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GRE Analytical Writing Questions

Question 1
The best way to solve environmental problems caused by consumer-
generated waste is for towns and cities to impose strict limits on the
amount of trash they will accept from each household.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or
disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be
sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could
be used to challenge your position.

Question – 2
Claim: Though often considered an objective pursuit, learning about the
historical past requires creativity.
Reason: Because we can never know the past directly, we must
reconstruct it by imaginatively interpreting historical accounts,
documents, and artifacts.
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Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or
disagree with the claim and the reason on which the claim is based.

Question – 3
The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a
Relannian newspaper.

Industry analysts report that the number of dairy farms in Relanna has
increased by 25 percent over the last decade. Also, recent innovations in
milking technology make it possible for farmers to significantly increase the
efficiency of the milking process, allowing them to collect more milk in less time
with minimal human intervention. In fact, data from the Relannian Department
of Agriculture indicate that labor costs at the majority of Relannian dairy farms
are actually lower now than they were ten years ago. Despite increased
efficiency and lower labor costs, a carton of cream — a dairy product made
from milk — at the local food market costs twice as much as it did two years
ago. The only explanation for this dramatic price increase is that farmers are
inflating the price of cream to increase their profits.
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Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations

that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s)
can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

Question – 4
According to an independent poll of 200 charitable organizations, overall
donations of money to nonprofit groups increased last year, but educational
institutions did not fare as well as other organizations. Donations to
international aid groups increased the most (30 percent), followed by
donations to environmental groups (23 percent), whereas donations to
educational institutions actually decreased slightly (3 percent). Meanwhile, all
of the major economic indicators suggest that consumer spending is higher
than average this year, showing that potential donors have ample disposable
income. Therefore, the clearest explanation for the decline in donations to
educational institutions is that people actually value education less than they
did in the past.

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prepscholar.com

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations

that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your
explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the
argument.

Question – 5
The following memo appeared in the newsletter of
the West Meria Public Health Council.

“An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to

significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study
reports that in nearby East Meria, where consumption of the plant
beneficia is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for
the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of beneficia
can prevent colds. Since colds are the reason most frequently given for
absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of nutritional
supplements derived from beneficia. We predict this will dramatically
reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces.”
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Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative

explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain
how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented
in the argument.

Question – 6
The following appeared in an e-mail sent by the
marketing director of the Classical Shakespeare Theatre
of Bardville.
“Over the past ten years, there has been a 20 percent decline in the
size of the average audience at Classical Shakespeare Theatre
productions. In spite of increased advertising, we are attracting fewer
and fewer people to our shows, causing our profits to decrease
significantly. We must take action to attract new audience members.
The best way to do so is by instituting a ‘Shakespeare in the Park’
program this summer. Two years ago the nearby Avon Repertory
Company started a ‘Free Plays in the Park’ program, and its profits
have increased 10 percent since then. If we start a ‘Shakespeare in the
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Park’ program, we can predict that our profits will increase, too.”
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative
explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain
how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented
in the argument.

Question – 7
The following appeared in a memorandum from the manager
of WWAC radio station.

“To reverse a decline in listener numbers, our owners have decided that
WWAC must change from its current rock-music format. The decline
has occurred despite population growth in our listening area, but that
growth has resulted mainly from people moving here after their
retirement. We must make listeners of these new residents. We could
switch to a music format tailored to their tastes, but a continuing
decline in local sales of recorded music suggests limited interest in
music. Instead we should change to a news and talk format, a form of
7 radio that is increasingly popular in our area.” Download facility provided by
 prepscholar.com

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that
could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can
plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

Question – 8
Three years ago, because of flooding at the Western Palean Wildlife Preserve,
100 lions and 100 western gazelles were moved to the East Palean Preserve,
an area that is home to most of the same species that are found in the
western preserve, though in larger numbers, and to the eastern gazelle, a
close relative of the western gazelle. The only difference in climate is that the
eastern preserve typically has slightly less rainfall. Unfortunately, after three
years in the eastern preserve, the imported western gazelle population has
been virtually eliminated. Since the slight reduction in rainfall cannot be the
cause of the virtual elimination of western gazelle, their disappearance must
have been caused by the larger number of predators in the eastern preserve.

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 prepscholar.com
magoosh.com

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative

explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain
how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented
in the argument.

Question – 9
“Color photography has eliminated the need for realism in artistic
painting, in the opinion of a number of art scholars and artists. At the
same time, many members of the art community still feel that realistic
artwork is still valuable and worthwhile.”
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative
explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how
your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the
argument.

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 magoosh.com
ets.org/gre

Question – 10
“Claim: A person in authority should always encourage those under
him or her to share their thoughts and ideas.
Reason: A leader’s main goal should be to promote innovation and
change.”
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative
explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain
how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented
in the argument.

Question – 11

The following appeared as a letter to the editor

from the owner of a skate shop in Central Plaza.

"Two years ago the city council voted to prohibit skateboarding in Central
Plaza. They claimed that skateboard users were responsible for litter and
vandalism that were keeping other visitors from coming to the plaza. In the
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past two years, however, there has been only a small increase in the number
of visitors to Central Plaza, and litter and vandalism are still problematic.
Skateboarding is permitted in Monroe Park, however, and there is no problem
with litter or vandalism there. In order to restore Central Plaza to its former
glory, then, we recommend that the city lift its prohibition on skateboarding
in the plaza."

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be

answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument
on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to
these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

Question – 12
The following appeared in a health newsletter.

"Nosinia is an herb that many users report to be as effective as prescription

medications at fighting allergy symptoms. Researchers recently compared
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Nosinia to a placebo in 95 men and women with seasonal allergies to

ragweed pollen. Participants in the study reported that neither Nosinia nor
the placebo offered significant relief. However, for the most severe allergy
symptoms, the researchers reported that Nosinia was more effective than the
placebo in providing relief. Furthermore, at the end of the study, participants
given Nosinia were more likely than participants given a placebo to report
feeling healthier. We, therefore, recommend using Nosinia to help with your
severe allergy symptoms.”
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be
answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the
argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the
answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

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 Answer Keys
The questions provided above are descriptive in nature. However, for the
benefit of our readers we have published two sample essay responses.
Response for Question 11
The argument makes several unwarranted assumptions regarding the
skateboard users being responsible for litter and vandalism, which hampers
other visitors from coming to the Plaza. The ban imposed on skateboard
users has shown no significant rise in the number of people visiting the
Plaza. The recommendation to lift the ban provides a distorted view of the
prevailing scenario. This is not supported by persuadable reasons and hence
opens doors for some questions.
Firstly, the passage lacks proper statistics to hold skateboard users solely
responsible for litter and vandalism. The writer should mention the number
of incidents that occurred two years ago due to skateboard users and the
number which currently persists. Also, the number and reason for the
increase in visitors should be mentioned, as the answer behind this will help
understand the impact of the ban.
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 Secondly, the marginal increase in footfall is probably due to two
fundamental reasons. Either economic slowdown is prevailing in the
country hence people have less disposable income, so they have to cut their
shopping bills. Or another predominant reason can be better amenities at a
reasonable price provided by stores in the vicinity. Also, the Plaza might not
have enough capability to face rising competition from other stores.
Further, the writer asserts that Monroe Park is clean despite no provision of
the ban on skateboard users. The argument is ineffectual as no clear line of
similarity is drawn between the Park and Central Plaza. It might be the case
that skateboard users in Park are more educated and hence are more likely
to abide by the laws and rules or that the Park has better maintenance and
cleaning facilities as compared to the Plaza. The argument would be more
justified if it threw some light on the condition at both the places.
In conclusion, to assess the viability of the recommendation, the open-
ended argument should be backed with some convincing information. It's
necessary to assess all the possible reasons for the decrease in the number
of visitors and solutions to restore the glory of Central Plaza.

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 Reasons for grading
This article scores a 6 because:
The article satisfies the 3Cs of writing: Clarity, Coherency and Cogency. It
identifies the crux of the argument and presents a well supported, well-
articulated analysis. It demonstrates excellent syntactic development and
good control of the grammar. The article deftly draws attention to the
lack of similarity between the two areas (Central Plaza and Monroe Park)
thus rendering the argument ineffectual.

Response for Question 12

The author concludes that ‘Nosinia’, which is an herb, is better than any
‘placebo’ for curing seasonal allergies to ragweed pollen. He arrives at this
judgement through a study conducted on 95 men and women who have
been infected with the said seasonal allergy. Onesection of the population
was given ‘nosinia’ while the other was put up with placebos. In the initial
days of the treatment, none of the medications gave a relief to the patients
while later the ones infected with a severe form of this allergy found nosinia
to be a soothing herb. Also, the patients who were administered Nosinia
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 felt healthier than those who opted for placebos. Hence, the above
derivation is achieved.
The argument seems flawless at first glance. But, as we read it over, there
seem to be vague derivations that don’t strengthen the conclusion.
The author justifies his conclusion using a study that only dictates the
strength of the population. There is no evidence regarding the age or
general health of these people. Also, the author doesn’t state the stage of
the disease at which the medication was provided to the patients. Such a
plea that is incomplete cannot be a determinant of whether a medicine is
recommendable or not. A patient’s medical history is a vital criterion to
reach this conclusion. Before claiming the benefits of a drug, it is necessary
to put forward the medical history of the people on whom the drug was
tested; otherwise, it may not prove equally beneficial to every other
person.
The next statement tells the readers that patients with severe allergy
experienced relief after using Nosinia. Here the question that arises is
whether there is any data regarding the number of patients suffering from a
severe form of the allergy. There could have been only one person who was
offered Nosinia, and he showed a slight sign of recovery. Such conditions
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 cannot be regarded as a parameter to uphold the usage of the prescribed
Nosinia. In such a scenario where precise detail is not given it, the
derivation becomes debatable. Also, it is arguable as to how the severity of
allergy was measured. There should have been a scale, and the author
should have clearly stated the symptoms that proved high intensity of the
allergy. Only then can the people reading the excerpt relate to it and find
the piece useful, otherwise, it becomes an article full of flaws.

The third argument given by the author states that people who took
Nosinia felt healthier than those who took placebos. In a state where no
medical past of the patient has been revealed or examined, the term
healthy seems to be used vaguely. For example, all the people must have
been primarily healthy with only a slight symptom of allergy by ragweed. In
that case, the medicine prescribed to them gave relief, and they went back
to their original state of health. However, the results may not be the same
as people who had a severe form of allergy or some other ongoing medical
issues.

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 The conclusion seemed to have been taken in a hurry as there are no
reliable statements to prove its credibility. None with a degree of logical
thinking go for any of the recommendations provided by the author. When
making statements regarding a drug used to cure allergies that occur in
both minor and severe forms, one must provide complete data regarding
the research so that it helps those who are suffering from it or
accumulating information regarding general illness and their respective
treatments.

Reasons for grading

This article scores a 5 because:

The analysis is well-structured and shows a cogent flow of points to be
analyzed. The lack of information about a patient’s medical history is an
important observation that shows good analytical competence. The main
idea of the analysis is well-articulated and is put forth coherently.

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 Acknowledgement
Questions 1 – 4 have been taken from ETS Official Website, Questions 5 to 8
have been sourced from prepscholar.com, Questions 9 – 10 have been taken
from magoosh.com and Questions 11 and 12 have also been taken from ETS.

For any query, write us at

studyabroad@shiksha.com

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