GRE Writing Task

[bh_alpana]

ARGUMENT

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of the Balmer Island Gazette.

"On Balmer Island, where mopeds serve as a popular form of transportation, the population increases to 100,000 during the summer months. To reduce the number of accidents involving mopeds and pedestrians, the town council of Balmer Island should limit the number of mopeds rented by the island's moped rental companies from 50 per day to 25 per day during the summer season. By limiting the number of rentals, the town council will attain the 50 percent annual reduction in moped accidents that was achieved last year on the neighboring island of Seaville, when Seaville's town council enforced similar limits on moped rentals."

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

 

Reducing the number of mopeds in Balmer island won’t decrease number of accidents involving pedestrians and mopeds because it is not clear what were the primary reasons for accidents in Balmer Island. A number of reasons vary the number and type of accident such as road conditions, time of day, year, driving under influence, etc.

The argument compares accidents in Balmer Island to that of accidents in Seaville island last year. The argument fails to substantiate this data with population in each town and residents in the city. We don’t know if there was similar population increase in Seaville, or mopeds are the preferred means of transportation in Seaville. Thus, what worked in Seaville doesn’t necessarily work for Balmer Island.

The argument recommends limiting the moped rental by half in Balmer Island. However, we don’t have enough data to support how many accidents occurred involving mopeds and pedestrians in the overall accident statistics of Seaville. It is possible that most residents relied on cars and there were few pedestrian areas. If the argument had stated the population in Seaville, popular choice of vehicle, etc. then we could compare Seaville to Balmer Island. The argument fails to provide that information.  

It is also not clear what time the accidents were occurring in Balmer Island. Most of the statistics might account for accidents in the night due to poor vision, condition of roads or if the car drivers were driving under influence. In such cases, it is less likely that pedestrians or mopeds for that matter were involved in the accidents. In lack of supporting data, the argument is invalid.

Thus, it cannot be estimated that accidents will reduce by half in Balmer Island by reducing the number of mopeds by half. It cannot be assumed that what worked for Seaville will work for Balmer Island because of difference in residents, their choice of commute and time of accidents.

 

ISSUE

Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state, even if these areas could be developed for economic gain.

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

 

Nations should definitely pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state because these wilderness are home to indigenous flora and fauna, and bases for natural resources vital for survival such as water and air. Preservation of wilderness is also gaining global attention and this will help countries attend necessary attention.

The world is urbanizing at a fast pace and green belts are quickly converting to concrete jungles. Wilderness areas should be preserved so that urbanizing them doesn’t endanger existence of animals and birds. Several species of animals and birds have become extinct and a few are on the verge of extinction. This is a potential threat to natural ecosystem. The habitation of plants and animals should prolong to conserve animals and plants.

Growing conversion of wilderness is also contributing to global warming. Preserving and promoting wilderness, apart from housing indigenous birds and animals, also maintains the microclimate. The rapid change in microclimate pose threat for disasters such as flooding during monsoon, landslides, wildfires, rise in local temperature, etc. These disasters are costly, in terms of lives and resources. Therefore, preservation of wilderness help maintain the local temperature and contribute in control of flooding and landslides.

At present, all the countries in the world are focusing their economic activities on controlling global warming, reduction of carbon production etc. Therefore, all the countries are joining their hands together to promote wilderness and establish protected zones. Many countries have gained global attention due to diversity attained by preservation of wilderness. This also increases recreational and research-focused tourism in particular places. Therefore, preservation of wilderness also contributed to economic opportunities through tourism.

Converting wilderness for economic gain might be short term, however, this depletes the sources of water and threat existence of indigenous flora and fauna. If wilderness is preserved, it will benefit economically via tourism.