• Independent sample essay

There is no 1shortage of opinion on 2whether it is better for students to

learn art and literature or math and science. In my opinion, I disagree with
the statement; I think it is more important for people to study math and
science. The following paragraphs will explain my two major reasons for
this opinion.
3
First of all, science and math are more valuable than art and literature
because knowledge of math and science is necessary for understanding and
advancing technology. Technology has led this world to become extremely
interconnected. The internet, cell phones and airplanes are all technological
advances that people use every day and would not be possible without
students of math and science inventing them. I heard a story on the news
once that illustrates my point quite well. Used plastic is overflowing in
landfills and polluting the seas. However, clever scientists have found
interesting ways to reuse wasted plastic. In India, they mix thrown out
plastic waste with asphalt and use it to pave new roadways. This invention is
made possible because of science and math, and it can help solve the
pollution problems in the oceans. If students do not continue to learn math
and science, 4then more technologies of the future like this one may never
be created. 5In order to continue making technological advancements, it is
better for students to study science and math.
6
Secondly, math and science are more important subjects because people
need to know them in order to save lives and keep everyone healthy.
Doctors, nurses, and medical technicians are all former students of science
and math. Drawing from my own experience, my brother recently went to
college to become a surgeon. He is going to be studying for eight years, and
almost all of his classes will be of these types. 7For example, he is now
learning anatomy, algebra, biology, and geometry which are all science and
math courses. When he graduates, he will have the skills to heal patients’
illnesses and injuries because he studies these subjects. 8For the sake of
public health, it is more necessary for students to learn math and science
than art and literature.

1 Shortage – escassez/ falta/ carência

2 Whether – if - se
3 First of all – em primeiro lugar ou primeiramente
4 Then - então
5
In order to – a fim de
6 Secondly – em segundo lugar
7 For example – por exemplo
8 For the sake of – em benefício de/ a fim de/ em favor de
9
In conclusion, I strongly believe it is more important for students to study
science and math than it is to learn about literature and art. This is
because math and science provide students the knowledge to advance
technology, and the ability to cure the sick and dying people in the world.

• Integrated sample essay

The article introduces the topic of corn-based ethanol. More specifically,

the writer discusses the advantages of switching from fossil fuels to this
alternative energy source. The lecturer in the listening passage disagrees.
He believes that the benefits the author mentions are 10misleading and
attacks each of the claims made in the reading.
In the reading, the author begins by stating that drivers will get better
gas mileage on corn ethanol than on fossil fuels, and therefore save money
on gas. The speaker, however, disagrees. He states that the production of
corn ethanol is very expensive. He says that in order to make for the costs
to create and distribute this biofuel, the price of ethanol gas will
increase. Therefore11, it will not be any cheaper for consumers in the long
run.
The writer also claims that making the switch to corn ethanol will help the
American economy because it will make the United States less dependent
on foreign oil. Again, the lecturer believes there are 12flaws in the writer’s
13
argument. He holds 14instead that mass use of corn-based ethanol will
hurt the economy. He elaborates this by point out that the inevitable
competition for corn by multiple consumers, including beef and dairy
farmers, will drive the price of corn up.
Another reason why the author feels that moving from traditional gasoline
to corn ethanol is a good idea is that they are more environmentally
friendly than fossil fuels. The professor in the listening passage is
15
doubtful that this is 16accurate. He suggests that as more farmlands are
created to support the demands for more corn, more carbon will be

9 In conclusion – para concluir

10 Misleading – enganador/ errôneo/ ilusório
11 Therefore - portanto
12 Flaws - imperfeições
13 Argument – argumento/ discussão/ raciocínio
14 Instead – em vez de
15 Doubtful – duvidoso

16 Accurate – preciso/ exato/ correto

absorbed by the land. This means that these emissions will still be released
to negatively affect the environment.

Explicação sobre a resposta do professor ou modelo de resposta:

As you can see the author and speaker hold very different views about the
use of corn ethanol.
The author here clearly defined the main idea, organized the supporting
points from both the reading and listening passage, and showed how they
differ from each other.