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孙远的GMAT作文讲义b

1

八、Argument结尾段模式训练
Example 1: 上文的最后一段
Example 2:
The following appeared in a letter from a staff member in the office of 
admissions at Argent University.
“The most recent nationwide surveys show that undergraduates choose their 
major field primarily based on their perception of job prospects in that 
field. At our university, economics is now the most popular major, so 
students must perceive this field as having the best job prospects. 
Therefore, we can increase our enrollment if we focus our advertising and 
recruiting on publicizing the accomplishments of our best-known economics 
professors and the success of our economics graduates in finding 
employment.”

Topic Sentence 1: First, the argument is based on a gratuitous assumption 
that students throughout the country must perceive economics as having the 
best job prospects because economics is the most popular major at Argent 
University. 

Topic Sentence 2: Second, the arguer overemphasizes the importance of 
economics major and ignores other possible factors that may contribute to 
the enrollment. 

Topic Sentence 3: Another assumption in short of legitimacy is the causal 
relationship claimed between publishing the accomplishments of Argent’s 
best-known economics professors as well as the success of its economics 
graduates in finding employment and the enrollment increase.
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(to continue)
In conclusion, the argument is unconvincing because the arguer 
oversimplifies both the problem and its possible solutions. To strengthen 
the argument, the arguer would have to provide evidence that the economics 
is indeed the most attractive major for undergraduates all over the 
country. To better evaluate the argument, we would need more information 
about the present enrollment situation of both the economics field and 
other fields at Argent University as well as other possible effective means 
for promoting enrollment.


九、Argument小结
Part Two
十、是非问题例文分析
Case Study 1:
“People often complain that products are not made to last. They feet that 
making products that wear out fairly quickly wastes both natural and human 
resources. What they fail to see, however, is that such manufacturing 
practices keep costs down for the consumer and stimulate demand.”
Which do you find more compelling the complaint about products that do not 
list or the response to it? Explain your position using relevant reasons 
and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.

2分作文:
I find the response better than the complaint of people. The response seems 
to originate without much thought involved. It is more of an emotional 
complaint than one anchored in logic or thought. Yes, it is a waste of 
human resources but that is without consideration to the benefits: lower 
costs and stimulated demand. Thus, the response fails to recognize the 
benefits.
The strength of the response is that it forces the reader to reconsider the 
complaint. It adds a new dimension to the argument. It, however, fails to 
address the issue of wasting human resources. Does this mean the responder 
agrees with the notion of wasting resources.
In all actuality both the response and complaint is ineffective. The 
complaint doesn’t recognize or address the benefits, like the response 
doesn’t address the issue of wasting resources. The response, however, 
does bring in a new dimension and thus weakens the argument of the 
complaint.

4分作文:
I find the response to the complaint more compelling. Although the 
complaint is valid, it is most often the case the building a product to 
last forever will indeed cost more than the average consumer is willing to 
pay. Creating such a product would require more materials and/or more heavy-
duty wear resistant materials which inherently are more expensive. Another 
factor that would drive costs up is the fact that demand for products would 
decrease. The demand would decrease since people do not have to replace old 
products with new products as often. With the increased variable costs for 
materials combined with a reduction in the production volume associated 
with lower demand, manufacturers must raise prices to break even or 
maintain the current level of profits.
Although a few producers may make products to last, it is understandable 
how these companies can be driven out of existence. If a new competitor 
enters the market with a similar product that has a shorter life but a 
substantially lower price, then they will probably steal major portions of 
the other company's market share. The effects depend heavily upon the 
consumer’s perception of quality and what the customers requirements from 
the product actually are.
For example, consumers may decide between two types of automobiles. One car 
may be built to last a long time but may not have the performance or be as 
comfortable as another car that is cheaper. So most consumers would 
purchase the cheaper car even though it may not last-as long as the heavy-
duty car. Consumers may not realize that the more expensive car is of 
higher quality in the sense that it will last longer and will not be 
willing to pay the extra cost.
Consumer decisions also depend on what consumers are actually looking for 
in a product. Consumers typically get tired of driving the same car for 
many years and want to buy new cars fairly often. This tendency forces 
producers to keep costs low enough to allow low enough prices for people to 
buy cars often. People don’t want cars to last forever.
In conclusion, producers are in the situation that they're in due to 
external forces from the consumers. Producers must compete and they have 
found the best way satisfy the majority of the consumers.

6分作文:
Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly, 
many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be 
noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate 
demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former 
statement and refuting the latter statement.
Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human 
resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the 
specific product. For example in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the 
classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last. 
Considering that the average Yugo had (not “has” since they are no longer 
produced! ) a life expectancy of two years and 25, 000 miles, it was a 
terrible waste.
Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranted for 
about five years and 50, 000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last less 
than half as long as most cars are warranted, the Yugo producer is wasting 
valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or 
Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby 
reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two.
Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side, 
manufacturers of a poor quality automobile, like the Yugo, get no personal 
or profession satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst 
automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the 
productivity of the Yugo workers.
Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive 
feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its 
reputation for quality and innovation as is seen in its recent massive 
recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn's image 
was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad 
situation would have become even worse.
Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer. 
A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for 
the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle 
owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle's performance at 7 AM as he/she 
is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great 
waste of human resources for the consumer.
While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a 
poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low 
quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence 
stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1998’s the 
Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States at $ 3995. By 1991, 
the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word “lemon.”

Case Study 2:
“The best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want 
and then advise them how to attain it.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion 
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples 
from your own experiences, observations, or reading.


Student Essay

When I was in Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. And all my 
teachers believed that I would enter into a first-class university and 
would have a splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance 
Examination, l met an accident and laid down in bed for several months. At 
last, I was only admitted by a second-class university. With great 
disappointment, I felt that my future was nothing but darkness. And also I 
was afraid of being blamed by my patents.
Mother saw through my thoughts. She borrowed several instructive books for 
me and seldom mentioned the exams. For the first time, my parents asked for 
several days off and took me to Qingdao--the most famous scenic spot of 
China --for vacation. Along the seaside, Mother talked with me for many 
times. I can still clearly remember what she said: “The ways to success 
are different. If you keep positive and make efforts continuously, I 
believe that you will be no less excellent than those from first-class 
universities.” At last, eternity? Ask yourself what are you going to be in 
the future. Try your best, and you will reach your goal. "
For so many years, Mother' s words seems to have inscribed in my heart and 
lead me to gain successes one after another. From this personal experience, 
I fully understand and agree that the best way to give advice to other 
people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it.
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Revised Essay

What is the best way to give advice to other people? The arguer claims that 
the best way is to find out what other people want and then advise them how 
to attain it. While I admit that many people do give advice by catering to 
other people’s desires, I maintain that this method oversimplifies the 
issue and often proves both harmful and ineffective.
In the first place, people very often have no clear idea of what they 
really want. My personal experience is a case in point. When I was in 
Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. Moreover, all my teachers 
believed that I would enter a first-class university and would have a 
splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance Examination, I had 
an accident and had to lie in bed for several months. As a result, I was 
admitted only by a second-class university, which pushed me to the brink of 
despair. At this decisive moment of my life, my mother came to my rescue. 
By recommending to me instructive books on life, by talking with me heart 
to heart, by taking me on a trip to the beach, mother convinced me that the 
goal of my life was to live a successful and happy life rather than to go 
to a famous university, and that the ways to success are various. In this 
way my mother saved me out of the crisis of my life not simply by finding 
out what I wanted and then advising me how to attain it, but by patiently 
enlightening me on the essential meaning and purpose of life, making me 
realize that what I took for granted as my aim of life was not what I 
really needed.
In the second place, more often than not what people want is not what is 
best for them. A naive child may want to quit school; a patient suffering 
from TB may want to smoke; a jobless young man may want to commit suicide---
-this list can go on and on. In all these situations, should we simply find 
out what they want and advise them how to attain it? Obviously not.
Admittedly, it would be unwise to ignore the simple fact that people are 
different. As we know, excessive interference with other people’s life 
tends to threaten their freedom and independence, causing hostility and 
confrontation. Therefore, when offering advice to other people, we should 
be very sensitive to their unique feelings and desires, knowing that 
individual human beings have the inalienable right to make choices in their 
life and that they themselves will be responsible for the results of their 
decision-making.
In conclusion, I do not agree that the best way to advise people is simply 
to find out what they desire and help them achieve it. In my estimation, 
the pitfalls of such a technique outweigh its potential advantages. To be a 
responsible advisor, we should take into account far more intricate factors 
relevant to the person to be advised.

十一、Issue的立场问题
评分依据是:是否有效地支持了你的立场
Taking a Position:
1. Agreeing with concession
2. Disagreeing with concession
3. Refusing to take sides
4. Agreeing
5. Disagreeing

十二、是非问题例文分析
Case Study 3:
"The rise of multinational corporations is leading to global homogeneity. 
People everywhere arc beginning to want the same products and services, and 
regional difference are rapidly disappearing." "homogeneity: sameness, 
similarity."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion 
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples 
based on your own experience, your observations, or your reading.

Student's Essay
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully 
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every comer of the 
world. The products and services they provide are almost the same, leading 
to global homogeneity, indeed.
The most prominent corporation among all has to be McDonald Inc. There is 
really no doubt that McDonald is a pioneer in globalizing its most produced 
and yet very -- American -- taste hamburgers. Some 6 years ago in China, 
People usually did not care for foreign food. Very few people ever knew the 
taste of cheese, a symbol of difference in oriental and Western food. 
However, McDonald proved to be huge success in China. The first branch it 
opened in Beijing is the largest among its thousands franchises. 
Hamburgers, French fries, Big Mac are becoming household words in China. 
Especially among the younger generations, going to McDonald once in a while 
becomes a routine activity in life, just as kids in other parts of the 
world do.
There is really no better place than China that can demonstrate how 
homogeneous our world has become. Another great example is Coca Cola. 
Everyone hated the taste when they drank Coca Cola in the first time. In 
China, the taste is so different from the traditional soft drinks sold in 
China, which mainly feature sweet taste and fruit flavor. The color of the 
Coke is also not liked because of its similarity to most herbal medicine 
fluids. But it seems that people simply want Coca Cola because they see 
people drink it and love it in other countries. People's tastes can change, 
and they did gradually. Now Coca Cola is the best sold soft drink in China, 
and in many other countries where Coke was originally disliked.
These all have to be attributed to the financial power of multinational 
corporations. With superior financial strength and successful products and 
services, these giants are shaping the world and the people living in it 
into their own favor, making people want the same products and services, 
and regional differences have been disappearing.

Revised Essay

Why are people everywhere beginning to want the same products and services? 
Why are regional differences rapidly disappearing? The arguer asserts that 
it is the rise of multinational corporations that is leading to this global 
homogeneity. We don’t have to look very far to see the validity of this 
argument.
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully 
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every corner of the 
world, bringing the same products and standard services to customers of 
different countries and regions. The most striking example among all is 
perhaps McDonald Inc, which has miraculously globalized its mass-produced 
American-flavored hamburger all over the world. Take China for an example. 
Some 6 years ago, Chinese people did not care for foreign food; very few 
people knew the taste of cheese--a symbol of difference between Oriental 
and Western food. However, with its overwhelming advertising campaigns, 
with its efficient management, with its standardized foods and services, 
McDonald’s has proved to be a great success, turning Hamburger, French 
fries, Big Mac into household words in China. 
In addition to McDonald’s, Coca-Cola is another striking example of the 
globalizing trend in world culture. Today almost in every country of the 
world, people instinctively think of Coca-Cola when they want to drink 
something. Obviously, with the rapid emergence of numerous multinational 
corporations like McDonald and Coca-Cola, people of different races and 
cultures are more and more likely to eat, drink, wear and use uniform 
commodities.
Admittedly, the rise of multinational corporations is not the only factor 
that has contributed to the global homogeneity. First, the more and more 
prosperous international travel has provided people of every nation with 
more and more opportunities to visit and learn from foreign cultures. 
Second, television has made it possible for people of different places to 
understand and imitate each other’s way of life. Last but not least, the 
Internet is connecting every office and family, turning the whole world 
into a global village. 
In conclusion, while numerous other factors have contributed to and are 
still adding to the globalizing trend, the rise of multinational 
corporations is certainly one major force in shaping a homogeneous world.

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Case Study 4:
"Every business decision is based on the profit motive. Even charity has as 
its ultimate goal generating good will for the person or group doing the 
charity."
Assuming that the term "business decision" is broad enough to include the 
decisions of any decision-making authority--an individual, a family, a 
small business or a large corporation--explain whether you think that this 
point is valid. In your discussion, use reasons and/or examples drawn from 
your own experience, observation, or reading.

Student’s Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the base of every business 
decision. Even ultimate goal of people or groups is to make profit when 
they are doing charity. I think that sometimes people make decision based 
on profit , but it is not always true.
The claims may be real and understandable under certain circumstances. In 
order to remain in existence, people or organizations must get profit. For 
example, a food-processing company may donor its products to Africa 
children, so it can solve its excessive store, get a good reputation and 
publicity its products. At last, it can gain ultimate its aim--making more 
money.
Although this thing may be happening in our lives, I think it is not 
consistent with general facts. I believe many people's decision rests on 
love sympathy, humanity and other things. The famous nurse--Nightingale is 
a good example: She was born in a rich family and she could live in a cozy, 
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted her life to the 
wound and the poor. Nobody can say what all she did is to make profit. 
In conclusion, I hold that business decision sometimes is based on the 
profit motive, but in most cases, it is based on people's emotion or 
character.

Revised Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the basis of every business 
decision. Furthermore, they claim that the ultimate goal of every people or 
group including charity organizations is to make profit. In my opinion, it 
is true that people often make decisions by calculating profit, but it is 
unfounded to assert that any decision-making is motivated by profit.
The arguer's claim may be true and understandable under certain 
circumstances. For one thing, in order to survive in the economic world, 
people or organizations have to make profit. As we know, the first thing 
that people must do on earth is to survive. Without adequate profit out of 
investment, no single human being or organization can make a living. For 
another, individuals or organizations are instinctively dissatisfied with 
what they have already achieved. They strive for further development, for 
greater success and hence for higher profit. For example, a food-processing 
company may donate its products to African children so that it can not only 
reduce its overstocking products, but also win a good reputation and 
publicize its products. As it turns out, the ultimate result is always 
expectedly rewarding--big bucks.
Although people all over the world spare no pains to seek fortune through 
various means, it is unwise for us to conclude that any decision-making is 
necessarily profit-oriented. First, some examples of altruism are difficult 
to explain in terms of self-interest alone. The famous nurse Nightingale is 
a good example. Born in a rich family, she could naturally live a cozy, 
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted all her life to the 
wounded and the poor. Nobody can say for sure that all she did is to make 
profit. Second, this argument is not consistent with the fact that human 
motivation is far too complex. Many of our daily decisions rest on love, 
sympathy, humanity and other things. Finally, it is ridiculous to lump 
together "profit" and "good will". Obviously, these two terms are not 
interchangeable. 
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies human nature. Although business 
decisions and many of our daily decisions are based on the profit motive, 
it would be too cynical to assume that profit is the only thing that 
motivates people in the world. I wonder if the speaker has any hidden 
profit motive in making this argument, which is certainly not a profitable 
idea.

Part Three: Summary

十三、Language Skills
1. Sentence Variety
Example 1:
Change: Beijing’s streets are crowded with taxis, company cars and private 
vehicles owned by the newly affluent. The number has been rising rapidly in 
the last few years. The latest statistics show there are now 1.2 million 
vehicles in Beijing alone.
To: Taxis, company cars and private vehicles owned by the newly affluent 
have crammed Beijing’s streets in rising numbers in the last few years--
1.2 million vehicles at last count.

Example 2:
Change: Thousands of buildings met the same fate. This alone is now being 
preserved. It marks the center of the nuclear explosion. It is being 
preserved as a symbol. It symbolizes our wish that there be no more 
Hiroshimas.
To: Of the thousands of buildings that met the same fate, this alone, 
marking the center of the nuclear explosion, is now being preserved to 
symbolize our wish that there be no more Hiroshimas.

Example 3:
Change: It was quite obvious at that time that IQ equals intelligence. 
Since then, however, many people have seriously criticized the idea.
To: The idea that IQ equals intelligence seemed obvious at the time but has 
since come under much criticism.

2. Parallel Structure

Example 1:
Change: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and 
his employees loved him.
To: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and 
Loved by his employees.

Example 2:
Change: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-
Japanese War, and following the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
To: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-Japanese 
War, and had followed the Nationalist Party to Chongking.

Example 3:
Change: This could be a problem for both the winners and for those who lose.
To: This could be a problem for both the winners and the losers.

Example 4:
Change: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are 
long but they are obscure.
To: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are long 
but because they are obscure.

Example 5:
Change: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful, 
business had increased more than forty percent, and additional capital was 
sorely needed.
To: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful, that 
business had increased more than forty percent, and that additional capital 
was sorely needed.

3. Attributive Clause
Example 1:
Change: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in 
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
To: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in 
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Example 2:
Change: Only a person who is oblivious to the facts of modern life would 
doubt the need of vocational education today.
To: Only a person oblivious to the facts of modern life would doubt the 
need of vocational education today.

4. Pronouns

1) Change: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he 
could have been if he had used it to advantage.
To: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he could have 
been if he had used his ability to advantage.
2) Change: My sister is a biology teacher, it is a profession I know 
nothing about.
To: My sister is a biology teacher, but the teaching of biology is a 
profession I know nothing about.
3) Change: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too 
late to do it now.
To: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too late now.

5. Punctuation Marks 

冒号:
1) Most sports programs, despite their excesses, manage to promote the old 
virtues such as self-confidence, personal responsibility, teamwork, 
persistence, the ability to win and lose with grace.
2) For Omar Khayyam, a Persian Poet, three things are necessary for a 
paradise on earth: a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and one’s beloved.

破折号:
1) What he lacked in intelligence--and he lacked a good deal--he made up 
for in physical strength.
2) In many parts of the developing world, life’s basic necessities--food, 
clothing, shelter, and taxes--gobble up people’s earnings.
3) Every afternoon, Larry has two hours of track practice. He has followed 
the same routine five days a week since he was seven--all in hopes of 
winning a college athletic scholarship and eventually a shot at the 
Olympics.
4) Government is only as good as the man in it--which is why it needs more 
women.

分号:
1) The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feed.
2) Science needs to live alongside religion, philosophy, history and 
esthetic experience; alone it can lead to great harm.
3) According to one national survey, high school boys expected a starting 
salary of $19,500 for their first full-time job; on the other hand, high 
school girls expected a starting salary of only $15,000.

括号:
1) For a long time (too long as far as I’m concerned), women were thought 
to be inferior to men.
2) We think (unless we live in a research laboratory), that we have nothing 
to discover, and the only things of the utmost importance to us concern the 
present of the man.

十四、Prep Tips

1. Recite the outlines;

2. Prepare essay frames;

3. Write as many essays as possible according to your conditions;

4. Read and recite sample essays and the materials in the KIT of my book;

5. Learn to revise your own essays according to the following checklist:
作文自查清单
1).是否针对题目写作,有没有跑题?
2).结构是否合理,有无完整的开头、正文(2到3段)和结尾?
3).是否在开头段提出了自己的立场?
4).中间段落每段是否有主题句(topic sentence)?
5).中间段落每段是否用事例或理由支持该段的主题句?
6).是否使用连接词使文章上下文连贯、通顺?
7).每段是否有句式变换?
8).结尾段是否总结了自己的理由并重申了自己的立场?
9).语言方面是否有下列错误:大小写错误、标点符号错误、拼写错误、串句、错 位修饰、
排比错误、主谓语不一致、定语从句错误、时态错误、名词单复数错误、搭配错误、词性错
误、用词不当,等等?

十五、Suggestions
Practice makes perfect.

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