Writing Based on Reading and Listening
You will read a passage about an academic topic. Then you will listen to a lecture about the same topic. You are permitted to take notes while you read and listen. You will be asked a question that relates to both the text and the listening. Your response should be 150-225 words.
Reading Passage
In an effort to encourage ecologically sustainable forestry practices, an international organization started issuing certifications to wood companies that meet high ecological standards by conserving resources and recycling materials. Companies that receive this certification can attract customers by advertising their products as "ecocertified." Around the world, many wood companies have adopted new, ecologically friendly practices in
order to receive ecocertification. However, it is unlikely that wood companies in the United States will do the same, for several reasons. First, American consumers are exposed to so much advertising that they would not
value or even pay attention to the ecocertification label. Because so many mediocre products are labeled "new" or "improved," American consumers do not place much trust in advertising claims in general. Second, ecocertified wood will be more expensive than uncertified wood because in order to earn ecocertification, a wood company must pay to have its business examined by a certification agency. This additional cost gets passed on to consumers. American consumers tend to be strongly motivated by price, and therefore they are likely to choose cheaper uncertified wood products. Accordingly, American wood companies will prefer to keep their prices low rather than obtain ecocertification. Third, although some people claim that it always makes good business sense for American companies to keep up with the developments in the rest of the world, this argument is not convincing. Pursuing certification would make sense for American wood companies only if they marketed most of their products abroad. But that is not the case—American wood businesses sell most of their products in the United States, catering to a very large customer base that is satisfied with the merchandise.
Next you will listen to part of a lecture on the same subject.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, comparing how they relate to the points made in the reading passage.
Integrated Task Checklist | |
|---|---|
Do I have full sentences? |
|
Do I use complex-compound sentences? |
|
| Do I have correct punctuation and spelling? |
|
Does my work mention details from both the reading and the listening passages? |
|
Does my work include correct reference/referent construction? |  |
| Do I use correct conjunctions and conjunctive adverbials? |
|
Do I use proper and correct English words? | |
| Am I using Spanish words? | |
Do I use correct grammatical structures that I am comfortable with? |
|
Does my writing have between 150 to 225 words? |
|
Writing Based on Knowledge and Experience
This section of the test asks you questions about common experiences. You will be asked to give your opinion and provide reasons and examples. You will not be required to have any previous knowledge on a topic. You will have 30 minutes to prepare an essay in response to the question provided.
Question:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Some people think that parents should plan their children’s leisure time carefully. Other people believe those children should decide for themselves how to spend their free time.
Which idea do you agree with?
Give reasons for your choice.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Essay Checklist | |
|---|---|
Do I have an introductory sentence? |
|
Do I have a thesis? |
|
Does my introduction state the topics I plan to cover? |
|
Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? |
|
Do I use examples and reasons to support my points? |
|
Are my spelling and punctuation correct? |
|
Do I use a variety of grammatical structures that I am comfortable with? |
|
| Do I use complex-compound sentences? | |
Do I use transitional phrases? |
|
Have I covered both sides of an issue fairly? |
|
Did I prove my thesis? |
|
Does my conclusion end with an interesting thought or idea? |
|
