21/07/18

Issue Topic :
● As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to
think for themselves will surely deteriorate.

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you
should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain
how these considerations shape your position.

Response :

Gone are the days when getting specific information about a topic meant, to talk to people,
research, frequent visits to the library, beleaguering your parents/professors to impart their
information, just to get a tiny drop from the ocean that is knowledge. In the modern era, all you
have to do, is get hold of a device which supports an internet connection and log on to
google.com. It’s pretty straight forward from there.

Having a vast database of knowledge at the tip of our fingertips has its perks, as well as its
downsides. Access to information about any topic under the sun (or beyond it) is a great way to
increase your understanding about a particular field that you’re interested in.
However, it does weaken our will to dig a little deep, since we know, a easier path is available to
choose.

It is human nature, to choose a path which is easier and has less hurdles, hence inevitably,
reliance on technology to solve problems was not a too distant reality. With the advent of new
technologies in the past few decades, we, as a species have quickly adapted to the luring option
of gadgets to make even our simplest of jobs, simpler. Take for example, Looking up a word in
the dictionary. When smartphones were only imaginable in science fictions (or as our parents
fondly call : when we were young..), to get the meaning of a word, you had to take out a bulky
dictionary, find the word you are looking for, and then learn the meaning and reach
enlightenment. But now, you merely have to speak the word and Siri or Alexia, (depending on
what company you keep) would promptly tell you the meaning of the said word. Easy peasy,
lemon squeesy!

Sure, solving everyday problems has become very easy for the general public, and is making
them use their intellectual capabilities less, and less. But if we just think about this for a second
(see what I did there?), making other people’s life easier through technology, takes ample of
abled homo sapiens to put their brains to work!

Getting to the state of things we’re in now most definitely wasn’t possible, if it wasn’t for erudite
scholars in their respective fields, who worked hard, put their degree to work, just so their fellow
humans could live an easier life.

With every passing second, we as a species are stepping into a better and fresher tomorrow.
Where some of the citizens are making an effort to use their intellect to make a difference in the
lives of the ones, who choose not to do so.
Practice Test 2 (ETS from the book)

Issue Topic:

Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to prove the well-being of the
societies and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of
corporations, provided, they operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible.

Write response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and
explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you
should address both of the views presented.

Response :

We live in a world where the current state of the environment is deteriorating at such an
alarming rate, that if we don’t take action now, we won’t have to wait till our 90s to experience
the consequences. The increasing rate of upcoming industries, is detrimental to the health of
the planet.

A huge corporation should take into account its importance in the business, or the influence it
has on the citizens of the world. We have reached a stage in in our journey, where every
company, should be vary of the actions it takes, should be working towards curbing actions
which could lead to environmental harm. Take for example, a sewage treatment plant, if before
the plant would be dumping its waste in the local water body, the ecosystem would have been
affected. Instead, the authorities should think of ways to treat the waste and make good use of
the same.

An increasing number of companies are working to reduce their toxic emissions, while keeping
their profits high. Environmental well being shouldn’t be a secondary factor to profits. In my
opinion, the impact of the company on the environment, should be paramount. As, nobody is the
captain here, we all crew on this ship called earth. Each individual must think of ways not to
harm environment more than what has already been done.

On the other hand, some people don’t believe in keeping the environment in mind when it
comes to business. Making the most profit, while adhering to the laws, seems to be a viable
option, and feeling as if they aren’t doing anything wrong and to much truth. Unless and until
there doesn't exist strong laws which prohibit certain practices for corporations or industries,
there won’t be any significant difference in the mentality that goes into sustaining a business.
Sure, making money is the ultimate goal of any business, but doing so at the expense of
degrading the environmental condition isn’t moral or logical.

Business should be vary of the consequences of their actions, and strive to make their impact, a
positive one, to inspire other corporations of endless possibilities.
Argument Topic :

Practice Test 2 (ETS from the book)

Argument Topic :

In order to decrease the operating expenses, the memorandum suggests two major points,
drawing inference from a branch which was successful in doing so. The points are : first, the
branch closed at 6:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM. If we consider having a similar change in other
branches of the shop, it takes a lot of factors into assumption. The store in downtown Marston
could have been in a very secluded part of the town and hence, after 6 PM, no customer would
have come to the shop, therefore it must have been profitable to close the shop for the day.
However, making the same changes to other branches, would be detrimental, as there is no
definitive mention of whether there is a demand for the shop after 6 PM in other areas. Sure,
closing the shops down at 6 PM would cut down on the operational charges, but that shouldn’t
be at the expense of potential customers.

The second point which was made is : eliminating movies which were released more than 5
years ago. This again is based on the assumption that the demographic which comes to this
particular shop in downtown Marston, is quite young, or prefers to watch new movies, instead of
old. Applying this change to other stores can be very unpredictable, as the memo doesn’t
mention any specifics of the kind of customers that visit the stores in these areas.
It could also be the opposite! For example, one store may be near an old age home, and its
main customers could be the folks livings there, Now, if the collection consisted only of new
movies, but the customers wanted old ones, the store would be at a loss. Hence, studying the
demographic is necessary.

Lastly, the decision to not increase its rental prices is a good one, as Movies Galore is known
for their special bargains, and customer satisfaction should be paramount. However, jumping to
conclusions could be dangerous. A detailed study of the type of customers who come to each
individual stores, would be a good start, to take measures for reducing the operational costs.