The Writing section tests your ability to write essays in English similar to those that you would write in college courses.

INTEGRATED ESSAY "SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE"
First, read the passage on pages 314-315 and take notes,
Model Test 3, Writing Section, Audio-06, Track 2
Narrator: Now listen to a lecture on the same topic as the passage that you have just read.
Professor:
There was only a small reference in your textbook to the Sydney Opera House, so let me make a few
more remarks about it. Personally, I think it’s the masterwork of architecture in the modern period for
any number of reasons, but primarily because it’s totally unique. 1 mean it doesn’t really fit into any
category. Sure, it’s modern, but it isn’t really part of that whole International School that was so popular at
the time. Although he did take advantage of advances in structural engineering and the newer materials
that had replaced masonry in the International Style buildings, and yes, even the clean geometric lines
that were stripped of the ornamentation of an earlier period, but the Opera House isn’t strictly
International because it’s so imaginative and the shape completely breaks out of the skyscraper mold
associated with the International Style. So is it an example of Organic architecture then? Again, I would say
not. True, it has elements of the Organic School, which makes sense because Utson worked under the
supervision of Frank Lloyd Wright for a time and there’s no doubt that the design fits into the
surrounding environment. It’s a ship in the harbor. But then, the function that Wright insisted upon didn’t dictate
the form as much as the aesthetic shape. The purpose of the sails is to please the eye, not to contribute
to the function of the spaces inside them. There’s the High Tech aspect of the project that pointed the
way for architects and engineers to collaborate in the creation of fantastic structures. So in that sense,
it’s a creature of the computer age, and might be considered part of the High Tech revolution among
architects. But no. It’s a blend of art and architecture, engineering and technology. It’s one of the most
widely recognized buildings in the world, and is still considered one of the most extraordinary and
beautiful structures built in the twentieth century. I simply cannot categorize it as representative of any one
school of architecture. To me, the Sydney Opera House is one of a kind.
    Example Answers and Checklists for Speaking and Writing
    Model Test 3, Example Answers, Audio-06, Track 3
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INDEPENDENT SPEAKING QUESTION 1 "A PRIZED POSSESSION"
    My most prized possession is my good reputation. My grandfather taught me to value it above material
things. When I was a child, I was attracted to my grandfather’s watch, and he explained that if the watch
failed to keep accurate time, he’d get a new watch. Later, I begged to drive my grandfather’s car
because it was a much better car than my parents had. He let me drive it occasionally, and he always
asked me to be careful. He also made me understand that the car could be replaced but...but I could
never be replaced. And he told me that his most prized possession was his good reputation and that
was why he had good friends and a successful business... I’d like to be like my grandfather someday
so that’s why I need to guard my reputation as my most prized possession.
    Checklist 1
    The talk answers the topic question.
    The point of view or position is clear.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the main idea.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    There are only minor errors in grammar.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INDEPENDENT SPEAKING QUESTION 2 "CLIMATE"
    I’ve lived in a place with a warm climate all year for most of my life, but one year my family moved to England where the seasons change. I thought it was a beautiful place, and I enjoyed the experience, but I was glad to be home again. In the fall, we don’t have to rake leaves; in the winter, we don’t have to shovel snow; and in the spring, we don’t have to drive in the rain. So a warm climate is a lot less work. And I can wear the same clothes all year in a warm climate, but in a place where the seasons change, you can’t. I remember putting my coats and heavy clothes away when the weather got warmer in England. Best of all, I’d like to see the sun shine every day. So, maybe I’m just used to a warm climate, but for now, that’s my choice.
    Checklist 2
    The talk answers the topic question.
    The point of view or position is clear.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the main idea.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    There are only minor errors in grammar.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 3 "WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES"
    The woman thinks that the eligibility requirement for a 100 percent refund after the second week of classes should be changed. Right now, to qualify, you have to show documentation of serious illness, injury, death of a family member, or military duty. She points out that there could be a case when a student’s family might need help but, uh, the.., the circumstances would not be covered by the policy. Um, she suggests that there should be a way .to petition for full reimbursement by explaining the situation, and, uh, each case should be decided based on the circumstances, not on such a limited number of possibilities. So... her solution to the problem would be to add the option of petitioning for full refund... by explaining the reason for requesting an exception.
    Checklist 3
    The talk summarizes the situation and opinion.
    The point of view or position is clear.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the opinion.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    Errors in grammar are minor.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 4 "BALLADS"
    A ballad is, and I am quoting here, "a poem that tells a story and is sung to music." Characteristic of most ballads is the rhyming of the second and fourth lines. And usually ballads are part of an oral tradition, which, uh, it means that over the years, the song is revised as it’s passed down from one musician to another. Some popular ballads have been written down and uh, assigned a... assigned a number in a reference book by... Child. Now, "Barbara Allen" is classified as a ballad because it tells a story about lovers who were not united in life but are joined symbolically in death by the rose and the thorn on their graves. The second and fourth lines of the song rhyme, and many versions of it are found around the world. One version is listed in the Child reference as number 84. So you see, "Barbara Allen" is not only a ballad. It’s a very popular one.
    Checklist 4
    The talk relates an example to a concept.
    Inaccuracies in the content are minor.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the opinion.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    The speaker paraphrases in his/her own words.
    The speaker credits the lecturer with wording.
    Errors in grammar are minor.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 5 "THE ASSIGNMENT"
    The woman’s problem is that she doesn’t understand the assignment in her history class. She knows that she’s supposed to write a paper, but she isn’t sure what the professor wants her to do. Um... her friend suggests that she ask about the requirements for the paper in her class next week, but she’s concerned that the professor will be offended because he’s already explained it once. His other recommendation is to make an appointment to talk about the topic for her paper because, during the consultation, she could ask questions. I think the woman should make an appointment to see the professor in his office as soon as possible so she’ll have more time to work on the paper after she understands the assignment better. I also think it’d be best to be direct about asking how to complete the requirement because most professors are willing to help students who show an interest in the class.
    Checklist 5
    The talk summarizes the problem and recommendations.
    The speaker’s point of view or position is clear.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the opinion.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    Errors in grammar are minor.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE ANSWER FOR INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 6 "ULTRASOUND"
    Ultrasound is like sonar because it sends out ultrasonic, uh, ultrasonic pulses, and then it picks up the reflections of the pulses. In the case of ultrasound, a crystal creates sound waves at such a high frequency that you can’t hear them, but when the device that transmits the waves is placed on some part of your body, it sends the waves inside to the part that’s being tested, and the organs reflect the sound waves. So that informs the doctor if you have anything suspicious there. Um, ultrasound is very useful in locating cancer and other growths, but it’s also used in prenatal care to examine the baby in the months before it’s born. In fact, it’s fairly standard to produce images of babies to check their patterns of growth, using ultrasound. So ultrasound is very useful for medical diagnosis because it can provide accurate information without surgery or surgical procedures.
    Checklist 6
    The talk summarizes a short lecture.
    Inaccuracies in the content are minor.
    The talk is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the opinion.
    The speaker expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    The speaker paraphrases in his/her own words.
    The speaker credits the lecturer with wording.
    Errors in grammar are minor.
    The talk is within a range of 125-150 words.
    EXAMPLE RESPONSE FOR INTEGRATED ESSAY "SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE"
    Outline
    Sydney Opera House
    Describe
    ?Danish architect—Jorn Utzon
    ?Plan
    Sculpture—sailing ship
    Curved roof
    17 yrs
    Explain—why unique—no representative arch. movement
    ?International School
    modern geometrical lines
    prestressed concrete
    structure not typical skyscraper
    Organic arch
    fits environment
    not functional—more artistic
    High Tech
    roof design
    Multiple influences
    Map
    Checklist for Integrated Essay
    The essay answers the topic question.
    Inaccuracies in the content are minor.
    The essay is direct and well-organized.
    The sentences are logically connected.
    Details and examples support the main idea.
    The writer expresses complete thoughts.
    The meaning is easy to comprehend.
    A wide range of vocabulary is used.
    The writer paraphrases in his/her own words.
    The writer credits the author with wording.
    Errors in grammar and idioms are minor.
    The essay is within a range of 150-225 words.
    EXAMPLE RESPONSE FOR INDEPENDENT ESSAY "COLLEGE YEARS"
    Outline
    College years not best
    Stress
    Decisions—career, job, marriage
    Competition
    Dependence
    Family
    Debts
    The best is yet to be
    Map