合理對待GRE高頻作文

遇到不少考生，總會有很多人問我們關於“GRE高頻作文題”的問題，其中包括“高頻”該如何使用，“高頻”的題號和官方的題號對不上怎麼辦諸如此類的問題。在此，我們本站就GRE作文高頻試題的問題，也來談談具體的看法。

合理對待GRE高頻作文

高頻作文的魔力

很多同學在備考GRE作文的時候，之所以對“高頻”情有獨鍾，實際上思想根源還是希望能減少工作量，說得通俗一點，也就是還是抱有“投機取巧”的心理。這些同學的想法往往是：GRE官方的題庫給出的200多道題太多了，看高頻可以減低我的工作量(也就是不需要把200多道題目都看完)，如果在考試的時候遇到高頻題目，而我正好寫過的話，那麼分數就是有保證的。或者，至少比寫一篇完全沒有看過的文章要強。如果我們把這些同學的看法當做一個論證的過程來找找其中的邏輯問題的話，大家就能明白爲什麼說“高頻只是個傳說了”。

作文的論證和結構

在這個論證過程中，同學首先假設了一個前提，就是“寫一篇已經寫過的文章得到高分的可能性大於寫一篇沒有寫過的文章”。可是，我們考慮一下，如果本身這篇文章從一開始按照這個同學的分析思路，包括寫作的語言就存在巨大問題的話，那麼，即使是考試的時候照着抄一遍，分數也仍然會是很低的。因此，只有當你的寫作思路正確，分析過程正確，語言表達正確這幾個條件都滿足的時候，對於題目的熟練程度，或者是否寫過某個題目的作文，纔會影響到最後的分數。當然，我們還同時忽略了考場上的臨場狀態的變化問題。

而反之，如果一個考生有正確的分析思路和寫作思路，有比較好的語言表達能力，那其實考試的時候是否寫過某個題目就變得不重要了，因爲最終他的能力會很好地解決題目熟悉程度的問題。比如我們所熟悉的高考語文中進行的作文測試，我們實際上是完全不知道考試會出現什麼題目的，我們平時練習的時候，也基本上不會考慮考試的時候是否會遇到同樣的題目，但是最終，寫作能力比較好，思維方式比較正確，知識面比較寬的同學往往會在作文中得到高分。

從這個角度來看，實際上在準備作文的過程中，練習的題目是否是高頻並不重要，而重要的是，是否通過練習形成了正確的分析思路，寫作思路，並且讓語言的表達正確。

高頻作文真的會考?

另外，很多人也認爲“高頻”題目在考試時被抽到的可能性更大，並且還有人會計算題目出現的概率。爲了讓大家都能看明白，我不會在這裏建立一個模型來計算什麼題目出現的概率較大，我們只考慮如下的一些問題。首先，ETS在從開放題庫中抽取題目給考生的時候，是一種隨機的選擇方式，那麼，每個題目被抽取到的概率是完全一樣的。而現在並沒有證據表明ETS在抽取題目的時候採用了任何優先級策略，所以我們不能對此作出主觀假設。第二，從目前的高頻統計方式來看，存在着很大的漏洞。

大家不妨計算一下每天有多少人去參加GRE的作文考試，一年下來又有多少人蔘加作文考試，其中在網上發佈題目的人的比例有多少，而發佈出來的題目被統計的又有多少。如果這些數據本身都沒有確切值的話，那麼統計的樣本首先就是存在問題的。而“高頻”的出現，很可能是“馬太效應”的結果，即在很長一段時間裏面，A題目被大多數人關注，於是成爲了“高頻”的一部分，於是，有人考到了這個題目，在網上發了帖子，那麼這個題目的關注度繼續上升。而那些“低頻”的題目，即使有人發了，也沒人去關注，但是很可能在一段時間後，某個“低頻”的題目其實出現的頻率很高了，但是卻依然沒有人去關注它。因此，要想得到科學的統計，必須有一個平臺，來隨時完整統計大多數人在考試中遇到的題目的情況，並且實時更新，才能得到較爲準確的數據。

因此，在備考GRE作文的過程中，其實是否準備網絡流傳的“高頻”題目並不重要，而重要的是，無論準備什麼題目，都能有正確的思考路徑和分析方法，並且能夠用正確的語言來表達自己的想法。當系統化的思維方式和準確的語言表達習慣形成的時候，無論什麼題目都沒有問題。此外，如果希望消除題目熟練度的影響，大量閱讀題目，並且寫作提綱是必要的，其中也包括對題目的分析和簡單的邏輯結構梳理。

GRE寫作滿分範文1

"Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."

Technology, broadly defined as the use of tools, has a long history. Ever since Erg the caveman first conked an animal with a rock, people have been using technology. For thousands of years, the use of tools allowed people to move ever closer together. Because fields could be cultivated and the technology to store food existed, people would live in cities rather than in small nomadic tribes. Only very lately have Erg's descendants come to question the benefits of technology. The Industrial Revolution introduced and spread technologies that mechanized many tasks. As a result of the drive toward more efficient production and distribution (so the ever larger cities would be supported), people began to act as cogs in the technological machine. Clothing was no longer produced by groups of women sewing and gossiping together, but by down-trodden automation's operating machinery in grim factories.

The benefits of the new technology of today, computers and the internet, are particularly ambiguous. They have made work ever more efficient and knit the world together in a web of information and phone lines. Some visionaries speak of a world in which Erg need not check in to his office; he can just dial in from home. He won't need to go to a bar to pick up women because there are all those chat rooms. Hungry? Erg orders his groceries from an online delivery service. Bored? Download a new game. And yet...

Many people, myself included, are a little queasy about that vision. Erg may be doing work, but is it real work? Are his online friends real friends? Does anything count in a spiritual way if it's just digital? Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been haunted by the prospect that we are turning into our machines: efficient, productive, souless. The newest technologies, we fear, are making us flat as our screens, turning us into streams of bits of interchangable data. We may know a lot of people, but we have few real friends. We have a lot of things to do, but no reason to do them. In short, the new technology emphasizes a spiritual crisis that has been building for quite some time.

As I try to unravel which I believe about the relative merits of technology, I think it is instructive to remember technology's original result. A better plow meant easier farming, more food, longer lives, and more free time to pursue other things such as art. Our newest technology does not give us more free time; it consumes our free time. We are terminally distracted from confronting ourselves or each other. We stay safe, and lonely, in our homes and offices rather than taking the risk of meeting real people or trying new things.

While I am certainly not a Luddite, I do believe we need to look for a bit more balance between technology and life. We have to tear ourselves away from the fatal distractions and go out into the world. Technology has given us long lives and endless supplies of information. Now we need to apply that information, use the time we're not spending conking our dinner with a club, and find our reasons for living.

Comments:

This outstanding response displays cogent reasoning, insightful, persuasive analysis, and superior control of language. The response immediately identifies the complexities of the issue and then playfully explores both the benefits and the drawbacks of technological developments over the course of human history. The writer maintains that a "balance between technology and life" is necessary if humans are going to abate the loneliness that is part of modern existence.

In contrasting the intended purpose of technology at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution with the end result of the use of today's technology, the writer skillfully expands the initial position and makes a sound point: "While technological developments have helped society in a practical way, they have contributed to a spiritual crisis that has been building for quite some time."

The analysis is tightly organized. With well-chosen examples and a character called Erg, the response moves well beyond a listing of examples, developing the analysis over five focused paragraphs, each building on the previous one. The conclusion -- that as a result of technology the individual begins to lose sight of the need to connect with fellow citizens in a meaningful way -- follows directly from the preceding paragraphs, while adding substantive analysis.

This writer is clearly in command of language and syntax, varying the sentence structure to express concepts succinctly. Word choice is generally precise and often highly effective, as in the following examples: "down-trodden automation," and "haunted by the prospect that we are turning into our machines: efficient, productive, soulless."

GRE寫作滿分範文2

"Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."

I disagree with the argument that "Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."" Arguments can be made for this thesis, but they depend largely upon what I believe to be a poor definition of "loneliness".

If one defines loneliness as the absence of as much physical, face-to-face contact with other people, then this argument is probably true. The invention of modern telecommunications devices such as telephones, fax machines, and computers has definitely cut down on the amount of physical contact with other people. This is especially true in recent times due to the extremely rapid expansion of the Internet. E-mail and tele-conferencing are direct substitutes for physical contact, especially in the business world.

However, I believe that loneliness can be better measured by intellectual contact with other individuals. Unarguably, modern technology makes this faster and easier, with better communication with a larger number of people. Some employers have argued that productivity is lessened since they have had computers linked to the Internet, as the employees spend much of their time "chatting" with friends, acquaintances, or business contacts across the country. This is probably not a good thing for the employers, but it demonstrates the increased degree of communication due to modern technology.

Of course, some technologies have increased loneliness by any standards, such as the automobile or other transportation mechanisms. These encourage substantially longer commutes between home and work. Automobiles have made possible the pattern of suburbanization that has been in place in the United States since immediately after World War Two. Time spent commuting is generally unproductive and spent alone, unless the individual in question is car-pooling or using mass transit. The contribution of the commuting culture to loneliness may actually be changing now due to new technology that is being invented and used by the general public. Popular new devices, such as the cellular phone, the laptop computer, and the combination thereof may actually convert commuting time to a period of increased communications between people, to "pass the time". This will be especially true as use of mass transit grows, which will probably happen, due to problems with gas shortages, air pollution, and the creation of further mass transit by federal and local governments.

The motivation for the declaration that loneliness is increasing may be due to the fact that many people, especially blue-collar workers, are unable to afford or use these new devices. However, since the advent of the personal computer, the price per computing power has continually lowered rapidly, and this trend shows no sign of changing. Several companies, such as Sun Microsystems and Oracle have announced that they are attempting to develop terminals with little computing power, but a full capability to access the Internet. These devices will be in approximately the $500 price range, which is much more reasonable than the price of the current top of the line PC. In addition, to cater to a larger mass of the public, software companies have been carefully making their products easier to use by non-"computer nerds". This trend is not likely to cease.

In conclusion, although early development of modern transportation may have increased loneliness, I believe that more recent technologies are actually doing the opposite, stimulating interpersonal contact and encouraging intellectual expansion. The perception that the opposite is true derives from what I believe is poor definition of loneliness and the difficulty that the working class has in acquiring and using modern telecommunications devices.

Comments:

This strong response analyzes the complexities of the issue. In disagreeing with the prompt, the writer makes a distinction between two types of loneliness -- loneliness caused by "the absence of??? physical contact" and loneliness brought about by a lack of "intellectual contact" with others. The writer reasons that while "the automobile and other transportation mechanisms" originally kept passengers physically and intellectually isolated from one another, modern technology, such as the cellular telephone and laptop computer, has made intellectual contact "faster and easier" and has benefited users by allowing them to communicate with "a larger number of people."

Using clear and relevant examples of cell phones and the internet, the writer examines the impact of user-friendly telecommunications on the individual's ability to interact with others even when physical distance separates the communicating parties.

The organization is clear, yet transitions between paragraphs are not always smooth. The body of the response lacks the focus that would help move it to a score of 6. It is not always clear how the information given relates to the writer's initial position (e.g., the discussion of current prices for personal computers in paragraph five). The conclusion, while clearly relevant, attempts to impose order on the somewhat loosely connected paragraphs, yet fails to add substance to the analysis.

On the whole, the paper displays clarity and control, but the language is sometimes imprecise and less tightly controlled than it would be in a 6 essay. The following sentence is one such example: "The motivation for the declaration that loneliness is increasing may be due to the fact that many people, especially blue-collar workers, are unable to afford or use these new devices."

GRE寫作滿分範文3

"Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."

Looking at the above statement, I see a lot of truth to the statement . There are many ways that society has used the advanced technology in order to isolate themselves. It may or may not be a consious move, but the results are all the same. The isolation occurs in a variety of ways and in all different areas. By computerizing factories, there are more and more people working long hours by themselves, with there only companion as a computer monitor. Although the company may be getting better production, the question that needs to be ask is at what cost to their employees.

It is not only the management of big factories that are responsible for this isolation. This lonliness can be seen in many other settings. With the growing popularity of the television, the nation is seeing a decline in families talking and an increase in watching the television. Not only can this result in a generation of "coach potatoes", it is also causes less communication and a feeling of isolation from everyone that a person cares about.

So far technology has entered the work place and the home, it has also entered the social relm. When you go to order food in the drive-thru, who is or better yet what is it that you talk to? It is a machine, although there is a person on the other end, you are still reciting your order to a machine. If it is ten o'clock at night and you need money, there are ATM's. All of these gadgets may be very nice and convient, but they result in lack of human contact.

Although it might be easy to blame technolgy for our feelings of loneliness, it is just a cop out. By looking at all the ways technology causes isolation, it is still people who choose to use these convenient methods. If a person wants to have human contact, all they have to do is go inside to the bank or go inside the resturaunt to order. What it basically boils down to, is that it is our choice whether or not we use technology. It is a scary thought to think maybe one day we might live in a society where you will never have to leave your house. That by using FAX machines, computers, modems, and the telephone a person would never have to have human contact to get their job done. The thing is that if that is not what we as a society wants, we are the ones to speak out and change the outcome.

Comments:

This is a competent discussion of the issue. The position presented in the first paragraph -- that "there are many ways that society has used the advanced technology in order to isolate themselves" -- is adequately sustained, but the examples are not always clearly relevant (e.g., in the case of paragraph one's "computerizing" of factories, the decision to use the technology is not made by the individual worker.) Also, the reasoning is not developed as fully as it would be in a response at the score level of 6 or 5.

While organization is adequate, the response lacks the organized coherence of ideas that exemplify a 5 essay. Transitions, within and between paragraphs, are not always logical. The last paragraph could be much more clearly focused: since several sentences repeat the same idea -- that "it is our choice whether or not we use technology" -- and the purpose or meaning of others (e.g., the last) is not immediately clear.

In general, ideas are presented clearly, although awkward phrasing sometimes contributes to vagueness (e.g., "By looking at all the ways technology causes isolation, it is still people who choose to use these convenient methods"). Lack of sentence variety seems to inhibit the communication of ideas (e.g., many short sentences are often used where one or two compound ones could make the points more effectively). Overall, however, this is an adequate response to the topic.