Mar 27, · The first of the GRE sample essays we’ll be looking at is written in response to the following “Analyze an Issue” prompt: As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely blogger.comted Reading Time: 13 mins The sample essays that follow were written in response to the prompt that appears below. The rater commentary that follows each sample essay explains how the response meets the criteria for that score. For a more complete understanding of the criteria Analytical Writing Sample Essays with Reader Commentaries The Analytical Writing portion of the GRE® test consists of two writing topics, an Issue topic and an Argument topic. This document contains the writing topics for Practice Test 2, the scoring guides for each section, and sample responses with commentaries for each blogger.com Size: 1MB
4 Top-Scoring GRE Sample Essays, Analyzed (Issue + Argument) • PrepScholar GRE
The sample essays that follow were written in response to the prompt that appears below. The rater commentary that follows each sample essay explains how the response meets the criteria for that score. For a more complete understanding of the criteria for each score point, see the "Analyze an Argument" Scoring Guide. In surveys Mason City residents rank example gre essay responses sports swimming, example gre essay responses, boating and fishing among their favorite recreational activities.
The Mason River flowing through the city is rarely used for these pursuits, however, example gre essay responses, and the city park department devotes little of its budget to maintaining riverside example gre essay responses facilities, example gre essay responses.
For years there have been complaints from residents about the quality of the river's water and the river's smell. In response, the state has recently announced plans to clean up Mason River. Use of the river for water sports is therefore sure to increase. The city government should for that reason devote more money in this year's budget to riverside recreational facilities.
Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what example gre essay responses implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted. Note: All responses are reproduced exactly as written, including errors, misspellings, etc. While it may be true that the Mason City government ought to devote more money to riverside recreational facilities, this author's argument does not make a cogent case for increased resources based on river use, example gre essay responses.
It is easy to understand why city residents would want a cleaner river, but this argument is rife with holes and assumptions, and thus, not strong example gre essay responses to lead to increased funding. Citing surveys of city residents, the author reports city resident's love of water sports.
It is not clear, however, the scope and validity of that survey. Example gre essay responses example, the survey could have asked residents if they prefer using the river for water sports or would like to see a hydroelectric dam built, which may have swayed residents toward river sports.
The sample may not have been representative of city residents, asking only those residents who live upon the river. The survey may have been 10 pages long, with 2 questions dedicated to river sports. We just do not know. Unless the survey is fully representative, valid, and reliable, it can not be used to effectively back the author's argument. Additionally, the author implies that residents do not use the river for swimming, boating, example gre essay responses, and fishing, despite their professed interest, because the water is polluted and smelly.
While a polluted, smelly river would likely cut down on river sports, a concrete connection between the resident's lack of river use and the river's current example gre essay responses is example gre essay responses effectively made. Though there have been complaints, we do not know if there have been numerous complaints from a wide range of people, or perhaps from one or two individuals who made numerous complaints.
Building upon the implication that residents do not use the river due to the example gre essay responses of the river's water and the smell, the author suggests that a river clean up will result in increased river usage. If the river's water quality and smell result from problems which can be cleaned, this may be true.
For example, example gre essay responses, if the decreased water quality and aroma is caused by pollution by factories along the river, this conceivably could be remedied. But if the quality and aroma results from the natural mineral deposits in the water or surrounding rock, this may not be true. There are some bodies of water which emit a strong smell of sulphur due to the geography of the area.
This is not something likely to be afffected by a clean-up. Consequently, a river clean up may have no impact upon river usage. Regardless of whether the river's quality is able to be improved or not, the author does not effectively show a connection between water quality and river usage.
A clean, beautiful, safe river often adds to a city's property values, leads to increased tourism and revenue from those who come to take advantage of the river, and a better overall quality of life for residents.
For these reasons, city government may decide to invest in improving riverside recreational facilities. However, this author's argument is not likely significantly persuade the city goverment to allocate increased funding. This insightful response identifies important assumptions and thoroughly examines their implications. The essay shows that the proposal to spend more on riverside recreational facilities rests on three questionable assumptions, namely:.
By showing that each assumption is highly suspect, this essay demonstrates the weakness of the entire argument. For example, paragraph 2 points out that the survey might not have used a representative sample, might have offered limited choices, and might have contained very few questions on water sports, example gre essay responses. Paragraph 3 examines the tenuous connection between complaints and limited use of the river for recreation.
Complaints about water quality and odor may be coming from only a few people and, even if example gre essay responses complaints are numerous, other completely different factors may be much more significant in reducing river usage. Finally, paragraph 4 explains that certain geologic features example gre essay responses prevent effective river clean-up, example gre essay responses. Details such as these provide compelling support.
In addition, careful organization ensures that each new point builds upon the previous ones. For example, note the clear transitions at the beginning of paragraphs 3 and 4, as well as the logical sequence of sentences within paragraphs specifically paragraph 4.
Although this essay does contain minor example gre essay responses, it still conveys ideas fluently. Note the effective word choices e. assumptions" and "may have swayed residents". In addition, sentences are not merely varied; they also display skillful embedding of subordinate elements. Since this response offers cogent examination of the argument and conveys meaning skillfully, it earns a score of 6.
The author of this proposal to increase the budget for Mason City riverside recreational facilities offers an interesting argument but to move forward on the proposal would definitely require more information and thought, example gre essay responses.
While the correlations stated are logical and probable, there may be hidden factors that prevent the City from diverting resources to this project. For example, consider the survey rankings among Mason City residents. The thought is that such high regard for water sports will translate into usage. But, survey responses can hardly be used as indicators of actual behavior. Many surveys conducted after the winter holidays reveal people who list exercise example gre essay responses weight loss as a top priority.
Yet every profession does not equal a new gym membership. Even the wording of the survey results remain ambiguous and vague. While water sports may be among the residents' favorite activities, this allows for many other favorites.
What remains unknown is the priorities example gre essay responses the general public, example gre essay responses. Do they favor these water sports above a softball field or soccer field? Are they willing to sacrifice the municipal golf course for better riverside facilities? Indeed the survey hardly provides enough information to discern future use of improved facilities.
Closely linked to the surveys is the bold assumption that a cleaner river will result in increased usage. While it is not illogical to expect some increase, at what level will people begin to use the river? The answer to this question requires a survey to find out the reasons our residents use or do not use the river.
Is river water quality the primary limiting factor to usage or the lack of docks and piers? Are people more interested in water sports than the recreational activities that they are already engaged in? These questions will help the city government forecast how much river usage will increase and to assign a proportional increase to the budget. Likewise, the author is optimistic regarding the state promise to clean the river.
We need to hear the source of the voices and consider any ulterior motives. Is this a campaign year and the plans a campaign promise from the state representative? What is the timeline for the clean-up effort? Will the state fully fund this project? We can imagine the misuse of funds in renovating the riverside facilities only to watch the new buildings fall into dilapidation while the state drags the river clean-up.
Last, the author does not consider where these additional funds will be diverted from. The current budget situation must be assessed to determine if this increase can be afforded. In a sense, the City may not be willing to draw money away from other key projects from road improvements to schools and education. The author naively assumes that the money can simply appear without forethought on where it will come from. Examining all the various angles and factors involved with improving riverside recreational facilities, the argument does not justify increasing the budget.
While the proposal does highlight a possibility, more information is required to warrant any action. Each paragraph in the body of this perceptive essay identifies and examines an unstated assumption that is crucial to the argument. The major assumptions discussed are:. Support within each paragraph is both thoughtful and thorough. For example, paragraph 2 points out vagueness in the wording of the survey: Even if water sports rank among the favorite recreational activities of Mason City residents, other sports may still be much more popular.
Thus, if the first assumption proves unwarranted, the argument to fund riverside example gre essay responses — rather than soccer fields or golf courses — becomes much weaker. Paragraph 4 considers several reasons why river clean-up plans may not be successful the plans may be nothing more than campaign promises or funding may not be adequate. Thus, the weakness of the third assumption undermines the argument that river recreation will increase and riverside improvements will be needed at all.
Instead of dismissing each assumption in isolation, this response places them in a logical order and considers their connections. Note the appropriate transitions between and within paragraphs, clarifying the links among the assumptions e. Along with strong development, this response also displays facility with language.
Minor errors in punctuation are present, but word choices are apt and sentences suitably varied in pattern and length. The response uses a number example gre essay responses rhetorical questions, but the implied answers are always clear enough to support the points being made. Thus, the response satisfies all requirements for a score of 5, but its development is not thorough or compelling enough for a 6, example gre essay responses.
The problem with the arguement is the assumption that if the Mason River were cleaned up, that people would use it for water sports and recreation. This is not necessarily true, as people may rank water sports among their favorite recreational activities, but that does not mean that those same people have the financial ability, time or equipment to pursue those interests, example gre essay responses.
However, even if the writer of the arguement is correct in assuming that the Mason River will be used more by the city's residents, the arguement does not say why the recreational facilities need more money. If recreational facilities already exist along the Mason River, why should the city allot more money to fund them? If the recreational facilities already in existence will be used more in the coming years, then they will be making more money for themselves, eliminating the need for the city government to devote more money to them.
According to the arguement, the reason people are not using the Mason River for water sports is because of the smell and the quality of water, not because the recreational facilities are unacceptable.
Fantastic example of a high-scoring (5.0 or 6.0) GRE argument essay
, time: 16:08GRE Essay Sample Prompts - Manhattan Prep GRE Blog
Mar 27, · The first of the GRE sample essays we’ll be looking at is written in response to the following “Analyze an Issue” prompt: As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely blogger.comted Reading Time: 13 mins The sample essays that follow were written in response to the prompt that appears below. The rater commentary that follows each sample essay explains how the response meets the criteria for that score. For a more complete understanding of the criteria Analytical Writing Sample Essays with Reader Commentaries The Analytical Writing portion of the GRE® test consists of two writing topics, an Issue topic and an Argument topic. This document contains the writing topics for Practice Test 2, the scoring guides for each section, and sample responses with commentaries for each blogger.com Size: 1MB
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