Free – Test #13 – Integrated Writing
Directions: For this task, you will read a passage and listen to a lecture about an academic topic.
You may take notes during this time. After the passages have finished, you will then be asked a question about them. After the question, you will have 20 minutes to write your response. Effective responses are usually between 200 to 350 words. You may look at the reading passage and your notes as you write. Keep in mind that the question will not ask for your opinion.
You have 3 minutes to read. You may begin reading now.
These days, if you pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV or radio, you may hear or read about the advantages of driverless cars, also called self-driving or autonomous cars. The technology is simple to understand: using sensors and computers, these cars can drive without input from a human. This might sound like science fiction, but such vehicles are already on our roads and they will have a positive impact on our driving experience.
Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the United States, and studies show that most crashes are caused by human error. The software that runs driverless cars is not capable of making mistakes. As a result, such vehicles will be much safer. One technology company has a self-driving car that has driven for over 700,000 miles – over one million kilometers – without an accident: a better record than all but the best human drivers.
In addition, self-driving vehicles are good for the environment because they drive more efficiently. On a typical journey within a city, drivers deal with urban traffic by stopping and starting their engines repeatedly. This type of driving means engines work less efficiently and this causes a lot of pollution. Driverless cars, on the other hand, can communicate with other vehicles, which will reduce traffic problems. Autonomous cars will be able to start and stop their engines less often and travel at higher speeds.
Finally, autonomous cars will give passengers time. Instead of having to focus on driving, human occupants can focus on other things. The average time for commuting to and from work in the United States is about thirty minutes each way. Instead of using this time to focus on the road, passengers in driverless cars can read, watch videos, or catch up on work.
Now listen to part of a lecture on the same topic you just read about.
After you listen to the passage, answer the question.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific points made in the reading passage.
You have 20 minutes to plan and write your response.
