TOEFL Lesson Notes 9th May 2009 (Cycle 2)

Resources
        ✓        Introduction Writing (Integrated) p.7 1
        ✓        Lesson 21: Notes & Planning p.24
        ✓        Lesson 22: Paraphrasing p.47
        ✓        Barron’s: Write the Integrated response p.79
        ✓        Barron’s: Practice Lecture 3+5. p.51

        ✓        DVD: Outlining
        ❑        Essay Writing
        ✓        Sample Essay
        
        ❑        Planning Practice

Attendees

Svetlana, Badr
Vocabulary

sound= “that’s a sound argument” that’s a good argument, one with a strong logic.
-antonym- unsound
Notes

task 1 - sample
Reading
P1: 2 types of tests: objective/subjective
P2: ST +pop.
                                                -higher understanding [1]         | yes it does, [1]

                                                -OT memorization skills [2]         | yes but...you need to memorise facts [2]
P3: ST teaches writing skills [3]                                                | yes but good writers may not know topic [3]
                                                +easier to make [4]                | yes but grading is longer [4]
                                                                                        | must grade all at the same time [4]
                                                                                        | OT easier to grade [4]
                                                                                        | conclusion: sometimes comb. is better [5]
Listening

structuring a response

1. Cite the reading
2. indicate the relationship
3. cite the listening

eg.
The author says that....
However the lecturer disagrees with this
According to him...

Structure for Task 1 when there only a couple of links

1. Introduction
   • topic x2
   • arguments and relationship
2. Reading: summary
3. Listening: summary
4. Conclusion
   • The link between the two sources is...

Task 1 -2nd example

The topic of the passage and the lecture is the implementation of office technology at work. While the passage focuses on disadvantages of the technology at work, the lecture highlights the advantages of investing into office technology.
According to the passage, office technology doesn’t always increase the productivity. In fact, it can have a lot of drawbacks on employee’s health. One example given is the pains we can have on the neck and back. Furthermore, employees tend to spend their break in front of their desks without having proper rest which affects their productivity. The writer goes on to suggest some solutions to resolve these problems one of them is taking frequent breaks and the other is to lunch away from the desk and to arrange the desk space.
On the other hand, the listening identifies the advantages of investing into office technology. It states that implementing new technology at work will eventually increase productivity despite the cost. One advantage of this is that tasks get done faster, for example by the use of a new photocopy machine. Another one is the cut in human resources which saves the company money. A final example of the benefit of new technology is the use of emails which allows faster communication and better cooperation between colleagues.
As we see the main link between the two sources is that they agree that technology can help with the productivity of staff in the workplace. However, only the reading source recognizes the risk involved with replying to heavily on new technology in the workplace.