TOEFL Task 1: The Reading-Listening-Writing Integrated Task (ETS)

The lecturer talks about the research conducted by a firm that used the group system to handle their work. He says that the theory stated in the passage was very different and somewhat inaccurate when compared to what happened for real.

First, some members got free rides. That is, some didn't work hard but got recognition for the success nonetheless. This also indicated that people who worked hard was not given recognition they should have got. In other words, they weren't given the opportunity to shine.  This directly contradicts what the passage indicates. 

Second, groups were slow slow in progress. The passage says that the groups are not responsive that individuals in decision making. Groups need more time for meetings, which are necessary procedures in decision making. This was another part of contradicted theory.

Third, if influential people are going in the right direction, there would be no problem. But in cases where they go in the wrong direction, there is nobody that has enough influence to counter the decision made. In other words, the group might turn into a dictator ship, with the influential party as the leader, and might be less flexible in thinking. They might become one-sided and thus fail to succeed.

(word count: 208)

RETRIEVED BY https://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/ibt_writing_sample_responses.pdf