GRE作文范文 Issue-16

"High-speed electronic communications media, such as electronic mail and television, tend to prevent meaningful and thoughtful communication."

嘉文博译Sample Essay

Telecommunications have developed at a tremendous pace over the past decade. Electronic mail has become nearly an exclusive form of communication for some people. Satellites and an increasingly wired worldwide community allow for videoconferencing and instantaneous communication all over the globe. Television no longer has to be just a one-way communication; it can now be an interactive experience. When used properly, high-speed telecommunications can actually add to the meaningful and thoughtful exchanges of ideas. But in many other ways, these new communications media have taken away the art of letter writing and conversation and serve to prevent evocative and introspective interactions from taking place.

The rapid development of high-speed electronic communications media has led to many improvements that actually allow humans to communicate with each other better than ever before. Fiber optic cable can very quickly deliver enormous amounts of information almost anywhere in the world. Satellites orbiting the earth can transmit voices and video instantaneously from one point to another. Technology and the overall development of the telecommunications infrastructure have lowered the costs of global communication to the point that it is now affordable for the great majority of the world's population.

As worldwide telecommunications have become both faster and less expensive, people are now able to keep in contact with more people in more places. Electronic mail can be used to deliver vast amounts of information at basically no cost. Email is fast, flexible and reliable. A person can communicate with the world from the privacy of their own home without ever having to set foot outside. Thoughts and feelings can be put down into writing and sent immediately to another person on the other side of the planet. Instant messenger services allow real time communication with anyone that has a computer and access to the Internet, anywhere in the world. In this manner, high-speed telecommunications have fostered thoughtful and meaningful conversations between people who in many cases might never have been able to meet at all without these technological advances.

On the other hand, in years past people would sit down and put pen to paper to write heartfelt letters that required great thought and reflection. The entire process of writing a letter and mailing it to another person took time and effort. Letters could be rewritten over and over again until they were practically perfect before being sent. Every word could be carefully chosen to ensure that just the right message would be delivered. As opposed to email, once the letter was delivered, there was then a physical object that could not only be read, but also touched and possibly even smelled (if it were scented) to give the written letter an extra dimension of communication. The handwriting itself often told much about the writer of the letter. Another factor in favor of handwritten letters is that because physically handwriting a letter took time and effort, it was much less likely to be written and delivered in anger or haste. This greatly lessened the distinct possibility, which occurs frequently with email or instant messengers, that one might regret the message that was delivered. As with the spoken word, instant electronic communication can often never be taken back, and even worse, it is also in writing so it can be passed on in its original form to others.

As with handwritten letters, electronic communications have also tended to supplant actual spoken conversations with others. Why call or stop in for a visit when you can email your friends, with less time involved, for free? For that matter, why pick up the telephone and call your friends individually when you can send them all one mass email with the latest news about your life? Speed and ease of effort with new technology can definitely lead to less thoughtful and meaningful conversations between people.

In some ways, rapid telecommunications media have made the exchanges of ideas between people much more meaningful and thoughtful by allowing people to keep in touch in many different ways that were impossible in the past. But as usual with progress, some traditions such as the handwritten letter and the art of conversation are in danger of being lost, leading to more superficial interactions that keep us more isolated as individuals.

参考译文

高速电子传播媒介，例如电子邮件和电视，常常妨碍人们达成意义深刻、有思想深度的交流

　　过去的十年间电信业飞速发展。对某些人来说，电子邮件几乎已经成为无可替代的一种通信方式。人造卫星的使用以及一个日益互联的世界使电视会议及全球内的同步交流得以进行。电视实现的不再仅仅是单向的传播，如今它可以给人们带来互动式的全新体验。如果使用得当，高速的电信业实际上可以促进意义深刻、有思想深度的交流。然而在其他许多方面，这些新的传播媒介却使人们丢弃了书信及交谈的艺术，不利于人与人之间产生启发性的、内省性的交互作用。

　　高速电子传播媒介的快速发展带来的进步实际上使得人们能够比以往更好地进行交流。光纤光缆能很快地将大量的信息传送到世界上几乎任何一个地方。绕地球轨道运行的卫星瞬间就能把声音和图像从一个地点传送到另一地点。先进的技术和电信基础设施的整体发展降低了全球通信的费用，如今世界上的绝大多数人都能够负担得起。

　　由于世界范围内的电子通信速度越来越快、费用越来越低，现在人们能够与更多地方的更多数量的人保持联系。使用电子邮件几乎不用花钱就可以传播大量的信息。电子邮件传送速度快，方式灵活，使用起来也比较可靠。一个人足不出户，呆在自己家的私人小天地中就能够跟全世界进行交流。他的想法和感受一经记录就能立即发送到地球另一端的人那里。即时信使服务（MSN）使世界各地任何一个有电脑能上网的人都能进行实时交流。通过这种方式，高速电子通信促成了人与人之间意义深刻、有思想深度的交谈。而如果没有这些技术进步，他们很可能永远也不会聚在一起。

　　另一方面，在过去，人们常常会坐下来用笔和纸写信，写下他们经过仔细思量的肺腑之言。这个写信和寄信的整个过程需要花费时间和精力。在寄出前，信是可以一遍又一遍地重写直到万无一失为止。每一个字都可以被仔细推敲直到确保意思被完好表达出来。与电子邮件不同的是，当这种手写的信件被寄出去以后，它就是一个实实在在的东西，不仅能被阅读，还能被摸得着、嗅得到（如果信纸有香味的话），这就使手写的信件具有了独特的交流内涵。信的笔迹本身常常可以反映出写信人的许多情况。人们偏爱手写信件的另外一个原因是手写信件花费时间和精力，因而就不太可能是在发怒或匆忙的状态下写就和寄出的。这大大减少了使用电子邮件或即时信使（MSN）时可能发生的情况--人们经常会对发出的信息懊悔不已。如同出口的话一样，即时的电子通信一旦完成常常是不能够收回的，甚至更糟--由于它也是以记录下来的方式存在的，所以它可以以最原始的形式传送给其他更多的人。

　　如同手写信件一样，电子通信也有让人们减少面对面交谈的倾向。既然无需付钱、花一点时间发个电子邮件就能够问候一下朋友，为什么还要打电话或登门拜访呢？只要给朋友们发一个集体电子邮件说说你的近况，又干吗要给他们一个个分别打电话呢？花费的时间和精力少了，意义深刻、有思想深度的交谈肯定也就减少了。

　　快速的电子通信借助许多过去不可能具备的新方式使人们建立起了联系。因此，在某些方面，它使人们之间思想的交流意义更为深刻、更有思想内涵。然而，正如进步通常都会对传统带来负面影响影响，像手写书信和谈话的艺术这些传统的东西正面临着被摈弃的危险，这会使人们的交流更趋肤浅而使我们作为个体更加被隔绝开来。

 

GRE作文范文 Argument-16

"Typically, as people age, their bone mass decreases, making them more vulnerable to bone fractures. A recent study concludes that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. The three-year study followed a group of French women in their eighties who were nursing-home residents. The women were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In addition, the women participated in a light weightlifting program. After three years, these women showed a much lower rate of hip fractures than is average for their age."

嘉文博译Sample Essay

In this argument, the arguer concludes that the most effective way of reducing the risk of bone fractures in later life is to take twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. To support this conclusion, the arguer cites a three-year study of French nursing home resident women in their eighties who were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In this study, the women also participated in a light weightlifting program and showed a much lower than average rate of hip fractures for their age. Looking closely at the argument reveals that it is based on faulty reasoning and fails to deliver on its premise.

The most obvious and glaring defect in the reasoning behind this argument is the fact that this study was based on French women who were already residents of a nursing home. Nursing homes are very well protected environments, particularly when it comes to the problem of the elderly falling, as this is a well known and common problem. Strict safety precautions are in place to protect nursing home residents from falling, including the widespread use of walkers and wheelchairs, as well as generously and appropriately placed handrails to assist with moving about. The arguer attempts to attribute the much lower rate of hip fractures to the higher doses of vitamin D and calcium, but it is much more likely that the average rate is lower because the residents are better protected from falling and hurting themselves in the first place.

Additionally, the arguer fails to account for the obvious health benefits generated by the light weightlifting program. Weight training helps to strengthen both bone and muscle, leading to a more physically fit body with better balance and stamina. A more fit physique leads to fewer health problems by likely keeping the women from falling in the first place, and if they should fall, better muscle tone and mass could also better protect the underlying bones. It is highly likely that the weight-training program itself led to more health benefits than the double dose of vitamin D and calcium. By failing to address the likely contributions of the light weightlifting program, the arguer has failed to convey a convincing argument.

Furthermore, the study addresses only French people, only women and only those in their eighties. The arguer's conclusion states that "the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life" is by doubling the daily dose of calcium and vitamin D, meaning all people in later life, including men. The study did not have any male participants, nor did it have anyone under or over the ages of eighty to eighty-nine or from any other countries. Even assuming the validity of the study, there is no direct evidence of the fracture reducing benefits of increasing the dosage of vitamin D and calcium in anyone other than French women in their eighties in nursing homes. Additionally, the study only mentions hip fractures - it does not address any other types of bone fractures. Without such cause and effect evidence for other people and other bones in the body, the argument remains unconvincing.

In summary, the argument fails to convince by offering weak evidence that does not support the arguer's conclusion that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take two times the regular dose of vitamin D and calcium everyday. Even assuming that the study does demonstrate that it helps, there is nothing in the argument or the study that shows that it is the most effective way of doing so. Without such direct causal evidence, the study itself does not support the arguer's premise.

参考译文

　　普遍而言，随着人们日趋衰老，他们的骨质会减少，使其更易于招致骨折。一项近期的研究结论是，晚年生活中减少骨折风险的最有效方法是每日服用两倍于大夫建议的维生素D和钙。此项为期三年的研究追踪了一组年届八旬的法国妇女，她们均为私人疗养院居民。这些妇女每天均被给予两倍于大夫建议的维生素D和钙剂量的补充药物。此外，这些妇女还参加了一项轻微的举重计划。三年之后，这些妇女显示出了比其年龄段平均发病率远低得多的臀部骨折

　　在本项论述中，论述者的结论是，晚年生活中减少骨折的最有效方法是每日服用两倍于大夫所建议的维生素D和钙剂量。为了支持其结论，论述者援引了一项为期三年的对法国某私人疗养院年届八旬的女性居民所作的研究。在该项研究中，这些妇女每日被给予两倍于大夫建议的维生素D和钙剂量。这些妇女也参加一项轻微的举重计划，并显示出比其年龄段平均发病率低得多的臀部骨折。对这一论述细加推敲便会表明，它所依据的完全是错误的推理，无法为其命题提供充分的依据。

　　 在该论点所隐含的推理中，最明显和最引人注目的谬误莫进于这样一个事实，即这一研究是基于早已成为某一私人疗养所居民的法国妇女。私人疗养所是一些有着非常完善保护设施的环境，尤其是在涉及到老年人摔倒这方面，因为这是一个众所周知和甚为普遍的问题。严格的安全防范措施十分到位，用以保护私人疗养院居民免遭摔跌之苦，包括广泛使用步行辅助器以及轮椅，以及在各处慷慨而又恰当地设置扶手来帮助行走。该论述者试图将较低水平的臀部骨折归诸于这些居民服用高剂量的维生素D和钙。但是情况很有可能是，疗养院中之所以平均骨折发生率较低，首先是因为这里的居民针对摔倒和受伤已获得了较为完善的防护。

　 此外，该论述者也没能说清楚轻微的举重计划所产生的明显健康作用。举重训练有助于增强人们的骨骼和肌肉，导致锻炼者身体状况得以改善，获得更好的平衡能力以及耐力。较佳的体质可导致较少的健康问题，因为首先这样的体质可使那些妇女不会随便摔倒，并且，即使她们真的摔倒的话，较好的肌肉张力及肌肉块也可以更好地保护位于下面的骨头。情况很有可能是举重训练计划本身，而不是两倍剂量的维生素D和钙，给女性居民们带来了更多的健康作用。由于没能探讨轻微的举重训练计划有可能带来的裨益，该论述者便没能传递出一个令人信服的论点。

　　再者，该项研究只涉及法国人，只涉及妇女，并且只涉及年已八旬的妇女。该论述者在结论中陈述道："在人们晚年生活中减少骨折风险的最有效方法"是每日服用两倍的钙与维生素D剂量。这里，论述者指的是进入晚年生活的所有的人，包括男性。该项研究并没有包括男性参与者，也没有包含任何80－89岁这一年龄段之上或之下的任何其他人，或来自任何其他国家的人。即使假定该项研究的有效性，也没有任何直接的论据来证明，除了私人疗养院中的八旬法国妇女外，任何人服用较大剂量的维生素D和钙会有利于减少骨折。此外，该项研究仅仅提及臀部骨折--它没能探讨任何其他类型的骨折。如果没有就其他人或就体内的其它骨头提供因果证据，该论点依然无法令人信服。

　　概而言之，该论点不能达到说服人的作用，因为所提出的甚为薄弱的证据根本就无法来支持论述者的结论，即人们晚年生活中减少骨折风险的最有效方法是每天服用两倍于正常剂量的维生素D和钙。即使我们假定该项研究确实能证明这一做法有益处，该项论述或研究中还是没有任何证据能证明这一做法是减少骨折的最有效的方法。没有这种直接的因果证据，该项研究无法来支持论述者的命题。

嘉文博译郑重声明：