Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.-----------------------------------------------------
Imagine that: how boring one's life would become if there were no imaginations in one's mind? In my opinion, if we are only allowed to read something that is real, we might lose our ability to dream. Therefore, I believe that we should also try to read something fictitious or imaginary. Those seemingly unreal books will offer us imagination that enables us to relax ourselves, and to have dreams.

First of all, in this busy society, it is neccessary for some people to read something fun to relax and motivate themselves. When I was a child, my mother often read Aesop's tail to me. Although the speaking animals in the story are unreal, the story educated me very well in learning about integrity, honesty, love, cooperation, and so on. I also remember when I was a college student, I sometimes liked to read comics and fiction. While those books did not contain real events and real people, reading them did make me less stressful from the pressure of my study. The characters in those books sometimes motivated me and allowed me to ponder something that I never thought of before. I especially enjoyed reading the comics because they made me laugh a lot. Without them, my life would have been boring and miserable.

Another reason I disagree with the statement is that reading only those books that are about real things means limiting our ability to dream. Many inventions started with a seemingly unreal vision. For example, a scientist might make a hypothesis that is not an established fact on the books. His hypothesis might seem unreal or even ridiculous, but eventually it could become a theory that benefits the world. If people were limited to read only certain books, then the probability to develop an theory or invention will become less then when people can read all kinds of books. It is very important for us to have varieties of sources of books that are about anything, real or unreal.

In sum, it is unwise to limit people to read only those books that contain real stuff. We are human beings, and we need some space to relax ourselves and take a rest from this busy society. We also need some books that might not be about real events but that can stimulate us to have more visions.

TWE: 144. Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
_________________________________________

If I would have to choose a residence between a traditional house and a modern apartment building, no doubt I would choose the latter. The reasons I prefer a modern apartment are its state-of-the-art design and its advanced facilities. I will give specific details in the following paragraphs.

First of all, a modern apartment often demonstrates the the value of the modern society in its design. I always like the modern style of things. I remember when I went to the World Exposition (EXPO) in Aichi, Japan, in 2005, its innovative building design immediately attracted me. Those modern buildings are designed with the newest technology and scientific breakthrough. At that moment, I told myself, I would want to live in a place that is designed like this. A modern style of architecture and its innovative interior design make me feel energetic. I would feel I am young and alive to live in a modern apartment.

The second reason I like a modern apartment is that it offers advanced facilities that make our lives more convenient. Those advanced facilities, for example, enable us to be more connected to the modern society by offering internet access, cable TV, and so on. A modern apartment is also equiped with the sewerage, gas, and heating system that makes our lives easier. In many cases, a modern apartment even provides us with safety by offering the best building material and innovative design that can prevent the damage from natural disastors, such as earthquake, hurricane or flood. In other word, a modern apartment is designed to fulfill the need of people nowadays.

In sum, I prefer to live in a modern apartment because it has the avant-garde design and advanced facilities. I would feel more comfortable to live in such a building and I would feel more like a citizen of this modern world.

TOEFL TWE:
Think of the most interesting class you have ever taken. Why did you enjoy this class so much? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
25 minutes:

Have you ever felt that you were thrown down to the abyss of sorrow and then immediately lifted to greatest joy in a class? I felt like i was taking a roller coaster and experienced all the ups and downs in life. It was a course recommended by my friend a few years ago. I still thank him for his wise suggestion even after so long. This class, called "the Power of Change" is certainly the most interesting class i have ever taken.

The reason I find it interesting is its experienced-sytle course design. Instead of simply lecturing, the class involves lots of activities that allow me to experience something important in my life and to get the self-awareness. Through the activities, i am able to meditate, ponder, and reflect myself, and then further discover the important aspect of my life. In the past, I was too busy to really give myself any space to do that.

The second reason is that it helps stimulate my potential to the extreme. Through the outsdoor activities such as rock climbing, team cooperation to solve some physical problems, brainstorming...etc, I know that everything is possible as long as you are serious about it. The activities the class offers require participants to face their own fear and overcome it. I never knew i could accomplish a "mission impossible" until I took part in this class.

The last reason, but not the least, that i enjoy this class is that it demands us to take part in a public service after class. I was relunctant to do it at first because i was so busy with my own work and family. However, when i finally did the service, i started to slow my pace and to look around my life. There are so many in need and i am the lucky one who can give but not to take. I learned how to give, to share and to help those helpless.

This one-month class is short but meaningful in my life. There are tears, joy, fears, excitments ....etc, that we all experience in our life. However, the class allows me to experience all of them just in one month, and it really helps me with my further career development. It was the most interesting class i have ever taken.

GMAT AWA: Argument

The following appeared in a memo from the vice president of the Fizzle Soda Company. “There is apparently a market for new beverages, as can be seen from the fact that other companies have recently introduced new juice drinks and sports drinks. Given this market and customer surveys indicating that many drinkers of regular Fizzle soda add chocolate syrup to their soda, we can increase our company’s sales by creating a new chocolate-flavored soda, ‘Choco-Fizz.’ Choco-Fizz will help us attract new customers and keep our customers who might otherwise switch to our competitors’ chocolate beverages. And Choco-Fizz will be more successful than Fizzle Plus, our most recently introduced flavor, because it will be easier to distinguish from regular Fizzle soda.
---------------------------------------------------------

修改過:

In this memo, the Vice President of the Fizzle Soda Company reaches the conclusion that Choco-Fizz will attarct new customers successfully. This argument is based on the survey indicating that many drinkers of regular Fizzle Soda add chocolate syrup to their soda. An additional reason given in spport his claim is the fact that Choco-Fizz has distinct feature from regular Fizzle soda. These two reasons, however, are weak and groundless for the following reasons.

First of all, the speaker assumes that the success of new juice drinks and sports drinks is due to a market for new beverage. There is no evidence, however, to support the assumption that all the drinks are analogous in all respects. Although there is a market for new juice drinks and sports drinks, it doesn't neccessarily suggest that there is one for any other beverages. Thus, the launch of another beverage could turn out to have no market and fail. Without further evidence to show that a market for any other new beverages does exist, it is too risky to launch a new product.

Secondly, the survey cited in the memo is lacking information to prove its representitiveness: how many persons were surveyed, how many responded, and where, when and how the survey was conducted. It is possible, for example, that 200 hundred were surveyed but only 2 responded. It is also possible that those who responded happened to be those who like to add chocolate syrup to the drink. Unless the argument offers evidence that would rule out these kinds of interpretations, it is reasonable to supect the representitiveness of its samples surveyed.

Finally, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the causal connection between the beverage's distinction and success. The fact that the Choco-Fizz is distinguishable from other beverages does not follow that it could be more successful. Without further reasoning, the statement that since Choco-Fizz is easier to distinguish from from regular beverages, it can be more successful is fallacious.

In sum, the speaker fails to provide adequate justification for his statement. As it stands, the reasoning does not constitute a logical argument in favor of the recommendation. To better assess the argument, we need additional detailed information about the basis of the reasoning and the survey so that we can establish the conclusion whether the launch of new Choco-Fizz will be successful.

GMAT AWA: Issue

“Whether in politics or in business, leaders of any group need to understand that learning to compromise is ultimately more important than winning.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your position with reasons and/or examples from your experience, observations, or reading.
-----------------------------------------------------------

In the statement, the speaker seems to promote an idea that a leader should see compromise as a goal more important than winning. Contrary to this statement, in my opinion, to win is an ultimate goal for a nation or for an enterprise. Although sometimes it is necessary to compromise, it doesn't suggest to accept failure. Instead, while winning should be the cheif goal of a leader, compromise is merely a tool to achieve that goal.

First of all, winning often involves the survival of a nation or business. Consider a nation being invaded by another power, to compromise means to lose and to accept the unfair treaty harmful for its own citizens. When the 2nd World War was invoked, were it not for the Allies to choose not to compromise, it would be hard to imagine how the wolrd would become now. Business is also like a war. When a business faces compeition, it is more important to defend itself to win than to compromise in the first place. If the business does not fight for its own right and benefits, the outcome is usually miserable.


嗚嗚 寫不完啦！This is a difficult topic !
other ideas of mine:
The possibility of win-win.

TOEFL TWE:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who teach you the most? If I get tons of responses, I believe "parents" must not be the only answers. Everyone would hold different views that vary with his distinctive background. In most situations, parents are expected to be best teachers in our lives. However, my own experience and some exceptional cases suggest that parents are not necessarily the best teachers.

The first reason for my view is that parents may not be good examples to children. Consider those whose parents are slackers, gamblers or even criminals. Parents such as those are more likely to influence their children in a negative way. What can we expect them to be good teachers? Not to mention the “best teachers”! Take my own case to illustrate, I do not think my parents are my best teachers. This is not to say that they didn't teach me anything. However, I consider the one who influenced me the most as the teacher who taught me at elementary school. Concerning that my parents are poor-educated and didn’t really know how to teach and understand their children, the teacher instead showed me the way to help myself and to be a good kid.

In addition, whether one is seen as a best teacher really depends on individual perception. For example, a devoted Christian might deem The Almighty as his best teacher; for an obedient athlete, his best teacher could be the coach or his team players; an excellent scientist can learn the most from his professor at college. My cousin, a prodigal son, once told me his best teacher is a church preacher who led him to the right way. Indeed, one can view anyone as his best teacher: someone who inspire him, who encourage him, or even who help him.

In sum, although parents are supposed to teach their children well, parents might not. On the other hand, since everyone holds different opinions, it is too arbitrary to generalize that “parents are the best teachers”. /

GMAT AWA: Issue

"The presence of a competitor is always beneficial to a company. Competition forces a company to change itself in ways that improve its practices."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
----------------------------------------------------------
Andrew's Writing:

The speaker claims that competition is always beneficial to a company by forcing a company to change and to improve. In the first glance, people are more likely to agree with this assertion. However, I disagree with this statement ! According to my observation, although the existence of compeititors does benefit most of the companies, it doesn't prove to be always beneficial to some.

Admittedly, competition provides the dynamic for progression for an enterprise. A company could lose its competiveness if it doesn't follow the trend. The competition also means varieties of choices for customers, and that does make the enterprise itself become better. From ICQ, the earliest instant messenger, that i used as to communicate with friends, to Yahoo and MSN messengers, and the latest that i used, Google Talk, the compeition from those system providers allows us to benefit from the more handy functions. Because those companies know their clients needs, they benefit from the improvement they make. The style, functions, and quality of commodities are all improved greatly because of the compeition in those industries.

However, the competition sometimes reduces the marginal profit of a company. By spending more time and energy to the development of a product, the cost increases largely. Some companies are thus forced to close because they are not competitive enough. The First insurance company was once a main insurance company in Taiwan. In 1980, the government opened the market and allowed foreign insurance companies to establish in Taiwan. This practice created a lot of competitors from abroad for the local insurance comapny. Afterward, the First Insurance Company surprised its policy holders and declare bankrupcy ! Protectionism may not be a perfect policy, but it does protect a company and also protect its customers.

All in all, I am not against the presence of a competitor because it does make many companies regain its energy in the market. However, the evidence proves that it does not fit into all situation and it is not always beneficial.

GMAT AWA: Argument

The following appeared as part of an article in a magazine on lifestyles.
"Two years ago, City L was listed 14th in an annual survey that ranks cities according to the quality of life that can be enjoyed by those living in them. This information will enable people who are moving to the state in which City L is located to confidently identify one place, at least, where schools are good, housing is affordable, people are friendly, the environment is safe, and the arts flourish."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew's Writing:

The faulty this article makes is obvious in several perspectives. First, it makes a faulty analogy fallacy by comparing 2 different time, two years ago and now, and by comparing 2 different places, City L and the whole state. Second, the quality of life includes something more than just the quality of school, the price of housing the friendliness of people, the safety of enviorment, and the prevailing of arts. In the following analysis, I would like to provide more evidence to demonstrate the two points i just mentioned.

First of all, the article assumes 2 different time and 2 different places without any evidence to remain the same. The survey 2 years ago ranked City L as 14th place in quality of life. This survey, however, reflects only the situation at that time. The quality of life could improve far better during these 2 years. Who knows City L would not be the best place to live now ? The survey also fails to mention how many cities were compared in this survey. Is the rankings including the cities all over the world ? or only in the state in which City L is located ? Those information will make "14th place" more meaningful. Moreover, City L can not represent the whole state in which City L is located. The quality for City L could be an exceptional situation. This kind of comparison commit the faluty of generaliztion, since we don't know whether City L is representative enough.

In addition to the analogy fallacy, another thing we need to consider is what the index of quality of life is. What are the evaluation standards ? by whom ? an authoritative organization ? The survey perhaps includes hundreds of items to evaluate in deciding the qulaity of a city. While City L fails several other standards in this assessment, it is probably reputed for its good schools, afforadable housing, friendly people, safe enviroment and flourished arts. It is wiser to examine each of its assessment, rather than to judge by the overall rank.

In sum, we expect to review an updated survey rather than a two-year-ago one. What we can get from the information the article provides is limited in deciding the quality of City L, not to mention in deciding the cities of the whole state.