TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #056

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

The sea otter, a small marine mammal, inhabits the waters along the western coast of North America, from California to Alaska. When certain sea otter populations near Alaska began to decline rapidly a few years ago, it raised significant concern because sea otters play a key role in maintaining the coastal ecosystem. Researchers began investigating the cause of the decline and quickly identified two possible explanations: environmental pollution or predator attacks. At first, pollution was considered the more likely cause.

One reason pollution seemed to be the more probable explanation was the presence of known pollution sources along the Alaskan coastline, such as oil rigs and other industrial operations releasing harmful chemicals. Water tests in the area showed elevated levels of pollutants that could weaken the otters’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to fatal infections, which could lead to their deaths indirectly.

Another point supporting the pollution theory was the decline of other marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, in the same region. This suggested that whatever was threatening the otters was also impacting other species. Pollution usually harms entire ecosystems rather than targeting one species, making it a likely culprit. Although large predators like orcas could have a similar widespread effect, orcas generally hunt larger animals, such as other types of whales, rather than sea otters.

Finally, the pollution hypothesis could account for the uneven nature of the otter population decline: in some parts of Alaska, otter numbers dropped significantly, while in other areas, the populations remained stable. Some researchers proposed that ocean currents or other environmental conditions might have caused pollutants to concentrate unevenly along the coast, resulting in varied impacts on the otters.