TOEFL Integrated Writing Task 4

 Integrated Writing Task 4 without a sample.

Read the passage and underline the points that you feel may be important for responding to the question. Then, listen to the lecture on the same topic ( CD1, Track 3 “Collins. Skills for TOEFL IBT. Reading and Writing Click to listen). Make notes about the important points. 

Scientists have been testing vegetable oil as a source of fuel for cars since the early 1900s. However, some key factors indicate that vegetable oil is not an ideal source of fuel. 

First, using vegetable oil as fuel requires the installation of special equipment in a vehide, which can be quite costly. A person can expect to pay as much as $1,600 for basic equipment,-including a fuel tank, filters, fuel lines, and sensors. Also, when vegetable oil is used as fuel, impurities within the oil can cause the equipment to become dogged over time. These pieces of equipment must be fixed or replaced, which makes regular maintenance more expensive. 

Next, using vegetable oil as fuel for cars can be a complicated process. In order for the vehicle to function properly, the special equipment must be turned on when first starting the vehicle and turned off several minutes before stopping. The amount of detail required to use the equipment requires a high level of attention. 

Another issue is that using vegetable oil as fuel has the potential to reduce the availability of food crops. Most vegetable oil used for fuel comes from crops that are also used for food, such as corn and sunflowers. In regular production, it takes more than 400 sunflower plants to make just one gallon of sunflower oil. If this vegetable oil were to be used primarily for fuel, then the price of some foods that use the oil, such as french fries or salad dressings, could increase dramatically.

Notes:

Reading: Veg oil not good source of fuel (A)

I. Expensive

- Need to install special equip; costs up to $1,600

- Veg oil clogs; more to fix / replace equip

2. Complicated (B)

- Driver needs to turn on / off equipment at certain times; needs lots of attn

3. Reduce avail of food crops

- Veg oil comes from corn, sunflowers (food)

- 400 sf plants for 1 gallon of oil

- Food prices t (ex. french fries, salad dressing)

Lecture: Veg oil is good (C)

1. Equip pays for itself

- Avg miles / tank is 800-1,000 using veg fuel (500 mi for I tank of gas)

- Price of equip will as tech becomes more common

2. Not hard to use

- Becomes automatic

- Automatic converters in dev

3. Veg fuel is waste product (V)

- From factories and rests: used, no intrrptn to food supply

Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the points made in the reading passage.

Now fill in the template below to create your own sample essay.

Introduction: Main Topic from Reading Main Topic from Lecture

In the reading, the author says that __________________

The professor disagrees and shows that vegetable oil is a good source of fuel by _____________________________________________________________________

[Paragraph 2: Key Point 1 from Reading, Key Point 1 from Lecture, Support from Lecture)

First, the reading says that using vegetable oil as fuel is ___________________________

The professor rejects this point and says that___________________________________

[Paragraph 3: Key Point 2 from Reading Key Point 2 from Lecture, Support from Lecture]

Next, the reading claims that _______________________________________________

Again, the professor disagrees. According to the professor_________________________

[Paragraph 4: Key Point 3 from Reading Key Point 3 from Lecture, Support from Lecture]

The final point in the reading is that ____________________________________________

The professor disproves this point as well. She argues that__________________________

[Conclusion: Restatement of Introduction]

To summarize ____________________________________________________________