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301

<p>Prompt: Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?</p>

<pre><code> Questioning the decisions of people in positions of authority is very important in order to not be complacent with our ideas and be willing to expand our ideas. Several examples from history and literature exemplify that it is necessary to question authority. Just because they have a title in front of their name does not make their ideas set in stone.

   Gallileo, a figurehead of Classical Physics, was a person who dared to question the ideas of the authority, the Catholic Church. Copernicus, the Catholic Church, and the majority of the world agreed on the geocentric theory which states that all objects revolve around the earth. Gallileo, from observations, did not believe in this ludicrous statement. He was an inquisitive person who questioned the ideas of the Catholic Church. The reason for our advancements in scientific theory from geocentric to heliocentric was due to Gallileo’s questioning of the ideas of people in authority. 

     Another example would be Pi from the book, Life of pi. He questioned the ideas of his parents who said that one can only follow one religion. Pi, enlightened by his curiosity into theology, became a polytheist and practiced Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. This belief in God is what let him survive for 6 months on a life boat with a Bengal tiger. Pi was edified by questioning his parents and the social norm.

   One of the greatest examples from history when a group questioned the ideas and decisions of authority was the American Revolution. The colonies, indignant from the harsh treatment by Great Britain, broke away from their master. They did not agree with the decisions of Great Britain such as the heavy taxes including the Teas tax. This idea of independence would never have been brought forward if the decisions of authority were not questioned. 

   After careful analysis of Gallileo, Pi, and the American Revolution, one can see that it is indeed important for one to question the ideas and decisions of authority. Without it, advances forward could not be made and we would be complacent in our own ignorance forever.

</code></pre>

302

<p>@kkpanu9‌ </p>

<p>It should be a 11 or 12.</p>

<p>Although the essay is perfect, its size is not enough. Make it MINIMUM 400 words.</p>

<p>Also, show that you have three examples in the starting. And name the examples in order they are presented. Say that several examples from science, literature and history.</p>

303

<p>@determined2300‌ </p>

<p>somehow whenever I write timed essays, I can only get it to 1.5 pages. Will this harm my score? </p>

<p>Also, could you please grade this essay?</p>

<p>Assignment: Is the world changing for the better?</p>

<p>Essay:</p>

<pre><code> Progressively, our world’s terrible situation is being exacerbated as the change that is being brought upon it is destroying the meaning of life. The environment is worsening, human productivity is decreasing, and technology addiction is ruining social interactions. The following examples exemplify how the world has a dreary future ahead.
Global warming is one of the world’s biggest problems currently. It’s very nature worsens the earth’s situation. The polar ice caps are melting, polar bears are dying, and average worldwide temperatures are increasing by .1 degree every year. In addition, water levels are increasing and this could lead to major destruction of cities situated close to major bodies of water. Global warming is causing this world to change for the worse.
Another serious issue which plagues the world, especially the us, is tv watching. The average American watches 2 hours of TV a day. In one year, that accumulates to 730 hours. That is 730 hours which could be put to much better use. This, in turn, greatly reduces the productivity and general advancement of the human kind. It is a great detriment and over time, it is estimated to increase to 2.5 hours per day. Our situation is headed to the ground. People are becoming more and more sluggish and lethargic. The world is becoming unproductive and is therefore, changing for the worse.
One relatively recent innovation, the smart phone, is greatly changing the world for the worse. Although it has some beneficial capabilities, for the most part, it is detrimental to in person social interaction which is one of the main points of good health. Thus, this is causing harm to the health of the world.
By analyzing in-depth global warming, tv watching and unproductivity, and smart phones one can agree to the fact that the world is in a terrible situation and is only changing for the worse.
</code></pre>

304

<p>With a 1.5 page, you CANNOT get above 8 or 9.
Note: Increasing handwriting size to fill up lines won’t help either. You MUST write AT LEAST 400 words.</p>

<p>Your essay is very good but will get an 8/9.</p>

<p>Transitions are perfect. All rules are followed.</p>

<p>If you expand all the three examples, you can touch 11/12.</p>

<p>Tips:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Introduce your examples in starting para. It helps the viewer know the number of examples and form a better picture of the essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Do not start a para with general truths. “Global warming is serious” is not a good line to include anywhere in your essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Try to conclude with a better/catchy line. Make a standard line and plug in for every essay.</p></li>
</ol>

305

<p>Assignment: Are there some heroes who will be remembered forever? Or are all heroes doomed to be forgotten one day?</p>

<p>There were many individuals throughout the course of history to make memorable impacts in many areas, such as warfare, inventions, acting and more. Some of them have already faded in the memories of people nowadays, others are gradually fading and yet others still shine vividly when people look at what they’ve left behind. However, will they follow in the footsteps of their fellow heroes and heroines, forgotten by all one day?</p>

<p>The Beatles are one example of historical life changers. They have set themselves as influential role models in the music industry, particularly in the genre of rock and roll. Even with the rising of modern music artists, there are few who do not even know who this popular and much loved band was. Indeed, even said modern artists, or at least a number of them, have cited the Beatles as their inspiration for their talents and works.</p>

<p>Personally, I listen to very few of their songs but what captured me about them is their exploits. How they first joined together as a band, how they endured critics and rejection by a recording label, how they rose over that to become an iconic, legendary rock band. It is not just their songs and albums that hooked the hearts of fans, it is also the ups and downs of their rocky but exhilarating journey. I find their united determination and strength in the face of opposition an encouragement and I imagine that many others feel the same. </p>

<p>It is not just the Beatles who carved a place for themselves in history through their response towards life challenges. Many other heroes have also done so in the same fashion and in this way, they will live on in the hearts of many, as a reminder that great things can be achieved by not giving up. If people remember them for their fighting spirit as well as their achievements and pass them down to future generations, yes, those heroes will be remembered forever.</p>

<p>I am taking SAT in Dec 6th. Hope someone can grade this quickly. Thank you in advance!</p>

306

<p>I’m gonna write a modified version of it after someone grades it. I have been nitpicking it and just want to see if anyone finds it as flawed as I do. </p>

307

<p>Assignment: Is it always essential to tell the truth or are there circumstances in which it is better to lie?</p>

<p>Please grade it, anyone. Be as harsh as you need to be.</p>

<hr>

<p>If we were to see the world in black and white, then yes, it would seem always essential to tell the truth. However, circumstances are not straightforward all the time. Whether it is right to tell the truth or not depends on the particular situation at the moment.</p>

<p>I am reminded of an exam that I took last year, which I wasn’t too happy about because I found my performance during it rather poor. However, I had to force myself to think positive as I didn’t want my morale broken. At home, when I encountered my mother, she asked me how had the exam gone? Despite my low confidence, I found it necessary to tell her I found the exam decent as I did not want her to lose confidence as well - if that happened, it would be rather difficult to prepare for another exam that I had coming without feeling guilty that I had failed us both.</p>

<p>In that case, I deemed it better to lie than tell the truth and others might have felt the same but again, there might be yet others who would think being forthright is the best option. Nothing like going straight to the heart of the issue and being honest than weaving half lies, they might say. Had I told my mother that I think I did poorly in the exam, her confidence might have suffered as I had feared, yes, but then she might have turned around to comfort me and offer me support instead. I had only been too afraid to risk that.</p>

<p>As a conclusion, it is difficult to say for sure which is right and which is wrong. It all depends on the situation and also our feelings, which may not seem relevant, but as I have said in the example above, I did not dare to tell the truth, though I had reasoning going with it too. Fear and other emotions can affect our judgement as to which is better. With that said, I can only say to trust your heart and look out for others before making a decision. </p>

308

<p>@Charlie5241‌ </p>

<p>Organization: 2
Thesis: 3
Diction: 3
Grammar: 4
Sentence variety: 4</p>

<p>3/6 or 5-6/12</p>

<p>One example is not enough, and you need to choose and stick with one side. </p>

309

<p>@Woandering which essay are you talking about? The second one?</p>

310

<p>@Woandering I’ll redo the second one. The first one’s done pretty poorly too, I reckon.</p>

<p>Assignment: Is it always essential to tell the truth or are there circumstances in which it is better to lie? _____________________________________________________________________________________</p>

<p>A lot of people have mixed feelings about truth and lies. Most, if not all, of us have at one point in our lives been angered by the fact that someone has lied to us. On the other hand, quite a lot of people have also been put into situations where telling someone the truth could cause something bad. It can be difficult to choose between telling truths and lies but with the right judgement, we can make a good decision.</p>

<p>I have a friend who is on the plump side and once she asked me if I thought she was fat. To be frank, I did indeed think she was fat but I decided saying yes would be too harsh. I did not want to wound her feelings despite my opinion so I said no, reasoning with myself that it was not a lie because I have seen others of bigger proportions before and so she would ‘not be fat’, by comparison. She never discovered my true thoughts and to this day, I think I have done her a favor. However, if she ever finds out, I think she would be double hurt, first by my opinion that she’s fat and secondly, by my lie. Telling a lie in this case will only be a good choice if it is kept secret.</p>

<p>There is a fable about George Washington about how he chopped down a cherry tree of his father’s with his hatchet, simply because he wanted to test it out. When his father suspected the servants of it, George owned up and though displeased by the fact that he was the guilty person, his father commended him for his honesty. Had he remained quiet or conjured a lie, no one would have found out and he would have avoided any risks of punishment. However, when I think back on it, little George did the right thing. He might have gotten away with it if he had lied but then he could have fallen into the habit of lying and be unable to stop. No one might find out but eventually someone might and then the consequences would be more severe than if he avoided telling lies.</p>

<p>There is no one who has never told a lie in their lives. However, it’s a bad habit and can be kicked - it is not something that we cannot stop ourselves from doing. Telling lies might avert trouble temporarily but no one can get away with it forever, which is why telling the truth in the first place will always be the best option.</p>

<hr>

<p>Gave myself an 18 minute time limit for this one - actually for all of them. </p>

311

<p>Gosh darn - forgot to say G.Washington was a kid then. Bummer…so tempting to edit the mistakes I see. But I must be honest haha</p>

312

<p>Please please please, I really need some feedback/scoring. I keep getting 8’s on my essays and if I can get a 10 this time around I’ll break 700 on the Writing section. Sooo…thanks to whoever does! xx</p>

<p>I had a really hard time writing a thesis for this topic. The way it’s worded, I thought it was difficult to not restate the prompt, which is why my first paragraph sucks. </p>

<p>Prompt: Are people more likely to be productive and successful when they ignore the opinions of others?</p>

<p>MY RESPONSE:</p>

<p>Success and productivity should be largely based on self-confidence and self-determination rather than on the opinions of others. As demonstrated by Richard Wright’s Black Boy and the actions of Malala Yousafzai, it isn’t the opinions of others that count, but rather, it is self-determination and self-confidence that count as one tries to achieve success and productivity.</p>

<p>Richard Wright’s Black Boy demonstrates how if one is not mindful of others’ criticism and judgment, and if one displays a sense of self-confidence and self-determination, that one can be a successful and productive person. Growing up in a time when African Americans were considered largely inferior to others, Richard Wright faced much adversity throughout his life. He had aspirations of becoming a writer, and as a result he was subjected to criticism not by society as a whole, but also by his family. However, he rose above his adversaries and ultimately ended up achieving his dreams of becoming a highly-regarded, influential writer, as now his works are considered classics in literature.</p>

<p>As shown through the actions of Malala Yousafzai, success and productivity are often a result of rising above the judgmental and critical opinions of others. Yousafzai is, indeed, a momentous figure in feminism, as her courageous efforts to expand women’s access to education have garnered much attention by world leaders and women’s rights activists alike. Growing up in Pakistan, where women are viewed as largely inferior, Yousafzai faced incredible amounts of adversity: she was often ridiculed, and was even shot in the head by the Taliban. However, none of this stopped her in her tracks. She rose above it and today, she continues to fight for women’s rights.</p>

<p>After a careful analysis of Richard Wright’s Black Boy and Malala Yousafzai’s courageous actions, it is reasonable to posit that success and productivity aren’t based on the opinions of others, but rather on self-confidence and self-determination. With such characteristics, one can achieve the success and productivity that one seeks.</p>

313

<p>And here’s another one I wrote tonight: </p>

<p>Prompt: Does being ethical make it hard to be successful?</p>

<p>MY RESPONSE:</p>

<p>A strong moral compass is conducive to success. As demonstrated by the Lord of the Flies by William Golding and Martin Luther King’s actions, making sure to be cognizant of ethics tends to garner success rather than failure.</p>

<p>William Golding’s the Lord of the Flies demonstrates the necessity of being mindful of ethics in order to be successful. In the novel the boys on the island go from being well-adjusted and well-behaved boys to uncivilized savages: they fall prey to their own instinctive needs and wants and lose their sense of innocence and morality; therefore, their world ends up spiraling down into utter chaos. This clearly demonstrates how losing sight of ethics can cause the downfall of a person and furthermore, a society, not its success.</p>

<p>Moreover, as shown through the actions of Martin Luther King, having a strong moral compass largely contributes to one’s success. King was a maverick in society, as he developed his own ideas on the topic of racism. Through his tenacity and courageous efforts to change the way Americans thought about and treated African Americans, he ended up being a momentous and highly influential figure in the civil rights movement. In doing so he did not protest violently or anything of the sort; rather, he displayed civil disobedience, and with that he was able to win the hearts of many and ultimately help change the world. King truly exemplifies how being mindful of ethics and morality can contribute to success.</p>

<p>After a careful analysis of William Golding’s the Lord of the Flies and the actions of Martin Luther King, it is clear that having a strong moral compass can, indeed, be conducive to success, and that displaying a lack of morality and ethics can result in the ultimate downfall of our society.</p>

<hr>

<p>Thanks again! </p>

314

<p>^wow I didn’t realise how short that essay really is until now. </p>

<p>Both times I took the SAT, I filled out both pages for my essay, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I wrote both of these essays on computer paper, so I stopped writing because I wasn’t sure if I made them too long or not. I transferred it to an actual SAT essay response booklet and even with my small handwriting it ended up filling out 1 2/3 pages so…will that still suffice for a 10 or no? </p>

315

<p>My first essay and I’m taking the SAT in exactly two weeks …</p>

<p>Prompt: Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?</p>

<p>Knowledge is power, yet on many occasions power can be a burden. Knowledge often reveals the dirty reality that has been glossed over to protect the innocent. In literature, Victor Hugo’s Frankenstein provides a devastating example of how knowledge can be a burden. Additionally, the danger of knowledge is shown in people’s ways of life through the basic education of a child.</p>

<p>In Frankenstein, the scientist Victor Frankenstein is fascinated with knowledge. He strives to find out things that no one else has, and battles the idea that perfection is impossible. Victor voraciously researches and finally obtains the knowledge to create the perfect creature. However, he inadvertently creates a monster, and has to live with that knowledge. Victor becomes sick with the burden of awareness to have created such a repulsive beast, so much that his physical condition deteriorates. As the creature begins to resent Victor for abandoning it, the creature kills Victor’s life-long friend Henry, and frames an innocent woman for the slaughter of Victor’s nephew. Victor is forced to carry the burden of the knowledge that ultimately the deaths of his friends and family were his fault. His thirst for knowledge destroyed his life, and the burden of knowledge was made so evident that Walton, the only person Victor tells his tale to, decides to suspend his life dream of being the first to reach the North Pole.</p>

<p>The burden of knowledge is also reflected in our real lives, in the censorship of the information we teach children. The issues of the world are often sugarcoated into trivial insignificances. Controversial topics are greatly simplified and morality is always emphasized in order to protect the innocence of a child. Children are often oblivious to the controversial topics, or anything that may cause them pain and despair (such as death). If children were taught everything, it would be harmful to their happiness and would not allow them to live care-free lives. Instead, all the knowledge would be an anchor, a burden.</p>

<p>-</p>

<p>Thanks, guys!</p>

316

<p>And here’s another one:</p>

<p>Prompt: Is conscience a more powerful motivator than money, fame, or power?</p>

<p>Conscience does not serve as powerful as a motivator than money, fame, or power. Often conscience is only considered in possessing great integrity. For the majority of people, gaining materialistically is more important than conscience and morality. There are numerous examples of situations, but even in the most insignificant of circumstances, conscience is ignored in favor of personal gain, as demonstrated frequently by high school students.
Cheating on assignments has become an increasingly common occurrence in high schools as the modern world now emphasizes the important of a quality college education to be competitive in the ever-growing applicant pool for decent jobs. Students are thoroughly informed about academic integrity in the beginning of every course, and everyone understands that cheating is unmoral. However, cheating does not weight on their consciences as they sigh in relief as their teacher hands back their exam with a large red “A” circled on the top, knowing that this has boosted their advantage over the students who received lower marks. With this unfairly received grade, the student is now more likely to earn an overall good grade in the class, which they know colleges will be paying close consideration to during the admissions process.
My biology teacher, when emphasizing the importance of academic integrity earlier this year, told the class about one of her brother’s experiences in high school. Her brother and his friend were both enrolled in an extremely challenging AP course, though they were in different class periods. Once, when the students had a lab report due the next day, her brother’s friend was hanging out at her brother’s house. When her brother went to the bathroom, his friend made a copy of his lab report and sent it as an email to himself, but changed the name to his own. His friend hadn’t written a lab report of his own, and took the chance to avoid a bad grade, even if it meant putting an oblivious friend also at risk. For submitting the same report and getting caught, both her brother and his friend would have automatically failed the class. His friend chose his own gain over the prospect of ruining a friend’s future.</p>

317

<p>prompt: should people take more responsibllity for solving problems that affect their communities or he nation in general?</p>

<p>essay:
As individuals we tend to take care of our needs, rather then the needs of our society. The reason for that is because we expect our goverments to take care for the society for us.The excuse for our lack of involvnace, is the assumption that one individual is not powerful enough to make changes that would impact the general public. However, this assumption is wrong. Many times through out history it was the average civilian who managed to make a great impact that changed, not only, his or her life, but the lives of many others as well. A prime example to prove this can be taken from the events at the middle east that started the “Arab spring”, a serial of events that caused many Arab regimes to collapce.</p>

<p>Across the world there are many dictatorships that rule their countries by fear, and deny its people the most basic rights. Most peoples in does countries fear to speack against their rulers, beliving that they dont have power to make any difference, so why should they risk themselves if they are to weak to make any changes. A case such as that took place in Tunisia in 2011. In a a small town at Tunisia the local authorities had terrorized their citizens by getting them to pay their officials a certain amount of money every week, or else they will close their businesses. A young man who lived in that city, lost his store, because he couldnt pay for the local authority. Unlike most people he decided to defend him self, by reclaiming his right. He decided to go to the city hall to demand that he, and his family would be compensate for the business he lost. When his demand were not followed, he set himself on fire. this act caused many people across Tunisia to protest against their goverment, which led to the fall of the regime.</p>

<p>Soon after the regime in Tunisia has fallen, many peoples from across the middle east, and the Arab world were inspired by the events in Tunisia, which led them to protest against their own goverments. That caused many dictatorships, such as, Eygept, Lybia, and Yemen to collapse. Although the man who set himself on fire didnt mean to start a revolution, his act made an impact on so many peoples, which eventually caused the “Arab spring”, which affect our world till this day.</p>

<p>To conclude, it is shown from the events of the “Arab spring”, how the act of one individual, can make an impact that will affect millions of peoples. </p>

<p>thank you so much</p>

318

<p>Is it better to be original or to imitate others?
The ones who become mavericks in their own circle and bedazzle the word with their protean and unique talent are very often the once who do not imitate others. These prodigious people set their own goals and perfume extra-ordinarily wondrous tasks that delight and inspire others. Through an amalgam of examples from history, science and art, it becomes evident that it is always better and beneficial to be original rather than to imitate the ideas of the others.
Abraham Lincoln is certainly one of those personalities who have persuaded the world to remember them. Through the means of his sincere and rational ideas, he eradicated the strife within the American States during the civil war. Abraham Lincoln was not only a remarkable president but a person who didn’t choose the orthodox way of living. Throughout his presidential tenure he got people acquainted with novel ideas of rationalism and individualism.
Copernicus a renowned scientist and philosopher of the 14th century was also a follower of the ‘Be Original’ league. He gave to the world one of the most paramount truths of the universe that the Sun is the middle of the solar system and the planets (including earth) revolves around it. Although he was ridiculed in his age, the principles and legacy he left behind has certainly been reckoned with.
In the world of art, Pablo Picasso is not a new name. The impressionist painters revolutionised the techniques of cubism and impressionism. Unlike all the painters of his time Picasso resided in the belief of doing something new. Thanks to him, his spectacular paintings both light up our living rooms and inspire us to do things with our own touch.
In all the three examples, it is clear that being original is and will always be acknowledged by the world with open arms and respect. The different ideology of Abraham Lincoln or Picasso is evidence that originality is the ultimate destination in life. And as Robert Frost rightly believes, let’s take the road less trodden upon. </p>

319

<p>I know this is a bit late… but hopefully you get this and are able to help me out a bit. Thank you! </p>

<p>Suppose you have planned a picnic for the weekend. But the weather turns out to be bad, our car gets damaged, or something bad happens. Then what will you do? Will you stick to the plan firmly? At least I will not do that. Sometimes it is beneficial to amend the existing plan and move on to the next one.</p>

<p>Ideally, we should not quit and run away from our problems, whatever may be the case. But if we talk practically, is it always justifiable and possible to follow the set ideals? The answer is ‘No’. In real life we face many circumstances wherein we need to set apart the ideals and act rationally. My sister is a Commerce student, and like many others she also wanted to become a CA (Chartered Accountant). But after sometime she realized that it’s not her cup of tea. So she decided to quit and instead do BBA course from a reputed university.</p>

<p>Was she right in her decision or was it just an impulsive and thoughtless one? No, in fact she had had discussions with many people, and having ruminated over the pros and cons of the decision, she took it. It was very difficult for her to decide anything as her whole life depended on that single decision. There were possibilities of her succeeding in the CA field but that was not 100%. And if she would have failed at some point in future she would have wasted 3-4 crucial years of her life. She acknowledged this and firmly decided to change her plans. And now she is happy as well as contended that she took the right decision at the right time.</p>

<p>In the end, I would like to say that quitting is not always a good idea; sometimes it may prove to be disastrous. But we need to assess both sides of the coin and if quitting seems to be the best option, we should not eschew it.</p>

<p>Thanks again! </p>

320

<p>Prompt: “
Both in society and in our own lives, today’s problems are serious and require serious solutions. Increasingly, however, people are taught to laugh at things that aren’t usually funny and to cope with difficult situations by using humor. They are even advised to surround themselves with funny people. There is strong evidence that laughter can actually improve health and help fight disease.”

  • Adapted from Marshall Brain, “How Laughter Works”</p>

<p>Is using humor the best way to approach difficult situations and problems? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>

<p>My essay:
I’ve always known that laughing is a good way to improve my health, but what I really didn’t know is the effect of laughter in solving big problems. After trying several ways to deal with problems, I can say that using humor is the best way to approach a problem.
Three years ago, I believed that it is important to prevent the interference between important stuff and humor. As a team leader of a group of young researchers, I used to get angry when someone uses humor during an important meeting in which we were trying to solve a big problem; and I believed that this would make us more productive, but soon I realized I was wrong.
My point of view started to change when I read an article by the National Behavior Research Center (NBRC) which says that approaching problem from a funny approach is more likely to help people to come out with creative solutions soon after reading this article I read another one in a history magazine which was discussing the rule of humor in old Rome. The article said that in the best times of Rome when it was in its strongest positions, decision makers used to make fun of problems they faced. There was even a team of actors responsible for making shows in which made fun of problems Rome faced. The effect of these shows, according to the article, was amazing; it helped the decision makers to come out with the best solutions.
When I started to apply this in my own life, I discovered that humor is the best way to deal with my problems. Then suggested that we do so in the research team; for surprise, this didn’t only help us to come with better solutions, but also reduced the stress and made the work funnier. Even those members who used to complain from the long working hours stopped complaining!
Therefore, from my own experience, from the NBRC research and from the experience of old Rome, I can confidently say that making fun of problems is crucial and will, for sure, help everyone reach a better solution. When people stop dealing with problems as catastrophes, this is when we will have a better world. </p>