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GRE备考:GRE作文范文大全(22)

发布时间:2012-01-26来源:查字典留学网

GRE备考:GRE作文范文大全(22)

GRE考试形式:中国大陆地区、香港、澳门、韩国目前执行分开考试的形式。由机考(分析性写作)和笔试(语文、数学)组成。

Those who disagree that we tend to restrict our own freedom through our habits and

attitudes involving personal and employment relationships might cite the often-heard complaint

about life's circumstances leaving one with "no choice." One complaining person might feel

trapped in a job or a marriage, by their boss or partner. Another complainant might blame his

or her spendthrift habits on enticing advertisements, the pressure to appear successful, and so

forth. However, people in situations such as these are not actually at the mercy of others.

Instead, they have a significant degree of personal freedom, but simply choose one alternative

over others that might be less appealing or even self-defeating. For example, almost every

person who blames someone else for being trapped in a job is simply choosing to retain a

certain measure of financial security. The choice to forego this security is always available,

although it might carry unpleasant consequences.

That through our attitudes we serve to constrain our own freedom is evident on a societal

level as well. Just as children at a playground quickly develop the habit of imposing rules and

regulations on themselves, as a society we do the same. After all, in a democracy our system

of laws is an invention of the people. For example, we insist on being bound by restrictions for

operadng motor vehides, for buying and selling both real and personal property, and for

making public statements about other people. Without these restrictions, we would live in

continual fear for our physical safety, the security of our property, and our personal reputation

and dignity. Thus most of the rules and regulations we claim are imposed on us we have

ultimately imposed on ourselves, as a society, in order to protect ourselves.

In the final analysis, in contenting that our habits and attitudes "often" serve to restrict our

freedom more than restraints that others place on us do, the statement does not even go far

enough. Despite our occasional sense that others are restricting our choices, on both an

individual and a societal level we are ultimately the ones who, through our attitudes and habits,

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limit our own freedom.

Issue 37

"In any realm of life---whether academic, social, business, or political---the only way to

succeed is to take a practical, rather than an idealistic, point of view. Pragmatic behavior

guarantees survival, whereas idealistic views tend to be superceded by simpler, more

immediate options."

I agree with the speaker insofar as that a practical, pragmatic approach toward our endeavors

can help us survive in the short tenn. However, idealism is just as crucial if not more so--for

long-term success in any endeavor, whether it be in academics, business, or political and

social reform.

When it comes to academics, students who we would consider pragmatic tend not to pursue

an education for its own sake. Instead, they tend to cut whatever corners are needed to

optimize their grade average and survive the current academic term. But, is this approach the

only way to succeed academically? Certainly not. Students who eamesdy pursue intellectual

paths that truly interest them are more likely to come away with a meaningful and lasting

education. In fact, a sense of mission about one's area of fascination is strong motivation to

participate actively in class and to study earnesdy, both of which contribute to better grades in

that area. Thus, although the idealist-student might sacrifice a high overall grade average, the

depth of knowledge, academic discipline, and sense of purpose the student gains will serve

that student well later in life. 感谢您阅读《GRE作文范文大全(22) 》一文,查字典出国留学网()编辑部希望本文能帮助到您。GRE考试形式:中国大陆地区、香港、澳门、韩国目前执行分开考试的形式。由机考(分析性写作)和笔试(语文、数学)组成。

In considering the business world it might be more tempting to agree with the speaker; after

all, isn't business fundamentally about pragmatism--that is, "getting the job done" and paying

attention to the "bottom line"? Emphatically, no. Admittedly, the everyday machinations of

business are very much about meeting mundane short-term goals: deadlines for production,

sales quotas, profit margins, and so forth. Yet underpinning these activities is the vision of the

company's chief executive--a vision which might extend far beyond mere profit maximization to

the ways in which the frrm can make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the community, to

the broader economy, and to the society as a whole. Without a dream or vision--that is, without

strong idealist leadership--a firm can easily be cast about in the sea of commerce without dear

direction, threatening not only the fLrm's bottom line but also its very survival.

Finally, when it comes to the political arena, again at fzrst blush it might appear that

pragmatism is the best, if not the only, way to succeed. Most politicians seem driven by their

interest in being elected and reelected--that is, in surviving--rather than by any sense of

mission, or even obligation to their constituency or country. Diplomatic and legal maneuverings

and negotiations often appear intended to meet the practical needs of the parties

involved--minimizing costs, preserving options, and so forth. But, it is idealists-not

pragmatists--who sway the masses, incite revolutions, and make political ideology reality.

Consider idealists such as America's founders, Mahatma Gandhi, or Martin Luther IGng. Had

these idealists concerned themselves with short-term survival and immediate needs rather

than with their notions of an ideal society, the United States and India might still be British

colonies, and African-Americans might still be relegated to the backs of buses.

In short, the statement fails to recognize that idealism--keeping one's eye on an ultimate

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prize--is the surest path to long-term success in any endeavor. Meeting one's immediate

needs, while arguably necessary for short-term survival, accomplishes litde without a sense of

mission, a vision, or a dream for the long term.

Issue 38

"The study of history has value only to the extent that it is relevant to our daily lives."

The speaker alleges that studying history is valuable only insofar as it is relevant to our daily

lives. I find this allegation to be specious. It wrongly suggests that history is not otherwise

instructive and that its relevance to our everyday lives is limited. To the contrary, studying

history provides inspiration, innumerable lessons for living, and useful value-clarification and

perspective---all of which help us decide how to live our lives. 感谢您阅读《GRE作文范文大全(22) 》一文,查字典出国留学网()编辑部希望本文能帮助到您。GRE考试形式:中国大陆地区、香港、澳门、韩国目前执行分开考试的形式。由机考(分析性写作)和笔试(语文、数学)组成。

To begin with, learning about great human achievements of the past provides inspiration.

For example, a student inspired by the courage and tenacity of history's great explorers might

decide as a result to pursue a career in archeology, oceanography, or astronomy. This decision

can, in turn, profoundly affect that student's everyday life--in school and beyond. Even for

students not inclined to pursue these sorts of careers, studying historical examples of courage

in the face of adversity can provide motivation to face their own personal fears in life. In short,

learning about grand accomplishments of the past can help us get through the everyday

business of living, whatever that business might be, by emboldening us and lifting our spirits.

In addition, mistakes of the past can teach us as a society how to avoid repeating those

mistakes. For example, history can teach us the inappropriateness of addressing certain social

issues, particularly moral ones, on a societal level. Attempts to legislate morality invariably fail,

as aptly illustrated by the Prohibition experiment in the U.S. during the 1930s. Hopefully, as a

society we can apply this lesson by adopting a more enlightened legislative approach toward

such issues as free speech, criminalization of drug use, criminal justice, and equal rights under

the law.

Studying human history can also help us understand and appreciate the mores, values, and

ideals of past cultures. A heightened awareness of cultural evolution, in turn, helps us

formulate informed and reflective values and ideals for ourselves. Based on these values and

ideals, students can determine their authentic life path as well as how they should allot their

time and interact with others on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, it might be tempting to imply from the speaker's allegation that studying history has

little relevance even for the mundane chores that occupy so much of our time each day, and

therefore is of little value. However, from history we learn not to take everyday activities and

things for granted. By understanding the history of money and banking we can transform an

otherwise routine trip to the bank into an enlightened experience, or a visit to the grocery store

into an homage to the many inventors, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs of the past

who have made such convenience possible today. And, we can fully appreciate our freedom to

go about our daily lives largely as we choose only by understanding our political heritage. In

short, appreciating history can serve to elevate our everyday chores to richer, more interesting,

and more enjoyable experiences. In sum, the speaker fails to recognize that in all our

activities and decisions--from our grandest to our most rote--history can inspire, inform, guide,

and nurture. In the final analysis, to study history is to gain the capacity to be more

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human--and I would be hard- pressed to imagine a worthier end.

Issue 39

"It is primarily through formal education that a culture tries to perpetuate the ideas it favors and

discredit the ideas it fears."

The speaker asserts that a culture perpetuates the ideas it favors while discrediting those it

fears primarily through formal education. I agree that grade-school, and even high-school,

education involves cultural indoctrination. Otherwise, I think the speaker misun-derstands the

role of higher education, and overlooks other means by which a culture achieves these ends.

I agree with the speaker with respect to formal grade-school and even high-school

education--which to some extent amount to indoctrination with the values, ideas, and

principles of mainstream society. In my observation, young students are not taught to question

authority, to take issue with what they are taught, or to think critically for themselves. Yet, this

indoctrination is actually desirable to an extent. Sole emphasis on rote learning of facts and

figures is entirely appropriate for grade-school children, who have not yet gained the

intellectual capacity and real-world experience to move up to higher, more complex levels of

thinking. Nevertheless, the degree to which our grade schools and high schools emphasize

indoctrination should not be overstated. After all, cultural mores, values, and biases have little

to do with education in the natural sciences, mathe matics, and specific language skills such

as reading and writing. 感谢您阅读《GRE作文范文大全(22) 》一文,查字典出国留学网()编辑部希望本文能帮助到您。

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