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Contents

Introduction

1PersuasiveWritingPrompts

ScoringExplanationsforPersuasiveWritingEssaysModelPersuasiveWritingEssays

2ExpositoryWritingPrompts

ScoringExplanationsforExpositoryWritingEssaysModelExpositoryWritingEssays

3NarrativeWritingPrompts

ScoringExplanationsforNarrativeWritingEssaysModelNarrativeWritingEssays

4LiteraryResponsePrompts

ScoringExplanationsforLiteraryResponseEssaysModelLiteraryResponseEssays

Introduction

Welcometo501WritingPrompts!Thisbookisdesignedtoprovideyouwithavarietyofwritingtopicsandmodelessays.Categoriesinthisbookcovermanydifferenttypesofwriting:persuasive,expository,narrative,andliteraryresponse.Atsomepointinyourlife,whetheryouaretryingtopassanacademicexamorstandardizedtest,writingacollegeplacementessay,orvyingforajobpromotion,youwillneedtopracticetheskillsusedtoexpressyourselfclearly.

HowtoUseThisBook

First,decideonthetypeofessayyouwillneedtowrite.Therearefourtypesofwritingthatarecommonlyusedinagivensituation.Persuasivewritingarguesapointandisoftencalledargumentation.Whenyouwritepersuasively,youarealwaysexpressinganopinion.Inordertoconvinceyourreader,youmustbeabletopresentsoundreasonsandgoodexamples.Forinstance,insteadofexplainingthecausesoftheCivilWar,youmightbeaskedtopersuadeyourreaderthattheCivilWarwasmoreabouttheeconomicsofthesouthernplantationsystemthanthesocialissueofslavery.Persuasivewritingandlanguageisoftenfoundineditorials,lettersofcomplaint,orproposals.Expositorywritingisexplanatory.Youselectinformationfromoral,written,orelectronictextandorganizeittoshowthatyouunderstandaconcept.Expositorywritingisthetypeofwritingyoucreatefortermpapers,essays,orletters.Moststandardizedtestsoftenincludeanexpositoryprompt.Narrativewritingisatypeofwritingthatrequiresyoutotellastorythatdescribesaneventorrelatesapersonalexperience.Agoodnarrativeshouldhaveconvincingcharacters,aplot,andatheme.Youmaybeaskedtowriteanarrativeofpersonalexperienceonyourcollegeplacementessay.Ifyouwritealiteraryresponseessay,youwillhavetoreadandanalyzeapieceofliteratureandthenmakecommentsbasedontheliteralandimpliedinterpretationsofthetext.Ifyouaretakingastateassessmenttest,youmayfindyourselffacingaliteraryresponseessay.

Second,learnhowtoscoreyouressay.Foryourreference,thereisascoringguide—oftencalledarubric—ineachchapterofthisbook.Todetermineyourscore,simplyrefertothecategoriesonthescoringguidetoseehowyourwritingmeasuresup.Ifyouhavedifficultyfiguringoutyourscore,asksomeoneknowledgeable,likeateacher,counselor,writingcoach,collegeprofessor,orevenyourboss,tohelpyou.

Andlast,checksomeofthemodelessaysprovidedinthisbook.Therearesampleessaysavailableforallofthebold-facedpromptsthroughoutthebook.Thesamplesprovidealookatatopessay,amiddle-of-theroadessay,andalow-scoringessay.Youcanusetheseasbenchmarkstocompareandcontrastyourwriting.

MakeaCommitment

Ifyouarewillingtopracticeyourwritingskills,youhavealreadytakenanimportantstep

towardimprovingyourwriting.Asyouworkthroughsomeofthepromptsinthisbook,youmayfeelconfidentinyourattempts.However,ifyoufeelthatyouneedmoreinstructionbeforeyoutacklesomeofthesewritingassignments,refertosomeoftheotherLearningExpresstitles:WritingSkillsSuccessin20MinutesaDay,5thEditionor501GrammarandWritingQuestions,4thEdition.Abasicknowledgeoflanguagewillalsohelpyoubecomeabetterwriter.Usethesebookstogettheextrapracticeyouneed:GrammarSuccessin20MinutesaDay,3rdEditionorVocabularyandSpellingSuccessin20MinutesaDay,5thEdition.

Chapter1

PersuasiveWritingPrompts

Chooseoneofthepersuasivewritingpromptsfromthelistbelowandwriteanessay.Acertainnumberofpromptshavemodelessaysintheanswersectionthatyoucanusetocompareandcontrastyourwriting.Ascoringguide,orrubric,isalsoincludedintheanswersection.Youcanusethisguidetogiveyouanideaofthewayyouressaymaybegraded.Ifyouhavetroubleinterpretingthescoringguide,seeateacherorprofessorforhelp.Sampleresponsestothepromptsinboldcanbefoundattheendofthesection.

1.Manypeoplebelievethattelevisionviolencehasanegativeeffectonsocietybecauseitpromotesviolence.Doyouagreeordisagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourresponse.

2.Accordingtosomepeople,elderlydriversshouldberequiredtoreapplyfortheirdrivinglicensesbecausewithagecomesdiminishedvision,hearing,andreactiontime.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Explainwhatyouthinkshouldbedoneandwhy.

3.Medicalresearchers,cosmeticcompanies,andothersoftenperformexperimentsonanimals.Manypeoplefeelthatexperimentationonanimalsiswrongandshouldbestoppedimmediatelybecauseanimalsdofeelpain,andthereareotheralternatives.Howdoyoufeel?Stateyourpositionandexplainyourreasons.

4.Mobilecomputing—includingsmartphonesandtablets—hasseendramaticincreasesinprominenceoverthepastseveralyears.Writeanessayconvincinganaudienceofthebenefitsofmobilecomputing,usingspecificexamples.

5.Somepeopleareactivelyinvolvedinpromotingandsupportingacause,suchasthereleaseofinternationalpoliticalprisonersorprotectingtheenvironment.Isthereacauseyouactivelysupport?Writeanessayconvincingreaderstosupportthatcause.

6.SincethecloningofthesheepDolly,therehasbeenmuchdebateoverwhetherornothumanbeingsshouldbecloned.Manypeoplefeelthisisaviolationofthenaturalorderofthingsandthatallresearchintheareaofhumancloningshouldbebanned.Othersfeelthatthisisanaturalprogressionofscienceandhumanevolutionandthatresearchintheareaofhumancloningshouldbeapriority.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

7.Manyparentsgivechildrenaweeklyormonthlyallowanceregardlessoftheirbehaviorbecausetheybelieveanallowanceteacheschildrentobefinanciallyresponsible.Otherparentsonlygivechildrenanallowanceasarewardforcompletingchoresorwhentheyhavebehavedproperly.Explainwhatyouthinkparentsshoulddoandwhy.

8.Manypeoplevolunteertheirtimetohelpothers,eitherthroughnon-profit

organizations,churches,orothercharitablevenues.Writeanessayconvincingreaderstofindacharityandvolunteertheirtime.

9.All-girlschoolshavebeengainingpopularityinrecentyearsbecauseofthebeliefthatgirlslearnbetterwhentheyaren’tcompetingwithorintimidatedbyboys,whostatisticallygetmoreattentionintheclassroom.Doyouthinksingle-sexschoolsareagoodidea?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

10.Weallhavefavoriteactivitiesthatweenjoy.Writeanessayconvincingreaderstotrytheactivitythatyouenjoymost.

11.ResearchshowsthattheaverageAmericanspendssevenormorehoursadayonwebsitesorwatchingtelevision.Doyouthinkthisistoomuch?Writeanessayconvincingreadersofyourviewpointregardingthisissue.

12.Manyjuniorhighandhighschoolsaroundthecountrynowrequirestudentstospendacertainnumberofhourseachtermdoingvolunteerworkorcommunityservice.Somepeoplebelievethisisanexcellentideathatpromotesgoodcitizenshipandcultivatescompassion.Othersfeelthatforcedvolunteerismisnotvolunteerismatall.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

13.Moststatesallowpeopletogetadriver’slicenseattheageof16.Somepeoplefeelthat16ismuchtooyoungfortheresponsibilitythatcomeswithdrivingacarandthatteenagersshouldnotbeallowedtodriveuntiltheageof18.Inyouropinion,atwhatageshouldpeoplebeallowedtodrive,andwhy?

14.Schoolviolencecontinuestobea“hot-button”issue.HowdoyoufeeltheissueofschoolviolenceshouldbeaddressedinAmerica’sschools?Writeanessayinsupportofyouropinionregardingthisissue.

15.Writeanessayconvincingreaderstobreakaspecifichabitthatisharmfultotheirphysical,emotional,orfinancialhealth.

16.Inmanycountries,citizensarerequiredtoserveinthemilitaryforayearormore.DoyoubelievetheUnitedStatesshouldinstituteasimilarpractice?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

17.Haveyouevertraveledtoaplacethatyoufoundverymeaningfulandrewarding?Writeanessaythatpersuadesotherstovisitthisimportantplace.

18.Manyofusspendhoursinfrontofourcomputersandsmartphonesandcommunicatemorebye-mailorinstant-messagingthaninperson.Somepeoplebelievethatthisisgoodbecauseithelpsshypeoplecommunicatemoreopenlywithothers.Othersbelievethatphoneandcomputercommunicationpreventsusfrom

developinginterpersonalskillsandlimitsourabilitytohavemeaningfulrelationshipswithothers.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

19.Somecompaniesofferapaternityleavethatallowsfatherstostayhomewiththeirnewbornsforseveralweekswhilestillearningpartialpayandbenefits.Doyouthinkthisisagoodpolicy?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

20.Accordingtosomehealthorganizations,manyfoodsonourgrocerystoreshelvesaremadewithgeneticallymodifiedingredients.Mostofthesefoods,however,donothaveaGMO(geneticallymodifiedorganism)label.DoyouthinkthereshouldbealawrequiringmanufacturerstolabelfoodscontainingGMOs?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

21.Moreandmorefarmersandfoodmanufacturersaregeneticallymodifyingtheircropstoreducesusceptibilitytodisease,improveflavor,andreducecosts.Doyouthinkgeneticallymodifyingfoodsisagoodidea?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

22.Afewdecadesago,manyfamilieshadhalfadozenormorechildren.Nowadays,moreandmorefamiliesarechoosingtohaveonlyoneortwochildren.Aresmallerfamiliesbetterthanlargerones?Whyorwhynot?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

23.Representativesofcreditcardcompaniescanoftenbefoundoncollegecampusesofferingspecialincentivestogetstudentstofilloutcreditcardapplications.Manypeoplefeelthatthistakesadvantageofstudents,whoareoftenlowoncashduringtheircollegeyears.Othersfeelthatitisanexcellentwaytohelpstudentsbegintobuildcreditandlearnfinancialresponsibility.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Takeapositionandusespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourargument.

24.Goodhabitsimproveourphysical,emotional,and/orfinancialhealth.Selectoneofyourgoodhabitsandwriteanessaypersuadingreaderstomakethathabitapartoftheirlives.

25.Whatisyourall-timefavoritemovieandwhy?Writeanessaypersuadingreaderstowatchthisfilm.

26.Today,therearemoreandmorerealityshowsontelevision.Dotheseshowsmakegoodtelevision?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

27.Is“aneyeforaneye”agoodbasisfordetermininganappropriatepunishment?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyourposition.

28.Manycitiessufferfromseriousairandnoisepollution—aswellasendlesstraffic

jams—becauseoftoomanycars.Somepeoplefeelthatcitieswithextensivepublictransportationsystemsshouldbanpassengercarsandforcepeopletowalk,bike,orusepublictransportation.Doyouthinkthisisagoodidea?Whyorwhynot?

29.Ontoday’stalkshows,guestsandaudiencemembersoftenargueheatedlywitheachother,andonmorethanoneoccasion,guestsandaudiencemembershavebeenhurt.Dotoday’stalkshowsgotoofar?Explainyouranswer.

30.Haveyouevermadeachangethatimprovedyourlifeorthelivesofothers?Writeanessaythatconvincesreaderstomakeachangeforthebetter.

31.Ithasoftenbeensaidthatperseveranceisoneofthekeyfactorstosuccess.Writeanessayinsupportofthepowerofperseverancetowardshavingasuccessfuloutcome,usingaspecificinstanceinyourlifewhenthishasbeenproventrue.

32.Carpooling,recycling,andplantingtreesareallactivitiesthataregoodfortheenvironment.Writeanessayconvincingreaderstoactivelyparticipateinoneoftheseactivities.

33.TheInternetincludesmanywebsiteswithimagesandcontentthatareinappropriate.Shouldwebsiteslikethesebecensoredbyparents?Whyorwhynot?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

34.Somepeopleprefertoliveinthequietofthecountry;otherspreferthehustleandbustleofthecity.Whichdoyouthinkisthebetterchoice?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

35.Isthereabookthatyoufeelshouldberequiredreadingforeveryone?Writeanessaypersuadingyouraudiencetoreadthisbook.

36.Somepeoplegorightontocollegeafterhighschool;otherstakeayearormoreofftoworkortravel.Whichdoyouthinkisthebetterchoice?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

37.SomepeoplethinkoftheUnitedStatesasanationof“couchpotatoes.”Writeanessaypersuadingreaderstobemorephysicallyactive.

38.Youhavebeenaskedtowriteabrochuretoattractvisitorstoyourhometown.Writeanessaythatconvincespeopletovisittheplacewhereyoulive.

39.Manystateshaveincreasedthespeedlimitfrom55milesperhourto65milesperhourormoreonmajorturnpikesandthruways.Doyouthinkitiswisetoallowmotoriststodriveover65milesperhour?Whyorwhynot?Explainyourpositionusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

40.Nowadays,theprivatelifeofapoliticianishardlyprivate.Inyouropinion,shouldwebesoconcernedwiththeprivateaffairsofapoliticianorpolitical

candidate?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

41.Today’stopprofessionalathletesoftenhavesalariesandbonusesinthetensofmillionsofdollars.Doyouthinktheseathletesdeservesuchhighcompensation?Whyorwhynot?Explainyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamples.

42.Manyparentsdonotallowtheirchildrentoplaywithtoyguns.Inyouropinion,isthisawisedecision?Explainwhatyouthinkparentsshoulddoabouttoygunsandwhy.

43.Forcenturies,peoplehavewonderedaboutthepossibilityoflifeonotherplanetsintheuniverse.Doyoubelieveextraterrestriallifeexists?Writeanessaypersuadingotherstoshareyourpointofview.

44.Manysciencefictionstoriesdealwiththepossibilityofbeingableto“design”ourchildrenbychoosingthespecificphysicalandpersonalitytraitswewouldlikethemtohave.Doyouthinkthisisagoodidea?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

45.Ifsomeonediscoveredaformulathatwouldenableustoliveforever,wouldthatbeablessingoracurse?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

46.Someeducatorsarguethateverychildinschoolshouldhaveacellphone.Othersbelievethatthevalueofcellphonesisoverratedoroffsetbynegativeconsequencesofhavingoneduringschooltime.Whatisyouropinionregardingthisissue?Writeanessayinsupportofyouropinion.

47.ShouldtheUnitedStatesinvestmoretime,money,andeffortinspaceexploration?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyourposition.

48.Somepeoplebelievethatstudentsaren’tlearningenoughinhighschool.Shouldschoolstandardsbehigher?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

49.Ithasoftenbeensaid,“Ignoranceisbliss,”and“Whatyoudon’tknowwon’thurtyou.”Doyouagreewiththesestatements?Whyorwhynot?

50.Althoughforeignaidspendingistypicallyonlyaverysmallportionofourannualbudget,theUnitedStatesstillspendsbillionsofdollarsayearonforeignaid.Somepeoplefeelthisistoomuchandthatweshouldspendnearlyallofourmoneyaddressingproblemshereathome.Othersfeelitisnotnearlyenoughandthatweshouldspendagreatdealmorehelpingothernations.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Explainwhatyouthinkweshoulddoandwhy.

51.Somepeoplefishtoeatwhattheycatch;othersfishsimplyforthe“sport,”returningthefishtothewaterafterthey’vecaughtit.Manyanimalrightsactivists

arguethatsportfishingiscruelandshouldbeabolished.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

52.Manyschoolsemploysecurityguardsandhaveinstalledsecurityequipmentsuchasvideocamerasandmetaldetectorsinthebuilding.Inyouropinion,howshouldsecurityinpublicschoolsbehandled?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

53.Acrossthecountry,thenumberofplaceswherepeopleareallowedtosmokecontinuestodecrease.Somearguethatsmoker’srightsarebeinginfringedon.Whatisyourstanceonthisissue?Writeanessayinsupportofyouropinion.

54.Inasmallminorityofschoolsacrossthenation,studentsdonotearngrades;rather,theyreceiveregularwrittenandoralevaluationsoftheirwork.Somepeoplebelievethatthisismoreeffectiveforlearningthanthegradingsystem,whichtheybelieverewardsstudentsunevenlyandencouragesacompetitivenessthatiscounterproductivetolearning.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

55.Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

56.Manyschoolsofferstudentswhoarenativespeakersofanotherlanguagetheopportunitytotakeclassesintheirnativetonguesothattheycanmoreeasilyassimilateandbetterunderstandthematerial.SomeeducatorsbelievethatthisisadisserviceandthatthesestudentsshouldbeimmersedintheEnglishlanguage.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

57.ManypeopleimmigratetotheUnitedStatesbecausetheybelievethatitisbetterthantheirnativecountry.Infact,manypeoplebelievethattheUnitedStatesisthebestcountryintheworld.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?

58.Somepeoplethinkthatschoolcafeteriasshouldberequiredtoprovidelow-fatand/orvegetarianlunchoptionstoaccommodatetheeatinghabitsofallstudents.Doyouagreeordisagree?Explainyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamplesassupport.

59.Elementaryandsecondaryschoolsaroundthecountryareactivelyaddressingtheproblemofbullies.Inyouropinion,isbullyinganissuethatshouldbeaddressedbyschoolsorlefttoparents?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

60.Mostprivateschoolsrequirestudentstowearuniforms.Shouldpublicschoolstudentswearuniformstoo?Arguefororagainstschooluniformsforpublicschoolstudents.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

61.Doyouthinkthatthemovieand/orTVratingssystemsareeffectiveoruseful?Use

specificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

62.Manypeoplebelievethathonestyisthebestpolicy.Inyouropinion,isiteverokaytolie?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

63.Inordertosolveyourschool’srecentlitterproblem,yourprincipalaskedstudentstotakebettercareofthecampus,butthelitterproblemcontinued.Yourprincipal’sreactionistocancelallextracurricularactivitiesuntiltheproblemisresolved.Doyouagreeordisagreewithhisreaction?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

64.Ifanalumnusdonatedalargesumofmoneytoyourschool,howdoyouthinkthatmoneyshouldbespent?Writeanessayconvincingschoolofficialstoallocatethemoneyinthewayyouthinkisbestfortheschool.

65.ManypeoplefeelthatAmericansocietyistoocompetitive.Doyouagree?Ifso,isthisagoodthingorabadthing?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

66.Imaginethatyourneighborhoodisputtingtogetheratimecapsule,andiscollectingoneitemperindividualtoplaceinsideandburyfor50years,forafuturegenerationtoopen.Whatitemwouldyouchoosetoplaceinsidethetimecapsule?Convincereaderswhythisisagoodchoice.

67.Whomakesabetterleader:someonewhoisloved,orsomeonewhoisfeared?Takeapositionandexplainyouranswer.

68.Somepeopleareconcernedthatmanyteachersarenotsufficientlyqualifiedfortheclassroomandarguethattheyshouldberequiredtopasscompetencytestsbeforetheyareallowedtoteach.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswerwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

69.Ifitwereuptoyoutochooseoneprofessional(adoctor,areporter,ascientist,apolitician,anactor)totravelaboardthenextspacestation,whowouldyouchooseandwhy?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourchoice.

70.Inourincreasinglyglobalsociety,manypeoplefeelthatallstudentsshouldberequiredtolearnaforeignlanguagebeforegraduatingfromhighschool.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Explainyourpositionusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

71.Today,moreandmorecollegesanduniversitiesareofferingnotonlyindividualcoursesbutentiredegreeprogramsonline.Someeducatorsworrythatonlineprogramsdonotprovidethesamequalityasanon-campuseducationandthatinanonlineprogram,studentscangetotherstodotheirwork.Othersbelieveonlinecoursesofferconvenienceandflexibilityenablingstudents,whomightotherwisenotbeable,toearnadegreeandcompletetheireducations.Inyouropinion,shouldcollegesand

universitiesofferdegreesentirelyonline?Whyorwhynot?

72.Isagoodeducationarightoraprivilege?Whydoyouthinkso?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

73.Thenetworkthatrunsyourfavoritetelevisionshowhassuddenlydecidedtocancelit.Writealetterconvincingthestationtocontinuerunningtheshow.

74.Whatwouldimproveyourhometown?Writeanessayconvincingtownofficialstomakeachangethatwouldimproveyourneighborhood.

75.ManypeoplecomplainthatAmericannewsshowsfocustoomuchonsensationalitems,suchaslocalcrimesandcelebritygossip,andspendtoolittletimeonimportantnationalandinternationalnews.Inyouropinion,shouldtelevisionnewsdevotemoretimeandcoveragetointernationalnewsandglobalissues?Whyorwhynot?

76.Moststudentsenjoythelongstretchofsummervacation,butsomeparentsandeducatorsfeelthattwoandahalfmonthsistoolongabreakfromschool.SomearguethatstudentsandfamilieswouldbebetterservediftheschoolyearwereextendedthroughJuly,withathreeorfour-weekbreakinAugust,alongerwinterbreak,andaweekoffeachinthespringandfall.Doesthissoundlikeagoodideatoyou?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

77.Manypeoplefeelthattheuseofsurveillancecamerasinpublicplaces,suchasparkinglots,isagoodideathatcanhelpensureoursafety.Othersworrythattoomanycamerasviolateourrighttoprivacyandgivelawenforcementofficialstoomuchpower.Inyouropinion,shouldweinstallmoresurveillancecamerasinpublicplaces?Whyorwhynot?Supportyourpositionwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

78.Ithasoftenbeensaid,“alittleknowledgeisadangerousthing.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

79.Recentstudieshaveshownthatstudentsoftenperformbetteronexamsifclassicalmusicisplayedsoftlyinthebackground.However,somestudentsmayfindthemusicdistracting.Shouldschoolsplayclassicalmusicduringexamsand/orallowstudentstolistentoitonheadphones?Takeapositionandexplainyouranswer.

80.Allacrossthecountry,statelawsrequiredriverstowearseatbelts.Noteveryonebelievestheuseofseatbeltsshouldbemandatory.Whatdoyouthink?Makeacasefororagainstmandatoryseatbeltuse.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

81.Mostschoolsrequirestudentstoread“old”textssuchasancientGreektragediesorShakespearianplays.Manystudentswonderwhytheyshouldreadthesetextsinsteadofmorecontemporarymaterial.Makeacasefororagainstthereadingof

classicalliteratureinEnglishclasses.

82.Shouldaparentbeachild’sdisciplinarian,orachild’sbestfriend?Takeapositionandexplainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

83.MoreandmoreAmericansaredecidingtoeliminatemeatfromtheirdietsandbecomevegetarians.Doyouthinkthisisagoodidea?Arguefororagainstbecomingavegetarian.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

84.Withthecurrentpopularityofsportutilityvehiclesmanypeoplebelievethatit’smoreimportantthaneverforCongresstopasslegislationrequiringautomobilemanufacturerstousemorefuel-efficientengines.Doyouagreethatsuchalawshouldbepassed?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourargument.

85.Everyyear,millionsofpeoplevisitzoosaroundtheworld.Butsomepeoplebelievethatzoosareinhumaneandthatanimalsshouldnotbekeptincaptivity.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

86.Politicianscomefromallsortsofprofessionalbackgrounds,fromlawyersandchiefexecutiveofficerstoactorsandevenprofessionalwrestlers.Onafewnotableoccasions,politicianswithcriminalbackgroundshaveevenbeenelected.Inyouropinion,shouldcandidateswithacriminalrecordbeallowedtorunforoffice?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

87.Studentswhodon’twanttodotheirhomeworkcanfinddozensofsitesontheInternetthatofferessaysforsale.Doyouthinkthisisalegitimatebusiness,orshouldtheseenterprisesbeshutdown?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

88.DoyouthinktheSATorACTexamisanaccuratemeasureofastudent’saptitudeforcollege?Supportyourpositionwithspecificexamples.

89.Ithasoftenbeensaidthatwecanliewithsilenceaswellaswithwords.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

90.Manystudentscomplainabouthavingtolearnhistory.Whydoweneedknowledgeofthepast?Writeanessayconvincingskepticsthatlearningaboutthepastisimportant.

91.WoodrowWilsononcesaid,“Friendshipistheonlycementthatwillholdtheworldtogether.”Doyouagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

92.CharlesSimmonssaid,“Liveonlyfortoday,andyouruintomorrow.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

93.ThomasEdison,therenownedinventor,isfamousforhavingsaid,“Geniusisonepercentinspiration,ninety-ninepercentperspiration.”Doyouagreewiththisdefinitionofgenius?Whyorwhynot?

94.Manyofusarefondofmusicthatspeakstoourparticulargeneration.Writeanessaythatconvincesothersnotinyourgenerationthatyourmusicisworthlisteningto.

95.AlexanderSmithsaid,“Thegreatmanisthemanwhodoesathingforthefirsttime.”Doyouagreewiththisdefinitionofgreatness?Whyorwhynot?

96.TheeighteenthcenturywriterSamuelJohnsonwrote,“Ignorance,whenvoluntary,iscriminal.”Doyouagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

97.Fordecades,elementaryschoolchildrenacrossthecountryhadbeenrequiredtostandandsaythePledgeofAllegiancetotheAmericanflageveryschool-daymorning.Inyouropinion,shouldstudentsberequiredtosaythepledge,shoulditbevoluntary,orshouldthepracticebecompletelyabandoned?Stateyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportit.

98.Currently,Americanspaytaxesbaseduponhowmuchtheyearn:thehighertheirincome,thehigherthepercentageofthatincometheymustpayintaxes.Manypeoplehavebeenarguingthataflattax,inwhicheveryonepaysthesamerateregardlessofincome,wouldbeamoreequitableanddesirabletaxsystem.Whichofthesetwotaxsystemsdoyouthinkisbest,andwhy?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

99.ThegreatinventorCharlesF.Ketteringsaid,“Thepriceofprogressistrouble.”DoyouagreewithKettering’sassessmentofprogress?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

100.ThewriterThomasMannsaid,“Warisonlyacowardlyescapefromtheproblemsofpeace.”Doyouagreewiththisclaim?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

101.ActivistJeannetteRankinoncesaid,“Youcannomorewinawarthanyoucanwinanearthquake.”Doyouagreewiththisstatement?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

102.Writeanessayexplainingwhyyoushouldbeadmittedtoaparticularcollege.

103.TheRomanleaderSenecasaid,“Agreatfortuneisagreatslavery.”Doyouagreewiththisclaim?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.

104.Ifyourreadersweretolearnaforeignlanguage,whichlanguagedoyouthink

theyshouldlearn,andwhy?Writeanessayconvincingreaderstolearnthatparticularlanguage.

105.Somepeoplearguethatinappropriatesonglyricscontinuestobeabigproblem,andtheeaseofdownloadingmusicmakesithardforparentstocontrolwhattheirchildrenlistento.Whatisyouropinionregardingthisissue?Writeanessayinsupportofyouropinion.

106.Ithasbeenarguedthatspendingexcessiveamountsofmoneyonspaceexplorationisabadideaconsideringthecriticalneedforadditionalresourcesinotherareasacrossthecountry.SomefeelthatspaceexplorationmayhelpusmakenewandimportantdiscoveriesthatcanaffectlifeonEarthforfuturegenerations.Doyouthinkweshouldspendmoreorlessmoneyonspaceexploration?Writeanessayinsupportofyouropinion.

107.Shouldpeopleleaseorbuynewcars?Makeacasefortheoptionthatyouthinkisbest.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

108.TheinventorandstatesmanBenjaminFranklinsaid,“Moneynevermadeamanhappyyet,norwillit.Thereisnothinginitsnaturetoproducehappiness.”Doyouagreewiththisstatement?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

109.Somestateshavenowmadeitillegaltodrivewhiletalkingonthephone.Doyouthinkthisisagoodlawthatshouldbepassedinotherstatesaswell?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

110.ThepoetW.H.Audenwrote,“Machinesarebeneficialtothedegreethattheyeliminatetheneedforlabor,harmfultothedegreethattheyeliminatetheneedforskill.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

111.Arestudentslearningenoughscienceinhighschool?Arguefororagainstanexpandedsciencerequirementinsecondaryschools.

112.AccordingtoanoldGreekproverb,“Allthingsgoodtoknowaredifficulttolearn.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

113.WilliamHazlittwrote,“Manisamake-believeanimal—heisneversotrulyhimselfaswhenheisactingapart.”Doyouagree?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamples.

114.ImaginethatyouhavearelativewhoisunfamiliarwithcomputersandhasneverbeenontheInternet.Writeanessayconvincingthisrelativetogetacomputerandgetonline.

115.Imaginethatyouhavefoundagreatapartmenttoshare,butyournewroommatedoesn’twantanypets.Writeanessaypersuadingyourroommatetoletyoubringyourpetwithyou.

116.AccordingtoaCzechoslovakianproverb,“Betteraliethatsoothesthanatruththathurts.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

117.Imaginethatyourhighschool(oralmamater)hasdecidedtodoawaywithaclubtowhichyoubelong(orusedtobelong).Writeanessaypersuadingschoolofficialsnottodisbandthatorganization.

118.“Original”fairytales,likethoserecordedbytheBrothersGrimm,oftencontainviolence.Someliterarycriticsandchildpsychologistsbelievethesetalesaregoodforchildrenbecausetheyaddresschildren’srealfears,feelings,anddesires.Othersarguethatcontemporary“sanitized”fairytalesstillconveythemainthemesofthetalesandarefarmoreappropriateforchildren.Howdoyoufeelaboutthisissue?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyouranswer.

119.Imaginethatyouhavemadeittothefinalroundofinterviewsforanewjob.Convinceyourprospectiveemployersthatyouaretheonewhomostdeservestheposition.

120.Mosthighschoolschedulesincludeastudyhallperiodseveraltimesaweek.Isstudyhallawasteoftime,oranecessarybreakfromclass?Stateyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

121.Imaginethatyouhaveafriendwhodoesn’thaveanymoneyinhisorhersavingsaccount.Convincethisfriendthatit’simportanttocreateandfollowthroughwithasavingsplan.

122.DuringtheChristmasholidayseason,imagesofSantaClausareeverywhere,andyoungchildrenoftenlineuptotakepictureswithadultsdressedasSanta.SomepeoplefeelthatchildrenshouldnotbeledtobelievethatSantaClausisreal.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

123.Istheresomethingthatyoubelieveistrulyworthfightingfor?Writeanessaypersuadingothersthatthiscauseisworthafight.

124.Writeanessayconvincingyourbestfriendtotryyourfavoritebrandofjunkfood.

125.Imaginethatyouhavebeenaskedtohelpraisemoneyforalocalcharity.Chooseacharityandwriteanessayconvincingreaderstocontributetothefundraisingcampaign.

RUBRICFORPERSUASIVEWRITING

ScoringExplanationsforPersuasiveWritingEssays

Ascoreof“6”indicatesthatyouressaysatisfiestherequirementsofthewritingpromptinacreativeandoriginalmanner,usinganobviousthemeandthesisthroughout.Youressayprovidesaclearandlogicalexplanationofyourideasandusessupportingmaterialprecisely.Youthoroughlyarticulateyourideasinacoherentfashion,usepreciseexamples,anddevelopthetopicinaninterestingmanner.Youressayisorderlyandwellreasoned,withaclearfocus,a

logicalsequenceofideas,andtransitionalwordsandsentences.Theessaydemonstratesasenseofaudiencebyusingeffectivevocabulary,variedsentencestructure,andfluid,sophisticatedlanguagethatisessentiallywithouterrors.

Ascoreof“4”indicatesthatyouressaymeetssomeoftherequirementsofthewritingprompt,includingsomekeyelementsthathelpexplainthethesis.Youressaymayanswerthequestioninanabbreviatedmanner,givingonlybriefexamplesanddevelopingideassomewhatinconsistently.Yougivetheessayageneralfocus,makeanobviousattemptatorganization,andpresentyourideasinalogicalsequence.Thelanguageofyouressayindicatesageneralcontrolofmechanicsbuthasaslightlylowerqualityofsentencestructureandvarietythanasample6score.Anessayofthistypecontainserrorsonlywhenusingsophisticatedlanguage.

Ascoreof“1”indicatesthatyouressayonlyminimallyaddressesthewritingprompt,digressing,repeating,ordwellingoninsignificantdetailsthroughout.Anessayonthislevelshowsalackofdevelopmentandexhibitsnoorganizationalpatternorfocus.YourlanguageskillsmaybeillegibleorunrecognizableasEnglish.

ModelPersuasiveWritingEssays

7.Manyparentsgivechildrenaweeklyormonthlyallowanceregardlessoftheirbehaviorbecausetheybelieveanallowanceteacheschildrentobefinanciallyresponsible.Otherparentsonlygivechildrenanallowanceasarewardforcompletingchoresorwhentheyhavebehavedproperly.Explainwhatyouthinkparentsshoulddoandwhy.

Sample6Score

StartingwhenIwasabouteightyearsold,myparentsgavemealistofchoresthathadtobecompletedeachweek.IfIdidmychores,Igotanallowance,abitofchangethatIcoulduseasIpleased.IfIdidn’tdomychores,Ididn’tgetmyallowance.Therewasnootherpunishment,butnootherpunishmentwasnecessary.ThatdollarortwoaweekwasalltheincentiveIneededtohelpoutaroundthehouse.WhetheritwasthelatestBarbieorasix-packofHubbaBubbachewinggum,therewasalwayssomethingIwantedtobuy.Myparentscouldalwayscountonmedoingmychores.

Ithinkthatgivingchildrenanallowancefordoingchoresisasmartparentingmove,foritaccomplishesfourimportantgoals:Ithelpsensurethatimportantworkgetsdonearoundthehouse;itteacheschildrenthattheyneedtodotheirparttomakethingsrunsmoothlyforthewholefamily;itrewardschildreninarealistic,practicalwayforgoodbehavior;andithelpsteachchildrenhowtohandlemoney.

Iknowthatsomepeopleconsidermoneyforchoresaformofbribery,andothersfeelthatchildrenshouldjustdotheirchoresanyway,withouttheincentiveofanallowance.Theyarguethatgivingkidsmoneyfordoingchoresunderminesthelessonthattheyneedtohelpthefamilyanddotheirpart.Icanunderstandthatpointofview,andwhenparentsgivetheirchildrentoomuchmoney,itdoesunderminethoselessons.Butwhentheallowanceissmall,itissimplyamodernversionoftheage-oldpracticeofrewardinggoodbehavior.Oncechildrenreachacertainage,moneyisanappropriateandeffectiverewardthathelpsthemlearnhowtoberesponsibleandhowtomanagemoney.Theygetasenseofwhatthingsareworthandhowmuchtheyhavetosaveandspendtogetwhattheywant.Andlearningtosaveinordertopurchaseadesireditemteachesthempatienceandhelpschildrenbetterunderstandthevalueofhardwork.

Givingchildrenmoneyfordoingchoresisalsoagoodintroductiontotherealityoftheworkplace.Iftheydothework,theygetpaid;iftheydon’tdothework,theydon’t.Extraworkcanberewardedwithbonusesandextrapraise;poorworkmayresultinapaycutordemotion.

It’simportantforparentstofindtherightamounttogive.Toomuchmoneymaymakeachildfeellikehiredhelpandwillunderminethegoalofteachingchildrentohelpsimplybecausetheyarepartofafamilythatmustworktogether.Ontheotherhand,toolittlemoneymaymakeachildfeelresentful,asifhisorherworkisn’tworthanythingtothehousehold.What’sanappropriateamount?Itdependsupontheamountofchoresthechildisexpectedtodoandthechild’sage.Ifyournine-year-oldisonlyexpectedtocleanhisorherroom,adollaraweekisprobablyplenty.

Ifyourfourteen-year-oldisexpectedtokeephisroomclean,takeoutthetrash,watertheplants,andvacuumthehouse,thentendollarsaweekismoreappropriate.

Beingpaidformychoreshelpedmehaveagoodattitudeabouthousework,taughtmehowtosavemoneyandspenditwisely,andenabledmetoappreciatethehardworkmyparentsdidaroundthehouse.I’mreallygratefulthatthiswasthewaymyparentschosetohandlechoresinourhousehold.

Sample4Score

Shouldparentspaychildrenfordoingchoresisagoodquestion.Myparentspaidme,andmybrothersandsister.Ineverlikeddoingchores,butgettinganallowanceeachweek(ifIdidmychores)madeitnotsobad.Infact,sometimesIdidextra(likereorganizingthepantry)togetsomeextramoneyforsomethingIreallywanted.

Ithinkhavingmyallowancedependonmydoingchoresmademeunderstandwhatit’sliketowork.Inthe“RealWorld,”youdon’tgetpaidifyoudon’tdoyourwork.That’showitwasinourhouse.

Ialsolearnedthatit’shardworktokeepahousegoing,Ilearnedtoappreciateallthehardworkmymomanddadusetodo.Inaddition,Ilearnedhowtosavemoney.IwouldsetasidemyallowancetosaveupforsomethingIwanted,likeanewCDplayeroroutfit.

Inmyopinion,parentsshouldgiveanallowancefordoingchores,butitshouldn’tbetoomuch.Childrenshouldknowthattheyneedtohelpnomatterwhat.ToomuchmoneyIthinkwouldmakehimorherfeelliketheirhiredhelporsomething.Contrarily,toolittlemoneycanmakehimorherfeelliketheirhelpisn’tworthanythingtohisorherparents.Sofindingtherightamountisimportant.

Inconclusion,givingchildrenanallowancefordoinghouseholdchoresisagoodidea.Childrenlearntoworkfortheirmoneyandsavewhattheyearn.

Sample1Score

Manychildrentheydonotbehaveinproperly,theyshouldbepunish,nogettingreward.Theyshouldnobeallowanceanything.Choresishard,onthecontrary,theretolearnforhelpingthat’simportant.Forthefamily.Alltodotheparts.

Forme,itwasvacuumingandthedusting.Everyweek,forSaturdayorelse.Forgettingtheallowance,therewasn’t.Onlytobepunishforwhatnottodo.

Childrenshouldlisten,totheirparents.Itsveryimportant.

21.Moreandmorefarmersandfoodmanufacturersaregeneticallymodifyingtheircropstoreducesusceptibilitytodisease,improveflavor,andreducecosts.Doyouthinkgeneticallymodifyingfoodsisagoodidea?Whyorwhynot?Usespecific

reasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

Sample6Score

Afewdecadesago,manipulatinggenesinpeople,plants,andanimalswasjustsciencefiction.Today,it’sareality,andgeneticmodificationmayhavemanypositiveapplicationsinthefuture,includingtheeradicationofmanyhereditarydiseases.Butlikemostscientificandtechnologicaladvances,thegeneticmodificationoforganismsforourfoodsupplycanbeasdangerousasitisbeneficial.Becauseofthepotentialdangersofthistechnology,Ithinkgeneticallyalteringplantsandanimalsinthefoodsupplyisapracticethatshouldbeverytightlycontrolledandcarefullystudiedbeforeitisanacceptedandcommonpractice.Unfortunately,itmayalreadybetoolateforthat.

Manypeopledon’tevenrealizethatmanyoftheirfoodsaregeneticallymodifiedorganisms(GMOs).GMOsarealreadyprevalentinsupermarketsandgrocerystoresacrossthecountry,butmanufacturersarenotrequiredtolabelfoodsashavingbeenmadefromGMOs.Asaresult,millionsofAmericanspurchaseandeatGMOseverydaywithoutevenknowingit.Yetwedon’tevenknowifGMOsareharmfultoourhealth.Wedon’treallyknowhowGMOsmayaffectourbodiesorourecosystem.WhenwemesswithDNA,wemaybemakingchangesthathaveallsortsofdangerousrepercussions,includingsomethatwemaynotevenrealizeforseveralgenerations.

OneofthemainconcernsaboutGMOsistheunpredictabilityofthebehaviorofalteredgenesandofthebacteria,plants,andanimalsthatinteractwiththealteredorganism.Forexample,acropofcorngeneticallymodifiedtobelesssusceptibletoaparticularinsectmaytakeonotherunwantedcharacteristicsduetothechange.Itmay,forexample,becomemoresusceptibletoanotherdisease,oritcoulddevelopatougherskinonitskernels,oritcoulddecreasethecrop’sabilitytoproducevitaminE.

Morefrighteningisthedominoeffectofgeneticallymodifyingfoods.Anychangeinanorganism’sDNAhasthepotentialtoaffectnotonlytheorganismbutalsoanythingthatfeedsoffofit,includingus.HowdoweknowhowGMOsmightaffectusonamicroscopic,geneticlevel?Wedon’tknow,andcan’tknow,withoutyearsofstudiesthattrackallsortsofpotentialoutcomesoverseveralgenerations.

Anotherfearisthattransferredgenesmayescapefromoneorganismintoanother.Forexample,imaginethatStrainAofsweetpeaswasalteredbyaddingagenethatwouldincreaseitssugarproduction.Throughcross-pollination,thisalteredgeneticcodecouldenterotherstrainsandslowly(orquickly)infecttheentiresub-species.Ifthealterationwasbeneficial,thiscouldbeagoodthing.Butthealteredgenemightnotactthesamewayinallvarieties,andthechangemaynotbeagoodthinginthefirstplace,and/oritmayhaveunintendedconsequences.

Geneticallymodifyingfoodsisapracticethathasbeendrivenbythedesiretomakemorefoodavailablemorequicklyandmorecheaplythaneverbefore.Thisattitudeputsprofitfirstandconsumersandtheenvironmentlast,andthatissimplydangerous.TheagribusinessneedstoslowdownandstopsellingusGMOsuntiltheirsafetyiscertain.

Sample4Score

InmyopinionGMOs(geneticallymodifiedorganisms)areabadthing.Becausewedon’tknowenoughaboutthem,andtheycouldbedangerous,wedon’tevenknowit.Thereneedstobemorestudiesdonebeforeweknowforsureitssafe.

Forexample,modifiedgenescouldjumpfromoneGMOtoanotherGMO.Anotherproblemiswedon’tknowwhatothereffectsageneticmodificationmighthave.Ifyouchangeaplanttoproducemoresugarorsomethingthatmightmakeitsfruitsweeteritmightruinsomethingelseintheplant.

WeeatGMOseventhoughitmaynotsaysoonthelabel.I’mworriedbecausewedon’tknowhowthoseGMOsmightaffectourbodies.Whoknows?Technicallythesearenewfoodsthatnohumanbeinghasevereatenbefore.Itmaybeasmallchangebutit’sachangeanditcouldbedangerous.

IthinkthereshouldbealotofstudiestodeterminethesafetyofGMOsandIthinkanyfoodthathasGMOinitshouldhaveabig“GMO”labelonit.Weshouldknowwhatwe’reeatingandhowitmightaffectus.

Sample1Score

DoIthinkgeneticallymodifyingfoodsisagoodidea?No.Myidea,itsbad.Couldbeverydangerous.Wedon’tno,itsgenesannooneeverdidthiskindofthingbefore.Whatcouldbetheaffects?Youchangingtheplantfromitsfoundation.Whataretheotherchangesitcouldbe?Thisisscaringforme.

Ilikeeatinghealthyfoodlikesoy.ThesemakemefeellikeI’mputtinggoodinmybody.GMOSthesemakemefeellikeI’mputtingbadinmybody.Iworrywhoisthemadscientist.

22.Afewdecadesago,manyfamilieshadhalfadozenormorechildren.Nowadays,moreandmorefamiliesarechoosingtohaveonlyoneortwochildren.Aresmallerfamiliesbetterthanlargerones?Whyorwhynot?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

Sample6Score

Igrewupinalargefamily—Iamtheoldestofsix—andIhavemanywonderfulmemoriesfrommychildhood.IamveryclosetomostofmysiblingsandItreasuremyrelationshipswiththem.ButwhenIhavemyownfamilysomeday,itwon’tbeasbigastheoneIgrewupin.Asmuchasmylargefamilywasfulloflove,andasmuchasIlearnedaboutsharing,giving,andpatience,Ithinkhavingtoomanykidsputstoomuchpressureontheparentsandtheoldestchildren.

WhenIthinkbackonmychildhood,Irememberplayingwithmysiblingsorgrandparents.I

don’trememberspendingawholelotoftimewithmymotherandfather.Theywerealwaysaround,buttheywerealwaysbusy.Althoughtheydidtheirbesttospendsomequalitytimewitheachofus,therewasjusttoomuchtodotokeepourlargefamilygoing.Mymotherwasalwayscooking,cleaning,nursing,changingadiaper,shopping,ortakingsomeonetobaseballpracticeoraplaydate.Shewasalwaystired.

Myfather,ontheotherhand,wasalwaysworking.Heneededovertimewheneverhecouldgetit,andweekendswerealwaysfullofprojectsaroundthehouse.Hehadlotsofhelpers,ofcourse,butthereareonlysomanythingskidscando.Evenwhenwewereabletogetawayforvacation,MomandDadcouldn’treallyrelax,becausethereweresomanykidstolookafter.

Moneywasalsoaconstantworryformyfamily.Withsomanychildren,ourbudgetwasalwaystight.Back-to-schoolshoppingwasalwaysastressfultime;weallwantedthelatestfashions,butwecouldonlygetafewthings.Myyoungersiblingslivedonhand-me-downsasmuchastheycould.Weshoppedatbargainstoresandoftengotclothesthatwedidn’treallylikebecausetheywereonsale.Ourhousealwaysneededrepairs,andtherewasneverenoughmoneytokeepup.

Anotherproblemwithlargefamiliesisthattheoldersiblingsalwaysendupbeingbabysitters.Likeitornot(andmostofthetimeIdidn’tlikeit),Ihadtowatchmyyoungerbrothersandsisters.Atagesix,Icouldchangeadiaperlikeapro.Iwasgettingmybrothersandsistersdressed,givingthembreakfast,helpingthemgetreadyforbed.Ilearnedalotaboutsharing,self-sacrifice,andresponsibilityatanearlyage,andtheseareimportantcharactertraitsthatIvaluehighlyandwanttoinstillinmychildren.ButIalsowanttogivethemachancetobechildren.Idon’twantthemtohavesomuchresponsibilityatsuchanearlyage.

Idon’twanttogivetheimpressionthatIdidn’thaveahappychildhood.Imostdefinitelydid;Iwaslovedasmuchasmyparentscouldloveme,andIhadwonderfulfunwithmybrothersandsisters.ButIalwayswantedalittlemoretimewithMomandDad,andIoftenresentedhavingsomuchresponsibility.Iwishedmymomwasn’talwayssotiredandmydaddidn’thavetoworksomuch.BecauseIwanttobetheremoreformykids,becauseIwantthemtobekidsthroughouttheirchildhood,Iplantohaveamuchsmallerfamily.

Sample4

Thesedays,moreandmorefamilieshaveonlyacoupleofkids,whereas,afewdecadesago,familiesweremuchbigger,withsometimesasmanyastenkidsinthefamily.Igrewupinoneofthosebigfamilies(wehavesixkids,andIamtheoldest).Ihadagreatchildhood,butbasedonmyexperienceandmyfamily’s,Iwouldsaythatit’sbettertohaveasmallerfamily.

OnereasonIsaythisisbecauseIwastheoldest,andIsuredidalotofbabysitting.Mymomwasalwaysaskingmetowatchthekidswhileshewenttothestoreortookoneoftheotherkidssomewhere.Idon’tblameher,ifIhadthatmanykidsIsurewouldneedahelper,too.ButlotsoftimesIfeltlikeitwasn’tfairandIdidn’tgettodothingswithmyfriendsbecauseIhadtowatchmybrothersandsisters.Ialsohadtochangealotofdiapers,too—andImeanalot!

Ialsothinksmallerfamiliesarebetterforanotherreason:becausemymomanddadwere

alwaysworkingandtired.Iguessifyouhaveawholelotofmoney,thenitisn’tsuchaproblem.However,wedidn’t,andmydadwasalwaysworking,whilemymomwasalwaysworkingaroundthehouseorrunningusaroundsomewhere.IwishedIcouldhavespentmoretimewiththem,too.

Ireallylovemyfamilyandespeciallybothofmyparents.Ididhaveagreatchildhood,butIthinkasmallerfamilyiseasierandbetter,especiallyfortheoldestchild.

Sample1Score

Aresmallerfamiliesbetterthanlargerones?Thisisabigquestion.Ihavealargefamily.Therearesixkids.Iamtheoldestchildren.Ihavethreebrothersandtwosisters.Myyoungestbrotheristenyearsyoungerthanme.

Mymom,shehaselevenbrothersandsisters.Mydad,hehastenbrothersandsisters.Theylivefarawayfromus.Myparents,theyhadgoodchildhoodbutforthemallitwasalotofwork.

24.Goodhabitsimproveourphysical,emotional,and/orfinancialhealth.Selectoneofyourgoodhabitsandwriteanessaypersuadingreaderstomakethathabitapartoftheirlives.

Sample6Score

WhenIwasfifteen,IwantedtogetajobsoIcouldbuyacarwhenIturnedsixteen.Myfathersatmedownatthekitchentableandsaid,“Excellent.Butonlyononecondition:10%ofeverypaycheckmustgointoasavingsaccount.Andyoucannottouchthatmoneyexceptinanemergency.”

“ButDad,”Iargued,“IfIhavetoput10%away,howwillIeversaveenoughmoneytobuyacar?”

“You’llhaveenough,”hereplied.“Andyou’llsoonseehowimportantitistosetmoneyasideforsavings.”

Ididn’tbelievehimatthetime,andinfactIoftenresentedhavingtoputthat10%inaseparateaccount.Buttwoyearslaterwhenthetransmissiononmycarblew,Ididn’thavetofretaboutcomingupwiththemoneyforrepairs.Iwasabletocoverthecosteasilyandwasbackontheroadinnotime.ItwasthenthatIbegantoseethewisdomofmyfather’srule,whichIadoptedasmyown.Thishabithashelpedtogivemeasecurefinanciallife,andIurgeyoutomakethispracticepartofyourlife.

Tenpercentofeachpaycheckmaysoundlikealot,andifyou’reonatightbudgettobeginwith,youmightbethinking,“Ijustcan’taffordtodoit.”Intruth,youcan’taffordnottodoit.Youneverknowwhenyouaregoingtoneedanextra$100or$1,000;lifeisfullofsurprises,andlotsofthemareexpensive.Youcanaffordtodothis.Infact,youcan’taffordnottodothis.

Astightasyourbudgetmaybe,it’simportanttogetstartedrightaway.Ifyouareabsolutelyscrapingbywitheverylastpennygoingtobills,thenstartwithjust5%,butmoveupto10%assoonasyoucan.Ifyouearn$500aweek,forexample,put$25–$50inyoursavingsaccounteachweek.Atfirst,thismaymeanclippingcoupons,rentingamovieinsteadofgoingtothetheater,orpressingyourownshirtsinsteadoftakingthemtothecleaner.Thinkcarefullyaboutwaysyoucansavejustafewdollars—becausejustafewdollarsfromeachpaycheckisallittakestobuildupasolidsavingsaccount.

Themoneyyousavewilladdupquickly.Forexample,ifyourannualsalaryis$40,000,eachyear,youwouldput$4,000intoyoursavingsaccount.Thatstillleavesyouwith$36,000tocoverallofyourexpenses.Aftertenyears,youwillhavesaved$40,000,plusinterest.Andthemoremoneyinyouraccount,themoreinterestyouearn,thelargeryouremergencyfund,themoreyoucanaffordtorelaxlaterinyourlife.

Onceyougetinthehabitofputting10%ofyourmoneyintosavings,itwon’tfeellikeasacrifice.The90%that’sleftwillbeyourworkingbudget,andyouwon’tevenmissthat10%becauseyouwon’tbeusedtospendingit.Yetyouwillknowthatitisthere,readyforanemergency,helpingtokeepyoufinanciallysecure.Sotakemyfather’sadvice,andmine:Putapieceofeachpaycheckintoyoursavings.It’sahabitthat’swortheverypenny.

Sample4Score

WhenIwas15,mydadhelpedmestartagoodhabitthatIstillkeeptothisday,thatissaving10%ofeverypaycheck.WheneverIgetpaid,Iput10%ofthatcheckintoasavingsaccount.Idon’ttouchthatmoneyexceptforanemergencyorspecialpurchase.

I’mreallygratefultomydadforhelpingmestartthishabit,thoughIwasn’tatthetime,becauseIwantedtobuyacarandIdidn’tknowhowIcouldsaveupenoughmoneyifIdidn’tputitalltowardsthecar,buthewasright,Ididsaveenough,andthenIhadmoneyforrepairsbecauseI’dsavedcarefully.

Thegreatthingaboutthishabitis,onceyou’reinit,youdon’tfeellikethere’sanymoneymissing.Youusethe90%tofigureoutyourbudget,notthe100%.Injustoneyearyoucansaveawholelotofmoney.

You’reprobablythinking,likeIdid,“Ican’taffordtoputsomeofmymoneyaway,Ineeditall.”However,you’rewrong.Youcanaffordit,andyou’llbegladbecauseyou’llalwayshavemoneyforanemergency.Sogetstartedtoday!

Sample1Score

Goodhabitsimproveourphysical,emotional,and/orfinancialhealth.Ihavemanygoodhabit.One,is,Isavingmoneyeverymonth.Another,is,Iexcersizeeveryday.Also,Iameatinghealthy.Ialsodonotneverusethebadlanguage.

Iamprideofmygoodhabits.Whathabitsdoyoudothataregoodforyou?Savemoneylikeme,

alsoexcersizeallthetime,andeathealthy.Itwillbewisetodo.

35.Isthereabookthatyoufeelshouldberequiredreadingforeveryone?Writeanessaypersuadingyouraudiencetoreadthisbook.

Sample6Score

MostpeopleknowwhoFrankensteinis—oratleasttheythinktheydo.BecauseofthewayMaryShelley’sbrilliant1818novelhasbeenadaptedtofilm,mostAmericansthinkthatFrankensteinisatowering,scar-facedmonsterwhobringsterrorwhereverhegoes.InShelley’snovel,however,therealmonsterisVictorFrankenstein,thescientistwhoisthemonster’screator.InherstoryofhowVictorFrankensteincreatesthemonsterandwhathedoesafterthemonstercomestolife,Shelleyconveysseveraltimelessmessagesaboutthedangersofscience,thedangersofisolation,andtheimportanceofbeingagoodparent.Itisanovelthateveryoneshouldread.

Inthestory,Frankenstein,eagerforglory,wantstodiscoverthe“elixiroflife”sothathecanhavethepowertobringthedeadbacktolife.Hewantstocreateanewraceofsuperhumanbeingsandwantsthemtoworshiphimlikeagod.Hewantstounlockthesecretsofnatureandusethatpowerforhisownselfishgoals.Shelley’snovelwarnsusthatwemustbecarefulwhatwedowithscience—howweapplytheknowledgewediscover.ForwhenFrankensteindoesdiscoverthe“elixiroflife,”andwhenhedoescreateasuperhumanbeing,hecreatesacreaturethatisbeyondhiscontrol.ThecreatureismorepowerfulandmoreintelligentthanVictorFrankenstein,andthecreatureengineersFrankenstein’sdemise.

Shelley’snovelalsowarnsusaboutthedangersofisolation.Frankenstein’screationissorevoltinganddangerousinpartbecauseFrankensteinworkscompletelyalone.Hebecomessoabsorbedwithhisprojectthathecompletelyblocksoutfamilyandfriends.Hestopscommunicatingwithothersandworkssecretly;hedoesnotconsultothersabouthisproject,partlybecauseheknowsthatwhatheisdoingiswrong,partlybecausehewantsalltheglory.Butbecausehedoesnotworkwithothers,becausehelosestouchwithhiscommunityoffamilyandfriends,healsolosestouchwithhisresponsibilitytootherhumanbeings.Whenthecreaturecomestolife,Frankensteinrunsaway,abandoninghiscreationeventhoughheknowsthecreaturemightharmothers.

Thisabandonmentbringsustothenovel’sthirdtimelessmessage:theimportanceofbeingagoodparent.Frankensteincreatesalivingbeingandthenabandonshimbecauseheisan“uglywretch.”Hetotallyignoreshisresponsibilitytothecreature,whoisbornasinnocentasachild,eventhoughheisthesizeofagiant.Thecreatureisabhorredbyeveryonehemeets,andbecausenoonehasevershownhimlove,helearnstohate.Andthepersonhecomestohatemostisthefatherwhoabandonedhim.Shelley’smessageisclear:youareresponsibleforwhatyoucreate,andifyouareaparent,youmustloveyourchild,whateverhisorherappearance.

Inourageofcloningandgeneticengineering,ofscatteredcommunitiesandneighborswhodon’tknoweachother’snames,ofabandonedchildrenandabusiveparents,Shelley’sbookmayhavemoreimportancethanever.Itisalsoapowerfulandsuspense-filledtale.WillFrankenstein

capturethecreature?Willhecreatea“bride”forthemonster?WillWalton,theshipcaptainwhorecordsFrankenstein’sstory,learnfromFrankenstein’stale?Findoutforyourself.Grabacopyofthisamazingnovelandenjoy.

Sample4Score

Frankensteinisn’twhomostpeoplethinkheis,whichisthemonster.TherealFrankensteinisthescientistwhobringsthemonstertolife.You’dknowthisifyoureadoneofthegreatestnovelseverwritten,MaryShelley’sFrankenstein,abookthatIthinkeveryoneshouldread.Thisbookisgreatbecauseitssuspensefullandteachessomeimportantlessons,theselessonsaremaybeevenmoreimportanttodaythantheywereinShelly’stime.(Whichwasthe1800s.)

Onelessonisabouthowtousescience.Dr.Frankensteininthestorydiscovershowtobringadeadpersonbacktolife.Buteverythinggoeswrongafterthecreaturewakesup.WhatwassupposedtobeagreatthingthatwouldbringFrankensteinallkindsofgloryandmakehimlikeamastercreatorinsteadbroughthimandlotsofotherpeopleallkindsofterriblehorror.IthinkMaryistellingustobeverycarefulhowweusescience.

Shealsoistellingusinthisstorytostayclosetoothers.Frankensteinmakesthecreatureallbyhimself.Whilehe’sworkingonthemonster;hedoesn’ttalktoanyone,nooneintheuniversityknowswhatonearthhe’supto,he’sgotabigsecret.He’ssoobsessedandheforgetstothinkaboutwhatwillhappenoncethisgiantcreaturecomestolife.Hedoesn’tthinkaboutbeingresponsibletoandforthecreature.Becauseheworkedaloneheforgotaboutthat.

Thethirdlessonisthatweneedtobegoodparents.Frankensteinislikethecreature’sfatherandmother.Hecreatedhim,andheneedstotakecareofhim.Buthedoesn’t,hejustrunsaway.That’swhenhishorrorbegins,andthecreature’s,too.Thepoorcreatureishatedbyeveryoneandhislifeisreallysad.

Readthisexcellentbook!

Sample1Score

Everyschoolhasrequiredreadingthatallthekidsarerequiredtoreadforschool.Therearelotsofdifferentbooksonthislist,Ireadsomeofthem,someofthemaregoodbutIdontlikethemall.

OnebookthathardtoreadbutIlikedit,was,Frankenstien.Thestoryofthemonster.Frankenstinmakesthismonsteroutofdeadbodyparts.Thenhemakesthemonstercometolife,throughsomesecretwayhedoesn’ttellanybodyabout.Thenherunsawayandgetsattackedandbecomesakillerbecauseeveryonehateshim.Frankenstien,isareallygoodstory.

37.SomepeoplethinkoftheUnitedStatesasanationof“couchpotatoes.”Writeanessaypersuadingreaderstobemorephysicallyactive.

Sample6Score

Isyourfavoriteplaceinthehomesittingonthecouchinfrontofthecomputerortelevision?Doyouspendhoursandhoursthereeachday,surroundedbybagsofchipsandcansofsoda?Doyoupanicwhenyoucan’tfindtheremotecontrolandthinkthatyoumightactuallyhavetogetupoffofthesofatochangethechannel?

Ifyouanswered“yes”toanyofthesequestions,youarenotalone.Infact,youareoneofthemillionsofAmericanswhoare“couchpotatoes”:peoplewhospendtheirdaysandnights“veggingout.”

Well,spud,it’stimetogetupoutofthatarmchairandgetsomeexercise!

IknowhowseductiveTVandtheInternetcanbe.Iknowhoweasyitistoplopontothesofaandloseyourselfintheworldofsports,realityshows,andgood-oldmake-believe.IknowhowmesmerizingtheInternetandTVcanbeandhowharditcanbetopullyourselfaway.Butallthatidlenessspellsdisasterforyourbodybecauseitneedstobeactivetobehealthy.Andit’snogoodforyourmentalhealthorsociallife,either.

Thinkaboutwhatallthattimeinfrontofthetelevisionorcomputerisdoingtoyourbody.Thinkaboutwhatallthatsaggingmuscleandgrowingbellyisdoingtoyourlife.Thinkabouthowyourlackofenergyaffectsyouatwork.

NowthinkabouthowdifferentthingswouldbeifyouspentsomeofthatTVandcomputertimegettingexerciseinstead:Youwouldfeelbetterduringtheday.Youwouldsleepbetteratnight.Youwouldhavemoreenergy.Youwouldlookbetter.Youwouldhavemoreconfidence.Youwouldbemorecreative.Youwouldbehealthierandhappier.Andyouwouldnotevenmissthetelevision.

Whatsortofexercisecanyoudo?Anything!Goforawalk.Rideabike.Jog.Liftweights.Takeanaerobicsclass.Doyoga.Joinabasketballorhockeyleague.Swim.Rollerblade.Grabafriend,afellowcouchpotato,andexercisetogether.

Youcanstartwithjustfifteenminutesaday,twoorthreedaysaweek,andbuildupslowly.Beforeyouknowit,yourcouchpotatodayswillbeover,andyouwillwonderhowonearthyoueverspentsomuchtimeinfrontoftheTVorcomputer.

Sample4Score

Americanseverywhereare“couchpotatoes.”ThesearepeoplewhojustsitinfrontoftheTVortheircomputersalldayandnight.Theyspendsomuchtimeonthecouchthey’realmostbecomingpartofthecouch.Theydon’teverwanttogetuptochangethechannel,sotheremotecontrolislikeapartoftheirhand.Isthatwhatyou’relike?DoyouspendtoomuchtimeinfrontoftheTVoronline?Well,it’stimetostopbeingacouchpotato.Youneedtotakecareofyourbody.It’stimeforyoutogetupandgetsomeexcercise.

Ifyoulayaroundallday,thinkofhowthat’sjustnotgoodforyou.It’snothealthy.Youneedtogetexcercisetobehealthy.Physicalactivityatleastthreetimesaweekwillgetyoubackinshape.Itwillhelpyouhaveahealthyheart,bettersleep,andlesslikelytogetsickanddiseasesbecauseyourimmunesystemwillbestronger.Furthermore,you’llhavemoreenergyandjustfeelbetter.Thisisespeciallygoodforyouatwork.Inaddition,you’llbemoreconfidentbecauseyouwilllookbetterandfitintonicerclothes.Whenyoufeelbetteraboutyourself,you’rehappier.

Itseasytogetexcercise.Youcandosomejumpingjacksorjogorplaytennis.Evenjustwalkingtothestoreinsteadofdrivingcanhelp.Maybeyoucouldjoinagymorasportsteam,likeabasketballteaminyourneighborhood.Oraskafriendwhosealsoacouchpotatotoexcercisewithyou.Itseasierwhenyouhavesomeonetoexcercisewith.

Sodoyourselfafavor,stopspendingsomuchtimeinfrontoftheTVoryourcomputer!You’llbeproudwhenyourdaysasacouchpotatoareover.

Sample1Score

Forsomepeople’sthinking,therearetomany“couchpotatos”,allacrosstheAmericancountry.Therearelyingontherecouchsallthetime,doingnothing.ExceptwatchingtheTVandthecomputerallthetime.Whereastheynotgettinganyexcersizing,notanythingatall.Theressomuchtodo,likejoggingorwalkingortennisinstead.

Thecouchpotatos,theyshouldnotbejustonthecouch,butalsoexcersizing.Thinkaboutbeingthislikeapotato.Isnotagoodthing!Instead,tobelikealionorstronglikeabull.

40.Nowadays,theprivatelifeofapoliticianishardlyprivate.Inyouropinion,shouldwebesoconcernedwiththeprivateaffairsofapoliticianorpoliticalcandidate?Stateyourpositionandsupportitwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

Sample6Score

WhenyouthinkofformerpresidentBillClinton,what’sthefirstthingthatcomestomind?Unfortunately,formanypeople,thefirstthingtheythinkofisMonicaLewinsky.Likemillionsofpeoplearoundtheglobe,IwashorrifiedbyhowmuchtheinvestigationdelvedintoMr.Clinton’sprivateaffairs.NooneneededtoknowthesortofdetailsthatwererevealedbyKenStarr’sinvestigation.ButwhileIdon’twanttoknowthedetails,Idobelievewehavearighttoknowwhatsortoflivesourpoliticiansareliving.Ibelievetheirbehaviorinprivateisareflectionoftheirtruevaluesandhowtheywillbehaveinoffice.

Forexample,ifapoliticianliestohisorherspouse(I’mtalkingaboutbiglies,likeinfidelity,notlittlewhitelies),thattellsussomethingabouthisorhercharacter.Inmyopinion,thispersonisnottobetrusted.Iwouldn’thavefaiththatthispoliticianwouldkeephisorherword.True,therelationshipbetweenahusbandandwifeisverydifferentfromthatbetweenapoliticianandhisorherconstituents.Butthepolitician’srespectforthatrelationshipandhowheorshedeals

withanyproblemsinthatrelationshipreflectshisorherlevelofintegrity.

Similarly,ifapolitician(orpoliticalcandidate)behavesinanillegalmanner,thatshowsadisrespectforthelaw.Agovernmentofficialwhoemploysanillegalresidentasanannyorhousekeeper,forexample,orpaysanannyorhousekeeperunderthetabletoavoidtaxesisactingasifheorsheisabovethelaw—ordemonstratingthatheorshesimplydoesn’tcareaboutthelaw.ThisisnotthekindofpersonIwantinapublicoffice.

Ontheotherhand,ifapoliticianleadsarespectable,law-abidinglifeathome,wecanexpectarespectable,law-abidingperformanceinoffice.Apoliticianwhodealshonestlywithfamily,friends,andbusinessassociatesislikelytodealhonestlywithhisorherconstituentsaswell.Apoliticianwhorespectsthelawinallaspectsofhisorherprivatelifeislikelytorespectthelawwhileinoffice,too.Acandidatewhobehavesinacautious,reservedmannerregardinghisorherpersonalaffairsislikelytobringasimilarapproachtotheoffice.

Iknowthatnobodyisperfectandthateverypoliticianmayhaveskeletonsinthecloset.I’mnottalkingabouttransgressionsfromthedistantpast.ButIamconcernedwithapolitician’srecentpastandcurrentbehavior.Isheorshehonestordoesheorshebreakpromises?Doesheorshebehaverecklesslyorinathoughtfulandcontrolledmanner?Wecannotseparatewhowearepersonallyfromwhoweareprofessionally.ThatiswhyIbelievethepublichasarighttoknow.

Sample4Score

Politiciansliveverypubliclives.Iftheirbigpoliticians(likethepresident,forexample),theydon’treallyhaveanyprivacy.Everybodyknowseverythingtheydo.Thisprobablybotherssomepeople,however,Iactuallythinkthatisaverygoodthing.Ithinkweneedtoknowwhatpoliticiansarereallylike.Howtheyareathome(inprivate)tellsusabouthowtheywillbeintheoffice.

It’struethatwearedifferentathomeandintheoffice.However,we’restillthesameperson.Inotherwords,wewillprettymuchactthesame,onthesamevaluesandprincipals,whetherwe’reathomeorintheoffice.Ifwewouldstealorlieathome,wewouldprobablystealorlieintheoffice.So,ifapoliticianliestohiswife,forexample,ortoherbusinesspartners,thenwecanprobablyexpectthemtolietothepeoplewhoelectedthem.

Onthecontrary,ifapoliticianlivesanhonestlifeandalwaysobeysthelaw.Wecanprobablyexpectthemtobehavehonestlyandlawfullywhentheyareinoffice.BecauselikeIstartedtosaybefore,youcan’tseparatehomeandwork.We’rethesamepersoninbothplaces.

So,inconclusion,it’sagoodideatohaveknowledgeaboutpolitician’sprivateaffairs.Theyprobablydon’tlikeitandwantthingstobeprivate.However,sincetheyareourelectedofficials,theyhavetobepublic,unfortunatelyforthemaboutalmosteverything.

Sample1Score

Thepoliticians,theyhaveprivacyintherehomes.Forthemtoomuchisknowedabouteverything

whattheyisdoing.Thisisbad;forthem.Whereas,knowingthepublicareaverygoodthingforus.Iflyingandstealingthere,alsohere.Don’tyouagree?Itisclear.Iftheyarealiarathome,wewillbelyingtoalso.Sotherefore,inmyopinion,“weshouldbesoconcernedwiththeprivateaffairsofapoliticianorpoliticalcandidate.”

41.Today’stopprofessionalathletesoftenhavesalariesandbonusesinthetensofmillionsofdollars.Doyouthinktheseathletesdeservesuchhighcompensation?Whyorwhynot?Explainyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamples.

Sample6Score

Whenhewasattheheightofhisbasketballcareer,MichaelJordanwasmakingapproximately$300,000pergame.That’smorethanmostpeoplemakeinayear;indeed,it’smorethansomepeopleearninalifetime.Yes,MichaelJordanwasaphenomenalbasketballplayer.Yes,hewasalsoafantasticrolemodel.Butno,hedidnotdeservetoearnsucharidiculouslyhighsalary.Jordan,likemanyothertopprofessionalathletes,wasgrosslyoverpaid.

Whydotopathletesearnsuchinflatedsalaries?Becausetheybringbigbucksintotheircitiesandfranchises.Butwhatsortofservicedotheyprovidetosociety?Dotheysavelives?No.Dotheyimprovethestandardoflivingorpromotepositivesocialchange?No.Dotheyhelpkeepourstreetssafeoreducateourkids?No.True,manyofthetopathletesaregoodrolemodelsforourchildren.Butseven-figuresalariesdon’talwaysmeanmodelbehavior.TakeN.B.A.starLatrellSpreewell,forexample,whochokedandthreatenedtokillhiscoach.

Itistruethatprofessionalathletesworkhard,andmanyhavespenttheirlivespursuingtheirgoals.Itisalsotruethatmostprofessionalathleteshavearelativelyshortcareerspan—adecadeperhapsatthetopoftheirgame.Limitedastheirprofessionalsportingcareermaybe,theydon’tdeservesuchhighsalaries.Aftertheirprofessionalsportscareersareover,theycancertainlypursueothercareersandwork“regular”jobsliketherestofus.Endingtheirstintasprofessionalathletesdoesn’tmeantheyhavetostopearningincomes.Theyjusthavetoearnincomesinadifferentway.Whyshouldtheybeanydifferentfromtherestofuswhomayneedtoswitchcareers?

Itisalsotruethatprofessionalathletesmaybeinjuredwhileonthejob;theirworkisindeedphysical,andespeciallyincontactsportslikefootball,injuriesareboundtohappen.But,liketherestofus,theyhaveinsurance,andinnearlyallcases,theirexorbitantsalariesmorethancovertheirmedicalcosts.Andtheirsisnottheonlyhigh-riskjob.Whataboutminers,constructionworkers,orfirefighters?Theyareatriskforphysicalinjuryeveryday,too—injuriesthatcouldlikewiseendtheircareers.Buttheysurearen’tearningmillionsofdollarsayear.

Itisalsotruethatprofessionalathletesmayspendyearsandyearspracticingwithfarmteamsforafractionofthesalarytheyreceiveoncetheymakeittothetop.Butineverycareerpath,westartoffwithlowerwagesandmustpayourduesandworkourwayup.Besides,farmteamsalariesarenotalwayssolow.

We’reasports-crazycountry,anationoffanaticsportsfansandcelebrityworshippers.We’reawedandentertainedbythebestofthem—theMichaelJordans,theAlexRodriguezes,theEmmittSmiths.Butasmuchastheymayinspireandamuseus,professionalathletesdonotdeservesuchhighsalaries.Thosemillionscouldbemuchmorewiselyspent.

Sample4Score

Doathletesgetpaidtoomuch?Youbet.That’smyopinion.

Professionalathletes,whatdotheydowithallthatmoney?ImagineMichaelJordanearning$300,000pergame!PlusallhismoneyfromNikeandotheradvertising.Ithinkthatmoneycanbeputtomuchbetteruseinthiscountry.

Professionalathletesshouldgetgoodsalaries,butnotthemillionsliketheygetnow.It’sjusttoomuch.Theirjobisn’tdangerous,exceptmaybeforfootballoricehockeywhereit’seasytogetabadinjury.It’seasytogetabadinjuryinlotsofotherjobs,too,likeconstruction,buttheydon’tgetmillionsofdollars.Iguess,thedifferenceisthatnobodylikestowatchconstructionworkers.There’sfuninthegameandpeoplelikethecompetition,sportsteamsbringlotsofmoneyintoacity’seconomy.

Ifprofessionalathletescouldguaranteethey’dalsobeagoodrolemodelforkids,thenmaybetheycouldhavesuchhighsalaries.Becausethey’dbedoingsomethinggoodforsocietysincesomanykidsarewatching.Fornowthough,it’stoomuch.

Sample1Score

Todaytheathleetssomuchmoney.Millionsanmillionsofthedollars.Theyplayingbaseball,basketball;football,evenforgolf.Thisisthenotofthedangeroussport,evenlessthanmanyoftheothers.

Themoney,it’stoomuch,givingmineopinon.Fortheteemsandthecitysitssomuchthere’selsetopayforwiththemoney,likehomelessness.Thisistheneedtobechanged.

55.Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswerusingspecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

Sample6Score

Rememberthelastbookthatcapturedyourimagination,thattransportedyoutoanotherplaceandtime?Rememberabookthatmadeyoufallinlovewithitscharacters,madeyoufeeltheirpainandjoy?Rememberastorythattaughtyouanimportantlesson,thathelpedyoubetterunderstandothers,makesenseofthehumancondition?Ifso,thenyoucanunderstandwhythequestion,“Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?”issuchasillyquestion.

Fiction,unlikeausermanual,amagazinearticle,ornewspapereditorial,probablywon’toffer

youanypracticalknowledgethatyoucanputtoimmediateuse.Itwon’tinformyouofcurrenteventsorgiveyouadviceonhowtocultivateabettergarden.Itprobablywon’thelpyoudecidewhichcandidatetovotefororwhichproducttobuy.Butthatcertainlydoesn’tmeanit’suselessorimpractical.Indeed,fictionservesthreeimportantfunctionsforhumanbeings:Ithelpsusbemorecompassionatetoothers,ithelpsusbetterunderstandourselves,anditcultivatesourimaginations.Itcanalsoteachusabouthistory,psychology,evenbiologyandothersciences.

Compassionforothersisrootedinunderstandingandacceptance,andagoodstorybringsusintotheinnerworldofitscharacterssothatwecanunderstandthem.InToniMorrison’snovelTheBluestEye,forexample,Morrisonpeelsawaythelayersofhercharacters’historiespiecebypiecelikeanonionuntilweseeintotheircoreandunderstandwhatdrivesthem.Theymaystilldoawfulthingstoeachother,butsheshowsuswhytheydothethingsthattheydo,andwelearnthatweshouldn’tjudgeothersuntilweunderstandtheirpasts.Theirstoriesaresadandpainful,andwelearntoloveeventheoutcastPecola.Infact,welearnthatthoseoutcastsaretheoneswhoneedourlovethemost.

Manystoriesandnovelsalsohelpusbetterunderstandourselves.JosephConrad’sdarkandpowerfulnovelHeartofDarknesshelpsusseethatallofushaveadarkside,andthatweneedtoacknowledgethisdarksideinordertocontrolit.Itmakesusquestionjusthowcivilizedweareandindeedwhatitmeanstobecivilizedinthefirstplace.

Goodfictionalsocultivatesourimagination,whichismoreimportanttousthansomemightthink.Withoutimagination,weliveasad,emptylife.Imaginationiscentraltoouremotionalhealthandisakeyfactorinourlevelofintelligence.Factsareonething;butfactscanbeofnorealuseunlesscoupledwithimagination.Fictioncanhelpusbykeepingourimaginationfreshandactive.InastorylikeFranzKafka’s“Metamorphosis,”forexample,weareaskedtoimaginethatGregor,themaincharacter,wakesuponemorningandhasturnedintoagiantbug.Crazy?Perhaps.ButonceweacceptthispremiseandimagineGregorasafive-footlongcockroach,wecanfeelhisfamily’shorrorandimaginehisagonyashefindshimselftrappedinhisroomandabandonedbythoseheloves.

Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?That’slikeaskingiflaughingisawasteoftime.Wedon’tneedfictiontosurvive,butwedoneedittobekinder,moreunderstanding,andmorecreativehumanbeings.

Sample4Score

Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?Iamsurprisedbythisquestion.Ineverthoughtofitasawasteoftime.Iunderstandthatitisnotpracticallikereadinga“how-to”articleorsomethinglikethat.However,ontheotherhand,itisgoodforyou.Ithinkithelpsyouhaveagoodimaginationandbeabetterperson.

Ithinkfictionhelpsyoubeabetterpersonbecauseithelpsyouunderstandpeople.Lotsofstorieshelpyouunderstandwhypeopledowhattheydo.Forexample,inTheBluestEye,attheendofthestoryweunderstandwhythepeopledothethingsthattheydo.Wejudgethecharactersrightawaybutthenwelearnaboutthemandmaybechangeourjudgment.Thebookwaswritten

byToniMorrison.

Second,Ithinkfictionalsohelpsyouunderstandyourself.Somestorieshelpusseethatweallhaveagoodsideandadarksidewithin.Fictioncanalsohelpushaveagoodimagination,andthisisimportantinhelpingusbecreative.Beingcreativecanhelpyoubettersolveproblemsandthinkoforiginalthings.

Ilovereadingfiction,andIneverthinkitisawasteoftime.Itmaynotbepractical,likereadingthenewspaper,howeveritisalotmorefunandhelpsmebeabetterperson.

Sample1Score

Isreadingfictionawasteoftime?isaquestion.Howistheanswer?Likeyouandme,wondering,isfunthingsawasteoftimetoo,oronlydothepracticalwhatyoushould?Thesebeimportantquestions.Whattheanswer?

Inmyopinion,noway,Jose!Itfuntoreadfictionstories.Itslikeimagenation,coolthings.

Sodon’tbeleiveit.Saywho!Readingfictionain’twastingtime.Inmyopinion.

58.Somepeoplethinkthatschoolcafeteriasshouldberequiredtoprovidelow-fatand/orvegetarianlunchoptionstoaccom-modatetheeatinghabitsofallstudents.Doyouagreeordisagree?Explainyourpositionandusespecificreasonsandexamplesassupport.

Sample6Score

It’safact:TherearestudentsacrosstheUnitedStateswhoarevegetarianand/orhealthconscious,andschoolcafeteriasshouldberequiredtoprovidelow-fatand/orvegetarianlunchoptionsforthem.Evenmoreimportantly,manyteenagers’dietarydecisionsarenotonlybasedonhealthconcernsbutalsoreligiousand/ormoralissues.Inthisdayandage,anindividual'seatinghabitsoftenreflecthisorheridentity.Forthesereasons,it'simperativethateachschool'scafeteriamenubeasdiverseasitsstudentbody.

Justbyreadingheadlinesinanyofthemajornewsmagazines,itbecomesclearthattheUnitedStatesisanationthatneedstoslimdown.Ineverytownandcity,thereareanabundanceoffastfoodrestaurantsthatlureteenagecustomerswithfast,inexpensive,andtastyfood,butthesefoodsaretypicallyunhealthy.Unfortunately,schoolcafeterias,inanefforttoprovidefoodthatisappetizingtoyoungpeople,mimicfastfoodmenus,oftenservingitemssuchasburgersandfries,pizza,hotdogs,andfriedchicken.Whilethesefoodsdoprovidesomenutritionalvalue,theyarerelativelyhighinfat,andmanyofthem,namelyburgers,hotdogs,andfriedchicken,areclearlynotdesignedforvegetarians.

Manyofthelunchselectionscurrentlyofferedbymostschoolcafeteriascouldbemadevegetarianand/ormorehealthywithafewsimpleandinexpensivesubstitutions.Veggieburgers,forexample,offeredalongsidebeefburgers,wouldgivebothvegetariansandthehealth

consciousmoreoptions.Asaladbarwoudalsoservethedualpurposeofprovidingbothvegetariansandlow-fatfoodeaterstheopportunityforasatisfyingmeal.Thisisnottosaythataccommodatingeverydesireorfoodpreferenceisplausible,butstudentsshouldhavetherighttobeservedfoodsthatcoincidewiththeirlifechoices.

Sample4Score

IntheUnitedStatestherearemanypeoplewhoarevegetarian.Inaddition,therearepeoplewhochoosetoeatlow-fatfoods,eithertoloseweightortostayhealthy.Manyofthesepeoplearestudentswhoeatlunchattheirschoolcafeteriasonadailybasis.Surprisinglythough,schoolcafeteriasarenotrequiredtoprovidelow-fatnorvegetarianoptionsforstudents.

Unfortunately,vegetarianoptionsmaybelimitedtothefrenchfries(servedwithburgers)orpizza.Whilethesearevegetarian(non-meat)options,theydonotnecesarilyserveaslow-fatfoods.Ithinkschoolsshouldhaveawidervarietyoflow-fatand/orvegetarianoptionssuchasasaladbar,orperhapsevensomethingwithtofu.

Whilecafeteriascan'tmeetallthedemandsofstudents,itisimportanttoofferthosecommitedtoahealthyorvegetarianlifestylethechoice.Schoolsshouldcreateamenuthatofferstheseoptionsforallstudents.

Sample1Score

Lot'sofpeopleareoverwaitandevenfat,andtheotherpeoplearevegetaranwhodonteatmeat.Thefoodatschoolsarebadenoufandthenwhyshouldtheyhafetohavestuffthatthosepeoplelike.School'sshoudlhavegoodfoodandmeat,butnotfatfoodforeveryone.

77.Manypeoplefeelthattheuseofsurveillancecamerasinpublicplacessuchasparkinglotsisagoodideathatcanhelpensureoursafety.Othersworrythattoomanycamerasviolateourrighttoprivacyandgivelawenforcementofficialstoomuchpower.Inyouropinion,shouldweinstallmoresurveillancecamerasinpublicplaces?Whyorwhynot?Supportyourpositionwithspecificreasonsandexamples.

Sample6Score

Notlongago,thenationwasgrippedbythehorrifyingnewsthatababyhadbeenstolenfromacarinaparkinglotwhilehermother,whowasreturningashoppingcart,wasjustafewfeetaway.Thankstothedescriptionofthekidnappercapturedbysurveillancecamerasintheparkinglotandbroadcastoverradios,television,andhighwayoverpasssigns,thekidnapperwasquicklycaughtandthebabyreturned,unharmed,tohermother.Haditnotbeenforthosesurveillancecameras,thatmotherwouldprobablyneverhaveseenherbabygirlagain.

Ican’tthinkofamuchbetterargumentfortheuseofsurveillancecamerasinpublicplaces.Thatbaby’slifewassavedbythoseparkinglotcameras.

Manypeopleworryabouttheuseofsurveillancecamerasinpublicplacessuchasparkinglots,stores,parks,androadways.Theydon’tliketheideathattheyarebeingwatched.Theyworrythattheinformationcapturedonthesurveillancetapescansomehowbeusedagainstthem.Buthow?Itseemstomethattheonlyreasonweshouldworryaboutbeingcaughtonsurveillancecamerasisifwearedoingsomethingwrong.Ifwearebehavinglawfullyinapublicplace,thenwhyworryifitiscapturedonfilm?

Surveillancecamerascanprovidetwoimmenselyimportantservices.One,theycanhelpusfindthosewhocommitcrimes,includingthieves,kidnappers,vandalizers,andevenmurderers.Two,theycanserveasapowerfuldeterrenttocrime.Athiefwhoplanstostealacarmaythinktwiceifheknowshewillbecaughtonvideo.Awomanwhohopestokidnapachildmayabandonherplansifsheknowsshewillbecapturedonfilm.

Surveillancecamerascanalsohelpusinlesscriticalbutnonethelesspracticalways.InsometownsinEngland,forexample,radiodeejaysuseinformationfromsurveillancecamerastoannouncetheavailabilityofparkingspacesincrowdedpublicparkinglots.Problemsofallshapesandsizescanalsobenotedandaddressedthroughvideosurveillance.Forexample,imagineavideocamerainstalledinalocaltownsquare.Reviewingthefilms,officialsmightrealizethatpeoplewhomeetinthesquaremovequicklyintotheshadeoftheonetreeinthecenterofthesquare.Thiscouldmoveofficialstoplantmoretreesorprovidetableswithumbrellassothatpeoplecouldmeetandrelaxintheshade.Similarly,avideocamerainagrocerystoremightrevealthatIsle7isalwaysovercrowded,promptingthemanagertore-arrangeitemstomoreevenlydistributeshoppers.

Ofcourseit’spossibletohavetoomuchofagoodthing,andifsurveillancecamerascrossthelineandstartbeinginstalledonprivateproperty—thatis,inourofficesandhomes—thenwewillhavethe“BigBrotheriswatching”scenarioopponentsfear.Ifthatwerethecase,Iwouldbeagainstsurveillancecameras,too.Butaslongassurveillancecamerasarelimitedtopublicplaces,theycanhelpensureoursafety.

Sample4Score

Manypublicplacesnowhavesurveillancecameras,themainreasonbeingtoensuresafety.Ithinkthisisagoodidea,andthatmoreplacesshouldhavethem.

Surveillancecamerasareagoodthingbecausetheyhelpkeepussafe.Ifpeopleknowtheymightbeonvideothen,theyprobablywon’tdosomethingbadoragainstthelaw,likestealing.Thisisabigprotectionforus.Itmakesmefeelsafer,especiallylikeinaparkinglotinthenighttime.Theothergoodthingaboutsurveillancecameras,isthattheycanhelpuscatchsomeonewhodoesdosomethingbad.Forexample,stealingacarinaparkinglot.Thecameracangetagoodpictureofthethiefandthepolicewillhaveagooddescriptionofthepersonwhostolethecar.Thatmakesitaloteasiertocatchthethief.

Ithinksurveillancecamerascanalsobeusedforothergoodthings,likehelpingfixtrafficjamsingrocerystores.Imeanifyoucanseethatpeoplearealwayscrowdinginoneisle,forexample.

Iknowthatsomepeopleareupsetaboutthiskindofthing(beingonfilm)andthinkthatit’slike“BigBrotheriswatching,”orsomething.Also,somepeoplejustdon’tlikebeingoncameras.However,ifyou’renotdoinganythingwrong,itshouldn’tmatter.Theironlyforfindingpeoplewhodothingswrong.Tome,Ithinkthatmakesalotofsense.

Sample1Score

Inmyopinion,shouldweinstallmoresurveillancecamerasinpublicplaces?Ithink,“yes,”isagoodidea.Whyorwhynot?Inmyopinion,itisformakingensuredthesafetyinplacessuchasparkinglots.Thisiswhatourrighttoprivacycandoandtellthelawenforcementofficialsandgovernmenttoo.

95.AlexanderSmithsaid,“Thegreatmanisthemanwhodoesathingforthefirsttime.”Doyouagreewiththisdefinitionofgreatness?Whyorwhynot?

Sample6Score

Justastherearemanydefinitionsofsuccess,therearealsomanydefinitionsofgreatness.AlexanderSmithsaidthatagreatpersonissomeonewhodoesathingforthefirsttime.He’sright,andthelistofthosegreatpeopleislongandincludesthelikesofNeilArmstrong,JackieRobinson,andThomasEdison.ButSmith’sdefinitionisn’tbroadenoughtoincludemanyotherpeoplewhoIbelievearealsogreat.Inmyopinion,greatnesscanalsobeattainedbydoingsomethingtoimprovethelivesofothers.

MotherTeresaisthefirstpersontocometomindunderthisbroadeneddefinition.MotherTeresa,whoreceivedtheNobelPeacePrizein1979,dedicatedherlifetohelpingthepoor,thesick,andthehungry.SheleftherhomelandofYugoslaviatoworkwiththeimpoverishedpeopleofIndia,wheresheselflesslyservedothersforalmost70years.ShebecameanunandfoundedtheMissionariesofCharitysisterhoodandtheHousefortheDying.Sheembracedthosethatmanyinsocietychosetodisdainandignore:thecrippledanddiseased,thehomelessandhelpless.Shegavethemfood,shelter,medicalcare,andthecompassionthatsomanyothersdeniedthem.Shewascertainlynotthefirsttodedicateherlifetothecareofothers,butshewascertainlyagreatwoman.

AnothergreatpersonwhoalsowonaNobelPeacePrizewasDr.AlbertSchweitzer,aGermandoctorwho,likeMotherTeresa,alsoselflesslyservedthepoorandsick.SchweitzerdedicatedhimselftothepeopleofAfrica.There,hebuiltahospitalandalepercolony,arefugeforthosewhohadbeenrejectedbysociety.Again,hewasnotthefirsttooffercareandcomfortforthesickandsuffering.Buthecertainlywasgreat.

HarrietTubmanisalsoclearlyagreatwoman.SheledhundredsofAmericanslavestofreedomalongtheundergroundrailroad,riskingherlifeoverandoveragaintobringherfellowslavestofreedom.Shegavethemthegreatestgiftonecanoffer:freedomtoliveabetterwayoflife.Shewasn’tthefirsttoescape,andshewasn’tthefirsttogobackforothers.Butshewastheonewho

keptgoingback.Sheknewthateachtimeshereturnedforanother,shewasriskingherlife.ButlikeMotherTeresaandDr.Schweitzer,HarrietTubmanwasutterlydedicatedtoimprovingthelifeofothers.

Greatnesscomesinmanyforms,andweareluckytohavemanyexamplesofgreatnessuponwhichtomodelourlives.Somegreatpeoplearethosewhowereabletobethefirsttoaccomplishsomethingmarvelous.Others,likeMotherTeresa,AlbertSchweitzer,andHarrietTubman,aregreatbecausetheyworkedtirelesslytoeasethesufferingoftheirfellowhumanbeings.

Sample4Score

AccordingtoAlexanderSmith,“Thegreatmanisthemanwhodoesathingforthefirsttime.”Inmyopinion,thisisagooddefinition,butitisalsotoonarrow.BythatImeanthatitisnotbroadenoughtoincludelotsofotherpeoplethatIbelievearegreat.Therearemanypeoplewhodidn’tnecessarilydoanythingforthefirsttimewhohavedonegreatthings.

OneexamplewasMotherTeresa.AnotherisAlbertSchweitzer,andathirdisHarrietTubman.

AlbertSchweitzeropenedupahospitalandlepercolonyinAfricatotakecareofthesickandabandonedpeoplewhohadnomoneyoraccesstohealthcare.Thiswasagreatthing.Withouthishospital,peoplewoulddieorsufferandbeoutcastbysociety.

HarrietTubmanisfamousforbeingawomanwhokeptgoingbacktotheSouthtofreeslaves.Sheledthemthroughthe“undergroundrailroad”andbroughtthemtofreedom.Shewasn’tthefirsttoescapeorhelpothersescape,butshewasgreatbecauseshekeptdoingitandkepthelpingothers.

Finally,MotherTeresahelpedsomanypeople.ShewenttoIndiaandopenedupaplaceforthesickandthedyingtobetakencareof.Shehelpedtofeedandcomforthungryandsickpeople,thousandsofthem.Sheiswhatitmeans,tobecompassionatetowardsothers.

Allthreeofthesepeopleandlotsofotherslikethemaregreatforwhattheydidtohelpothers.

Sample1Score

Whatdoesitmean,tobegreat.AlexanderSmithsaythat“Thegreatmanisthemanwhodoesathingforthefirsttime.”Iknowalotofgreatmen,thelistcanbelong:GeorgeWashington,RobertKennedy,MotherTeresa,HarrietTubman,Beethoven,JackieRobinson,DerekJeter(Ilikebaseball),MartinLutherKing,andetc.thelistgoesonandon.

Tobegreatisnotaneasything.Havingtodosomethingforthefirsttime,ordoingsomethingelsethatisgreat.Youcanbeleadingothersorhelpingthem.Infactnoteveryonewhodoesthisisgreat.

107.Shouldpeopleleaseorbuynewcars?Makeacasefortheoptionthatyouthinkis

best.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

Sample6Score

Planningtoleaseacarbecauseyoudon’tthinkyoucanaffordtobuy?Thinkagain.Leasingcanendupbeingjustasexpensiveasbuying—andyoudon’tevengettokeepthecar.Evenifyoudecidetobuythecarattheendofyourlease,youmayenduppayingconsiderablymoremoneythanifyou’ddecidedtobuyfromthebeginning.

Mostpeoplewhoarethinkingaboutleasingareattractedtothisoptionbecausetheybelieveitwillcostthemlessmoney.Andthey’reright—itischeaper,butonlyintheshortterm.Forexample,ifyouweretoleasea2002SubaruForester,with$2,500down,youmightpay$250permonthforthecar.Ifyouweretobuythesamecar,with$2,500down,youwouldpaycloserto$350permonth.Overathree-yearlease,that’s$3,600—abigsavings.Butafteryourleaseisover,youhavetogivethecarback.Ifyouwanttokeepdriving,you’lleitherhavetoputanotherdown-paymentonanotherlease,or,ifyouhavetheoptiontobuythecar,you’llhavetopaythousandsofdollarstopurchasethevehicle—dollarsthatwon’tbespreadoutinmoremanageablemonthlypayments.

Manypeoplewanttoleasebecausetheycanthendriveanicercarthantheymightotherwisebeabletoafford.Forexample,ifyourmonthlybudgetallowedyoutospend$250onyourcar,youmightbeabletoleaseabrandnewFordExplorer.Forthesameprice,youmighthavetobuyanExplorerthatwastwoorthreeyearsoldwith50,000miles,orbuyanewbutconsiderablylessexpensivemakeandmodel.Aleasethereforeallowsyoutodriveinthelatestmodelsofmoreexpensivecars.Butwhenyourleaseisover,youwillhavetoreturnthatExplorer.Whatevercaryoucanaffordtobuy,yougettokeepit,anditwillalwayshavearesellortrade-invalueifyouwantedtolaterupgradetoanewercar.

Furthermore,peoplewholeasecarsareoftenshockedbyhowmuchtheymustpaywhentheleaseisover.Mostleaseslimityoutoacertainnumberofmiles,andifyougooverthatallotment,youmustpayforeachmile.Asaresult,attheendofyourlease,youmayenduppayingthousandsofdollarsinmileagefees.Forexample,ifyourleasecoversyoufor25,000milesoverthreeyears,butyoudrive40,000,that’sanextra15,000miles.At$.11permile,that’s$1,650you’llhavetopay.Andyoustillwon’thaveacar.

Inaddition,whenyoulease,youstillhavetopayforregularmaintenanceandrepairstothevehicle.Sinceyoumustreturnthecarwhenyourleaseexpires,youarepayingtorepairsomeoneelse’scar.Ifyouownthecar,however,youwouldknowthateverydollaryouspendmaintainingorrepairingthecarisaninvestmentinarealpieceofproperty—yourproperty,notsomeoneelse’s.

Bynow,thebenefitsofbuyingoverleasingshouldbeclear.Butifyou’restillnotconvinced,rememberthisfundamentalfact:Ifyoulease,whenyourleaseisup,afteryou’vemadeallofyourmonthlypayments,paidforextramileage,andpaidforrepairs,youmustgivethecarback.Itisn’tyourstokeep,nomatterhowmuchtheleasecostyou.Whatevermakeormodelyoucanaffordtobuy,itisyourstokeepafteryoumakeyourpayments.There’snogivingitback,and

thatmakesallthedifference.

Sample4Score

Whenyouneedacar,youcanlease,orbuyit.Alotofpeoplethinkleasingisbetter,thanbuying.Ithinkitmakesmoresensetobuy.Itreallyactuallycostslessmoneyinthelongrun.

Withaleaseyoucanpaylesseachmonthforacar.Ifyoubuyityou’dprobablyhavetopayalotmoreeachmonth,likeahundreddollarsmoreamonth.Butthegoodthingaboutbuyingisyougettokeepthecar.Withaleaseofcourse,youhavetogivethecarback.

Withaleaseyoualsohavetopayfortheextramilesyouputonthecar.Youareonlyallowedtoputsomanymilesonthecarandifyougooverthat,youhavetopayforeachmile.Thatcanadduptothousandsofdollarseventhoughitsonlyafewsenseforeachmile.

Youwillalsoneedtopayforanyrepairsonthecarjustlikeyouwouldifyouownedit,whichyoudon’t,becauseyoustillhavetogiveitback.Whenyouownethecar,youstillhavetopayforrepairs,but,it’syourcar.Leasingfeelslikethrowingmoneyaway.

Sample1Score

Lotofpeopletheybuycar,somanyotherstheyleasing.Leasingmeanpaymoneyeachmonthandthengivingthecarback.Leasingcanbeforoneyearortwoeventhreeorfour.Mostanycar,youcanleaseit.Anycaryoucanbuy,too,newoneoruseone.

Leasingsometimeyoupayfewermoniesbecauseyoudon’tkeepthecar.Buyingsometimeitcostmorebutyoukeepthecar.Downpayingcanbealotofmoneyandhardtosave.

Buyingorleasing,isuptoyou.Whichworksforyou.

108.TheinventorandstatesmanBenjaminFranklinsaid,“Moneynevermadeamanhappyyet,norwillit.Thereisnothinginitsnaturetoproducehappiness.”Doyouagreewiththisstatement?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.

Sample6Score

BenjaminFranklinisoneofthegreatestfiguresinAmericanhistory,andIhaveagreatdealofrespectforthisincredibleinventor,politician,andwriter.ButImustrespectfullydisagreewithhisclaimthat,“Moneynevermadeamanhappyyet,norwillit.Thereisnothinginitsnaturetoproducehappiness.”Iagreethatmoneyinandofitselfdoesnotmakeapersonhappy;butIbelievethatmoneycanhelpprovideonethingthatisessentialtohappiness:goodhealth.

Whilemoneycandonothingtochangeourgeneticmakeupandourphysiologicalpredispositiontoillnessanddisease,itcangiveusaccesstobetterhealthcarethroughoutourlives.Thisbeginswithprenatalcareandchildhoodvaccinations.Inimpoverishedthird-worldcountries,infant

mortalityratesarethree,four,evententimeshigherthanintheUnitedStates,andasmanyasoneinfourwomenstilldieinchildbirthbecausetheydonothaveaccesstomodernmedicalcare.Sadly,peoplewhoaretoopoortoaffordvaccinationsandroutinehealthcarefortheirchildrenwatchhelplesslyasmanyofthosechildrensuccumbtoillnessesanddiseasesthatarerarelyfatalhereintheUnitedStates.

Moneyalsoenablesustoaffordbetterdoctorsandseespecialiststhroughoutourlives.Ifyourchildhasdifficultyhearing,forexample,andyouhaveinsurance(whichcostsmoney)orcash,youcanseeahearingspecialistandpayfortherapy.Ifyouhavemigrainesthatmakeyoumiserable,youcanseeaheadachespecialistandaffordmedicationandtreatment.Havingmoneyalsomeansbeingabletoaffordpreventativemeasures,suchastakingvitaminsandgettingregularcheck-ups.Itmeansbeingabletoaffordproductsandservicesthatcanenhanceourhealth,suchasgymmemberships,organicfoods,andacupuncture.

Anotherimportantthingmoneycandoisenableustoliveinahealthyenvironment.Manyoftheworld’spoorestpeopleliveindirty,dangerousplaces—unsanitaryslumscrawlingwithdiseasesandhealthhazardsofallsorts.InaparticularlypoorareaoftheBronx,forexample,childrenhadanabnormallyhighrateofasthmabecausetheirfamiliescouldn’taffordtomoveawayfromthemedicalwastetreatmentplantthatwaspoisoningtheair.

Moneycanalsohelpusbehealthybyenablingustoaffordproperheatingandcoolingmeasures.Thisincludesbeingabletoaffordawarmwintercoatandtheopportunitytocooloffatapoolorintheocean.Onamorebasiclevel,itmeansbeingabletoaffordheatinthewinterandairconditioninginthesummer.Duringheatwaves,victimsofheatstrokeareoftenthosewhoaretoopoortoaffordairconditioningintheirapartments.Inextremecold,thesameistrue:peoplewhofreezetodeathorbecomegravelyillfromthecoldareoftenthosewhoareunabletoaffordhighheatingbills.

Havingmoneymaynotmakepeoplehappy,butitsuregoesalongwaytowardkeepingthemhealthy.Andastheysay,ifyouhaven’tgotyourhealth,youhaven’tgotanything.

Sample4Score

BenjaminFranklinoncesaidthat“Moneynevermadeamanhappyyet,norwillit.Thereisnothinginitsnaturetoproducehappiness.”Idonotagreewiththisstatementbecausemoneycanbuyaccesstogoodhealthcare.Inmyopinion,goodhealthisessentialtohappiness.Therefore,moneycanmakeyouhappybykeepingyouhealthy.

Moneyfirstofallcangetyouaccesstogooddoctors,evenspecialistsifyouneedthem.Withmoney,youcanaffordallkindsofthings,liketeststhatcheckfordiseasesandspecialtreatmentsifyoufindsomethingwrong.Ifyourpregnantyoucangetgoodpre-natalcareandhaveagoodbirth,whileinpoorcountrieslotsofwomendieinchildbirthandlotsofbabiesdiewhiletheirinfants.

Ifyouhavemoneyyoucanbuyanairconditionersoit’snottoohotinthesummerandyoucanaffordtohaveheatallwinter.Ifyoudon’tyoumightsuffocateintheheatorfreezetodeath.You

canalsostayoutofpoorareaslikeslumswhichareunhealthyanddangeroustolivein.

Astheysay,moneycan’tbuyyoulove,butIthinkitcanbuyyougoodhealth,andifyoudon’tfeelgood,it’shardtobehappy.

Sample1Score

BenjaminFranklinwasagreatinventerofAmerica.Hefamousforinventingelectricity.Healsowrotealot.Onethinghesaidoncewasthat“Moneynevermadeamanhappyyet,norwillit.Thereisnothinginitsnaturetoproducehappiness.”Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Everyonehastheiropinion.Anotherquestioniswhatishappiness?Ialsoliketobewithmyfamilyandfriends.

SometimesIneedmoneytospendwiththem,liketoflyonaplanetoseemybrotherinColorado.Itisasbeautifolthereaseveryonetoldmeitwas.

109.Somestateshavenowmadeitillegaltodrivewhiletalkingonahand-heldcellularphone.Doyouthinkthisisagoodlawthatshouldbepassedinotherstatesaswell?Whyorwhynot?Explainyouranswer.

Sample6Score

Nomatterhowcarefuladriveryoumaybe,whenyoudosomethingelsewhiledriving,whetherit’sdrinkingcoffee,changingtheradiostation,lookingatamap,ormakingacallonyourcellphone,youendangeryourselfandothersbecauseyouaredistractedfromyourdriving.Evenafractionofasecondofdistractionisenoughtocauseanaccident.Whilenostatecanmakeitillegaltodrinkcoffeeorswitchstationswhiledriving,allstatescan,andshould,makeitillegaltodrivewhiletalkingonacellularphone.

Inthepastdecade,asthepopularityofcellularphoneshasrisen,sohavethenumberofaccidentscausedbypeopletalkingontheircellphones.Whethertheyweredialinganumber,listeningtoamessage,orsimplyinaheatedconversation,theyweremomentarilydistractedfromthetaskofdriving,andsuddenly—crash!Fortunately,manyoftheseaccidentshavebeenminorfender-benders.Butalltoomanyhavebeendeadlyaccidentsthatcouldhavebeenpreventedbyastrictercell-phoneuselaws.

Cellphoneproponentsmayarguethattalkingonacellphoneisnomoredangerousthan,forexample,havingacupofcoffeewhileontheroadortalkingtosomeoneinthebackseat.Butunlikeacupofcoffee,whichyoucanputdownbetweensips,youmustkeepthephoneinyourhand.Thatmeansthatyouhaveonlyonehandonthewheelwhileyou’redriving.Thatmakescellphonesdoublydangerous:notonlyareyoudistractedbydialingorbytheconversation;youarealsodrivingone-handed,whichmeansyouarelessincontrol.Ifyousuddenlyneedbothhandsonthewheeltopreventanaccidentortokeepyourcarfromsliding,theextrasecondittakestogetyourhandbackonthewheelcanmakethedifferencebetweenanaccidentandanaccidentnarrowlyaverted,betweenaseriousinjuryandaminorone.

Cellphonesarealsodangerousbecausewhenyouarebusytalking,especiallyifyoureallyhavetoconcentrateonthematteryouarediscussing,yourmindisnotfullyfocusedontheroad,andthishasasignificanteffectonyourreactiontime.Youwillbeslowertomakeimportantdrivingdecisionssuchashowsoontobrakeandwhentoswitchlanes,andyouwillbelessabletorespondtosituationsontheroad.

Manypeopleusecellphonestoreportaccidentsandemergencies,toletlovedonesknowthey’llbelate,andtostayintouchwhenthey’reoutoftown.I’mnotarguingthatyoushouldn’thaveacellphoneinyourcar.WhatIamsayingisthatyoushouldn’tbedrivingwhenyou’retalkingonthatphone.Untilyourstateoutlawshand-heldcellphonesincars,pullovertothesideoftheroadwhenyouarereadytomakeacall.Itmayaddafewextraminutestoyourcommute,butitjustmightsaveyourlife.

Sample4Score

Drivingwithacellphoneisdangerous,anditshouldbeillegal.Itsallreadyillegalinsomestates,inmyopinionit,shouldbeillegalinallofthem.

Firstofall,drivingwithacellphoneisdangerousbecauseyourdistracted.Especiallywhenyou’redialinganumber,thenyou’renotevenlookingattheroad.Whatifthecarsinfrontofyousuddenlystop?

Youcanalsobedistractedbytheconversationyouarehavingandlosefocusfromdriving.Thismeansthatyoumaynotbeabletoreactquickenoughtodangersontheroad.Anotherproblemisthatwithacellphone,youdon’thavebothhandsonthewheel,andthat’sforthewholetimeyou’retalking.Youcan’tmakesharpturnsandhandlesuddencurveswithjustonehand.

Lotsofpeoplethink,oh,it’sjustonequickcall,noproblem.Butevenjustaquickcallmakesyoudistracted,evenjustforaquicksecond.That’senoughtocauseanaccident.Sodon’tdrivewhenyouneedtotalkonyourcellphone.Instead,besafeandpullover.

Sample1Score

InmanystatesoftheUnitedStatestheymakeitagainthelawfortalkingwhiledrivingwithcellulartelephone.Inmyopinion,isthisagoodidea?Ibelieve.

Fortomanyaccidents,arehappeningwiththecellulartelephone,thedriverhedon’tsee(whathappens)ahead.Thisterribleforeveryoneespecialtheonestheygettinghurt.Someaccidentreallyveryterribleand,everyonegoingtothehospital.Thisshouldbethelaw.

Chapter2

ExpositoryWritingPrompts

Chooseoneoftheexpositorywritingpromptsfromthelistbelowandwriteanessay. Acertainnumberofpromptshavemodelessaysintheanswersectionthatyoucanusetocompareandcontrastyourwriting. Ascoringguideorrubricisalsoincludedintheanswersection.Youcanusethisguidetogiveyouanideaofthewayyouressaymaybegraded.Ifyouhavetroubleinterpretingthescoringguide,seeateacherorprofessorforhelp.Sampleresponsestothepromptsinboldcanbefoundattheendofthesection.

126.Explainoutdoorlivingtoapersonwithanapartmentinthecity.

127.Explainhowtwopeopleofdifferentinterestsandbackgroundscouldbecomeunlikelyallies.

128.Describeafamilycelebrationthathasspecialmeaningforyou.

129.Tellaboutaworld-classathlete.Explainwhyyouincludethispersoninthatcategory.

130.Explaintheproblems,bothpersonalandsocietal,thatresultfromobesity.

131.Describeyourvisionofanidealvacation.

132.Explain,indetail,asituationwhereachangeofplansbecomesnecessary.

133.DescribethepurposesofsocialnetworkslikeFacebook.Includevariousviewpoints.

134.Describehowandwhypeoplechoosetheparticularfoodstheyeat.

135.Describevariousstylesofshoesaswellasreasonsfortheirpopularity.

136.Mathisarequiredsubject.Explainwhyitissoimportant.

137.Discussthecausesofandproblemsresultingfromteenagesmoking.

138.Discussapublichealthconcernthatyoubelieveisseriousenoughtowarrantimmediateattention.

139.Describeamajorenvironmentalproblemandwhatyoubelieveshouldbedoneaboutit.

140.Discusshowapersonachievesfameandfortuneandhowitchangestheindividual’slife.

141.Discusshowconvenienceschangepeople’slives.

142.Describetechniquesormethodsthatcouldhelpteachersdotheirjobmoreeffectively.

143.Describehowcommunicationhaschangedinthelast30years.

144.Describe,indetail,ateamsportthatinterestsyou.

145.Explainwhyaparticularadjectivedescribesyouperfectly.

146.Explainwhatcooperationmeanstoyouandwhyitisimportant.

147.Explainthemeaningofdiversity.

148.Discusstheimportanceofprideinone’swork.

149.Whatisspecialaboutyou?Explainwhatmakesyouauniqueindividual.

150.Discusstheeventsinthelifeofyourfavoriteauthor,sportsfigure,orperformer.Explainhowtheseeventsrelatetotheperson’sachievements.

151.Describetechniquesandbehaviorthatmakeapersonagooddriver.

152.Explainwhysomepeoplemaybeafraidofsharks.

153.Explainhowdifferentmodernlifewouldbewithoutcomputers.

154.Explainpollutiontoavisitorfromanotherplanet.

155.Explaintoadoctorwhatwouldbehelpfulduringanofficevisit.

156.Explainthecausesandeffectsofapoordiet.

157.Explainthecausesandeffectsofimpulsebuying.

158.Explainthecausesandeffectsofnotvotinginelections.

159.Explainthecausesandeffectsofprejudice.

160.Describehowtobeagoodcitizen.

161.Describeyourfavoritegame.Explainwhyitisyourfavorite.

162.Tellhowtopackforacampingtrip.

163.Describehowweatheraffectsyourcommutetoschool.

164.Tellhowyoucanmakeanewfriend.

165.Explainwhatyoushoulddoifyouwanttoendarelationship.

166.Explainsomeofthebestwaystoprepareforajobinterview.

167.Explainhowtohaveawinningbaseballteam.

168.Youmustpassacollegeadmissionstest.Explainwhatyouhavetodotoachievethisgoal.

169.Youwanttobuyanewsmartphone.Detailthestepsyouwouldhavetotaketoensurethatyouwillmakeanappropriatedecisionregardingthismajorinvestment.

170.Brothersandsistersdonotalwaysgetalong.Describethekindsofproblemsthisdiscordcreatesinfamiliesandthebestwaytohandleasituationlikethis.

171.Explainhowtopickthebestcandidateforanelectedoffice.

172.Describeyourfavoriteseasonandexplainwhyitisyourfavorite.

173.Describeavegetablethatyoutrulydislike.

174.Describeatypicaldayofyourlife.

175.Explainwhatyoumightdotohelpasickfriendorrelative.

176.Describehowtobrushyourteeth.

177.Describehowapersonshouldchooseanewoutfit.

178.Explainhowtochooseapetthatmatchesyourlifestyle.

179.Youdecidetowriteamystery.Describethestepsyouwouldtaketowriteabestseller.

180.Explainhowyoushouldreadabooktoachild.

181.Explainhowtosetatableforcompany.

182.Explainhowtobecomeasmartconsumer.

183.Explainhowtowriteagoodresume.

184.Describeamasterplanthatwouldmakeyourcommunityabetterplacetolive.

185.Describeyourschool.

186.Describehowtobuildabirdhouse.

187.Describehowtopaintaroom.

188.Explainhowyouwouldfindagoodrestaurantinaplaceyouarevisitingforthefirsttime.

189.Explaintoapersonwhohasagreatmanydebtsaboutlifeonabudget.

190.Describethechoresandresponsibilitiesthatyouhaveathome.

191.Describewhatyoucandotosavemoneyandstillcoveryourbasicneeds.

192.Explainhowtochoosetherightcollege.

193.Explainwhatyouwoulddoifyouwonthelottery.

194.Describethestepsyouwouldtakeifyouwantedtoresearchyourfamilytree.

195.Withthehopeofpreservingfamilyhistory,describethekindsofquestionstoaskanolderrelative.

196.Youareaskedtowriteanarticleaboutapersonnewlyarrivedfromanothercountry.Discussthekindsofinformationyouwouldinclude.

197.Describehowmannershavechangedovertime.

198.Discussreasonsforappreciatingyourparents.

199.Describehowtoshowappreciationtoyourparents.

200.Ifyoucouldliveinanydecade,whichonewouldyouchooseandwhy?

201.Describehowtoperformyourfavoritemagictrick.

202.Yourbestfriend’sbirthdayiscomingup.Describetheplanyoucreatedtomakethisbirthdaycelebrationthekindyourfriendwillalwaysremember.

203.Describethestepsyouwilltaketolaunchanewcareer.

204.Describehowyouwoulddecorateadormroom,livingroom,oroffice.

205.Describethetasksyouneedtocompletebeforeyouattendcollegeinanotherstate.

206.Yournewjobrequiresthatyoumovetoadifferentcity.Describethestepsyouwilltaketoprepareforthismove.

207.Chooseaforeigncountryyouwouldliketovisitandexplainwhyyoufindthatcountrysoappealing.

208.Describehowclimatedictateslifestyle.

209.Tellhowcustomersliketobetreatedinastore.

210.Explainhowdifferentmodernlifewouldbewithoutsmartphones.

211.Describethemenuforasatisfyingdinnerinarestaurant.

212.Describethemenuandsettingofaromanticdinnerfortwo.

213.Describetheperfectmenuforapicnicatthebeach.

214.Describethemostluscious,decadentdessertyoucanimagine.

215.Tellhowyouwouldentertainagroupoffive-year-oldsonarainyafternoon.

216.Givesomeonedirectionsfromyourschooltoyourhouse.

217.Manypeoplespendagreatdealoftimewithanimals.Writeabouttherelationshipsthatpeoplehavewithanimals.

218.Tellhowyoucanprotectyourhousefromintruders.

219.Describethebestwaytohonorahero.

220.Youareaskedtolandscapethefrontyardofanewhouse.Describethestepsyouwouldtakefromthebeginningoftheprocesstoitscompletion.

221.Describeateenagefadandthereasonsyoubelievecauseditspopularity.

222.DescribeafavoriteYouTubevideotoafriendwhohasnothadachancetoseeorhearit.

223.Youareabouttospendayearabroadandmustlearnanewlanguage.Describethestepsyouwouldtaketoaccomplishthisgoalasquicklyaspossible.

224.Describeafavoritemovietoapersonwhowantstoknowallaboutitbutwillnothavetheopportunitytoseeit.

225.Explainhownotgettingenoughsleepaffectsyourday.

226.Describethemosteffectiveteacheryouhaveeverhad.

227.Describeapersonwhoisespeciallyinteresting.

228.Describeanespeciallymemorablephotoorpicture.

229.Compareandcontrasticecreamandfrozenyogurt.

230.Compareandcontrasttwostrategicsportplays.

231.Compareandcontrastcheckersandchess.

232.Compareandcontrastunderstandingandknowledge.

233.Compareandcontrastascreenactorwithastageactor.

234.CompareandcontrastanytwoU.S.presidents.

235.Compareandcontrastabudgetandanallowance.

236.Compareandcontrastpublicschoolingandhomeschooling.

237.Compareandcontrastlearningandteaching.

238.Describehowweatheraffectsyourmood.

239.Compareandcontrastavacationinacoldclimateandavacationinawarmclimate.

240.Compareandcontrastspicyfoodsandsweetfoods.

241.Compareandcontrastfoodsyoueatrawandfoodsthatarecooked.

242.Compareandcontrastdressingforaformaloccasionanddressinginformally.

243.Compareandcontrastcatsanddogs.

244.Compareandcontrastmicroscopesandtelescopes.

245.Compareandcontrastwhalesandsharks.

246.Writealettertoateacherrequestinginformationaboutapoorgrade.

247.Youwanttoorganizeafamilyreunion.Describethestepsyouwilltaketocontactpeopleandtoorganizetheevent.

248.Writeane-mailtoyourcolleagues,invitingthemtoaMemorialDaycelebration.

249.Writeane-mailtoacompanycomplainingaboutadefectiveproduct.

250.Describeafour-hourbicycletripthroughmountainousterrain.

RUBRICFOREXPOSITORYWRITING

ScoringExplanationsforExpositoryWritingEssays

Ascoreof“6”indicatesthatyouressaysatisfiestherequirementsofthewritingpromptinacreativeandoriginalmanner,usinganobviousthemeandthesisthroughout.Youressayprovidesaclearandlogicalexplanationandusessupportmaterial.Yourideasarearticulatedinacoherentfashion;therearepreciseexamples;andthetopicisdevelopedinaninterestingmanner.Youressayiswellreasoned,withaclearfocus,alogicalsequenceofideas,andtransitionalwordsandsentences.Youdemonstrateasenseofaudiencebyusingeffectivevocabulary,varied

sentencestructure,andfluid,sophisticatedlanguagethatisessentiallywithouterrors.

Ascoreof“4”indicatesthatyouressaymeetssomeoftherequirementsofthewritingprompt,includingsomekeyelementsthathelpexplainthethesis.Youressaymayanswerthequestioninanabbreviatedmanner,givingonlybriefexamplesanddevelopingideassomewhatinconsistently.Youressayhasageneralfocus,makesanobviousattemptatorganization,andpresentsideasinalogicalsequence.Thelanguageofyouressayindicatesageneralcontrolofmechanicsbuthasaslightlylowerqualityofsentencestructureandvarietythanasample6score.Anessayofthistypecontainserrorsonlywhenusingsophisticatedlanguage.

Ascoreof“1”indicatesthattheessayonlyminimallyaddressesthewritingprompt,digressing,repeating,ordwellingoninsignificantdetailsthroughout.Theessayshowsalackofdevelopmentandexhibitsnoorganizationalpatternorfocus.YourlanguageskillsmaybeillegibleorunrecognizableasEnglish.

ModelExpositoryWritingEssays

130.Explaintheproblems,bothpersonalandsocietal,thatresultfromobesity.

Sample6Score

Asingleoverweightpersonmightnotwarrantmuchattention.Butanationwhosepopulationisincreasinglyobeseiscauseforconcern.IntheUnitedStates,14%ofchildrenandteenagersarecategorizedasoverweight.Whyisthisaseriousprobleminsteadofsimplyamatterofpersonalchoice?Whatarethecausesofthisconstantlyincreasingpercentageofobesepersons?Whatistobedoneaboutthis,andwhatorganizedstepsshouldbetakentosolvetheproblem?

Justasthereareripplesfromastonethrownintothewater,therearefar-reachingandunendingeffectsresultingfromobesity.Fromapsychologicalperspective,mostobesepersonswouldprefernottobeoverweight.Oursocietyglorifiestheultra-thin,soifyouareobeseyoudonotfitinwithacceptablemodesofappearance.Weknowthatchildrenareoftencruelabouttauntingtheirheavyclassmates.Alltoooftenwehearfriendssay,“I’vegottoloseweightbeforethattrip,”or“beforethewedding.”However,therearemoreobjectivemeasuresofthenegativeresultsofobesity.Type2(adultonset)diabetes,anillnesswithseriousconsequences,includingdamagetotheheart,damagetotheeyesanddifficultyinhealinginfectionsisattributedtoobesity.Publichealthagenciesaredealingwiththecontinualriseinthistypeofdiabetes.Asthmaisalsoontheriseasaresultoftheobesityepidemicasaresleepdisorderssuchassleepapnea.Recentresearchindicatesarelationshipbetweensometypesofcancerandobesity.Societypaysthepricewhencitizensareill,areunabletowork,andrequireconstantmedicalcare.

Questionsarise:“Whatcanbedoneaboutthis?”“Whoorwhatistoblame?”Discussingblameisadelicateproblem.Thereareundoubtedlyoverweightindividualswithinheritedtendenciestowarddiabetesorheartdisease,andthereisevidencethatahormonethatgivespeopleasenseoffullnessaftereatingmaybelackinginsomeobesepeople.Yet,knowingthattheyareatriskwouldsuggestthatstepsbetakentothwarttheonsetofthephysicalconsequencesofobesity.

Mostauthoritiesagreethatdietiskey.Theavoidanceoffoodshighinsugars,carbohydrates,andsaturatedfatsisrecommendedbymostphysiciansasawaytowardoffobesityanditsdireconsequences.Butthisisdifficultinoursocietywherefastfoodoutletsareubiquitous,wherewearebombardedbyadvertisingofunhealthyfoods,andwhereweleadincreasinglysedentarylives.Sugar-ladensoftdrinksaresoldinschoolsandprofitsfromthesesalesarehigh.AnelementaryschoolinLosAngelesreceived$50,000forallowingCoca-Colatoinstallitsvendingmachines.ThiscompanyandPepsicoconstitutethemajorityoftheschoolsoftdrinkmarket,andwhiletheyprofitfromthepresentsales,theyarealsobuildingbrandloyaltyandcreatingfuturehabitualsoftdrinkconsumers.

Lackofadequateexerciseisaconcomitantcontributortotheriseinobesity.Childrenareoftenplayingvideogamesinsteadofengaginginsports.Adultswatchtelevisioninsteadofexercising.Peoplewilldrivearoundshoppingcenterstoavoidwalkingafewextrasteps.The

quintessential“couchpotato”inventionhasjustbeeninvented.Nowyoucangetauniversalremotewithwhich,fromyourcomfortablecouch,youcannotonlycontrolyourtelevision,butyouroven,lightsand,presumably,otherthingswhichwecanonlybegintoimagine.

Societysufferswhenitspopulationisincreasinglyunhealthy,hasrisingmedicalcosts,notesabsenteeismfromworkandschool,andhassocialinequalities.Thislatterresult,socialinequalities,reflectstheassertionrecentlymadebyaschooladministratorthat50%ofchildreninpoorerschooldistrictsareobese.Expertsseemtobelievethatobesityisaproblemthatcan,withdiligenceanddesire,beeliminatedoratleastmitigatedwithtwosimplechangesinlifestyle—eatingmorehealthilyandgettingmoreexercise.

Sample4Score

Obesityisagrowingprobleminthiscountry.ButIdon’tthinkobesepeopleactuallywanttobeoverweightbecausebeingoverweightmakesyougetsickmoreoften.Doctorssayobesitycausesasma,diabetes,andevenheartdisease.Ifpeopleunderstoodtheeffectsofobesity,theywouldprobablytryhardertoloseweightbecausenoonelikestogetsick.Beingsickmakeskidsmissschoolandadultsmissworkandoftencausesalotofhospitalbills.So,intheend,obesityhurtskidseducationsandtheirparent’sjobsandisalsoincrediblyexpensive.

Lately,moreandmorekidsarebecomingobese.Thisisarealproblembecauseteenagersshouldn’thavetoworryabouttheirheart!Theyshouldbeplayingsportsandhavingfunandgettinganeducation.Butwhenstudentshaveasmaattacks,theycan’tbreath,whichmeanstheycan’tgotoclassortakegym.So,havingasmaandmissingschoolinterfereswiththeireducation.

Obesityalsocausesdiabetes,areallyterriblediseasethatcanmakeyoublind.Ofcourse,somepeoplegetdiabetesbecausetheirparentshaveitnotbecausethey’reobese.HeartdiseaseisthenumberonecauseofdeathinAmericaandcanalsobecausedbyobesity.Inaway,obesityismorethanjustbeingoverweight,itslikethreediseaseswrappedupinone.That’sexactlywhyeveryoneneedstolearnmoreaboutit,sowecanstopitfromgettingoutofhand.

Somepeoplemaybeobesebecausetheydon’tliketoexercise.Buttheyneedtofindawaytoexercisebecauseifyouexerciseeveryday,youwillprobablystayinshape.Thenyouwon’thavetopayexpensivedoctorbillsorgotothehospitalasoftenandeveryonewillbehealthier,misslessschoolandwork,andbebetteroff.

Sample1Score

Ithinkobesityisbadbutnotthatbad.Ifyoulikesodasyouwanttohaveasodaandyoumayneedamashin.Mybestfriendmaybeobesebutsowhatifyournice.Theytrytomakeyoudosportsbutwhatifyouliketvandthesoapsbettr.Idon’tthinkyuldieifyoueatfriesandIlikethatfoodbestsowhatsthebigdeel?

133.DescribethepurposesoftheInternet.Includevariousviewpoints,includingthatofusersandproviders.

Sample6Score

Intoday’sworld,thefirstplacepeopleturntowhenthereisaquestiontobeanswered,informationtobelocated,orpeopletobecontacted,isoftentheInternet.Yes,theInternetmayhavesupplantedthetraditionalencyclopediaaswellasanumberofothersourcesofserviceandinformation.Wecanmakereservations,planvacations,playinteractivegames,learnalanguage,listentomusicorpodcasts,readthenewspaper,andfindoutaboutamedicalcondition,withoutcomingfacetofacewithanotherperson.ThereisnolimittothesubjectmatteryoucanresearchontheInternet.JustgotoasearchenginesuchasGoogle,typeinafewkeywordsoraWebaddress,andpresto,youwillprobablysummonlinkstomoresourcesthanyoucouldhaveimagined.TheInternetallowsyoutoremainatyourcomputerandshopnomatterwhatyouwishtopurchase.Andifyouarelookingforabargainoranunusualitem,youcangotoapopularauctionsiteandeithersellorbuy.

If,however,youdowishtospeakdirectlytoaperson,therearesocialnetworkslikeFacebook.Onpracticallyanygiventopic,groupsofpeopleconversewitheachother.Theymaybegivingopinionsaboutaperfecttravelitinerary,abook,orevenapoliticalparty.ThemostprevalentuseoftheInternetalsoinvolvesdirectlywritingtoaperson,andthatisthesendingofe-mailtofriendsandassociates.Itispossibletocommunicateinstantlywithanyone,anywhere,aslongasthereisanInternetconnection.Inaworldwherepeoplefrequentlytravel,wherefamiliesdonotnecessarilyliveinthesameneighborhoods,e-mailisameansofmakingsimple,inexpensive,immediatecontact.Notonlydowesendverbalmessages,butalsonowdigitalcamerastakepicturesthatcanbestoredandtheninstantlytransmittedontheInternet.

Unfortunately,thereareindividualswhosubverttheopportunitiesofferedbythistechnology.Theyarelessthanhonest,disguisetheiridentity,bilkpeopleinfinancialscams,andenticeunsuspectingpeople,includingchildren,intogivingthempersonalinformation.CaveatsabouttheseproblemsarecurrentlybeingpublicizedsothoseInternetuserswillnotbevictimized.

Ofcourse,websiteshopetomakeaprofit,andthereisusuallyadvertising,whichmaypopuponyourscreen.

Whenyouconsiderthat,amongotherthings,youcanhearaconcert,readabook,visitamuseumandviewitscontents,visitthewebsitesofnumerousindividualsandorganizations,playagamewithoneormorepeople,andpayyourbills,youwillrealizethattheusesoftheInternetaretoovastforashortlist.Mostwouldagreethatmuchhasbeenaddedtopeoples’livesbyconnectingthemtotheInternet,andthatweprobablycannotanticipatewhatnewpurposeswillbeexploredinthefuture.

Sample4Score

Theinternetisveryuseful.Youcansende-mailtoyourfriends.Theycanwritebacktoyou.Youcandothiswheneveryouwant.Youcanwritetopeopleyoudon’tknow.Youcanmeetpeoplethroughtheinternet.Facebook.Whensomeonegoestocollegeyoucanwritetothemeveryday.

Youcanlookthingsup.Ifyouwanttofindoutaboutsomethingyoucanlookitup.Youdon’thavetogotothelibrary.Ifyouhavetoreadabookyoucanfindoutaboutitandnotreadit.Therearegoodgamesyoucanputinyourcomputer.Ilikethesegames.Iwanttogetmoregames.Youcanheargoodmusiconthecomputer.Iliketodothis.Iknowhowtodownloadthemusic.

Iliketobuystuffontheinternet.Myfriendsdothistoo.Icanbuyanythingandjustgiveacreditcardnumber.Idon’thavetogothestore.

Therearemany,manythingsyoucandoontheinternetrightfromyourcomputer.

Sample1Score

Ihavetheinternet.Idonotuseitalotittakestolongtogetthingsonitifyouhavetofinditout.IfyouhaveacomputeryoushudhaveitthenyoucanriteonitandmusicbutwhonosehowthemusicIlikenooneelslikesIlikehardrockwhataboutyou.

Ifyouhaveinternetonly1canuseitsohowdoyounowhoitisandwhyfite.Ifyouhaveamoviemorethan1arealowdnotjust1.Buttheinternethasgoodpurposes.

135.Describevariousstylesofshoesaswellasreasonsfortheirpopularity.

Sample6Score

Visittheshoedepartmentofalargedepartmentstoreandyouwillundoubtedlyseeavarietyofshoestylesondisplay.Thissuggeststhatthestoreissatisfyingthecustomers’desireforanassortmentofshoes.

Logically,shoesshouldprotectandsupportthefeet.Anexampleofsuchashoeisthesneaker.Originallyaninexpensivecanvas,rubbersoledversionofaleatheroxford(ashoewithlaces),thesneakerhasbecomeincreasingpopularandhassupplantedtheoxfordforregulareverydayuseformanystudentsandsomeadults.Sneakers,likelivingthings,haveevolvedandbranchedout.Theyarenowmostlymadeofleatherandhavemuchcushioningtominimizestressonthewearer’sjoints.Theyhavebecomespecializedintoseparatesneakersforwalking,running,tennis,andbasketball.Therearesneakersforaerobicclasses,andfortheeclecticexerciser,therearecrosstrainers.Thereisjustificationfortheirpopularityfortheyarecomfortableandareengineeredtoproperlysupportthefootduringaparticularactivity.Ithasalsobecomeacceptabletowearsneakerswithstreetclothesbecausetheyjustplainfeelgood.Anendorsementbyapopularathletespreadstheirappealaswellasincreasestheircost.

Attheoppositeendofthespectrumisashoestylethatisuncomfortable,harmful,andimpractical.Theseadjectivesdescribethewomen’sshoeswithpointedtoesandthin,highheels.Doctorssaythatthepointedtoescausedeformitiesofthefeet,andthethreetofourinchheelsareunstableandcancausebackproblems.Withsomanynegatives,whyarethesestylesconsistentlypopular?Wearersmayadmitthattheyareuncomfortable,butsaythattheyarefashionableandthat,intime,theygetusedtothem.Historically,peoplefollowfashion,andhereagain,

advertisingpreysuponthisneedtokeepupwiththecurrenttrends.

Ashoethatcanbetotallypractical,simplyfashionable,oracombinationofboth,istheboot.Forcoldorinclementweather,nofootwearisasdesirableasaninsulated,rubber-soledboot.Bootsarepopularbecausetheyarepractical,longlasting,andadesirablefashionaccessory.Buttherearebootswhoseentirefunctionisfashion.Yes,thesebootshavethesamepointedtoesandspikedheelsastheshoesdescribedabove,buttheyarebootsbecausetheleathercontinueshighontheleg.

Historically,shoestyleschange,buttherearesomeshoesthatarecomfortableaswellasfashionable,likesandalsandsneakers.And,therearethosestylessomewouldconsiderfashionablebutharmfultothefeet,orworse.Ifthechoicewerebetweencomfortorfashion,manypeoplewouldprobablyriskdiscomfortinordertobefashionable.

Sample4Score

Shoesarepopularbecausethey’renecessaryfordoingalmostanything.Youneedthemtowalk,playsports,andeventoenterdrugstoresandrestaurants.Withoutthem,you’dhavetositathomeallday.Shoesalsoprotectyourfeetwhenyourwalkingonahotsidewalkorhikinginthewoods.Nowadays,peopleevenuseshoestomakefashionstatements.Someshoesaremoreexpensivethaneverjustbecausethey’resopopular.

Myfavoriteshoesaremysneakers.Everyoneatschoolhassneakersbecausethey’rerequiredforgymclass.They’realsopopularoutsideofschoolbecausetheycomeinsomanycolorsandstyles.Ihavealotoffriendsatschoolbutnoneofushastheexactsamepairofsneakers.Inhighschool,sneakersareagoodwaytoexpressyourpersonality,andontopofthatthey’rereallycomfortable.

Sandalsarealsopopular,especiallyinthesummer,becausethey’realsocomfortableanddon’thurtyourfeet.Youcanmoveyourtoesaroundwhenyouwherethemandtheydon’tmakeyourfeetsweatlikesneakerssometimesdo.

Ialsohavenewhighheelbootswitha4inchheel.TheyhurtmyfeetwhenIwearthemforalongtime,butIdon’tcarebecausetheylooksocool.Ithinklookinggoodisworththepain.Besides,Ionlywearthemonspecialocasions.MymotherthinksI’llendupruiningmyfeet,butyoushouldseetheheelsshewearstowork!

Sample1Score

Ilikeshoestylestheyaregood.OnetimeIwenttobuyshoesandmycuzinwasthereandwehugedbecuzwedidnotseeeachotherforever.Wewenttoherhouseandwatchedtv.Ineednewsneakers.Ilikesneakers.TheycosttomuchsoIcantgetthemnow.IwanthighheelsmymotherwearsthemandtheykillherfeetbutIwantthemto.Everyonewantsthem.

136.Mathisarequiredsubject.Explainwhyitissoimportant.

Sample6Score

Ifyoucomplainabouttheuniversalityofmathasarequiredsubject,justtryandspendonedaywithoutencounteringsomeformofmathematics.Frompagenumberstopricestotoday’sdate,mathputsthingsinorderandenablesustocomparequantitatively.Figuringhowmuchtimeisrequired,howmuchofaningredientmustbemeasured,howmuchcarpettobuy,alloftheseeverydayexperiencesrequirefamiliaritywithmath.Tosurvivefinanciallyyoumustusemathtoallocateyourresources.Ifyouwanttoinvestinabusinessorinthestockmarketyoumustknowhowtodealwiththenumbers.Understandinggraphsandotheranalysesabouttheeconomyorpoliticsorconsumerconfidenceareenhancedbytheapplicationsofmath.Mathematicalapplicationsinthestudyofscienceareessential.Trackingtheorbitsofplanetsandthelocationsofstarsinthegalaxycannotbedonewithoutnumericalcomparisons.Everydiscipline,fromarcheologytozoology,benefitsinsomewayfromtheuseofmathematics.

Practicalreasonsfortheneedformathematicsareomnipresent,butthereareother,perhapsmoreesotericreasons,forinterestinthissubject.Theamazingcoincidencesfoundinnumbersprovidecontinualfascination.Anexampleisthefactthatthesumofthenumbersintheproductsofthe“9-timestable”adduptonine.Ninetimesfiveequalsforty-five,andfourplusfiveequalsnine.Similarly,thenumbersintheproductofseventimesninealsoequalnine.Mathematiciansarealsoespeciallyfascinatedwithuniquegeometricrelationships.Anexampleisthefactthatthreepyramidsofthesameheightwillexactlyfitintoaprismofequalheight.

Ateacherofmathematicsoncetoldme,“Mathisineverything,”andsomepeoplesay,“Mathematicsisthesomethingforwhichtheworldwaswritten.”Thesearereasonsenoughforrequiringitsstudy.

Sample4Score

Mathisarequiredsubjectbecauseitisimportantinschoolandineverydaylife.Ifyoudon’tunderstandsimplemath,you’llneverknowifthecashierisgivingyoutherightchangeorifyourgettingagooddealonanewcar.Withoutmath,shoppingwouldbeimpossible.Youwouldn’tbeabletofigureoutwhatyoucouldafford.Somepeoplethinktheydon’tneedmathbuttheydo.Youneedmathtoknowifitshotorcoldoutsideortoknowwhatpagesyouhavetostudyforaparticulartest.

Mathisalsoimportantbecauseyouneedtouseitinalmosteveryothersubject.Sometimesyouneedmathinsciencetomakeagraphortomeasureamountsforanexperiment.There’snowayyoucouldpasssciencewithoutmath.IusemathinhistoryclasstorememberdatesandinEnglishclassweuseittounderstandpoetry.Youcan’tevenwriteahaikuwithoutmathbecauseyouwouldntbeabletocountthenumberofsyllablesandlines.

Ineverydaylife,youneedmathtobalanceyourcheckbookandtoknowhowmuchtimeyouhavebeforethemoviestarts.Withoutit,you’dneverbeontime,andyourfriendswouldhateyou.Mathisnecessaryeventomakeasimplephonecall.Whenyouthinkaboutitnumbersareeverywheresoit’simportanttounderstandthem.

Sample1Score

Wehavetotakemath.Idon’tlikeit.Itisstupid.Wehavetodrawintheboxesongrafpaperwhatisthisart.Ifaledartanywaysowhydoitinmath.IcanusethekalkuatesoIdon’tevenneedtostudyitwhereallowdtousethekalkuateandsoIdonotcareifmathisimportant.

139.Describeamajorenvironmentalproblemandwhatyoubelieveshouldbedoneaboutit.

Sample6Score

Amajorenvironmentalproblem,themagnitudeofwhichwearejustbeginningtorealize,isglobalwarming.Whenpeoplesaythatthewintersaren’tascoldastheyusedtobe,orthattherewasdefinitelymoresnowinpastyears,theyarecorrect.Inadditiontothesepersonaltestimonials,thereisconcretevisualevidenceofglobalwarming.Mostnoticeableisthedepletionoftheicecaps.Inrecentyears,glaciershavebeenrecedingingreateramountsthaninformeryears.Oneonlyhastovisitanationalparkwherethisrecessionismarkedwithsignsindicatingwheretheglacierreachedinaparticularyear.Thevisitorcanseehowmuchfurtherawayfromaparticularspottheiceisatthepresentmoment.

Whentheicecaps,madeoffreshwater,melt,theychangethesalinityoftheoceans,changethecurrents,andchangetheconditionsforsurvivalformyriadspecies.Additionally,invasivespeciesmightmovein,affectingtheentireecosystem.Thishasadominoeffect,asallspeciesareinterdependentandsurviveaccordingtopredictablesourcesoffoodandlivingconditions.Aspecificexamplerecentlydescribedonanenvironmentalcalendartoldoftheeffectofglobalwarmingonpolarbears.Thebearscannotgooutonthemeltedice,whichishowtheygettheirfood.Thiscausesthemtolosebodyfatandeventobeunabletogivebirthtocubs.

Globalwarmingcausesflooding,andbecausethewarmingoftheearthcausesdryness,firesincrease.

Whenspeakingofthecausesofglobalwarming,someexpertssaythaticeagesfollowedbywarminghavebeencyclicalthroughouttheeonsandthatthereisnotmuchthatcanbedoneaboutit.However,mostscientistsbelievethattheactionsofhumanshavespeededupthisprocess.Theyblametheincreasedburningofwoodandfossilfuels—oilandcoal—onanincreasingpopulationneedingheatforwarmthandcooking.Moreenergyconsumptionplacescarbondioxideandotherpollutantsintheatmosphere.Warmairtrappedaroundtheearthhasbeendeemedthegreenhouseeffect.

Whilewecannotstopthenaturallyoccurringclimatechanges,wecantrytomitigatetherapidwarmingbyreducingouruseoffossilfuels.MuchpublicityhasbeengiventothelovethatAmericanshaveforsportsutilityvehicleswhichburnaninordinateamountoffuelandwhicharenotrequiredforthekindofordinarydrivingdonebymostowners.Therearenumerousadditionalwaysinwhichwecanreduceourdependenceonthesefuels,rangingfrominsulatingourhomes,toloweringthethermostatinwinter,andraisingitwhenweuseairconditioning.

Perhapsresearcherscandevelopalternatesourcesofenergy.Presentlyanautomobileisbeingdevelopedthatusesgasinitiallyandthenautomaticallyswitchestoelectricity.Theoretically,thiscarwillbeabletorunforfiftymilesononegallonofgasoline.Additionally,wecansupportthescientificstudyoftheeffectsofglobalwarming.Perhapswecanpredictsuchthingsaswherefloodswilloccurorwherecropswillhavedifficultysurvivingandtakestepstoovercometheseproblems.

Onethingiscertain.Globalwarmingisaseriousenvironmentalproblemwithramificationsthataffectalmosteveryaspectoflife.

Sample4Score

Globalwarmingwhichmeansthatitisgettingwarmerallovertheglobe,isaseriousenvironmentalproblem.Itisbadfortheenvironment,nature,animals,andhumansaswell.Globalwarmingcausesalotofglacierstomeltwhichthencausesmorefloodsandmakestheoceanwarmerwhichcouldhurtcertainkindsoffish.Globalwarmingalsoleadstomorefiresingeneralandincreasestherateofcancerinhumans,especiallyskincancer.

Inordertostopglobalwarming,weshouldstudythegreenhouseeffect.Becauseweusetoomuchoilandgasandpollutetheaironaregularbasis,hotaircan’tescapetheatmosphere.Weneedtouselessoilandgassothehotaircangetout.Peopledon’tneedtodrivetrucksandSUVsallthetimebecausetheyusemoregasandcausemoreairpollution.Wealsodon’thavetouseairconditioningallthetime.Peopleneedtorememberthatminivansandairconditioningareluxuriesnotneccessities.

Ifeveryoneagreedtochangetheirhabits,itwouldhelptheenvironmentalot.So,weshouldfindoutwhatneedstobedonetosolvethisseriousenvironmentalproblemanddowhateverittakes.

Sample1Score

Aenvironmentalproblemiscalledglobalwarming.Theglobeisgettinghot.IamnotsureaboutthiswehadplentyofcolddaysandIlikeithotinsummr.Howdotheynodotheymesureallovertheglobe.1dayitwassocoldmyhandsfrozeandIgotintrubelbecauseIwasnotaloudoutsoIhadnotimetogebtgloves.IgessIdon’tlikeglobalwarmingifitgetstohotbutmaybeitsonlyfarawayanwedon’tneedtoworyaboutithear.

143.Describehowcommunicationhaschangedinthelast30years.

Sample6Score

Whocouldhavepredicted30yearsagothatcommunicationwouldchangeasradicallyasithas?Today,communicationisinstantaneous.Nolongerdowehavetouseapen,pencil,ortypewritertowritealetter.Nolongerdowehavetouseapostalservicetomailit.Nolongerdowehavetowaitforaresponsethattakesseveraldays.Nordowehavetostaynearatelephoneorsearchforapublicphonewhiletraveling.Thingshavespeededupexponentially.

Inthelast30yearswehavebenefitedfromtremendouschangesintelecommunication.Therelativelysimplechangetoportablesmartphonesenabledustoconnectwithothersatanytime,fromalmostanywhere.Watchthecrowdswalkingalongasidewalk,andyoucan’thelpnoticingpeoplepurposefullystridingalongwhiletalkingontheircellphones.

Whatifwemustwriteamessage?Wenowhavee-mail.WesendthesemessagesimmediatelyaftertypingthemonthekeyboardandneverhavetogotothePostOffice.Nomore“snailmail.”SocialnetworkslikeFacebookallowustostayintouchwiththepeopleinourliveslikeneverbefore.

Whatadifference30yearshasmade.Justaspeople30yearsagocouldnotimaginethespeedandeaseofcommunicationtoday,weprobablycannotanticipatethechangesthatwilloccurinthenext30years.Perhapswewillbeabletosendinstantmessagessimplybythinkingaboutthem,fromonebraintothebrainoftheintendedrecipient.

Sample4Score

Ibelievecommunicationhasdefinitlychangedinthelast30years.Itismuchdifferent.Icansende-mailstomyfriendseveryday.EventwiceadayifIwant.Peoplecouldnotdothis30yearsago.It’sgreat.SoIthinkcommunicationismuchfasterandIdefinitlythinkitismucheasierifyouhaveacomputer.Everyschoolandofficehasacomputer.

Ibelievethebestchangeisthecellphone.IhaveacellphonethatIcarryeverywhereIgo.Icanturnitoffinthemovieanditwillvibrate(shake).ThenIknowIhaveacallandIcanleaveandanswerit.Idon’tthinkitisrightforyoutobothersomeonewithyourcellphone.

Idon’tevenneedstampstosendcards.Icansendthemonthecomputer.Allmyfriendshavee-mail.AndFacebookletsmekeepintouchwitheveryoneIknow.

Thesearethewayscommunicationhaschangedinthelast30years.

Sample1Score

Communicationistalking.Insomewaysithaschangedinthelast20years.IthinkIcantalkeasilynowbecauseIcaryaroundwithmyphone.Itispinkandeveryonelikesit.BecauseIworkedtoearniteachmonth.Youdon’thavetoreadthepaperyoucanwatchtvorcomputersifyouwant.Theytellyouaboutclothesandstuffthatyoucareabout.Socommunicationisgrate.Facebookisalsoonthecomputerwhichisallover.IhatetoritesoIusemycellbutIcouldifIfeltlikeit.Mymotherusesit.Soshesaysitismuchbetter.

150.Discusstheeventsinthelifeofyourfavoriteauthor,sportsfigure,orperformer.Explainhowtheseeventsrelatetotheperson’sachievements.

Sample6Score

HermanMelvillewasa19thcenturywriterwhoseworksforeshadowedthemesthatwouldbecomeprevalentinthefuture.Hewroteabouthisdistastefortheprevalentoppressionofunderlings,oftheneedtoacceptdifferentculturesandtoappreciatethecontributionsofordinarypeople.Hisnovelsprobeintopsychologicalreasonsforcharacters’actionsinawaythatwouldberelevanttoday.

BornintoaNewYorkfamilythatwasprominent,althoughinconstantdebt,Melvillewasforcedtoendhisformalschoolingattheageoftwelve.Hewasneverthelesswidelyreadandinformedonnumeroussubjects,including,butnotlimitedto,literature,art,science,biology,navigation,mythology,andgeography.Thus,hewaslargelyself-educated,aswasIshmael,thenarratorofMobyDick,Melville’smostacclaimednovel.Ishmaelsaid,“AwhaleshipwasmyYaleCollegeandmyHarvard.”

JustasIshmael’sexperientialeducationmirroredMelville’sowninformalschooling,soweremanyotheraspectsofhislifereflectedinhiswritings.SigningupasacabinboyonashipgoingtoLiverpool,England,whenhewas20,providedMelvillewithmaterialforthenovel,Redburn.Thenovelwasaboutalonely20-yearoldorphanwanderingaroundLiverpoolandisthoughttobethewriter’smostautobiographical.

Motivatedbytheneedtoearnmoney,Melvillesignedupforafour-yearvoyageasacommonseamaninspiteofthefactthathisfamilyconnectionscouldhaveeasilygottenhimanofficer’scommission.Melvillehadaprogressiveviewaboutequalitythatwasunusualforhistime.Hebelievedinthedignityofallwork,whichwasreflectedinhissympathetic,evenadmiring,excruciatinglydetailed,descriptionsofthejobsoftheworkingpeopleinhiswritings.Hedecriednationalisticprejudiceandbelievedthatallpeoplearerelated.Hewrote,“YoucannotshedadropofAmericanbloodwithoutsheddingbloodofthewholeworld.”

AmongthefirstwhitementoexploretheSouthSeaIslands,Melvillewassurelythefirstliteraryartisttodoso.Unabletobeartheinhumanetreatmentonthislongvoyage,hedesertedintheMarquesasIslands.Hewasillandfortunatelywascaredforbyakindlynativefamily.Agrownsoninthefamilywascoveredwithtattoos,andMelvillelearnedthatthesepeoplewerecannibalswhofeastedontheirenemies.Inordertoleave,hehadtoescape,findingrefugeonanAustralianship.Hedesertedfromthisshipalso,landinginTahiti.TheseexperiencesprovidedmaterialforthenovelTypee,abouttheSouthSeaIslands,thenovelOmoo,baseduponhisexperiencesinTahiti,andthenovelWhiteJacket,whichexposedthecrueltyofnavyflogging.ThetattooedmanwhocaredforMelvilleprovidedtheprototypeforQuequeg,oneofthemostmemorablecharactersinliterature.

HermanMelvillealsowasacrewmemberofawhalingvoyagewherehelearnedtheintricaciesinvolvedinthistypeofmulti-yearvoyagethatheusedasthesettingforMobyDick.Thisnovel,consideredaliterarymasterpiece,providedaforumforMelville’sideasaboutthenecessityforconnectedness.Thesavage,Quequeg,andthesailor,Ishmael,weremutuallysupportiveofthistheme.Inaddition,Melvillewasagreatbelieverindemocracyandthebenefitsofdiversity,andthesebeliefswerereflectedinhisdescriptionsofthecrewonthewhalingvoyage.Theshipwasametaphorfortheworld,withitscrewcomingfromeveryknownlocationandbackground,allbeingnecessaryforsuccess.Amonomaniacalcaptain,devoidofempathy,drivenbyhisselfish

aims,andunabletoconnectwithothers,couldonlyleadtodisaster.

Thus,HermanMelville’sreal-lifeexperiencesundoubtedlymadepossiblehisdescriptivenovels,buttheywouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouthisindependentlydrawnconclusionsaboutthedignityofmanandhisplaceintheuniverse.

Sample4Score

HermanMelvillewasa19thcenturyAmericanwriterwhowrotemanyfamousbooksincludingMobyDick.LikeMobyDick,mostofhisbookswhereabouttopicsthatwereofpersonalinteresttohimlikeshipsandwhaling.Hespentalotoftimeonshipsandalsoknewalotaboutwhales.Melvilleledanexcitinglifeandputalotofthatexcitementintohisbooks.Becausehisbookswerebasedonreallifeeventsandtopicsheknewalotabout,thewritingwasincrediblydetailedandvivid.Whenpeoplereadhisbooks,evenwhenpeoplereadthemtoday,theyfeelasthoughthey’vebeentakenintoanotherworld.WhenyoureadMelville’sbooks,youlearnalotaboutwhalesandforeignlands,butyoualsolearnalotabouthimasaperson.

MobyDickisagreatbook.Afterreadingit,youcanunderstandalotmoreaboutMeville.ThestoryisaboutacrazymannamedCaptainAhabwhowantstokillagreatwhalenamedMobyDick.Inthebook,Melvillereallyseemstocareabouthischaractersandmakesitclearthatallofthecharactersareequalinhiseyes.Ahab’sshipissupposedtobeasymboloftheentireworldandcharacterslikeQuequegandIshmaelaresimplyeverydaypeople.BecauseAhabissoselfish,heendsupdestroyingtheentireship.Afterrealizingthat,MelvillewantsustoknowthatselfishworldleaderswillalsoruintheworldifregularcitizenslikeIshmaelandQuequegaren’tgivenanypower.Melvillewasallfordemocracywhichyoucaneasilytellafterreadingthisbook.

Sample1Score

MyclashadtoreadMobydick.Ilearnedabouttheauthor.HeisHermanMelvilleandIlikehimheisbravehewentontrips.IneverwentonmanytripsbutIwuld.Iwuldgotoflorida.HeHermanneverwenttherebuthewentotherplacesandwroteaboutit.idon’tthinknobodyinmyclassakshulyreadit.

158.Explainthecausesandeffectsofnotvotinginelections.

Sample6Score

Votingistheprivilegeforwhichwarshavebeenfought,protestshavebeenorganized,andeditorialshavebeenwritten.“Notaxationwithoutrepresentation,”wasabattlecryoftheAmericanRevolution.Womenstruggledforsuffrageasdidallminorities.Eighteenyearoldsclamoredfortherighttovote,sayingthatiftheywereoldenoughtogotowar,theyshouldbeallowedtovote.YetAmericanshaveadeplorablevotinghistory.

Interviewingpeopleabouttheirvotinghabitsisrevealing.Thereareindividualswhostate,

almostboastfully,thattheyhavenevervoted.Theysomehowsetthemselvesapartfromtherequirementsofcitizenshipinademocracy.Manywhoavoidvotingdosoconsciously.Itisnotasiftheywereillorunavoidablydetainedonelectionday.Oftentheyclaimthattheironevotedoesn’tmatter.“What’sonevote?”theyask.Perhapsonevotemaynotcountinsomeelections,althoughtherehavebeenresultsdeterminedbyoneorveryfewvotes.Inaddition,thetotalofsinglevotesthatarenotcastcanadduptoasignificantdifferenceinaparticularrace.Somepeopleblamethefactthattheydonotknowenoughabouttheissuesfortheirabsencefromthevotingbooth.Otherssaythattheyavoidlearningaboutthenewsbecauseitistoodepressing.Inademocracy,wecanexpressouropinionstoourelectedleaders,butmorethanhalfofussometimesavoidchoosingthesepeoplewhomakethepoliciesthataffectourlives.

Oneoftheeffectsofthisstatisticisthatpoliticianswillcatertothegroupsthatdovoteinlargenumbers,givingmoreweighttotheirneedsthantothoseofothergroupsorofthegeneralpopulation.Sincesomanydonotvote,electedofficialscan,withimpunity,promotepoliciesthatbenefitthespecialintereststhatcontributefinanciallytotheelectioncampaigns.Anothereffectofnotvotingisthefreereingiventothoseinofficetodisregardtheexpressedopinionsofconstituents.Forifyoudonotvote,whyshouldthecandidateworryaboutyou?

Itseemsironicthatinthismostdemocraticofsocieties,weabrogatetheprivilegeforwhichsomanyhavestruggled.Howmanycountriesdonothaveachoiceofcandidates,yettheircitizensareforcedtoparticipateinshamelections?IntheUnitedStateswehavechoices.Wecanvotetofireanofficeholderwhodoesnotliveuptoourexpectationsbychoosinganopponentatthenextelection,andwearefreetochoosesomeonewhoseideasappealtous.

Perhapsamajorreasonfornotvotingisthefailuretoconveyhowpreciousanduniqueistherighttovoteandhowimportantiseachandeveryvote.Themajoreffectisthatwearevoluntarilygivingupourrightsascitizenstoascertainthatourelectedofficialstrulyrepresentus.Thisisbecausewehavenotdoneourpartinchoosingthemsoineffect,wearetellingtheseofficialsthatwedon’tcareenoughtobothertovote.

Sample4Score

Manypeopledonotvotebecausetheythinkitsahassleorthattheirvotewon’tmakeadifference.Somepeoplesaytheydon’tcarewhowins,buteveryoneshouldcarebecausegovernmentofficialsmakedecisionsthateffectallofus.Peopleneedtolearnmoreabouttheirowngovernment.SomanyAmericansthinkourgovernmentismadeupofoneperson,thepresident!Buttherearesomanyotherpeopleinvolvedandsomanyotherelectionstothinkabouttoo.

Nothavingtimetovoteornotknowingwhotovoteforisnoexcusefornotvotingatall.Peopleshouldtakethetimetolearnasmuchastheycanaboutthepeoplewhoarerunningandmakeaninformeddecision.Ifyoudon’tvotethenyou’llnevergetwhatyouwantandyouwon’tbeabletocomplainwhenpoliticiansmakebaddecisions.

Butifyou’resmartandvoteforwhoeveryoufeelisthebestcandidate,thenifthatpersoniselected,youcanknowthatit’stheirresponsibilitytolistentoyou.Ourgovernmentissupposed

tobeforthepeopleandrunbythepeople,soeveryoneshouldrealizeitistheirrightandalsotheirresponsbilitytovoteduringeveryelection.

Sample1Score

Mostpeopledon’tvoteIwouldn’tmymotherdon’tshesaysshehasnotimesheissobizysheworksandhowcanshevoteifsheworks.Mybrothersaysifyouvoteyoucancalledtothejureeandwhoneedthathisfriendhaditanditwasboringandheculdvelosthisjob.Ifyoucarewhowinsyoushudvoteifyoudon’tcaredon’t.

167.Explainhowtohaveawinningbaseballteam.

Sample6Score

Whetherprofessionaloramateur,abaseballteam,likeafinemeal,needstherightingredientstocreateawinningresult.Talentedathletesarethefirstrequirement.Afterthat,astutecoaching,whichdiscernsandthendevelopstheuniquecapabilitiesoftheplayers,canbeasimportantastheathletesthemselves.Flexibilityandthewillingnesstotrydifferentstrategiesarethehallmarksofwinningcoaches.Allthetalentintheworldcouldbewastedwithoutcreativeandshrewdcoaching.

Aplayerwiththeabilitytosprint,neededbothforinfielddefenseandforspeedybaserunning,canbeinvaluable.Afastrunnercanstealbasesandgettofirstbasewithacarefullyplacedbunt.

Goodpitchingisessentialforawinningbaseballteam.Apitcherwhois“on”isthefirstlineofdefenseinbaseball.Itiswellknownthatthepitcherisoftenthepooresthitter,butitisthepitcherwhokeepstheopponentsfromscoring.Thepitcher’steammatesacceptthisandacknowledgethatitistheirjobtoscoretheruns.Hereagain,agoodcoachdecideswhoistheoptimumpitcherfortoday’sgame,andequallyimportant,whentotakeatiredorpoorlyperformingpitcheroutofthegame.

Recruitingstrongandconsistentbatterswillbeafactorincreatingawinningbaseballteam.Havingahomerunhitterwithseveralplayerswhocanbecountedontogetbasehitsandpinchhitsareneededbecausethebestpitchingandthebestfieldingwillbefornaughtifrunsaren’tscored.

Evenwithaplethoraofnaturalability,tobecomeawinningbaseballteam,theplayersmustcontinuallypractice,notonlytomaintaintheirskills,butalsotoimprovethem.Infact,amotivatedplayerwhopracticesdiligentlymayeventuallysurpassthosewithsuperiornaturalabilitythatisnotdeveloped.Alongwiththisdesiretocontinuallyimproveone’sindividualplayingability,thereisthemotivationtosucceedbecauseofloyaltytothegroup.Thistypeofespritdecorpscanmakethedifferencebetweenagoodandawinningbaseballteam.Puttingtheteamfirst,whilestrivingtogiveone’sall,putsthefinishingtouchesontherecipeforawinningbaseballteam.

Sample4Score

Awinningbaseballteamwouldneedgoodhitters,fastrunners,askilledpitcherandcatcher,andaknowledgableandpatientcoach.Itwouldalsoneedtohaveagroupofplayerswhogotalongwithoutanyjealousyorhostilityandwerecapableofrootingforeachother.

Goodhittersandrunnersareimportantbecauseyouhavetogetalotofhitsandrunstowin.Youcan’twinwithoutscoringruns.Also,therunnersneedtobespeedy,sotheycangettothebasebeforetheballgetsthere.Youalsohavetohaveaskilledpitcherwhocanstrikepeopleout.Thepitcherhastobegoodorelsetheotherteamwillscoremorerunsandyouwilllose.Thecatcherisimportantaswellbecauseifthecatcherdropstheballwhenthepitcherthrowsit,thatisanerror.

Finally,youalsoneedtohaveagoodcoachwhocanhelptheplayersimproveandwhoknowswhentoputcertainplayersinthegameandwhentotakethemout.Thecoachshouldkeeptheteamrunningsmoothlyandsolveanyfightsordisagreements.

Sample1Score

Idon’twanttobeonabaseballteembutIwanttowinifIdo.Mybrotherdidandhenevergotahitandhewontevenlookatmesowhocarsaboutbaseball.Ithinkyouneedtobeaathleetandtakelessons.AndIthinktheuniformsareuglyIdon’tlookgoodinitanditisswetty.IwillpickthebestplayersifIhavetoplaysoImiteaswellwinright.

192.Explainhowtochoosetherightcollege.

Sample6Score

Oneofthemostimportantdecisionsyoungadultsmakeiswheretogotoschool.Yourcollegeeducationwillaffecttherestofyourlife,soyoushouldweighyouroptionscarefully.The“perfect”schoolmaynotexist,butIbelievetherearethreefactorsthatareintegraltochoosingtherightcollege:location,size,andcurriculum.Youcannarrowdownyoursearchbasedonthesecriteria.

First,youshouldconsiderlocation.Somequestionsyoushouldaskyourselfinclude:DoIprefertoliveinacity,thesuburbs,oraruralarea?DoIwanttoliveinatemperateorcolderclimate?DoIprefertobenearmyfamily,orinanotherpartofthecountry?Theanswerstothesequestionswillhelpyoumakethebestchoice.

Second,youshouldconsidersize.Perhapsyourhighschoolexperiencewillaffectyourchoiceofcolleges.Ifyouattendedasmallhighschoolwithalowteacher-studentratio,youmaybeaccustomedtosmallclasssizesandknowingyourfellowstudentsextremelywell.Ontheotherhand,ifyouattendedalargehighschool,youmaybeusedtonewfacesandlargerclasses.WouldyoupreferaschoolsuchasUCSBwith50,000students,orasmallerschoolwithfewerthan5,000students?Remember,theattentionyoureceivewillbeaffectedbythesizeofthe

studentpopulation.

Finally,inordertochoosetherightcollege,youshouldtakethetimetodecidewhatyouwouldliketostudy.Althoughmostcollegesofferamyriadofcourses,someschoolsspecializeincertainfieldsandsubjectsorofferawiderselectionofclasses.Forexample,ifyouareinterestedinstudyingtheClassics,didyouknowthattheUniversityofTexashasoneofthebestClassicsdepartmentsintheUnitedStates?

Choosingtherightcollegewillrequiresomeeffort.Afteryouhavedecidedthelocation,size,andcurriculumyouprefer,dosomeresearch.Learnaboutdifferentcollegesfromyourguidancecounselor,theInternet,orfromthecollegesthemselves.Aswithanyimportantdecision,makesureyourchoiceisaneducatedone.

Sample4Score

It'snoteasytochoosetherightcollege.Therearethreethingsyoushouldconsiderwhenapplyinganddecidingonacollege.Theseare:location,classes,andsize.

Firstofall,youshoulddecidewhereyouwanttogotoschoolforfouryears.Decideifyouwanttobeinacityorinaruralarea,orifyouwanttobeneartoorfarfromyourfamily.Then,ifyouknowwhatyouwanttostudy,youshouldmakesurethatthecollegeoffersclasses.TherewouldbenoneedtogotoaschoolthatdoesnotteachtheClassics,ifthat'swhatyouwanttostudy.Finally,youshouldthinkaboutwhetheryouwanttogotoaschoolwithalotofstudentsornottoomany.Forexample,therearemorethan50,000studentsatUCSB,butmaybeyouprefertogotoaschoolwithonly5,000.

Whendecidingonacollege,takeyourtimeandconsiderallofthesethings.Collegeisimportantfortherestofyourlifesochoosewisely!

Sample1Score

EvryoneshooldgotocollegebecausethateducasionaregoodforYou.Itsrighttogotocollegebecausyouneeditforworkandjob'sandlifetoo.TherightcolegeforYouisoneYoulikealotwhenYouaredonewithhi-scool.

206.Yournewjobrequiresthatyoumovetoadifferentcity.Describethestepsyouwilltaketoprepareforthismove.

Sample6Score

AlthoughAmericansmovemorethanmostpeopleintheworld,amoveisacknowledgedtobeoneoflife’smorestressfulexperiences.Thereare,however,stepsthatcanbetakenandpreparationsthatcanbemadewhichwillmitigatetheinevitablestrain.

IfIweretomovetoadifferentcitybecauseofajobchange,Iwouldfindasponsorinthenew

location,preferablysomeonewhocouldgivemeinsightintothekindofsituationIcouldexpectattheworkplaceandabouttheculturalandotherdifferencesinthenewcommunity.Differentcitiesmaybediverseinmanyways:inideasaboutappropriatebehavior,insocialexpectations,andeveninemotionalreactions.Ifthecityhadspecialsitesoreventstogeneratecivicpride,Iwouldliketoinvestigatethose.Ortheremaybepopulargatheringplacessuchasparksorcafés.Thisknowledgewouldbehelpfulingettingtounderstandtheattitudesoftheresidentsandtobecomepartofthecommunity.

Spendingtimewitharealtorwouldbeanecessity,notonlyforfindingasatisfactoryresidence,butalsoforgaininginformationaboutdifferentneighborhoods,schools,libraries,andothercommunityresources.Infact,itwouldbeworthwhiletotakethetimetodeliberatelyexplorethecommunitybywalkingordrivingaround.

Myfamilymembersareinterestedinhorses,sailing,andplayingbridge.Asawaytofindouthowwecanpursuetheseinterestsandfindpeoplesimilarlyinclined,wecouldvisitstables,marinas,orsocialclubs.StrikingupaconversationwithpeopleintheseplacesandtellingthemthatIammovingshortlywouldcreateamoreknowledgeabletransition.Inadditiontopickingthebrainsofpeople,theremaybepublishedmaterial,suchasmapsandguidebooks,thatcouldbeinformative.ThesameistrueofInternetsites.

Allthispreparationcannoteliminatetheprobabilitythatleavingmyfriends,seeingmybelongingspickedup,packed,andmovedtoadifferentcity,andfacingnewroutinesandnewsurroundingswillbesomewhattraumatic.However,visualizingdailylifeinthenewcitycanhelpmakethemoveeasierandthetransitionsmoother.

Sample4Score

IfIfindoutthatIhavetomovetoadifferentcityIwilltrytomakesomeplans.FirstofallIwillhavetofindahouse.Iwillgetarealestatepersonandlookathouses.IwillfindouthowmuchtheycostandifIcanaffordit.ThenIwilltrytofindanicearea.Theschoolsshouldbegoodandnearthehouseandthechurchto.

IliketoplaybasketballandridemybikeandIwilllookaroundforplacestoplay.MaybeIcanmeetsomepeoplewholivethereandmakefriends.Maybetheycanshowmearoundtheplace.Iwilltrytomeetsomeonewhoworksatthenewjob.Theycangivemehintsabouthowthingsaredonethere.

Iwillsaygoodbyetomyfriendsandgivethemmynewaddress.Itwillbesadtomove,butalsotherewillbegoodthingscomingup.AtleastIwontbegoingincold.IwillhaveaplacetolivethatisniceandIknowmaybeafewpeoplealready.IthinkIamstartingtoknowwhatitwillbelikeinmynewhome.

Sample1Score

Ihavetomovebecuzmyjobitchanged.Iwillgotheretoseewhatitisthere.Isthereagood

house.Ihatetopayforahousetheyalwaysripyouoffandthebossdosentcar.Iwillfindourifthebossisgoodornotlikethis1Ihatenow.Whatcanyoudoyouwantajobrite.Iwilsellmyhouseanduseittobythenew1andIwouldlearnthenameofthenewcityandhowtoriteit.

217.Manypeoplespendagreatdealoftimewithanimals.Writeabouttherelationshipsthatpeoplehavewithanimals.

Sample6Score

Sincetheywerefirstdomesticated,peoplehavehadrelationshipswithanimalsthathaveenhancedtheirlives.Probablyanimalsthatweretrainedtohuntandtoretrievepreywereamongthefirsttobecomevaluabletotheirowners.Usefulanimalsincludethoseusedfortransportation,forhaulingloads,and,inrecenttimes,toassisthandicappedpeople.Thelatterareusuallydogstrainedtoguidetheblindandtocareforparaplegics.Althoughtheseanimalshavespecificfunctions,itisprobablethataspecialbondinevitablyarisesbetweenthemandthehumanstheyserveandthisgoesfarbeyondthedependencyeachhasfortheother.

Canarelationshipwithananimalimproveaperson’shealth?Manyrecentreportsseemtosuggestthispossibility.Petsgiveusabundantandunconditionallove.Alwayshappytoseeus,ourpetsallowustobeourselves,totalktothem,andeventobelievethattheyunderstandus.Whenwecomehome,wemightfeelreluctantto“talktoourselves,”butitisperfectlyallrighttogreet,chat,andinteractwithourdog,cat,bird,andevenourfish.Somementalhealthworkersaresoinsistentuponthebeneficialinfluencesofpetsthattheyhaveananimalpresentduringtherapysessions,claimingthatthiscausespatientstobemorerelaxedandresponsive.Studieshaveproventhatrelationshipswithanimalsreducestressandactuallycanmeasurablylowerbloodpressure.

Forpeoplewhoaredepressedorlivingalone,havingapetisnotonlytherapeutic;itisameansofencouragingahealthierlifestyle.Apetownermustliveaccordingtoaregulartimetablesothatthepetcanbefedandcaredforappropriately.Fordogowners,thereisanadditionalsocialbenefitthataccruesfromhavingtogooutdoorsforawalk.Encounteringotherdogwalkersoftenleadstofurthersocialinteractionand,perhaps,friendship.Forcatowners,thereistheadmirationforthecat’scharacteristicindependence,whichmakesanyaffectionfromthecatsomuchmoremeaningful.Keepingthebirdfeedersfilledgivesasenseofsatisfyingtheneedsofcreaturesthat,inturn,delightuswiththeirbeautyandtheirantics.

Otherbeneficialeffectsofrelationshipswithanimalscontinuetobediscovered.Arecentarticlesuggeststhatkindnesstopeopleandanimalsmaybeinterconnected.Role-playingthatincreaseschildren’sempathyforanimalshelpsthemnotonlypsychologically,butalsophysicallyandsocially.Anotherdiscoveryshowsthatridinghorses,forreasonsnotcompletelyunderstood,hasbeenshowntobenefitautisticchildren.Petownerscannowvolunteertotaketheirpetstohospitalsandnursinghomeswhereresidentsseemtowelcomethem.

Itisprobablethatcontinuedresearchwillshedadditionallightonwhathappenswhenpeopleandanimalsformabond.Forthepresent,itiscertainthatalmostanyonecanbenefitfromtheresultingsecurity,understanding,fun,laughter,andlovethatcomefromhavingapet.

Sample4Score

Ienjoymypets.IhaveacatandabirdandIliketospendtimewiththem.WhennooneishomeIplaywithmycat,orImaytrytoholdmybird.WhenIhaveapetIfeelgoodandhappy.Somepeoplehavehorsesforpets.Theygettoridethemandtakecareofthem.Evenifyouhaveacatanddon’thavetotakeitforawalkyouhavetofeedit.

Oneofthegoodthingsaboutpetsisitteachesyouthings.IlearnedthatIhavetotakecareofmypets.Theyneedmetofeedthemeveryday.IthinktheylookatmefunnyifIforgetorifIamlate.Inothatlittlebabiesliketopetanimalsandthattheylikethem.Sotherearerelationshipwithanimalsforallages.Oldpeoplelikeanimalsto.Iftheylivealonetheycanhavesomeonetotalkto.Petsarelikefriends.

Inoablindmanandhehasaseeingdogandhegoesalloverwithit.Sohehasarelationshipwithhisdog.Thedoghelpshimandhehelpsthedogbylovingandtakingcareofit.

Relationshipswithanimalsaregoodforbothpeopleandanimals.

Sample1Score

Whatareanimalsthathavearelationshiptheyarepets.IhaveadogIhatetofeeditanditshedbutitwagsitstaleitskut.WenIgotthedogitwaslittleandkutandnowitisntsokutbecauseitstobig.ButIloveitandhelovesmenotlikemyboyfreindwhoIdon’thavearelationshipwith.SoIhavearelationshipwithmypetitushulyfeelgood.

228.Describeanespeciallymemorablephotoorpicture.

Sample6Score

Youmightthinkamemorablepicturewouldhavevividcolor,anappealingorinspirationaltheme,orbesomethingyoumightwanttodisplayandlookateveryday.Thatisnotthecasewiththepicturethatismostmemorabletome.Thispictureisreallyalargemural,paintedin1937bytheSpanishartist,PabloPicasso,toprotestthebombingofasmallvillageinnorthernSpain.

Surprisingly,thereisnovividredcolortoshowtheflowingblood.Onemustimaginethis,forthemuralisstartlinglygray,black,andwhite.Butthereisnoavoidingthehorroroftheimages.Thefiguresarenotrealisticallydrawn,butarecubistandabstract,anditisapparentthatinnocentciviliansarebeingslaughtered.Amotherscreamswithhermouthwideopen,herheadtippedbackinheart-rendinganguish,assheholdsherdeadbaby.Asoldierliesdeadontheground,clutchinghisbrokensword,andthreeotherpeopleareshowninshockandagony.Animals,includingatorturedhorseandacryingbird,arealsoportrayedasinnocentvictimsofamassacre.Somesymbolsareopentointerpretation.Whatisthemeaningofthebull,whichseemssimplytobeobserving,orofthelightbulbemittingraysatthetopofthemural?Doesthebullsymbolizebruteforce,anddoesthelightbulbsignifythatthereishope?Yetthereisno

doubtthatthedistorted,horribleimagesareintendedtoshocktheviewer.Thisdepictionofhumangriefisaprofoundstatementofthecrueltyandsenselessnessofwar.Limitingthepicturestoblackandwhiteaddsafunerealelementtotheshockingdepictionofthecatastrophe.

Thememoryofthepicturecannotbeforgotten;itisametaphorforthesenselessnessandthehorrorofwar.Whileitwaspaintedtoprotestatrocitiesinalongagowar,itisasrelevanttodayastherecollectionofthehorrorsofSeptember11th.Perhapsitshouldbeshowntoallthosewhocontemplatestartingawar.WoulditbeworthittohaveanotherGuernica?

Sample4Score

ThepictureIrememberisGuernica.ItisbyPicasso.Itisnotrealist.Theshapesdon’tlookrealbutyouknowwhattheyareinreallife.Itisinblackandwhite.Itisnotincolorlikemostpictures.Butitreallygetstoyou.Itshowspeoplegettingkilledoralreadykilled.Ababyiskilledandasoldieriskilled.Themotherisscreamingbecauseherbabyisdead.Youwon’tforgetthat.

Whatthispicturedoesistomakeyouknowthatwarkillspeopleanditisjustawful.Itkillspeopleanditkillsanimalsandevenifyouarenotkilledyouwillproblybescreamingorcrying.Thispicturecouldbeforanywaritdoesn’tmatter.Yourememberitbecauseitmakesyouupsetandyouwishtherewouldneverbeawar.Thenpeoplewouldn’thavetosuffer.Thispictureismemorablebecauseyourememberhowthepeoplesufferedandtheyproblydidn’tdoanything.

Sample1Score

Irememberapicturethatisverybig.ItisGuernica.Itisaboutpeopledieingandscreamingandhorses.Idon’tlikeititdosentmakesens.Whocaredaboutahorseandwhyisitinblackandwhite.Idon’tlikeblackandwhitemoviesorpithcers.MysisterhadblackandwhitesatherweddingandofcoursIhatedit.ButIdorememberitbecauseeveryoneisyelling.

246.Writealettertoateacherrequestinginformationaboutapoorgrade.

Sample6Score

DearMs.Jones:

YourclasswasoneofthemostinformativeIhaveevertaken,andIlearnedatremendousamountintherelativelyshorttimeofonesemester.Therefore,IfeltobligedtowritetoyouwhenIreceivedthedisappointinggradeof“C”onmytermpaper.

Checkingthecriteriayouprovidedandthoroughlydiscussedinclass,IfeltthatIcompliedwitheachoneinasuperiormanner,notjustpassably,asreflectedinmygrade.Fourargumentsinsupportofmythesiswerestatedandeachwasinturndiscussedwithseveralrelevantexamplesgiven.Yourequiredonlythreearguments.Bibliographicalcitationsweregivenintheexactformatyoudemonstratedinclass.Assuggested,Internetsiteswereusedinadditiontofirst-

personaccountsandeditorialmaterial.

AlthoughIspentaninordinateamountoftimeonthisproject,Ifeltittobemostworthwhilebecauseitwasawonderfullearningexperience.WhenIsawthegradeonthepaper,Ilookedinvainforcommentsorsuggestions.ItwouldbehelpfultomeifIunderstoodhowyouarrivedatthisgrade.Woulditbepossibleforustoarrangeameeting,duringwhichtimeyoucouldofferhintsaboutwhatyoufeltwaslackinginmywork,and,perhaps,Icouldhopethatyoumightreconsiderandraisemygrade.

Thankyouforyourkindconsiderationofthisrequest.

Sincerelyyours,

YourStudent

Sample4Score

DearMs.Jones:

Iwasreallyupsetatmygrade.Idon’tthinkIamaCstudent.ItriedhardandgotsomeB’safewtimes.Don’tyouthinkIdideverythingonthechecklistyougaveus?IhadtherightnumberofexamplesandItriedtotellalittleabouttheexamples.TherewasonlyonewhereIcouldn’tgetanexample,butdoesthatmeanIgetaC?

IworkedhardonthisandIthinkanyonewouldgetaCeveniftheydidn’tworksohard.Ineverdidsuchalongpaper.Ihopeyounoticedthegoodbibliography.Icopieditjustthewayyoushowedit.Andyoudidn’twriteanycorrectionssowhatwaswrongwithit?

Couldyoutellmewhatwaswrongwithit.IthinkIshouldgetatleastaB.

Sincerelyyours,

YourStudent

Sample1Score

DearmsJones,

Whydoyoupickonmeimasgoodasanyone.WhydoIgetthelousygrad.IculdntdothatbibliographybutIdiddosomeexamples.Myfriendwasoverandwhohadtimeshewashavingabigprolbenwiththefamly.Itriedtohelpherbutitwasnouse.AnywayIwishyudbeniceforwunssinsitsovertheclassisandwhatsthebigdeel.JustgivemeabettergradeIwasonlyabset8tims.

Yourfriend,

Astudent

247.Youwanttoorganizeafamilyreunion.Describethestepsyouwilltaketocontactpeopleandtoorganizetheevent.

Sample6Score

Myfamilyisunitedgeneticallybutnotbyproximity.Weliveinfar-flunglocations,includingthreecontinentsandboththenorthernandsouthernhemispheres.SomeofushavekeptintouchwhileothersmightaswellbeconsideredMIA.Itwouldseemclosetoimpossibletoorganizeafamilyreunionforsuchaperipateticgroup.Yet,thatiswhatIdecidedtoattempt.

InitiallyIsente-mailstoallthoseIregularlyheardfromandrequestedanyandalladdressesofotherrelativestobeforwardedtome.SouthAfricawasthefarthestlocationandwasthesourceofsomepreviouslyunknownaddresses.Internetsearchesyieldedstillmore.HowdelightedIwasthatthereseemedtobeuniversalinterestintheproject.Severalpeoplevolunteeredtohelp.Wegeneratedalistandaddedtoitassoonaswereceivedfurtherinformation.

RelativeswerelocatedinAlaska,Canada,andsixstates.Thusthefirstbighurdlewasovercome:thelistofpotentialinvitees.Then,withsolicitedinputfromallconcerned,itwasdecidedtochoosealocationnearNewYork,theoriginalpointoforiginofthefamily.

Itthenbecamenecessarytochooseasitefortheget-togetherandthentofindaccommodationsforapproximatelyfifty-fivepeopleranginginagefromunderoneyeartoeighty-five.Anall-suitehotel,whichagreedtochargereducedratesifaminimumnumberofreservationswereconfirmedwasselected.Thehotelagreedtoholdroomsforusuntiltwoweekspriortotheweekendoftheget-together.Alistofnearbymotelsandbedandbreakfastswasalsocompiled.Wenowhadthewho,where,andwhen,thelatterbeingthelastweekendinSeptemberwhentheweatherwasstillmoderateandtravelnotlikelytobeaproblem.Whyweweregettingtogetherseemedobvious.Therewascuriositytocatchup,andeventomeetrelativesknownonlybyreputation.

Nowwecametothequestionofhowtheweekendwouldbeorganized.SincemostpeoplewouldbearrivingonFriday,thatdaywastoberelaxedandunstructured.OnSaturday,therewouldbegamesandaninformalpicniclunchinanearbycountypark,thepermissionforwhichwaseasilyobtained.Saturdaynightwouldbethehighlight,acatereddinnerinarestaurantwhichcouldeasilyholdagroupofthissize.Peoplehadbeenaskedtobringphotosandanecdotesandalistofspeakerswasgenerated.Theyoungestmemberswouldbeintroducedandthosetravelinggreatdistanceswouldberecognized.Theoldestmembersmightwishtosharetheirreminiscences.Sundaywouldagainbeaninformalday,probablypunctuatedwithhugs,thesharingofaddresses,andpromisestodothisagain.Alloftheactivitieswouldberecordedonvideosandadigitalcamerasothattheycouldeasilybeforwardedviae-mail.Thustheplanningforafamilyreunionmustbeginwellinadvanceofthedate.Plannersmustseekoutaddressesoftherelatives,mustsettleonalocation,adate,and,ofcourse,aplacetostay.Thesewouldvaryaccordingtothesizeandneedsofthegroup.Somegroupsmightprefertosimplychatinformallywhileotherswouldappreciateplannedactivities.Onceafamilyhasdonethis,asecondreunion

wouldbemucheasier.Theaddressesareknown,facescanbeassociatedwithnames,andanevaluationofthepreviousschedulecanbesolicited.Onecaveat:havealternateplansincaseofbadweather.

Sample4Score

Thefirststepinplanningafamilyreunionishavingafamily.Whoisincluded?Doyouinvitethedivorcedones?Afteryoudecidewhotoinviteyoushouldmakeupalist.Thenyoushouldcallthem,maybegettingsomeonetohelpasthisisabigjob.

Thesecondstepistodecidewhattodo.Soyouneedtoknowexactlyorprettynearlyhowmanyarecoming.Soyouhavetopickadatethatisgoodforeveryone.Willitbejustoneday.Ortwo?Youcouldplaygamesandhavepeopletellstories.Itwouldbefuntohearaboutthingstheoldpeopleremember.Willyouallgettogetherorwillitbebyages?Youwillhavetodecide.Ithinkitisbesttohaveallagesseeeachotherandbecomefriendsifpossible.

Thethirdstepisdecidingwheretogettogether.Howaboutyourhouse?Doyouhaveroom?Doyouwantthemess?Ifeveryonebringssomethingyouwillproblystillhavetogetmostofthestuffandhavethemostworkanyway.Iwoulddoitonetimeandthenhavesomeoneelsetakeaturn.

Soyounowhaveeverybodytogetherforafamilyreunion.Ihopeitisfun.Ihopeitisnotboring.Imusttellyouthatsomeofmyknownrelativesareboringbuttheyaremyrelatives.

Sample1Score

Iwantedtotrytohaveafamilyreunion.Myfriendhadit.Whatifsomeonecouldn’tgetthere.Wellthat’slife.Whatiftheydidn’tlikethefood—hotdogsandhamburgers—wellwecouldaskpeopletobringsomething.

OnethingIwantedwastoseepitchersofmyaunt’sandunclesandmymomanddadwhentheywereyoung.Itshardtobelievethattheywereeverkids.Someofthefamilyhateseachotheratleasttheydon’tspeaktoeachotherandsometimsyoucantmenshuntherenames.Sowhat,Icaninvitethem.Aceptmaybeonedumcousin.ButIwilltakepitcherstoshowmykidsbutIdon’tthinkIwantany.Kidsthatis.

Chapter3

NarrativeWritingPrompts

Chooseoneofthenarrativewritingpromptsfromthelistbelowandwriteanessay. Acertainnumberofpromptshavemodelessaysintheanswersectionthatyoucanusetocompareandcontrastyourwriting. Ascoringguideorrubricisalsoincludedintheanswersection. Youcanusethisguidetogiveyouanideaofthewayyouressaymaybegraded. Ifyouhavetroubleinterpretingthescoringguide,seeateacherorprofessorforhelp.Sampleresponsestothepromptsinboldcanbefoundattheendofthesection.

251.Moviesandbooksoftentalkabouttheimportanceofloyaltyandfriendship.Tellaboutatimeinyourlifewhenfriendshipprovedtobeofgreatimportancetoyou.

252.Itisoftensaidthatanimalsarehumans’bestfriends.Describeatimeinyourlifewhenthissayingprovedtobetrue.

253.MartinLutherKing,Jr.,saidthathewishedforthedaywhenhischildren“wouldbejudgednotbythecoloroftheirskinbutbythecontentoftheircharacter.”Writeaboutatimeinyourlifewhenthecontentofyourcharacterwastested.

254.Peopleoftensay“Don’tjudgeabookbyitscover.”Describeatimewhenyoumisjudgedsomeonebasedonhisorherappearanceorwhensomeonemisjudgedyou.

255.Thewayapersonhandlesdisappointmentrevealsagreatdealaboutwhatisimportanttohimorher.Tellaboutatimeinyourlifewhenyouconfronteddisappointmentandhowyouhandledit.

256.Asadolescents,manyofuspromiseourselvesthatwe’llneverbelikeourparents.Butaswemature,weoftenfindthatwethinkandactalotlikeourparentsdo.Describeatimewhenyourealizedyouwerebehavinglikeyourmotherorfather(orotherguardian)andhowthatexperiencehelpedyoubetterunderstandyourparent.

257.Whenwereflectuponourchildhood,weoftencomebacktoafewkeyeventsthathadamajorimpactonus.Tellaboutoneofthosedefiningeventsfromyourchildhood.

258.Sometimesliescanhaveseriousconsequences.Describeatimewhenaliehadmajorconsequencesforyou.

259.Thereisasayingthatyoushouldbecarefulwhatyouwishfor,becauseyoujustmightgetit.Describeatimewhenyouwishedforsomethingandgotit—andthenwishedyouhadn’t.

260.Majorlifeeventslikeanewjob,anewhome,thebirthofasibling,orthedeathofsomeonewelovecanhaveaprofoundimpactonus.Describeamajoreventinyourlifeandwhatittaughtyouaboutyourselforothers.

261.Peopleoftensay,“Whatyoudon’tknowwon’thurtyou,”buttheoppositeoftenturnsouttobetrue.Tellaboutatimewhenyouwerehurtbysomethingyoudidn’tknow.

262.Parentsareourfirstandmostimportantteachers.Describeatimewhenyoulearnedavaluablelessonfromoneofyourparents.

263.Recallatimewhenyoufoundyourselfinaperiloussituation.Tellthestoryofhowyougotintothatsituationandhowyousurvivedit.

264.Weoftendiscoversomethingwedidn’tknowaboutourselves(orothers)whenweareforcedtohandleanunexpectedsituation.Describeatimewhenyouwerefacedwithsomethingunexpectedandwhatyoulearnedintheprocess.

265.Manyexperiencesinourlivesarememorablebecausetheyforcedustoexamineourbasicbeliefsandvalues.Tellaboutsuchanexperienceinyourlife.

266.Manywritershavedealtwiththethemeofacharacterlosingcontrolandgoingbeyondreason.Describeatimeinyourlifewhenyoulostcontrol,andtellwhy.

267.Preconceivednotionsoftenturnouttobefalse.Describeatimewhenyoudiscoveredthatapreconceivednotionofyours(aboutaperson,place,orthing)waswrong.

268.Itisn’talwayseasytodowhatisright,andsometimesitcanevenbedangerous.Describeatimewhenyouputyourselfatrisk(physically,socially,emotionally,orprofessionally)todowhatyouthoughtwasright.

269.Someofourrichestexperiencestakeplacewhenwetravel.Tellaboutamemorableexperienceyouhadwhenyouweretraveling.

270.Sometimeswetakenatureforgranted.Describeanexperiencethatmadeyouappreciatethenaturalworld.

271.Thefirsttimewetrysomethingnewcanbeexciting,frightening,andenlightening.Tellaboutanimportant“first”inyourlifeandwhatyoulearnedfromtheexperience.

272.Animalscansometimesseemremarkablyhuman.Describeanexperiencewithananimalthatactedinaveryhumanway.

273.Mostofushavetomakemanydifficultchoicesthroughoutourlives.Describeatimewhenyouhadtomakeatoughdecision.

274.Ithasoftenbeensaidthat“Lifeisajourney,notadestination.”Tellaboutanimportantjourney(physical,emotional,orspiritual)thatyou’vetaken.

275.Howpeoplehandleaproblemoftenrevealsalotabouttheircharacter.Describe

atimeyouencounteredadifficultproblemandhowyousolvedit.

276.Ithasbeensaidthatthetruthisoftenstrangerthanfiction.Describeanexperienceyouhadthatwassostrangeothersmightthinkyoumadeitup.

277.Itisoftensaidthatyoushouldneverjudgeanotherpersonuntilyouwalkinhisorhershoes.Tellaboutanexperiencethatenabledyoutobetterunderstandanotherperson.

278.Weallhavethingsthatweareafraidof,andsometimeswefindourselvesinsituationsthatforceustofaceourdeepestfears.Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadtofaceoneofyourgreatestfears.

279.Sometimeswesurpriseourselveswithwhatweareabletodo.Describeatimewhenyouaccomplishedsomethingyoudidn’tthinkyoucoulddo.

280.Whenwearefacedwithchallengesanddifficultsituations,wesometimesdiscoverstrengthswedidnotknowwehad.Tellaboutatimewhenyourecognizedanewstrengthinyourself.

281.Sometimeschangecanbeintimidating—especiallytechnologicalchange.Describeatimewhenyouhaddifficultywithanewtechnology.

282.Nomatterhowwellweprepare,sometimes,unexpectedthingsmayhappen.Othertimes,wemaysimplybeunabletoprepare.Tellaboutatimewhenyouwereunpreparedforasituation.

283.Someofourmostmemorablemomentsarewhenweachieveanimportantgoal.Tellaboutatimewhenyouaccomplishedagoalyouhadbeenworkingtoward.

284.Sometimessomethingnegativeturnsouttobepositive—a“blessingindisguise.”Describeatimeinyourlifewhensomethingbadturnedouttobegood.

285.Movingcanbeaveryexcitingbutalsodifficulttimeinone’slife.Tellaboutatimeyoumovedandhowitaffectedyou.

286.Whenweareunhappywithasituation,wecaneitheracceptitordosomethingtochangeit.Tellaboutatimewhenyouinitiatedchange.

287.Weoftenlearnagreatdealfromourfailures.Describeatimewhenyoufailedandwhatyoulearnedfromtheexperience.

288.Asthesayinggoes,“Ifatfirstyoudon’tsucceed,try,tryagain.”Describeatimewhenyoupersisteduntilyouachievedyourgoal.

289.Manypeoplebelievethatitisbettertohavelovedandlostthantoneverhavelovedatall.Tellaboutanexperiencethatshowsthisstatementtobetrue.

290.Mostpeoplebelievethattherearecertainthingsworthfightingfor.Tellaboutatimewhenyoufoughtforsomethingyoubelievedin.

291.Fromthetimewearetoddlers,webegintochallengeauthoritytotestourlimits.Describeatimewhenyouchallengedauthority.

292.Moviesandliteratureoftendealwiththethemeof“countingyourblessings.”Tellaboutanexperiencethatledyoutoappreciatesomeoneorsomethingyou’dtakenforgranted.

293.Evenifweknowmoneycan’tbuyushappiness,weareoftendisappointedwhenweareunabletoaffordsomethingwedesire.Describeatimewhenyoucouldnotaffordsomethingyoudeeplydesired.

294.Ourfirstforayintotheworldofworkisboundtogeneratesomeinterestingexperiences.Tellaboutamemorableincidentfromyourfirstjob.

295.Weoftenputpeopleweadmiresohighonapedestalthatweforgetthey’rehuman.Describeatimewhenyourealizedthatsomeoneyouadmiredwasimperfect.

296.Thoughsomesay,“rulesaremeanttobebroken,”breakingtherulesoftenhasseriousconsequences.Tellaboutatimewhenyoubroketherulesandwhathappenedasaresult.

297.Inmanysituations,asthesayinggoes,“twoheadsarebetterthanone.”Describeatimewhenyouaccomplishedsomethingthroughteamworkthatyoucouldnothaveachievedonyourown.

298.Peopleoftensay,“It’sbettertobesafethansorry.”Tellaboutanexperiencethatprovesthissayingtobetrue.

299.Sometimesthecourseofourlivescanchangeinaninstant.Describeanexperiencethatchangedthedirectionofyourlife.

300.Tellaboutatimewhenyoufoundsomethingimportantthatyouthoughtyouhadlost.

301.Oncewordsareuttered,it’simpossibletotakethemback.Describeatimewhenyousaidsomethingyouwishyouhadnot.

302.Firstimpressionsareoftenveryimportant.Describeatimeyougot(orgave)thewrongfirstimpression.

303.Inoneofhismostfamouslines,Shakespeare’sHamletsays,“Imustbecruel,onlytobekind.”Describeatimewhenyou,too,hadtobecrueltobekind.

304.Weareoftensurprised,evenawed,bytheexperiencesofourancestors.

Describeatimewhenyoulearnedsomethingimportantaboutyourfamilyhistory.

305.Unfortunately,conflictsovermoneyhavethepowertodestroyeventhestrongestofrelationships.Describeatimewhenyouhadaconflictovermoney.

306.Therearemanysidestoeverystory.Tellaboutatimewhenmanypeoplewereinvolvedinaconflict.

307.Haveyoueverforgottensomethingveryimportant?Tellaboutyourexperience.

308.Whenwemeetsomeonewehaven’tseeninalongtime,weareoftensurprisedbyhowmuchtheyhavechanged.Describeatimewhenthishappenedtoyou.

309.Describeatimewhenyoureceivedavaluablegift.

310.Mostofusrememberexactlywherewewereandwhatweweredoingwhenwereceivedshockingorimportantnews.Tellthestoryofwhatyouweredoingwhenyouheardaboutanimportanteventandhowthatnewsaffectedyou.

311.Somepeoplebelievethatyoushouldseizetheday—takeeveryopportunitytolivelifetoitsfullest.Describeatimewhenyoudecidedtoseizetheday.

312.Thequalityofourcharacterisoftenreflectedinhowmuchwearewillingtosacrificeforothers.Describeatimewhenyousacrificedforsomeoneelse.

313.Tellaboutanexperienceyouhadwhilevolunteeringyourhelp.

314.Sometimestheextraordinarycanhappenduringthemostordinaryoftasks.Describeyourexperience.

315.Itisoftenbothfrighteningandexcitingtodosomethingonourownforthefirsttime.Tellaboutatimewhenyoufirstdidsomethingonyourown.

316.Holidaysaremeanttobespecialoccasions,andtheyareoftenveryemotional.Describeaneventfromaparticularlymemorableholiday.

317.Formanyofus,sportsareabigpartofourlives,whetherwearespectatorsorparticipants.Describeamemorablesportingevent.

318.Itisoftensaidthat“Thegreatestriskisnottakingone.”Tellaboutatimewhenyoutookachance.

319.Formanyofus,ourroles—asparentsorchildren,supervisorsorsubordinates,teachersorstudents—areveryclearlydefined.Butsometimesthetablesturn,andweendupswitchingroleswithanother.Tellaboutatimewhenyouexperiencedarolereversal.

320.Manythingscaninterferewithourplans.Sometimesanillnesspreventsusfromdoingsomethingwereallywanttodo.Describeatimewhenyoubecameillandmissedoutondoingsomethingyou’dreallybeenlookingforwardto.

321.OneofRobertFrost’smostfamouspoemstellsaboutamanwhotakestheroadlesstraveled.Tellaboutatimewhenyoualsochosetheless-traveledpath.

322.Weoftenlearnvaluablelessonsintheworkplace.Describeanexperienceatworkthattaughtyousomethingimportant.

323.Ithasbeensaidthatwecanliewithsilenceaswellaswithwords.Tellaboutatimewhenyou“told”aliebykeepingsilentaboutsomethingimportant.

324.Sometimesasimplemisunderstandingcanleadtoamajorconflict.Describeatimewhenthishappenedtoyou.

325.Manyofourfondestmemoriesareassociatedwithfood.Describeamemorableexperiencethattookplacewhilepreparingoreatingfood.

326.Someofourmostmemorableexperiencestakeplaceoutdoors,awayfromthecomfortsofhome.Writeaboutamemorableexperienceyouhadwhileinthegreatoutdoors.

327.Manypeoplebelievethathatredisourmostdestructiveemotion.Describeanexperiencethatprovesthisstatementtobetrue.

328.LouisD.Brandeissaid,“Behindeveryargumentissomeone’signorance.”Describeatimewhensomeone’slackofknowledgeledtoanargument.

329.Mostofushavedonethingswedidn’twanttodobecauseofpressurefromourpeers.Tellaboutatimethatyougaveintopeerpressure.

330.Thereisabumperstickerthatreads,“Performrandomactsofkindness.”Describeatimewhenyouperformedorwitnessedarandomactofkindness.

331.Tellaboutatimewhenyouleftthesafetyofaplaceorsituationtoexploreortrysomethingnew.

332.Sometimesanexperiencecantriggerapowerfulmemoryofsomeoneorsomethingfromyourpast.Describeatimewhenthishappenedtoyou.

333.Tellaboutanexperiencethatpreparedyoutohelpsomeoneinachallengingsituation.

334.BaltasarGracian,aSpanishphilosopher,oncesaidthat,“Thethingswerememberbestarethosebestforgotten.”Describeanexperienceyouwishyou’dneverhad.

335.TheFrenchplaywright,Molière,wrote,“Thegreatertheobstaclethemoregloryinovercomingit.”Tellaboutatimeyouovercameagreatdifficulty.

336.Describeanexperiencethatledyoutochangealong-heldopinion.

337.Aschildren,ourstrongestbondsareusuallywithourparentsandthenwithoursiblings.Tellaboutamemorableexperiencewithoneofyoursiblingsoracloserelative.

338.Superheroes,likeSpiderman,don’tuseweaponstosubduetheirfoes.Rather,theyrelyuponafewspecialtoolsandtheirowningenuity.Describeatimewhenyourquickthinkingsavedtheday.

339.Weoftenhavememorableexperienceswhenwearelearninganewskillortask.Describeanexperienceyouhadwhilelearningsomethingnew.

340.Thereisasayingthatstates,“Youcannevergohomeagain.”Describeatimewhenyoureturnedtoaplacefromyourpastandhowyouandtheplacehadchanged.

341.Tryaswemighttoavoidthem,accidentshappen.Tellaboutatimewhenyouwereinvolvedinanaccident.

342.Describeanexperienceyouhadthatwouldbeconsideredanearmissorabrushwithdisaster.

343.Welearnmanylessonsfrommanydifferentsourcesthroughoutourlives.Tellaboutatimeyoulearnedsomethingthatyoucan’tlearnfromanybook.

344.Someofourmostdifficultexperiencesarewhenwefindourselvesstuckinamoraldilemma.Describeatimewhenthishappenedtoyou.

345.Wearetestedinmanywaysthroughoutourlives.Tellaboutatimewhenyouweretested.

346.Describeatimewhenyouenjoyedsomethingyouthoughtyouwouldnotlike.

347.Televisionshowsoftendepictfamilyconflicts.Describeatimewhenyouhadaconflictwithafamilymember.

348.Describeatimewhenyouwitnessedsomethingunbelievable.

349.Manystoriesandessaysdescribethewriter’sschooldays.Tellaboutamemorableexperiencefromyourformaleducation.

350.Oursisahighlycompetitivesociety.Describeatimewhenyouwereinvolvedinaheatedcontest.

351.Throughoutourliveswemaybeaskedtodothingswedonotwanttodo.Tellaboutatimewhenthishappenedtoyou.

352.Aswegrowolder,wetakeonmoreandmoreresponsibility.Describeatimewhenyouweregivenaresponsibilitythatyouwerenotreadyfor.

353.InRobertFrost’spoem“MendingWall,”amantellshisneighbor,“Goodfencesmakegoodneighbors,”suggestingthatweneedclearboundariestogetalong.Describeanexperiencethatprovesthisstatementtobetrue.

354.Ithasoftenbeensaidthatthereisnothingtofearbutfearitself.Describeatimewhenyouovercameoneofyourfears.

355.Sometimeswhenwemeetsomeone,wehavenoideahowimportantthatpersonwillbecometouslaterinourlives.Describethetimeyoufirstmetsomeonewholaterbecameveryimportanttoyou.

356.Peoplesometimessay,“Eitheryou’rewithus,oryou’reagainstus.”Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadtochoosebetweentwosides.

357.Itisn’talwayseasytobeourselves,especiallywhenweareworriedaboutwhatothersmaythinkofus.Tellaboutatimeyoupretendedtobesomeoneorsomethingyouwerenot.

358.OscarLevant,apianistandmovieactor,said,“Happinessisnotsomethingyouexperience,it’ssomethingyouremember.”Describeaneventthatyouarehappytoremember.

359.Weallneedhelpfromothersfromtimetotime.Tellaboutatimeyouhelpedsomeoneinneed.

360.Describeanexperiencethatshowstheaccuracyofthefollowingquotation:“Yourluckishowyoutreatpeople.”

361.Writeaboutatimewhenyoufoundsomethingofsignificantemotionalormonetaryvalue.

362.Everyculturehasitsownritesofpassage.Describeyourexperiencewithariteofpassageinyourculture.

363.Asmuchaswemayloveourfriends,wesometimesfindourselvesveryangrywiththem.Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadaconflictwithaclosefriend.

364.Somepeopleprefertoplayitsafe;othersarealwaysreadytotakechances.Describeatimewhenyoudecidedtotakeachance.

365.Ifyouhaveeverbeentreatedunfairly,youmayhavebeentold,“Whoeversaid

lifehastobefair?”Describeatimeyouweretreatedunfairlyandhowyouhandledthesituation.

366.Haveyoueverbefriendedsomeonesimplybecauseheorshelookedlikeheorsheneededafriend?Describeyourexperience.

367.Whenparentssetlimitsanddisciplinetheirchildren,theyoftensay,“Someday,you’llunderstandwhyI’mdoingthis.”Tellaboutatimewhenyourealizedthatyourparentsweredoingwhattheythoughtwasbest,eventhoughitmadeyouveryangryatthetime.

368.Ifyoucouldbeinvisibleforoneday,whatwouldyoudo?Writeastorydetailingtheeventsofthisimaginaryday.

369.P.W.Litchfield,founderofGoodyearTire&Rubber,wrote,“Onerealizesthefullimportanceoftimeonlywhenthereislittleofitleft.”Describeanexperienceinyourlifethatprovedthisstatementtobetrue.

370.Manystories,likeStephenCrane’s“TheOpenBoat,”talkabouttheindifferenceofnaturetohumanneedsanddesires.Talkaboutatimeinyourlifewhenyouexperiencednature’sindifferencetoyourneeds.

371.AlexanderMaclaren,aBaptistminister,said,“Themanwhohasnotlearnedtosaynowillbeaweak,ifnotawretchedman,aslongashelives.”Describeanexperiencewhenyoushouldhavesaidno,butdidnot.

372.Ourdreamsoftenreflectoursubconsciousfearsanddesires.Tellaboutatimeyouhadaverytroublingorenlighteningdream.

373.Certainkeyexperienceshelpusmaturefromchildrenintoyoungadults.Describeoneofthosekeyexperiencesinyourlife.

374.Fewthingsgiveusasmuchpleasureascreatingsomethingbeautiful.Tellaboutatimewhenyoucreatedsomething.

375.Manyconversationsbeginwiththeintroduction,“You’llneverguesswhoIbumpedintotoday...”Chancemeetingscanmakeforveryinterestingexperiences.Describeatimewhenyoubumpedintosomeone,anditledtoamemorableconversationorevent.

376.Musiccanoftentriggerpowerfulmemories.Describeamemorableexperienceassociatedwithaparticularsongorpieceofmusic.

RUBRICFORNARRATIVEWRITING

ScoringExplanationsforNarrativeWritingEssays

Ascoreof“6”indicatesthatyouressaysatisfiestherequirementsofthewritingpromptinacreativeandoriginalmanner,usinganobviousthemethroughout.Youthoroughlyarticulateyourideasinacoherentfashion,usepreciseexamples,anddevelopthetopicinaninterestingmanner.Thenarrativeusesdialogueeffectively,containsbelievablecharacters,andconveysvividemotionsandsituations.Thestoryitselfisorderlywithaclearfocus,alogicalsequenceof

ideas,andtransitionalwordsandsentences.Yourwritingdemonstratesasenseofaudiencebyusingeffectivevocabulary,variedsentencestructure,andfluid,sophisticatedlanguagethatisessentiallywithouterrors.

Ascoreof“4”indicatesthatyouressaymeetssomeoftherequirementsofthewritingpromptbutdevelopsideassomewhatinconsistently.Youressaymayanswerthequestioninanabbreviatedmanner,usinglittledialogue,andgivingonlybriefexamplestosupportthethesis.Youressayhasageneralfocus,makesanobviousattemptatorganization,andpresentsyourideasinalogicalsequence.Thelanguageofyouressayindicatesageneralcontrolofmechanicsbuthasaslightlylowerqualityofsentencestructureandvariety.Anessayofthistypecontainserrorsonlywhenusingsophisticatedlanguage.

Ascoreof“1”indicatesthattheessayonlyminimallyaddressesthewritingprompt,digressing,repeating,ordwellingoninsignificantdetailsthroughout.Youressayshowsalackofdevelopmentandexhibitsnoorganizationalpatternorfocus.YourlanguageskillsmaybeillegibleorunrecognizableasEnglish.

ModelNarrativeWritingEssays

254.Peopleoftensay“Don’tjudgeabookbyitscover.”Describeatimewhenyoumisjudgedsomeonebasedonhisorherappearanceorwhensomeonemisjudgedyou.

Sample6Score

WhenMariaMariellaPanontinfirstshowedupatourschool,here’swhatIthought:Lookatthatgirl.Shedresseslikeshe’ssomeexoticgypsyorsomething.Lookslikearealhigh-maintenancekindofgirl.Notmytype;I’mnotgoingtobothertryingtogettoknowher.”SoIdidn’t.Toolate,IrealizedwhatamistakeI’dmade.

MariaMariella(shewentbybothnames)wasaforeignexchangestudentfromItalywhowasstayingwithafriendofmine,Joanne.JoanneandIweren’tthatclose,butwehungoutinthesamegeneralcrowd,sowhentheextendedcliquegottogether,MariaMariellawasoftenpartofthegroup.Wewerefriendlytoeachother,butwenevertriedtobecomefriendsuntilShanda’sparty.

Iwasn’tplanningongoingtoShanda’spartybecauseIhadabigtrackmeetthenextday,butmyfriendElaineconvincedmetogoforalittlewhile.WhenIwassayinggoodbye,Joannerusheduptome.

“Hey,Jenine,canyoudomeareallybigfavor?MariaMariellaneedstogohome,butIwanttostay.Wouldyouminddroppingheroffatmyhouse?”

Ididn’treallywantto,butitwasontheway,andIwouldhavelookedlikearealjerkifIsaidno,soIsaid,“Sure,noproblem.”MariaMariellawasrightbehindJoanne.Ilookedatherandsaid,“Let’sgo.”

Wehoppedintomycar.AsIwaspullingoutofthedriveway,IputonaRhiannasongandturnedtheradiouploud.

“Ilovethissong!”MariaMariellashoutedoverthemusic.

“Really?YoulikeRhianna?”

“Iloveher,”shesaidwithherheavyItalianaccent.

Afterthat,itseemedlikeMariaMariellaandIcouldn’tstoptalkingtooneanotherandfindingthingsincommon.Ilovedthatshewasstraightforwardandhonest,likeme.Shesharedmytasteinmusicandfilm.Webothhadcrushesonthesamemoviestars.Itfeltlikeafriendshipthatwasmeanttobe.

Then,justtwoweekslater,MariaMariellathrewapartyatJoanne’shouse.Itwasagoingawayparty.Hermotherhaddevelopedaseriousillness,andMariaMariellawasgoinghometobe

withher.Atthatparty,agroupofuswereplayingTruthorDare,oneofourfavoritegames.ItwasMariaMariella’sturn.

“Truth!”shesaid.

“Namesomethingyouregret,”ourfriendDenisedemanded.

MariaMariellapointedalongfingeratme.“IwishI’dtakenthetimetogettoknowyousooner.Ididn’tthinkyouwereworthmytime.”

Asadsmilecameacrossmyface.“Ithoughtthesamething,MariaMariella,”Isaid.“ThatissomethingI’malwaysgoingtoregret.”

Sample4Score

Theysayyoushouldn’tjudgeabookbyit’scover,butpeopleoftendo.IlearnedmylessonaboutthisinhighschoolwhenImetMariaMariella.Ididn’tthinkshewasworthgettingtoknowbutIwasverywrong.Sheturnedouttobeagreatfriend,butbythetimeIrealizeditshewasgone.

MariaMariellacametoourschoolfromItaly,shestayedwithafriendofmine,Joanne.IsawMariaMariellaalotatschoolandpartiesbutIneverreallytalkedtoher.Justfromhowshelookedanddressed(likeagypsy),Ididn’tthinkI’dlikeher.ThenonenightJoanneaskedmetotakeMariaMariellahomebecauseIwasleavingearlyandshewantedtoleaveearlytoo.SoIdid,andIfoundoutshelovedOneDirectionasmuchasIdid,notevenmybestfriendlikedthesamemusic.Afterthatwestartedtalkingandhangingout,andwekeptfindingthatwehadallkindsofthingsincommon.Themorewetalked,themorewelikedeachother.

Itsasadthingthatourfriendshipwassoshort.MariaMariellahadtogobacktoItalyafewweekslaterbecausehermothergotsick.Athergood-byeparty,wewereplaying“TruthorDare.”Itwasourfavoritegame.WhenitwasMariaMariella’sturnshesaid“truth.”Deniseaskedhertotellthetruthaboutsomethingsheregrets.

MariaMariellasaid,“IwishI’dgottentoknowyousooner,Ididn’tthinkyouwereworthmytime.”Isaid,metoo,andthat’ssomethingwebothregret.

Sample1Score

OnetimeImisjudegedsomeonebasedontheirappearanceandsomeonemisjudgedmealso.Inhighschool.Weshouldn’tnottojudgeotherpeoplebecauseitiswrong,youmusttogettoknowsomebodyfirstandthenyoucanhaveanopiniononthemwhattherelike.Whenyoujudgesomeonefirstyoucanbealotwronginfactreallywrongaboutwhatthatpersonistobelike.Forexample,MariaMariella,inhighschool.Ididn’tnotlikedherbecauseIthoughtshelookedstupidthewayshedressingupallthetime.Althoughshereallywasnice.Itwastoolate.

Don’tnotjudgeabookbyitscover,itcanmakeyouverysad.

276.Ithasbeensaidthatthetruthisoftenstrangerthanfiction.Describeanexperienceyouhadthatwassostrangeothersmightthinkyoumadeitup.

*Note:Thenameofthecelebrityinthisnarrativehastoremainanonymousbecauseitisatruestory.

Sample6Score

MyfriendsstillthinkImadethisstoryup,eventhoughthey’veneverknownmetobealiar.WhenithappenedIcouldn’tbelieveitmyself,butit’strue.Thisreallyhappened.

MybestfriendandIwereworkingonesummeraslinechefsintheMarriottatthesprawlingTanTaraResortontheLakeoftheOzarks,Missouri.OneTuesdaymorning,asIwalkedthroughthekitchentogettothetimeclock,halfadozenpeoplesaidtome,“Uh-oh,man,theexecutivechefwantstoseeyou.”Theexecutivechef?ButIhadn’tdoneanythingwrong.Whatcouldhewant?WhywasIintrouble?

Iclockedinandknockedontheexecutivechef’sdoor.“Listen,”hesaidangrilywhenIsatdown,“Idon’tknowwhatyouguysdidorhowyoudidit,butyouandyourbuddyJimhaveoffonFriday.”Fridaywasourbusiestnight;noonegetsoffonFridaywithoutaverygoodreason.“Justonething,”hesaidsternlyasIgotuptogo,“Don’tyouguystellanyonewhyyou’renotcomingin.Understand?”

“Understand,”Ireplied,butIhadnoideawhathewastalkingabout.IhadtofindJimassoonaspossibleandfigureoutwhatwasgoingon.ButeverytimeIaskedJimaboutit,hesimplysaid,“I’lltellyoulater.Justdon’tworryaboutit.”NomatterhowmuchIbegged,hewouldn’ttellmewhatwasgoingonandwhywehadthedayoff.ByThursdaynight,hestillhadn’ttoldmewhatwashappeningFriday.AswewerewatchingTVinourapartment,hesaid,“Let’shitthesackearlytonight.We’regoingtoneedlotsofrestfortomorrow.”Jimneverwenttobedearly.Whatonearthwasgoingon?

Inthemorning,Jimwokemeup(anotheranomaly)andtoldmetogetaquickshower,putonmybathingsuit,andpackachangeofclothes.Afewminuteslater,adarkSUVwithtintedwindowspulledupinfrontofourbuilding.“There’sourride,”Jimsaidwithasecretivesmile.Wewalkedouttothecar,butIwasn’tgettinginwithoutanexplanation.SoJimshovedmein.Inside,Ilookedup,andthereinthepassengerseatwas______.

NowJimhadnochoicebuttoexplain.ItturnsoutthatafriendofafriendofJim’sknew______andknewthat______wantedtogetawayforatotallyprivatevacationbetweenfilms.ThisfriendsaidthatheknewtwoguysatalargesecludedlakeinMissouriwhowould“takecareofhim.”So____calledtheexecutivechefandaskedformeandJimtohavethedayoff.

Wespentthedayoutonthelakewith______,water-skiing,fishing,eating,drinking,andtellingstories.Wedidourbesttotreathimlikejustanotherguyspendingthedaywithacoupleofnewfriends.Wedidn’taskhimanythingaboutHollywoodorhislatesthigh-profileromance;wejustlethimrelaxandbehimselfforadaywithoutcamerasorfans.

Attheendoftheday,aswepulledbackintothedock,hesaid,“Listen,guys,Ihadareallygoodtimetoday.ItwasjustwhatIneeded.Iappreciateit,man.”Heshookourhands.“Onefavor,though?”heasked.“Don’ttellanybodyaboutthis.IfpeoplefindoutI’mhere,Iwon’tgetanypeaceandquiet.Ineedsometimealone.”

“Noproblem,”wesaid,andheadedhome.Thenextday,everyonekeptaskingwhatwassospecialthatwehadtohaveFridayoff.Thenightwasadisasterforthekitchen,andtheywereallupsetthatwehadn’tbeenthere.Allwecouldsaywas,“Nothing,man,nothing.Wewerejusthangingout.”Wehadagreattime,too,andwekeptourpromise.

Sample4Score

Myfriendsstilldon’tbelievemewhenItellthemthisstory,butitstrue.Iwasworkinginarestaurantatabiglakeresort,inMissouri,whenmybosscalledmeintohisoffice.IthoughtIwasintrouble.Instead,hetoldmethatmeandmyroommateandbestfriend,Jim,hadFridayoff.NormallyyouhavetobegandpleadorhaveanemergencytohaveaFridayoff,hereIwasgettingthedayoffwithoutevenasking.Ihadnoideawhatwasgoingon.Heseemsangry,too,andsays,“don’tyouandyourfriendtellanybodywhyyournotcominginFriday,understand”?Isaidyes,butIwasclueless.

Ikeptaskingmyroommateaboutitbuthedecidesnottotellmeanything.“Justdon’tworry,”hekeepssaying,anditwasstartingtodrivemecrazy.Forthreedays,hekeptthesecret.Then,Fridaymorning,hewakesmeupearly(I’malwaystheoneupfirst,soIthoughtthiswasreallyweird)andtellsmetogetdressed.Afewminuteslater,ablackSUVwithdarkwindowspullsup,andhetellsmetogetin.Noway,Isay,buthepushesmein,andthat’swhenIseewhoseinthecar,______.

“Whatisgoingon?”IdemandsoIfinallygetmyexplanation.AfriendofafriendofJimheardthat______neededavacationbetweenmovies,toldhimtogotothislakewhichisprettyprivatebecauseitsreallybig,youcanhideawaythereifyouwant.Healsogave______ournamesandsaidwewouldtakecareofhimforthedayifhewanted,sohecalledourbossandtoldhimtogiveusthedayoff.Wewentoutonthelakethenandspentthedayoutontheboat.

Itturnsoutthat______wasareallycoolguy.Itwashardtotreathimlikejustanotherguy,butwedid,becausethatwaswhathewanted.Wedidn’taskhimabouthismoviesoranything,actuallyhekeptaskingusquestionsaboutus.Weallhadagreattime.Attheendoftheday,hethanksusandasksusnottotellanyonesothatpeopledon’tchasehimwithcamerasandstuff.Wepromised.Itwassohardnottotellanyonewhatwedidthatday!

Sample1Score

Somepeopletheymakeupstorysallthetime,youdon’tknowwhentobeleivethemifitstrueornot.Sometime,thestorysaresuperstrangelikeitcouldn’treallyofhappenedinthefirstplace,thennobodyisgoingtobeleiveit.Onetimeastorylikethathappentome,whenImetanactor,hewasonvacationandasksmybossformetohavethedayoff.Someandmyfriendcouldhang

outwithhim.Butwe’renotaloudtotellanybodyanything.Thatwassofrustrating!Forme.

Thisguyhewasareallygoodactor,Iseenhiminalotoffilms,IwaslikewowwhenImethimbutIhavetoplayitcool,likeIdon’tcarehowfamousheis.Thatwassohard.Wehungoutalldayandhewasareallyniceguyto.Hewasgladnooneelseknowsthatheisthereonthelakeorelsetheyallcomeafterhimwithcamerasandstuffandbotherhimalot.

278.Weallhavethingsthatweareafraidof,andsometimeswefindourselvesinsituationsthatforceustofaceourdeepestfears.Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadtofaceoneofyourgreatestfears.

Sample6Score

EverykidintheneighborhoodknewtheRobinsonhouseandavoideditlikeabowlofBrusselssprouts.Mr.Robinsonwasanotoriouscrank,thehousewasalwaysdarkandcreepy,andhisdogwasaterror—amean,fang-toothedcreaturethatlookedlikeshewouldlovetotearyouapart.

Thedog’snamewasAngel,butshescaredthedeviloutofus.Shewashalfpitbull,halfDobermanpinscher.Mr.Robinsonkeptheroutonthefrontlawn,chainedtoathinpolestuckinthegroundnearhisfrontdoor.Itwasalongchain,andwhenIwalkedpastthehousetothebusstop,Angelalwaysboundedtowardme,barkingfuriously.Oneofthesetimesthatchainwillbreak,Ithought,andI’llbeAngel’sdinner.WhenIgottotheRobinsonhouse,IalwayswalkedpastitasquicklyasIcould.SometimesIcouldseeMr.Robinsonwatchingfromthewindow,laughing.

Thenithappened.Wehadgottenourreportcardsinschoolthatday,andIwassoproudofmymarksandmyteachers’commentsthatIjusthadtolookatthemagainonmywayhomefromthebusstop.IwassowrappedupinthatreportcardthatIdidn’trealizehowcloseIwastoMr.Robinson’shouse,andAngelstartledmewhenshestartedbarking.Idroppedmyreportcard,andjustthen,abiggustofwindtookthepaperupintotheair.ItlandedrightsmackinthemiddleofMr.Robinson’slawn,abouttwofeetawayfromAngel.

Angel,growlingferociously,wasstrainingherchain,tryingtogetclosertome.Icouldseeherlongcanines.IcouldevensmellherfromwhereIwasstanding.IthinkIwasshaking.ButIneededtogetthatreportcardback.Mymomhadtosignit.Besides,shehadtoseethosefantasticgrades.

IthoughtaboutyellingforMr.Robinson,butIwasjustasafraidofhimasofthedog.SoIdecidedtoseeifmaybe,justmaybe,Angelwouldletmegetcloseenoughtogetthatpieceofpaper.

Irememberedmyuncletellingmethatdogscansenseyourfear,andthatmostdogswillbefriendlyifyouapproachthemintherightmanner.SoIdidmybestnottolookscared.Istraightenedup,softenedmyface,andwalkedslowlytowardAngel.Shekeptbarkingandgrowling.Salivawasdrippingfromherchin.Iclosedmyeyesandgulped.IwasaboutsixfeetawayfromAngel,andIputmyfistoutinfrontofmeforhertosmell,saying,“Here,girl.Nice

girl.Goodgirl,”ascalmlyasIcould.ButshewasbarkingsoloudlyandangrilythatI’msureshedidn’thearaword.

Inside,Ihadneverbeenmorefrightened.Thisdogisgoingtotearmetopieces,Ithought.ButIkeptgoing,slowly.Ihadneverearnedsuchgoodmarksbefore.Iwasn’tgoingtoletacrazyolddogkeepmefromshowingthatreportcardtomyparents.

IwasaboutthreestepsawayfromAngelwhenthewindblewagain,thistimesendingmyreportcardjustoutofAngel’sreach.Ididn’thavetoconfrontthatdogafterall.Itwasagoodthing,too—Mr.RobinsonlatertoldmyfolksthatAngelsurelywouldhavebittenmebadly.IrealizedthatwhatI’dplannedtodowasdangerousandthatIwassimplybeingstubborn.Butpartofmewasproud,becauseIwasbraveenoughtotrytogetclosetoAngel.

Sample4Score

Growingup,adognamedAngelwasoneofmybiggestfears.Shewasaviciousdog,halfpitbullandhalfDobermanpincher.Ihadtowalkpastherhousealot,andeverytimeIdid,IwalkedasfastasIcould.SometimesIsawherowner,Mr.Robinson,watchingoutthewindow.Hewasascreepyasshewasmean.

OnedaywegotourreportcardsandIsawI’dgottenthebestgradesever.Icouldn’twaittoshowmyparents.Onmywayhome,passingtheRobinsonshouse,Iwaslookingatmyreportcardagain.Iwasjustsoproud.ButthenAngelstartedtobark,andthatscaredme.Idroppedmyreportcard,andsomewindcamealongandblewitrightnexttoAngel.

Angelwaspullingonherchainandgrowlingatme,scaringmetodeath.But,Ihadtogetmyreportcardback.WhatwasIgoingtodo?IdecidedtotrytomakefriendswithAngel.Iknowthatifyouholdyourhandouttoadoganddon’tactscaredthey’lloftenbefriendlytoyoubecausethentheydon’tfellthreatened.So,IslowlyapproachedAngeltryingnottolooktoscared.Ithoughtshewasgoingtoattackme,butIkeptgoingslowlytowardsher.

Luckily,justthenthewindblewagain.ThistimemyreportcardblewtowardsmeandfarenoughawayfromAngelthatIcouldgetitsafely.Ibreathedabigsighofreliefandheadedhome.LaterMr.RobinsontoldmyparentsthatAngelsurelywouldhavebittenme.It’sagoodthingIdidn’tgetanycloser.StillI’mproudthatIgotascloseasIdid.

Sample1Score

Dogscanbereallyscarey.Inmyneighborhoodthey’rewasareallyscareydognamed“Angel.”Shewasmeanandalwaysbarking.Everyonewasscaredofher.WeallthoughtherownerMr.robinsonwasweirdtooandscarey.Hewasalwayspeakingoutofhiswindowsandwatching.

OnedaywhenIwascominghomefromschool.MyreportcardblueoutofmyhandsnexttoAngel.Iwasreallyscared,morethenever.Igotcloseandthenthewindblueagain,luckilyforme.Shejustkeptbarkingandgrowlingallthetime,too.Iwassureherchainwouldbrake.

285.Movingcanbeaveryexcitingbutalsodifficulttimeinone’slife.Tellaboutatimeyoumovedandhowitaffectedyou.

Sample6Score

Asthenewkidintown,Iwaseager—ok,desperate—tomakenewfriends,andfast.Mydadhadjustacceptedapromotionthatrequiredatransfer,andwemovedfromChicagotoOakland,California,justafewdaysbeforeIwastobeginthesixthgrade.Ididn’tevenhaveachancetogettoknowanyofthekidsintheneighborhood.

Afterthefirstdayofschool,IcouldtellthatCharlieJenkinswastheonewhowouldmakemeorbreakme.Hewasabullyforsure,buthewassogood-lookingandcharmingthateveryoneseemedtolikehim.Hewasclearlythecenterofpowerinthatclassroom,andIknewIwouldhavetowinhisapproval.Ijustwasn’tsurewhatI’dhavetodotogetit.

Myanswercameattheendofthethirdweekofschool,whenMs.Harcourtgaveusoursecondwritingassignment.We’dbeenreadinganddiscussingfables,andnowitwasourturntowriteourown.Thatafternoon,Charliecorneredmeontheplayground.

Heteasedmeaboutbeinganewkid,yetheseemedinterestedinthefactthatIwasagoodwriter.Ourteacher,Ms.Harcourthadreadaloudoneofmypoemsinclassjustyesterday,andobviouslyhewaspayingattention.IadmittedthatIhadaflairforwriting,andatfirstIwasflatteredthathenoticed.But,hehadanulteriormotive.

“Hey,newkid,holdonasecond,”hesaid,standingbetweenthegateandme.“Youseemtobeprettygoodwithwriting.”

“Yeah,youdoalright,alright,”hereplied.“I’lltellyouwhat,”hesaid,movingcloser,untilhisfacewasjustafewinchesfrommine.“Whydon’tyoujustwriteanextrafable,oneforyou,oneforme?Letmeseewhatyoucando.”

Sothatwasit.IwasgoingtodoCharlie’sEnglishhomeworkforhim.ThatwasthepriceIwasgoingtopaytobeaccepted.

Charliedidn’twaitforananswer.“BringtwofablestoschoolonMonday,”hesaid.ThatwouldgivehimtimetocopyitoverintohisownhandwritingtosubmittoMs.HarcourtonTuesday.

Overtheweekend,Iwrotetwofables,bothofthemquitegood,Ithought,butonewasdefinitelybetterthantheother.OnMondaymorning,ImetCharlieintheschoolyardasplanned.

“Here’syourfable,”IsaidtoCharlie,handinghimapieceofpaper.IgaveCharliethefablethatIthoughtwasinferior,keepingthebetterfableformyself,andturnedtowalkaway.

Hequestionedmeaboutthequalityofthepaper,readitquickly,anddecidedthatitpassedmuster.Withoutsayingthankyouorgoodbye,heswaggeredoffintothebuilding.

Afewdayslater,Ms.Harcourtreturnedourfables.Ilookedatmypaper,expectingtoseeanAorA+,butmygradewasanA-.ThenIlookedoveratCharlie.HewasholdinghispaperuphighsoIcouldseehisgrade:A+.IknewthefableI’dkeptformyselfwasbetter.PerhapsCharlie’scharmwasfactoredintohisgrade.

Fortunately,IonlyhadtodoonemoreassignmentforCharliebeforeheandhisfamilyabruptlymovedtoanothertown.NowCharliewasgoingtobethenewkidintheclassroom.Ioftenwonderedwhathehadtodotheretobeaccepted.

Sample4Score

Oneofthehardestthingsaboutmovingistryingtomakenewfriends.WhenwemovedtoOakland,Ididn’thavetimetomakeanyfriendsbeforeschoolstarted.Iwasthe“new”kidintheclassroom.ThemostpopularkidinthesixthgradewasCharlie,andIhadtomakesurehelikedme.Icouldtellrightawayyouwouldn’twantCharlieasyourenemy.

Afteracoupleweeksofschool,weweregivenanassignmentinEnglish,wehadtowriteourownfables.(We’dbeenstudyingfablesinclass).Charliecameuptomeintheplaygroundthatday.He’dfoundoutIwasagoodwriter,andhesaidIbetterwriteanextrafableforhim.IfIwantedCharlietolikeme,IwasgoingtohavetodohisEnglishhomeworkforhim.“MeetmehereMondaybeforeschoolstarts,withmyfable,”hesaid.

SoIwrotetwofablesthatweekend.Bothofthemweregood,butonewasbetterthantheother.That’stheoneIkeptformyself.IgavetheotheronetoCharlie,outsideofschoolonMondaymorning,justlikehesaid.Hemademestandtherewhilehereadittomakesureitwasgood.Heseemedtolikeit,andheletmego.

Afewdayslaterwegetourfablesback,andIcouldn’tbelieveit.CharliegotanA+onhisfablewhileIgotanA-.Iknowmyfablewasbetterthanhis(whichwasreallymine,ofcourse).MaybetheteacherreallylikedCharlie.That’stheonlywayIcanexplainit.

AfewweekslaterCharlie’sfamilyhadtomove,soIonlyhadtodoonemoreassignmentforhim.Nowhehadtobethenewkid.Iwonderhowhehandledit.

Sample1Score

Movingisahardthing.Itisoftenverydifficultforfamily’s.Especiallychildren.Irememberatimewemoved.Itaffectmestrongly.Ihadtodosomeoneelsesschoolwork.HeaskmetodohisassinmentandIhavetoorelsehewontlikemeandheisthemostpopular.

Idohishomeworkforhimandminetoo.Theneventhoughmineisbetterhegetsanevenbettergrade!Thiswasnotfareatall.Ithinktheteacherhadabigproblem.Sometimesthepopularkidsareevenpoplarwithteechers,theygetbettergradesfornothing.Thismademeveryangry.

IwasveryhappywhenhemovedawaythenIdidn’thavetodoanymoreworkforhimorworryifhelikesme.

288.Asthesayinggoes,“Ifatfirstyoudon’tsucceed,try,tryagain.”Describeatimewhenyoupersisteduntilyouachievedyourgoal.

Sample6Score

Inseventhgrade,Ihadabestfriendwhowasanincredibleathlete.Iwasprettycoordinatedmyself,butbecauseIwassoinsecure,Ineverseemedtobeanygoodatsports.IwassoafraidofmissingtheballthatIwouldbesuretoswingandmiss,evenifitwasrightovertheplate.ButKatiewasmybestfriend,andifshejoinedateam,Idid,too.OratleastItried.Katiewasastarterforthejuniorvarsityfieldhockeyteam;Isatonthebenchallseason.KatieplayedregularlyinJVbasketball;Iwascutduringtryouts.IfiguredIwasheadedforasimilarfatewithlacrosse.ButKatiewasmybestfriend,soIsignedupanyway.

Katiewasanatural,andshepickedupthenewsportquickly.I,ontheotherhand,couldn’tseemtoholdthelacrossestickcomfortably.Icaughtoneoutoftenthrows,ifIwaslucky,andmytosseswerealwayswayofftheirmark.Iwasclumsyandfeelingclumsier,andIthoughtmaybeitwastimetogiveitup.ButthatwouldcreateanevenwidergulfbetweenKatieandme.Alreadyshewasspendingmoreandmoretimewiththegirlswho,likeher,excelledatsports.Iwasbeginningtobeleftbehind.

Determinedtostickitoutandsaveourfriendship,Ibeggedmymomtotakemetoasportinggoodsstoreandbuymeanearlybirthdaypresent:myownlacrossestickandballsoIcouldpracticeathome.Katiewasimpressedwithmystick,butIcouldtellthatshethoughtitwasawasteofmoney.ShefiguredIwouldnevergettousethatstickinagame.

Iwashurtbyherreaction,andagainIfeltthedistancebetweenus.IfIwasgoingtokeepKatieasafriend,Ithought,Isimplyhadtogetthehangofthissport.Itwasmylastchance.Somehow,someway,Ihadtolearnhowtothrowandcatchtheballinthatnetandberespectableontheplayingfield.

SoIpracticed,andIpracticed,andIpracticedsomemore.Ioftenfeltliketherewasnohope,andIbroketwowindowsinthegarage,butIkeptatit.

Then,oneday,justafterthefirstofficialgameoftheseason(duringwhichIsatonthebench),somethinghappened.IpairedoffwithSuzie,whohadbecomemypartnersinceKatiehadquicklyproventobetoogoodtoplaywithme.Thatday,whenSuzisentmeherfirstthrow,Icaughtit.WhenIthrewtheballbacktoher,Ihitherstickdeadon.Icaughthernextthrow,andthenext.Somethingwashappening.Iwasgettingit.Thestickwasactuallyfeelinggoodinmyhands.Themovementswerebecomingnatural.Iwascatchingandthrowingtheballaccurately.

Istilldon’tknowwhatexactlyhappenedthatday,butIwillalwaysbegratefulforit.Bytheendoftheseason,IwasstartingfortheJVteam.Iscored12goalsthatyear,andthenextyearIwasplayingvarsity.MysuccessonthefieldgavemeconfidencethatIdesperatelyneeded.KatieandIcontinuedtodriftapart,butSuzieturnedouttobeagreatfriend.Shequitafterthefirstyear,butshecametoeverygametocheermeon.

Sample4Score

Theysaythatifyoudon’tsucceed,try,tryagainuntilyoudo.WhenIwasinJuniorHighSchool,Itriedmanysportsbecausemybestfrienddid.Shewasagreatathlete;Iwasnot.IsatonthebenchalloffieldhockeyseasonandIgotcutduringbasketballtryouts,too.Istuckwithit,thoughandfinallymadeitonthelacrosseteam.

MyfriendKatiepickeduplacrosserightaway,butIstruggled.EventhoughshewasmybestfriendIcouldn’tbepartnerswithherduringpractice.Becauseshewassomuchbetterthanme.IwasafraidthatifIdidn’tlearnhowtobegoodatlacrosse,ourfriendshipwouldbeover.Shewasspendingmoreandmoretimewithhersportsfriends,andIwasfeelingmoreandmoreleftout.

Idecidedtodosomethingtosaveourfriendship.Iwentoutandboughtalacrossestick.Afterpractice,I’dcomehomeandpractice.Ipracticedonweekends,too.Itriedandtriedandtried.SomedaysIfeltliketherewasn’tanyhope,butIkepttrying.

Thenoneday,ithappened.IwasthrowingandcatchingtheballwithSuzie,mynewpartner.Suddenly,Icaughttheball.Icaughtthenextoneshethrew,too.Mythrowstoherwereaccurate.Fromthatdayon,Igotbetterandbetter.Ihadmoreconfidence,too.IendedupplayingalotthatseasonontheJVteamandevenscored12goals.Suziequittheteam,butshewasmynewfriend,andshecametocheermeon.I’mreallygladIkepttrying.

Sample1Score

Asthesayinggoesifatfirstyoudon’tsucceedtrytryagain.Thisisgoodadvisetoeveryone.ItryandtryandtryuntilIgetgoodatlacross.

Thisisafunsport,Ireallyenjoyit.Youhavetothrowandcatchtheballinanet.WhenIfirststartIwaslousyatit.Icouldntcatchorthroughtheballright.Iwassittingonthebenchallthetime.Myfriendwasreallygoodatit.Sheevenplaysvarsityherfirstyear.

Thisfriendsheslookingforotherfriendswhoarelikehergoodatsportsnotlikeme.Shereallyhurtmealotthatway.HoweverImakenewfriendslikeSuzie.Shewasmypartnerinpractices.ShestayedwithmeevenwhenIlearnedhowtoplayright.

292.Moviesandliteratureoftendealwiththethemeof“countingyourblessings.”Tellaboutanexperiencethatledyoutoappreciatesomeoneorsomethingyou’dtakenforgranted.

Sample6Score

Ioftencomplainedaboutourlackofwealthtomyparents,whooftenrepliedthatIhadnoideawhatitmeanstobepoorandthatsomedaythey’dshowmewhatpovertywasreallylike.Ithoughttheywerealltalk,butoneday,theyprovedmewrong—andshowedmejusthowright

theywere,andtheysaidIwouldsee.

Ididsee,andtheimagesfromthatdaystillhauntme.Myparentswereveryactiveintheirchurch,andtheyhadarrangedtodeliverclothingandfooddonationstoachurchinadeeplyimpoverishedareaontheedgeoftheAppalachianMountains,afour-hourdrivefromourhome.

I’dseenpicturesofpovertybefore,ofcourse.Butseeingapictureofashackwithsevenmalnourishedchildrenandactuallywalkingintosuchashackaretwoentirelydifferentthings.Thepastorofthechurchtookusintoafewhomessowecoulddeliversomeoftheitems(acrib,aboxoflinens,cannedgoods)personally.Ihadneverfeltsouncomfortablebefore.Thesepeoplehadsolittle!Eightfamilymemberslivingintworooms...noelectricityorrunningwater...nocouchesormicrowavesorcabletelevision...soonIbegantorealizejusthowluckyIwas.True,Ididn’thaveasmuchasmyfriends.ButIhadsomuchmorethanthepeoplewevisitedthatday.Ifeltgreedyandguiltyforhavingsomanythings.

Whenwegotbackhome,IgotontheInternetandfoundasoupkitchennottoofarfromourhome.I’vebeenvolunteeringtheretwiceaweekeversince.Twoofmyfriendshavejoinedme.Everytimewego,wecountourblessings.

Sample4Score

OnoneafternoonI’llneverforget,myparentstaughtmetoappreciatewhatIhave.Welivedinaveryrichneighborhoodbutweourselveswerenotrich,wewereonlymiddleclass.ThereforeIalwaysfeltlikeIwaspoor;comparedtoallmyfriendsandtheirfancyhousesandpoolsandcars.Noneofmyfriendshadtowork;butIhadtowork,toaffordmycar.

Iguessmyparentsgottired,ofmecomplaining,soonedaytheywokemeupreallyearlyandtookmeonalongdrivetoareallypoorneighborhood.Imeanthisplacewasreally,reallypoor.Ineversawsuchpovertybefore.Thepeople,theylivedinshacks,nothouses.Everythingwasdirty,theyhadnothinglikewehaveinourhouses,mostofthemdidn’tevenhaverunningwaterorevenelectricity.Andsomanypeoplelivinginsuchalittleshack,witheveryoneontopofeachother.

Wewenttheretodeliversomefoodandclothingdonationstoachurch.Thepaster,hetookustosomehousestodeliversomeofthefoodandclothesourselves.Thus,IcouldseeformyselfhowmuchIreallyhad.

WhenIgotbackhome,IfoundasoupkitchenIcouldgotohelpotherpeoplewhoreallydon’thaveanything,notevenfoodtoeat.Theyalwaysremindmetocountmyblessings.

Sample1Score

Iamtold“tocountyourblessings”andappreciatesomeoneorsomethingthatyou’dtakenforgranted.Manymoviesandbooksareaboutthis.Iamsureyouhaveseensomeandreadsome.Likescarymovieswherepeoplegetkilledcanmakeusapreciatetheblessing,wearestillalive.Orawarmovie,thatwerenotfightingawar.WhenIwenttoapoortownoncewhenIwasin

schoolIsawpeopleevenmorepoorthanme.Thatmademesad,theylivewithsolittle.ComparedtohowmuchIhave.AllthetimeIfeltpoorsincemyfriends,theyweresorich.

304.Weareoftensurprised,evenawed,bytheexperiencesofourancestors.Describeatimewhenyoulearnedsomethingimportantaboutyourfamilyhistory.

Sample6Score

Mydadwasn’tthetypetotalkmuchaboutanything,andhewasespeciallyquietabouthispast.TherewereafewthingsIknew:He’dcomeoverfromHungaryin1956,aftertheRevolution.He’dfoughtwiththerebelsinBudapest.HewasatoolmakerinHungary,andhewasatoolmakerhere.Heleftbehindhisparentsand11brothersandsisters,whostilllivedinthecountryside.Theyexchangedlettersonceortwiceayear.ThatwasaboutallIknew.

ThesummerthatIwasfourteen,mydadreceivedoneofthoseletters.Initwasthenewsthatoneofhisbrothershaddied.Maybeitwastherealizationthathewassooutoftouchwithhisfamily.Maybeitwashisownmortalityhewasfacing.Inanycase,afewdaysafterthelettercame,hetoldmeabouthisroleintheHungarianRevolutionandhisescapefromHungary.

TheHungarianRevolutionbeganwithamassivestudentprotestonOctober23,1956,andendedjustafewweekslaterinNovemberafterthecitywasinvadedbySoviettanksandtherebellioncrushed.Mydad,just22yearsold,haddecidedtojointhestudentswhowereprotestingtheCommunistregime,andsoonhewasnotjustaprotesterbutasoldier,andnotjustasoldierbutanofficerintherebelarmy.“Waitaminute,”hesaid,andhereturnedwithatatteredcopyofLIFEmagazine’sspecialissuedevotedtotheHungarianRevolution.Heflippedthroughthepages,showingmeimageafterimageofbuildingsdemolishedbybombs,rebelsfightingonfootagainsttanks,bodieslyinginthestreet.Thenhefoundthepicturehewaslookingfor.“There,”hesaid,pointingtoawindowinanabandoned,bullet-riddenbuilding.“Iwashidinginthere,throwingMalotovcocktailsattheRussiantanks.”

It’salongandfascinatingstory,andIwantedtoknowallthedetails.Howdidhegetinvolved?Howdidheescape?Howclosewashetobeingcapturedorkilled?Ihadsomanyquestions.ButthequestionIwantedansweredmostwasthis:Whydidhefight?Atthatage,Iwasjuststartingtofindmyfootingintheswampygroundofethicsandmoralstances.IwashavingatoughtimefiguringoutwhatIbelievedin,andIwanteddesperatelytounderstandhowsomeonecouldbelieveinsomethingsostronglythathewouldbewillingtodieforit.

Whydidhedoit?Therewerealotofreasons,hesaid.Foronething,theCommunistregimewasruiningtheeconomy.Asatoolmakerwithseveralyearsofexperience,hehadabettersalarythanmost,butstill,hesaid,“Icouldn’taffordbothclothesandfood.”Ifherespectedthegovernment,hewouldhavebeenabletolivewiththat.“ButwhatIcouldn’tlivewith,”hesaid,“wasnotbeingabletosaywhatIwanted.TheCommunists,theyhadallkindsofrestrictionsoneverything.Youcouldn’tgotothenexttownwithouttheproperpermissionsandpapers.Andyoucouldn’tsayanything,notanything,againstthegovernment,orelsethey’dputyouinjail,orworse.They’dcomeandgetyoulateatnightandnooneinyourfamilywouldeverseeyouagain.”That’swhathappenedtohisbestfriend,Attila.HedisappearedthenightofSeptember

22,andnooneeverheardfromhimagain.

MydadoftencomplainsaboutAmerica.Thepoliticiansarecrooks,criminalshavetoomanyrights,schoolsandparentsaren’tstrictenoughwithchildren,andthetaxesare“anabomination.”ButIdon’tneedtoremindhimthatatleastinthiscountry,hecancomplainasloudlyashepleases.

Sample4Score

ThesummerIwasfourteen,Ilearnedsomethingaboutmydad.HenevertalkedmuchandIdidn’treallyknowthatmuchabouthim.AfterhefoundoutabouthisbrotherdyingbackinHungary,hemust’vefeltlikeitwasimportantformetoknowmore.HedecideditwastimetotellmeabouttheHungarianRevolution.

MydadwasatoolmakerinHungary.Becausehedidn’tliketheCommunistgovernment,hedecidedtojointheprotestsledbystudentsangryatthegovernment.That’showtherebellionstarted.Thecommunistswouldn’tletanyonetalkbadaboutthegovernment,andtheprotesterswereattacked.Thatstartedthefighting.Heshowedmepicturesoftherevolutionwithlotsofdestroyedbuildingsandpeoplelyinginthestreet.Itwashorrible.Becausehewasalittleolderthanmostofthestudents,mydadbecameanofficerintherebelarmy.

Iwantedtoknowwhyhedecidedtofight.Hetoldmethatbecauseofthecommunistgovernment,hecouldn’tmakeenoughmoneytobuyfoodandclothes.Hecouldn’ttraveltoanothertownwithouttherightpapers.Themostimportantthing,though,wasfreedomofspeech.Hecouldn’tsaywhathewanted.Hesaidthatanyonewhocriticizedthegovernmentwouldgettakenawayinthemiddleofthenightandnoonewouldseethemagain.Thathappenedtohisbestfriend.Formydad,thatwasthelaststraw.

Mydadescapedwiththeotherrefugees,andhe’sbeenlivinginAmericaeversince1956.HecomplainsaboutAmericaalot,especiallythepoliticians.Butheknowsthathere,nooneisgoingtocomeandtakehimawayforthat.

Sample1Score

IwassurprisedbymydadwhenhetoldmeabouttheHungarianrevelutionhefought.IknewbeforethathefoughtbutIdidn’tnoanythingelseaboutit.Itwasashortwarandthecommunistsone.Hewasevenanofficerinthearmy.Hedidn’tliketotalkmuchsothatspartofwhyIwassosurprized.

OnequestionIhad,was,whydidhefight.Hesaidhedidn’tlikethegovernmentandthey’dtakeyouawayjustforsayingthat.Ican’timaginesuchathing.I’dwanttofightto.That’snotthewayitishereinAmerica.ThisisareallygratecountryandI’mgladtolivehere.

310.Mostofusrememberexactlywherewewereandwhatweweredoingwhenwereceivedshockingorimportantnews.Tellthestoryofwhatyouweredoingwhenyouheardaboutanimportanteventandhowthatnewsaffectedyou.

Sample6Score

EveryMaythecarnivalcametotown.Itwasthestandardsmall-townfair:aferriswheel,afunhouse,agiantslide,anddozensofboothswhereyoucouldbuygreasyfoodandtrytowincheapstuffedanimalsforyourdate.

That’swhereIwas,withmydate—sortof.Weweren’tactuallyinthefairgrounds.Wewereinhiscarintheparkinglot,stealingsometimetogether.Iwas16,butIwasn’tallowedtodate,andIhadthesortoffatherwhojustmightcometothefairtocheckuponmetomakesureIwasn’thangingoutwithanyboys.

Keithhadborrowedhismom’scar,asusual.MyfavoritesongwasplayingontheradiowhenKeithratherabruptlyendedakiss,interruptingwhatIthoughthadbeenaperfectlyniceromanticmoment.

“Ihavesomethingtotellyou,”hesaid.Hewouldn’tlookmeintheeye.Myheartdroppedtothefloor.He’sgoingtobreakupwithme,Ithoughtinhorror.

Butthat’snotwhathappened.Infact,InevercouldhaveguessedatwhatKeithwasabouttotellme.

Hetookadeepbreathandlookedstraightaheadatthewindshield.“Yourmomwasmarriedtosomeoneelsebeforeshemarriedyourdad,”hesaidsoftly.“Youhaveanolderbrother.HelivesinNorthCarolina.”

Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,becauseit’sexactlywhatIwaswondering,too:HowonEarthdidKeithknowthis?HeguessedwhatIwasthinking,andsaid:

“Mymomtoldme.”Then,beforeIcouldask,headded:“Edietoldher.”Ediewashismother’shairdresser.

FindingoutthatIhadanolderbrotherwasashockenough.Tofindoutfrommyboyfriend,whofoundoutfromhismother,whofoundoutfromherhairdresser—thatwasjusttoomuch.Iwastoooverwhelmedtorespond.

AfterafewminutesofsilenceduringwhichKeithheldmyhand,whatKeithtoldmeabouthowhefoundoutbegantomakesense.Ediewasthedaughterofmydad’sbestfriend,Samuel.Thoughourfamilieswerenolongerclose,whenIwasyoung,wespentalotoftimetogether.Edieandheroldersisterusedtobabysitmysisterandme.Itwouldn’tbesounlikelyforhertopickupafamilysecretortwo.

Keith’smomhadtoldhimwhatEdietoldherbecauseshebelieveditwasproofthatIwasn’tgoodenoughtobehisgirlfriend.Hewantedmetoknowaboutmybrother,ofcourse,buthealsowantedmetoknowthathewasgoingtohavetocoolitforawhileuntilhismomgotoverit.

Thenextday,ItoldmymomthatIknewaboutmybrother.Atfirst,shelookedshocked;thenshelookedrelieved,asifatremendousburdenhadbeenlifted.ShewasgladIknew,althoughshewassorryaboutthewayinwhichI’dfoundout.Shegavememybrother’sphonenumberandtoldmeIcouldcallwheneverIwasready.

Today,mybrotherandItalkregularly,andheisoneofmyclosestfriends.Oneofthesedays,IhavetothankEdieforbeingsuchagossip.

Sample4Score

WhenthefaircametoourtownIwentlikeIalwaysdid.Therewereridesandgames.Youcouldalsobuylotsoffood.Ienjoyedthefair,butthistimeIwasn’tgoingonanyrides.Iwassittingwithmyboyfriendinhiscarintheparkinglot.

Iwasn’tsupposetohaveaboyfriend.That’swhywewerehidinginhiscar.Wewerelisteningtomusicandtalkingandkissing.SuddenlyKeithstopped.Hesaidhehadsomethingtotellme.Igotreallyscared.Ishegoingtobreakupwithme,Iwondered?

That’swhatIthoughtwasgoingtohappen.Buthesurprisedmeevenmore.

“Youhaveanolderbrother,”Keithtoldme.Iwasshocked.Hetoldmethatmymotherhadbeenmarriedbeforeshemetmydad.Ineverknewthis,andIwonderedhowonearthKeithknewthisifIdidn’tevenknow.Iaskedhim,andhesaid,“Mymomtoldme.”

Howonearthdidhismomknow,Idemanded.Itturnsoutherhairdresser,ofallpeopletoldher.Iwasconfused.ButthenIrememberherhairdresserisEdie,whousedtobabysituswhenwewerelittle.Edie’sdadandmydadwerebestfriendsalongtimeago.Maybethat’showEdiefoundout.Shemusthaveheardthemtalkingaboutitonetime.

IwasveryupsetthatKeithknewsomethingmyparentshidfromme.Hismomtoldhimbecauseshewantshimtobreakupwithme.Shewasthinkingourfamilyisbadbecauseofthis.Plushewantedmetoknowaboutmyolderbrother.Well,thenextmorningItalkedtomymom,andshegivesmemybrothersnumber.Shesayssorryfornottellingmeearlier,andnowmeandmybrotherweareverygoodfriends.IamgladEdielikedtogossip.

Sample1Score

Iamgoingtothefarelikeitalwaysiscomingtotownandfindoutasecretaboutmybrotherfrommyboyfriend.Weareinhiscar.BecauseIamnotaloudtohaveboyfriends,sowehidetherefrommydadincaseheischeckinguponme.Thenmyboyfriendtellsmehismom’shairdressingladytellsheraboutmybrotherandshetellshim.Iamallconfuse,Isaysoheexplainmybrotherisfrommymombeingmarriedbeforeshemeetsmydad.How,doesheknow.Hismomtellshimsinceherhairdressingladytellshersohecanbreakupwithme.

Ihavetoaskmymomrightawayafterthisthensheisgladlytoknowaboutitforme.NowIcallmybrotherallthetime,wearegoodfriends.

320.Manythingscaninterferewithourplans.Sometimesanillnesspreventsusfromdoingsomethingwereallywanttodo.Describeatimewhenyoubecameillandmissedoutondoingsomethingyou’dreallybeenlookingforwardto.

Sample6Score

I’dbeenlookingforwardtomy12thbirthdayformonths.Weweregoingtohaveapartyinschoolandapartyatmyhouseafterschool.MyrelativesfromOhiowerecoming,mymomwasgoingtobakemyfavoritecake,andmybrotherandhisfriendsweregoingtoDJ.Ispentweeksmakinguptheplaylist,thoughImightaswellhavejusthandedovermyJay-Zplaylist,becausejustabouteverysongIchosewasaJay-Ztune.IwasthebiggestfanontheEastcoast.

Thedaybeforemybirthday,however,Icamedownwiththechickenpox.Everythingforthenextdaywascancelled,andIstayedhomefromschool,itchyandcranky.Irefusedtogetoutofmypajamasorbeciviltoanyone.Ijustsatinmyroom,playingJay-Zsongsandfeelingmiserable.Thenextday,mybirthday,Iwasstillitchyandcrankyascanbe,atotalwretch.UntilHEcalled.

Justafterlunch,thephonerang.ItwasmydadtellingmeIhadtobelievehisnextstatement.Irolledmyeyesbutagreed.

“Inafewminutes,Jay-Zisgoingtocallyou,”hesaid.

“That’snotfunny,Dad,”Ireplied.

Heassuredmethatitwouldhappenandhungup.HetoldmeIhadtobelievehimandtoanswerthephonewhenitrang.

Washeplayingajokeonme?No,hecouldn’tbe.MydadknewhowmuchIlovedJay-Z,andtoplayajokeofthissortwouldbetoocruel.Hemustbeserious,Ithought,butIcouldn’tbelieveit.

“Okay,”IsaidtomyselfasIplacedthereceiverdown.Jay-Zwasgoingtocallme?Isatinadaze.Then,beforeIhadachancetodigestwhatmyfathersaid,thephonerang.Ithoughtitwasmydadcallingbacktosayhewasjustteasing.Itwasn’t.

AttheotherendofthelinewasnoneotherthanJay-Z.Idon’treallyrememberwhathesaidbeyondthat;onceIrealizeditreallywasJay-Z,Iwentintoamildstateofshock.HemusthavethoughtIwasaterribleconversationalistbecauseIcouldonlysay“yeah”or“no”tomostofhisquestions.Afterafewminutes,hesaidgoodbye.Ihungupthephone,screamed,andcried.

Sample4Score

WhenIwasabouttoturn12,Icamedownwiththechickenpox.Thatruinedallofmyplans,weweregoingtohaveapartyinschoolandapartyatmyhouseafterwards.Ihadallthemusicpickedoutthatmybrotherwasgoingtoplay(DJ)andmymomwasmakingmyfavoritecake,but,everythinggotcancelled.

Iwasmiserableascouldbe.Mydadsaidhe’dneverseenmebecrankierbeforeinhislife.Iguessthat’swhyhedidwhathedid.Heendedupgivingmethebestbirthdaypresentever.

IthinkImusthavebeenthebiggestJay-ZfanontheeastcoastoftheUnitedStates.Ihadeveryrecordandkneweverysong.Onmybirthday,whenIwashomefeelingblue,thephonerang.Itwasmydad,andhetoldmethat“Ihavetobelievehim”andthatJay-Z,THEJay-Z,wasgoingtocallme.Icouldn’tbelieveit.

“Areyoukiddingme,”Iaskedmydad?

“No.Pleasebelieveme,”heanswered.

Aminutelater,thephonerang.“Hello,isCassandrathere,”afamiliarvoiceasked.ItreallywasJay-Z!Hewishedmea“HappyBirthday”andtoldme,“MeandtheboysarerecordinganalbumhereinIndiana.”Wetalkedforafewminutes.Or,rather,hetalked,andIstuttered,IwassoexcitedandnervousIcouldn’thardlysayanything.

MydadtoldmethathemanagedtotrackJay-Zdownandthatheheardmystory,thatIwassickandabigfanonmybirthday,andheagreedtocallme.Whatawonderfulthingdaddidforme.Hemademybirthdayunforgettable.

Sample1Score

Manythingscaninterferewithourplans.Sometimeanillnesspreventsusfromsomethingwereallywanttodo.OnetimeIbecameillandmissedoutonsomethingI’dreallybeenlookingforward.WecancelmybirthdaypartyplanbecauseIhavethechickenpocks.Ifeltreallysad.Iwas12.IreallylovehismusicandsuddenlywhenIamhomecryingJay-Z,hecallsme.Icannotbelieve!!Itwassoimportant.Iamsoluckyformydadtodosuchathing.

325.Manyofourfondestmemoriesareassociatedwithfood.Describeamemorableexperiencethattookplacewhilepreparingoreatingfood.

Sample6Score

BackwhenIwasinjuniorhighschool,allstudents—boysaswellasgirls—wererequiredtotakehomeeconomics.Inthefall,wesewedduffelbagsandpillowsshapedlikeanimals.Inthespring,welearnedhowtocook.

Forourfinalcookingclassproject,wehadtocookadishathomeandbringittoclass.IknewrightawaywhatIwasgoingtomake:myAuntRosie’sfamouschocolatecake.

MyauntRosiemadethebestchocolatecakeintheworld.Itwasarecipeshehadgottenfromhergrandmother,whosworehergrandmotherhadpersonallymadethatchocolatecakeforthePrinceofWales.WhenIstartedthecookingclass,IhadaskedAuntRosiewhatmadeherchocolatecakesospecial.Shetoldmethesecretingredientwascoffee.

Ihadnevertriedtobakeacakefromscratchbefore,andsincethechocolatecakewasAuntRosie’sspecialty,Ithoughtforsureshewouldhelpmemakeit.

“Butthatwouldbecheating,”shesaidasashehandedmetherecipe.“Yougohomeandyoumakeityourself.Makesureyousaveapieceforme!”sheholleredasIheadedoutthedoor.

Athome,Igotoutmyingredients:eggs,butter,milk,sugar,finepowderedchocolate,cinnamon,bakingpowder,andcoffee.Therecipelookedeasyenough,andIfollowedeachstepcarefully.WhenIhadmixedeverythingtogether,Icarefullypouredthebatterintothepan.Iputthecakeintotheoven,whichIhadpreheatedasdirected,andsetatimerfor50minutes.Whenthebuzzerwentoff,Istuckatoothpickintothemiddleofthecaketomakesureitwasdone.Itwasperfect.

Whenthecakecooled,IopenedupacanofBettyCrocker’schocolatefrosting,spreadathicklayerontopofthecake,andcovereditwithplasticwrap.Itwasamasterpiece,andIcouldn’twaitformyclassmatestotasteit.

Thenextmorning,Icarriedmycakecarefullytoschool.Ipassedoutpiecestomyclassmates,beamingwithpride.ButwhenIsawthelookontheirfaces,Iknewsomethingwasterriblywrong.Itookabiteandnearlyburstintotears.Nowondertheylookeddisgusted!AuntRosie’scakewasnevercrunchy,andthecrunchythingswerebitter.Thecaketastedawful.MyheartsankasIwatchedMrs.Wilsontakeabite.Shecrunched,paused,crunchedagain,pausedagain,andlookedatmethoughtfully.

“Sarah,”shesaidgently,“doestherecipeforthiscakecallforcoffee?”

“Yes,”Ireplied.

“Hmmm.Ithoughtso.”

WhenIquestionedheraboutmymistake,shesaid,“Youusedcoffeegrounds.Youweresupposedtouseliquidcoffee,”shesaid,andshelaughedgently.

Iwasmortified.Ivowedtocorrectmymistakeandmakeanewcakefortomorrow.

Thistime,witharealcupofcoffee,IbakedacakethatwouldhavemadeAuntRosieproud.

Sample4Score

Oneofmymostmemorableschoolexperienceshadtodowithfoodpreparation.Iwasmakingacakeformycookingclassinjuniorhighschool,butthingsdidn’tturnoutthewayI’dplanned.

Weallhadtomakesomethingathomeforourfinalcookingproject,andIwantedtomakemyAuntRosie’sfamouschocolatecake.Shemadethebestchocolatecakeintheworld,allofmyfamilyandfriendsagreed.Itwasaneasyenoughrecipe,Ithought.Whatmadeitdifferent—betterthan—mostchocolatecakeswasitssecretingredient,coffee.

WhenIhadalloftheingredientsoutIstartedmakingthecake.Ifollowedtherecipeexactly,puttinginthree-quarterscupofcoffee,justliketherecipecalledfor.Iputitintheovenatprecisely350degreesandcookeditforexactlyonehour.WhenItookitoutoftheoven,itlookedbeautiful.Icovereditwithsomechocolatefrostingandsetitasidetotaketoschoolinthemorning.Iwassoproudofit!

WhenIgottocookingclass,however,Irealizedsomethingwaswrong.Peoplemadefunnyfaceswhentheybitintothecake.SoItriedittoo,andittastedawful.Itwasbitterandcrunchy.AuntRosie’scakenevertastedlikethis!WhatdidIdowrong?

Myteacheraskedmeiftherecipecalledforcoffee.Yes,Itoldher.“Youusedcoffeegrounds,didn’tyou,”sheasked.

“Yes,”Ianswered.

Thatwasmymistake.Iwassupposedtousebrewedcoffee,notcoffeegrounds.Mrs.Wilsonwasreallynice,though;sheallowedmetomakeanothercakeforthenextclassandbringitin.Thattime,Ididitright.Mycakewasdelicious.ItwouldhavemadeAuntRosieproud!

Sample1Score

Iliketocook.InschoolIevenhadacookingclass.Welearneverythingfrommeasuringtowhatsdifferentfromfryingandbaking.Theschoolwasanicekitchenforpracticing.MyfriendAlishawasthebestcook.Sheandherwholefamilycooked.InmyfamilyAuntRosieisthebestcook.OnetimeIbakedacakeforclass,andImesseditupbadandeveryoneinclassthoughitwasnastytasting.Ididitagainthenexttimeanditwasdelicious.EvenAuntRosiethinkso.

341.Tryaswemighttoavoidthem,accidentshappen.Tellaboutatimewhenyouwereinvolvedinanaccident.

Sample6Score

Iwasneveronetobelieveinthingslikemiraclesorfate,butsincemyaccidentafewmonthsago,Ilookatthingsalittledifferently.Whetheritwasamiracle,orfate,orjustplainluck,I’mstillheretotellthisstory.

ItwasaMondaymorning,justabout8:15.IwasactuallyalittleearlyforonceandwasgladIdidn’thavetoracetowork.ItwasmysecondweekasabanktelleratHarrisonSavingsandLoan.

Therehadbeensomefreezingrainearlierthatmorning,buttheroadsseemedclearasIpulledoutofthedriveway.Iturnedleftatthelight,rightattheDunkinDonuts,andthenleftagainontotheonrampforRoute61.Ispeduptomergewiththeoncomingrush-hourtrafficwhensuddenlyIfeltmycar,abrandnewSUV,losecontrol.I’dhitapatchofice.

Whathappenednextprobablylastednomorethanfifteenseconds,butiffeltlikehours.Ispun

aroundlikeatop,turningtwofullrevolutionsasIcrossedthetwosouthboundlanes.ThenIhitthemedianstripandthecarflippedoverasitcrossedintothenorthboundtraffic.Iskiddedacrossthehighwayandthecarstoppedintheright-handlane.ThereIwas,upside-downandbackwards,aftercrashingacrossfourlanes,andsomehowIwasalive.SomehowIhadn’thitasinglecar.

ButIhadnotimetoappreciatethatmiracle,becausewhenIlookedouttheshatteredwindshield,Isawan18-wheelerwasbearingdownuponmeatabout65milesanhour.Therewasnotimetogetoutofthecar.

Iscreamedandbracedmyselffortheimpact.Butinsteadofhearingthecrunchofmetalcrashingintometal,Iheardthescreechingofbrakesasthetruckswervedaroundme,justintimetoavoidahead-oncollision.Thetruckskiddedtoastopontheshoulderaboutahundredfeetawayfromme.ThenthedriverjumpedoutandranovertoseeifIwasokay.

Thatnightathome,Ieasedmyachingbodyintobed.ButIwasclimbingintomyownbed,inmyownroom,notinthehospital.Somehow,theonlyinjuriesIsustainedwereafewcutsonmyfaceandhands,abruisedrightshoulder,andtwobruisedcalfmuscles.Mynewcarwastotaled,butIdidn’tcare.AllthatmatteredwasthatIwasalive.

Sample4Score

Iwasinvolvedinareallyterribleaccidentnotlongago,andI’mveryluckytobealive.IwasonmywaytoworkatmynewjobwhenIhitapatchoficeasIwaspullingontoamajorhighway.It’samiracleIdidn’tgetseriouslyhurt.

WhenIhitthepatchofice,mycar,mybrandnewSUV,thatIwassoproudof,lostcontrol.Istartedspinningaroundlikeatop.Ispunacrossthetwonorth-boundlanes.Thenmycarhitthemedianstripandflippedover.

Ithought,Ioughttobedeadalready,butIwasn’t.Butitwasn’toveryet.NowIwentacrossthesouthboundlanesupsidedown.IstoppedintherighthandlaneandthenIsawabigtruckheadedstraighttowardsme.

Somehow,Idon’tknowhow,thattruckmanagedtostopbeforeitcrashedintome.Itswervedaroundmeandsavedmylife.ThenthedrivergotouttoseeifIwasok.

Luckily,IwasOK.IonlyhadjustafewcutsandbruisesandIbruisedbothofmycalfmuscles.Mycarwastotaled,but,thatdidn’tmatter.Iwasjusthappytobealive.

Sample1Score

OnetimeIhadbadaccident.Thatalmostgotmekilled.Ihitapachofice.WhenIwasgoontohighwayIspinnedaroundalot.Acrossallforlanes.FirstIhitthemideanstripethatmademycarflippedover.IwasupsidedownthankingIwasstillalive.Whenabigtruckwascomingatme.Therewasntnotimetogotout.Itwasmybrandnewcarthatwastotalled.Iwasokafterall

thatluckyformemycarwreckedbutnotme.Thetruckhestopontimeandmovearoundmycarupsidedownstill.HejumptoseeifIok.

InhospitaldoctorssayIok.Justmanynumberofbruisesandcutsandsomeonmycalfsandshoulder.Iamokallthoghmycaritruined.

342.Describeanexperienceyouhadthatwouldbeconsideredanearmissorabrushwithdisaster.

Sample6Score

Imusthavehadaguardianangelthatday.

Iwassixandhadjustlearnedhowtorideabicycle.Mybikewasabeauty:pinkallover,withastylishbananaseat,iridescentfringeshangingoffthehandlebars,andawhitewovenbasketwithbig,pinkflowersonthefront.

ItwasaMondayafternoonandIwasalone,ridingmybikeincirclesinthedriveway.Iwasexaltinginmyfreedom:nomoretrainingwheels,nomorebigbrotherorfatherpushingmefrombehindandholdingmesteady.NowIcouldstart,stop,andrideallbymyself,andIwentaroundandaroundourcirculardrivewayincompletebliss.

Thesunshoneonmyfaceandmadetheblackpavementhot,eventhoughitwasalreadylateSeptember.Emboldenedbythewarmthofthesunandtheexcitementofmysuccess—eightlapsaroundandIhadn’tfallenyet—Idecideditwastimetoleavethesafetyofthecircleandridedownthesteephillthatledtotheroadonwhichwelived:Route309,afour-lane,heavily-traveledhighway.Iwarmedupwithanothertwoorthreeturnsaroundthecircleandtheneasedtomyrightanddowntheslope.

Fromthestartofthecircletotheedgeofthehighway,thedrivewayranabout200feetataneven45degrees.Ibegantopickupalotofspeedat50feet,moreat75,andby100feetIwasflying.Theroadwasgettingcloser;Icouldseethefacesofthepeopledrivingbyat50,60,70milesanhour.Itwastimetoslowdown,butIcouldn’t.Ikeptgoingfaster,andfaster,andIcouldn’tstop.Inmypanic,Iforgothowtousethebrakes.

InaninstantIwasoutonthehighway,alittlepinkstreakthatzoomedacrossallfourlanesandsomehow,someway,endedupontheotherside,upontheZeigler’slawn,inonepiece.Inthesecondsthatittookmetocrosstheroad,therehadnotbeenasinglecar.Aninstantlater,theywereback,andIhadtowaitseveralminutesbeforeIslowly,shakily,walkedmybikebackacrossthestreetandupthedriveway.

Inevertoldanyoneaboutwhathappened,anditwasalong,longtimebeforeIventureddownthatslopeagain.WhenIdid,Iusedmybrakesthewholewaydown.Thistime,Iwasn’tgoingtoforget.

Sample4Score

Ioncehadabrushwithdisasterandnearlygotmyselfkilled.Iwassixandjustlearnedhowtoridemybikebymyself.Ilovedmybike.Itwaspinkandhadabananaseatandabasketinfront.

Onthedaythatthishappened,Iwasridingaroundinourdriveway.Ourdrivewaywasalonghillandthenabigcircleatthetop.Iwasridingaroundinthecircle.

ItwasthefirsttimeIwasallaloneonmybike.AfterawhilebecauseIdidn’tfallatall,Idecidedtogodownthehill.IstartdowntheslopeandIrealizeIcan’trememberhowtobreak.ThisofcourseisaproblembecauseIstartgoingfasterandfaster,anyminuteIwillbeoutonthehighway.

WelivedonRoute309,a4-lanehighwaythatwasalwaysbusywithcars.SuddenlyIwaszoomingacrossthatroad.Somehow,Imadeitacrossallfourlaneswithoutgettinghitbyacar.

Idon’tknowhowIwassolucky,tonotbehurtatallthatday.Becauseaminutelater,assoonasIwasacross,thereweremorecarsontheroadthanIcouldcount.Somehow,whenIwasgoingacross,therejustweren’tanycars.MaybeIhadaguardianangelwatchingoverme.

Sample1Score

WhenIhavejustlearnedtorideabike,Ialmosthaveabigaccident.Thatalmostgetsmekilled.Myfavoritebike,I’mridingitaroundandaroundinthedriveway.Ilikethisbikesomuch.Myaunt,shegivedittomeasapresent.Formybirthday.

AllofasuddenlyIamstartinggoingdownthehill,Iforgothowtostop,Iamgoingacrosstheroad.Therearefourlanesandlotsofcars.SomehowIdon’tgethitbynothing.Iwalkmybikebackupthehill.Iamthinkingnevertotellanyone.BoyIamsolucky!

359.Weallneedhelpfromothersfromtimetotime.Tellaboutatimeyouhelpedsomeoneinneed.

Sample6Score

Itwasthehottestdayofthesummer,arecord-breaking102degrees,hotandhumid,swelteringevenintheshade.Iwasdrivingbackfromvisitingmyolderbrotherandhisnewbaby.Intheblisteringheat,Icouldseetheblacktopbubbling.I’dneverbeensogratefulforairconditioningbefore.

IcruisedhappilyalongCountyRoute2,whichwoundthroughthenortherntipoftheSonoranDesert.ThenIsawthatacarhadbrokendownupahead.ItwasthefirstcarI’dseeninabouthalfanhour.Inthedistance,afewhundredfeetaheadofthecar,Isawastoopedfigurewalkingwithagascaninhishands.Therewasnothingaroundformiles.Therewasnowaythispersonwasgoingtomakeittothenearesttown,whichwasagoodtwentymilesaway,inthisdesertheat.

I’dalwaysbeentoldtostayawayfromstrangers,butIthoughtifthereeverwasatimetodoa

gooddeed,thiswasit.Besides,asInearedthefigure,Icouldtellthatitwasanelderlyman,andIthoughttherewaslittlechancehe’ddomeanyharm.SoIsloweddownandpulledover.“Needalift?”Iasked.

NowthatIcouldseehimclearly,itwasobvioustheoldmanwasalreadyintrouble.He’donlywalkedahundredyardsorso,andhelookedasifhewasgoingtopassoutanymoment.“I’dbemostgrateful,younglady,ifyoucouldhelpmegettoagasstation,”hesaidslowly.“Iseemtobeoutofpetroleum.”

“Noproblem,”Ireplied.“I’mheadedthatway.”

HeclimbedslowlyintothecarandIpulledbackoutontotheroad.“Notagooddayforcartrouble,huh?”Iasked.

“Indeed,”hereplied.Hewassilentforafewminuteswhilehisbodytemperaturenormalized.IofferedhimasodafromthecoolerI’dpackedformyfour-hourride.Heaccepteditgratefully.Wemadealittlesmalltalkthen,butjustalittle.Heseemedtopreferthesilence.

Aswenearedthegasstation,Iaskedhimifhewouldlikearidebacktohiscar.“Idon’thavetobehomeuntillatethisafternoon,”Itoldhim.“It’snotrouble.”

“Iknowitisquiteoutofyourway,”hereplied.“Iwouldbemostgrateful.”Hepaused.“Andjustwhereishome,younglady?”

“Elmwood,”Ireplied.

IintroducedmyselfasEmilyHamptonandfoundoutthathewasEdwardGilliam.“Bytheway,mynameisEmily.EmilyHampton.”

“You’reaverykindlady,Ms.Hampton.MynameisEdwardGilliam.”

EdwardfilleduphisgascanandIdrovehimbacktohiscar.Wefilleduphistank,andIfollowedhimbackintotownjusttomakesurehewasok.Atthegasstation,Ibeepedandwavedandcontinuednorthtowardshome.Edwardwavedandnoddedhisthanks.

Thenextmorning,thedoorbellrang.Mymomanswered.“Emily!”shehollered.“Getdownhere!”Icamedownthestairsandsawagiantbouquetofflowers.Theywerestunning.Asmallnotewasattached:

“DearestEmily,thankyouforyourincrediblekindnessyesterday.Youjustmighthavesavedmylife,andIameternallygrateful.Youremindedanoldmanofhowmuchbeautythereisinthisworld.Yours,EdwardGilliam.”

Sample4Score

I’dneverpickedupahitchhikerorhelpedanyonealongthehighwaybeforethatday.Butwith

thatheat,howcouldIjustdriveby.Itwasthehottestdayever,IwasdrivingthroughthedesertwhenIpassedabroken-downcar.Anoldmanwaswalkingalongtheroadcarryingagascan,Ihadtostop.

Iaskedhimifheneededaride.Whichwasasillyquestion—ofcoursehedid.Itwasover100degreesandthenearesttownwasmorethan20milesaway.He’ddiebeforehemadeitfivemilesinthoseconditions.

Wedidn’ttalkmuch;Ithinkhewasthequiettype.Iofferedhimasodaandhedrankitdownlikethat.Whenwegottothenearestgasstation,Iaskedhim,ifhewantedmetodrivehimbacktohiscar?“Itwon’tbeanytrouble,”Itoldhim.Ididn’thavetobehomeuntiltheendoftheday.

SowefilleduphisgascanandIdrovehimback.Wetalkedalittlemorethistime.HeaskedwhereIlived,andhetoldmehewasonhiswaytovisithisgranddaughter.WefilleduphistankandIfollowedhimforawhiletomakesurehewasok.ThenIdrovetherestofthewayhome.

Nextmorning,thedoorbellrang,therewasahugeboquetofflowersforme.TheywerefromEdward(thatwashisname).Hewasverygrateful;hesaid“Isavedhislifeyesterday”andthat“Iremindedhimtherewassomuchbeautyintheworld.”IwassogladthatIhelpedhim.

Sample1Score

Everyoneneedshelpsometime.OnedayIhelpanoldmanwhocarbreakdownontheroadinthehothotdessert.Heneedaridetogetgas.Hewassothankfulhesendsmeabiggiantbunchofflowersthenextday.

Theirwasneversuchahotday,hewascrazytotrywalkingtogetgas,thegasstationwassofaraway.Itwasadessertsotheirwasn’tnoshadeoranythingorplacestorestawhile.HewouldhavebeenintroubleforsureifIdon’thelp.AtthegasstationItellhimIcantakehimbacktohiscar,itsnotanyproblembecauseIhaveallday.Hissothankfultome.

Chapter4

LiteraryResponsePrompts

Chooseoneoftheliteraryresponsepromptsfromthelistbelowandwriteanessay.Acertainnumberofpromptshavemodelessaysintheanswersectionthatyoucanusetocompareandcontrastyourwriting. Ascoringguideorrubricisalsoincludedintheanswersection. Youcanusethisguidetogiveyouanideaofthewayyouressaymaybegraded.Ifyouhavetroubleinterpretingthescoringguide,seeateacherorprofessorforhelp.Sampleresponsestothepromptsinboldcanbefoundattheendofthesection.

377.Toneisthemoodorfeelingtheauthorintendsthereadertoexperience.Usingaspecificpieceofliterature,explainhowtoneenhancesthework.

378.Poetryhasbeendefinedas,“puttingthebestpossiblewordsinthebestpossibleorder.”Explainwhatthismeansandapplythistheorytoaspecificpoem.

379.AmericanBeatgenerationpoetJackKerouachasembracedotherreligionsandnon-westernphilosophiesthatcanbeevidencedinhiswork.Explain/discusshowthisisapparenttohisreaders.Usespecificevidenceinyouranswer.

380.Ofteninliterature,thereisaheroicfigure,orarchetype.Discussthecharacteristicsofanarchetype,usingspecificexamplesfromapieceofliterature.

381.Inthenovel,TheLordoftheFlies,byWilliamGolding,agroupofboysarestrandedonaremoteislandtofendforthemselves.Compare/contrastthisnoveltothepopulartelevisionshowSurvivor.Usespecificdetailsinyouranswer.

382.ThepoetEmilyDickinsononcesaidthathersensitivitywascomparabletomissingalayerofskin.Explainhowthisanalogyisreflectedinherpoetry.

383.Usingaspecificliterarywork,explainhowanovelmightinfluencechangeinsociety.

384.Thethemeofaliterarypieceisthecentralideaormessagethatitdelivers.Citeaspecificliteraryworkanddiscussthetheme.

385.AnneFrankbecamefamousforkeepingadiaryduringherexperiencesintheHolocaust.ExplainhowsimplykeepingadiarygaveAnnesuchworldwiderecognition.

386.Writealengthy,detailedjournalentryfromthepointofviewofsomeoneyouhavestudiedinhistory.Includeaccurate,historicaldetailsinthediaryentry.

387.Compare/contrastthefearofterrorismandtheconcernwithsafetyissuesinpresentdaysocietywithGeorgeOrwell’snovel,1984.

388.Ahaikuisathree-line,non-rhymingpoemusuallycenteredonnature.Ithasalsobeendefinedasasnapshotofsomethingordinary.Fromyourownexperience,describethenaturalimagesyoufeelareworthyofahaiku.

389.Astrugglebetweentwoormoreopposingforcesinaworkiscalledconflict.Citeapieceofliteratureandexplaintheconflictembodiedinthework.

390.Personificationisthetechniquewhereinanon-humancharacterisgivenhumanthoughts,feelings,anddialogue.Illustratehowthistechniqueisusedinyourfavoritenovelorshortstory.

391.WaltWhitmanusessecond-personnarration—atechniquenotoftenusedbywriters—inhispoemCrossingBrooklynFerry.Insecondpersonnarration,thenarratorspeaksdirectlytoyou.Discussanotherworkthatusessecondpersonnarration.Giveexamplesfromthework.

392.Thesettingofanoveliswheretheactiontakesplace.Explainhowthesettingcomplementsthestoryinanovelyouhaveread.

393.Theclimaxofaworkiswhenalloftheeventscometoabreakingpoint.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouknow,explaintheeventsthatleadtotheclimax,whathappensattheclimacticscene,andhowthestorychangesaftertheclimax.

394.Thirdpersonpointofviewiswhenthenarratorhasnopartintheaction.Heorsheissimplytellingthestoryusingthewordshe,she,orthey.Astorywouldbeverydifferentifitweretoldfromthefirstperson(usingthepronounI)pointofview.Usinganovelwritteninthethirdperson,discusshowitwouldbeaverydifferentstoryifitweretoldinthefirstperson.

395.ManytimesinShakespeare’splays,thesettingchangesfromruralorpastoraltourban.Compareandcontrastthesesettings.Explainthereasonfortheshiftofscenery,usingsupportfromspecificplays.

396.Describetheplotofanovelthatwouldportraytheattitudesandfeelingsofthepeopleandthesocietyintheyear2002.

397.Listtensensoryimagesforeachofthefourseasons—winter,spring,summer,andfall.Then,writeabriefexplanationofwhyyouchosethosespecificimages.

398.Narrativepoetrytellsastoryanddoesn’tnecessarilyrhyme.Often,narrativepoemsarewrittenabouthistoricalevents.Namethreehistoricaleventsthatcouldbeconsideredworthyofanarrativepoem.Describethekeyelementsfromeachhistoricalevent.

399.Describeacharacterfromliteraturethatyouwouldtradeplaceswith,andexplainwhy.

400.Imaginethatyoucouldbecomeanomniscientcharacterinaliterarypieceandchangetheplotsomehow.Describethepieceofliteratureinwhichthecharacterbelongs,andtellhowthatcharacterwouldaltertheplot.Usedetailsfromtheliterarypiecethatyouhavechosen.

401.Explainthepopularityofsciencefictionwriting.Useaworkfromthisgenretoexplainitsappeal.

402.Usingaworkofliteratureyouhaveread,describetheheroorheroineandhisorhercharacteristics.

403.Theprotagonistinastoryisusuallythedo-gooder,orthecharacterthatmostreadersemphathizewith.Identifyapieceofliteraturewheretheauthorwantsustoempathizewiththeantagonist,orevildoer.Explainbyusingdetailsfromthatwork.

404.Indrama,whenacharacterspeakshisorherinnermostthoughts,itiscalledamonologue.Explainyourfavoritemonologuefromadramaticpieceandtellhowthismonologueaffectedtheplot.

405.Explaintheappealofwarliterature.Useapieceofliteraturefromthisgenretodescribeitsallure.

406.Foreshadowingiswhentheauthorgiveshintstothereaderaboutwhatisgoingtotakeplacelaterinthework.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,explainhowtheauthorusesforeshadowingandhowtheuseofforeshadowingaddedtotheplot.

407.NovelssuchasJohnSteinbeck’sTheWinterofOurDiscontentandErnestHemingway’sForWhomtheBellTollstaketheirtitlesfromlinesinShakespeareanplays.Writeanessayexplainingandinterpretingthesignificanceofoneofthesetitlesandhowitcapturesthethemeofthebook.

408.Discussacharacterinliteraturethatyouloathed.Explainthetechniquestheauthorusedthatcausedyoutofeelthisway.

409.InWilliamFaulkner’sBarnBurning,ayoungboymustdecidewhethertoturnhisfatherinforbreakingthelaw,ortostayloyaltohisfamily.Writeaboutasituationinreallifethatissimilartothisone.

410.Conflict,inaworkofliterature,isthestrugglebetweenopposingcharactersoropposingforces.Onetypeofconflictischaractervs.character.Explainthistypeofconflictusingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

411.Anothertypeofconflictiscalledcharactervs.nature.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,explainhowtheauthorusesthistypeofconflict.

412.Athirdtypeofconflictiscalledcharactervs.him/herself.Thisisalso

referredtoasinternalconflict,becausethecharactermustfaceself-inflictedfearsandproblems.Writeaboutthistypeofconflict,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

413.Discussthekeyeventsthatyouwouldoffertoapersonwritingabiographyofyourlife.

414.Novelsoftenbecomemirrorimagesoflife.Discussatimewhenyousawasimilaritybetweenyourlifeandthatofthemaincharacterinanovel.Explainthesituationandcomparethewayyouhandledthesituationwiththewaythecharacterdid.

415.Explainthemostimportantlessonyoulearnedfromapieceofliterature.Usespecificdetailsfromaliteraryworkyouhaveread.

416.Discussapieceofliteratureinwhichtheauthorisalsothenarrator.Describethewayheorsheusesactualeventsfromhisorherlifeinhisorherwriting.

417.Oraltraditionisaformofstorytellingthatispassedonfromgenerationtogeneration.Ithasoftenbeensaidthatanoriginalstorycouldbealteredfromwhenitisfirsttoldtowhenitwasfirstwritten.Giveexamplesofhowthiscouldhappenusingevidencefromastoryyouknowintheoraltradition.

418.Explaintheitemsyouwouldwanttoplaceinatimecapsule.

419.Flashbackisatechniquewherebypasteventsarerecalledwhiletellingastoryinthepresent.Discussthistechniqueasitwasusedinapieceofliteraturethatyouhavereadandtellwhythiswasthebestwaytotellthestory.

420.DiscussyourfavoritecharacterfromGreekmythology.Besuretoincludedetailsandelementsfromthemythasyoudescribethischaracter.

421.Repetitionisatechniqueusedbyapoettocreatesoundortoemphasizeasubjectinapoem.Discusshowandwhythistechniqueisusedinapoemthatyouknow.

422.Discusswhetherornotapieceofliteraturehaseverpredictedactualevents.Usingaworkthatyouarefamiliarwith,discussthistopicusingspecificdetails.

423.RalphWaldoEmersononcewroteinoneofhisessaysthathethoughtitamusingwhenamancouldwearanexpensivewristwatch,butcouldnottelltimebylookingatthepositionofthesuninthesky.Explainwhatheissayingaboutmodernpeopleandsociety.

424.Often,inliterature,acharacterisviewedasanoutsideroraloner.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusssuchacharacter.Besuretodescribethischaracter’sattitudestowardshimselforherself,andhowheorshedealswiththeisolationthatcomeswiththesetwolabels.

425.Discussacharacterfromliteraturethatseemstobepresentonlyforcomicrelief.Explainhowthischaracteraddstoordetractsfromthework.

426.Deathhasbeensymbolizedmanydifferentwaysinproseandpoetry.Usingeitherofthesegenres,discussthesymbolsthatauthorsusewhentheywriteaboutdeath.Describetheimpactofthesesymbols.

427.Often,anauthorwillgivethereadermoreinformationthanthecharactershave.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,speculateonthereasonsanauthorwouldusethismethod.

428.Sometimesanauthorwillwritedialoguethatillustratesaperson’sintelligence,speechpattern,orlocality.Discussapieceofliteratureinwhichthishappens.Alsodiscusswhetherthistechniquehelpsorhindersyourreading.

429.Discussapieceofliteraturethatusesthethemeofpersonalsurvival.

430.Frequently,popularnovelsareadaptedintomotionpictures.Discussanovelthatyouhavereadandthathasbeenmadeintoamotionpicture.Compare/contrasttheplot,setting,andcharacterizationinbothmediums.

431.Thecomingofagethemeisverypopularinliterature.Thistermreferstoapre-adolescentboyorgirlgoingthroughmanydifficult,lifealteringexperiencesinordertoreachyoungadulthood.Usinganovelyouarefamiliarwith,discussthistheme.Besuretousesupportingdetailsandevidenceinyouressay.

432.Shakespeare’stragedyRomeoandJulietisapowerfuldramaaboutyoungloveandfamilialconflict.Comparethisplaytoanotherpieceofliteraturethatyouhavereadandthatembodiesthesamethemes.

433.Discussthethemesoftwofairytalesthatyouknow.Tellhowthesethemesbenefityoungchildren.

434.Imageryistheuseofdescriptivedetailsthatappealtothereader’ssenses.Usingaliterarypiecethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusshowtheauthor’suseofimageryenhancedyourreadingexperience.

435.Comparehowasocialstudiestextbookandhistoricalfictionaresimilaryetdifferent.Explainwhichmediumyouwouldwanttochooseinordertolearnmoreaboutahistoricalperiod.

436.Eachculturehasitsownuniqueliterature.Discusstheliterarycontributionsmadebyoneparticularculture.Citealeastthreemajorworkstoillustrateyourpoint.

437.Musicandpoetryhavemanysimilarities.Discusstheconnectionusingspecificexamplesfrombothmusicalandpoeticworks.

438.Inthebeginningofanovel,anauthormaypresentacharacteroneway,butbytheendofthenovel,thissamecharactermaybehavedifferently.Throughcharacterization,wecanlearntounderstandpeople.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread,discussthewaysinwhichtheauthorusedcharacterizationtopresentpersonality.

439.Explorethethemeofsocialbreakdownoranarchy,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

440.Explorethethemeofpersonaldegenerationandabandoningmorals,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

441.Discussthethemeofsocialinjustice,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

442.Discussapieceofliteratureinwhichthesettingswitchesbetweenthepastandthepresent.

443.Discussaliterarytrilogywhereinthereadermustreadthesuccessionofnovelstounderstandtheplot.

444.Discussaspecificliteraryworkthatfocusesonadolescentmaincharacters.

445.Discusshowfaithissymbolizedinapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

446.Aburlesque,suchasOscarWilde’sTheImportanceofBeingEarnest,isaliterarypiecethatexploresaserioussubjectinatrivialmanneroratrivialsubjectinaseriousmanner.Choosealiteraryworkthatfitsthisdescriptionandexplainwhyitshouldbeclassifiedasaburlesque.

447.DiscusshowthereadermightsympathizewiththemaincharacterinChristopherMarlowe’sDr.Faustus,eventhoughhesellshissoultotheDevil.

448.Discussthethemeofprejudice,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

449.Discussapieceofliteraturethatyouhadtoreadmorethanonceinordertofullyunderstandit.Explainhowandwhythemeaningofthepiecebecamemorecleartoyou.

450.Usingaliterarypiecethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussacharacterwhobeginsasaminorcharacter,butwhoevolvesintoamajorcharacterwithanimportantroleasthenovelprogresses.

451.Discussapieceofliteraturethatusesanobjectofworth,suchasasword,asitsfocus.Discussthesymbolicpurposeofthisobject.

452.DiscusstheimageryfromaCivilWarperiodnovelthatyouhaveread.

453.Discussaheroinaliterarypiecethatyouhaveread.

454.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussthethemeofunrequitedlove.

455.DiscusswhyShakespeareusedonlymenandboysinhisdramaticworksattheGlobeTheater.

456.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusshowonecharacterinfluencesothercharacterstochange.

457.Discussapieceofliteraturethatutilizesspiritsorghosts.

458.Discussacharacterfromliteraturethatembodiesadarkmood.

459.Discussyourfavoritehistoricalpoem,itstheme,andthehistoricaleventsonwhichthepoemisbased.

460.Discusstheuseofmetaphor,imagery,andwordplayinLewisCarroll’sAliceinWonderland.

461.Discussanimmigrant’spointofviewinAmerica,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

462.Discussthethemeofgreedinapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

463.Discussaprominentleaderinoursocietyandhisorherliteraryinfluences.Discusswhatthisrevealsaboutthatleader.

464.DiscussapieceofliteraturefromtheIndustrialRevolutionanditstreatmentofissueslikechildlabor,workingconditions,andsocialclasses.

465.WritealiteraryanalysisofaRobertFrostpoem.Includethemeandsymbolisminyourdiscussion.

466.DiscusstheeffectandsignificanceofMayaAngelou’spoetryreadingatBillClinton’sinauguration.

467.Analyzeapoemthatusesapessimistictone.

468.Analyzeapoemthatusesahopeful,optimistictone.

469.Discussafigurefromhistory,otherthanAnneFrank,whosejournalentrieshavespawnedaclassicliterarypiece.

470.Ofteninliterature,acharacterhasironicexperiencesthatcanbehumorousorfateful.Discusshowthistechniquewasusedinapieceofliteraturethatyouhave

read.

471.Discussapieceofliteraturesetinanothercountry,andhowthisvenueenhancedyourenjoymentofthepiece.

472.ComparethecharacterHoldenCaulfieldfromJ.D.Salinger’sCatcherintheRyetosomeoneyouknow.

473.AnalyzealiteraryworkfromtheHarlemRenaissance.

474.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussthethemeofpersonalsufferingandloss.

475.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussthethemeofpersonaltriumph.

476.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread,discussthewayyourviewsaboutanotherculturewerechanged.

477.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread,discusshowfateintervenedandcametotheaidofacharacter.

478.DiscussyourfavoritestoryfromRomanmythology.

479.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussacharacterwhoservedasaguide,andexplainthatcharacter’spurpose.

480.Discusshowironyhelpedacharacterinadramaticworkthatyouhaveread.

481.Compareacontemporarypieceofliteraturewithanolderpiecethatcontainsthesametheme.

482.Discussapieceofliteraturewithwhichyouarefamiliarthatcentersonaphysicaljourney.

483.ComparethesocietyofTheScarletLettertooursocietytoday.CompareandcontrasthowHesterPrynnewouldhavebeentreatedtodaywithhowshewastreatedinthenovel.

484.Discussthethemeofnatureinapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

485.Discussacharacterwhogoesthroughacompletementalbreakdown,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith.

486.DiscusswhytheHarryPotterseriesissopopularwithreaders.

487.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discussadeterminedmain

character.

488.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusshowtheweatherorclimateaffectsthemoodortone.

489.Discusshowtechnologyplaysamajorroleinaliteraryworkthatyouhaveread.

490.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusshowstruggleissymbolized.

491.Usingapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith,discusshowevilispersonified.

492.Discussawell-knownpieceofliteraturethatcontainsamythicalbeast.

493.Usingyourknowledgeofcontemporarywriters,speculateastowhomightbecomethenextliterarygiant.

494.Discussanovelthatyouthinkmightbethebestnovelofthetwentiethcentury.

495.Discusssomeonefromliteraturewhosenameisindicativeoftheircharacter.AnexamplemightbeWillyLoman(orLo-man)fromArthurMiller’sDeathofASalesman.

496.Discusshowdoomisforeshadowedinapieceofliteraturethatyouarefamiliarwith.

497.Discussthedifferencebetweenpoetryandprose,usingliterarypiecesthatyouhaveread.

498.Discussanovelthathasbeencontroversialandperhapsbanned,andexplainwhy.

499.DiscussthecomplicatedrelationshipbetweenLennyandGeorgeinJohnSteinbeck’sOfMiceandMen.

500.Anallegoryisaliterarypieceinwhichthesurfaceplot,characters,andthemeconveyasymbolicmeaning.DiscusstheuseofallegoryinGeorgeOrwell’sAnimalFarm.

501.DiscussapoemthatyouthinkmightbeusedasthekeynotespeechforameetingattheUnitedNations.

RUBRICFORLITERARYRESPONSEWRITING

ScoringExplanationsforLiteraryResponseEssays

Ascoreof“6”indicatesthatyouressaysatisfiestherequirementsofthewritingpromptinacreativeandoriginalmanner,usinganobviousthemeandthesisthroughout.Theessayprovidesaclearandlogicalexplanationofyourideas,usingspecificsupportmaterial,includingdirectquotationsfromtheliterarywork.Youthoroughlyarticulateyourideasinacoherentfashion,analyzeandinterpretspecificliteraryelementsandconcepts,andavoidsimpleplotsummary.

Theessayisorderlyandwellreasoned,withaclearfocus,alogicalsequenceofideas,andtransitionalwordsandsentences.Theessaydemonstratesasenseofaudiencebyusingeffectivevocabulary,variedsentencestructure,andfluid,sophisticatedlanguagethatisessentiallywithouterrors.

Ascoreof“4”indicatesthatyouressaymeetssomeoftherequirementsofthewritingprompt,includingsomekeyelementsthathelpexplainthethesis.Theessaymayanswerthequestioninanabbreviatedmannerorrelyheavilyonplotsummary,givingonlybrieforgeneralexamplesanddevelopingideassomewhatinconsistently.Literaryelementsandconceptsmayonlybeminimallyaddressed.Yougivetheessayageneralfocus,makeanobviousattemptatorganization,andpresentyourideasinalogicalsequence.Thelanguageoftheessayindicatesageneralcontrolofmechanicsbuthasaslightlylowerqualityofsentencestructureandvarietythanasample6score.Anessayofthistypecontainserrorsonlywhenusingsophisticatedlanguage.

Ascoreof“1”indicatesthatyouressayonlyminimallyaddressesthewritingprompt,digressing,repeating,ordwellingoninsignificantdetailsthroughout.Theessayshowsalackofdevelopmentandexhibitsnoorganizationalpatternorfocus.YourlanguageskillsmaybeillegibleorunrecognizableasEnglish.

ModelLiteraryResponseEssays

377.Toneisthemoodorfeelingtheauthorintendsthereadertoexperience.Usingaspecificpieceofliterature,explainhowtoneenhancesthework.

Sample6Score

WritersforTVsitcomsormoviesarefortunate.Visualsoftenconveytonemuchmoreconvenientlythanwords.Writershavetobeveryskillfulinwordchoiceinordertoevokeemotions.WhileIbegantoexploreEdgarAllanPoe’sworks,IwasintriguedwiththewayPoecarefullychoselanguageandwiththewayitevokedaverycertainmoodortone.

InPoe’s“TheTell-TaleHeart,”Iwasamazedwiththewaythemaincharactercouldgrowtohatesomeone’sphysicalappearancesomuchsothathecouldstareathimforhoursonend.Theplotofthisstoryrevolvesaroundayoungmanwhorentsaroomfromanelderlymaninalarge,darkmansion.ThisishowPoebeginstocreatethetoneormood.IfthesettingwereinahousewithawhitepicketfenceinPleasantville,thesettingmightnotbeaseffectiveforsuspenseorhorror.However,Poebeginstomasterfullybuildsuspensein“TheTell-TaleHeart.”Forexample,thederangedtenantslowlyopenstheelderlyman’sbedroomdooratnightandstaresathisglasseyeforhoursinaseethingrage.Hedoesthisnumeroustimes,towherethereaderbeginstounderstandthatthismanisfarfromnormal.Hisobsessionleadshimtocommitahorriblecrime.

Theragethismanfeelsabouttheeyefinallycomestoapointwhereinheattacksthemanandsuffocateshiminhisbed.Afterwards,hedismembershiscorpseandhidesthepiecesunderthefloorboards.Bynow,thereaderisincompletedisbeliefandaweatsuchaheinous,non-provokedattack,thatwemustcontinuereading.Thetonebecomesveryeerie,andwillsoonturnsuspenseful.

Finally,thepoliceinvestigatethehomeafteraneighborreportedhearingscreamscomingfromthehouse.Thederangedmaninvitesthepolicein,andinvitesthemtositwithhimintheroomwherethecorpselies.Poenowaddstothetonewithmoresuspenseandafeelingofanxietytowhetherthemanwillconfesstothemurder.Whilespeakingwiththepolice,themanbeginstohearafaintheartbeatthatcontinuestogrowinvolume.However,heistheonlyonewhohearsthenoise.Themanattemptedtocunninglyfoolthepoliceofficerswhilesittingonthecorpse,onlytonowmentallybreakdownfromthenoiseinsidehismindtowhereheconfesses.Thetorturethismanevokesonhimselfaddstremendouslytothetoneofthestory.

JustasPoecreatesaneerie,intense,andtwistedtonetohisfiction,authorscanleadtheirreaderstofeelcertainemotionsthroughtheirwriting.

Sample4Score

Tonecanbecalledthewayanauthormakesyoufeelwhilereadingtheirwork.Ipersonallyhavebeenfrightened,broughttotears,extremelyangry,andhavelaughedoutloudsimplybytheway

anauthorcreatesthetoneofastory.Thisisalsoverysimilartowhatanaudienceexperienceswhilewatchingafilm.

IrecalloneworkIreadbyEdgarAllenPoecalledTheTelltaleHeart,whichhasabizarre,twistedtone.

Initially,Ithoughtthisstorywassimplyaboutamanwhotakesinastranger.However,thetoneofthestorybecamestrangewhenthetenantstaresathislandlordwhilehesleeps.Poeleadsusintothemindofamadman.Iwasontheedgeofmyseatasthepolicewereaskingquestionsoftheman.Thetoneofthestory,orthemood,wasbothfrighteningandsuspenseful.

Ienjoyreadingalltypesofbooksbecausemanytimesthetoneisdifferent.IespeciallylikePoe’sstoriesbecauseInowknowhowheusedtoneinhistwistedtales.

Sample1Score

Toneislikewhenthewritormakesyoufeelgoodwhenyoureadbooks.Iliketoreadalot.InthisessayIwilltellyouabouttone.

Ilikemanybooksthathavetone.Ifyoudon’thavetone,thensometimesIdon’tliketoreadthesekinds.Iliketoreadbooksaboutanimuls,cars,andmisteries.Ireallylikemisteriesbecauseyoutryanfigureoutwhathappens.

InthisessayIhavetoldyouabouttone.

381.Inthenovel,TheLordoftheFlies,byWilliamGolding,agroupofboysarestrandedonaremoteislandtofendforthemselves.Compare/contrastthisnoveltothepopulartelevisionshowSurvivor.Usespecificdetailsinyouranswer.

Sample6Score

WilliamGolding’snovelTheLordoftheFliesexploresmanythemessuchasthedarksideofhumannature,allegiances,andhowtheseboysmirrorlargersociety.Ifeelasiftheproducersofthepopulartelevisionshow“Survivor”usedthisnovelastheframeworkoftheirshow.BothGolding’snovelandtheshowhavemanysimilarities.

Whentheshow“Survivor”premiered,IimmediatelythoughtofthenovelTheLordoftheFlies.Thenovelisaboutagroupofschoolboyswhoareshipwreckedonadesertedisland.Theboysattempttocreatea“civilization,”butultimatelytransformintomeresavages.ThisisanimportantnovelforthepsychologicalstudyGoldingpresents.Onecan’thelpbutdrawparallelstoadultsociety.Thereisatrueneedforstructureandcontrolinanysociety,butthemeansofthatcontrolmakesthisnovelallthemoreinteresting.

Oneoftheboys,Jack,ispower-hungryandrepresentsdictatorship.SomeoftheotherboyssuchasSimonandPiggytrytodowhatissafeandconservative.ThecharacterofRalphissymbolicofdemocracyandfairness.Throughoutthenovel,theboysengageinapowerstruggleandendup

destroyingoneanother.Golding’suseofsymbolismforcesthereadertoseecharactersandsituationsaslargerideas.Theboysrealizethattheymustcreatesometypeoforder.

Similartothetelevisionshow“Survivor,”theboysholdcouncilmeetings,useobjectsasasymbolofstrength,andusefireasasymbolofhope.Irememberwatchingtheshowandobservingacontestantwhowonaphysicalcontestagainsttheotherplayers.Thispersonwasgivenapillowtouse,whereastheothercontestantshadnothing.Thepillowsymbolizespower,asdidtheconchinthenovel.Also,whenevertheshow’scouncilmetonSundaynights,theyallbroughttheirtorches.Whensomeonewasvotedofftheisland(seenasaliabilityorrisktothewelfareofthegroup),thatperson’storchwasextinguished,thuseliminatinghope.Allianceswereformedandthesealliancespittedthecontestantsagainsteachother.Ultimatelythewinnerwasthemostcunningplayerwhocouldconvincetheothermemberstofollowthem.ThisisexactlythesituationthatoccurredbetweenRalphandJackinthenovel.

WilliamGolding’snovelallowsthereadertoexplorehumannatureandmankind.Often,wedonotliketofacethepsychologicalaspectsofourbeing.“Survivor”emulatesthesameunderlyingmotivesthatformournature.

Sample4Score

InWilliamGoldingsTheLordoftheFlies,Icandrawmanyparallelsbetweenthegroupofboysinthestoryandthebasisforthetelevisionshow“Survivor.”

In“Survivor”,contestantsareforcedtolivetogetheronadesertedislandforaprolongedperiodoftime.Therulesaretoformalliancesandnottobedeceivedbytheotherplayers.ThisissimilartowhathappensinthenovelTheLordoftheFlies.Agroupofshipwreckedboysmustformasocietyinordertohavestructure.JackandRalpharethetwoleaderswithtotallydifferentwaysoforder.Onewantstobeadictatorandtheotherwantstobedemocratic.

Anothersimilaritybetweenthenovelandtheshowisthattheyplaceimportanceonobjects.Inthebook,theconchissymbolicofpower.Ontheshow,ifsomeonewinsaraceorsomething,theygetaprizeandtheothersdon’thaveanything!Also,bothusefireasalifeline.Intheshow,whenyouarevotedofftheisland,youmustputoutyourtorch.Andboththeshowandnovelhavetribalmeetings.

Ithinktheshow“Survivor”andTheLordoftheFliestellabouthumannatureandhowsocietiesareformed.

Sample1Score

Ilikesurvivorontvanditremindsmeofthatbookabouttheboyswhowerethelordsoftheflies.Inthebook,boyshavetocometogethertoliveonanislandwhichislikecastaway.Insurvivortheyareputonanilandtosurvivetoo.Ithinktheshowiscoolandtheboysinthebookdestroyeveryone!

Thatismyessayonthesurvivorshowandlordoftheflies

383.Usingaspecificliterarywork,explainhowanovelmightinfluencechangeinsociety.

Sample6Score

Haveyoueverreadastorythatultimatelychangedthewayinwhichyouthoughtabouttheworld?

Sooftenweformouropinionsandlifestylesfromourfamiliesandwhatweobservearoundus.Coulditbepossiblethatanovelmightchangethewayinpeople’sthinking?AfterreadingHarperLee’sToKillAMockingbird,Irealizedforthefirsttimehowcomplexracismwas,andthenecessityforsocietalchange.

Ihavealwaysbeenawareofculturalandracialdifferencesinothers.Iwasraisedtoacceptpeoplefortheirdifferencesandjudgepeoplesolelyontheircharacter.However,Iwasn’tawareoftheproblemsencounteredbyblackpeopleintheDeepSouthduringthe1940s.Inhernovel,Leemakesitapparentthatthecolorofskinwasadeterminantofsocialstature,nomatteryourcharacter.

Ifeltthathavingafirstpersonnarrator,toldfromtheperspectiveofayounggirlintheSouthwasabrilliantwaytotellthisstory.Scoutisattheagewheresheisonlybeginningtounderstandhowsocietyhandlesdiversityandculturaldifferences.Ablackman,TomRobinson,isaccusedofrapingawhitewoman,eventhoughnoneoftheevidencepointstohim.Forexample,thenarratorisayounggirlnamedScout.Herfather,AtticusFinch,isawell-respected,highlymorallawyerwhoisdefendingTom.EventhoughAtticusfindsevidencecontrarytotheaccusations,hehasnohopeofwinningthistrial.Scoutfightsaboyinherclasswhotellsherthatherfatherisdefendinga“(racialslur).”Scoutnowbeginstocometotermswithherassumptionsaboutpeople.

Aninterestingpointismadeinthisnovel.WhilethewhitepeopleofthissmalltowninAlabamadiscussthehorrorsofHitlerpersecutingJewishpeople,Scoutwondershowthesamepeoplecouldnotunderstandthatthewhitepeopleofhertownweredoingthesametotheblacks.Thissendsapowerfulmessagetothereaderthroughsuchavividanalogy.

Thisnovelelicitsthereadertothinkaboutracerelationsandsocialbigotry.Therearedecent,moralblackcharactersinthisnovelthataredoomedbecauseoftheirskincolor.However,Leeportrayslowclasswhitefamilies,suchasBob’s,undeservingofrespect,butabletoliveonamuchhighersocialstaturethantheblacks.WhenTomRobinsoniskilledescapingfromprison,thetownbarelytakesnotice.

ThroughLee’snovel,societyisfacedwiththevulgaritiesofraceandsocialclass,alongwiththeracismofthisSoutherntown.Hermessagethatneitherracenorclass,butactions,definesomeone’scharacterleavethereaderwithimportantsocialissuestobere-examined.

Sample4Score

InHarperLee’snovelToKillAMockingbird,manyracialissuesarebroughtintothestoryforthereadertothinkabout.IthinkLeedoesanicejobofbringingtheseissuestolight.

AtticusFinch,awhitelawyer,defendingTomRobinson,ablackmanaccusedofrapingawhitewoman,seesthathehasnochanceofwinningthiscaseinthissmallSoutherntown,setinthe1940’s.Finch’sdaughter,Scout,tellsthestory.IlikedhowLeeusedScouttotellthestory,becauseitwasfromachild’spointofview.Scoutmustfaceprejudicedpeopleinthenovelwhomakefunofherfatherfortakingthiscase,eventhoughherfatherisrespected.

Manythingsinthenovelmakethereaderfeelhorribleforthetreatmentofblackpeopleinthistown.NoneoftheevidencepointstoTom,andevenwhenheisshotattheendofthenovel,nooneseemstoevencare.

Ireallybelievebecauseofthisbook,thatmanypeople’sideasaboutracehavebeenchanged.Ithinkthatpeopleshouldbetreatedwithrespectnomatterthecoloroftheirskin.

Sample1Score

Inthisessay,Iwillwriteabouthowabookcanchangepeeple’smind.IfyoueverreadToKillAMockingbird,youwouldseewhy.Asmallgirltellsthisstioryandablackmanisbeingincourtbecausepeoplethinkherappedawehitewoman.Thereaderno’sthisisn’ttrue,butthetowninthesouthdon’tbelievehim.WhenIreadthisIwassadbecauseofthewaypeoplegetpickedon.Thisismyessayonchangingsociety.Thankyou.

384.Thethemeofaliterarypieceisthecentralideaormessagethatitdelivers.Citeaspecificliteraryworkanddiscussthetheme.

Sample6Score

Themeistheunderlyingmessageanauthorpresentstohisorheraudience.Manytimesthethemeofaworkisapparent.Oftenweaskourselvesuponcompletinganovel,“Whatdidthatcharacterlearnattheend?”Webaseourjudgmentofcharactersonourculturalbeliefsandemotionsweexperienceinourlives.InHermanHesse’sSiddartha,thethemeseemsapparent—fulfillmentinlifethroughspiritualpeace.

Themaincharacter,Siddartha,takesthereaderonhislife’sjourneytofindtruthandmeaninginlife.Hedecidestoleavehomewithhischildhoodfriend,Govinda.ThesettingofthisstoryisIndia,withthesocialcastesystemasthemotivationforhisjourney.Siddartharealizesthatheyearnsformoreknowledgeandunderstanding;farmorethathisfathercanprovidehimwith.Heseeksspiritualfulfillmentandwisdom.EventhoughthisstoryissetinIndia,thethemeisuniversal.Justasmanyofusdecidetogoontocollegetolearnmoreabouttheworld,andourselves;Siddarthadoesthesame.

Atdifferentstagesofhisjourneyheacquireswisdom,learnsasmuchashecan,andforgesontonewexperiences.Siddarthaisnotunlikeapersontodayinourculture.Manyofuschallengeourselveswithnewideasandexperiences.Sometimeswefail,othertimeswesucceed.

However,whatunifiesusisthedesiretoexploretheunknown.Thetrade-offiswemaydiscoverwearemuchhappieraftertakingthoserisks,thanifweneverventuredout.ThisisthethemeinSiddartha.Itisthemessagethatisuniversal.Infact,thereisaverypopularbookoutnowaboutmovingcheese.ItisametaphorforthesamethemeasinSiddartha.Movingoutofourcomfortzonesintoanew,unfamiliararena,hopingtofindwhatitiswearelookingfor.

Siddarthagoesthroughbothpleasantandunpleasantexperiencesinthisnovel.Atonepoint,heacquiresincrediblewealthandhaseverymaterialpossessionhecouldeverdreamof.However,atthispointinhislife,hecontemplatessuicide!Hehasbecomesogluttonousthathesickenshimself.Herealizesmaterialpossessionscannotbringhimpeace.Fromthisscene,thethemeofattainingspiritualpeaceisstrengthened.Howmanytimeshavewecomeacrosspeoplewithenormouswealth,butlittlepeaceandfulfillmentintheirlives?

Siddarthaisagreatnovelanditsthemeisapparent.Thequestforspiritualpeace,wisdom,andself-understandingisunpredictable,butattainablethroughthetrialsoflifeandwhatithastooffer.

Sample4Score

Thethemeofaliteraryworkisthemainidea,ormessagethatweunderstand.Manytimesthethemeisnotstateddirectly,butthereadercanusuallyfigureitout.OneparticularnovelIenjoyedreadingwasSiddarthabyHermanHesse.Inthisnovel,ayoungmanbeginshislife’sjourneytowardsspiritualityandunderstanding.Thisisacommonthemeinliterature.

WhileSiddarthaisstillayoungman,heaskshisfathertoexplaincertainthingstohimaboutlifeandreligion.Hisfatherdoesn’thavealltheanswersforhim,soSiddarthadecidestoleavehomeandtrytofindtheanswersforhimself.HebringsalonghisfriendGovinda.ThisbooktakesplaceinIndia;thatisthereasonfortheunfamiliarnames.Siddarthaandhisfriendencountermanynewpeopleandexperiences.

Towardstheendofhisjourney,Siddarthahasdiscoveredmanythingsabouthimself.Herealizesthatpossessionscannotmakehimhappy.Hebecomesawarethattruehappinessandpeacearefoundinside.

Thisthemeisverycommoninliterature.IthinkthisistruebecausepeopleeverywheregothroughwhatSiddarthadidsometimeintheirlife.

Sample1Score

Themeiswhereyoucantellwhatawriteristhinkingabout.Ithinkthatsometimeswritersliketofoolwithpeopleandguessrealhardtoseeiftheycanunderstand.

InSiddartha,abookaboutaboywhotriestoseeaboutlife,IthinkthethemeisaboutaboyinIndiawholikestogoontripsandhelpspeople.

Thatismyessayabouttheme.Ihopeyoulikedthisessay.

387.Compare/contrastthefearofterrorismandtheconcernwithsafetyissuesinpresentdaysocietywithGeorgeOrwell’snovel,1984.

Sample6Score

TheeventsofSeptember11thshatteredourbeliefthatweasAmericansareimmunetoterrorismanditsproponents.Oursocietyhastakenforgrantedsecurityandfreewill.However,heightenedmeasureshavebeentakeninpublicarenastobolsteroursafety.WiththisheightenedsecuritycomestheforfeitureofsomecivillibertiesthatGeorgeOrwellwroteaboutinhisnovel1984.

Inhisnovel,Orwellwaswritingfromtheperspectiveofnationthatrecentlyenduredaworldwar.Orwellwrotehisnovelin1948,andsimplyrotatedthelasttwodigitsintheyeartoexplorewhattheworldmightbelikeinthefuture.InthisworldthatOrwellwritesabout,thegovernmenthassurveillanceineveryimaginablepublicspace.Thereisalsoalawenforcementcollaborativecalledthe“thoughtpolice.”Inthissociety,noonecouldhaveanti-governmentalsentimentwhethervocalizedorinternalized.Ifyouviolatedthislaw,“BigBrother”tookyouaway.Thisgovernment,(BigBrother),supposedlygavethecitizenswhattheyneededinordertosurvive.Inthiscold,mundanesociety,therewasalwaysacamerasomewherewatchingyou.IthinkitisappropriatetoassumethatthissocietywasunderCommunistrule,andOrwellwasindeedfrighteninghisreaderstothethoughtofsuchathreat.Thisthreatwasverysignificantinthetimesthisnovelwaswritten.Orwellwasconveyingthethemesofmanipulationofthetruthandlossofidentity.Inourpresentdaysociety,therearemanyparallelstoOrwell’snovel.

SinceSeptember11th,ourgovernmenthastakenstepsinordertotightensecurityandminimizeterroristattacks.Bythesametoken,membersofoursocietymustforfeitcertaincivilliberties.Forexample,ifyoutravelbyairnow,youmustarriveextremelyearlybeforedeparture,yourbelongingsarescrutinizedmoreclosely,andyoumayhavetobepatteddownoraskedtoremoveyourshoes.Theseactionsseemtobeintrusive,butmostpeoplewillacceptthemtoensuresafety.

Furthermore,itisbecomingcommonplacetofindvideocamerasinmanypublicarenas.Manyairports,stores,andofficesinstallcamerasforsurveillance.Technologyhasproducedcamerasthataresosmall,theycanbeinstalledinashirtorjacketbutton.Manyparentsinstallcamerasintheirhomestomonitoractivityiftheymustleaveandhireasitter.Manypolicevehiclesareequippedwithvideorecorderssothatthetapemightyieldevidenceincourt.Thereareevenpopulartelevisionshowsthatairactualsurveillancetapes.ThisiseerilyreminiscentofwhatoccursinOrwell’s1984.

Althoughwehavenothoughtpolice,nordoweliveundertotalitarianrule,oursocietyhasdefinitelysurrendereditsprivacyinordertoprotectitsfreedom.Orwellseemedtounderstandhowtechnologycaninfluencesocietyanditsfreedoms.

Sample4Score

GeorgeOrwellseemstounderstandhowoursocietycanbecomedisconnectedfromoneanother.

Ibelievesincetheterroristattacks,thatoursenseofsecurityhasbeencompromised.Wenowhavesurveillanceinalmosteveryaspectoflife.

InOrwell’s1984,thesocietyhewritesaboutisverysimilartowhatIhavelearnedaboutCommunism.Inthissociety,thereisadictatorandhisofficials.Nooneinthissocietycanthinkforthemselvesorthinkanythinganti-government.Ifyoudo,thenthe“thoughtpolice”willcomeandgetyou.Also,therearecameraseverywhereinthecity.Thisissimilartowhatoursocietyisgoingthroughnow.

Sincetheterrorattacks,ourgovernmentleadershaveaskedustobeonalertandtoenduretighterrestrictionswhileinpublicplaces.Forexample,youmayhavetotakeoffyourshoesintheairportnow,sinceaterroristwascaughtonaplanetryingtolightafuseinhissneakerthatcontainedexplosives.

Also,ifyougotoastorelike7-11orMacy’s,youcanalwaysfindacameralookingatyou.IpersonallyfeelfrightenedwhenIseeacameraeverywhere,butitjustmightbehelpfultocatchpeoplewhobreakthelaw.

Idon’tbelievethatoursocietywillbecomelikeOrwell’ssocietyin1984,butIdofeelthatcamerasurveillanceandcheckpointsareverysimilartotheplotinhisnovel.

Sample1Score

In1984,peoplehavenoprivacybecausethepowerstobewanttoknowwhattheythinkandhowtheyact.Thisremindsmeofwhathappenstoday.Iwentintoastoreandtriedtobuysomesnacks.Amanbehindthecounterstartedtoscreamatmebecausehethoughthesawmestealingsomething.

Also,mydadflies,andhesaysthatishardnowbecauseallthepeoplecheckeverythingyouhaveandtheypatyoudownlikeinthemovies.Idon’tthinkthisisfairanditremindsmeofOrwellsstory.

390.Personificationisthetechniquewhereinanon-humancharacterisgivenhumanthoughts,feelings,anddialogue.Illustratehowthistechniqueisusedinyourfavoritenovelorshortstory.

Sample6Score

Personificationisaclevertechniquewhereinnon-humancharactersaregivenhumancharacteristics.Usingthistechnique,thereaderisabletounderstandhowananimalfeels,orwhatatreeisthinking,oreventhemostintimatethoughtsofanoldpairofsneakers!RudyardKipling’s“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”isoneofmyfavoriteshortstories.Init,alloftheanimalsarepersonified,whichiscrucialbecausetheprotagonistisamongoose.

Rikki-Tikki-Taviisasmallmongoosewhonearlydrownsafterafloodsweepshimawayfromhishome.AboynamedTeddyfindsthemongoose,andheandhismothernursetheanimalback

tohealth.RikkineverconversesinEnglishwithhishumanfamily,howeverhedoesinteractwiththeotheranimalsinthegarden,speakinginEnglish.Ifindthistechniquetobehelpfulinformulatingtheplot.Forexample,amongoose’snaturalenemyisthecobra.Kiplingusesthesetwoenemiesinthewildandmakesthemtheprotagonistandantagonistoftheshortstory.Throughoutthestory,Rikki-TikkifindshimselfbattlingadversariesinthegardeninanefforttosaveTeddy’sfamily.

Thisstoryfollowsthearchetypeofthebattlebetweengoodandevil.Ifwelookcloselyattheplot,biblicalthemesareapparent.SnakesinthegardenmayremindsomeofthebiblicalstoryofAdamandEve.Withoutpersonificationinthisbiblicalstory,Evemightnothavebeentemptediftheserpentdidn’thavetheabilitytospeak.AlthoughRikki-Tikkicannotconversewiththehumansinthestory,thereaderisabletounderstandhischaracterandhisthoughts.Forexample,beforehebattlesNag,themaleantagonistserpent,heiscautiousandabitnervous.However,hewon’tshowhisfeartohisenemy.OnlythereaderunderstandsRikki’scharacterfromthispointofview.

RudyardKiplingwascleverenoughtoobservewhatoccursinnature,blendingitwithpersonification,andcreatingatimelessstoryofgoodversusevil.

Sample4Score

Personificationisthetechniquewheretheauthorgivesnon-humancharactershumanthoughts,speech,andfeelings.IlikehowthisisusedinRudyardKipling’sRikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Withoutpersonification,themaincharacter,whoisamongoose,wouldnotbeabletoexpresshisfeelings.Thestorywouldneedanarrator,likethekindyouseeontheNationalGeographicchannel.Someofthosedocumentariesshowanimalsinthewild,whileanarratortellstheaudiencewhytheanimalsbehavecertainways.Withpersonification,anon-fictionaleventcanbefictionalized.

Forexample,amongoose’snaturalenemyinthewildisthecobra.InRikki-Tikki-Tavi,themongooseisthehero,whilethecobraisthevillain.Bothanimalshaveconversationswithotheranimalsandthereadercanseewhattheyarethinkingabout.Rikki-Tikkiisnervoustofightthecobras,butdoesn’tshowitwhenhestartstobattle.Ilikehowtheauthorletsthestoryunfoldthroughpersonification.

AlthoughRikkican’ttalkwithhishumanfamily,hebehaveslikeafamilypet.Whenthecobrasplottokillthefamily,Rikkidefendsthembykillingthesnakes.Thisstoryfollowsthecommonthemeofgoodversusevil.Withoutpersonification,thestorywouldnotbesoenjoyable.

Sample1Score

Personificationsoundslikeperson,andthatiswhatitmeans.Whenawritergivessomethingwordsandfeelings,itiscalledpersonification.Inthisessay,Iwilltellyouaboutpersonification.

Rikki-Tikkiisaanimulwhocantalkandhaveconersashunswithotheranimuls.Hefightssnakesandwins!WhenIreadthisstoryIlikehowanimuscantalkbecausethenIcanseehowtheyfeelandstuff.

Thisismyessayonanimulsandtalking.

395.ManytimesinShakespeare’splays,thesettingchangesfromruralorpastoraltourban.Compareandcontrastthesesettings.Explainthereasonfortheshiftofscenery,usingsupportfromspecificplays.

Sample6Score

ManytimesinShakespeare’sworks,thesettingchangesfromacitytoapastoralvenue.Althoughchangeinsettingisexpected,thereisanunderlyingreasonwhyhechoosesthesespecificareas.InhisplayAMidsummerNight’sDream,thesettingchangesfromthecityofAthenstoaforestnearthecity.Thecharactersbehaveverydifferentlyineachsetting.

Theplaydealswithmarriages,love,family,andnon-conformity.TheDukeofAthensisabouttobemarriedtoawomanwhoherecentlydefeatedinwar.Anotherelementoftheplotdealswithayoungwomanwhosefatherisdemandingshemarryamansheisnotinlovewith.Thewomandecidestorunawaytotheforestwiththemanshedoeslove.TherearetwodistinctsettingshereandIbelieveShakespearewasmirroringhumannatureinthechangeofscenery.Oftenwhensomeoneisfacedwithapressingproblemordecision,theywillretreateitherphysicallytoaquietplacetomeditate,ortheymightgooutwithfriendsinordertotakereleasefromtheissueorproblem.Similarlyinthisplay,theforestisviewedasaplaceof“non-reality,”oradreamworld.Fairiesandsupernaturalbeingsinhabittheforest.Thisisaplaceofrefugethatcontraststheconformityofthecity.Thereare,however,similaritiesinbothsettings.

JustastheDukeofAthensismarryingHippolyta,thereisKingOberonandhisqueenintheforest.Bothcouplesarelearningaboutthetrialsoflove.Therearecolorfulcharactersinbothvenuesthatkeeptheaudienceentertainedalso.OnesuchcharacterwholivesintheforestisPuck.Puckisafairy-typecharacterwhoplaystricksonthecharactersandultimatelytriestoteachthemlessonsthroughouttheplay.OneofthemorefamouslinesfromShakespeareisfoundinthisworkwhenPuckstates,“Ohwhatfoolsthesemortalsbe.”Therearelessonstobelearnedinboththecityandtheforest,buttheforestismoreofadreamworldoranescapefromreality.

Shakespearecleverlychangesthesettinginthisplaytoexposehumanfollyandlendskeeninsightintohumannature.

Sample4Score

ThechangeinsettinginShakespeare’sAMidsummerNight’sDreamisusedtoshowcontrastbetweenaworldofconformityandcourtlifewithadreamtypeworld.Shakespearedoesthistohighlighthumannature.

Inthisplay,therearetwodifferentworlds.OneisthecityofAthenswheretheDukeisaboutto

bemarried.Thecityhasitsstrictrulesandconformity.Onepartoftheplotdealswithawomanwhodoesn’twanttomarrythemanherfatherwantsherto.Shedecidestorunawaytotheforestwiththemansheloves.Theforestisnowseenasanescapefromreality.Intheforest,therearefairiesandothersupernaturalbeings.Peoplealsodothisinreallife.Ifsomeoneissad,theymaygodowntothebeachtothinkorjusttobealone.

Thereisasimilarityinbothworldsthough.ThereistheDukeofAthensinthecity,andthereisKingOberonintheforest.Theybothareinvolvedwiththeirmarriagesandtrytohelpotherswiththeirproblems.

IthinkShakespearedoesagreatjobusingthecityandtheforestinthisplaytoshowtwosidesofhumannature.

Sample1Score

InthisessayIwilltalkaboutshakespeare’splayamidsummernight’sdreamandhowthisplayusesthesetting.Thesettingistheplacewherethingshappened.Ithinkthewoodsandthecityaregoodplacesforthisplay.

Oneplaceisnice,butfulloffairiesandweirdstuff.Thecityismorelikereallifeandhasrealpeople.thisisthedifferenceofthesettingintheplay.

412.Athirdtypeofconflictiscalledcharactervs.him/herself.Thisisalsoreferredtoasinternalconflict,becausethecharactermustfaceself-inflictedfearsandproblems.Writeaboutthistypeofconflict,usingapieceofliteraturethatyouhaveread.

Sample6Score

Inmanyliteraryworksthereisacentralconflict.Conflictcanoccurinmanyways.Thereischaracterversusanothercharacter,characterversusanoutsideforcelikenature,andinternalconflict,whereacharactermustbattlethemselvesmentallyandemotionally.Oftenthesetypesofconflictscanoccursimultaneouslyinaliterarywork.IhavechosentodiscussmyfavoritetypeofconflictinoneofmyfavoriteplaysbyShakespeare;Hamlet.

Internalconflictisthemostintricateofallthetypesofconflict.Wemayreadaboutacharacterthatmustphysicallydefendthemselvesagainstanothercharacter.Also,therearemanycharactersthathavetobravetheelementsandsurviveinlife-threateningsituations.Forexample,Ishmael,thenarratorandsolesurvivorinHermanMelville’sMobyDicktellsthestoryofthegiantwhitewhale.Butthemostintenseisinternalconflict.InShakespeare’sHamlet,ayoungprincemustbattlehisconscience.

Hamlet,themaincharacter,hasrecentlylosthisfather.Whileheisstillmourning,hismothermarrieshisfather’sbrother,Claudius.However,Hamlet’sfather’sghostappearstohimandshowshimthefoulplaythatsurroundedhisdeath.Hamletlearnsthathisuncleactuallymurderedhisfather!Thisiswhereinternalconflictismostpresent.InoneofthemostfamousShakespearianlines,Hamletponders,“Tobe,ornottobe...”.Hamletmustnowdecide

whethertotakeactionandavengehisfather’sdeath,ortoremainpassive.Thisdecisionweighssoheavilyonhisconscience,thatothersnoticeadrasticchangeinhisbehavior.Hamletmustdecideifbeingpassiveistheequivalentofbeingacoward.Eventually,thisplaycomestoatragicend,andHamletdecidestoavengehisfather’smurder.

Ibelievethatinternalconflictworksideallyinliterature.Ofcourse,ShakespearepresentsHamlet’sinternalconflictthroughsoliloquy,andthiswasperformedonstage,butwhenyouareabletoreadwhatapersonisstrugglingthrough,youcanmorecloselyrelatetothecharacter.Internalconflictconjuresupthefearsthatmanyofushaveineverydaylife.HopefullyoursarenotastragicasHamletswere!

Sample4Score

Conflictiswhatmakesliteratureinterestingtoread.Iftherewerenoproblems,thenthereadermightbecomebored.Onetypeofconflictiscalledinternalconflict.Thistypeoccurswhenacharacterisbattlingtheirconscience.OnesuchcharacterthatexperiencesthisisHamletfromoneofShakespeare’smostfamousplays.

InHamlet,themaincharacter(bythesamename),hasjustlosthisfatherinawar.HisfatherwasthekingofDenmark,andHamletisprince.Hamletisvisitedbyhisfather’sghostandshownthathisdeathwasmurderbyHamlet’sownuncle!ThisputsHamletinareallybadspot.Nowhemustdecidewhethertoseekrevengeforhisfather’sdeathordonothing.Whywouldhedonothing?Well,hisuncleismarryinghismothernow.Hamlethasthetoughesttimetryingtodecidewhetherseekrevenge.Thefamousquote“Tobeornottobe...”showshisinternalconflict.

Hamletdoesseekrevenge,butIlikehowShakespeareshowswhatacharacteristhinkingandwhatgoesonintheirminds.Internalconflictaddsinterestforaudiences.

Sample1Score

InthisessayIwilltalkaboutwhatisinternalconflict.Inmanyworksofwriters,apersonhasthoughtsthatleadthemtomakechoices.Youcantellwhatthatpersonisthinkingbyreading.Hamlethadonewherehedidnotlikehisuncleandhisdadwasded.Hamlethadtogetevenwithhisdadskillersordonothing.SoHamlethadahardtimetryingtomakeuphismind.

Ithinkthatinternalconflictiswhenyouhaveaproblemthatneedstohavesolved.

416.Discussapieceofliteratureinwhichtheauthorisalsothenarrator.Describethewayheorsheusesactualeventsfromhisorherlifeinhisorherwriting.

Sample6Score

Inliterature,therearevaryingpointsofviewinrelayingtheevents.Ifthenarratorwasactuallypartoftheevents,thisiscalledfirst-personnarration.Whenthenarratorismerelytellinga

story,butwasnotpartoftheevents,thisisthird-personnarration.Attimes,areadermightbethankfulthatthenarratorisonlytellingastoryastheeventsunfold,especiallyifthemaincharactersareinsomesortofdanger.Ipersonallyenjoyfirst-personnarrationbecauseyouareallowedintothemindofthemaincharacter.ThiswasespeciallyenjoyablewhilereadingJ.D.Salinger’sCatcherintheRye.

Themaincharacter,HoldenCaufield,isthenarratoraswell.Heisaverycomplexcharacterwhodoesn’tseemtofitinsocially.SalingercreatestheworldfromHolden’spointofview.AlthoughHoldenseemsapathetictowardsmanythingsinhislifesuchashisschoolworkandfriends,heisadeeplysensitivecharactermarredbyhisviewoftheworld.Forexample,inthebeginningofthenovel,Holdenquestionswhyhisroommatesaresopopularandcanconversesowell,especiallywithmembersoftheoppositesex.Hisinsecuritiesarerevealedsothatthereadercanexplorehischaracterandperhapsidentifywithhim.IfSalingerhadwrittenthisasa-third-personnarration,thereadermightnotunderstandHolden’scharacteraswell.

EventhoughHoldenCaufieldisatragiccharacter,andmanyofhisactionsarenotthemostbeneficial,SalingerallowsustoidentifywithHolden’sinsecuritiesandprivatedealings,manyofwhichthereadermightidentifywith.

Sample4Score

Whentheauthorisinvolvedintheactioninabook,itiscalledfirstpersonnarration.Thisismyfavoritetypeofnarrationbecauseyoucanunderstandwhatgoesoninacharacter’smind.AgoodexampleisJ.D.Salinger’sCatcherintheRye.

Thestoryistoldfromtheviewpointofthemaincharacter,HoldenCaufield.Heisaveryshy,withdrawnyoungmanwhoisalsosensitive.Hesometimeswondersifheislikeotherpeople,andheistryingtofindhimself.IthinkmanyreaderscanidentifywithHoldenfromtimetotime.Ithinkeveryonefeelsinsecureatonetimeoranother.

IthinkthatSalingerchoosesthenarratorforthisnovelwell.Ifthiswaswrittenanyotherway,wemightnotsympathizewiththemaincharacterasmuch.

Sample1Score

Ithink1stpersonnarratorisanicewaytotellastory.Inthisessayyouwillhearaboutthisnarrator.

IncatherintheRye,Iforgettheauthor,thestoryistoldbythemaincharacter,Hulden.Hisisaboywhoisafraidofeverything!Icanfeelthewayhedidsometimes.

ThisiswhyIlikethenarratorpersonone.

431.Thecomingofagethemeisverypopularinliterature.Thistermreferstoapre-adolescentboyorgirlgoingthroughmanydifficult,lifealteringexperiencesinordertoreachyoungadulthood.Usinganovelyouarefamiliarwith,discussthistheme.Be

suretousesupportingdetailsandevidenceinyouressay.

Sample6Score

Thetheme“comingofage”isacommonone,whereanadolescentboyorgirlisfacedwithdecisionsthatultimatelyleadthemintoadulthood.BarnBurning,byWilliamFaulkner,embodiesthisthemewithmessagesoffamilyloyaltyandmorality.

ThestoryissetintheSouth,roughlythirtyyearsaftertheCivilWar.ThemaincharacterwhocomesofageisSartySnopes,anadolescentwhosefather,AbSnopesisapoorsharecropperfrustratedbythepost-CivilWarAristocracy.Sarty’sfatherisaverydestructive,immoralcharacter.IntheSouthatthistime,ifapersonwantedtodeliverthemostpotentformofrevengeagainsttheirneighbor,theywouldhavesomeoneburntheirbarndown.Thiscrudeassaultmakesperfectsenseconsideringthemainincomeprovidinglotwasagricultureandlivestock.Ifapersonlosttheirbarnwherethesethingswerestored,theirliveswouldultimatelyberuined.Abandhissondriftfromplacetoplace,andAbmakesmoneyasahired“hit”forbarns.Hissonisdeeplytroubledbyhisfather’sdestructiveness,butfollowsalongoutof“blood,”ortheloyaltyoffamilyregardlessoftheactivities.

Throughoutthenovel,Sartyisfacedwithinternalconflict.Heknowsthathisfatherisdoingsomethinghighlyillegalandimmoral;however,hewishestoremainloyaltofamily.Faulknerexploresthiscomingofagethemewithrealdepthandconviction,astheboystruggleswithhisconscience.

Theclimaxofthisnovelcomeswhentheboyandhisfatheraretakeninbyawarm,friendlymanwhoprovidesthetwowithmeals,lodging,andconversation.Sartytakesagenuinelikingtotheman;however,heknowsthathisfatherplanstoburntheman’sbarndown.Althoughhetriestoconvincehisfathernottocommitthisheinousact,Abtakestheboyinthemiddleofthenighttowardsthebarn.Sartymakesthehardestdecisionofhislifeandwarnstheman.Intheclosingscene,agunshotisheardandthereadercanassumethatthefatherhasbeencaughtandkilled.Sartyhascrossedthethresholdofpre-adolescenceandhasdeceived“blood”inordertopreservehismorality.

WilliamFaulkner’sBarnBurningisaremarkablestoryofcomingofage,whereaboymustmaketheultimatedecisionandthusbecomesaman.

Sample4Score

BarnBurning,byWilliamFaulkner,isagreatstorythathasthethemecomingofage.Inthisstory,ayoungboymustdecidewhethertofollowhisfatherincommittingunlawfulacts,orlistentohisownconscience.

BarnBurningtakesplaceintheSouth,aftertheCivilWar.Theboy,SartySnopes,andhisfather,Ab,travelfromplacetoplace,hiredtoburndownbarns.AbisasharecropperwhoisangryatthesocietyoftheSouth.Duringthistime,itwastheworstthingyoucoulddotosomeone,

burningdowntheirbarn.Thisiswhereapersonwouldmakealloftheirmoney,soitwastheultimateslapinthefaceifyouwantedrevengeonsomeone.Sartydoesn’tlikewhathisdaddoes,butstayswithhimbecauseit’shisfamilyduty.Heisconflictedonwhethertofollowhifatherordowhatheknowsisright.

Sartyandhisdadaretakeninbyamanonaplantationandtreatedverynicely.Sartybeginstoreallylikethisman,howeverheknowsthathisfatherisplanningtoburndownhisbarn.Sartyisfacedwithturninginhisfatherorbeingloyal.Intheend,heturnshisdadinandthisiswherehefinallycomesofage.Ithinkthiswasaverypowerfulstory.

Sample1Score

Inthisessay,IwilltellyouabouttocometoageinBarnBurning.Thisstorywaswenamanandhissonburnbarns,buttheboydoesnotwanttodoit.Hetriestothinkaboutwhatisright,buthewantstostickwithblood.Hisfamilyshouldnotsnitch.Barnburningwasverybadinthistimenearthecivilwar,soTheboyattheendturnsinhisfatherandbecomesaman.ThatismyessayonbarnBurning.

447.DiscusshowthereadermightsympathizewiththemaincharacterinChristopherMarlowe’sDr.Faustus,eventhoughhesellshissoultotheDevil.

Sample6Score

Thefamiliaradageaboutsellingone’ssoultothedevilconjuresuptwodistinctimages—dabblingwiththeoccultandbeinggrantedmagicalgifts.Althoughmostpeoplewouldnotwanttoorwouldnotdaretocrossintosuchdangerousterritory,Dr.JohnFaustus,therenownedscholarinthisElizabethantragedy,couldnotresist.

ChristopherMarlowe,authorofDr.Faustus,createdacomplexcharacterintheplayofthesamename.Thischaracteristragic,foolish,ambitious,intelligent,andpitied.Forallthegoodandbadtraitshehas,theaudiencecannothelpbutshareinFaustus’regretattheendoftheplay.

Faustushasmasteredmanydisciplinesandisawell-knownscholar.However,heyearnsformoreknowledgebeyondtherealmofwhatisoffered.FaustussummonstheoccultandencountersademonnamedMephistopheles,aservanttoLucifer.Faustusmakesanoffertogivehissoultothedevilinexchangefortwenty-fouryearsofmagic.MephistophelestriestodissuadeFaustusfromsuchafate,butFaustuspersistsuntilthedealhasbeenmade.Oncethisoccurs,Faustusisreadytosatisfyhisambitions.

Atthispointintheplay,theaudience—althoughapprehensiveaboutFaustus’choice—isjustascuriousashewasaboutmagicandinfiniteknowledge.Faustuswantstolearnthesecretsoftheuniverse.Healsowantsawife.Basically,hedesiresthethingsthatmosthumansdesire,andthisiswhereMarlowecapturestheaudience’sempathy.WeknowthatwhatFaustushasdoneisimmoralandtragic,butwewanttoshareinthisdisplayofpowerasheentertainscourtsbysummoninghistoricalspirits.TheaudiencehaspityforFaustuswhenhehasboutswithhis

conscience.Forexample,atonepointhepraysdesperatelytoGodforforgiveness,buttheaudiencerealizesthatnomatterhowdesperateorhowmuchhepleads,thedevilwillmakesurethecontractishonored.WhatisparticularlypowerfulattheendoftheplayisthetormentanddesperationFaustusexperiencesashefightstheclockandtriestoholdbacktime.But,thehoursandminutescloseinonhisfate.Colleaguesfindhisbodythenextday,andtheaudiencerealizesthathehasbeendraggeddowntohell.

AlthoughtheaudiencecanblameFaustusforsummoningtheoccultandbringingthistragedyonhimself,Marlowecreatessuchacomplexcharacterthatheistobepitiedforhischoices.

Sample4Score

ChristopherMarlowecreatesacharacterthatcanbebothloathedforhisattitude,butalsopitiedforhischoicesinDr.Faustus.

Inthisplay,ayoungdoctorwithalotofknowledgedesiresmorefromhisstudies.Herealizeshecan’tgetthisknowledgefromearth,sohesummonsthehelpofthedevil.Thedevil’sservant,Mephistopheles,triestoconvinceFaustusthatthisissomethingheshouldnotplayaroundwith.Faustusispersistent,sothedealwiththedevilisfinallysealedinblood.

Faustusenjoyshisnewlyfoundpowers,suchasbringingupspirits.Hedoeshoweverhaveboutswithhisconscienceabouthischoices.Theaudiencefeelspityforhimbecausewewouldwanthispower,butwedefinitelydon’twanthisfate.Hetriestobargainandpray,butitisnouse.Thedevilfinallywinsattheend,andwefeelsorrowfulforFaustus.

Inconclusion,eventhoughFaustusdoessomethingthatheknowsheshouldn’thave,theaudiencestillfeelspityforhimwhenhehastotradeinhissoul.

Sample1Score

ThedevilintheplayDocterFaustplaysatrickonhimbecausehewantstobesmarter.IthinkthatFaustisagoodmanthatdoeswrong.

IntheplayhehasmagicbutthisdoesnothelpthedevilormakeFaustasmartman.Hemustgotohellwhenthisisdone,sohefeelssorryforhisself.Thepeoplewhowatchtheplayfellbadforhimto.Oh,well,hemadehischoiceinlifeandnowheisdoomd.

453.Discussaheroinaliterarypiecethatyouhaveread.

Sample6Score

Inherautobiographicalnovel,IKnowWhyTheCagedBirdSings,MayaAngelourelatesherstoryasapoorblackgirllivinginraciallysegregatedStamps,Arkansas.Asthestoryunfolds,shedescribesrelationshipswithherfamilyandmembersofthecommunity,herloveofreading,herfeelingofinequality,theracialprejudiceshesuffers,andherexperiencesasasinglemother.

WhatmakesAngelouheroic,Ithink,isherperseveranceoveramultitudeofodds.

Inthebeginningofthenovel,thereaderlearnsthatAngelouislivingwithhergrandmotherbecauseherbirthmotherabandonedher.Withnodirectionorpositiveinfluenceinherlife,awhitewomanintroducedherto“herfirstwhitelove”—WilliamShakespeare—whobefriendedAngelou.Readingbecameanescapefromherreality.Inreallife,sheweatheredmanyhardshipsonherpathtoadulthood.WhatthenmakesAngelouahero?

Thearchetypeofaherousuallyinvolveshardship,struggle,andanarduousjourney.Whenthisheroreachesacertainbreakingpointorclimacticscene,aturnofeventsusuallybringsaboutresolution,self-awareness,andpeace.ThisistrueinAngelou’sautobiography.

Throughoutthenovel,racialprejudiceisanoverridingfactorinherlife.EventhoughAngeloudocumentsherstrugglesagainstprejudice,lackofaformaleducation,andpersonalfailure,shecomesfullcirclewhenhersonisborn.Sheembarksonanewself-awarenessandpeace.Thereisaheroicqualityaboutawomanwhohasovercomesomanyodds.

AlthoughAngelouisbothauthorandsubject,sheembodiesthespiritofaheroiccharacterwhoultimatelyprevailedagainsttheodds.

Sample4Score

AnheroinmyopinionistheauthorMayaAngelou.Oftenpeoplethinkofheroesassportsstarsorworldleaders,butMayaAngelouisahero.

InMaya’sbook,IKnowWhyTheCagedBirdSings,Mayaisreallythemaincharacter.Infact,thisisanautobiographyofherlife.Inthebookshegoesthroughmanyhardtimesandhastoughchoicestomake.ThetownsheisfromisinArkansas,anditisaveryraciallydividedtown.Hergrandmotherisalsoraisingher.OnethingthatAngeloulovestodoisread.Shemeetsawomanwhoshowsherhowtoread,andwell!

Ithinksheisaherobecauseshesurvivedbeingavictim.Angelouwastreatedpoorlybecauseofherrace,shewasrapedbyarelative,abandonedbyhermother,andbecomesamotherherself.Similartoahero,shehastobebraveandstrong-willed.

IthinkMayaAngelouisagreatpersonandatruehero.

Sample1Score

Aheroisapersonwhoisincomicbooksandthings,butdidyouknowsomethingaboutMiyaAngeloo?

Sheisawriterandshecamefrombeingverypoortobecomingasuccess.InthisessayIwilltalkabotangeloo.

Well,mayahadproblemsbecausesomepoeplearerasist,butshemadeherproblemsbeterand

evenroteaboutthem.AndIthinksheisveryniceandbraveihopeeveryonereadesaboutthisstronghero.

465.WritealiteraryanalysisofaRobertFrostpoem.Includethemeandsymbolisminyourdiscussion.

Sample6Score

RobertFrost’scomforting,sad,andoftenpoignantpoetryisusuallyfilledwithmetaphorsandvividimagery.PerhapsmyfavoriteFrostpoemis“StoppingbyWoodsonaSnowyEvening.”Theimagerycreatesamemorableportraitofthebeautyandpowerofnature.

Nearthebeginning,thenarratorisintroducedasaworkingman,whohasstoppedtorest:“Mylittlehorsemustthinkitqueer/Tostopwithoutafarmhousenear.”Thenarratorsuggeststhathisdaysaremostlyspentinlabor,movingfromplacetoplace.Onawhim,hestopsridingtowatchthe“woodsfillupwithsnow.”Duringthisbriefmoment,thenarratorachievesspiritualtranscendenceandpeaceasheconnectswithnature.

Throughoutthepoem,thenarrator’shorseisasymbolofdailylaborandtheconstantstruggleofcivilization.Takenfromthewildsofnature,domesticated,andtrainedtoobeyorders,thehorsenolongerhasanyappreciationofnature.Whilethenarratorrelaxesinthewoods,hishorse“giveshisharnessbellsashake/Toaskifthereissomemistake.”Theironyhereisthatthemanbecomesevenmoreconnectedtonaturethantheonce-wildbeastherides.

It’simportantthatthiseventtakesplaceduring“Thedarkesteveningoftheyear”becausethedarknessallowsthenarratortobehiddenfromthecivilizedandunnaturalworldhelivesineveryday.Atthesametime,thedarknessoftheeveningisironicbecausethenarratorcan’treallyseethebeautyofthewoodsveryclearly.Inthisway,Frostsuggeststhatnature’sbeautyismorethanjustvisual.It’sspiritualtoo.Inthe“lovely,darkanddeep”woods,thenarratorisabletofullyappreciatethebeautyofnaturewithoutseeingit.

Afterhisbriefmomentofpeace,thenarratormustreturntotheworkingworld.Theline,“AndmilestogobeforeIsleep”isrepeatedattheendtoshowhowwearyandtiredthenarratorhasbecome.Here,the“miles”representlongspansoftime.Hehasalongtimetowaitbeforehegetshomethatnight,andhealsohasalongtimetowaitbeforehereachestheultimatesleepofdeath.Butinthispoem,theideaofdeathisn’tnegativebecausewhenthenarratordies,hewillfinallybepermanentlyreunitedwiththebeautyofnature.

Sample4Score

RobertFrost’spoem“StoppingByWoodsOnASnowyEvening”canbeinterpretedasamanlearningtoappreciatenature.

Thepoemstartsoutasamaninahorse-drawncarriagestopstoappreciatetheserenityofadark,snowyevening.Althoughthismightseemtobeasimplepoemusingimagery,Frostsendsamessageaboutthepowerofnature.Themanseemstoenjoythewoodsevenmorethanhishorse,

whowasprobablyborninthewoods.It’sadarkeveningbutsomehowthemancanstillappreciatethelovelyforest.

Attheendofthepoem,Frostsaysthathecan’tstoptorestanymorebecausehehasthingstodo.Ithoughtthispartwasreallysadbecausethemanseemedsotiredanddidn’twanttoleave.

ThispoemhasmanysymbolicelementsinitandIenjoyedthisverymuch.

Sample1Score

Roburtfrosthasmadeapoemaboutasnowyevening.InthisessayIwillexplainaboutthemessageinthepoemIhaveread.

Thepoemisaboutamanwhogoesintoacoldforestandstopstowatchsnow.Iliketosnowboardinthewinter,soIknowwhatheisfelling.Afterwards,frostsayshecannotstopanymorebecausehehastogointotownandhelppeople.Thisismyintreputashunofhispoem.

483.ComparethesocietyofTheScarletLettertooursocietytoday.CompareandcontrasthowHesterPrynnewouldhavebeentreatedtodaywithhowshewastreatedinthenovel.

Sample6Score

HesterPrynne,fromNathanielHawthorne’sTheScarletLetter,wouldnotnecessarilyhavefaredmuchbettertodaythaninherowntime.SomeofthePuritanicalinfluencesinSalem,Massachusettsatthattimestillexistinmodernsociety.Publicridiculeremainsanintegralpartofourculture,infidelityisstilldeplored,andunfortunately,womenarestilloftenseenasthemoreguiltypartyofanyextramaritalaffair.

InTheScarletLetter,ReverendDimmsdaleisaspiritualleaderofthecommunity.However,heimpregnatesayoungwomannamedHesterPrynne,whobelievesherhusbandhasdiedatsea.Asaresultoftheiraffair,Hesterisforcedtowearascarlet“A”onherchestandstandinthemidstofthetownonascaffold.Meanwhile,Dimmsdalekeepshisdistanceandremainssilentoutoffear.Inmoderntimes,itwouldbehardtoimagineanyonewhohashadanaffairbeingforcedtoweararedletteronhisorherclothesforalltosee,but,atthesametime,publicridiculehasbecomeapartofmoderncultureaswell.Celebritiesarepublicallyridiculedonthecoversoftabloidmagazineseveryday,andthedetailsoftheirprivatelivesarefrequentlybroadcastonshowslikeTMZLive.Inoursociety,extramaritalaffairshavebecomepublicknowledge.Fromcelebritiestopoliticians,onewayoranother,affairsmakenewsandsellpapers.

Also,inthebook,HesterPrynneisunfairlysingledoutastheguiltyoneasaresultofDimmesdale’ssilence.Evennow,itisoftenthewomanwhoisviewedastheimmoralonewithpoorjudgment.AlthoughDimmesdalefinallydeliversapowerfulsermontowardtheendofthenovel,confessingtotheaffairbeforehiscongregation,hedies—ratherconveniently—shortlyafter,therebyescapinganypunishmentorpublicridicule.So,intheend,HesterPrynnemaynothavebeentreatedmuchbetterinourtimes.Foritsportrayalofthistimelesssituation,The

ScarletLetterremainsaviablenovel.

Sample4Score

OursocietyviewswomenthesameasinNathanielHawthorne’sScarletLetter.It’sveryinterestinghowthingschangeverylittleinsuchawidespanoftime.HesterPrynneisbroughtinfrontofthetownonascaffoldforhavinganaffairandbecomingpregnant.Herhusbandisassumedlostatsea,howeverthetownspeoplescornherandexcludeherfromsociety.SheismadetowearaletterAonherclothesforembarrassment.Althoughsometimeswomenwhohaveaffairsaretreatedbadly,theydon’teverhavetowearscarletlettersanymore.

ReverendDimmsdaleisneverreallylookedatbadly,eventhoughattheendheconfesses.It’sthesametoday.Usually,thereisonepersonwhoisviewedasthebadguy,andonepersonwhoisinnocent,eventhoughbothpeoplearehavingtheaffair.It’sthesamesortofthingyoureadinthenewspaperswithcelebritiesandpoliticians,itseemssomeoneisalwayshavinganaffair.Forallthesereasons,Ithinkthatwhathappensinthebookismostlythesameaswhatwouldhappeninmoderntimes.

Sample1Score

Hesterinthescarletletterwasawomenwhohadhadanafairwithanimportentmanandshewasmadefunbecauseofit.ShehadtowhereanAlettertoshowshewassorry.Everyneinthetowndidntlikeherbecasetheythinkshedidsomethingverybadandtheyalsowerenotmeantotheman.Iwouldnttreetpoeplelikethatalongtimeagotodayorinthefutureither.