TOEFL Writing Task 1 [Integrated Task] – Practice Test #064

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 many organizations, forming a team to handle certain new projects can be highly effective. A team brings several advantages to the table.

Firstly, a team possesses a broader spectrum of knowledge, expertise, and skills than any single person could have. Additionally, with the combined resources and numbers of the team, they can respond more swiftly to tasks and devise innovative solutions to problems. Often, these creative solutions arise because a team is more willing to make bold decisions that an individual might shy away from. This willingness is due to the fact that the responsibility for a decision is distributed among all members, so no one person is solely accountable if the decision proves to be incorrect.

Participating in a team can also be very fulfilling for its members. Those who contribute to decision-making are likely to feel more engaged with the work that follows than if they were simply executing orders given by others.

Furthermore, individual members have a better opportunity to stand out and have their contributions acknowledged. The results of a team’s efforts can be more significant and impactful than what might have been achieved by an individual working alone.