Sample Essay Questions
Common strategy terms for Essay writing are as follows:
Analyze: Divide an event, idea, or theory into its component elements, and examine each one in turn: Analyze Milton Friedman's theory of permanent income.
Compare and/or Contrast: Demonstrate similarities or dissimilarities between two or more events or topics: Compare the portrayal of women in Beloved with that in Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Define: Identify and state the essential traits or characteristics of something, differentiating it clearly from other things: Define Hegelian dialectic.
Describe: Tell about an event, person, or process in detail, creating a clear and vivid image of it: Describe the dress of a knight.
Evaluate: Assess the value or significance of the topic: Evaluate the contribution of black musicians to the development of an American musical tradition.
Explain: Make a topic as clear and understandable as possible by offering reasons, examples, and so on: Explain the functioning of the circulatory system.
Summarize: State the major points concisely and comprehensively: Summarize the major arguments against using animals in laboratory research.
Following are some sample essay questions:
Education comes not from books but from practical experience.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which books might educate students better than practical experience. Discuss what you think determines when practical experience provides a better education than books do.
Scientific inquiry is rooted in the desire to discover, but there is no discovery so important that in its pursuit a threat to human life can be tolerated.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statements means. Describe a specific situation in which a threat to human life might be tolerated in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Discuss what you think determines when the pursuit of scientific discovery is more important than the protection of human life.
Politicians too often base their decisions on what will please the voters, not on what is best for the country.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a politician might make an unpopular decision for the good of the country. Discuss the principles you think should determine whether political decisions should be made to please the voters or to serve the nation
An understanding of the past is necessary for solving the problems of the present.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which solving a current problem might not require an understanding of the past. Discuss what you think determines whether or not the past should be considered in solving the problems of the present.
Wealthy politicians cannot offer fair representation to all the people.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a wealthy politician might offer fair representation to all people. Discuss what you think determines whether a wealthy politician can or cannot offer fair representation to all the people.
In a free society, laws must be subject to change.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a law should not be subject to change in a free society. Discuss what you think determines whether or not a law in a free society should be subject to change.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
ESSAYS - Linking Words
Linking words help you to connect ideas and sentences, so that people can follow your ideas.
Giving examples
For example
For instance
Namely
The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
Namely refers to something by name.
“There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time.”
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
“We discussed training, education and the budget.”
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. “We also spoke about marketing.”
You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
“We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition.”
We don’t usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this…
As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
“As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition.”
“We are interested in costs as well as the competition.”
Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
“They were concerned too.”
“I, too, was concerned.”
Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
“Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer.”
“Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer.”
Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
“Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition.”
Summarising
In short
In brief
In summary
To summarise
In a nutshell
To conclude
In conclusion
We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas
The former, … the latter
Firstly, secondly, finally
The first point is
Lastly
The following
The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points. ”Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the final term.”
Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
It’s rare to use “fourthly”, or “fifthly”. Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on.
The following is a good way of starting a list.
“The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen.”
Giving a reason
Due to / due to the fact that
Owing to / owing to the fact that
Because
Because of
Since As
Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.
“Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%.”
“Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks.”
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.
“Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25.”
“Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders.”
Because / because of
Because of is followed by a noun.
“Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed.”
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, “Because it was raining, the match was postponed.”
“We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive.”
Since / as
Since and as mean because.
“Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff.”
“As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff.”
Giving a result
Therefore
So
Consequently
This means that
As a result
Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
“The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff.”
So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
“He works hard, but he doesn’t earn much.” ”He works hard. However, he doesn’t earn much.”
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
“Although it was cold, she went out in shorts.” ”In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts.”
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
“Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees.”
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
“The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless.” (In spite of the fact that it was cold.) ”The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren’t going to expand this year.”
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
“While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown.”
“Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down.”
“Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol.”
In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.
“In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don’t have enough time.”
Giving examples
For example
For instance
Namely
The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
Namely refers to something by name.
“There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time.”
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
“We discussed training, education and the budget.”
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. “We also spoke about marketing.”
You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
“We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition.”
We don’t usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this…
As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
“As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition.”
“We are interested in costs as well as the competition.”
Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
“They were concerned too.”
“I, too, was concerned.”
Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
“Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer.”
“Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer.”
Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
“Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition.”
Summarising
In short
In brief
In summary
To summarise
In a nutshell
To conclude
In conclusion
We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas
The former, … the latter
Firstly, secondly, finally
The first point is
Lastly
The following
The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points. ”Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the final term.”
Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
It’s rare to use “fourthly”, or “fifthly”. Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on.
The following is a good way of starting a list.
“The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen.”
Giving a reason
Due to / due to the fact that
Owing to / owing to the fact that
Because
Because of
Since As
Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.
“Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%.”
“Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks.”
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.
“Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25.”
“Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders.”
Because / because of
Because of is followed by a noun.
“Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed.”
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, “Because it was raining, the match was postponed.”
“We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive.”
Since / as
Since and as mean because.
“Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff.”
“As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff.”
Giving a result
Therefore
So
Consequently
This means that
As a result
Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
“The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff.”
So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
“He works hard, but he doesn’t earn much.” ”He works hard. However, he doesn’t earn much.”
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
“Although it was cold, she went out in shorts.” ”In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts.”
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
“Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees.”
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
“The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless.” (In spite of the fact that it was cold.) ”The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren’t going to expand this year.”
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
“While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown.”
“Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down.”
“Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol.”
In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.
“In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don’t have enough time.”
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Conditionals
Zero Conditional (will definitely happen)
If + Present Simple + Present Simple.
If you don't drink water for 6 days, you die.
First Conditional (is possible)
If + Present Simple + modal verb (will,can,could,may) = is used for REAL POSSIBILITIES
When + Present Simple = FUTURE EVENTS which are CERTAIN
If/Unless + Present Simple (without modal) = FUTURE EVENTS which are UNCERTAIN
As soon as = happens immediately
If you read English outside class, you'll improve more quickly.
Second Conditional (is possible on condition)
If + Past Simple + would
If I could live anywhere, I would live in Australia.
Third Conditional (is not possible)
If + Past Perfect + would have + past participle
If I had've studied art, I would've been an art teacher.
*~*~*~*~
OK, now you have learnt about conditionals, what kind of sentences are these?
If this weather keeps up, we'll get more of it.
I would've if I could've but I couldn't so I didn't.
If you don't eat, you don't shit, and if you don't shit, you die.
These are typical Australian expressions that my grandfather used to say when I was a child. Now, there's a little slice of my culture for you!
If + Present Simple + Present Simple.
If you don't drink water for 6 days, you die.
First Conditional (is possible)
If + Present Simple + modal verb (will,can,could,may) = is used for REAL POSSIBILITIES
When + Present Simple = FUTURE EVENTS which are CERTAIN
If/Unless + Present Simple (without modal) = FUTURE EVENTS which are UNCERTAIN
As soon as = happens immediately
If you read English outside class, you'll improve more quickly.
Second Conditional (is possible on condition)
If + Past Simple + would
If I could live anywhere, I would live in Australia.
Third Conditional (is not possible)
If + Past Perfect + would have + past participle
If I had've studied art, I would've been an art teacher.
*~*~*~*~
OK, now you have learnt about conditionals, what kind of sentences are these?
If this weather keeps up, we'll get more of it.
I would've if I could've but I couldn't so I didn't.
If you don't eat, you don't shit, and if you don't shit, you die.
These are typical Australian expressions that my grandfather used to say when I was a child. Now, there's a little slice of my culture for you!
Word of the Month ~ Jingoism
jingoism |ˈji ng gōˌizəm|
noun chiefly derogatory
extreme patriotism, esp. in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.
a strong belief that your own country is better than others - used to show disapproval:
a mood of warlike jingoism.
DERIVATIVES
jingoist noun
jingoistic |ˌji ng gōˈistik| adjective
Thesaurus
jingoism
noun
a newspaper known for its jingoism extreme patriotism, chauvinism, extreme nationalism, xenophobia, flag-waving; hawkishness, militarism, belligerence, bellicosity.
noun chiefly derogatory
extreme patriotism, esp. in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.
a strong belief that your own country is better than others - used to show disapproval:
a mood of warlike jingoism.
DERIVATIVES
jingoist noun
jingoistic |ˌji ng gōˈistik| adjective
Thesaurus
jingoism
noun
a newspaper known for its jingoism extreme patriotism, chauvinism, extreme nationalism, xenophobia, flag-waving; hawkishness, militarism, belligerence, bellicosity.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Welcome Students!
This is the place where I will publish the best essays, reports and reviews created by my students in 2009. You will be able to access your hard work in order to show it to your friends, family or other teachers and classmates. I look forward to your contributions!
I also will upload useful bits and pieces for my students and fellow teachers to access, as well as links to other websites that I have found useful.
Adios,
Señorita Cariño
I also will upload useful bits and pieces for my students and fellow teachers to access, as well as links to other websites that I have found useful.
Adios,
Señorita Cariño
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