TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #055

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

A recent study shows that people, particularly younger individuals, are reading far fewer works of literature—such as novels, plays, and poems—than they did in the past. This is concerning because the trend has negative consequences for readers, for culture at large, and for the future of literature itself.

Although there has been a general decrease in book reading, the drop has been especially pronounced for literary works. This is unfortunate because nothing else offers the same intellectual stimulation as literature. Literature encourages us to engage our imaginations, develop empathy for others, and deepen our grasp of language. Therefore, by reading less literature, the public is missing out on these important advantages.

Sadly, missing the benefits of literature is not the only issue. What are people choosing to read instead? Consider how self-help books frequently top bestseller lists. These books are often shallow, poorly written, and lack intellectual depth. Moreover, instead of tackling a thought-provoking novel, many people now prefer to watch television, view music videos, or browse websites. Clearly, the time that used to be spent reading literature is being diverted to more trivial entertainment, which has contributed to a decline in overall cultural standards.

This decline in literary reading is particularly regrettable because it comes at a time when excellent literature is still being written. There are many gifted authors today, but they struggle to find an audience. As a result, publishers are likely to reduce their investment in literature, offering less support to serious writers. Consequently, both the writing and the readership of literature are expected to diminish due to the declining standards of today’s readers.