GRE写作6分ISSUE范文.docx

1、GRE写作6分ISSUE范文第一类题材 Study Issue 183As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex and more mysterious.Does knowledge render things more comprehensible, or more complex and mysterious? In my view the acquisition of knowledge brings about all three at the same

2、 time. This paradoxical result is aptly explained and illustrated by a number of advances in our scientific knowledge. Consider, for example, the sonar system on which blind bats rely to navigate and especially to seek prey. Researchers have learned that this system is startlingly sophisticated. By

3、emitting audible sounds, then processing the returning echoes, a bat can determine in a nanosecond not only how far away its moving prey is but also the preys speed, direction, size and even specie! This knowledge acquired helps explain, of course, how bats navigate and survive. Yet at the same time

4、 this knowledge points out the incredible complexity of the auditory and brain functions of certain animals, even of mere humans, and creates a certain mystery and wonder about how such systems ever evolved organically.Or consider our knowledge of the universe. Advances in telescope and space-explor

5、ation technology seem to corroborate the theory of a continually expanding universe that began at the very beginning of time with a big bang. On one level this knowledge, assuming it qualifies as such, helps us comprehend our place in the universe and our ultimate destiny. Yet on the other hand it a

6、dds yet another chapter to the mystery about what existed before time and the universe. Or consider the area of atomic physics. The naked human eye perceives very little, of course, of the complexity of matter. To our distant ancestors the physical world appeared simple-seemingly comprehensible by m

7、eans of sight and touch. Then by way of scientific knowledge we learned that all matter is comprised of atoms, which are further comprised of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Then we discovered an even more basic unit of matter called the quark. And now a new so-called string theory posits the exis

8、tence of an even more fundamental, and universal, unit of matter. On the one hand, these discoveries have rendered things more comprehensible, by explaining and reconciling empirical observations of how matter behaves. The string theory also reconciles the discrepancy between the quantum and wave th

9、eories of physics. On the other hand, each discovery has in turn revealed that matter is more complex than previously thought. In fact, the string theory, which is theoretically sound, calls for seven more dimensions-in addition to the three we already know about! Im hard-pressed to imagine anything

10、 more complex or mysterious.In sum, the statement overlooks a paradox about knowledge acquired, at least when it comes to understanding the physical world. When through knowledge a thing becomes more comprehensible and explainable we realize at the same time that it is more complex and mysterious th

11、an previously thought.第二类题材 SocietyIssue 140 What society has thought to be its greatest social, political, and individual achievements have often resulted in the greatest discontent.I strongly agree that great achievements often lead to great discontent. In fact, I would assert more specifically th

12、at great individual achievements can cause discontent for the individual achiever or for the society impacted by the achievement, or both. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that whether a great achievement causes great discontent can depend on ones personal perspective, as well as the per

13、spective of time.With respect to individual achievements, great achievers are by nature ambitious people and therefore tend to be dissatisfied and discontent with their accomplishmentsno matter how great. Great athletes are compelled to try to better their record-breaking performances; great artists

14、 and musicians typically claim that their greatest work will be their next one-a sign of personal discontent. And many child prodigies, especially those who achieve some measure of fame early in life, later suffer psychological discontent for having peaked so early. Perhaps the paradigmatic modern e

15、xample of a great achievers discontent was Einstein, whose theoretical breakthroughs in physics only raised new theoretical conundrums which Einstein himself recognized and spent the last twenty years of his life struggling unsuccessfully to solve.Individual achievements can often result in disconte

16、nt on a societal level. The great achievement of the individual scientists responsible for the success of the Manhattan Project resulted in worldwide anxiety over the threat of nuclear annihilation-a form of discontent with which the worlds denizens will forever be forced to cope. Even individual ac

17、hievements that at first glance would appear to have benefited society turn out to be causes of great discontent. Consider the invention of the automobile, along with the innovations in manufacturing processes and materials that made mass production possible. As a result we have become a society ens

18、laved to our cars, relying on them as crutches not only for transportation but also for affording us a false sense of socioeconomic status. Moreover, the development of assembly-line manufacturing has served to alienate workers from their work, which many psychologists agree causes a great deal of p

19、ersonal discontent.Turning from individual achievements to societal, including political, achievements, the extent to which great achievements have caused great discontent often depends on ones perspective. Consider, for example, Americas spirit of Manifest Destiny during the 19th Century, or Britis

20、h Imperialism over the span of several centuries. From the perspective of an Imperialist, conquering other lands and peoples might be viewed as an unqualified success. However, from the viewpoint of the indigenous peoples who suffer at the hands of Imperialists, these so-called achievements are the

21、source of widespread oppression and misery, and in turn discontent, to which any observant Native American or South African native could attest. The extent to which great socio-political achievements have caused great discontent also depends on the perspective of time. For example, F.D.R.s New Deal

22、was and still is considered by many to be one of the greatest social achievements of the 20th Century. However, we are just now beginning to realize that the social-security system that was an integral part of F.D.R.s social program will soon result in great discontent among those workers currently

23、paying into the system but unlikely to see any benefits after they retire.To sum up, I agree that great achievements, both individual and socio-political, often result in great discontent. Moreover, great individual achievements can result in discontent for both the individual achiever and the socie

24、ty impacted by the achievement. Nevertheless, in measuring the extent of discontent, we must account for varying personal and political perspectives as well as different time perspectives.第三类题材 Science & TechnologyIssue 30The primary goal of technological advancement should be to increase peoples ef

25、ficiency so that everyone has more leisure time.The speaker contends that technologys primary goal should be to increase our efficiency for the purpose of affording us more leisure time. I concede that technology has enhanced our efficiency as we go about our everyday lives. Productivity software he

26、lps us plan and coordinate projects; intranets, the Internet, and satellite technology make us more efficient messengers; and technology even helps us prepare our food and access entertainment more efficiently. Beyond this concession, however, I find the speakers contention indefensible from both an

27、 empirical and a normative standpoint.The chief reason for my disagreement lies in the empirical proof: with technological advancement comes diminished leisure time. In 1960 the average U.S. family included only one breadwinner, who worked just over 40 hours per week. Since then the average work wee

28、k has increased steadily to nearly 60 hours today; and in most families there are now two breadwinners. What explains this decline in leisure despite increasing efficiency that new technologies have brought about? I contend that technology itself is the culprit behind the decline. We use the additio

29、nal free time that technology affords us not for leisure but rather for work. As computer technology enables greater and greater office productivity it also raises our employers expectations-or demands-for production. Further technological advances breed still greater efficiency and, in turn, expect

30、ations. Our spiraling work load is only exacerbated by the competitive business environment in which nearly all of us work today. Moreover, every technological advance demands our time and attention in order to learn how to use the new technology. Time devoted to keeping pace with technology deplete

31、s time for leisure activities.I disagree with the speaker for another reason as well: the suggestion that technologys chief goal should be to facilitate leisure is simply wrongheaded. There are far more vital concerns that technology can and should address. Advances in bio-technology can help cure a

32、nd prevent diseases; advances in medical technology can allow for safer, less invasive diagnosis and treatment; advances in genetics can help prevent birth defects; advances in engineering and chemistry can improve the structural integrity of our buildings, roads, bridges and vehicles; information t

33、echnology enables education while communication technology facilitates global participation in the democratic process. In short, health, safety, education, and freedom-and not leisure-are the proper final objectives of technology. Admittedly, advances in these areas sometimes involve improved efficiency; yet