GRE作文5分 Issue干货分享1.0

今日吃饭聊天， 聊到当年GRE 作文，一位盆友作文5分，准备资料被我搜刮而来。example，argument与思路outline都是满满的干货，资料巨长，先把Society相关的话题post出来（经盆友同意），所谓逆天分数都是从何而来!
.google  и

Laws
21. Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times, and places.
●        Account for change of social/economical circumstances (US constitution is worded to allow interpretation)
●        Need to reprimand criminals differently according to their circumstances (traffic ticket fines in Sweden is proportional to income)
●        Counter example: In many Western European nations, the law is seen as rigid and not open to interpretation. The law allows for court systems to process cases efficiently and cuts down on the amount of frivolous lawsuits.
●        Counter-counter example 1: society changes, so do societal values and moral standards. If law is rigorously established to meet the need of a time, it will need to be constantly updated.
●        Counter-counter example 2: when there are cases that are not captured in the law, it will be more confusing.
65. Every individual in a society has a responsibility to obey just laws and to disobey and resist unjust laws.
●        The intention of law is the establishment of a standard that everyone should follow. If citizens have the flexibility to disobey laws that they ‘think’ are unjust, the purpose of law will be lost.
●        Instead of disobeying unjust laws, shouldn’t individuals pursue governments to change laws (democracy, or revolution)
●        Counter example: US declaration of independence supports “right of revolution.”
●        Counter-counter example: Acceptable only when there is a considerate number of  individuals from different backgrounds who disapprove certain laws
89. Claim: Many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws and the legal system. Reason: Laws cannot change what is in people's hearts or minds.
●        Repressive regimes design laws to suppress its people, these laws don’t solve problem
●        People disobey laws (speeding, etc.) even if they are created with good intention
●        Eventually people stand up to laws they cannot tolerate (French revolution was to fight against French social structure that was written in law)

Media

75. In this age of intensive media coverage, it is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
44. Claim: It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero. Reason: The reputation of anyone who is subjected to media scrutiny will eventually be diminished.
●        Not necessarily true, true heros can be subject to media scrutiny and still be heros
●        Counter: Most heroes are recognized posthumously
84. It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
●        Jimmy Carter, living former US president, is regarded as hero for his legacy in handling Iran Hostage Crisis and his work in eliminating diseases in developing nations
●        All hero have their shortfalls, media magnifies these shortfalls because digital media spreads and even exaggerate news. Nelson Mandela is regarded as a hero in anti-apartheid movement, but faced nepotism allegations later in life. Nonetheless, people still treat him as a hero at that time   and they tend to overlook his mTo be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standardsistakes.
●        Following this logic, nobody can be declared a hero. Even deceased people face scrutiny.
93. Unfortunately, in contemporary society, creating an appealing image has become more important than the reality or truth behind that image.
●        Physical image: plastic surgery
●        Physical image: Similarly, people are judged by their appearance, their clothing, etc. Politicians that are charming are more trusted, even though people know nothing about their capabilities
●        Social character: Starbucks claims that it recycles paper cups to build an environmental friendly image. But it was caught not recycling the paper cups.
104. To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
107. .
●        How do we evaluate leader? Is it about a country’s economy? Is it about military? Is it about foreign relationships? Not that these officials must be role models.
●        People have different moral standards. Impossible to satisfy everyone’s principles.
●        Not necessarily true, many leaders have been effective and not have the highest ethical or moral standards
○        Examples: Hitler, Stalin
○        These are leaders who people followed not because they have moral standard, but for their own benefit
22. Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models. Reason: Heroes and role models reveal a society's highest ideals.
122. The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.
●        Martin Luther King is a champion against racism, but racism is still rampant in US
●        Heros and role models exist because we have not reach that level, the society is only moving toward the values that those people represent (this should be point 1)
●        People have different choices for role models. One’s role model or hero is not everyone’s hero.


Studies in society, culture
2. To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.
117. It is primarily in cities that a nation's cultural traditions are generated and preserved.
●        Most of the population is concentrated in the cities (urban centers) (also most of the economy, Singapore=Country)
●        Cities have venue to present values (museums, convention centers, etc.)
●        Neglect impact of rural communities, neglecting geography of a country, agriculture
○        Example. US polsters overlooked impact of rural communities in 2016 US Election
77. The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is to analyze the trends of its youth.
●        Young people are most active in the society, their activities are more widely covered
●        Culture that originate from young people will turn into mainstream when they become middle-age
●        But trend of youth does not include traditional values that people cherish, like constitutional monarchy, etc.
78. People's attitudes are determined more by their immediate situation or surroundings than by society as a whole
●        Both have an important contribution to people’s attitudes
●        Attitudes that depend on your background will be shaped more by society and upbringing
○        Example. Logic questioning, rationale decisions, strategic decisions
●        Attitudes that depend on your instinct and emotions may be shaped more by your immediate situation
○        Example. Mental breakdowns, emotions, emergency crisis fighting, terrorists
●        People’s response will be spontaneous when the immediate situation is unexpected/things are not going according to plan
●        People who are more responsive/ instinctive vs People who are more bounded by social norms

Individualism vs Collectivism
85. Some people believe that in order to thrive, a society must put its own overall success before the well-being of its individual citizens. Others believe that the well-being of a society can only be measured by the general welfare of all its people.
●        Commonly accepted measurements of well-being of a society include HDI, Gini index, all of which respects individual interests
●        Counter, counter-counter example: A society that places its own interest over individual citizens is precursor to repressive government. Communist systems disregards people’s personal interests, hence those countries were not successful
●        A society is constituted of individuals. Unhappiness among the people accumulates, which might mount to disaster. For example, Libya before Arab spring.
http://www.essayjudge.com/document_detail.php?doc_id=1647
145. The general welfare of a nation's people is a better indication of that nation's greatness than are the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
●        Great countries have successful figures who had substantial achievements, but in the end, it is the well being of  the general public that indicates the nation’s greatness.
●        What is greatness? Economy, military, foreign relationship, science, culture, life satisfaction.
●        General welfare of a nation’s people can be indicated by HDI
●        Successful rulers, artists and scientists will improve the well-being of a nation’s people. Britain benefited from scientific developments (stream engine) and effective ruler (Queen Victoria).
●        ------------ To argue against this point --------
●        People assess greatness of a country by its overall achievements. The United States is considered a great country partly because of its achievement in scientific research and military strength. Composite Index of National Capacity measures overall strength of a nation, in which well-being of its people plays little role. Byzantium was considered a great nation during Emperor Justinian’s time because he re-established control of Italy. Yet, its people suffered from heavy taxes and lack of food.
●        Northern European countries have high HDI, an index used to measure the well being of a nation. These countries are generally not considered great because they gave birth to few memorable figures.
. .и●        China had many great people in 1900s, but it was not great, as many foreign powers were encroaching on Chinese sovereignty.
Others
147. The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's citizens.
●        Need to define effectiveness. If the leader is focusing on social development, then yes, but this metric is not true otherwise.
●        Well-being of a country’s citizens is more related to the social/political system, except in autocratic countries (check and balance, healthy investment environment)
●        A country’s leader is responsible for not only internal policies, but also foreign relationships or other things that don’t have much impact on well-being of citizens (Emperor Justinian was effective military leader, but Byzantine economy suffered, Stalin)
111. In any profession—business, politics, education, government—those in power should step down after five years.
149. In any field—business, politics, education, government—those in power should be required to step down after five years.
8. Claim: In any field—business, politics, education, government—those in power should step down after five years.
●        Why 5 years?
●        Experienced people cannot stay in power in this system. We want people who are familiar with the system. Veterans knows the system better, have lots of connections.
●        Makes sense in some situations, such as government
○        Prevents governments from being complacent, corruption, etc.
○        But, many politicians are re-elected over and over, Stephen Harper was re-elected 3 times.
99. People's behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making.
11. People's behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making.
●        Survival needs, as in, sometimes people have to take on jobs that they do not like to earn money
●        Peer pressure. New gadget among youth.
●        Schooling, interaction with others shapes us. We learn of the expected behavior through these interactions. How we behave is largely guided by these experiences.
●        People are not the same, people chase their own dreams. Bill Gates would have finished his degree and looked for an ordinary job if he wasn’t pursuing his dream of building an OS
18. The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.
●        Well-being of a society only depends on the values that people appreciate (traditional values like modesty, honesty, has nothing to do with whether people question authority)
●        When people question authority and their concerns are not handled appropriately, there can be social unrest (civil rights movement)
43. The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
●        Fast pace of life increases productivity, which allows people to have more time to relax (turn around time for services is shorter)
●        Counter: Potential problems include stress, degrading physical condition.
●        Counter-counter: increased pace of life indicates human evolution. Therefore, according to Darwin’s survival of the fitness theory, the people should gradually adapt to the increased pace. (method of transportation went from horse to car to aircraft)
128. Some people argue that successful leaders in government, industry, or other fields must be highly competitive. Other people claim that in order to be successful, a leader must be willing and able to cooperate with others.
●        Competition in industry lowers prices for consumers
○        Examples. Coke vs Pepsi, Verizon vs Tmobile vs Sprint
●        Cooperate in times of tough business/economy
○        Examples. Cunard and White Star
●        Counter: Leaders that cooperate with others will have more success in navigating political or business waters
○        Competition must follow ethical standards
130. Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the societies and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of corporations, provided they operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible.
150. Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the societies and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of corporations, provided they operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible.
●        Foundation of capitalism is for corporations to make money. Corporations are responsible to shareholders, not the general public
●        Laws and regulations ensure that corporate activities will not be harmful to societies and environments. As long as corporations follow laws and regulations, they are fulfilling their obligations.
●        Counter example: Corporations that take advantage of loopholes in regulations will eventually be caught, and their reputation will be damaged. For example, Google and Starbucks was widely criticized for registering sales in low-tax countries. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Custom, HMRC, is now enforcing companies to register sales in UK and these companies have repaid missing taxes.

Ideas Related to Society
How to identify social values
●        Through youth trends
●        Through its leaders
●        Not through role models or hero
Roles of the government, its citizens and influential individuals
Government: Regulations and laws that are flexible. These regulations/laws should promote social well-being and are for welfare of the people.
Influential Individual: good moral standard, to be role models. But note that people are expecting too much from people like sports stars
Corporations/celebrities who did bad things will eventually get damaged reputation. They are not responsible for social well-beings.

How are moral standards establish? How did we agree on common values?
●        From your education and upbringing.
●        From your religion and beliefs
●        Inner circle
●        Propaganda
●        Media (Advertising, especially for kids)
●        History is moral lessons

Laws:
        Need to be flexible. Unjust ones can be disobeyed.
        People should follow moral standard. Laws are the bottom line.
        Laws are written to describe in what people believe in. Laws change over time to fit what people believe in.
        Law is the last defense against villains. It instills fear in people by punishement. It does not promote moral values, but only protect societal orders.

Heros: People who did admirable things. They are not necessarily perfect people, they are not omnipotent. Your parents or your friends can be your hero.

Nelson Mandela


补充内容 (2020-2-25 15:01):
分topic在这个post后面有陆续更新

求米！祝大家GRE都好运！

The following is about Education:

Interest vs Skills vs Demand
3. Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
35. Educational institutions should dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
137. Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
●        Define “Educational institutions”. School Board? Schools? Teachers?
●        Educational institutions have more knowledge, data to predict whether a student will suceed
●        Counterpoint: Students have the final choice. You won’t know if you succeed or fail until after you try
●        Counterpoint: How can you tell that someone is unlikely to succeed? Example: Stephen Hawking
6. A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
14. A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
96. A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
. Waral dи,●        National education curriculum: content of courses + standardized tests
●        Increase transparency of the education system. Ensure that students receive the same opportunity and education, which is another implementation of fairness among people.
. Χ●        Nation can have more control over the upbringing of its younger generation; therefore, it can creates a curriculum that will engender future citizens who are well-rounded and responsible. Control over materials: social studies that includes history of the nation which is a subject that students tend to overlook when they normally focus on other academic subjects such as Maths and English.
12. Governments should offer a free university education to any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.
●        Key1: Affordability. There is no such thing that is ‘free.’ Governments’ money essentially comes from taxation. In a democratic society, budget is allocated first to areas that are of most people’s concern and in higher priority.
○        India does not have free education at all. China has it until middle school
○        More Taxes required to support this
●        Key2: Assume it is affordable, but government usually make things free when they are fundamental needs, but is college-level education a fundamental need? It is very debatable.
13. Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
●        Increases breadth of knowledge
○        Improve overall awareness, example: survival skills, how to change careers, how everyday objects work.
○        Become more of a holistic person
●        Increases breadth of knowledge first, then the students will have the knowledge base to decide a more specific field of interest if they are ever going to pursue a higher degree.
●        ALTHOUGH:  it might seem to be a waste of time when it turns out that the skills learnt from courses outside the field of study will be forgotten very soon because they are not being actively utilized, the process of elimination is very important. One shall not reject new things they he/she never tries, especially when time is still available.
20. Some people believe that college students should consider only their own talents and interests when choosing a field of study. Others believe that college students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
98. Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study in which jobs are plentiful.
136. Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study in which jobs are plentiful.
15. Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
135. Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
●        What are lucrative careers?
○        If all colleges train students to pursue in the field of study that seems to lead to a lucrative career path, there will be intense competition between the graduates. As a result, the career will not be lucrative.
●        Not feasible if students have no interest in these fields
●        Supply and demand; fields are only lucrative because of demand
●        Counter: institutions that encourage students to choose lucrative careers will be more successful than those that don't. It is in the interest of the institution to encourage.
32. College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
129. College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
39. College students should be encouraged to pursue subjects that interest them rather than the courses that seem most likely to lead to jobs.
●        Purpose of college is to gain knowledge and gain training. Cannot achieve if students are not interested in their field of study (numerous case studies, KQED)
●        With poor training, it is hard for students for find positions, regardless of availability of jobs in the field (technical interviews for software engineers)
●        Even if students find them, they won’t enjoy. Very concerning because people do not change career frequently, and it is hard to switch without obtaining another degree
37. Society should identify those children who have special talents and provide training for them at an early age to develop their talents.
●        Not a fair system for those who do not have special talents (everyone is paying taxes)
●        Difficult to clearly identify a child’s talent. Average time that people stay in a job is less than 5 years for young people.
●        What are special talents? Demand can change after the child grow up. (Need math genius during WWII to decode messages, but need software engineers now)
40. Claim: When planning courses, educators should take into account the interests and suggestions of their students. Reason: Students are more motivated to learn when they are interested in what they are studying.
90. Educators should take students' interests into account when planning the content of the courses they teach.
●        True: studies have shown increased learning experience and success when students are motivated and interested
●        Education should be a collaboration between educators and students, not a one sided street
●        Counter: Educators also need to take into account the needs of the nation, and others who financially support these educators
●        Education is also a business, they need to be profitable or break even

●        Education is more effective when there is collaboration between educations and students.
●        Educators sometimes know what is good for students. Courses, such as Economy and History, might seem boring to students at first, but interests can be developed.
47. Educators should find out what students want included in the curriculum and then offer it to them.
●        Cannot offer everything that the students wanted, there is limited budget
●        Students can do things as extracurricular activities so they can have more flexibility to design programs tailored to their own needs
●        Educators should include popular choices when it is effective use of public resource and that it benefits the society


What Should the Educational System be like
30. Teachers' salaries should be based on their students' academic performance.
●        Differences in demographics, wealthier students usually perform better
●        Difficult to monitor, ie inflated marks, without standardized testing
●        Has not been proven to encourage teachers to improve teaching
●        Teachers’ performance is not only reflected by students’ academic performance, but also by other areas such as students’ involvement in extracurricular and their general well-being.
25. Governments should offer college and university education free of charge to all students.
12. Governments should offer a free university education to any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.

45. Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education.
●        There are different types of learners: self-motivated learners and competitive learners. Competition actually is integral part of the learning experience for the competitive type.
●        Competition for high grades implies standardized tests that ask questions that have definite answers, which at first glance neglect the development of other qualities such as creativity and ability to solve open-ended problems. Nonetheless, it does not mean that competition for high grades is limiting the quality of learning. Educational institutions simply need to diversify the learning experience.
95. All parents should be required to volunteer time to their children's schools.
●        While they should be encouraged to volunteer because education is an integral part of their children’s upbringing, volunteering should not be mandatory.
○        parents are busy. They do not even have time to take care of them at home sometimes such that they would hire babysitters, let alone participating in school activities.
○        if it is an requirement, are the schools going to kick the children out if the parents cannot make it? It does not make sense
●        Can organize events once in a while to encourage parental involvement.
97. Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
●        Not everyone can afford and benefit.
●        Some disciplines simply do not need to.
100. Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
13. Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
102. Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
70. Claim: Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's major field of study. Reason: Acquiring knowledge of various academic disciplines is the best way to become truly educated.
112. Requiring university students to take a variety of courses outside their major fields of study is the best way to ensure that students become truly educated.
140. Some people believe that universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study. Others believe that universities should not force students to take any courses other than those that will help prepare them for jobs in their chosen fields.
1.        Forcing people to take extra courses help students discover other fields of interests. It is helpful because people switch career every 5 years, which can be difficult
2.        This way, people won’t be ignorant of other fields
3.        Allows students to think from a different perspective

●        University is a platform for students to choose what they want to learn freely. While some are less clear about their future path or their interests, some come in with a determined mind.

●        What is the definition of ‘being truly educated?” If the definition is being a well-rounded person who has grasps in various fields, such quality can still be developed in other ways at different time. Taking more courses at university does not necessarily ensure the students become ‘truly educated.’

83. Teachers' salaries should be based on the academic performance of their students.college.

How Should We Teach?
52. The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
●        Positive feedback loop, students learn better through positive reinforcement, rather then negative correction
●        There are situations where this can be desirable and undesirable
●        Counter: Important negative actions must be corrected immediately, especially ones that harm others.
24. The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
29. The best way to teach—whether as an educator, employer, or parent—is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
●        This method of teaching promotes healthy teacher-student relationship, thus facilitates learning
●        Praise positive actions for sure because positive feedback encourages repetition of the same action.
●        Ignore negative ones? Depends
○        If does not cause serious problems OR the intention of the bad action is to attract attention from the others, neglect is ok.
○        But it causes harm that requires immediate attention, neglect is bad because it might even be perceived as a different form of acceptance.
42. Students should always question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively.
●        Active involvement in the education process will allow students to develop a questioning the source of information
●        Questioning can cause inefficiencies in teaching (ie. asking too many questions)
●        Questioning what they are taught will allow students to understand the rationale behind what they are taught.
46. Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.


92. Educators should base their assessment of students' learning not on students' grasp of facts but on the ability to explain the ideas, trends, and concepts that those facts illustrate.
●        The best way to show your knowledge is to explain its consequences
●        Memorizing facts will be fruitless outside of the academic realm. Students need to be able to process information, and be able to analyze the impact and consequences of this information.
48. Educators should teach facts only after their students have studied the ideas, trends, and concepts that help explain those facts.
●        For: It is human nature to seek for reasons and purpose of things encountered. Therefore,  facts will not interesting if we do not know how to interpret them.
54. In order to become well-rounded individuals, all college students should be required to take courses in which they read poetry, novels, mythology, and other types of imaginative literature.
●        Being well-rounded individuals means the person is not ignorant of other fields of study, which includes, but is not limited to imaginative literature
●        These items listed here is too diverse and requires multiple courses, which can conflict with students’ other interests
124. All college and university students would benefit from spending at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
82. Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
●        International experience encourages cultural learnings, acceptance of other cultures
●        Studying in a foreign country would allow students to be in different environments away from the comfort of their own home
●        Could be a financial burden for the student
138. Some people believe that competition for high grades motivates students to excel in the classroom. Others believe that such competition seriously limits the quality of real learning.

73. Colleges and universities should require all faculty to spend time working outside the academic world in professions relevant to the courses they teach.
●        Requiring faculties to work outside the academic world can distract them from their research, which is the primary interest for many faculty members
●        It is difficult to find professions for certain fields of study, like history or literature
●        To truly understand the need of the students, it is easier to approach the students rather than working in professions related to the courses
81. All parents should be required to volunteer time to their children's schools.
●        Private schools accept both monetary donations and contribution of time, because people have different capabilities
●        Effectiveness of having all parents to volunteer is low. It is better to have fewer but more dedicated volunteers
●        Difficult to find work for all parents to volunteer time for

Misc. under Education
58. Learning is primarily a matter of personal discipline; students cannot be motivated by school or college alone.
●        What motivates students are school or college is not just knowledge, but also friends. Some argue that purpose of an MBA is to meet other business professionals
●        Student’s tendency to learn is also influenced by parents
101. Although innovations such as video, computers, and the Internet seem to offer schools improved methods for instructing students, these technologies all too often distract from real learning.
●        Technology helps those with special needs to learn
●        Example: ipads can visualize data in ways not possible on a whiteboard
●        Inefficient to not use technology
123. The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.
●        Competition makes humans stronger
●        A mix of both should be pursued
●        You learn from your failures
●        Should not be incubated for cooperation, there will always be conflicts in life
142. Claim: Colleges and universities should specify all required courses and eliminate elective courses in order to provide clear guidance for students.
Reason: College students—like people in general—prefer to follow directions rather than make their own decisions.
●        Generalization, some students desire to have a custom education through electives
●        Flexibility is prefered for many students
●        Education should be customized for students, not just following directions
68. Some people believe that the purpose of education is to free the mind and the spirit. Others believe that formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.
●       
●        Education should provide a framework for the human mind to build off of, give students a broad education and let them explore the specifics.
17. Formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.
●        True: formal education is to gain knowledge on what has already been learned in the past
●        Formal education is not to explore, or set the mind free. This should be done after.
80. Nations should suspend government funding for the arts when significant numbers of their citizens are hungry or unemployed.
●        Arts can be considered as leisure, not as important as hungry or unemployed
88. Claim: Nations should suspend government funding for the arts when significant numbers of their citizens are hungry or unemployed. Reason: It is inappropriate—and, perhaps, even cruel—to use public resources to fund the arts when people's basic needs are not being met.
●        Governments is responsible for the overall development of the society, which not only includes whether people are well-fed or are employed, but also includes cultural development, progress in science, etc. Government funding cannot only go into one of these areas.
●        Inability of government to tackle immediate issues like famine or unemployment can lead to revolutions. To avoid social unrest, government should consider diverting its funds for basic needs. However, it does not mean a complete suspension of funding for arts. This should be a temporary decrease.

Ideas Related to Education
Follow your own interest is good for you
●        Correlation between job satisfaction and salary
●        Correlation between happiness and health
●        Passion => GPA => Better jobs
Why is it bad if an external party, i.e. the government or the education institution, limits what you do
●        Example: Education is to give you opportunities to explore through electives, forced education will lead to rejection by students
●        Motivation is driven by passion and interest.

Career training vs basic education
Informal vs formal education

Who is more responsible for the well-being of a student?
Parents? School? Government? Student itself?
Parents - informal education, personal relationships
School - formal education, technical skills
Government - provide opportunity, establish a fair and safe environment
. 1point 3 acresStudent itself - motivation, discipline

Breadth in knowledge
Opportunity to discover your interests
Build up your own characters
-->personal development, uniqueness, worldview,

Meet people who have a wide range of interests
Moral standard and social values
->construct a harmonic society OR people can live in co-existence

Learn through real life experience
→ education is not limited to school or college

基本每题都练手了！

The following is about Government:

Priorities of Government
19. Governments should focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems of the future.
●        There exist acute problems that must be solved today. Like famine, wars, etc.
●        Government officials need to prioritize among problems that are immediate but less urgent and that are anticipated. Anticipated problems sometimes are in a higher priority because they cannot be solved within a short period of time, which means that, it will be too late when it becomes an immediate issue at the time. Exp: transit infrastructure.
●        Some immediate problems can be distractions. Homelessness is important, but takes away funding from the city for transit.
●        Qin Dynasty concentrated its resources on building the Great Wall for long term defense, but it created lots of domestic difficulties. Can’t cultivate land because the government conscripted laborers.
5. Claim: Governments must ensure that their major cities receive the financial support they need in order to thrive. Reason: It is primarily in cities that a nation's cultural traditions are preserved and generated.
●        Well-being of a city depends on the industries that the city focuses on. Cities that receive financial aid are not thriving. Cleveland used to be flourishing because of auto industry, now it relies on financial support.
●        Major cities and suburbs usually represent different cultural traditions and values of the country. Only funding the major cities is weakening cultural diversity. /Claiming that cities are places where cultural tradition is preserved is ignoring the diversity the country culture introduces. Urban lifestyle is very different from rural lifestyle.
●        The scenery of the countryside is impetus to many artists, who are important contributors to a nation’s cultural values.  Therefore, government funding should be given to the preservation of the beauty of nature, which includes setting up conservation areas and parks.
●       
69. Some people believe it is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public. Others believe that the public has a right to be fully informed.
●        Should not withhold. Leaders nowaday are there to represent the people, not control them. Therefore, it is for the leader’s benefit to have the public sharing a common ground of understanding with the leaders. It would be easier for the public to understand the intention of their leader’s decision.
●        counter: Secret operations, or war plans. These are ok because you do not want the information to leak.
●        counter-counter: nonetheless, in the end what war ends or the operations are over, details should be disclosed to the public.
62. Leaders are created by the demands that are placed on them.
●        Leaders are not machines that finish jobs that are given by the people. They think for the people. Fulfilling demands placed on them is just one of the many responsibilities.
●        Leaders need a vision, they need to believe in teamwork, Placing demands on people does not guarantee leadership
●        have vision, inspirational, cooperative…. they are characterized more by their personalities than the tasks assigned to them.
86. Some people believe that government officials must carry out the will of the people they serve. Others believe that officials should base their decisions on their own judgment.
●        Yes, government officials are elected to represent the will of the people who they serve. That is the initiative of an election. However, there are too many voices in society and when there are opposing voices, it is impossible to satisfy all. Therefore, government officials are selected to represent the majority. In the end, it is still their decisions.
●        Counter: Their power to make decisions for the people does not mean that they will not try to carry out the people’s will. On the contrary, they should balance between the needs of every individual and the needs of the entire nation. For instance, governments listen to lobby groups to understand the need of people with special interests.

. Waral dи,16. Some people believe that in order to be effective, political leaders must yield to public opinion and abandon principle for the sake of compromise.
●        Effective leaders are the ones who do the right thing. Yielding to public opinion sometimes does not lead to the right path. At this time, effective leaders are the ones who are willing to share their principles with the public and convince them instead of making compromises.
●        Although the public and political leaders can have conflicting points of views for specific issues, they are not two disconnected parties. They should establish two-way communication such that they can understand each other. Therefore, for a government to be effective, not only should  its citizens’ voice be heard, the political leaders should also express their opinions, instead of compromising themselves. Reach a consensus.
50. Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of the people they serve.
●        Government officials are elected because they can represent the people they serve. They have more power because they are able to make better decisions that meet the need of individuals and nations a whole.
●        They need to have their own visions and principles so that they will be effect in a sense that they do not vacillate when opposing voices from the people co-exists.

Funding on things that are not basic human needs
7. Some people believe that government funding of the arts is necessary to ensure that the arts can flourish and be available to all people. Others believe that government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts.
●        Government funding is required to support construction of museums and hosting of art programs in schools. This is very effective in disseminating ideas about art and to educate the public. LA County Museum of Art is very popular among LA residents. It also hosts numerous art programs to educate the next generation.
●        Art was not widely available to people during Renaissance (although it was a time when art was flourishing) because they were sponsored by private patrons.
●        Government funding may be partial, thus only supporting certain types of arts. Artists value followers and admirers more than than monetary gains. People will be attracted to those types of arts for monetary gains, rather than for furthering artistic ideas.  Not true artists. Oh, but good ones always stand out, doesn’t really threaten integrity.
10. Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state, even if these areas could be developed for economic gain.
●        Nations are always growing. Growth of population, industry, etc. ultimately need more land. Like, more housing, more area for factories. Preserving all wilderness areas is limiting growth potential of the country, which is not good for its well-being.
●        Wilderness areas have their values in recreations and the nature which people appreciate. However, it is not easy to define a specific situation when the nation should start to preserve the remaining wilderness areas. Therefore, it is important to have conscious leaders to can balance the two.
72. Governments should not fund any scientific research whose consequences are unclear.
. 1point 3acres ●        Many research projects can lead to unforeseeable consequences, like AI or genetic modification. It would be bad to not research in those fields.
●        Research is fundamentally unclear, it is always vague
○        Consequences will follow eventually
●        It would be stubborn to defund research that has no clear consequence
36. Governments should not fund any scientific research whose consequences are unclear.
●        Consequences of scientific researches are not always foreseeable. Research in genetic engineering will revolutionize health care, but its ethical and moral consequences are already under debate.
●        Many scientific discoveries were by accident during ordinary research, like X-Ray or Penicillin. Not funding select scientific researches might hinder those serendipitous discoveries.
●        counter- people started to worry about AI technology.
●        counter-counter: In the last decade, AI has solved many problems. Robot lawyers was invented to help refugees to file immigration applications.
23. Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.
.--●        Result of scientific research can have substantial impact on society. The same technology can benefit the public if put into good use and do harms if used by malicious people. Therefore, government is responsible to monitor scientific research, making sure that it is conducted for the well-being of society. Like nuclear technology.
●        Genetic engineering has been used to correct unborn babies’ mutated genes which causes health issues. However, if not strictly monitored, the technology can be used by malicious scientists to spread viruses that alter genes.
●        However, government should not be partial on the placement of restrictions on scientific search, i.e. it should not use its power to hinder scientific research that might not be in its favour.

What contributes to an effective government? or Indication

114. Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.
●        If a leader quick adapts to popular opinion, he/she will be able to meet the demands and concerns of his/her constituents, accomplishing a lot
115. Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of the people whom they serve.
●        Sometimes decisions need to be made quickly. For example, Romans elected a dictator during emergency to improve efficiency.
●        People are not experts in everything (whether a nuclear power plant is harmful for local environment)
●        Officials sometimes even need to act against public interest for reasons that cannot be told to the public (Obama lifted sanction against Cuba despite public outrage)
139. Claim: Major policy decisions should always be left to politicians and other government experts.
Reason: Politicians and other government experts are more informed and thus have better judgment and perspective than do members of the general public.
●        Purpose of electing officials is to find an expert who can best represent people’s interests and is more well-informed than its constituents. Parliaments have regular briefings about ongoing issues that the public do not have time to digest.
●        Although these politicians and government experts are well-trained for their job, they might be parochial and fail to see public demand. The governing party of UK campaigned for remain based on sound economic and political reasons supported by the world, yet its people chose to leave. Those officials failed to see the matter from the public’s perspective.
94. The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's citizens.
113. Claim: The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
Reason: The surest indicator of a great nation is actually the welfare of all its people.
●        Great countries have successful figures who had substantial achievements, but in the end, it is the well being of  the general public that indicates the nation’s greatness. Britain benefited from scientific developments (stream engine). The United States’
●        What is greatness? Economy, military, foreign relationship, science, culture, life satisfaction.
●        General welfare of a nation’s people can be indicated by HDI
●        Successful rulers, artists and scientists will improve the well-being of a nation’s people. Britain benefited from scientific developments (stream engine) and effective ruler (Queen Victoria).
120. Claim: The surest indicator of a great nation must be the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists. Reason: Great achievements by a nation's rulers, artists, or scientists will ensure a good life for the majority of that nation's people.
28. The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.
121. Some people claim that you can tell whether a nation is great by looking at the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists. Others argue that the surest indicator of a great nation is, in fact, the general welfare of all its people.
127. The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general well-being of all its people.

这么干！顶上

一些其他的topic

Environment, Government, Society

[hide=150]

31. Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
●        It is human nature to try to make up for mistakes. However, that is not the primary reason why society has been campaigning for the protection of endangered species. Resources and time are limited. Society should save the ones that have bigger impact on society or the food chain, regardless whether the extinction is due to human activities.
○        Species provide value to humans
■        Species such as bumblebees provide pollination
■        Species such as lichen provide oxygen
■        Poultry for food
■        Without these species, we would have to generate this on our own
●        Survival of the fittest. There are species that fail to co-exist with humans, which have little to do with human activities.
●        Society to be aware of not harming the ecological system as in it should prevent human activities that will potentially cause the extinction of certain species. The Cove, a documentary that reveals the cruel dolphin hunting practices in Japan.

63. There is little justification for society to make extraordinary efforts—especially at a great cost in money and jobs—to save endangered animal or plant species.
●        One species can be detrimental to the survival of many others
○        Species are part of an ecosystem
○        You need to protect the ecosystem to protect a species
○        Ecosystems provide intrinsic value to human survival
■        Ex. Forests regulate water supply
■        Ex. Worms decompose matter to provide nutrients for other species
●        Ecosystem cycle

67. Some people believe that society should try to save every plant and animal species, despite the expense to humans in effort, time, and financial well-being. Others believe that society need not make extraordinary efforts, especially at a great cost in money and jobs, to save endangered species.
148. Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state.
125. Some people claim that a nation's government should preserve its wilderness areas in their natural state. Others argue that these areas should be developed for potential economic gain.
●        A balance of both is necessary to ensure the economic growth and preservation of natural habitat
●        Economic gain would help the nation improve its GDP and quality of life for its citizens
●        Wilderness areas help preserve the ecosystems that human survival depends on
[\hide]  

1. As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely deteriorate.
●        Not necessarily true. Technology only assist us in solving problems, it’s human who make final decisions. AI doctors help make diagnostics, but human doctors make the final call.
●        Humans will continue to think about other problems, and approaches to solve problems

4. Scandals are useful because they focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer ever could.
●        True in some sense, they expose information in perspectives never before. People did not expect that NSA was spying on its allies until the NSA phone tapping scandal (NSA tapped Merkel’s phone)
●        Scandals are usually harmful, whether financially, physically or emotionally to the parties involved. This affects the ability of the individual to perform daily work. Clinton had to handle his sexual misconduct scandal, which distracted him from his job as being US president.

26. The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
●        Conveniences and luxuries provide people a platform to go further in life, make better discoveries, do better things. It frees people from having to worry about chores.
●        Not always true, you can learn to use luxuries and also be independent (ie. cadets, military)

9. In any field of endeavor, it is impossible to make a significant contribution without first being strongly influenced by past achievements within that field.
●        People who explore in the field are always influenced by the field. The question is the degree of influence that the explorer experienced. Newton learned about existing ideas in math and physics, but developed a new system to replace the existing ones.
●        New fields of studies are constantly being created. These fields do not have past achievement, and those in the field can only learn from their own mistakes. Germans went through multiple iterations before successfully flying a V2 rocket to Britain.
●        It is always possible to make contributions by accident
○        Explorers hit areas by accident (ie. Columbus)
○        Inventions made by accident(ie. xrays)

27. In any field of inquiry, the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important contributions.
●        More likely is a generalization. There are always exceptions to this
●        Define “field of inquiry” - This may be researchers, scientists?
○        Ex. Post Docs will be much more likely to try new ideas
○        Ex. Professors will stick to his/her proven strategies
○        More like young researchers are more likely to come up with revolutionary ideas because they are parochial.
●        Prof. Collins was one of the chief designers of the CN Tower because he spent years doing research on concrete properties. This require lots of knowledge and experience that new beginners simply do not have.
.--

34. In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.
●        I would agree with this statement: To improve (“progress”) discussion must be made between two opposing sides
○        Not necessary for situations where there is unanimous agreement
49. Claim: We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from those whose views contradict our own. Reason: Disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning.
●        Disagree:
○        People learn from those who have contrasting views
○        Provide insight on flaws of your own argument
●        Stress can be detrimental to learning, but disagreement should focus on critique. Constructive criticism is always encouraged during discussions.

118. We can learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
76. We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
38. It is primarily through our identification with social groups that we define ourselves.
●        The people who you surround yourself with define who you are
●        People will naturally follow the behaviours of the social groups they are apart of
●        Similar people attract each other
●        Ex. Gang members all act in a very similar manner
●        We instinctively choose people who we find pleasant to be with

51. Young people should be encouraged to pursue long-term, realistic goals rather than seek immediate fame and recognition.
●        Long-term realistic goals are usually very specific and not subjected to change. As a result, a very strong and long-term commitment to that specific field would be required. It is very hard for young people, who have yet figured out their life goals, to set a very specific long-term goal. On the other hand, short-term goals allow them to explore varieties before settling down. Also, young people tend to be more impulsive and seek immediate feedback.
●        counter: Although the achievement of  long-term, realistic goals usually means the achievement of stability in one field,
●        count-counter: immediate fame and recognition can be a stepping stone for one to set long-term realistic goals. Oscar winners continuously receive offers of movie contracts that pay much more before the actors or actresses won the awards.

赞楼主！

感谢！！

哇哇哇！感谢分享！加米加米！

哇好棒！！感谢分享