GRE作文6分教学博客

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

nwpuheqiao 发表于 2015-8-4 21:39
老师好~我还有一个月，打算全力准备写作，时间紧，正在研读您的帖子。
我看55楼帖子最后一种题型的范例有 ...

差不多就是你说的那个意思  
whereas 这个词用得不好 我改了

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Arctic deer live on islands in Canada's arctic regions.

They search for food by moving over ice from island to island during the course of the year.

Their habitat is limited to areas warm enough to sustain the plants on which they feed and cold enough, at least some of the year, for the ice to cover the sea separating the islands, allowing the deer to travel over it.

Unfortunately, according to reports from local hunters, the deer populations are declining.

Since these reports coincide with recent global warming trends that have caused the sea ice to melt, we can conclude that the purported decline in deer populations is the result of the deer's being unable to follow their age-old migration patterns across the frozen sea.



P1: more evidence about the accuracy of the hunters’ reports
- whether the hunters had scared away the deer with their guns
- whether the hunters had visited the area in a particular point in time when the deer were less active
- how many hunters had reported the deer population; the number was small- less reliable

P2: more evidence about the sea ice in arctic region  
- whether the sea ice in arctic region had melted (global warming trend does not mean local warming)
- whether more food was available near the habitat due to the climate change (then no need to travel)  

P3: evidence that may provide other explanations for the decline of deer population
- any pollution that may threaten the deer population
- overhunting  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Fifteen years ago, Omega University implemented a new procedure that encouraged students to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of all their professors.

Since that time, Omega professors have begun to assign higher grades in their classes, and overall student grade averages at Omega have risen by 30 percent.

Potential employers, looking at this dramatic rise in grades, believe that grades at Omega are inflated and do not accurately reflect student achievement; as a result, Omega graduates have not been as successful at getting jobs as have graduates from nearby Alpha University.

To enable its graduates to secure better jobs, Omega University should terminate student evaluation of professors.

need more information to determine the reason why the professors assign higher grades
- maybe the evaluation scheme has improved the quality of teaching and learning

need more evidence to decide if the employers are correct about grade inflation
- maybe the grades have been correct; the employers need more information and education


need more information about why Omega graduates are less employable than their counterparts from Alpha
- maybe the majors do not match
- Alpha graduates have better alumni network or internship opportunities
- or Alpha university is more prestigious  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

In an attempt to improve highway safety, Prunty County last year lowered its speed limit from 55 to 45 miles per hour on all county highways.

But this effort has failed: the number of accidents has not decreased, and, based on reports by the highway patrol, many drivers are exceeding the speed limit.

Prunty County should instead undertake the same kind of road improvement project that Butler County completed five years ago: increasing lane widths, resurfacing rough highways, and improving visibility at dangerous intersections.

Today, major Butler County roads still have a 55 mph speed limit, yet there were 25 percent fewer reported accidents in Butler County this past year than there were five years ago.

the reason why many drivers exceed the speed limit  
- whether the drivers are fully informed about the change
- whether the fines and other punishments for speeding were efficient  

the reason why Butler County had fewer accidents
- maybe fewer cars were on the road due to the receding economy
- a driver education program has worked

whether the proposed road improvement would reduce the accidents in Prunty
- the road condition in Prunty
- the causes of accidents in Prunty (related to poor road condition or  not)  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Commuters complain that increased rush-hour traffic on Blue Highway between the suburbs and the city center has doubled their commuting time.

The favored proposal of the motorists' lobby is to widen the highway, adding an additional lane of traffic.

But last year's addition of a lane to the nearby Green Highway was followed by a worsening of traffic jams on it.

A better alternative is to add a bicycle lane to Blue Highway.

Many area residents are keen bicyclists.

A bicycle lane would encourage them to use bicycles to commute, and so would reduce rush-hour traffic rather than fostering an increase.
  

the reason why the traffic jam worsened in Green Highway and whether history would repeat itself in Blue Highway
- maybe drivers switched to Green from other highways after the widening
- more people use Green due to the booming economy of a town connected by Green
- whether the same things would happen to Blue Highway

whether it is feasible to commute by bikes
- it may not be healthy to bike due to the heavy air/ noise pollution caused by the cars
- it may be too exhausting to bike over long distance

whether the residents are willing to commute by bikes
- not all residents own bikes (they may be unwilling to buy new bikes)
- they’d like to bike for exercises (not for commuting)
- they already own cars/ they do not want to waste the cars
- they need the car at work  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of Parson City's local newspaper.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

In our region of Trillura, the majority of money spent on the schools that most students attend - the city-run public schools - comes from taxes that each city government collects.

The region's cities differ, however, in the budgetary priority they give to public education.

For example, both as a proportion of its overall tax revenues and in absolute terms, Parson City has recently spent almost twice as much per year as Blue City has for its public schools - even though both cities have about the same number of residents.

Clearly, Parson City residents place a higher value on providing a good education in public schools than Blue City residents do.

Conclusion: Parson City residents value good public school education more than Blue city
residents

information about the spending records in the past 10 years
- maybe Parson spent much less in the past but increased its spending only more recently
- the money spent by Parson was for infrastructure that would not be recurrent (the expense will decrease once the projects are completed)

information about spending per student and spending per teacher
- maybe the demographic structures of the two cities are different
- Blue may spend more money per student  

to what extent the quality of education depends on the amount of money
- maybe Blue’s funding is sufficient; extra money may not be helpful
- other factors may be more relevant; parents’ participation in PTA; libraries and other facilities for students

to what extent the residents could influence how money is spent
- maybe the residents are not heavily involved in negotiating the budgets

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a memorandum from the planning department of an electric power company.

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Several recent surveys indicate that home owners are increasingly eager to conserve energy.

At the same time, manufacturers are now marketing many home appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, that are almost twice as energy efficient as those sold a decade ago.

Also, new technologies for better home insulation and passive solar heating are readily available to reduce the energy needed for home heating.

Therefore, the total demand for electricity in our area will not increase - and may decline slightly.

Since our three electric generating plants in operation for the past twenty years have always met our needs, construction of new generating plants will not be necessary.

assumption 1: the survey results could accurately predict the decisions made by the homeowners
- people may say one thing in the survey but behave differently when making decisions
- they may pay lip service to environmental protection
- other factor such as disposable income and prices of the appliances would be relevant

assumption 2: the new home appliances are attractive enough for the homeowners
- twice efficient than a decade ago- but what about the appliances bought last year
- the new home appliances are affordable
- willingness to buy new appliances

assumption 3: the new technologies for heating would be widely adopted and good enough to save energy
- maybe these technologies are too expensive
- maybe the homeowners do not want to try the new technologies (do not know enough)
- maybe the weather would be very cold and electric heaters are still needed

assumption 4: only home residents need electricity
- what about the office buildings and the shopping malls
- what about the manufacturing factories
- what about the subway system  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

36) The following report appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council.
An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds represent the most frequently given reason for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid—a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil—as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism.
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

The reasons why East Meria people saw doctors for treating colds infrequently
- maybe the people there cannot afford seeing the doctor and take some OTC medicine for colds (track the sales of OTC medicine for colds)
- perhaps there are fewer children and elderly people vulnerable to colds in EM
- maybe EM people exercise more or take vitamin C everyday


The real causes of absences from school and work  
- whether medical certificates have been produced for the absences
- the attitudes of students towards learning in school
- the motivation levels of workers and the working conditions/ compensation in WM

The effects of taking Ichthaid on a daily basis relative to eating fish
- fish as a healthy substitute of pork and beef
- the direct effects of Ichthaid on preventing cold (control experiment)
- the potential harm of overdosage of Ichthaid  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a recommendation from the planning department of the city of Transopolis.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Ten years ago, as part of a comprehensive urban renewal program, the city of Transopolis adapted for industrial use a large area of severely substandard housing near the freeway.

Subsequently, several factories were constructed there, crime rates in the area declined, and property tax revenues for the entire city increased.

To further revitalize the city, we should now take similar action in a declining residential area on the opposite side of the city.

Since some houses and apartments in existing nearby neighborhoods are currently unoccupied, alternate housing for those displaced by this action will be readily available.

  

- Whether the investors would be interested in building factories in the new area  
   - suitable manufacturing projects (market with strong demand for the products)
   - supply of inexpensive skilled labor  
   - safe environment for operating factories

- other reasons why crime rates declined and property tax revenue increased
    - maybe a new police chief was assigned to improve the efficiency of the police  
    - the installation of surveillance cameras
    - funded NGO projects to engage the youth at risk  

- whether the unoccupied houses and apartment could accommodate the displaced residents
   - whether the residents are willing to relocate
   - the ownership of the houses and apartment
   - the conditions of the houses and apartment and the cost of renovation  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

38) The following appeared in a memo from the new vice president of Sartorian, a company that manufactures men's clothing.
Five years ago, at a time when we had difficulties in obtaining reliable supplies of high quality wool fabric, we discontinued production of our alpaca overcoat. Now that we have a new fabric supplier, we should resume production. This coat should sell very well: since we have not offered an alpaca overcoat for five years and since our major competitor no longer makes an alpaca overcoat, there will be pent-up customer demand. Also, since the price of most types of clothing has increased in each of the past five years, customers should be willing to pay significantly higher prices for alpaca overcoats than they did five years ago, and our company profits will increase.
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

the demand for alpaca coat
- the reason why competitors do not produce alpaca overcoat (maybe the customers are less interested)
- the availability of close substitute (the prices, the fashion)
- the animal protection groups

the willingness to pay higher prices  
-  the sales of other types of clothes after the price spike (maybe the customers bought less clothes)
-  how elastic the demand for alpaca coats is relative to other clothes

the stability of the supply and the costs  
- the cost of the raw materials
- the cost of labor and machinery
- how stable the supply would be  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Milk and dairy products are rich in vitamin D and calcium - substances essential for building and maintaining bones.

Many people therefore say that a diet rich in dairy products can help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that is linked to both environmental and genetic factors and that causes the bones to weaken significantly with age.

But a long-term study of a large number of people found that those who consistently consumed dairy products throughout the years of the study have a higher rate of bone fractures than any other participants in the study.

Since bone fractures are symptomatic of osteoporosis, this study result shows that a diet rich in dairy products may actually increase, rather than decrease, the risk of osteoporosis.

whether the people with bone fractures actually have osteoporosis  
- bone fractures may also be caused by trauma or falls
- bone fractures as symptoms of other conditions  (certain cancer)  

whether the participants who consume dairy products are more vulnerable to osteoporosis
- age, gender and lifestyles
- occupation
- genetic makeup  

The isolated effects of taking more dairy products  
- people who are vulnerable may take more diary products
- set up control group who do not take much dairy products
- factors mentioned above have to be controlled  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following is a letter to the head of the tourism bureau on the island of Tria.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Erosion of beach sand along the shores of Tria Island is a serious threat to our island and our tourist industry.

In order to stop the erosion, we should charge people for using the beaches.

Although this solution may annoy a few tourists in the short term, it will raise money for replenishing the sand.

Replenishing the sand, as was done to protect buildings on the nearby island of Batia, will help protect buildings along our shores, thereby reducing these buildings' risk of additional damage from severe storms.

And since beaches and buildings in the area will be preserved, Tria's tourist industry will improve over the long term.

the short-term and long-term effects of charging beach visitors
- whether people would still use the beaches; if few people use it, little money can be raised
- whether tourists will keep coming after the beach is not free
- the loss of tax revenue due to the decline of tourist industry

how useful the program was for the buildings of Batia
- the original conditions of the buildings  
- protect the buildings against what? (severe storm?)
- the cost of the program  

whether the proposed program can preserve beaches and buildings
- the usefulness of the program for protection against severe storm
- the cost and the affordability of the program
- other factors that may affect the conditions of the beaches and the buildings

other factors that may affect Tria’s tourist industry in the long term
- the reputation of Tria
- the infrastructure
- the quality and cost of services here (labor cost)  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a memorandum written by the chairperson of the West Egg Town Council.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Two years ago, consultants predicted that West Egg's landfill, which is used for garbage disposal, would be completely filled within five years.

During the past two years, however, the town's residents have been recycling twice as much material as they did in previous years.

Next month the amount of recycled material - which includes paper, plastic, and metal - should further increase, since charges for pickup of other household garbage will double.

Furthermore, over 90 percent of the respondents to a recent survey said that they would do more recycling in the future.

Because of our town's strong commitment to recycling, the available space in our landfill should last for considerably longer than predicted.

  

the amount of garbage reduced due to the recycling programs
- the amount of materials recycled have doubled but the amount is relatively small compared to the amount of garbage
- the amount of garbage may have increased over the last two years due to the increase of population and economic activities  
- need to calculate the percentage of garbage reduced due to recycling

whether the growth in recycling would be sustainable
- maybe the initial amount of recycled materials was small and it is easy to double
- whether the respondents could represent the people who actually handle the waste  
- whether the respondents will walk the walk  

how sensitive are the residents to the charge increase
- maybe the charge for garbage is really small relative to disposable income
- doubling the charge may create little incentive to further recycle
- the cost or trouble of further recycling may be higher than the money that could be saved


whether the residential waste is the main source of garbage
- maybe the tourists produce a substantial amount of garbage
- the manufacturing and construction industries may generate a lot of waste  
- the restaurants  
  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a journal on environmental issues.

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Over the past year, the Crust Copper Company (CCC) has purchased over 10,000 square miles of land in the tropical nation of West Fredonia.

Mining copper on this land will inevitably result in pollution and, since West Fredonia is the home of several endangered animal species, in environmental disaster.

But such disasters can be prevented if consumers simply refuse to purchase products that are made with CCC's copper unless the company abandons its mining plans.

assumption 1: mining operations will necessarily cause pollution and environmental disaster
- maybe the pollution can be reduced or even eliminated with advanced tech
- the pollution under control may not threaten the endangered animals
- the animals may be spared due to the distance or conservation programs  

assumption 2: consumers can easily refuse to purchase products made of CCC copper
- the manufacturers of the products may not provide such information (difficult to tell)
- the products made of CCC copper may not have close substitutes (consumers have no choice)

assumption 3: the company rely on the domestic consumer market for its revenue and profits
- maybe CCC’s main revenue comes from transaction with large corporations
- maybe CCC mainly exports its copper abroad  

tesolchinaUID: 2191404

The following appeared in a health magazine published in Corpora.

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Medical experts say that only one-quarter of Corpora's citizens meet the current standards for adequate physical fitness, even though twenty years ago, one-half of all of Corpora's citizens met the standards as then defined.

But these experts are mistaken when they suggest that spending too much time using computers has caused a decline in fitness.

Since overall fitness levels are highest in regions of Corpora where levels of computer ownership are also highest, it is clear that using computers has not made citizens less physically fit.

Instead, as shown by this year's unusually low expenditures on fitness-related products and services, the recent decline in the economy is most likely the cause, and fitness levels will improve when the economy does.

assumption 1: the decreasing percentage of physically fit citizens is not related to the changing standards or the ageing of the population
- perhaps the standards have become higher resulting in fewer people identified as fit
- perhaps people become less physically fit simply because of ageing

assumption 2: levels of ownership of computers accurately reflect the time spent on computers
- maybe people spend more time using computers at work
- maybe people who own computers can better afford time and money for exercises and medical care (ownership of computers indicate socioeconomic classes rather than time spent on computers)

assumption 3: the low expenditures of fitness-related products are results of declining economy and the use of such products is necessary for keeping fit  
- the low expenditure may be a result of high expenditure in the previous years (the products are durable goods)
- people spent less money on the products probably because a new fitness center is opened (substitute for the fitness products)
- the products may not be necessary for keeping fit (people could simply jog on the roads)