decomposing wood provides an ideal habitat for insects such as the spruce bark beetle. In large numbers, these insects can harm healthy spruce trees. By removing the decaying trees, salvage logging helps reduce the risk of insect infestations, thereby promoting the overall health of the forest.

Lastly, salvage logging offers economic advantages. Many industries rely on forests for their raw materials, so natural disasters can have a negative impact on the economy. However, trees damaged by these disasters can still yield usable wood for various industries. Moreover, salvage logging typically requires more labor than traditional logging, leading to the creation of additional jobs for local communities.