Please grade my essay!

Daedalus3140
Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:40:24 +0000

This is from the SAT Blue Book, Practice Test 1. Could someone grade it on a scale of 2-12? I need the score to figure out my final score for the test.
Note—This filled up all the space.
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Prompt: Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?**

While respect for authority is indubitable important, the willingness to challenge and question others, no matter their status, is just as essential. Questioning authority leads to new ideas and principles, and often is the first step to progress. The evidence supporting this claim in history and modern day politics is very pervasive.

The struggles of Douglas Bader, pilot extraordinaire of World War II, illustrate how challenging authority is important for progress. Bader was an ace pilot, well respected and loved, until he lost his legs while flying. He was informed by the military that he could no longer fly, and was given a desk job. However, Bader refused to give in, and accepted a prototype prosthesis. he argued with his superiors until they agreed to let him fly again. Any doubt they had about his abilities was dispelled when he liberated three Nazi prisoner of war camps, despite his handicap. By questioning authority, Bader spearheaded a movement that created a new future for the handicapped. He showed that disabilities could not stop them from doing great things. Douglas Bader’s questioning of his superiors, in tandem with his success, proves how challenging authority is important.

Seventy year later, the struggles of Senator Wendy Davis prove the importance of challenging authority. Senator Davis’s pro-choice advocacy on the issue of abortion was enough to ostracize her from others in her home state of Texas. Despite the conservative atmosphere, when her state legislature was about to pass anti-abortion legislation, she stepped up and filibustered for hours, attempting to stall the bill until past midnight, at which point it could not be passed. She challenged the authority of the legislature, most of whom were against her pro-choice standpoint. Her open defiance and dedication caused the crowd outside to begin cheering, drowning out the voices of the legislature and stalling the bill until past midnight. Senator Davis challenged authority, and thus introduced a new perspective to a state that was previously myopic on the issue of abortion. Her defiance of authority and success demonstrate how the will to question others ultimately leads to progress.

Although we have been molded since birth to obey without dissent, defying and questioning those in authority is important for society… Those willing to defy authority figures are courageous, and they often introduce new ideas to the world. Douglas Bader, by questioning his superiors, asserted that disabilities could not stop him, and forged a new future for the disabled. Senator Davis, by arguing against her legislature, created stronger pro-choice advocacy in her conservative state. Questioning and challenging authority is indeed important, as it creates new ideas and enables society to progress.

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Thanks in advance for any help!*