Writing #1
Reading Passage:
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.
Listening Transcript:
A lot of people are very excited about driverless cars, but most of the media attention and praise ignores the
problems with driverless cars. The author seems to believe that autonomous cars will cure all of our driving
troubles when nothing could be further from the truth.
Take the idea the driverless cars will be safer. Remember, all computer software is designed by humans, so any
type of automatic guidance system within driverless cars will be prone to error. For example, the driverless car
mentioned by the author, the one that drove over 700,000 miles without an accident, actually hit another car just
last month. It was all over the news because it makes everyone doubt just how safe driverless cars actually are.
And what about the idea that driverless cars will reduce pollution? Well, some studies suggest that more people
will begin to drive once driverless cars become available. Since people will no longer need a driver's license to get
behind the wheel, age restrictions for both young and old will no longer matter. More people will be on the road,
and it will increase the number of cars. Pollution levels may actually increase with driverless cars, even if they
drive in a more fuel-efficient manner.
As for the extra time the driverless cars are supposed to give us, well, that may not be such a benefit after all. You
see, most people nowadays find driving relaxing. They enjoy driving their cars while listening to music or talk
radio. It's a welcome distraction from the usual routine. Once people start to use driverless cars, it becomes
another space to do work or watch videos, which is how most people already spend most of their day. I'm afraid
that this extra time in driverless cars will just be another way to work or waste time.
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.
My writing answer:
Both the reading passage and the lecturer talk about predictions of impacts of self-driving car in the future. The reading passage gives 3 reasons why self driving cars would beneficial for all of us, but the professor challenges 2 of them then accepts the last one. Here are the explanations from the reading passage and the professor compared.
The reading passage emphasize that self-driving cars would provide us much more safer on the roads. This prediction based on the software that runs self-driving cars is not subject to making mistakes, moreover it gives the fact that one company has a self-driving car that has driven for over 700.000 miles without any accident, very astonishing numbers. However, the lecturer arguing this statement. According to him, since the software was made by human, which obviously prone to errors. Furthermore, he said about the fact that the specific self-driving car that mentioned on the reading passage, got a crash last month. It made everybody less confident to the technology.
Secondly, the reading passage argue that self driving cars would be so efficient in terms of fuel that used, thus would reduce pollution on our environemnt. According to the lecturer, the pollution issues would be worst because of self-driving cars. He explain that if self driving cars become so popular, there must be more cars on the road than before. It could be no restriction age who driving cars, the young and old people would use cars, hence the pollution will goes up.
Lastly, the point that the reading mention about it would be give us more productivity while driving. The professor seems agree with this point. Align with the reading passage, the professor believe self-driving cars would give us more time and focus on other things despite only driving. This extra time we gain on self-driving cars could be use for read, watch videos, or catch up on work.
To conclude, both the reading passage and the professor has their own arguments that seem reasonable.
ChatGPT Assessment, based on TOEFL iBT rubrics in scale out of 10 for each rubric (Delivery, Language Use, Topic Development), then give me better modified version of my answer (max 400 words):
Delivery: 8.5/10 - Your response is well-organized and mostly easy to follow. However, there are minor grammatical errors that sometimes impede comprehension.
Language Use: 7/10 - Your vocabulary usage is generally accurate, and you use some complex grammar structures. However, you make occasional mistakes with verb tense and word choice.
Topic Development: 8/10 - You show a solid understanding of the main points from both the reading passage and the lecture. However, the lecturer's point about the impact of self-driving cars on driving enjoyment was not addressed.
Modified Version:
Both the reading passage and the lecture discuss the potential implications of self-driving cars in the future. While the reading passage posits several benefits of this technology, the lecturer challenges these assertions.
The reading passage suggests that self-driving cars will enhance road safety, primarily due to their error-free software. It also cites a self-driving car that managed to traverse over 700,000 miles without an accident. Contrarily, the lecturer disputes this claim, stating that the software, being human-designed, is susceptible to mistakes. In support of this argument, he references a recent accident involving the very self-driving car that had previously achieved an impressive safety record, causing a dip in public trust.
Secondly, the reading passage proposes that self-driving cars will contribute to environmental conservation due to their fuel efficiency. The lecturer counters this, arguing that the advent of self-driving cars could lead to an increased number of vehicles on the road, as age-related driving restrictions may become obsolete. Consequently, this could elevate pollution levels, despite the cars' efficient driving methods.
Lastly, the reading passage states that self-driving cars will offer more productive time for occupants. However, the lecturer doesn't fully support this assertion, suggesting that driving is a relaxing activity for many people. Transitioning this experience into another workspace or video-watching zone could diminish the enjoyment currently associated with driving and potentially increase work-related stress.
In conclusion, the reading passage and the lecturer present compelling but conflicting perspectives on the future of self-driving cars. Both viewpoints provide valuable insights into this emerging technology's potential benefits and drawbacks.
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Writing #2
The question:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Our current way of life will have a negative impact on future generations.
My writing answer:
Assuming the meaning of way of life in the statement is our way to exploit earth’s resources, so I disagree with the statement. Even if we explore nature so massive like never done before, I believe it will not give negative impact on our future generations. My stance is based on these two following reasons.
Human knowledge, factfully very limited. Let say ten thousand years ago, human have not found fossil fuels yet they depend energy to animals, but since our development of technology, we can explore and use fossil fuels for many applications that give much more efficiencies. This is evidence that human knowledge is very limited, fortunately we keep give efforts to find another resource for our needs. The fact that human today exploit natural resources from earth massively, does not counter the fact that future generation would do their own way to find new resources.
Secondly, many initiatives has been done to create sustainable goods for human. Not only energy sources but also food. This is responsible actions of us that already exploit earth’s resources massively. One of the reason behind all kind of those initiatives are to preserve better future for our next generation, I believe we will succeed to doing it. I have a friend who do research on sustainable meat that created not from animals. The reason behind he doing this kind of research, is not because he does not like to eat meat, actually he is really meat-lover. In case he never like to eat meat, it is possible he never has attention to do this sustainable food research. His way of life lead him to be more alert about our future generations.
To conclude, even if it seems that our way of life would give negative impact to our future generation, actually it does not make sense for me. Because of our way of life that exploit earth resources massively, it led many initiatives to preserve better future for our next generations.
ChatGPT Assessment, based on TOEFL iBT rubrics in scale out of 10 for each rubric (Delivery, Language Use, Topic Development), then give me better modified version of my answer (max 400 words):
Delivery: 7/10 - Your essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, the argument could be better structured and more explicitly linked to the thesis statement.
Language Use: 6/10 - There are some instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect grammar. These instances are distracting and occasionally interfere with meaning.
Topic Development: 8/10 - You have provided reasons and examples to support your argument. The discussion about sustainable goods and a friend's research on sustainable meat gives your essay a personal and interesting touch.
Modified Version:
I interpret the phrase "way of life" in the statement to refer to our current approach of resource exploitation, and based on this interpretation, I disagree. Despite extensive resource use, I don't believe our actions will necessarily harm future generations. My stance is founded on two primary reasons.
Firstly, human knowledge is continually evolving. About ten thousand years ago, humans relied on animal energy because fossil fuels were yet to be discovered. However, with the advancement of technology, we learned to extract and utilize fossil fuels, improving efficiency. This historical context illustrates that our understanding and abilities are limited but ever-growing. Therefore, despite the extensive resource exploitation today, future generations will likely uncover new resources or methods to support their needs.
Secondly, humanity has already started working on sustainable alternatives. These initiatives are our responsible response to the current levels of resource exploitation, aiming to ensure a better future for subsequent generations. The development of sustainable food is an excellent example of such efforts. I have a friend researching sustainable, non-animal meat sources. He's a meat-lover, but his concern for future generations has inspired him to search for sustainable alternatives. His example demonstrates that our current way of life can, paradoxically, spur initiatives that help preserve a better future.
In conclusion, while it might appear that our extensive resource use could negatively impact future generations, I believe this isn't necessarily the case. Rather, our current practices could serve as catalysts for the development of sustainable alternatives and innovations, thus securing a brighter future for our successors.
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