The purpose of this exercise is to give you practice writing a thesis based on the requirements of the question. There will be two types of exercises to help accomplish this goal: guided and unguided "timed" practice.
In the guided practice exercises, you will see a TWE prompt and a box with the following headings: main idea, support idea, and sub-support ideas. After you begin with a general statement that sets the context for your thesis, your goal is to take the "main idea" and combine it with the "support statement" headings. In this way, you will be writing a thesis statement which effectively forecasts a specific plan of your essay. You will need to make sure that you use appropriate sentence structure during this exercise. For example, if you saw the following TWE prompt and its accompanying shopping list boxes,
Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important.
| Main Idea: Choosing a roommate to live with is an important decision. He should have several important qualities. | ||
| Support idea: Honesty. | Support idea: Cleanliness. | Support idea: A clean slate. |
| Sub-support idea: He will not steal from me. | Sub-support idea: Cleans the kitchen. | Sub-support idea: He doesn't get involved in illegal activities. |
| Sub-support idea: He will not use my things without my permission. | Sub-support idea: Keeps apartment organized and clean. | Sub-support idea: Some illegal activities can also be contagious, where I might start participating in it merely because I am around it. |
You would begin with a general statement; then you would combine the main idea with the three support ideas in the box. It would be something like this:
General statement about TWE question + main idea + three support points
Upon attending college, many students will have to live with a roommate. Which roommate one chooses can make for a positive or negative college experience. In choosing a roommate, one should consider several important qualities: honesty, cleanliness, and a clean slate.
This writer has written an effective thesis:
1. People attend school for many different reasons (for example, expanded knowledge, societal awareness, and enhanced interpersonal relationships). Why do you think people decide to go to school? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Students attend school for several reasons. | |
| Support idea: School can offer a person knowledge about academic subjects such as Geography. | Support idea: Many students attend school so they can learn small business administration. |
| Sub-support idea: Student can learn about how mountains are formed, developing a deeper respect for them. | Sub-support idea: A student studies in an MBA program, so he can return to work in his father's company. |
| Sub-support idea: Students may decide to take Geography to learn more about world's population trends. | Sub-support idea: This student wants to attend school now so that he can develop entrepreneurial skills. |
Possible thesis: Most countries offer its citizens a chance to get educated. The purpose of this education may vary depending on the individual. For example, some students may attend school to learn about Geography, while others may seek to learn more about small business administration.
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Coaches are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Coaches are great teachers. | |
| Support idea: He prepares ourselves for competition. | Support idea: From these daily workouts, I learned lessons. |
| Sub-support idea: He gives us good track workouts. | Sub-support idea: I learned hard work, pacing myself. |
| Sub-support idea: He teaches us how to warm-up and warm down. | Sub-support idea: My coach taught me that true honest hard work would be rewarded. |
| Sub-support idea: Our cross-country team won a very big championship | Sub-support idea: I have also learned how to accomplish big obstacles in life |
Possible thesis: If you ask people in their life who has had the most profound influence, many would say that it was a coach. At first glance, many might say that a coach is not a good teacher since he only focuses on sports. But in reality, a coach who teaches the athlete to perform well in an event is also teaching the athlete to perform well in the most important game called life. My cross-country coach who coached me in High School prepared us for competition and from these daily workouts, we learned lessons about life.
3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Coaches are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Coach can teach the students personally (man to man) | |
| Support idea: Students can ask the questions to coaches whenever they want. | Support idea: Students do not have to concern about their time and place. |
| In a classroom, students do not ask questions because it bothers other students. | If you are morning person, you can study in the morning with your coach. |
| A student can ask a coach questions because it will not bother others. | If you an evening person, you can study in the evening with your coach. |
| A student in my English class asked too many questions. It made others angry. | If you do not want to study in your room or study room, you can study at café or restaurant with your coach. |
Possible thesis: Most teachers teach study behavior to students who are in school. Even though their teaching affects almost all students, sometimes some students need more help from private teacher who is coach. Being able to ask questions at their and the coaches' convenience, students can learn from the coaches personally, so they can improve their studying more comfortably. One of the best reasons is man to man teaching between student and teacher.
4. Nowadays, with the invention of the microwave and with the popularity of fast food restaurants, food has become easier to prepare than ever. Do you think microwave ovens and fast food restaurants are beneficial to society? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: The microwave and fast food restaurants do not benefit our society | |
| Support idea: They contribute to obesity. | Support idea: They contribute to the destruction of the family unit. |
| Sub-support idea: Microwave dinners/meals and fast foods are often high in fats and sugars. | Sub-support idea: That many people eat microwave dinners and that they frequent fast food restaurants indicates they are not having the traditional family dinner. |
| Sub-support idea: If a person eats a lot of high fat and sugary foods, he will become fat. | Sub-support idea: So more and more families are eating dinner while watching television instead of having conversation with each other. Thus, the family unit is not as strong as it used to be. |
| Sub-support idea: In my country, more and more people are becoming overweight. | Sub-support idea: The divorce rate is up, and one main cause of that might be due to a lack of communication. This failure can in part be traced back to not eating together at the dinner table. |
Possible thesis: One thing is for certain: we must eat. However, how we eat and in what location we eat makes all the difference in the world. The microwave and fast food restaurants do not benefit our society since they contribute to obesity, and to the destruction of the family unit.
5. It has been said, "Not all learning takes place in the classroom." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from personal experience with knowledge gained from classroom instruction. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?
| Main Idea: Each of these methods of learning has similarities and differences. | ||
| Support idea: Both classroom instruction and personal experience are similar in that they are necessary for one to survive in the workplace. | Support idea: The two modes of instruction are very different in that classroom instruction is explicitly taught, while personal experience knowledge is acquired naturally. | Support idea: Classroom instruction is a more important source of knowledge. |
| Sub-support idea: The classroom instruction will give the programmer the basic skills by which to work. | Sub-support idea: A student must go to school for many years in order to learn what is taught in the classroom. | Sub-support idea: Our global economy is becoming more and more information based. |
| Sub-support idea: Every programmer will encounter problems for which no solution was taught in the classroom, and he will have to use trial and error in order to solve the problem. And through personal experience, the programmer will learn to solve more and more complex problems. | Sub-support idea: But he will not need any formal education at all to learn personal experience knowledge. | Sub-support idea: Consequently, it is more important than ever to get specialized instruction in the classroom in order to keep up with our ever changing technological advances. |
Possible thesis: I heard once by someone that the purpose of an education is to find out what one does not know and spend the rest of one's life learning it. And so it is with learning, which in some cases takes place in the classroom, while in other cases, takes place through personal experience. Each of these methods of learning has similarities (i.e., necessary for job) and differences (i.e., explicitly learned vs. acquired naturally). Personally, I prefer classroom instruction.
6. Your government has announced that it wishes to build a military base near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the military base? Explain your position.
| Main Idea: Upon construction, a military base could has advantages and disadvantages on my community. | ||
| Support idea: An increase in jobs. | Support idea: An increase in crime and pollution. | Support idea: I favor having a military base in my community |
| Sub-support idea: Soldiers will buy things in the city. | Sub-support idea: Soldiers who go into city to drink beer might commit crime. | Sub-support idea: A military base could bring me more money. |
| Sub-support idea: This will generate more revenue/jobs for the city. | Sub-support idea: Military vehicles emit harmful fumes to the environment. | Sub-support idea: A military base could bring more respect to my town. |
Possible thesis: People in a society want to be protected and feel safe. Additionally, people appreciate a thriving economy where unemployment is low and job pay is high. Upon construction, a military base could provide an increase in jobs, but it could also increase crime and pollution. Despite this, I would favor having a military base in my community.
7. If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: A reduction in taxes both for people and businesses | |
| Support idea: The people in my country have been paying higher and higher taxes. | Support idea: Many small and large businesses pay too many taxes. |
| Sub-support idea: Lowering the taxes would offer relief to these people. | Sub-support idea: Lowering taxes on businesses might them more inclined to hire more workers. |
| Sub-support idea: These people could give money back to the economy by buying more consumer products. | Sub-support idea: Businesses could create more jobs in my country. |
| Sub-support idea: The increase in the purchasing of products such as furniture, automobiles, appliances, and so on could give my country more economic strength. | Sub-support idea: Reducing the taxes would increase the company's profits, allowing them to expand their business to international markets. |
Possible thesis: We all know that there is no perfect country in this world of ours. But at the same time, we all know there are things about our country that we would like to change. In considering this question, I thought about what change would have the most dramatic impact on people's lives in my country. The answer that I came up with is a reduction in taxes both for people and businesses.
8. How does advertising influence people's behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Advertising can influence people's behavior politically and economically | |
| Support idea: A politician must have name recognition in order to be elected. | Support idea: A consumer will not buy a product that he is unfamiliar with |
| Sub-support idea: Short thirty-second TV commercials are an very effective way for people in a country to become acquainted with a politician. | Sub-support idea: Many times a consumer will make an unconscious decision to buy a particular brand of toothpaste solely based on the fact that he has seen that product advertised. |
| Sub-support idea: Billboards and radio ads can influence people to vote for or against a particular political candidate. | Sub-support idea: The consumer has been conditioned by the advertiser to buy that particular brand of toothpaste. |
Possible thesis: If advertising had no effect on people's behavior, it is certain that we would not see all the television and radio commercials which so often invade our living rooms and automobiles on a daily basis. But how do the commercials influence our behaviors. Let's consider this question from a political and economical perspective.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The invention of the Internet has had negative effects on your civilization. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
| Main Idea: The Internet has helped the mankind more than harm it. | ||
| Support idea: the cheapest and easiest way to communicate. | Support idea: Internet is also a very good form of entertainment. | Support idea: Internet can be be negative. |
| Sub-support idea: You can convey your messages and feelings with the help of an e-card, chat, or a mail at the mere click of your mouse. | Sub-support idea: Download songs and movies. | Sub-support idea: Pornographic and other obscene sites. |
| Sub-support idea: Cheaper and faster than mail. | Sub-support idea: You can surf the Net for a couple of hours everyday as a hobby. | Sub-support idea: Parents need to educate our children in a way that they learn to identify between the good and bad. |
Possible thesis: Some people say that the invention of the Internet has had a negative effect on our civilization. Others refute this idea saying that Internet is the best thing that could have happened to us in the twenty first century. Whatever people might say, one would definitely agree that the Internet has changed our lives considerably in the past decade. By providing effective communication and entertainment, the Internet has helped the mankind more than harm it.
10. Some students prefer to attend a small university. Others prefer to attend a big university. Discuss the advantages of each. Then indicate which type of university you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
| Main Idea: The question is should the university be big or small? | ||
| Support idea: Attending a small university has its advantages for the student who likes to be a big fish in a small pond | Support idea: The large university has its advantages for the student who likes to be a small fish in a big pond. | Support idea: I am a "big fish in a small pond" kind of student. |
| Sub-support idea: Small sized classes with the more personal teaching style. | Sub-support idea: Many parties and activities which may happen on a daily basis. | Sub-support idea: I prefer a similar small town atmosphere at the university |
| Sub-support idea: The student sees many opportunities to serve in clubs and leadership positions. | Sub-support idea: There are many types of campus facilities which may not be offered at a smaller university. | Sub-support idea: I don't like to get lost in the masses of a large university. |
Possible thesis: Making the decision to get an education is one of the most important decisions one can make in one's life. And equally important is which university one will decide to attend. The size of the university is one factor which will influence a person's choice. The question is should the university be big or small? After discussing these two views, I will explain why I prefer a small university atmosphere.
11. "When people succeed in life, it is because of hard work. Being lucky has nothing to do with success in life." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
| Main Idea: I disagree with this quote. | |
| Support idea: The key to success is by working harder/smarter not by being lucky. | Support idea: A person must plan his success. |
| Sub-support idea: Putting in more overtime. | Sub-support idea: He researches out a market for his product. |
| Sub-support idea: Doing the job faster. | Sub-support idea: He begins selling it at the most opportune time |
| Sub-support idea: Use intelligent business sense. | Sub-support idea: He plans a budget for his business. |
Possible thesis: To many, the ambition is to create enough wealth, so he can live comfortably with his family and not have to worry about how to pay bills on a monthly basis. This definition of success can be achieved but is it by hard work or is it by luck? The answer is neither. Success can be achieved by working smarter not harder, and luck plays no role in this calculated effort. So I disagree with this quote.
12. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
| Main Idea: Universities imparting education to students should give equal attention to sports and academics. | ||
| Support idea: Sports bring out the competitive spirit in a person, which is good for a person. | Support idea: A student's capability should not be judged alone on his or her academic results. | Support idea: Sports bring respect and revenue to a school. So equal money should be given to sports. |
| Sub-support idea:The urge to perform well on a sports ground builds confidence in a student. | Sub-support idea: Students should be helped to develop their talent in sports. The students should be rewarded for their efforts. | Sub-support idea: Successful sports programs bring respect to a school. |
| Sub-support idea: Participating in a team sport enhances a student's ability to interact with people around and to coordinate with others | Sub-support idea: Academics and sports combined make a person a well-rounded individual. So a students should not only be judged on academics. | Sub-support idea: Enrollments increase if a school has a good football or basketball team. Increased enrollment means additional money. |
Possible thesis: "Education should not just be limited to the development of the intellect of a student, it should be an overall development of the student's personality. Along with academic growth, physical development of the students should be a part of the education a student gets since it teaches the athlete how to be competitive. Additionally, sports bring respect and revenue to a school. Therefore, universities imparting education to students should give equal attention to sports and academics.
13. Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: People have several reasons for visiting museums. | ||
| Support idea: Learn about history. | Support idea: Enjoyment | Support idea: Learn about countries culture. |
| Sub-support idea: A museum in Italy can teach you about World War I. | Sub-support idea: Pictures, sculptures are beautiful to look at. | Sub-support idea: A museum in Russia teaches tourists about different marriage traditions. |
| Sub-support idea: Museums about shipwrecks teach us about the types of transportation used in the past. | Sub-support idea: Many enjoy being educated in museums. | Sub-support idea: Museum in Washington D.C. in the US teaches one about famous rock singers of the past. |
Possible thesis: "Buy a return ticket to London and get a complimentary visit to Madam Tussauds museum free'' was what the advertisement said when my parents were planning to visit London. They immediately fell for the offer and bought the return ticket. The fact is that my parent never ever visited even a single museum out of hundreds in Delhi. Perhaps because of the desire to learn more about history and culture and the need for entertainment, the offer of a free visit to museum was alluring for my parents.
14. Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Eating at home is the better alternative of the two | ||
| Support idea: Less expensive. | Support idea: More convenient. | Support idea: Healthier. |
| Sub-support idea: When I ate at Denny's, the cost for my meal was $8.50. | Sub-support idea: If I eat out, I know it will take me a long time to get to the restaurant, either because of problems with icy roads or because of traffic. | Sub-support idea: I seem to gain weight easily when I eat out ( not healthy) |
| Sub-support idea: Monthly grocery bill was only $90 when I only ate at home. | Sub-support idea: I prepare my own food right in my own kitchen at whatever time is convenient for me. | Sub-support idea: I am happy to say that I have now lost 15 lbs due to not eating out (healthy) |
Possible thesis: A necessity for our survival, eating provides our bodies nutrients, from which we are able to carry out our daily life's tasks. Choosing where we eat is arguably one of the most important choices we may make in our lifetime. Eating at home is the better alternative of the two since it is less expensive, it is more convenient, and most importantly, it is healthier.
15. Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.
| Main Idea: It is not mandatory for university students to attend classes. | ||
| Support idea: Learning through correspondence is beneficial. | Support idea: Handicapped people have better opportunities. | Support idea: Some people are very far from school. |
| Sub-support idea: Distance learning courses enable mothers to study. | Sub-support idea: Wheel chair bound students don't have to travel to school. | Sub-support idea: A person may live in a city that does not have a university. |
| Sub-support idea: Correspondence learning is good for people who have multiple jobs or a very busy daily routine. | Sub-support idea: Deaf people can study on Online Courses. | Sub-support idea: A person may want to attend a university in another country without having to travel. |
Possible thesis: Some people are of the opinion that students learn more only if they attend classes, and therefore, it should be mandatory for university students to attend classes. Others are of the opinions that by the time an individual is ready to go to university, the individual is responsible enough to decide how and when to study. Therefore, it is not essential for university students to attend classes. I am in agreement with the latter type of people who believe that it is not mandatory for university students to attend classes. Not being required to attend classes, handicapped students and students who live in remote areas can learn more easily through correspondence.
16. Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
| Main Idea: Good neighbors are always welcomed because they have many good qualities. | ||
| Support idea: Helpful in times of need. | Support idea: Provide company when we are alone. | Support idea: Provide security in the neighborhood. |
| Sub-support idea: Mike mowed his neighbor's lawn while his neighbor was in the hospital. | Sub-support idea: Neighbor visited my grandmother while I was gone. | Sub-support idea: Steve called the police when someone tried to break into my house. |
| Sub-support idea: Steve rides with his neighbor to school. | Sub-support idea: My neighbor watches football games with me. | Sub-support idea: My neighbor watches my house while I go on vacation. |
Possible thesis: Love thy neighbor as thyself is what one of the ten commandments says. Even though we cannot choose our neighbors, we can choose how to live with them. Good neighbors are always welcomed because they have many good qualities. The qualities that good neighbors have are that they are helpful in times of need, they provide company when we are alone, and they provide security in the neighborhood.
17. In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
| Main Idea: In contrast to the past, many live longer for several reasons. | ||
| Support idea: Cures against disease. | Support idea: More accessible medical research on preventative medicine. | Support idea: Drives against world hunger. |
| Sub-support idea: Small pox. | Sub-support idea: Web Site titled WebMD. | Sub-support idea: Michael Jackson's "Feed the World." |
| Sub-support idea: Bubonic Plague. | Sub-support idea: Popular magazines. | Sub-support idea: Television ads in the US solicit donations to feed starving children. |
Possible thesis: A hundred years ago, the average life span of a human was a little more than fifty years in most developed countries. In the year 2002, on the other hand, Japan has an average life span of 82 years for women. The United States has a life span almost as high. In fact, many countries have experienced similar increases. What accounts for this dramatic increase in longevity? Cures against disease, more accessible medical research on preventative medicine, and developed countries drive against world hunger are three reasons to explain this phenomenon.
18. We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.
| Main Idea: I prefer to work with a communicable, generous and clever colleague. | ||
| Support idea: Communicable | Support idea: Generous. | Support idea: Clever |
| Sub-support idea: Each worker must help to support a friendly atmosphere by communicating openly with others. | Sub-support idea: Being jealous, not generous, is harmful not only for us, but for all team members. | Sub-support idea: Being wise is important in resolving tasks. |
| Sub-support idea: Being communicable allows one to be a team with other workers. | Sub-support idea: Being helpful and generous helps workers to complete job sooner. | Sub-support idea: Clever colleagues help company make more profits. |
Possible thesis: The majority of our life we spend at work. While working, we communicate with the people surrounding us. There are as many characters as are people in the world. I prefer to work with a communicable, generous and clever colleague.
19. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.
| Main Idea: Having a part-time or full-time job is disadvantageous. | ||
| Support idea: Takes away vital studying time, cause grades to drop. | Support idea: Less time for extracurricular involvement in school activities. | Support idea: Money may distract the teenager from more important priorities |
| Sub-support idea: Working at a part-time job would interfere with needed 3-4 hours of daily studying. | Sub-support idea: To become well-rounded, a student should join a football team, a school band, or a club, not get a job. | Sub-support idea: My friend got a job to buy a truck, not to save money for college; his goals changed. |
| Sub-support idea: Not being able to study because of job would cause grades to drop. | Sub-support idea: Universities favor students with extracurricular involvement, not ones with jobs. | Sub-support idea: Shifting his priorities--instead of concentrating on his studies, he had to work overtime to keep ahead of his monthly payments on his truck. |
Possible thesis: At an important cross-roads in their life where they are learning how to become independent citizens of a country, teenagers must balance their time among various activities, some of which may include school, social interaction, extra curricular activities, and church. But is it a good idea for these youngsters to set aside time for a job as well? Trying to hold down a part-time or full-time job is disadvantageous for three reasons: First, it takes away vital studying time; second, it leaves the teenager with less time for extracurricular involvement in school activities; and third, the extra money may distract the teenager from more important priorities.
20. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
| Main Idea: Before moving to my hometown, he should consider the pros (advantages) and cons (disadvantages). | ||||
| Support idea: Like--Climate. | Support idea: Like-Many forms of entertainment. | Support idea: Like-Low crime. | Support idea: Dislike-Traffic. | Support idea: Dislike-Expensive housing. |
| Sub-support idea: An onshore ocean breeze almost every afternoon. | Sub-support idea: Play volleyball, swim at the nearby beach. | Sub-support idea: More than enough police officers to patrol the streets. | Sub-support idea: There is often traffic congestion in my hometown. | Sub-support idea: The prices of residential houses have gone up dramatically in the last thirty years; most house are near the beach. |
| Sub-support idea: Cool summers and mild winters. | Sub-support idea: Many shopping malls and plazas. | Sub-support idea: My city has not had a murder in more than five years. | Sub-support idea: There is often more than 150,000 people working, driving, and shopping in my city during the week despite my city's 55,000 permanent population base. | Sub-support idea: My parents paid only $150,000 for our house some thirty years ago; but now it is worth $980,000. |
Possible thesis: Choosing where to live is an important decision since a person may end up living there with his family for the remainder of his life. If a person were to move to my town, he would like the cool summers and mild winters, he would enjoy the many entertainment choices available, and he would like the low crime rates. However, he may not like the traffic and expensive housing of my hometown. So before this person moves to my hometown, he should consider each of these pros and cons.
21. It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
| Main Idea: I will oppose the plan to build a movie theater in my neighborhood. | ||
| Support idea: The potential hazards of its construction. | Support idea: Noisy traffic. | Support idea: Unsightly trash. |
| Sub-support idea: The dirt from construction might give me allergies. | Sub-support idea: Noisy foot traffic late at night. | Sub-support idea: Movie goers might throw thrash in my yard. |
| Sub-support idea: I might get hit by debris (i.e., concrete, wood) | Sub-support idea: Cards driving late at night will disturb me in my sleep. | Sub-support idea: They might also throw trash outside of the theater. |
Possible thesis: A movie theater is a place that gives entertainment to many people. But, if a new theater is built in my neighborhood, I will oppose this plan due to the potential hazards of its construction, the noisy traffic it would create in my residential area, and the unsightly trash the movie goers are likely to throw by my house.
22. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: The Earth is being damaged by people's activity. | ||
| Support idea: Air pollution | Support idea: Destroying nature. | Support idea: Exhausting natural resources. |
| Sub-support idea: Acrid smoke and toxic products emitted from companies. | Sub-support idea: Many forests were cut down. | Sub-support idea: Oil extraction. |
| Sub-support idea: Many cars pollute the atmosphere with carbon monoxide. | Sub-support idea: Rivers, especially nearby the cities, were blocked with dams to change the water level or even to alter the direction of the waterflow. | Sub-support idea: Depletion of coal. |
Possible thesis: Since the mankind has lived on the Earth, the environment on the planet is seriously changed by influence of the human activity. Some people suggest that the alterations is improved our environment, while others oppose this opinion. Human's life activity leads to the air pollution, the destroying of the nature, and the exhausting of the resources. That is why I believe that the Earth is being more damaged that improved by people's activity.
23. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
| Main Idea: I personally prefer face-to-face communication. | ||
| Support idea: Eliminates misunderstanding. | Support idea: Makes solid relationships. | Support idea: Encourages continued interaction; make relationship stronger. |
| Sub-support idea: His body language such as facial expression will tell you he disagrees or doesn't follow your line of thought. | Sub-support idea: People will absorb the information more than words when they meet each other; they will make a connection with you. | Sub-support idea: Face-to-face communication is that encounters tend to hold longer than other forms of communication. |
| Sub-support idea: If you had sent an e-mail to him, this person may have misinterpreted what you really wanted to say. | Sub-support idea: People can always sense if others really want to communicate with them and eye contact will definitely help understanding and benefit the relationship. | Sub-support idea: The more you talk, the stronger your relationship will be. |
Possible thesis: While some people like to take e-mail, telephone calls or letters as their common communication means, others contradict this; they consider face-to-face communication the better choice. I personally prefer the latter one because face-to-face communication can eliminate misunderstanding immediately, make solid relationships, and encourage continued interaction.
24. Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
| Main Idea: I agree with the above statement. | ||
| Support idea: Good for risk takers to challenge the old convention. | Support idea: Risk takers are mirrors for society. | Support idea: Risk takers serve as our primary catalysts for progress. |
| Sub-support idea: Martin Luther King disagreed with the injustice committed against blacks. | Sub-support idea: Picasso and Dali broke the established rules of composition and ultimately emerged as the greatest artists; they mirrored society's capableness of changing the old way of viewing art. | Sub-support idea: Copernicus developed his new paradigm and theories that helped facilitate Galileo's empirical observations, helping society progress |
| Sub-support idea: Through risk taking, King asserted civil rights for minorities. | Sub-support idea: A reflection of our own desires, be-bop musician Charlie Parker broke all the harmonic rules, and folk musician-poet Bob Dylan broke the rules for lyrics to give us music we wanted but didn't know how to create. | Sub-support idea: Kepler's laws of planetary motion made science progress. |
Possible thesis: Many of world religions share a belief that risk-takers are most memorable people. I agree with the above statement because one can easily see iconoclasts call attention to them by challenging the old convention, some providing conspicuous mirrors for society, others serving as our primary catalysts for progress.
25. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
| Main Idea: economic gain should not be the overriding factor in selecting a career. | ||
| Support idea: Making money is not an end in or of itself, but rather a means of obtaining other things. Career helps a person accomplishes those goals. | Support idea: Many people select a career for other reasons other than money. | Support idea: Some choose a career because of its location or because of the social interaction. They do not choose the career because of the money it generates. |
| Sub-support idea: Security for oneself and family. | Sub-support idea: Nurses, teachers and social workers, choose their career from an overriding altruistic desire to help others. | Sub-support idea: Some people work at the beach, so they become life guards. |
| Sub-support idea: Freedom to travel or to pursue hobbies | Sub-support idea: Others choose to pursue intellectual or creative fulfillment-as writers, artists, or musicians- not for the money it might produce | Sub-support idea: Some who enjoy social interaction become bartenders. |
Possible thesis: Financial gain is certainly a factor to consider when choosing a career. But many people do not or should not, focus on that factor as the main one. The most important factor in a career choice should depend on the goals and the type of social interaction a person is seeking.
26. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
| Main Idea: I disagree with this statement. | ||
| Support idea: Businesses have an ethical duty to serve the community. | Support idea: Businesses should not ignore to preserve the environment. | Support idea: The motivation and final objective of doing business is making money, but not at the expense of the community or the environment. |
| Sub-support idea: Mrs Field's, Ben&Jerry's, and Timberland provide jobs and donating money, facilities, or serves to social programs. | Sub-support idea: A water company sets up a short-term target of $20 million profits, while totally ignoring environmental issues by leaking a toxic substance into the ground. | Sub-support idea: Company has obvious duty to maximize shareholder wealth of community members of the board. |
| Sub-support idea: Businesses who entirely pursue profits without any benefit to their communities will certainly lose their reputation and market shares. | Sub-support idea: Although this company has successfully saved money for equipping the water recycling program, it has to pay even more for the government punishment. | Sub-support idea: Corporations also have a duty to serve society and preserve their environment. |
Possible thesis: We
take for granted that a primary objective and obligation of a corporation is
to maximize profits. But does this mean a corporation can do anything by any
means to pursue its goal of making money? In my point of view, beyond the obvious
duty to maximize shareholder wealth, corporations indeed owe a duty to serve
the community and to preserve their environment.
27. Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.
| Main Idea: India has custom of touching of elder' s feet by youngsters. | ||
| Support idea: Origins of custom. | Support idea: Description of custom. | Support idea: Advantages of custom |
| Sub-support idea: Originated long back in the Indian society. | Sub-support idea: At social gatherings, children kneel down and touch feet of the elders. | Sub-support idea: Creates a bond between the elders and youngsters. |
| Sub-support idea: From generation to generation, parents teach children in Indian society is to show their respect to elders and respected persons in the family and society by touching their feet. | Sub-support idea: After having had their feet touched, the elders in turn bless children with some pious verses for the good health and prosperity in life. | Sub-support idea: Teaches the children to obey their parents from a very early age |
Possible thesis: A society is known by its customs. The customs help in integrating and ensuring survival of the society. India and its rich cultural heritage has been an object of fascination for many people all over the world. India has customs, which reflect the cultures and traditions we have inherited from our past. One such custom is touching of elder' s feet by youngsters. Let's examine this custom in terms of its origins, its description, and its advantages.
28. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
| Main Idea: There are various ways of reducing stress. | ||
| Support idea: Reading. | Support idea: Music. | Support idea: Talking to friends and family. |
| Sub-support idea: You become part of the story. | Sub-support idea: We are totally lost in its rhythm and melody. | Sub-support idea: You can tell someone each incident that occurred during the day and how you reacted to it. |
| Sub-support idea: You get involved in the characters of the story and reach a different world altogether. | Sub-support idea: If we know the lyrics of the song, we start humming along with it. This releases the pressure | Sub-support idea: Just as you discuss your day, other people discuss theirs. This friendly atmosphere can prove effective in reducing stress. |
Possible thesis: The luxuries of modern life have not come without a price attached to it. The more modernized we are becoming, the more stressful are our lives. It is important to eliminate this stress in order to continue living a balanced life. There are various ways of reducing stress and while one way might work for one person, it might not for another. Reading, music, social interaction among family are important stress reducers in my life.
29. Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
| Main Idea: Physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. | ||
| Support idea: Physical exercise will increase the overall wellness of the students. | Support idea: Physical exercise will teach the children teamwork | Support idea: Physical exercise will give students a chance to release some stress from their rigorous academic studies. |
| Sub-support idea: Doctors recommend cardiovascular exercise for students. They say it will make students healthier. | Sub-support idea: Baseball teaches children to work together. | Sub-support idea: Students need a break from studying; exercise will help energize the student mentally. |
| Sub-support idea: Exercise will make students hearts and bodies stronger. | Sub-support idea: Teamwork from sports prepares a student for his/her future vocation. | Sub-support idea: After exercise, when the student returns to the classroom, he/she will be more productive. |
Possible thesis: Most people agree that it is important to get an academic education. But what is a matter of debate is whether or not exercise should be part of this academic curriculum. During a regular school day when students take classes such as Biology, Mathematics, History, Language Arts, and Social Studies, administrators should allow these same students to engage in physical exercise. Physical exercise will increase the overall wellness of the students, it will teach the children teamwork, and it will give them a chance to release some stress from their rigorous academic studies.
30. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
| Main Idea: One important resource that needs to be saved is clean water. | ||
| Support idea: If it is saved, it can lead to a healthy living. | Support idea: Clean water will also help in saving other natural resources such as forests and animals. | Support idea: Clean water should be preserved. |
| Sub-support idea: Unless we have clean water, we cannot think of preparing hygienic food that is essential for healthy living. | Sub-support idea: Sometimes the amount of waste dumped in the water bodies is so large that the water cannot flow at all. This deprives forests of the water that they get for their flourishing. | Sub-support idea: Protects our natural resources. |
| Sub-support idea: Unclean water has lead to diseases like dengue and people have died from it. | Sub-support idea: Animals who drink contaminated water continuously are in danger of extinction. | Sub-support idea: Allows us to exist in this world. |
Possible thesis: It is indeed a fact that the quality and quantity of important natural resources such as, forests, water, and animals are diminishing in all parts of the world. If we do not take any strong measures to save these resources, the day is not far when we all be deprived of a world worth living. One important resource that needs to be saved immediately is clean water. Saving this precious natural commodity has healthful benefits for humans, plants, and animals.
31. In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.
| Main Idea: It is a good rule that people should not smoke in public places. | ||
| Support idea: It's not healthy for other people who don't smoke. | Support idea: It's not good for smoker's health either. | Support idea: Smoking can cause others to feel stressed. |
| Sub-support idea: Nonsmokers have to smell and sometimes directly inhale the smoke, which may cause lung cancer. | Sub-support idea: Scientific evidence suggests a direct link of smoking to various forms of cancer. | Sub-support idea: If you have just finished from a serious conference and you smell smoke, maybe it makes you so tired because you don't get fresh air from outside. |
| Sub-support idea: Children who inhale smoke maybe can more easily get flus, colds, and respiratory sicknesses. | Sub-support idea: If smokers smoke excessively, they can become ill with this deadly form of cancer. | Sub-support idea: Nonsmokers may worry about getting cancer from second hand smoke. |
Possible thesis: In
some countries, people can smoke in many places because it is their right. However,
many countries don't allow people to smoke in many places because of the health
risks. Thus, people should not smoke in public places since it is unhealthful
both for the smoker and the nonsmoker. Additionally, it can cause some in the
workplace to feel stressed.
32. Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
| Main Idea: Famous athletes and entertainers deserve high salaries. | ||
| Support idea: The market, not the government, determines who gets paid what. | Support idea: They provide much needed entertainment which is a luxury. | Support idea: They have very short careers. |
| Sub-support idea: Athletes earn company high profits from radio and television rights, as well as everything sold at the concessions stands. | Sub-support idea: We expect to pay for our luxuries. | Sub-support idea: Athlete and entertainers have little chance of a stable career. Injury or getting old may make them no longer marketable. |
| Sub-support idea: These companies can afford to pay their entertainers and sports figures huge salaries, because those athletes and film stars draw people to the entertainment. | Sub-support idea: Athlete and entertainers who provide luxuries should be paid for their contributions. | Sub-support idea: They need to earn enough money to support themselves for the rest of their life. |
Possible thesis: Some
athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars annually. In contrast, an
elementary school teacher, on average, probably makes less $30,000 a year. At
first glance, this inequality between the two professions seems unfair. However,
in a free marker society, what it is fair or just is not relevant. The market,
not the government, determines the salary of an athlete or entertainer since
we are willing to pay for luxuries they provide. Additionally, athletes and
entertainers often times have short careers, so they need to earn a lot of money
for their future.
33. Advances in transportation and communication like the airplane and the telephone have changed the way that nations interact with each other in a global society. Choose another technological innovation that you think is important. Give specific reasons for your choice.
| Main Idea: The Internet is another important technological innovation. | ||
| Support idea: It has removed all barriers to communication. | Support idea: It provides a lot of information at the click of a button. | Support idea: Internet allows business through its e-commerce service. |
| Sub-support idea: Online chatting, E-mail. | Sub-support idea: Yahoo. | Sub-support idea: Online trading. |
| Sub-support idea: NetMeeting and Video conferencing. | Sub-support idea: Google. | Sub-support idea: Sell products on Web Sites to make profits. |
Possible thesis: Our economy has benefitted greatly from technological innovations such as the airplane and the telephone. Another important innovation that has changed the face of the economy is the Internet. The Internet has removed all barriers to communication and more frequently, has given us access to any information we require, and has also made it possible for countries to trade online.
34. Some people believe that it is very important to make large amounts of money, while others are satisfied to earn a comfortable living. Analyze each viewpoint and take a stand.
| Main Idea: Each point deserves some consideration. | ||
| Support idea: Some say it is important to make large amounts of money. | Support idea: Other people are satisfied to earn a comfortable living for a number of reasons. | Support idea: I would say a person should earn enough to satisfy his basic requirements. |
| Sub-support idea: They not only want to make their life comfortable but also of their children and grandchildren. | Sub-support idea: They think the more money you have, the more sleep you lose over it. | Sub-support idea: People who have excessive money are more prone to stress related problems like depression and loneliness. |
| Sub-support idea: They think money is the answer to all problems and earning loads of it will help them to lead a problem free life. | Sub-support idea: They think it is not fair for one person to be very rich and the other to be extremely poor. | Sub-support idea: Money cannot buy happiness or health. |
Possible thesis: The issue of how much money a person should have is very debatable. Some people think the money they make, the better it is, while others are content if they earn enough to satisfy their necessities. I personally feel that a person should earn enough money as is required by his required standard of living.
35. Use examples and reasons to explain your answer to the following question: How do mass media (television, film and radio) influence children's behavior?
| Main Idea: Mass media influences a child's behavior to a great extent. | ||
| Support idea: Talking style. | Support idea: Interaction skills. | Support idea: General awareness. |
| Sub-support idea: A child tries to imitate whatever he sees or hears in television, films and on radio. | Sub-support idea: A child might learn violence and hostility from movies and interact that way to neighbors. | Sub-support idea: If the child listens to news, he knows about current affairs. |
| Sub-support idea: If the child likes a particular actor in film and television, he will try to imitate that actor's talking style. | Sub-support idea: If the shows and films he watches depict a friendly environment, the child is likely to interact pleasantly with friends and neighbors. | Sub-support idea: If he watches channels like Animal Planet and Discovery, he will have a strong knowledge about plants and animals. |
Possible thesis: A child's behavior is easily influenced by anything he sees or hears, which is why, mass media influences a child's behavior to a great extent. The aspects of behavior that are influenced are talking style, interaction skills and general awareness.
36. It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree?
| Main Idea: I disagree. Children should grow up in a big city. | ||
| Support idea: More opportunities to learn about technologies. | Support idea: They cannot find a good job in the big country. | Support idea: Many schools or universities are not located in the country. |
| Sub-support idea: Computers are more available in the city. | Sub-support idea: Most famous firms are located in a big city. | Sub-support idea: Columbia University. |
| Sub-support idea: Innovative technologies (i.e., DVD, CD- burners) are usually started in the city. | Sub-support idea: If they can apply for these firms, it means they can earn a lot of money. | Sub-support idea: UCLA |
Possible thesis: Many
people like to live in the countryside because of many conditions. However,
if they live in the countryside, their children cannot learn
about new technologies. Furthermore, they might not be able to find a good job
in the country. And since many schools or universities are located in a big
city, they may not be able to get a university degree.
Each of the reasons deserve some discussion.
37. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should make learning enjoyable and fun for their students. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
| Main Idea: Learning should be fun. I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. | ||
| Support idea: Students learn faster when the teaching is done interactively, which is fun for the students. | Support idea: Students do not get bored when they do things which are fun. | Support idea: Students become friendly with their teacher when they do fun things. |
| Sub-support idea: While teaching a student the basics of addition, he will learn it faster if the teaching is done by asking a student to pick out things, such as pencils, the number of which is equal to the solution of the problem. | Sub-support idea: They will be able to concentrate on the subject being taught for longer durations. | Sub-support idea: Children do not consider their teacher as someone who is there just to give them work |
| Sub-support idea: Students can play games about history and get rewards when they answer questions correctly. They can learn History faster this way. | Sub-support idea: Solving problems in Math, Writing | Sub-support idea:
This helps them to listen more effectively to what the teacher is saying, the same way they would listen to their friends. |
Possible thesis: "Teachers
should make learning enjoyable for their students:" I agree with this statement
wholeheartedly. Students will find it much easier to retain the information
that they learn through activities that they enjoy rather than the information
that is fed to them through simple book-reading, which many of them take as
a bitter pill. Thus, interactive classes, having the students do fun activities,
and creating a friendly student/teacher relationship will make learning a much
more fun and productive activity, helping the students to overcome their fear
of studies and to improve their performance.
38. Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.
| Main Idea: People can learn better with a teacher rather than themselves. | ||
| Support idea: If there is someone to guide us, we will know which methodology is the best to achieve the target. | Support idea: A teacher who has even some knowledge about the subject can help us know whether the content we are studying is correct. | Support idea: Teachers can motivate us to study. |
| Sub-support idea: Someone learn better through visual teaching style. | Sub-support idea: They can tell us about which books, CBTs, or the Internet Web Sites to use. | Sub-support idea: Students will practice writing more if they have high motivation. |
| Sub-support idea: Some learn better through verbal interaction. | Sub-support idea: They can test us to determine if we have correct application of subject matter. | Sub-support idea: If someone encourages you to study hard, you are bound to perform well or even excel in the subject. |
Possible thesis: Education
plays an important role in an individual's life. Some people study on their
own and perform well while others have someone to guide them and excel in their
field of studies. I claim that people can learn better with a teacher rather
than by themselves. I don't say that learning is not possible without a teacher,
but it is always better to have someone to guide us. Teacher does not mean your
school teacher or college professor. Teacher can be your mother, father, or
friend. Teacher is someone who guides us, validates our knowledge of subject
material, and motivates us to study.
39. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important.
| Main Idea: Choosing a roommate to live with is an important decision. He should have several important qualities. | ||
| Support idea: Honesty. | Support idea: Cleanliness. | Support idea: A clea |