TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing Task
Venus

Complete test 1 reading passage
Main idea: Characteristics of Venus
MP 1: --- Ven. v. bright (morning star, evening star) because....       
                -- close to earth
MP2: --- Ven. v. bright  because.... 
                -- covered in clouds, reflects sunlight
MP3: --- Venus very hot 900F
                -- space probes amazing info .... (most probes fail, only 1 could send info)
                -- clouds sulphuric acid
                -- clouds never let in sunshine
                           BUT
                -- Ven. very hot 900F

Complete test 1 listening passage
Main idea: surprising heat on Venus
MP 1: --- scientists surprised because...
               -- sunlight reflected back, so should be cold
               -- Venus further from Sun then Mercury, but hotter than Merc.    
MP2: --- scientists think maybe...
               -- Ven. dense atmosphere CO2
               -- dense atmosphere traps any heat that gets below it


Example  essays
In this set of materials the reading passage discusses some characteristics of the planet Venus, and the listening passage offers an explanation for one of these characteristics, a characteristic which is rather surprising.

In the reading passage, certain facts about the planet Venus are described. The first of these is that Venus is known as the morning or evening star because it shines very brightly at these times. There are two reasons why it shines so brightly. The first is that it is very close to the Earth, the nearest of all the planets in fact. The other is that it is covered in thick clouds which act like a mirror and reflect the rays of the sun back into space. Another very surprising characteristic of Venus is that it is extremely hot. Although most space probes to Venus have failed, one did send back some information to earth. This told scientists that the clouds of Venus were composed of sulphuric acid, and the surface was around 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

The listening passage provides us with a possible explanation for the most surprising of Venus's characteristics, the very high level of heat on the planet. Although we would expect the planet to be cool because of the reflective nature of the clouds that cover it, it is actually very hot. Also, though it is further from the Sun than Mercury, it is much hotter than that planet. Scientist suggest that this unexpected heat may be the result of Venus's dense atmosphere, which is composed of carbon dioxide and traps any heat that actually makes it through to the surface of the planet. (272 words)


In this set of materials the reading passage discusses some characteristics of the planet Venus, and the listening passage offers an explanation for one of these characteristics, a characteristic which is rather surprising.

In the reading passage, certain facts about the planet Venus are described. The first of these is that Venus is known as the morning or evening star because it shines very brightly at these times. There are two reasons why it shines so brightly. The first is that it is very close to the Earth, the nearest of all the planets in fact. The other is that it is covered in thick clouds which act like a mirror and reflect the rays of the sun back into space. Another very surprising characteristic of Venus is that it is extremely hot.

The listening passage provides us with a possible explanation for the most surprising of Venus's characteristics, the very high level of heat on the planet. Although we would expect the planet to be cool because of the reflective nature of the clouds that cover it, it is actually very hot. Also, though it is further from the Sun than Mercury, it is much hotter than that planet. Scientist suggest that this unexpected heat may be the result of Venus's dense atmosphere, which is composed of carbon dioxide and traps any heat that actually makes it through to the surface of the planet. (239 words)