Cracking the toefl ibt part 21

Template #1: Casting Doubt on a Lecture For the first essay, you will generally be asked to perform the following task: Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they cast

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Template #1: Casting Doubt on a Lecture

For the first essay, you will generally be asked to perform the following task:

Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they cast doubt on the reading

The template for this task is as follows:

Paragraph #1: Introduction

I Topic sentence

In the lecture, the (professor/teacher/instructor) made several points about

(topic)

IL State main idea of lecture

The (professor /teacher/ instructor) argues that (the main idea of the lecture)

Til Transition/main idea of reading

However, the reading contends that (the main idea of the reading)

IV Thesis statement

The professor’s lecture casts doubt on the reading by using a number of points that are contrary to (the main idea of the reading)

Paragraph #2: Body Paragraph

TL Transition/point #1 from lecture

‘The first point that the (professor/teacher/instructor) uses to cast doubt on the reading is (point #1 from lecture)

IL, Detail for point #1

According to the (professor/teacher/instructor), (detail for point #1 from the

lecture),

Il Counterpoint from reading

(Point #1) differs from the reading in that the reading states (point #1 of the

IV Explanation of relationship between reading and lecture

The point made by the (professor/lecturer/instructor) casts doubt on the reading because (how lecture is different from reading)

I Transition/point #2 from lecture

Another point that the (professor/teacher/instructor) uses to cast doubt on the

reading is (point #2 from lecture)

II Detail for point #2

_ The (professor /teacher/instructor) claims that (detail for point #2 from the

lecture)

HI Counterpoint from reading

However, the reading states (point #2 from reading)

This point is contradicted by (point #2 from lecture)

Paragraph #4: Conclusion

L Topic sentence

in conclusion, the points made in the lecture contrast with the reading

Il Summary

(Points #1 and #2 from the lecture) demonstrate that (main idea of the reading)

is in doubt

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The words in bold are suggestions; you don't have to use them exactly You may also find that

you have time to write a third body paragraph If so, repeat the formula from the first two body

paragraphs However, your writing should still follow the general pattern established in the outline

In Chapter 15, you'll have the opportunity to see the template in action on a sample question

Template #2: Showing Support for a Reading Passage

You may also see a prompt like the following:

Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they support the reading

This task is simply the opposite of the first one The template is fairly similar

I Topic sentence

In the lecture, the (professor /teacher/instructor) made several points about

(the topic)

State main idea of lecture The (professor /teacher/instructor) argues that (main ides of the lecture)

Ill Transition/main idea of reading The points made by the (professor/teacher/instructor) agree with (main idea

of the reading passage)

IV Thesis statement

In fact, the examples used by the (professor /teacher/instructor) support (main idea of the reading passage)

I Transition/point #1 from lecture

The first point that the (professor /teacher/instructor) uses to support the reading is (point #1 from the lecture)

Il Detail for point #1

According to the (professor/teacher/instructor), (detail for point #1 from the

lecture)

IIL Counterpoint from reading

(Point #1) supports the reading, which holds that (point #1 from the reading passage)

The point made by the (professor/lecturer/instructor) supports the reading

because (why lecture agrees with the reading)

I, Transition/point #2 from lecture

Furthermore, the (professor/teacher/instructor) bolsters the reading by stating

that (point #2 from the lecture)

II Detail for point #2 The (professor/teacher/instructor) claims that (detail for point #2 from the

lecture)

II Counterpoint from reading

This point agrees with the reading, which contends that (point #2 from the

reading)

The (point #2 from lecture) shows the truth of the reading because (how point

#2 agrees with the reading)

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I, Topic sentence

In conclusion, the points made in the lecture support the reading,

Tl Summary

(Points #1 and #2 from the lecture) demonstrate that (main idea of the reading)

is valid

Template #3: Using Specific Details and Examples to Show Whether You Agree or

Disagree

The second task on the TOEFL simply asks for your opinion on a matter The prompt will look some-

thing like the example shown below

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

(statement)

Use specific details and examples to support your answer

For the second task, we'll use the following template:

I Topic sentence/ paraphrase prompt

The issue at hand is (choice offered by the prompt)

II Interpret the prompt |

This issue is (important/difficult/ troubling) because (what is important/

difficult/troubling about the prompt)

Il State your thesis

I believe that (state your choice) is the better option because (reasons why you

I Transition/first reason

(Your choice of options) is preferable because (reason #1)

II Detail for reason #1

(Details about reason #1)

HI Tie reason #1 back to thesis

Because (details about reason #1), I think that (your choice) is superior to (the

L Transition/second reason

Additionally, (your choice) is better because (reason #2)

IL Detail for reason #2

Il Tie reason #2 back to thesis

Based on (details about reason #2), (your choice) is a better option than (the

other option)

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I Transition/third reason Finally, I think (your choice) is the right choice because (reason #3)

II Detail for reason #3

Ill Tie reason #3 back to thesis

I like (your choice) over (the other option) due to (details about reason #3)

I Transition/restate thesis

Ultimately, I feel that (your choice) is the correct one

Il Final statement

I believe this because (why you believe your choice is best)

In summary, familiarize yourself with these templates If you know exactly what your essay is

supposed to look like, you'll have an easier time writing

Step 2: OrGANIZE Your Essay

In the first step, we looked at how your essay should look Now we need to talk about what your essay will contain Before you start writing, spend about five minutes brainstorming examples and points

for your essay Failing to do so may lead you to write an essay that lacks focus and coherence

For the first task, you'll be presented with a short reading While reading, take notes on the main idea and some of the major facts presented Your notes do not have to be very detailed—you'll be able to refer back to the passage while you are writing It is important to know the general idea of

the reading, however, so that you can relate it the lecture

During the lecture, try to note the major points presented by the professor There will usually be

three to five points, and you won’t need all of them: Two or three points will be sufficient for the task

You will not be able to hear the lecture again, so it is important to remember some of the points

Try to organize your notes in the following way:

Reading

Main idea:

Example/reason:

Remember, if it’s too difficult to read and take notes, then do not attempt it The reading passage

will be available for reference while you write For the lecture, the main idea is generally opposite that of the reading, so don’t worry about noting that The examples offered in the lecture are the parts

you have to concentrate on During the lecture, try to organize your notes as follows:

Lecture

Point #1:

Detail #1:

Point #2:

Detail #2:

Point #3:

Detail #3:

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Even if you are unable to write down the details for the example, you'll need to try to remember

them so you can refer to them in your essay If you don’t mention specific points from the lecture,

you will receive a lower score

For the second task, it is very important that you come up with good reasons for your viewpoint

You need to tell the reader why you believe your opinion is better Here's a good way to organize

your thoughts

Issue:

Your opinion:

Why?

Reason #1:

Detail #1:, Reason #2:

Detail #2;

Reason #3:

Detail #3:

A Sample Response: A Well-Organized Essay

Let's look at a sample response for the second writing task Here's the prompt

The purpose of education should be to teach skills, not values

Support your position with details and examples

Before you st start writing, take time to organize First, write down what the issue is

Putting the statement into your own words or rephrasing it as a question is a helpful way to ap-

proach the prompt on, figure out which side of the issue you are on

Your opinion: Di

After figuring out your opinion, ask — why you have that opinion This information will

be useful for your introduction

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Your Turn: Practice Writing a Well-Organized Essay

Now it’s your turn to organize your thoughts on the prompt that follows

Students should be required to take regular standardized tests to prove that they are learning

Issue:

Your opinion:

Why?

Reason #1:

Detail #1:

Reason #2:

Detail #2:

Reason #3:

Detail #3:

Now try it again, and time yourself See if you can brainstorm some examples within five or six

minutes

The best way to teach is through example

Issue:

Your opinion:

Why?

Reason #1:

Detail #1:

Reason #2:

Detail #2:

Reason #3:

Detail #3:

Step 3: Consiper Your AUDIENCE

TOEFL graders are trained to look for certain features in your writing By ensuring that your essay contains these features, you'll improve your score Similarly, there are some elements to avoid in your writing Make sure your essay contains the following:

1, An introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion More details on these can be

found in Chapter 3, “Core Concept #3: Writing and Speaking on the TOEFL.”

2 Specific examples Your essay must absolutely use specific examples The more

detail you use, the better your essay will be

3 Transitions One of the things TOEFL graders look for in an essay is “unity and co-

herence.” That means that all the ideas are linked together with appropriate transi-

tions

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In addition, you'll want to avoid the following:

1 Repeating phrases from the reading or prompt word for word Always put the

examples and reasons into your own words Although repeating a word or two is

acceptable, you should never copy long phrases directly from the text on screen

TOEFL graders will penalize you for this

2 Writing an unbroken block of text Make sure you divide your essay into separate

paragraphs, Do nof just write a single paragraph

3, Including material not relevant to the task Your essay must remain on topic Do

not include any reasons or examples that do not connect or relate to the task

By keeping these points in mind, you'll ensure that your essay is well received by the graders of

the TOEFL

Step 4: Use Your Time Wisety |

If you had unlimited time, you would surely be able to achieve a top score on the Writing section

Unfortunately, your time on the TOEFL is extremely limited Thus, you must make sure to usé your

time wisely The following tables provide a good guide for how to spend your time:

Task #1; 20 minutes

Task #2: 30 minutes

2 minutes | Write your introduction

3 mimutes ' Proofread your essay to correct any mistakes

To stick to these guidelines, you'll have to know exactly what your essay is going to look like, Use

Now you're ready to try some practice writing drills

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Writing Practice Drills

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You’re now ready to crack the Writing section We've provided lined pages on which to write your responses, but it would be better to practice typing your answers on a computer because that’s how

you'll be doing it on the actual TOEFL test, Try the following practice prompts After you've finished, read through the sample essays in Chapter 16 to get an idea of what the TOEFL is looking for in the essay responses

WRITING PRACTICE DRILL #1

The first type of writing question will provide you with the following directions:

You will have 3 minutes to read the following passage You may take notes during your reading After the 3 minutes are up, you will hear a lecture on the topic You may take notes during the

lecture as well,

After the lecture ends, you will have 20 minutes to write your response An effective response

is generally 150 to 225 words long You may use your notes to help you answer, and you may

‘refer to the reading passage Your essay will be graded on the quality of your writing and on

the completeness of the content

Now let's look at a writing question On the actual test, you will hear a prompt to read a passage in

3 minutes For our purposes here, you will need to stop the audio to read the passage and either time yourself or ask a friend to time you with a stopwatch or some other timing device After 3 minutes, resume the audio for the listening passage

Begin playing Track 10 on the CD-ROM

Narrator: Now read the passage about the first grain-based food You have 3 minutes to read

the passage, Begin reading now

[Stop the CD-ROM for 3 minutes ]

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WRITING PRACTICE DRILLS MB 335

Tiêu đề	Template #1: casting doubt on a lecture
Thể loại	Template

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