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Sample Response to Real GRE Argument Questions
Topic # 6: The following
appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.
"Too much emphasis is placed on the development of reading skills in
elementary school. Many students who are discouraged by the lonely
activity of reading turn away from schoolwork merely because they are poor
readers. But books recorded on audiocassette tape provide an important
alternative for students at this crucial stage in their education, one the
school board should not reject merely because of the expense involved.
After all, many studies attest to the value of allowing students to hear
books read aloud; there is even evidence that students whose parents read
to them are even more likely to become able readers. Thus, hearing books
on tape can only make students more eager to read and to learn. Therefore,
the school board should encourage schools to buy books on tape and to use
them in elementary education."
In this argument, the writer claims that elementary schools place too much
emphasis on the development of reading skills; therefore books on
audiocassette should be provided as an alternative method of learning. The
arguer attempts to substantiate the conclusion by citing studies that show
the value of allowing students to hear books read aloud; including
evidence that students whose parents read to them are even more likely to
become better readers. This argument ultimately fails as it suffers from
several critical fallacies.
First of all, the writer flatly states, without any supporting evidence
whatsoever, that many students are discouraged by the "lonely" activity of
reading, then continues on in the same sentence to state that students
turn away from schoolwork solely because they are poor readers. Students
often read to themselves or to the other students in a classroom situation
- hardly a lonely activity. Additionally, this argument puts the effect
before the cause - inviting the circular logic that students stop trying
to learn to read because they are poor readers. Following this argument to
its logical conclusion, because they are poor readers, they should not try
to learn how to improve their reading. This absurd argument is analogous
to saying that a new student should never start to learn in the first
place, because he or she knows nothing.
Secondly, the writer cites as evidence in favor of the use of
audiocassettes the idea that students whose parents read to them are even
more likely to become proficient readers. It is at best doubtful that this
provides proof that listening to someone read a book stimulates a young
mind to learn to read better. It is far more likely that the child gains
an interest in learning to read from the parents themselves, not the
physical act of having something read to them. In this situation, the
parent is showing the child his or her ability to read, which the child
will naturally want to emulate. Furthermore, it is likely that a parent
that spends time reading to a child is likely to be a much more
encouraging parent, particularly when it comes to that child's education.
Thirdly, the writer fails to convince in his argument that hearing books
on audiocassette makes a child more eager to read and to learn. The author
cites many studies that show value in allowing students to hear books read
aloud - he or she does not state that the studies show whether that value
manifests itself as better reading skills or simply better listening
skills, which seems more likely than any improvement in reading ability.
Finally, the author fails to take into consideration that merely listening
to books on audiocassette fails to provide the visual stimulation
necessary to develop higher level reading skills. It is more likely that
hearing a book on audiocassette would discourage that student from ever
reading that particular book on his or her own. Elementary schools are the
main developing grounds for a student's reading abilities- there is no
substitute for actively learning to actually see the writing and
comprehend what it is trying to say. Listening skills can be developed
through means other than by hearing books on audiocassette. Reading skills
are an absolutely irreplaceable and fundamental part of an elementary
student's education.
In conclusion, the writer's argument fails to address several weak areas
that lead to a rejection of the overall conclusion that the school board
should encourage schools to buy books on tape for use in elementary
education. To strengthen the argument, direct cause and effect evidence
should be set forth that shows better overall learning without any loss in
the development of higher level reading skills for students.
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