一、考試指南
GMAT作文考兩篇作文，一篇是一個(gè)是非問題分析（Analysis of an Issue）; 另一篇作文
是一個(gè)邏輯問題分析（Analysis of an Argument）。兩篇作文各考30分鐘，加起來共一個(gè)
小時(shí)。簡(jiǎn)單地說，第一篇作文是立論，第二篇作文是駁論。
1. 邏輯問題分析例文
The following appeared in a memorandum from the Director of Human Resources
to the executive officers of Company X.
“Last year, we surveyed our employees on improvements needed at Company X
by having them rank, in order of importance, the issues presented in a list
of possible improvements. Improved communications between employees and
management was consistently ranked as the issue of highest importance by
the employees who responded to the survey. As you know, we have since
instituted regular communications sessions conducted by high-level
management, which the employees can attend on a voluntary basis. Therefore,
it is likely that most employees at Company X now feel that the improvement
most needed at the company has been made.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be
sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the
argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable
assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative, explanations or
counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort
of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the
argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would
help you better evaluate its conclusion.
2. 是非問題分析例文
“Employees should keep their private lives and personal activities as
separate as possible from the workplace.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated
above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own
experience, observations, or reading.
GMAT作文題庫(kù)是怎么回事
GMAT作文的評(píng)分標(biāo)準(zhǔn)
GMAT作文如何閱卷和評(píng)分
二、課程安排
1. 教學(xué)內(nèi)容
Part One: Analysis of an Argument
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Part Two: Analysis of an Issue
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Part Three: Summary
1. Language Skills
2. Prep Tips
2. 教學(xué)方法
(1)案例分析
邏輯分析(4個(gè))
是非分析(4個(gè))
(2)作文的結(jié)構(gòu)和模式
(3)論證方法
(4)語言問題
Part One
三、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 1：
The following appeared as part of an article in a daily newspaper.
“The computerized onboard warning system that will be installed in
commercial airliners will virtually solve the problem of midair plane
collisions. One plane’s warning system can receive signals from another’s
transponder--a radio set that signals a plane’s course--in order to
determine the likelihood of a collision and recommend evasive action.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be
sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the
argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable
assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative, explanations or
counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort
of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the
argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would
help you better evaluate its conclusion.
2分作文:
This argument has no information about air collisions. I think most cases
happen is new airports because the air traffic is heavy. In this case sound
airport control could solve the problem.
I think this argument is logically reasonable. Its assumption is that plane
collisions are caused by planes that don’t know each others positions. So
pilots can do nothing, if they know each other’s position through the
system it will solve the problem. If it can provide evidence the problem is
lack of knowledge of each other’s positions, it will be more sound and
persuasive.
More information about air collisions is helpful, (the reason for air
collisions)
------------------------------------------------第一課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
4分作文
The argument is not logically convincing. It does not state whether all
planes can receive signals from each other. It does not state whether
planes constantly receive signals. If they only receive signals once every
certain time interval, collisions will not definitely be prevented. Further
if they receive a signal right before they are about to crash, they cannot
avoid each other.
The main flaw in the argument is that it assumes that the two planes, upon
receiving each other’s signals, will know which evasive action to take.
For example, the two planes could be going towards each other and then
receive the signals. If one turns at an angle to the left and the other
turns at an angle to the right, the two planes will still crash. Even if
they receive an updated signal, they will not have time, to avoid each
other.
The following argument would be more sound and persuasive. The new warning
system will solve the problem of midair plane collisions. Each plane will
receive constant, continual signals from each other. If the two planes are
headed in a direction where they will crash, the system will coordinate the
signals and tell one plane to go one way, and the other plane to go another
way. The new system will ensure that the two planes will turn in different
directions so they don’t crash by trying to prevent the original crash. In
addition, the planes will be able to see themselves and the other on a
computer screen, to aid in the evasive action.
6分作文：
The argument that this warning system will virtually solve the problem of
midair plane collisions omits some important concerns that be addressed to
substantiate the argument. The statement that follows the des cription of
what this warning system will do simply describes the system and how it
operates. This alone does not constitute a logical argument in favor of the
warning system, and it certainly does not provide support or proof of the
main argument.
Most conspicuously, the argument does not address the cause of the problem
of air plane collisions, the use of the system by pilots and flight
specialists, or who is involved in the midair plane collisions. First, the
argument assumes that the cause of the problem is that the planes’
courses, the likelihood of collisions, and actions to avoid collisions are
unknown or inaccurate. But if the cause of the problem of midair plane
collisions is that pilots are not paying attention to their computer
systems or flight operations, the warning system will not solve the
collision problem. Second, the argument never addresses the interface
between individuals and the system and how this will affect the warning
system’s objective of obliterating the problem of collisions. If the pilot
or flight specialist does not conform to what the warning system suggests,
air collisions will not be avoided. Finally, if planes other than
commercial airliners are involved in the collisions, the problem of these
collisions cannot be solved by a warning system that will not be installed
on non-commercial airliners. The argument also does not address what would
happen in the event that the warning system collapsed, falls, or does not
work properly.
Because the argument leaves out several key issues, it is not sound or
persuasive. If it included the items discussed above instead of solely
explaining what the system supposedly does, the argument would have been
more thorough and convincing.
Case Study 2：
The following appeared in an Avia Airlines departmental memorandum: “On
average, 9 out of every 1000 passengers who traveled on Avia Airlines in
1993 filed a complaint about our luggage-handing procedures. This means
that although some 1 percent of our passengers were unhappy with those
procedures, the overwhelming majority were quite satisfied with them; thus
it would appear that a review of the procedures is not important to our
goal of maintaining or increasing the number of Avia's passengers.”
Discuss how logically convincing you find this argument. In explaining your
point of view, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of
evidence in the argument. Also discuss what, if anything, would make the
argument more sound and persuasive, or would help you to better evaluate
its conclusion.
Student Essay
In Avia Airlines's survey, nearly 1 present of its passengers were unhappy
with its baggage-handling procedures. The result sounds good. But the small
pool of samples in regard with all passengers, the weakness of procedure of
complaint, and other reasons below will weaken the result, or draw to an
opposite conclusion .
Avia Airlines can only survive by transporting hundreds of thousands of
passengers each years. Many passengers who were not satisfied with its
baggage-handling procedures maybe did not write down a complaint. Assuming
that only one percent of those unsatisfied passengers complained in written
forms, the number of unsatisfied would be 900 out of every 1000 passenger.
It is a horrible ratio. Avia Airlines could be murdered by the remaining
899 unsatisfied ones.
To 1000, 9 seems a very small ratio. But if the first of the nine
unsatisfied passengers is President Clinton, the story is attactive to most
reporters. In some hours or days, Avia Arline will exist in newspapers,
magazines, TV sports, reports and Internet. This kind of free advertisement
will surely bomb AA to sky.
Avia Airlines has too many competitors in and out of USA. Clients of other
Airlines, for instance, Singapore. Airlines or Japan Airlines may have no
complaints about baggage-handling procedures. AA may gradually loose more
and more of its passengers and die out.
So AA' s conclusion would. be absurd through reasoning. Unsatisfied
passengers who did not complain, the famous persons who complained, and
competitors with no unsatisfied passengers all will make disastrous result
for the Avia Airlines. So a review of the procedure is very important to
its goal of maintaining or increasing the number of passengers.
Revised Essay
In this argument, the arguer concludes that a review of Avia Airline's
baggage-handling procedures will not further its goal of maintaining or
increasing the number of Avia passengers. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that only one percent of passengers who traveled on Avia
last year filed a complaint. In addition, the arguer reasons that the great
majority of Avia passengers are happy with baggage handling at the airline.
This argument suffers from two critical flaws.
In the first place, the argument turns on the assumption that the 99
percent of Avia passengers who did not complain were happy with the
airline's baggage-handling procedures. However, the arguer provides no
evidence to support this assumption. The fact that, on average, 9 out of
1000 passengers took the time and effort to formally complain indicates
nothing about the experiences or attitudes of the remaining 991. It is
possible that many passengers were displeased but too busy to formally
complain, while others had no opinion at all. Lacking more complete
information about passengers' attitudes, we cannot assume that the great
majority of passengers who did not complain were happy.
In the second place, in the absence of information about the number of
passengers per flight and about the complaint records of competing
airlines, the statistics presented in the memorandum might distort the
seriousness of the problem. Given that most modern aircrafts carry as many
as 300 to 500 passengers, it is possible that Avia received as many as 4 or
5 complaints per flight. The arguer unfairly trivializes this record.
Moreover, the arguer fails to compare Avia's record with those of its
competitors. It is possible that a particular competitor received virtually
no baggage-handling complaints last year. If so, Avia's one percent
complaint rate might be significant enough to motivate customers to switch
to another airline.
In conclusion, the arguer fails to demonstrate that a review of the baggage-
handling procedures at Avia Airlines is not needed to maintain or increase
the number of Avia's passengers. To strengthen the argument, the author
would have to provide evidence that most Avia passengers last year were
indeed happy with baggage-handling procedures. To better evaluate the
argument, we would need more information about the numbers of Avia
passengers per flight last year and about the baggage-handling records of
Avia's competitors.
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四、Argument開頭段模式訓(xùn)練
.寫作的開頭尤其重要
.事先準(zhǔn)備一個(gè)開頭模式
.進(jìn)行適當(dāng)調(diào)整
.已經(jīng)提出的模式：
第一段（4句話）：
第一句歸納原論證結(jié)論(In this argument, the arguer concludes that)
第二句話指出原論證一個(gè)方面的論據(jù)(To support this conclusion, the arguer
points out that)
第三句話指出另一個(gè)方面論據(jù)(In addition, the arguer reasons that)
第四句話表明對(duì)論述的基本判斷（此判斷有邏輯方面的缺陷）
Sample 1:
Argument Question :
The following appeared as part of an article in a trade magazine for
breweries.
"Magic Hat Brewery recently released the results of a survey of visitors to
its tasting room last year. Magic Hat reports that the majority of visitors
asked to taste its low-calorie beers. To boost sales, other small breweries
should brew low-calorie beers as well."
開頭段:
In this argument, the arguer concludes that all small breweries should brew
low-calorie beers in order to increase sales. To support this conclusion,
the arguer points out that most visitors to the tasting room of Magic Hat
Brewery showed interest in its low-calorie beers. In addition, the arguer
reasons that since most visitors like to taste the low-calorie beers of
Magic Hat Brewery, most customers of other small breweries would also like
to buy low-calorie beers. A careful examination of this argument would
reveal how groundless it is.
Sample 2:
Argument Question :
The following appeared as part of an article in the book section on a
newspaper.
"Currently more and more books are becoming available in electronic form-
either free-of-charge on the Internet or for a very low price-per-book in
compact disc.* Thus literary classics are likely to be read more widely
than ever before. People who couldn't have purchased these works at
bookstore prices will now be able to read them for little or no money;
similarly, people who find it inconvenient to visit libraries and wait for
books to be returned by other patrons will now have access to whatever
classic they choose from their home or work computers. This increase in
access to literary classics will radically affect the public taste in
reading, creating a far more sophisticated and learned reading audience
than has ever existed before."
*A compact disc is a small portable disc capable of storing relatively
large amounts of data that can be read by a computer.
開頭段:
In this argument, the arguer concludes that the increasing availability of
books in electronic form will automatically bring about a far more
sophisticated and learned reading audience. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that the Internet and compact discs have made it more
convenient for readers to find, buy or read books. In addition, the arguer
reasons that since more people have easier access to literary classics,
tasteful readers will emerge in large numbers. This argument is flawed in
two major aspects.
五、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 3：
The following appeared in the editorial section of a newspaper.
“As public concern over drug abuse has increased, authorities have become
more vigilant in their effort to prevent illegal drugs from entering the
country. Many drug traffickers have consequently switched from marijuana,
which is bulky, or heroin, which has a market too small to justify the risk
of severe punishment, to cocaine. Thus enforcement efforts have ironically
resulted in an observed increase in the illegal use of cocaine.”
Student Essay
The argument that enforcement effort over illegal drag trade, incurred by
the increase of public concern over drug abuse, resulted in an observed
increase in the illegal use of cocaine sound reasonable at first. But the
fact that movement against drag abuse is the venture of all human being and
all the responsibility of all governments, and other reasons below will
weak the result, or draw to an opposite conclusion.
Drug abuse brings us human being nothing but a disaster, mental aberration,
debilitated health, career desolation, family breakage and people’s
totally out of control. No doubt, however small the result will be, every
government should take some action against drug abuse, make people way from
illegal drugs and bring a steady and health society.
All kinds of illegal drugs, not only cocaine, endangers our lives.
Considering the enforcement effort over illegal drugs, we should view the
efforts over the total amount of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and other
illegal drugs. Since many drug traffickers have consequently switched from
marijuana and heroin to cocaine because of government’s action, We can not
tell the change on the total amount of drugs if, with the dramatic decrease
of marijuana and heroin, this total amount decreased as the result of
enforcement. We can claim that opposite the argument, the enforcement of
effort do overawe the drug traffickers.
The argument also tells us that government’s efforts to prevent illegal
drugs from entering the country had effectively made drug traffickers
switched form marijuana and heroin to cocaine, which means with the
decrease on marijuana and heroin, the government can focus their effort on
cocaine. We can see the bright future that authorities will effectively
beat the cocaine traffickers just as they beat the marijuana and heroin
traffickers.
So the argument’s conclusion would absurd though reasoning. The
authorities action did some efforts to the illegal drug abuse they should
continue the enforcement against drug abuse, with efficiency.
Revised Essay
In this argument, the arguer concludes that the government’s efforts to
prevent illegal drugs from entering the country have resulted in an obvious
increase in the illegal use of cocaine. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that the authorities’ more vigilant efforts to thwart
the illegal drug traffic in the country have forced drug traffickers to
switch from marijuana and heroin to cocaine. In addition, the arguer
reasons that the increase in the supply of cocaine has resulted in its
increasing use. This argument commits two critical fallacies.
In the first place, this argument commits a fallacy of causal
oversimplification. The arguer assumes that an increase in the supply of
cocaine is sufficient to bring about an increase in its use. While the
supply of cocaine may be one of the contributing factors to its use, it is
insufficient. The presumption required to substantiate this view is that
drug users are not particular about which drugs they use, so that if
marijuana and heroin are not available, they will switch to whatever drug
is available--cocaine in this case. This assumption is not reasonable.
Marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are not alike in their effects on users; nor
are they alike in the manner in which they are ingested or in their
addictive properties. The view that drug users’ choice of drugs is simply
a function of supply overlooks these important differences. Besides, the
argument is self-contradictory. If it were true, as stated by the arguer,
that cocaine trafficking is both safer than the bulky marijuana and more
profitable than heroin that has a small market, this fact alone would have
motivated the drug traffickers to switch to cocaine. In this case, the
government enforcement effort should not be held accountable for the rise
in the use of cocaine.
------------------------------------------------第三課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
In the second place, the arguer fails to provide the necessary information
based on which we can evaluate the comprehensive effect of the government's
action. The background of the incident is that the drug abuse has now
become ever more serious a social problem than anytime in the past. And
this is what motivated the government actions against drug trafficking in
the first place. We, therefore, can reasonably assume that before the
government took actions the abuse of all major popular drugs had been on
the trend of increase, including the use of cocaine. The newspaper
editorial, however, only mentions the observed increase in the use of
cocaine while failing to provide any information to specify the current
increase and that before the government strengthened its drug contraction
efforts. We thus cannot compare the patterns of change in this aspect
before and after the government actions in order to reach any valid
conclusion about the impact of the government actions on the use of
cocaine.
If the trend of increase in cocaine abuse has been slowed down, or if the
total amount of illegal drugs in the market has been significantly reduced,
even though the absolute use of cocaine is still increasing, we would say
that the government efforts in apprehending drug traffickers are somehow
effective.
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies the cause-and-effect relationship
between government's increased efforts and the observed increase in the
illegal use of cocaine. To strengthen the argument, the arguer would have
to provide evidence that the government's enforcement efforts have directly
led to the increased supply and use of cocaine. To better evaluate the
argument, we would need more information about the trend of increase in the
use of cocaine and other drugs before and after the government's actions.
六、Argument典型邏輯錯(cuò)誤
1. 調(diào)查類邏輯錯(cuò)誤
抽樣的程序是否具有隨機(jī)性
樣品是否足夠大
Example 1:
The following appeared as part of an article in a trade magazine for
breweries.
“Magic Hat Brewery recently released the results of a survey of visitors
to its tasting room last year. Magic Hat reports that the majority of
visitors asked to taste its low-calorie beers. To boost sales, other small
breweries should brew low-calorie beers as well.”
Example 2:
The following appeared in a memorandum from a member of a financial
management and consulting firm.
“We have learned from an employee of Witful Ltd. that is accounting
department by checking about 10% of the last month purchasing invoices for
errors any inconsistencies saved the company some $10,000 in over-payments.
In order to help our clients increase the net gains, we should advise each
of them to institute a policy of checking all purchasing invoices for
errors. Such recommendation could also help us get the Witful account by
demonstrating to Witful the regressness of our methods."
A. The source of the news is not dependable.
B. The sample cannot reflect the general condition.
2. 錯(cuò)誤類比
Example:
The following appeared in a memorandum from the owner of Carlo's Clothing
to the staff.
"Since Disc Depot, the music store on the next block, began a new radio
advertising campaign last year, its business has grown dramatically, as
evidenced by the large increase in foot traffic into the store. While the
Disc Depot's owners have apparently become wealthy enough to retire,
profits at Carlo's Clothing have remained stagnant for the past three
years. In order to boost our sales and profits, we should therefore switch
from newspaper advertising to frequent radio advertisements like those for
Disc Depot."
A. First, the argument rests on a fallacy of post hoc, ergo proper hoc.
B. Another problem with this argument is that it suffers from a false
analogy.
3. 證據(jù)遺失類邏輯錯(cuò)誤
Example:
The following appeared in the editorial section of a local paper.
"Applications for advertising spots on KMTV, our local cable television
channel, decreased last year. Meanwhile a neighboring town's local channel,
KOOP, changed its focus to farming issues and reported an increase in
advertising applications for the year. To increase applications for
advertisement its spots, KMTV should focus its programming on farming
issues as well."
A. The argument is based on a false analogy.
B. In addition, the arguer ignores other ways to increase the applications
for advertising spots on KMTV.
七、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 4:
The following appeared in the editorial section of a corporate newsletter:
“The common notion that workers are generally apathetic about management
issues is false, or at least outdated: a recently published survey
indicates that 79 percent of the nearly 1,200 workers who responded to
survey questionnaires expressed a high level of interest in the topics of
corporate restructuring and redesign of benefits programs.”
Student Essay
First, the argument does not address how the nearly 1200 workers were
selected, so the representativeness of the sample is doubtful. If the
workers were selected by voluntary participation, then there is possibility
that these voluntary workers tended to care more about management issues.
Second, the argument does not prove the credibility of the answers of the
workers. It leaves open the possibility that workers who actually did not
care about management issues may in a survey gave positive answers for
various reasons.
Third, the argument only confines to such management issues as corporate
restructuring and redesign of benefits programs, which happen to have close
and main influence on workers.
Revised Essay
Based upon a survey among workers that indicates a high level of interest
in the topics of corporate restructuring and redesigning of benefits
programs, the arguer concludes that workers are not apathetic about
management issues. Specifically, the arguer assumes that since 79 percent
of the 1200 workers who responded to the survey expressed interest in these
topics, the notion that workers are generally apathetic about management
issues is incorrect. The reasoning in this argument is problematic in
several respects.
First, the survey itself is open to question. The argument does not
indicate how the nearly 1200 workers were selected. If the workers were
selected by voluntary participation instead of random sampling, then there
is the possibility that these voluntary workers tended to care more about
management issues. In this case, the representiveness of the sample is
problematic. In addition, the statistics cited in the editorial may be
misleading because the total number of workers employed by the corporation
is not specified. For example, if the corporation employs 2000 workers, the
fact that 79 percent of the nearly 1200 respondents showed interest in
these topics provides strong support for the conclusion. On the other hand,
if the corporation employs 200,000 workers, the conclusion would be much
weaker. Furthermore, the survey does not involve workers of other companies
throughout the country.
Another problem with the argument is that it makes a hasty generalization
about the types of issues that workers are interested in. It accords with
common sense that workers would be interested in corporate restructuring
and redesigning of benefits programs, since these issues affect workers
very directly. However, it is unfair to assume that workers would be
similarly interested in other management issues, ones that do not affect
them or affect them less directly.
In conclusion, this argument is not convincing as it stands. To strengthen
it, the arguer would have to show that the respondents account for a
significant and representative portion of all workers. Additionally, the
arguer must provide evidence to prove that workers do have general interest
in other management topics--not just those that affect them directly.
八、Argument結(jié)尾段模式訓(xùn)練
Example 1: 上文的后一段
Example 2:
The following appeared in a letter from a staff member in the office of
admissions at Argent University.
“The most recent nationwide surveys show that undergraduates choose their
major field primarily based on their perception of job prospects in that
field. At our university, economics is now the most popular major, so
students must perceive this field as having the best job prospects.
Therefore, we can increase our enrollment if we focus our advertising and
recruiting on publicizing the accomplishments of our best-known economics
professors and the success of our economics graduates in finding
employment.”
Topic Sentence 1: First, the argument is based on a gratuitous assumption
that students throughout the country must perceive economics as having the
best job prospects because economics is the most popular major at Argent
University.
Topic Sentence 2: Second, the arguer overemphasizes the importance of
economics major and ignores other possible factors that may contribute to
the enrollment.
Topic Sentence 3: Another assumption in short of legitimacy is the causal
relationship claimed between publishing the accomplishments of Argent’s
best-known economics professors as well as the success of its economics
graduates in finding employment and the enrollment increase.
------------------------------------------------第四課時(shí)完------------------
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（to continue）
In conclusion, the argument is unconvincing because the arguer
oversimplifies both the problem and its possible solutions. To strengthen
the argument, the arguer would have to provide evidence that the economics
is indeed the most attractive major for undergraduates all over the
country. To better evaluate the argument, we would need more information
about the present enrollment situation of both the economics field and
other fields at Argent University as well as other possible effective means
for promoting enrollment.
九、Argument小結(jié)
Part Two
十、是非問題例文分析
Case Study 1：
“People often complain that products are not made to last. They feet that
making products that wear out fairly quickly wastes both natural and human
resources. What they fail to see, however, is that such manufacturing
practices keep costs down for the consumer and stimulate demand.”
Which do you find more compelling the complaint about products that do not
list or the response to it? Explain your position using relevant reasons
and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.
2分作文：
I find the response better than the complaint of people. The response seems
to originate without much thought involved. It is more of an emotional
complaint than one anchored in logic or thought. Yes, it is a waste of
human resources but that is without consideration to the benefits: lower
costs and stimulated demand. Thus, the response fails to recognize the
benefits.
The strength of the response is that it forces the reader to reconsider the
complaint. It adds a new dimension to the argument. It, however, fails to
address the issue of wasting human resources. Does this mean the responder
agrees with the notion of wasting resources.
In all actuality both the response and complaint is ineffective. The
complaint doesn’t recognize or address the benefits, like the response
doesn’t address the issue of wasting resources. The response, however,
does bring in a new dimension and thus weakens the argument of the
complaint.
4分作文：
I find the response to the complaint more compelling. Although the
complaint is valid, it is most often the case the building a product to
last forever will indeed cost more than the average consumer is willing to
pay. Creating such a product would require more materials and/or more heavy-
duty wear resistant materials which inherently are more expensive. Another
factor that would drive costs up is the fact that demand for products would
decrease. The demand would decrease since people do not have to replace old
products with new products as often. With the increased variable costs for
materials combined with a reduction in the production volume associated
with lower demand, manufacturers must raise prices to break even or
maintain the current level of profits.
Although a few producers may make products to last, it is understandable
how these companies can be driven out of existence. If a new competitor
enters the market with a similar product that has a shorter life but a
substantially lower price, then they will probably steal major portions of
the other company's market share. The effects depend heavily upon the
consumer’s perception of quality and what the customers requirements from
the product actually are.
For example, consumers may decide between two types of automobiles. One car
may be built to last a long time but may not have the performance or be as
comfortable as another car that is cheaper. So most consumers would
purchase the cheaper car even though it may not last-as long as the heavy-
duty car. Consumers may not realize that the more expensive car is of
higher quality in the sense that it will last longer and will not be
willing to pay the extra cost.
Consumer decisions also depend on what consumers are actually looking for
in a product. Consumers typically get tired of driving the same car for
many years and want to buy new cars fairly often. This tendency forces
producers to keep costs low enough to allow low enough prices for people to
buy cars often. People don’t want cars to last forever.
In conclusion, producers are in the situation that they're in due to
external forces from the consumers. Producers must compete and they have
found the best way satisfy the majority of the consumers.
6分作文：
Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly,
many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be
noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate
demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former
statement and refuting the latter statement.
Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human
resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the
specific product. For example in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the
classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last.
Considering that the average Yugo had (not “has” since they are no longer
produced! ) a life expectancy of two years and 25, 000 miles, it was a
terrible waste.
Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranted for
about five years and 50, 000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last less
than half as long as most cars are warranted, the Yugo producer is wasting
valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or
Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby
reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two.
Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side,
manufacturers of a poor quality automobile, like the Yugo, get no personal
or profession satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst
automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the
productivity of the Yugo workers.
Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive
feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its
reputation for quality and innovation as is seen in its recent massive
recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn's image
was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad
situation would have become even worse.
Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer.
A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for
the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle
owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle's performance at 7 AM as he/she
is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great
waste of human resources for the consumer.
While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a
poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low
quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence
stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1998’s the
Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States at $ 3995. By 1991,
the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word “l(fā)emon.”
Case Study 2：
“The best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want
and then advise them how to attain it.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
from your own experiences, observations, or reading.
Student Essay
When I was in Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. And all my
teachers believed that I would enter into a first-class university and
would have a splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance
Examination, l met an accident and laid down in bed for several months. At
last, I was only admitted by a second-class university. With great
disappointment, I felt that my future was nothing but darkness. And also I
was afraid of being blamed by my patents.
Mother saw through my thoughts. She borrowed several instructive books for
me and seldom mentioned the exams. For the first time, my parents asked for
several days off and took me to Qingdao--the most famous scenic spot of
China --for vacation. Along the seaside, Mother talked with me for many
times. I can still clearly remember what she said: “The ways to success
are different. If you keep positive and make efforts continuously, I
believe that you will be no less excellent than those from first-class
universities.” At last, eternity? Ask yourself what are you going to be in
the future. Try your best, and you will reach your goal. "
For so many years, Mother' s words seems to have inscribed in my heart and
lead me to gain successes one after another. From this personal experience,
I fully understand and agree that the best way to give advice to other
people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it.
------------------------------------------------第五課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
Revised Essay
What is the best way to give advice to other people? The arguer claims that
the best way is to find out what other people want and then advise them how
to attain it. While I admit that many people do give advice by catering to
other people’s desires, I maintain that this method oversimplifies the
issue and often proves both harmful and ineffective.
In the first place, people very often have no clear idea of what they
really want. My personal experience is a case in point. When I was in
Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. Moreover, all my teachers
believed that I would enter a first-class university and would have a
splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance Examination, I had
an accident and had to lie in bed for several months. As a result, I was
admitted only by a second-class university, which pushed me to the brink of
despair. At this decisive moment of my life, my mother came to my rescue.
By recommending to me instructive books on life, by talking with me heart
to heart, by taking me on a trip to the beach, mother convinced me that the
goal of my life was to live a successful and happy life rather than to go
to a famous university, and that the ways to success are various. In this
way my mother saved me out of the crisis of my life not simply by finding
out what I wanted and then advising me how to attain it, but by patiently
enlightening me on the essential meaning and purpose of life, making me
realize that what I took for granted as my aim of life was not what I
really needed.
In the second place, more often than not what people want is not what is
best for them. A naive child may want to quit school; a patient suffering
from TB may want to smoke; a jobless young man may want to commit suicide---
-this list can go on and on. In all these situations, should we simply find
out what they want and advise them how to attain it? Obviously not.
Admittedly, it would be unwise to ignore the simple fact that people are
different. As we know, excessive interference with other people’s life
tends to threaten their freedom and independence, causing hostility and
confrontation. Therefore, when offering advice to other people, we should
be very sensitive to their unique feelings and desires, knowing that
individual human beings have the inalienable right to make choices in their
life and that they themselves will be responsible for the results of their
decision-making.
In conclusion, I do not agree that the best way to advise people is simply
to find out what they desire and help them achieve it. In my estimation,
the pitfalls of such a technique outweigh its potential advantages. To be a
responsible advisor, we should take into account far more intricate factors
relevant to the person to be advised.
十一、Issue的立場(chǎng)問題
評(píng)分依據(jù)是：是否有效地支持了你的立場(chǎng)
Taking a Position:
1. Agreeing with concession
2. Disagreeing with concession
3. Refusing to take sides
4. Agreeing
5. Disagreeing
十二、是非問題例文分析
Case Study 3：
"The rise of multinational corporations is leading to global homogeneity.
People everywhere arc beginning to want the same products and services, and
regional difference are rapidly disappearing." "homogeneity: sameness,
similarity."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
based on your own experience, your observations, or your reading.
Student's Essay
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every comer of the
world. The products and services they provide are almost the same, leading
to global homogeneity, indeed.
The most prominent corporation among all has to be McDonald Inc. There is
really no doubt that McDonald is a pioneer in globalizing its most produced
and yet very -- American -- taste hamburgers. Some 6 years ago in China,
People usually did not care for foreign food. Very few people ever knew the
taste of cheese, a symbol of difference in oriental and Western food.
However, McDonald proved to be huge success in China. The first branch it
opened in Beijing is the largest among its thousands franchises.
Hamburgers, French fries, Big Mac are becoming household words in China.
Especially among the younger generations, going to McDonald once in a while
becomes a routine activity in life, just as kids in other parts of the
world do.
There is really no better place than China that can demonstrate how
homogeneous our world has become. Another great example is Coca Cola.
Everyone hated the taste when they drank Coca Cola in the first time. In
China, the taste is so different from the traditional soft drinks sold in
China, which mainly feature sweet taste and fruit flavor. The color of the
Coke is also not liked because of its similarity to most herbal medicine
fluids. But it seems that people simply want Coca Cola because they see
people drink it and love it in other countries. People's tastes can change,
and they did gradually. Now Coca Cola is the best sold soft drink in China,
and in many other countries where Coke was originally disliked.
These all have to be attributed to the financial power of multinational
corporations. With superior financial strength and successful products and
services, these giants are shaping the world and the people living in it
into their own favor, making people want the same products and services,
and regional differences have been disappearing.
Revised Essay
Why are people everywhere beginning to want the same products and services?
Why are regional differences rapidly disappearing? The arguer asserts that
it is the rise of multinational corporations that is leading to this global
homogeneity. We don’t have to look very far to see the validity of this
argument.
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every corner of the
world, bringing the same products and standard services to customers of
different countries and regions. The most striking example among all is
perhaps McDonald Inc, which has miraculously globalized its mass-produced
American-flavored hamburger all over the world. Take China for an example.
Some 6 years ago, Chinese people did not care for foreign food; very few
people knew the taste of cheese--a symbol of difference between Oriental
and Western food. However, with its overwhelming advertising campaigns,
with its efficient management, with its standardized foods and services,
McDonald’s has proved to be a great success, turning Hamburger, French
fries, Big Mac into household words in China.
In addition to McDonald’s, Coca-Cola is another striking example of the
globalizing trend in world culture. Today almost in every country of the
world, people instinctively think of Coca-Cola when they want to drink
something. Obviously, with the rapid emergence of numerous multinational
corporations like McDonald and Coca-Cola, people of different races and
cultures are more and more likely to eat, drink, wear and use uniform
commodities.
Admittedly, the rise of multinational corporations is not the only factor
that has contributed to the global homogeneity. First, the more and more
prosperous international travel has provided people of every nation with
more and more opportunities to visit and learn from foreign cultures.
Second, television has made it possible for people of different places to
understand and imitate each other’s way of life. Last but not least, the
Internet is connecting every office and family, turning the whole world
into a global village.
In conclusion, while numerous other factors have contributed to and are
still adding to the globalizing trend, the rise of multinational
corporations is certainly one major force in shaping a homogeneous world.
------------------------------------------------第六課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
Case Study 4：
"Every business decision is based on the profit motive. Even charity has as
its ultimate goal generating good will for the person or group doing the
charity."
Assuming that the term "business decision" is broad enough to include the
decisions of any decision-making authority--an individual, a family, a
small business or a large corporation--explain whether you think that this
point is valid. In your discussion, use reasons and/or examples drawn from
your own experience, observation, or reading.
Student’s Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the base of every business
decision. Even ultimate goal of people or groups is to make profit when
they are doing charity. I think that sometimes people make decision based
on profit , but it is not always true.
The claims may be real and understandable under certain circumstances. In
order to remain in existence, people or organizations must get profit. For
example, a food-processing company may donor its products to Africa
children, so it can solve its excessive store, get a good reputation and
publicity its products. At last, it can gain ultimate its aim--making more
money.
Although this thing may be happening in our lives, I think it is not
consistent with general facts. I believe many people's decision rests on
love sympathy, humanity and other things. The famous nurse--Nightingale is
a good example: She was born in a rich family and she could live in a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted her life to the
wound and the poor. Nobody can say what all she did is to make profit.
In conclusion, I hold that business decision sometimes is based on the
profit motive, but in most cases, it is based on people's emotion or
character.
Revised Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the basis of every business
decision. Furthermore, they claim that the ultimate goal of every people or
group including charity organizations is to make profit. In my opinion, it
is true that people often make decisions by calculating profit, but it is
unfounded to assert that any decision-making is motivated by profit.
The arguer's claim may be true and understandable under certain
circumstances. For one thing, in order to survive in the economic world,
people or organizations have to make profit. As we know, the first thing
that people must do on earth is to survive. Without adequate profit out of
investment, no single human being or organization can make a living. For
another, individuals or organizations are instinctively dissatisfied with
what they have already achieved. They strive for further development, for
greater success and hence for higher profit. For example, a food-processing
company may donate its products to African children so that it can not only
reduce its overstocking products, but also win a good reputation and
publicize its products. As it turns out, the ultimate result is always
expectedly rewarding--big bucks.
Although people all over the world spare no pains to seek fortune through
various means, it is unwise for us to conclude that any decision-making is
necessarily profit-oriented. First, some examples of altruism are difficult
to explain in terms of self-interest alone. The famous nurse Nightingale is
a good example. Born in a rich family, she could naturally live a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted all her life to the
wounded and the poor. Nobody can say for sure that all she did is to make
profit. Second, this argument is not consistent with the fact that human
motivation is far too complex. Many of our daily decisions rest on love,
sympathy, humanity and other things. Finally, it is ridiculous to lump
together "profit" and "good will". Obviously, these two terms are not
interchangeable.
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies human nature. Although business
decisions and many of our daily decisions are based on the profit motive,
it would be too cynical to assume that profit is the only thing that
motivates people in the world. I wonder if the speaker has any hidden
profit motive in making this argument, which is certainly not a profitable
idea.
Part Three: Summary
十三、Language Skills
1. Sentence Variety
Example 1:
Change: Beijing’s streets are crowded with taxis, company cars and private
vehicles owned by the newly affluent. The number has been rising rapidly in
the last few years. The latest statistics show there are now 1.2 million
vehicles in Beijing alone.
To: Taxis, company cars and private vehicles owned by the newly affluent
have crammed Beijing’s streets in rising numbers in the last few years--
1.2 million vehicles at last count.
Example 2:
Change: Thousands of buildings met the same fate. This alone is now being
preserved. It marks the center of the nuclear explosion. It is being
preserved as a symbol. It symbolizes our wish that there be no more
Hiroshimas.
To: Of the thousands of buildings that met the same fate, this alone,
marking the center of the nuclear explosion, is now being preserved to
symbolize our wish that there be no more Hiroshimas.
Example 3:
Change: It was quite obvious at that time that IQ equals intelligence.
Since then, however, many people have seriously criticized the idea.
To: The idea that IQ equals intelligence seemed obvious at the time but has
since come under much criticism.
2. Parallel Structure
Example 1:
Change: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
his employees loved him.
To: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
Loved by his employees.
Example 2:
Change: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-
Japanese War, and following the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
To: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-Japanese
War, and had followed the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
Example 3:
Change: This could be a problem for both the winners and for those who lose.
To: This could be a problem for both the winners and the losers.
Example 4:
Change: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are
long but they are obscure.
To: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are long
but because they are obscure.
Example 5:
Change: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful,
business had increased more than forty percent, and additional capital was
sorely needed.
To: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful, that
business had increased more than forty percent, and that additional capital
was sorely needed.
3. Attributive Clause
Example 1:
Change: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
To: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Example 2:
Change: Only a person who is oblivious to the facts of modern life would
doubt the need of vocational education today.
To: Only a person oblivious to the facts of modern life would doubt the
need of vocational education today.
4. Pronouns
1) Change: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he
could have been if he had used it to advantage.
To: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he could have
been if he had used his ability to advantage.
2) Change: My sister is a biology teacher, it is a profession I know
nothing about.
To: My sister is a biology teacher, but the teaching of biology is a
profession I know nothing about.
3) Change: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too
late to do it now.
To: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too late now.
5. Punctuation Marks
冒號(hào):
1) Most sports programs, despite their excesses, manage to promote the old
virtues such as self-confidence, personal responsibility, teamwork,
persistence, the ability to win and lose with grace.
2) For Omar Khayyam, a Persian Poet, three things are necessary for a
paradise on earth: a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and one’s beloved.
破折號(hào):
1) What he lacked in intelligence--and he lacked a good deal--he made up
for in physical strength.
2) In many parts of the developing world, life’s basic necessities--food,
clothing, shelter, and taxes--gobble up people’s earnings.
3) Every afternoon, Larry has two hours of track practice. He has followed
the same routine five days a week since he was seven--all in hopes of
winning a college athletic scholarship and eventually a shot at the
Olympics.
4) Government is only as good as the man in it--which is why it needs more
women.
分號(hào):
1) The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feed.
2) Science needs to live alongside religion, philosophy, history and
esthetic experience; alone it can lead to great harm.
3) According to one national survey, high school boys expected a starting
salary of $19,500 for their first full-time job; on the other hand, high
school girls expected a starting salary of only $15,000.
括號(hào):
1) For a long time (too long as far as I’m concerned), women were thought
to be inferior to men.
2) We think (unless we live in a research laboratory), that we have nothing
to discover, and the only things of the utmost importance to us concern the
present of the man.
十四、Prep Tips
1. Recite the outlines;
2. Prepare essay frames;
3. Write as many essays as possible according to your conditions;
4. Read and recite sample essays and the materials in the KIT of my book;
5. Learn to revise your own essays according to the following checklist:
作文自查清單
1)．是否針對(duì)題目寫作，有沒有跑題？
2)．結(jié)構(gòu)是否合理，有無完整的開頭、正文（2到3段）和結(jié)尾？
3)．是否在開頭段提出了自己的立場(chǎng)？
4)．中間段落每段是否有主題句（topic sentence）？
5)．中間段落每段是否用事例或理由支持該段的主題句？
6)．是否使用連接詞使文章上下文連貫、通順？
7)．每段是否有句式變換？
8)．結(jié)尾段是否總結(jié)了自己的理由并重申了自己的立場(chǎng)？
9)．語言方面是否有下列錯(cuò)誤：大小寫錯(cuò)誤、標(biāo)點(diǎn)符號(hào)錯(cuò)誤、拼寫錯(cuò)誤、串句、錯(cuò) 位修飾、
排比錯(cuò)誤、主謂語不一致、定語從句錯(cuò)誤、時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤、名詞單復(fù)數(shù)錯(cuò)誤、搭配錯(cuò)誤、詞性錯(cuò)
誤、用詞不當(dāng)，等等？
十五、Suggestions
Practice makes perfect.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
GMAT作文考兩篇作文，一篇是一個(gè)是非問題分析（Analysis of an Issue）; 另一篇作文
是一個(gè)邏輯問題分析（Analysis of an Argument）。兩篇作文各考30分鐘，加起來共一個(gè)
小時(shí)。簡(jiǎn)單地說，第一篇作文是立論，第二篇作文是駁論。
1. 邏輯問題分析例文
The following appeared in a memorandum from the Director of Human Resources
to the executive officers of Company X.
“Last year, we surveyed our employees on improvements needed at Company X
by having them rank, in order of importance, the issues presented in a list
of possible improvements. Improved communications between employees and
management was consistently ranked as the issue of highest importance by
the employees who responded to the survey. As you know, we have since
instituted regular communications sessions conducted by high-level
management, which the employees can attend on a voluntary basis. Therefore,
it is likely that most employees at Company X now feel that the improvement
most needed at the company has been made.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be
sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the
argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable
assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative, explanations or
counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort
of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the
argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would
help you better evaluate its conclusion.
2. 是非問題分析例文
“Employees should keep their private lives and personal activities as
separate as possible from the workplace.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated
above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own
experience, observations, or reading.
GMAT作文題庫(kù)是怎么回事
GMAT作文的評(píng)分標(biāo)準(zhǔn)
GMAT作文如何閱卷和評(píng)分
二、課程安排
1. 教學(xué)內(nèi)容
Part One: Analysis of an Argument
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Part Two: Analysis of an Issue
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Part Three: Summary
1. Language Skills
2. Prep Tips
2. 教學(xué)方法
(1)案例分析
邏輯分析(4個(gè))
是非分析(4個(gè))
(2)作文的結(jié)構(gòu)和模式
(3)論證方法
(4)語言問題
Part One
三、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 1：
The following appeared as part of an article in a daily newspaper.
“The computerized onboard warning system that will be installed in
commercial airliners will virtually solve the problem of midair plane
collisions. One plane’s warning system can receive signals from another’s
transponder--a radio set that signals a plane’s course--in order to
determine the likelihood of a collision and recommend evasive action.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be
sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the
argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable
assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative, explanations or
counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort
of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the
argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would
help you better evaluate its conclusion.
2分作文:
This argument has no information about air collisions. I think most cases
happen is new airports because the air traffic is heavy. In this case sound
airport control could solve the problem.
I think this argument is logically reasonable. Its assumption is that plane
collisions are caused by planes that don’t know each others positions. So
pilots can do nothing, if they know each other’s position through the
system it will solve the problem. If it can provide evidence the problem is
lack of knowledge of each other’s positions, it will be more sound and
persuasive.
More information about air collisions is helpful, (the reason for air
collisions)
------------------------------------------------第一課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
4分作文
The argument is not logically convincing. It does not state whether all
planes can receive signals from each other. It does not state whether
planes constantly receive signals. If they only receive signals once every
certain time interval, collisions will not definitely be prevented. Further
if they receive a signal right before they are about to crash, they cannot
avoid each other.
The main flaw in the argument is that it assumes that the two planes, upon
receiving each other’s signals, will know which evasive action to take.
For example, the two planes could be going towards each other and then
receive the signals. If one turns at an angle to the left and the other
turns at an angle to the right, the two planes will still crash. Even if
they receive an updated signal, they will not have time, to avoid each
other.
The following argument would be more sound and persuasive. The new warning
system will solve the problem of midair plane collisions. Each plane will
receive constant, continual signals from each other. If the two planes are
headed in a direction where they will crash, the system will coordinate the
signals and tell one plane to go one way, and the other plane to go another
way. The new system will ensure that the two planes will turn in different
directions so they don’t crash by trying to prevent the original crash. In
addition, the planes will be able to see themselves and the other on a
computer screen, to aid in the evasive action.
6分作文：
The argument that this warning system will virtually solve the problem of
midair plane collisions omits some important concerns that be addressed to
substantiate the argument. The statement that follows the des cription of
what this warning system will do simply describes the system and how it
operates. This alone does not constitute a logical argument in favor of the
warning system, and it certainly does not provide support or proof of the
main argument.
Most conspicuously, the argument does not address the cause of the problem
of air plane collisions, the use of the system by pilots and flight
specialists, or who is involved in the midair plane collisions. First, the
argument assumes that the cause of the problem is that the planes’
courses, the likelihood of collisions, and actions to avoid collisions are
unknown or inaccurate. But if the cause of the problem of midair plane
collisions is that pilots are not paying attention to their computer
systems or flight operations, the warning system will not solve the
collision problem. Second, the argument never addresses the interface
between individuals and the system and how this will affect the warning
system’s objective of obliterating the problem of collisions. If the pilot
or flight specialist does not conform to what the warning system suggests,
air collisions will not be avoided. Finally, if planes other than
commercial airliners are involved in the collisions, the problem of these
collisions cannot be solved by a warning system that will not be installed
on non-commercial airliners. The argument also does not address what would
happen in the event that the warning system collapsed, falls, or does not
work properly.
Because the argument leaves out several key issues, it is not sound or
persuasive. If it included the items discussed above instead of solely
explaining what the system supposedly does, the argument would have been
more thorough and convincing.
Case Study 2：
The following appeared in an Avia Airlines departmental memorandum: “On
average, 9 out of every 1000 passengers who traveled on Avia Airlines in
1993 filed a complaint about our luggage-handing procedures. This means
that although some 1 percent of our passengers were unhappy with those
procedures, the overwhelming majority were quite satisfied with them; thus
it would appear that a review of the procedures is not important to our
goal of maintaining or increasing the number of Avia's passengers.”
Discuss how logically convincing you find this argument. In explaining your
point of view, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of
evidence in the argument. Also discuss what, if anything, would make the
argument more sound and persuasive, or would help you to better evaluate
its conclusion.
Student Essay
In Avia Airlines's survey, nearly 1 present of its passengers were unhappy
with its baggage-handling procedures. The result sounds good. But the small
pool of samples in regard with all passengers, the weakness of procedure of
complaint, and other reasons below will weaken the result, or draw to an
opposite conclusion .
Avia Airlines can only survive by transporting hundreds of thousands of
passengers each years. Many passengers who were not satisfied with its
baggage-handling procedures maybe did not write down a complaint. Assuming
that only one percent of those unsatisfied passengers complained in written
forms, the number of unsatisfied would be 900 out of every 1000 passenger.
It is a horrible ratio. Avia Airlines could be murdered by the remaining
899 unsatisfied ones.
To 1000, 9 seems a very small ratio. But if the first of the nine
unsatisfied passengers is President Clinton, the story is attactive to most
reporters. In some hours or days, Avia Arline will exist in newspapers,
magazines, TV sports, reports and Internet. This kind of free advertisement
will surely bomb AA to sky.
Avia Airlines has too many competitors in and out of USA. Clients of other
Airlines, for instance, Singapore. Airlines or Japan Airlines may have no
complaints about baggage-handling procedures. AA may gradually loose more
and more of its passengers and die out.
So AA' s conclusion would. be absurd through reasoning. Unsatisfied
passengers who did not complain, the famous persons who complained, and
competitors with no unsatisfied passengers all will make disastrous result
for the Avia Airlines. So a review of the procedure is very important to
its goal of maintaining or increasing the number of passengers.
Revised Essay
In this argument, the arguer concludes that a review of Avia Airline's
baggage-handling procedures will not further its goal of maintaining or
increasing the number of Avia passengers. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that only one percent of passengers who traveled on Avia
last year filed a complaint. In addition, the arguer reasons that the great
majority of Avia passengers are happy with baggage handling at the airline.
This argument suffers from two critical flaws.
In the first place, the argument turns on the assumption that the 99
percent of Avia passengers who did not complain were happy with the
airline's baggage-handling procedures. However, the arguer provides no
evidence to support this assumption. The fact that, on average, 9 out of
1000 passengers took the time and effort to formally complain indicates
nothing about the experiences or attitudes of the remaining 991. It is
possible that many passengers were displeased but too busy to formally
complain, while others had no opinion at all. Lacking more complete
information about passengers' attitudes, we cannot assume that the great
majority of passengers who did not complain were happy.
In the second place, in the absence of information about the number of
passengers per flight and about the complaint records of competing
airlines, the statistics presented in the memorandum might distort the
seriousness of the problem. Given that most modern aircrafts carry as many
as 300 to 500 passengers, it is possible that Avia received as many as 4 or
5 complaints per flight. The arguer unfairly trivializes this record.
Moreover, the arguer fails to compare Avia's record with those of its
competitors. It is possible that a particular competitor received virtually
no baggage-handling complaints last year. If so, Avia's one percent
complaint rate might be significant enough to motivate customers to switch
to another airline.
In conclusion, the arguer fails to demonstrate that a review of the baggage-
handling procedures at Avia Airlines is not needed to maintain or increase
the number of Avia's passengers. To strengthen the argument, the author
would have to provide evidence that most Avia passengers last year were
indeed happy with baggage-handling procedures. To better evaluate the
argument, we would need more information about the numbers of Avia
passengers per flight last year and about the baggage-handling records of
Avia's competitors.
------------------------------------------------第二課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
四、Argument開頭段模式訓(xùn)練
.寫作的開頭尤其重要
.事先準(zhǔn)備一個(gè)開頭模式
.進(jìn)行適當(dāng)調(diào)整
.已經(jīng)提出的模式：
第一段（4句話）：
第一句歸納原論證結(jié)論(In this argument, the arguer concludes that)
第二句話指出原論證一個(gè)方面的論據(jù)(To support this conclusion, the arguer
points out that)
第三句話指出另一個(gè)方面論據(jù)(In addition, the arguer reasons that)
第四句話表明對(duì)論述的基本判斷（此判斷有邏輯方面的缺陷）
Sample 1:
Argument Question :
The following appeared as part of an article in a trade magazine for
breweries.
"Magic Hat Brewery recently released the results of a survey of visitors to
its tasting room last year. Magic Hat reports that the majority of visitors
asked to taste its low-calorie beers. To boost sales, other small breweries
should brew low-calorie beers as well."
開頭段:
In this argument, the arguer concludes that all small breweries should brew
low-calorie beers in order to increase sales. To support this conclusion,
the arguer points out that most visitors to the tasting room of Magic Hat
Brewery showed interest in its low-calorie beers. In addition, the arguer
reasons that since most visitors like to taste the low-calorie beers of
Magic Hat Brewery, most customers of other small breweries would also like
to buy low-calorie beers. A careful examination of this argument would
reveal how groundless it is.
Sample 2:
Argument Question :
The following appeared as part of an article in the book section on a
newspaper.
"Currently more and more books are becoming available in electronic form-
either free-of-charge on the Internet or for a very low price-per-book in
compact disc.* Thus literary classics are likely to be read more widely
than ever before. People who couldn't have purchased these works at
bookstore prices will now be able to read them for little or no money;
similarly, people who find it inconvenient to visit libraries and wait for
books to be returned by other patrons will now have access to whatever
classic they choose from their home or work computers. This increase in
access to literary classics will radically affect the public taste in
reading, creating a far more sophisticated and learned reading audience
than has ever existed before."
*A compact disc is a small portable disc capable of storing relatively
large amounts of data that can be read by a computer.
開頭段:
In this argument, the arguer concludes that the increasing availability of
books in electronic form will automatically bring about a far more
sophisticated and learned reading audience. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that the Internet and compact discs have made it more
convenient for readers to find, buy or read books. In addition, the arguer
reasons that since more people have easier access to literary classics,
tasteful readers will emerge in large numbers. This argument is flawed in
two major aspects.
五、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 3：
The following appeared in the editorial section of a newspaper.
“As public concern over drug abuse has increased, authorities have become
more vigilant in their effort to prevent illegal drugs from entering the
country. Many drug traffickers have consequently switched from marijuana,
which is bulky, or heroin, which has a market too small to justify the risk
of severe punishment, to cocaine. Thus enforcement efforts have ironically
resulted in an observed increase in the illegal use of cocaine.”
Student Essay
The argument that enforcement effort over illegal drag trade, incurred by
the increase of public concern over drug abuse, resulted in an observed
increase in the illegal use of cocaine sound reasonable at first. But the
fact that movement against drag abuse is the venture of all human being and
all the responsibility of all governments, and other reasons below will
weak the result, or draw to an opposite conclusion.
Drug abuse brings us human being nothing but a disaster, mental aberration,
debilitated health, career desolation, family breakage and people’s
totally out of control. No doubt, however small the result will be, every
government should take some action against drug abuse, make people way from
illegal drugs and bring a steady and health society.
All kinds of illegal drugs, not only cocaine, endangers our lives.
Considering the enforcement effort over illegal drugs, we should view the
efforts over the total amount of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and other
illegal drugs. Since many drug traffickers have consequently switched from
marijuana and heroin to cocaine because of government’s action, We can not
tell the change on the total amount of drugs if, with the dramatic decrease
of marijuana and heroin, this total amount decreased as the result of
enforcement. We can claim that opposite the argument, the enforcement of
effort do overawe the drug traffickers.
The argument also tells us that government’s efforts to prevent illegal
drugs from entering the country had effectively made drug traffickers
switched form marijuana and heroin to cocaine, which means with the
decrease on marijuana and heroin, the government can focus their effort on
cocaine. We can see the bright future that authorities will effectively
beat the cocaine traffickers just as they beat the marijuana and heroin
traffickers.
So the argument’s conclusion would absurd though reasoning. The
authorities action did some efforts to the illegal drug abuse they should
continue the enforcement against drug abuse, with efficiency.
Revised Essay
In this argument, the arguer concludes that the government’s efforts to
prevent illegal drugs from entering the country have resulted in an obvious
increase in the illegal use of cocaine. To support this conclusion, the
arguer points out that the authorities’ more vigilant efforts to thwart
the illegal drug traffic in the country have forced drug traffickers to
switch from marijuana and heroin to cocaine. In addition, the arguer
reasons that the increase in the supply of cocaine has resulted in its
increasing use. This argument commits two critical fallacies.
In the first place, this argument commits a fallacy of causal
oversimplification. The arguer assumes that an increase in the supply of
cocaine is sufficient to bring about an increase in its use. While the
supply of cocaine may be one of the contributing factors to its use, it is
insufficient. The presumption required to substantiate this view is that
drug users are not particular about which drugs they use, so that if
marijuana and heroin are not available, they will switch to whatever drug
is available--cocaine in this case. This assumption is not reasonable.
Marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are not alike in their effects on users; nor
are they alike in the manner in which they are ingested or in their
addictive properties. The view that drug users’ choice of drugs is simply
a function of supply overlooks these important differences. Besides, the
argument is self-contradictory. If it were true, as stated by the arguer,
that cocaine trafficking is both safer than the bulky marijuana and more
profitable than heroin that has a small market, this fact alone would have
motivated the drug traffickers to switch to cocaine. In this case, the
government enforcement effort should not be held accountable for the rise
in the use of cocaine.
------------------------------------------------第三課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
In the second place, the arguer fails to provide the necessary information
based on which we can evaluate the comprehensive effect of the government's
action. The background of the incident is that the drug abuse has now
become ever more serious a social problem than anytime in the past. And
this is what motivated the government actions against drug trafficking in
the first place. We, therefore, can reasonably assume that before the
government took actions the abuse of all major popular drugs had been on
the trend of increase, including the use of cocaine. The newspaper
editorial, however, only mentions the observed increase in the use of
cocaine while failing to provide any information to specify the current
increase and that before the government strengthened its drug contraction
efforts. We thus cannot compare the patterns of change in this aspect
before and after the government actions in order to reach any valid
conclusion about the impact of the government actions on the use of
cocaine.
If the trend of increase in cocaine abuse has been slowed down, or if the
total amount of illegal drugs in the market has been significantly reduced,
even though the absolute use of cocaine is still increasing, we would say
that the government efforts in apprehending drug traffickers are somehow
effective.
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies the cause-and-effect relationship
between government's increased efforts and the observed increase in the
illegal use of cocaine. To strengthen the argument, the arguer would have
to provide evidence that the government's enforcement efforts have directly
led to the increased supply and use of cocaine. To better evaluate the
argument, we would need more information about the trend of increase in the
use of cocaine and other drugs before and after the government's actions.
六、Argument典型邏輯錯(cuò)誤
1. 調(diào)查類邏輯錯(cuò)誤
抽樣的程序是否具有隨機(jī)性
樣品是否足夠大
Example 1:
The following appeared as part of an article in a trade magazine for
breweries.
“Magic Hat Brewery recently released the results of a survey of visitors
to its tasting room last year. Magic Hat reports that the majority of
visitors asked to taste its low-calorie beers. To boost sales, other small
breweries should brew low-calorie beers as well.”
Example 2:
The following appeared in a memorandum from a member of a financial
management and consulting firm.
“We have learned from an employee of Witful Ltd. that is accounting
department by checking about 10% of the last month purchasing invoices for
errors any inconsistencies saved the company some $10,000 in over-payments.
In order to help our clients increase the net gains, we should advise each
of them to institute a policy of checking all purchasing invoices for
errors. Such recommendation could also help us get the Witful account by
demonstrating to Witful the regressness of our methods."
A. The source of the news is not dependable.
B. The sample cannot reflect the general condition.
2. 錯(cuò)誤類比
Example:
The following appeared in a memorandum from the owner of Carlo's Clothing
to the staff.
"Since Disc Depot, the music store on the next block, began a new radio
advertising campaign last year, its business has grown dramatically, as
evidenced by the large increase in foot traffic into the store. While the
Disc Depot's owners have apparently become wealthy enough to retire,
profits at Carlo's Clothing have remained stagnant for the past three
years. In order to boost our sales and profits, we should therefore switch
from newspaper advertising to frequent radio advertisements like those for
Disc Depot."
A. First, the argument rests on a fallacy of post hoc, ergo proper hoc.
B. Another problem with this argument is that it suffers from a false
analogy.
3. 證據(jù)遺失類邏輯錯(cuò)誤
Example:
The following appeared in the editorial section of a local paper.
"Applications for advertising spots on KMTV, our local cable television
channel, decreased last year. Meanwhile a neighboring town's local channel,
KOOP, changed its focus to farming issues and reported an increase in
advertising applications for the year. To increase applications for
advertisement its spots, KMTV should focus its programming on farming
issues as well."
A. The argument is based on a false analogy.
B. In addition, the arguer ignores other ways to increase the applications
for advertising spots on KMTV.
七、邏輯問題例文分析
Case Study 4:
The following appeared in the editorial section of a corporate newsletter:
“The common notion that workers are generally apathetic about management
issues is false, or at least outdated: a recently published survey
indicates that 79 percent of the nearly 1,200 workers who responded to
survey questionnaires expressed a high level of interest in the topics of
corporate restructuring and redesign of benefits programs.”
Student Essay
First, the argument does not address how the nearly 1200 workers were
selected, so the representativeness of the sample is doubtful. If the
workers were selected by voluntary participation, then there is possibility
that these voluntary workers tended to care more about management issues.
Second, the argument does not prove the credibility of the answers of the
workers. It leaves open the possibility that workers who actually did not
care about management issues may in a survey gave positive answers for
various reasons.
Third, the argument only confines to such management issues as corporate
restructuring and redesign of benefits programs, which happen to have close
and main influence on workers.
Revised Essay
Based upon a survey among workers that indicates a high level of interest
in the topics of corporate restructuring and redesigning of benefits
programs, the arguer concludes that workers are not apathetic about
management issues. Specifically, the arguer assumes that since 79 percent
of the 1200 workers who responded to the survey expressed interest in these
topics, the notion that workers are generally apathetic about management
issues is incorrect. The reasoning in this argument is problematic in
several respects.
First, the survey itself is open to question. The argument does not
indicate how the nearly 1200 workers were selected. If the workers were
selected by voluntary participation instead of random sampling, then there
is the possibility that these voluntary workers tended to care more about
management issues. In this case, the representiveness of the sample is
problematic. In addition, the statistics cited in the editorial may be
misleading because the total number of workers employed by the corporation
is not specified. For example, if the corporation employs 2000 workers, the
fact that 79 percent of the nearly 1200 respondents showed interest in
these topics provides strong support for the conclusion. On the other hand,
if the corporation employs 200,000 workers, the conclusion would be much
weaker. Furthermore, the survey does not involve workers of other companies
throughout the country.
Another problem with the argument is that it makes a hasty generalization
about the types of issues that workers are interested in. It accords with
common sense that workers would be interested in corporate restructuring
and redesigning of benefits programs, since these issues affect workers
very directly. However, it is unfair to assume that workers would be
similarly interested in other management issues, ones that do not affect
them or affect them less directly.
In conclusion, this argument is not convincing as it stands. To strengthen
it, the arguer would have to show that the respondents account for a
significant and representative portion of all workers. Additionally, the
arguer must provide evidence to prove that workers do have general interest
in other management topics--not just those that affect them directly.
八、Argument結(jié)尾段模式訓(xùn)練
Example 1: 上文的后一段
Example 2:
The following appeared in a letter from a staff member in the office of
admissions at Argent University.
“The most recent nationwide surveys show that undergraduates choose their
major field primarily based on their perception of job prospects in that
field. At our university, economics is now the most popular major, so
students must perceive this field as having the best job prospects.
Therefore, we can increase our enrollment if we focus our advertising and
recruiting on publicizing the accomplishments of our best-known economics
professors and the success of our economics graduates in finding
employment.”
Topic Sentence 1: First, the argument is based on a gratuitous assumption
that students throughout the country must perceive economics as having the
best job prospects because economics is the most popular major at Argent
University.
Topic Sentence 2: Second, the arguer overemphasizes the importance of
economics major and ignores other possible factors that may contribute to
the enrollment.
Topic Sentence 3: Another assumption in short of legitimacy is the causal
relationship claimed between publishing the accomplishments of Argent’s
best-known economics professors as well as the success of its economics
graduates in finding employment and the enrollment increase.
------------------------------------------------第四課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
（to continue）
In conclusion, the argument is unconvincing because the arguer
oversimplifies both the problem and its possible solutions. To strengthen
the argument, the arguer would have to provide evidence that the economics
is indeed the most attractive major for undergraduates all over the
country. To better evaluate the argument, we would need more information
about the present enrollment situation of both the economics field and
other fields at Argent University as well as other possible effective means
for promoting enrollment.
九、Argument小結(jié)
Part Two
十、是非問題例文分析
Case Study 1：
“People often complain that products are not made to last. They feet that
making products that wear out fairly quickly wastes both natural and human
resources. What they fail to see, however, is that such manufacturing
practices keep costs down for the consumer and stimulate demand.”
Which do you find more compelling the complaint about products that do not
list or the response to it? Explain your position using relevant reasons
and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.
2分作文：
I find the response better than the complaint of people. The response seems
to originate without much thought involved. It is more of an emotional
complaint than one anchored in logic or thought. Yes, it is a waste of
human resources but that is without consideration to the benefits: lower
costs and stimulated demand. Thus, the response fails to recognize the
benefits.
The strength of the response is that it forces the reader to reconsider the
complaint. It adds a new dimension to the argument. It, however, fails to
address the issue of wasting human resources. Does this mean the responder
agrees with the notion of wasting resources.
In all actuality both the response and complaint is ineffective. The
complaint doesn’t recognize or address the benefits, like the response
doesn’t address the issue of wasting resources. The response, however,
does bring in a new dimension and thus weakens the argument of the
complaint.
4分作文：
I find the response to the complaint more compelling. Although the
complaint is valid, it is most often the case the building a product to
last forever will indeed cost more than the average consumer is willing to
pay. Creating such a product would require more materials and/or more heavy-
duty wear resistant materials which inherently are more expensive. Another
factor that would drive costs up is the fact that demand for products would
decrease. The demand would decrease since people do not have to replace old
products with new products as often. With the increased variable costs for
materials combined with a reduction in the production volume associated
with lower demand, manufacturers must raise prices to break even or
maintain the current level of profits.
Although a few producers may make products to last, it is understandable
how these companies can be driven out of existence. If a new competitor
enters the market with a similar product that has a shorter life but a
substantially lower price, then they will probably steal major portions of
the other company's market share. The effects depend heavily upon the
consumer’s perception of quality and what the customers requirements from
the product actually are.
For example, consumers may decide between two types of automobiles. One car
may be built to last a long time but may not have the performance or be as
comfortable as another car that is cheaper. So most consumers would
purchase the cheaper car even though it may not last-as long as the heavy-
duty car. Consumers may not realize that the more expensive car is of
higher quality in the sense that it will last longer and will not be
willing to pay the extra cost.
Consumer decisions also depend on what consumers are actually looking for
in a product. Consumers typically get tired of driving the same car for
many years and want to buy new cars fairly often. This tendency forces
producers to keep costs low enough to allow low enough prices for people to
buy cars often. People don’t want cars to last forever.
In conclusion, producers are in the situation that they're in due to
external forces from the consumers. Producers must compete and they have
found the best way satisfy the majority of the consumers.
6分作文：
Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly,
many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be
noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate
demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former
statement and refuting the latter statement.
Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human
resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the
specific product. For example in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the
classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last.
Considering that the average Yugo had (not “has” since they are no longer
produced! ) a life expectancy of two years and 25, 000 miles, it was a
terrible waste.
Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranted for
about five years and 50, 000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last less
than half as long as most cars are warranted, the Yugo producer is wasting
valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or
Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby
reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two.
Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side,
manufacturers of a poor quality automobile, like the Yugo, get no personal
or profession satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst
automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the
productivity of the Yugo workers.
Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive
feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its
reputation for quality and innovation as is seen in its recent massive
recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn's image
was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad
situation would have become even worse.
Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer.
A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for
the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle
owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle's performance at 7 AM as he/she
is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great
waste of human resources for the consumer.
While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a
poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low
quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence
stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1998’s the
Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States at $ 3995. By 1991,
the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word “l(fā)emon.”
Case Study 2：
“The best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want
and then advise them how to attain it.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
from your own experiences, observations, or reading.
Student Essay
When I was in Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. And all my
teachers believed that I would enter into a first-class university and
would have a splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance
Examination, l met an accident and laid down in bed for several months. At
last, I was only admitted by a second-class university. With great
disappointment, I felt that my future was nothing but darkness. And also I
was afraid of being blamed by my patents.
Mother saw through my thoughts. She borrowed several instructive books for
me and seldom mentioned the exams. For the first time, my parents asked for
several days off and took me to Qingdao--the most famous scenic spot of
China --for vacation. Along the seaside, Mother talked with me for many
times. I can still clearly remember what she said: “The ways to success
are different. If you keep positive and make efforts continuously, I
believe that you will be no less excellent than those from first-class
universities.” At last, eternity? Ask yourself what are you going to be in
the future. Try your best, and you will reach your goal. "
For so many years, Mother' s words seems to have inscribed in my heart and
lead me to gain successes one after another. From this personal experience,
I fully understand and agree that the best way to give advice to other
people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it.
------------------------------------------------第五課時(shí)完------------------
-----------------------------
Revised Essay
What is the best way to give advice to other people? The arguer claims that
the best way is to find out what other people want and then advise them how
to attain it. While I admit that many people do give advice by catering to
other people’s desires, I maintain that this method oversimplifies the
issue and often proves both harmful and ineffective.
In the first place, people very often have no clear idea of what they
really want. My personal experience is a case in point. When I was in
Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. Moreover, all my teachers
believed that I would enter a first-class university and would have a
splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance Examination, I had
an accident and had to lie in bed for several months. As a result, I was
admitted only by a second-class university, which pushed me to the brink of
despair. At this decisive moment of my life, my mother came to my rescue.
By recommending to me instructive books on life, by talking with me heart
to heart, by taking me on a trip to the beach, mother convinced me that the
goal of my life was to live a successful and happy life rather than to go
to a famous university, and that the ways to success are various. In this
way my mother saved me out of the crisis of my life not simply by finding
out what I wanted and then advising me how to attain it, but by patiently
enlightening me on the essential meaning and purpose of life, making me
realize that what I took for granted as my aim of life was not what I
really needed.
In the second place, more often than not what people want is not what is
best for them. A naive child may want to quit school; a patient suffering
from TB may want to smoke; a jobless young man may want to commit suicide---
-this list can go on and on. In all these situations, should we simply find
out what they want and advise them how to attain it? Obviously not.
Admittedly, it would be unwise to ignore the simple fact that people are
different. As we know, excessive interference with other people’s life
tends to threaten their freedom and independence, causing hostility and
confrontation. Therefore, when offering advice to other people, we should
be very sensitive to their unique feelings and desires, knowing that
individual human beings have the inalienable right to make choices in their
life and that they themselves will be responsible for the results of their
decision-making.
In conclusion, I do not agree that the best way to advise people is simply
to find out what they desire and help them achieve it. In my estimation,
the pitfalls of such a technique outweigh its potential advantages. To be a
responsible advisor, we should take into account far more intricate factors
relevant to the person to be advised.
十一、Issue的立場(chǎng)問題
評(píng)分依據(jù)是：是否有效地支持了你的立場(chǎng)
Taking a Position:
1. Agreeing with concession
2. Disagreeing with concession
3. Refusing to take sides
4. Agreeing
5. Disagreeing
十二、是非問題例文分析
Case Study 3：
"The rise of multinational corporations is leading to global homogeneity.
People everywhere arc beginning to want the same products and services, and
regional difference are rapidly disappearing." "homogeneity: sameness,
similarity."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
based on your own experience, your observations, or your reading.
Student's Essay
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every comer of the
world. The products and services they provide are almost the same, leading
to global homogeneity, indeed.
The most prominent corporation among all has to be McDonald Inc. There is
really no doubt that McDonald is a pioneer in globalizing its most produced
and yet very -- American -- taste hamburgers. Some 6 years ago in China,
People usually did not care for foreign food. Very few people ever knew the
taste of cheese, a symbol of difference in oriental and Western food.
However, McDonald proved to be huge success in China. The first branch it
opened in Beijing is the largest among its thousands franchises.
Hamburgers, French fries, Big Mac are becoming household words in China.
Especially among the younger generations, going to McDonald once in a while
becomes a routine activity in life, just as kids in other parts of the
world do.
There is really no better place than China that can demonstrate how
homogeneous our world has become. Another great example is Coca Cola.
Everyone hated the taste when they drank Coca Cola in the first time. In
China, the taste is so different from the traditional soft drinks sold in
China, which mainly feature sweet taste and fruit flavor. The color of the
Coke is also not liked because of its similarity to most herbal medicine
fluids. But it seems that people simply want Coca Cola because they see
people drink it and love it in other countries. People's tastes can change,
and they did gradually. Now Coca Cola is the best sold soft drink in China,
and in many other countries where Coke was originally disliked.
These all have to be attributed to the financial power of multinational
corporations. With superior financial strength and successful products and
services, these giants are shaping the world and the people living in it
into their own favor, making people want the same products and services,
and regional differences have been disappearing.
Revised Essay
Why are people everywhere beginning to want the same products and services?
Why are regional differences rapidly disappearing? The arguer asserts that
it is the rise of multinational corporations that is leading to this global
homogeneity. We don’t have to look very far to see the validity of this
argument.
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every corner of the
world, bringing the same products and standard services to customers of
different countries and regions. The most striking example among all is
perhaps McDonald Inc, which has miraculously globalized its mass-produced
American-flavored hamburger all over the world. Take China for an example.
Some 6 years ago, Chinese people did not care for foreign food; very few
people knew the taste of cheese--a symbol of difference between Oriental
and Western food. However, with its overwhelming advertising campaigns,
with its efficient management, with its standardized foods and services,
McDonald’s has proved to be a great success, turning Hamburger, French
fries, Big Mac into household words in China.
In addition to McDonald’s, Coca-Cola is another striking example of the
globalizing trend in world culture. Today almost in every country of the
world, people instinctively think of Coca-Cola when they want to drink
something. Obviously, with the rapid emergence of numerous multinational
corporations like McDonald and Coca-Cola, people of different races and
cultures are more and more likely to eat, drink, wear and use uniform
commodities.
Admittedly, the rise of multinational corporations is not the only factor
that has contributed to the global homogeneity. First, the more and more
prosperous international travel has provided people of every nation with
more and more opportunities to visit and learn from foreign cultures.
Second, television has made it possible for people of different places to
understand and imitate each other’s way of life. Last but not least, the
Internet is connecting every office and family, turning the whole world
into a global village.
In conclusion, while numerous other factors have contributed to and are
still adding to the globalizing trend, the rise of multinational
corporations is certainly one major force in shaping a homogeneous world.
------------------------------------------------第六課時(shí)完------------------
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Case Study 4：
"Every business decision is based on the profit motive. Even charity has as
its ultimate goal generating good will for the person or group doing the
charity."
Assuming that the term "business decision" is broad enough to include the
decisions of any decision-making authority--an individual, a family, a
small business or a large corporation--explain whether you think that this
point is valid. In your discussion, use reasons and/or examples drawn from
your own experience, observation, or reading.
Student’s Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the base of every business
decision. Even ultimate goal of people or groups is to make profit when
they are doing charity. I think that sometimes people make decision based
on profit , but it is not always true.
The claims may be real and understandable under certain circumstances. In
order to remain in existence, people or organizations must get profit. For
example, a food-processing company may donor its products to Africa
children, so it can solve its excessive store, get a good reputation and
publicity its products. At last, it can gain ultimate its aim--making more
money.
Although this thing may be happening in our lives, I think it is not
consistent with general facts. I believe many people's decision rests on
love sympathy, humanity and other things. The famous nurse--Nightingale is
a good example: She was born in a rich family and she could live in a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted her life to the
wound and the poor. Nobody can say what all she did is to make profit.
In conclusion, I hold that business decision sometimes is based on the
profit motive, but in most cases, it is based on people's emotion or
character.
Revised Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the basis of every business
decision. Furthermore, they claim that the ultimate goal of every people or
group including charity organizations is to make profit. In my opinion, it
is true that people often make decisions by calculating profit, but it is
unfounded to assert that any decision-making is motivated by profit.
The arguer's claim may be true and understandable under certain
circumstances. For one thing, in order to survive in the economic world,
people or organizations have to make profit. As we know, the first thing
that people must do on earth is to survive. Without adequate profit out of
investment, no single human being or organization can make a living. For
another, individuals or organizations are instinctively dissatisfied with
what they have already achieved. They strive for further development, for
greater success and hence for higher profit. For example, a food-processing
company may donate its products to African children so that it can not only
reduce its overstocking products, but also win a good reputation and
publicize its products. As it turns out, the ultimate result is always
expectedly rewarding--big bucks.
Although people all over the world spare no pains to seek fortune through
various means, it is unwise for us to conclude that any decision-making is
necessarily profit-oriented. First, some examples of altruism are difficult
to explain in terms of self-interest alone. The famous nurse Nightingale is
a good example. Born in a rich family, she could naturally live a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted all her life to the
wounded and the poor. Nobody can say for sure that all she did is to make
profit. Second, this argument is not consistent with the fact that human
motivation is far too complex. Many of our daily decisions rest on love,
sympathy, humanity and other things. Finally, it is ridiculous to lump
together "profit" and "good will". Obviously, these two terms are not
interchangeable.
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies human nature. Although business
decisions and many of our daily decisions are based on the profit motive,
it would be too cynical to assume that profit is the only thing that
motivates people in the world. I wonder if the speaker has any hidden
profit motive in making this argument, which is certainly not a profitable
idea.
Part Three: Summary
十三、Language Skills
1. Sentence Variety
Example 1:
Change: Beijing’s streets are crowded with taxis, company cars and private
vehicles owned by the newly affluent. The number has been rising rapidly in
the last few years. The latest statistics show there are now 1.2 million
vehicles in Beijing alone.
To: Taxis, company cars and private vehicles owned by the newly affluent
have crammed Beijing’s streets in rising numbers in the last few years--
1.2 million vehicles at last count.
Example 2:
Change: Thousands of buildings met the same fate. This alone is now being
preserved. It marks the center of the nuclear explosion. It is being
preserved as a symbol. It symbolizes our wish that there be no more
Hiroshimas.
To: Of the thousands of buildings that met the same fate, this alone,
marking the center of the nuclear explosion, is now being preserved to
symbolize our wish that there be no more Hiroshimas.
Example 3:
Change: It was quite obvious at that time that IQ equals intelligence.
Since then, however, many people have seriously criticized the idea.
To: The idea that IQ equals intelligence seemed obvious at the time but has
since come under much criticism.
2. Parallel Structure
Example 1:
Change: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
his employees loved him.
To: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
Loved by his employees.
Example 2:
Change: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-
Japanese War, and following the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
To: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-Japanese
War, and had followed the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
Example 3:
Change: This could be a problem for both the winners and for those who lose.
To: This could be a problem for both the winners and the losers.
Example 4:
Change: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are
long but they are obscure.
To: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are long
but because they are obscure.
Example 5:
Change: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful,
business had increased more than forty percent, and additional capital was
sorely needed.
To: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful, that
business had increased more than forty percent, and that additional capital
was sorely needed.
3. Attributive Clause
Example 1:
Change: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
To: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Example 2:
Change: Only a person who is oblivious to the facts of modern life would
doubt the need of vocational education today.
To: Only a person oblivious to the facts of modern life would doubt the
need of vocational education today.
4. Pronouns
1) Change: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he
could have been if he had used it to advantage.
To: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he could have
been if he had used his ability to advantage.
2) Change: My sister is a biology teacher, it is a profession I know
nothing about.
To: My sister is a biology teacher, but the teaching of biology is a
profession I know nothing about.
3) Change: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too
late to do it now.
To: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too late now.
5. Punctuation Marks
冒號(hào):
1) Most sports programs, despite their excesses, manage to promote the old
virtues such as self-confidence, personal responsibility, teamwork,
persistence, the ability to win and lose with grace.
2) For Omar Khayyam, a Persian Poet, three things are necessary for a
paradise on earth: a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and one’s beloved.
破折號(hào):
1) What he lacked in intelligence--and he lacked a good deal--he made up
for in physical strength.
2) In many parts of the developing world, life’s basic necessities--food,
clothing, shelter, and taxes--gobble up people’s earnings.
3) Every afternoon, Larry has two hours of track practice. He has followed
the same routine five days a week since he was seven--all in hopes of
winning a college athletic scholarship and eventually a shot at the
Olympics.
4) Government is only as good as the man in it--which is why it needs more
women.
分號(hào):
1) The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feed.
2) Science needs to live alongside religion, philosophy, history and
esthetic experience; alone it can lead to great harm.
3) According to one national survey, high school boys expected a starting
salary of $19,500 for their first full-time job; on the other hand, high
school girls expected a starting salary of only $15,000.
括號(hào):
1) For a long time (too long as far as I’m concerned), women were thought
to be inferior to men.
2) We think (unless we live in a research laboratory), that we have nothing
to discover, and the only things of the utmost importance to us concern the
present of the man.
十四、Prep Tips
1. Recite the outlines;
2. Prepare essay frames;
3. Write as many essays as possible according to your conditions;
4. Read and recite sample essays and the materials in the KIT of my book;
5. Learn to revise your own essays according to the following checklist:
作文自查清單
1)．是否針對(duì)題目寫作，有沒有跑題？
2)．結(jié)構(gòu)是否合理，有無完整的開頭、正文（2到3段）和結(jié)尾？
3)．是否在開頭段提出了自己的立場(chǎng)？
4)．中間段落每段是否有主題句（topic sentence）？
5)．中間段落每段是否用事例或理由支持該段的主題句？
6)．是否使用連接詞使文章上下文連貫、通順？
7)．每段是否有句式變換？
8)．結(jié)尾段是否總結(jié)了自己的理由并重申了自己的立場(chǎng)？
9)．語言方面是否有下列錯(cuò)誤：大小寫錯(cuò)誤、標(biāo)點(diǎn)符號(hào)錯(cuò)誤、拼寫錯(cuò)誤、串句、錯(cuò) 位修飾、
排比錯(cuò)誤、主謂語不一致、定語從句錯(cuò)誤、時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤、名詞單復(fù)數(shù)錯(cuò)誤、搭配錯(cuò)誤、詞性錯(cuò)
誤、用詞不當(dāng)，等等？
十五、Suggestions
Practice makes perfect.
Where there is a will, there is a way.