IBT - first part of the writing section

English as a Second Language Preparation for and help with the TOEFL® Test and
1

Dear all,

I have some questions about the first part of the writing section of the IBT. During this part you have firstly to read a text, secondly you have to listen to a lecture and then you have to write a short essay according to the title you will be proposed. For this you have 20 min.

I have done a simulation of IBT with my CDs (Kaplan’s method).

The proposed title was:

“Summarize the problems with the core curriculum discussed in the lecture, and then explain the advantages to fixing these problems using points from the reading.”

If I only limit myself to “Summarize the problems” and to “explain the advantages” I really have not much to say! Both the text and the lecture were not focused on these two aspects but rather on the “solutions to the problems”!

My question: should I describe the “solutions” too?. I am afraid that if I don?t do so, my essay will be evaluated as too poor!

Or is such essay intended to measure my ability to extract the requested points only?

Thank you very much!
:slight_smile:

Alessandro

TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture by a professor of Comparative Religion

2

I think you can get the problems from the solutions to the problems. What they need to sovle is what they have troubles in.
About the advantages, I have no ideas 'cause I dunno what is said in the reading and listening.
Try to focus on what you’re being asked. It’s hard. I also tell myself to do so, but still have to learn this matter :slight_smile:

3

I have a question …the paragraph i have to read first, is going to be on the screen when i will write the essay?

4

Yes, they will always be on the left side of your screen when you begin to write.

5

Hello Alexzive,

The material which you see in Kaplan book is not in accordance with the TOEFL standards. I suggest that you should watch videos from Notefull.com. You can find them by searching Notefull.com on Youtube. Furthermore, I have some standard material that if you give me your email, I can send them to you.

6

Mohamed is right. His material that he has given to me is really helpful and completely resembles to the material " the official guide…" of ETS.