If you took the June 2009 SAT, you had one of the essay prompts below:

Prompt 1

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

The discovery that someone we admire has done something wrong is always disappointing and disillusioning. Yet even when people we consider heroes have been tarnished by their faults, they are no less valuable than people who appear perfect. When we learn that an admired person, even one who is seemingly perfect, has behaved in less than admirable ways, we discover a complex truth: great ideas and great deeds come from imperfect people like ourselves.

Assignment:

Do we benefit from learning about the flaws of people we admire and respect? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 2

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Some people say you should be content with what you have and accept who you are. But it is possible that too much self-acceptance can turn into self-satisfied lack of ambition. People should always strive to improve themselves and to have more in their lives—friends, things, opportunities. After all, where would we be if great people, both in history and in our own time, did not try to have more and to improve themselves?

Assignment:

Is it best for people to accept who they are and what they have, or should people always strive to better themselves? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.#p#副标题#e#

Prompt 3

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.So-called common sense determines what people should wear, whom they should respect, which rules they should follow, and what kind of life they should lead. Common sense is considered obvious and natural, too sensible to question. But people's common sense decisions may turn out to be wrong, even if they are thought to be correct according to the judgment of vast majorities of people.

Adapted from Alain de Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy

Assignment:

Can common sense be trusted and accepted, or should it be questioned? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 4

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Winning does not require people to be against someone else; people can reach their goals through cooperation just as well as they can through competition. Winning is not always the result of selfish individualism. People achieve happiness by cooperating with others to increase the happiness of all, rather than by winning at others' expense. Ours is not a world in which the price of one person's happiness is someone else's unhappiness.

Adapted from Gilbert Brim, Ambition

Assignment:

When some people win, must others lose, or are there situations in which everyone wins? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

So-called common sense determines what people should wear, whom they should respect, which rules they should follow, and what kind of life they should lead. Common sense is considered obvious and natural, too sensible to question. But people's common sense decisions may turn out to be wrong, even if they are thought to be correct according to the judgment of vast majorities of people.Adapted from Alain de Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy

Assignment:

Can common sense be trusted and accepted, or should it be questioned? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 4

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Winning does not require people to be against someone else; people can reach their goals through cooperation just as well as they can through competition. Winning is not always the result of selfish individualism. People achieve happiness by cooperating with others to increase the happiness of all, rather than by winning at others' expense. Ours is not a world in which the price of one person's happiness is someone else's unhappiness.

Adapted from Gilbert Brim, Ambition

Assignment:

When some people win, must others lose, or are there situations in which everyone wins? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and assignment below.

To change is to risk something, making us feel insecure. Not to change is a bigger risk, though we seldom feel that way. There is no choice but to change. People, however, cannot be motivated to change from the outside. All of our motivation comes from within.

Adapted from Ward Sybouts,Planning in School Administration:A Handbook

AssignmentWhat motivates people to change? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from you reading,studies, experience, or observations.

Sample Essay - 6分范文

What motivates people to change is a relentless and innate desire for self-improvement. Rarely ever has history seen a man or society kick back, relax, and say “Well that about does it. Not much else to do here!” Within every person is the potential to achieve greatness in some form; be it athletically, mentally, spiritually. This inherent potential demands that people continue to explore and change both their environments and themselves throughout their life’s course. Never should a man be idle for too long. After acknowledging the changes a man has already made to his environment, the pursuit of self-improvement will once again stir within his soul and call him to action. This internal desire, this pursuit of challenge and perfection, does not prohibit man from being happy with his status and achievements. On the contrary, the device serves more to allow the man to constantly strive for greater change, newer innovation. What motivates people to change is the ongoing need to redefine people’s lives and identities –to elevate them to higher levels of eminence and sucess.

A good example of this can be seen in clinical psychology. When patients seek therapy for difficulties that have encumbered their daily functioning, they most often arrive for treatment voluntarily and willingly- they consciously accept the necessity of therapy and so participate without any duress. During the course of clinical therapy, the patient’s concerns, anxieties, ideas, emotions, and fears are brought to light. However, the clinician does not try to alter the beliefs, feeling, and sentiments of his client; rather, he simply illuminates them in order to provide the patient with an accurate view of himself. The process, of raising concerns and ideas to the surface of conscious awareness, is known as clarification. Modern psychology is a far throw from the psychoanalysis of Freud’s time, in which psychologists attempted to “interpret” pre-and unconscious feelings that had been repressed by the patient. Because clinicians only clarify, and not dissect, alter, or interpret a client’s inner desires and emotions, the client himself is responsible for instituting change. If he is to change, he must dictate the course of therapy, and make the conscious choice to improve himself. This widely used approach is called “client centered therapy.” If the client’s ennui or ill feelings are due to situational factors or internal designs (as oppose to biological changes that would qualify for a diagnosis of psychopathology (mental disorder)), he must change them on his own accord to precipitate change within himself. The therapist will not “cure” him in any way. He alone must answer the call within himself to refine and redefine his identity and place in society. This need, of self-improvement, also initially brought him to the therapist. He was able to recognize the disorder of his environment and acknowledgehis own negative feelings. This in turn brought him to therapy, where he was guided through a process of introspection that ultimately enabled him to improve himself, assuage his anxieties, and rightfully continue on his lifelong pursuit of even greater achievements.

Score Explanation 6分原因与点评

This outstanding essay effectively and insightfully develops the point of view that “What motivates people to change is the ongoing need to redefine people’s lives and identities –to elevate them to higher levels of eminence and sucess.” The writer demonstrates outstanding critical thinking by clearly focusing on “client centered therapy” to support this position. The writer begins by explaining that “When patients seek therapy for difficulties that have encumbered their daily functioning, they most often arrive for treatment voluntarily and willingly.” The writer then describes the process of therapy and shows how, if the client “is to change, he must dictate the course of therapy, and make the conscious choice to improve himself.”The writer concludes with the idea that therapy is a tool for someone who wishes to change, and while the therapist will not “cure” a client, the introspection encouraged by the therapist can “refine and redefine” the client’s “identity and place in society.” The essay is well organized, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas. Throughout the essay, the writer exhibits the skillful use of language by using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary (“During the course of clinical therapy, the patient’s concerns, anxieties, ideas, emotions, and fears are brought to light. However, the clinician does not try to alter the beliefs, feelings, and sentiments of his client; rather, he simply illuminates them in order to provide the patient with an accurate view of himself. This process, of raising concerns and ideas to the surface of conscious awareness, is known as clarification”). This response demonstrates clear and consistent mastery and receives a score of 6. Throughout history, the world has seen individuals who are unsatisfied with their statuses and strive to change these unfavorable conditions. Peter the Great of Russia was one young leader who through personal experience witnessed the flaws of Russia’s industrial backwardness. In modern times, the world continues to witness individuals that are motivated to change their situations. One such individual whom I know personally is my friend Nathan, who never fails to be motivated by his experience of current events to spur change in his surroundings. What motivates people to change is their personal experiences.

In the age of industry, Russia had an isolationist policy and they avoided industrialization, which they viewed as one evil of Western Culture. In result, Russia’s people fell into difficult times characterized by poverty and governmental policy. One member of society who was to become a legend in his country, young Peter came from a family that was not as well off as those of the typical government officials. Peter saw with his own eyes the problem that backwardness brought to his country, at times even experiencing the problem himself. Peter successfully connected theproblems that plagued Russia with lack of modernization. As Peter gradually gained support and power, he motivated Russia to industrialize and modernize, introducing Western ideas yet keeping Russian tradition unique. Peter the Great’s personal experience of the harms of Russia backwardness motivated him to change his country.

My good friend Nathan, although by no measure as well-known as the prodiguous Peter was, possesses some of the same quality of ambition that Peter had possessed. Nathan’s passion is directed at the school’s newspaper, where he makes his mark by writing masterful articles of what he observes. Nathan has long heard the complaints of the student body moan about the dropping quality of the school’s newspaper. In addition, Nathan has read articles full of factual inaccuracies of events that he had attended personally. This personal witness greatly influenced Nathan; he was outraged by the unjustices that the articles were inflicting upon the school’s pride. Henceforth, Nathan wrote as many articles as he could in his time-constrained schedule. His personal experience of the poor newspaper quality motivated him to pour all of his efforts into revising and improving the newspaper.

Peter the Great and Nathan are two individuals whose personal experiences of the flaws of their society motivated them to improve what they saw as disadvantages. Although one is more well known than the other is, both of their contributions have been significant.

Score Explanation 5分原因与点评

This essay effectively develops the point of view that “What motivates people to change is their personal experiences.” The writer demonstrates strong critical thinking by selecting as support two appropriate examples of "individuals whose personal experiences of the flaws of their society motivated them to improve what they saw as disadvantages.” The writer begins by describing how “Peter the Great’s personal experience of the harms of Russia backwardness motivated him to change his country.” Next, the writer details how his friend Nathan’s “personal experience of the poor newspaper quality motivated him to pour all of his efforts into revising and improving the newspaper.” This well-organized and focused essay demonstrates coherence and progression of ideas. The writer uses appropriate vocabulary and demonstrates variety in sentence structure (“In the age of industry, Russia had an isolationist policy and they avoided industrialization, which they viewed as one evil of Western Culture. In result, Russia’s people fell into difficult times characterized by poverty and governmental policy”). In order to merit a score of 6, this essay needs to demonstrate slightly stronger critical thinking by more insightfully using the examples to develop the writer’s point of view. This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery and is scored 5.

Ambition is life’s greatest motivator. Once a person is motivated, he changes. Perhaps one of the best examples of ambition’s ability to change a person is demonstrated

in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

The title character, Macbeth, goes through the most visible transformation of the play. In the beginning, he is noble, brave, honorable, and revered. He is known as a valiant defender of his kingdom and as a pieous, respectful citizen. Ambition changes him. He begins to see life as no more than a ladder to power and is motivated to speed up that ladder. To enact his desires he turns to murder. All that stand in his way are targets. Macbeth kills the king’s guards as well as the king and is prepared to slaughter anyone who poses a threat to him. From a once good man he becomes a hideous, cruel devil.

Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife undergoes a similar change due to ambition. Although she was never a pure angel, she was a respectable woman. But ambition fills her eyes as well. From then on her goal is power for herself and her husband and she turns from a generally honorable woman to a sexless demon. She calls upon the spirits of evil to help her along and keep away any potential feelings of remorse, regret, or compassion. Her desire for power is too strong to contain and it ultimately shapes her into a coniving creature that urges her husband to kill in order to obtain the crown.

This reckless ambition causes changes humans universally. It exists in modern day corporations; it exists even within some households. Whenever status distinctions exist, ambition exists and is liable to change any human for the worst. As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth became manifested with the drive to kill for power, all people are motivated by this same sense of ambition. And although not all humans take this sense of ambition and kill, it still pushes them to gain a new perspective on life and forever turn from their original views and morals, an irrevocable yet unfortunate change.

Score Explanation 5分原因与点评

This essay focuses on characters from Shakespeare’s Macbeth to effectively develop the point of view that “Ambition is life’s greatest motivator. Once a person is motivated, he changes.” In supporting this position, the writer demonstrates strong critical thinking by focusing on the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the course of the play. In paragraph two, the writer describes how Macbeth’s ambition for power changes him (“From a once good man he becomes a hideous, cruel devil”). Paragraph three explains how Lady Macbeth’s “desire for power is too strong to contain and it ultimately shapes her into a coniving creature that urges her husband to kill in order to obtain the crown.” This essay is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas. In order to receive a score of 6, this essay needs to exhibit a more skillful use of language by consistently using a more accurate and apt vocabulary (“But ambition fills her eyes as well”). Further, the essay could achieve a higher score through stronger evidence of critical thinking, for example, by more insightfully describing Macbeth’s motivation to change and moreeffectively comparing it to the modern day corporations and households mentioned in the final paragraph. Overall, this effective essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery and is scored 5.

Sample Essay - 4分范文

To people, change is inevitable. But still there are some who are resistant or opposed to change. Change can come in many forms, whether it is a new law passed by the government, the start of a new life in a new home, or even just eating something different for breakfast one morning. But no matter what, what motivates people to change is necessity.

In our nation’s history, the 1960’s was a very turbulent era. The Civil Rights Movement for African-Americans was causing controversy at home, and it seemed that change was inevitable once again. Malcolm X was a young black militant fighting for his rights in the early 60’s. He advocated violent protests by blacks everywhere and even renounced the non-violent work of Dr. Martin Luther King. But as the decade wore on, Malcolm X soon realized that the only way to achieve reform was through gaining the support of politicians by using non-violent means. Malcolm X changed his views and sided with Dr. King. What motivated Malcolm X to change was the necessity for his people to be treated as equals. In instances of change, in the end, it all comes down to the necessity of the situation.

Change is ever-present and it always will be. When people realize that their goal is more important then their personal beliefs, out of necessity they will change. Change can go both ways, beneficial or detrimental; but without necessity, people would have no motivation to change in the first place.

Score Explanation 4分范文原因

This competent essay develops the point of view that “no matter what, what motivates people to change is necessity.” The writer demonstrates competent critical thinking by focusing on Malcolm X’s evolution to support this position. The writer begins by describing Malcolm X’s original reaction to the necessity of change (“He advocated violent protests by blacks everywhere and even renounced the nonviolent work of Dr. Martin Luther King”). The writer continues by explaining that “Malcolm X changed his views and sided with Dr. King,” motivated by “the necessity for his people to be treated as equals.”This response is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas. By using generally appropriate vocabulary, the writer exhibits adequate use of language (“But as the decade wore on, Malcolm X soon realized that the only way to achieve reform was through gaining the support of politicians by using non-violent means”). To receive a higher score, the essay would have to demonstrate stronger critical thinking by describing in more detail how and why “necessity” motivated Malcolm X to change. This essay demonstratesadequate mastery and receives a score of 4.

Many people are motivated to change themselves when they find their consciences force them to. A conscience may be a powerful tool that has the will to change any person. Whether it forces them to fall in love, do the right thing etc. Many people find their conscience’s make important decisions for them, leading them to change.

In the Aeneid by Vergil, Aeneis is forced by his conscience to leave his lover Dido, and continue on his rightful path, founding Rome. Aeneis is originally torn by the idea that he may be pushed to abandon his lover, but as his conscience aids him in making his true decision he turns away his sadness and looks ahead to his future. Without his conscience to guide him, Aeneis would not be motivated to change his lifestyle and continue his route to founding Rome.

I have a personnal example of my own motivations as well. When I am faced with a hard and tedious test to study for, I find myself struggling with my conscience on how to proceed. My body would enjoy a nap or long sit on my living room couch, while my conscience tells me I must study and do well on this test. In the end it is my conscience that motivates my change, as I trudge to my desk and open my textbook. Without my conscience, I would be at a loss as to motivation and change in my daily patterns much less study habits.

The conscience is a key ingredients in motivating many people to change their paths in life, love and many other things. By using it, people will be pushed foward and act!

Score Explanation 4分原因与点评

This essay demonstrates adequate mastery by developing the point of view that “Many people find their conscience’s make important decisions for them, leading them to change.” The writer demonstrates competent critical thinking by selecting two adequate examples to support this position. The writer begins by describing how Aeneas “is originally torn by the idea that he may be pushed to abandon his lover, but as his conscience aids him in making his true decision,” he is “motivated to change his lifestyle and continue his route to founding Rome.” The writer continues by offering the personal example of being “faced with a hard and tedious test to study for” when “a nap or long sit” would be more enjoyable. Ultimately, the writer’s conscience provides the motivation to study. This generally organized and focused essay demonstrates some coherence and progression of ideas. The writer exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language (“Aeneis is originally torn by the idea that he may be pushed to abandon his lover, but as his conscience aids him in making his true decision, he turns away his sadness and looks ahead to his future”). While this response is competent, to achieve a higher score, it needs to develop the point of view more effectively by providing more detailed evidence. This essay receives a score of 4.

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.Essay Prompt

Mohandas Gandhi labeled close friendships as dangerous because “friends react on one another and sometimes loyalty to a friend will lead us into wrongdoing.”

George Orwell stated that “sometimes one is willing to commit sins for the sake of loyalty to others.”

What do you think—are close friendships dangerous because they may lead us to wrongdoing, or is it okay that we sometimes commit “sins” for the sake of loyalty to others?

Shannon的SAT作文范文

Whichever way you decide to think about closeness and giving another being all your trust is a big part of your personality. Whether you decide to give someone all your trust and hope they don’t turn their back on you and betray you. Or maybe you feel that if they know nothing, they say nothing.

As Mohandas Gandhi says, maybe giving loyalty to a friend will lead us to bad things. The more a person knows you, the easier it is to deceive you. First of all, you already trust them and your heart will think of any excuse to prove to yourself your friend is not an enemy.

Your friend may have an alternative side that you have no idea about. He/she could be feeding your secrets to the “enemy.” Anybody can become your friend, but maybe they became your friend to tell someone else what happened to you to your “old”best friend—all those things you never wanted that person to know. Be careful of handing out your trust as if it were mere rocks; make the recipient earn it as if it were gold.

As for George Orwell’s opinion that it is good to have loyalty, maybe this person will help you when you are having a hard time. Everyone loves to have a good friend—someone you can count on to laugh with, tell stories to, crack some jokes with. Not only is it nice to have such a person, but it is healthy. When you have a bad day and need to let off a little steam, it is great to do that with this person. If you allow too many things to build up inside and you are dying to tell someone it is not at all healthy. Maybe that includes being a bit of a “sin committer” as Orwell mentions, but these are friends that are invaluable. They can listen to you and give support when you need it. Through their help, you can decide just how you will face the world. You just have to be smart enough to know not to be pressured into doing things you should not do.

CommentarySAT作文范文点评Shannon seems to have fallen into the trap that many writers do who respond to such prompts. She seems to be seeing this through very narrow eyes. She has personalized the quotations and her response. Although she attempts to separate the two quotations, her response is actually rather generalized. For her, friends are one’s lifeblood. Without them, one has no emotional outlet. That is not really what the quotations are talking about.

However, she does attempt to separate the two points of view. Gandhi she interprets more as friends ending up not trust worthy, so perhaps you should not have them in the first place. Orwell, she agrees with more, since she feels that havin reliable friends are worth maybe sinning a bit.

Looking at the scoring guide, this is a three response. It demonstrates inadequate mastery, but developing skills. With some more time and work, Shannon probably could turn this paper around. In the time she had, however, she kept her viewpoint narrow. She took the concept of friends and friendship very literally and personally. Although Marco’s response is not exactly global, it is more hypothetical. It does not sound as much like a personal response to the importance of friends and friendship in one’s life. It is important for you to try to think outside the box, as they say. Try not to respond entirely from the gut; attempt to respond from your mind.

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

Essay Prompt

Mohandas Gandhi labeled close friendships as dangerous because “friends react on one another and sometimes loyalty to a friend will lead us into wrongdoing.”

George Orwell stated that “sometimes one is willing to commit sins for the sake of loyalty to others.”

What do you think—are close friendships dangerous because they may lead us to wrongdoing, or is it okay that we sometimes commit “sins” for the sake of loyalty to others?

Marco的SAT作文范文

I think that if you have a close friendship with the wrong person(s), then yes, close friendships are dangerous and may lead to wrongdoing. For example, if I had a close friendship with a gang member and hung out with him and his fiends, then they might try to make me do something illegal or stupid, such as getting involved with drugs or breaking the law in other ways. If I had a close friendship with a straight-A student who helps out in the community then no, that friendship would not be dangerous, butit is possible for that person to pressure me into doing things against my nature as well.

It’s not that Gandhi is right or wrong in what he says. What he really should have said was to choose friends wisely or we might be coerced into doing something wrong or dangerous because of that friendship. Orwell has a different view on things. He feels that sometimes we might have to go out on a limb for a friend.

In most situations committing a sin or unlawful act for loyalty would be wrong, but in certain situations; for instance, if one were to rob a bank with a group of friends and one friend had second thoughts about robbing the bank and tried to persuade you to leave with him and another tried to persuade you to stay—then you would have to decide which friend you were more loyal to the one who wanted to leave or the one who wanted you to stay, and if you chose the one who wanted you to stay then you would be committing a crime just to prove you were loyal to that friend.

Of course, that is a rather extreme example, but like Gandhi’s ideas, much of this depends on how well we choose our friends. We have to be selective and maybe sometimes wary when it comes to those really good friends who might come to have that much influence over us. Sometimes it is wise not to listen to their influence, and other times it might be OK to “sin a little” because they are our friend.

CommentarySAT作文范文点评

Marco makes a good effort here to respond to two very challenging quotations. In some ways these two quotes seem to be in direct conflict with each other. Marco seems to be a diplomat, however; he takes a very middle-of-the-road approach.

At first he seems to agree with Gandhi, but then he back pedals a bit. Then he seems to agree with Orwell, but goes on to qualify. This might be construed as a weakness in his response, but Marco saves himself by drawing his own very valid conclusion—wisdom in choosing friends is what is most important.

Based on the Scoring Guide, Marco’s response is a solid four. He responds adequately and has mastery in his writing. Some might even argue for a five for Marco. It is true that he demonstrates reasonable mastery. His writing is good. His waffling on the issue, usually a weakness in a response, can be construed as his strong point in this case.

This “waffling” about his score is important for you to understand as well. There is no one perfect four response, nor is there a perfect six response. Within each number, falls a great range of responses. Likewise, what one reader sees as a four, another might see as a five. That is okay. In a holistic scoring evaluation, such how the SAT essays are scored, readers can be one point different from each other,

and it happens. If they are two points apart, however, a third reader is brought in to evaluate the situation. Just remember that your score is the total of both scores. Marco’s paper, therefore, would very probably earn him a 9 (4 plus 5) for that part of the exam.

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

William Penn said, “Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit.”

A century later, Abraham Lincoln said, “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.”

Do you agree or disagree that popularity is best not pursued since it has no benefits nor gives a person peace?Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, experiences or observations.

Megan的SAT作文范文

I agree that popularity is not something worth pursuing. The benefits are minimal and all have notable drawbacks. Plus, popularity increases drama in life for both the popular and the unpopular.

There are really no real benefits that popular people get. They don’t automatically get good grades just because they are well liked by their peers. Because they are considered popular in the first place, people are often scrutinizing the little details such as the popular one’s reaction to a comment, from another person. To be dissected and watched like an animal in a zoo certainly does not seem like a benefit. Also, what “popular” people say is heard by all. One wrong slip of the tongue can send rumors spiraling out of control and destroy friendships, and cause much unneeded drama.

I don’t believe “popularity” can give someone a sense of peace. There is a quote that says something like, “I would rather have a few close friend than a thousand acquaintances.” A popular person may, on the outside, seem to have all the friends in the world. On the inside, however, he or she may be screaming for one true and loyal friend to talk to.

It seems almost as if “popular” people have a certain “authority” over others. The popular kid always seems to have his/her “close friends” who are nothing more than attention-starved followers. Popularity can not be determined by how many friends one may have or who the coolest dressed person is. Abraham Lincoln’s quote about avoiding popularity in order to gain peace is quite true today. A self-peace is there for the taking and can be reached without the title of being “popular.”

Comments SAT作文范文点评Megan’s response, although not as rich as Eric’s is still quite adequate. Most SAT readers would respond to this essay with a 4 and possibly a 5. Remember that each essay has at least two readers. Both scores are added to make a final score out of 12. Megan would probably fall into the 8–9 range.

She does not make direct mention of the quotes or their authors. However, she opens the second paragraph with the comment about popularity affording a sense of “peace,”which is a reference to the quotation by Lincoln.

Although Megan does not explore the quotes themselves as directly as Eric did, she does some insightful speculation. She mentions the pitfalls of popularity and what damage a careless slip of the tongue can bring. In addition, the third paragraph does some psychological analysis of the popular person’s real emotions.

She completes her better-than-average analysis by mentioning the need for self peace and how attaining that is far more valuable than possessing the label of being popular. Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

William Penn said, “Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit.”

A century later, Abraham Lincoln said, “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.”

Do you agree or disagree that popularity is best not pursued since it has no benefits nor gives a person peace?Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, experiences or observations.

Eric的SAT高分范文

I wholeheartedly agree with President Lincoln’s statement, but I only partly agree with William Penn’s. Being popular does press on a person’s personal space and freedom. While popularity does have many snares it does have some real benefits.

Whenever you go shopping or to the grocery store, almost always there will be a magazine news stand by the checkout lane. It’s usually full of tabloids and pop magazines that feature the latest craze and what all the hit stars have been up to.

A recent movie called “Paparazzi” is about an action star who is constantly harassed by photographers who follow his every footstep. While the movie may not be entirely accurate, it does bring to light at least some of the power and freedom the press has. Stars are followed everywhere.Reporters know a star’s favorite restaurant, favorite store and even their favorite color sometimes. Granted none of these things seem very intrusive, but thousands possibly millions of people know them. The star has very little if any privacy. It is there that Lincoln’s

statement holds truth.William Penn mentioned snares and no real benefit. Yes there are many snares that come with popularity. Peer pressure is a major one. All across the country kids dress, talk and act a certain way to try to be popular. Kids feel like they can’t be accepted as they are. They have to change themselves to how magazines, movies, or their friends tell them they should look or act. Kids have turned into imperfect clones of their favorite movies star or singer instead of being accepted for who they are.

Another snare of popularity is coping with it and the attention it draws (to use the example of stars again) many stars have died or have been in rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. The popularity and benefits it brings weren’t brought on in a way as to learn how to cope. Mel Gibson, for instance, was a severe alcoholic for many years and then went to rehab. Elvis and many others have died of drug overdose.

Despite its many snares and problems, popularity can bring benefits. Popularity can bring job opportunities that might not be available otherwise. Michael Jordan switched from a pro-basketball player to a pro-baseball player. To be totally honest, he was pretty bad. That would not have been possible to him had people not known him, had he not been popular. Likewise, many singers have started out as singers then transformed over to being actors or actresses for the same reasons.

Popularity does have many negative sides and effects to it. However, it does have some positives. I personally enjoy my obscurity, but that’s a thing everyone needs to accept.

Comments SAT写作高分范文点评

This is a nice response, isn’t it? Eric has addressed both prompts individually as well as commented on the overall concept of popularity. His discussion is effective and insightful. He does not skimp with details and support; in fact, he has done a lot of development within his 25-minute time limit.

This clearly focused essay is well organized and easy to follow. Sentences are clear and varied. His support examples are also varied—from typical teenage example having to deal with clothing and behavior clones to broader, more speculative and almost psychological analysis of popularity and the power of the media.

The final paragraph especially allows the reader to hear Eric’s voice as he brings this outstanding response to a close. This is what SAT readers are hoping to see—a response worthy of a 6.

Prompt:

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following statement:Fatalists believe that we must accept things as they are, that nothing can be done to change the world for the better. Martin Luther King had such people in mind when he remarked, “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” Maya Angelou added,“If you don’t like omething, change it.” And Phyllis Diller, putting it still another way, said, “Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.”

Assignment:

The first step in making things better is to recognize that a problem exists. Please plan and write an essay in which you identify a school, local, national, or world condition or flaw that, in your opinion, needs to be corrected, and explain why you chose it.

Max’s Essay

A trend these days is to speak up about the world’s mistreatment of the environment.

I am not just a tree hugger by saying that without improvement in environmental conditions, my generation and the future generations will suffer in ways too awful to even imagine. At the end of the day you can say the survival of mankind is “hanging in the balance.”

Many countries exploit the Earth’s resources. In some countries, millions of acres of rainforest are being destroyed every year to make room for farmland or to cut lumber to export. Not only does this destroy the habitats of many animals, but kills species of trees and plants that may someday be found to cure cancer, AIDS, MS, or other diseases. In addition, rainforests produce the majority of the oxygen that we need to live. The bottom line is that by clear-cutting rainforests, we are beginning to suffocate ourselves to death.

Other nations exploit the oceans. By dumping garbage, sewage and other hazardous waste into the oceans, they pollute the water. Eventually, the garbage washes back on shore, making the beaches filthy and swimming dangerous. The pollutants also kill and taint the fish in the ocean with toxic materials. Then we end up eating these fish, and the toxins enter our bodies. Many people I know have given up eating tuna fish for the reason they don’t want to put poisonous mercury into their bodies.

Another way the enviroment is abused is the treatment of the atmosphere. Until the famous Kyoto Treaty, most countries had no laws controlling the amount of harmful gases released by cars and trucks that causes global warming. Some countries still don’t have such laws, and under the Bush administration,the United States withdrew from the Kyoto agreements. I think that governments around the world, including the US of A needs to force the corporations to reduce their burning of fossil fuels in order for less smoke to mix with clouds to form acid rain and to stop the trend toglobal warming.

These are just a few ways which the world abuses the environment. When all is said and done, all people must do their part to leave the world a better place for their children and grandchildren.

SAT满分作文点评:

The first reader commented: “Max’s essay is very well focused, admirably organized, and clearly presented. He develops examples of environmental issues fully and appropriately. While not always gracefully expressed, Max’s presentation is consistently informative and detailed. It reveals a high level of proficiency and solid control of the essay-writing process.”

Score: 6

The second reader commented: “Although this conventional five-paragraph ‘formula’essay is competently written, it is not terribly inspired. The writer is well-informed on the subject, but he rarely transcends the environmental movement’s customary talking points. Indeed, the impact of the essay is considerably diluted by the writer’s reliance on clichés such as ‘hanging in the balance,’‘at the end of the day,’‘the bottom line,’ and others. Nevertheless, the essay is mostly error-free, and its organization and varied sentence structure demon strate reasonably consistent mastery of the art of writing.”

Score: 5

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

Gandhi labeled close friendships as dangerous because “friends react on one another”and “sometimes loyalty to a friend will lead us into wrongdoing.”

Do you agree or disagree that friends react on one another and can lead us into wrongdoing? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your readings, experiences or observations.

Sartu的SAT写作范文

I think some time close friendships can be dangerous because friends know you better than others. Sometimes they react to your instability. They can make a big deal out of some things; they pressure you to do something for them that you don’t want to do.

Sometimes they encourage you to do something. For example, your friends want you to join the basketball team or other sport or club, and that is good. Sometimes, however,they ask you to break rules just for them. If you do something bad, they might turn around and say “my goodness, I can not believe you did (or said) that.” Then they start to freak out and you become scared. But you won’t be expecting this reaction from them because they are the ones who suggested it in the first place.

It is not okay that we sometimes commit sins for the sake of loyalty to others. Would you commit sin for the sake of loyalty to others? Sometimes, our friends want us to do extreme things. For instance, some people would tease others by saying they like someone else better. Sometimes it happens accidentally that we commit sins for the sake of our loyalty to others. We have to be alert, however, and keep ourselves from being sucked into something we don’t want. Often when we do something that goes against our own beliefs, we later feel guilty and we wonder just how we ended up is such a situation.

Probably the best defense we have is to choose our friends wisely. We don’t have to have a lot of friends, but a few loyal and trustworthy ones are what we need to find.

Comments SAT写作范文点评

This response needs a bit of work. It is not a terrible response. In fact, it quite adequately fulfills the needs of the assignment. Nothing is expressed with much depth. Good statements are made, but they lack specifics to back up the ideas expressed. Nevertheless, this is an acceptable response. No doubt SAT readers would give this essay a four.

The essay demonstrates critical thinking on the issue of friendship. The last lines are particularly perceptive. However, the examples are few and not very strong, therefore limiting the development of the essay. The response is organized, and it demonstrates coherence. This is one of those essays that you now would grow stronger if the student had the leisure to step away from it and return to it with a strong revision and bolstering of ideas.

Prompt:

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following passage:

The moon belongs to everyone

The best things in life are free,

The stars belong to everyone

They gleam there for you and me.

The flowers in Spring,

The robins that sing,

The sunbeams that shine

They’re yours,

They’re mine!

And love can come to everyone,

The best things in life are free.

“The Best Things in Life Are Free,” song and lyrics by B. G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson for the musical Good News.

Assignment:

Please plan and write an essay in which you discuss the validity of the sentiment expressed by the lyrics of the song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Support your position with evidence and reasoning drawn from your studies, reading, experience, or observation.

Tucker’s Essay

The idea that “the best things in life are free” is nothing except sentimental garbage, okay for a musical show but just a fantasy or a self-delusion in reality. Now almost everything costs money, and even if you don’t have to take out your Visa card and pay for it then and there, there are hidden costs that can’t really be calculated.

Take, for example, an ordinary walk in the park with a favorite girl, guy, or dog. Sure it’s free to enter the park and stroll along. No out-of-pocket expenses there, but think of all that it costs to have that walk. For one thing, there is clothes and footgear. There is the need for transportation to the park and home again, and the need to be able to contact a friend by phone or email to arrange the walk. Just living in a place that has a park to walk in also costs money—in taxes, rent, mortgages, and the regular expenses of maintaining a decent lifestyle.

Okay, walking in the park may be a trivial example. How about something more profound? What most people value above all else is freedom—not just the freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights but the freedom to be what we can be, the freedom to love and associate with who we please, the freedom to live in a safe environment, free from violence and harm, freedom to go to school or go anyplace at any time without worrying about the government watching or breathing down your neck, and even the freedom to help others gain their freedom like the U.S. has done in Afghanistan and has been trying to do in Iraq at the cost of billions and billions of dollars, not to speak of the expense of death and human suffering.

It would be nice to believe that the best things in life are free, but only the blissfully ignorant could really believe it. Whoever said there’s no such thing as a free lunch knew what they were talking about.SAT满分作文点评

The first reader commented: “Tucker’s opening statement hooks the reader instantly and clearly articulates the essay’s insight that everything has ‘hidden costs that can’t really be calculated.’ The paragraphs that follow amplify and explain the costs, first of something mundane and ordinary like a walk in the park, and then something abstract, namely the price of freedom. The paragraph about freedom, however, fails to discuss the costs other than those incurred by helping other countries achieve a measure of freedom.

“In spite of this lapse, the progression of ideas testifies to a high level of critical thinking. Tucker also provides evidence of his mastery of writing with varied sentences, some colorful word choices, and a distinctive, natural style. The essay isn’t perfect, but it creates the impression that Tucker is a highly gifted writer.”

Score: 6

The second reader commented: “This is an exemplary essay, not totally free of flaws, but close enough to rate as a first-rate piece of writing. The piece is extremely well focused on the issue, admirably organized, and very clearly presented in interesting and readable prose. The tone is slightly glib but nevertheless appealing and effective. All in all, the essay demonstrates not only the writer’s maturity but also his control of written language.”

Score: 6

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

Essay Prompt J.K. Rawlings maintains that “The most important things in friendship are tolerance and loyalty.” Are tolerance and loyalty the most important things in a friendship? Plan and write and essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. If you think other qualities are more important than tolerance and loyalty, be sure explain. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your readings, experiences or observations.

Sheena的SAT作文

By saying that tolerance and loyalty are the most important things in friendship, J.K.Rawlings captures the key to every relationship. A friend is someone who is tolerant and loyal and someone who deserves the same qualities in return.

It is sometimes difficult, in this world, to find someone tolerable who can tolerate you in return. In my own experience, I was fortunate enough to find a person likethis. She tolerated my annoying habits, and I tolerated hers. In time I grew to love her quirks and adore the little things that once drove me crazy. I believe that if one is able to tolerate something for a long enough period of time, she will grow to understand it, accept it and maybe even adore it.

Toleration isn’t enough, however, to make a true friendship last. One must be loyal as well. In high school, particularly, people gossip and spread rumors. People will ditch a friend for a relationship. People often mistreat those who love them the most. When a friend is loyal, she understands, or at least attempts to understand, that friendship is more important than a relationship, and that secrets are meant to be secret. Although the friend I mentioned before and I have grown apart, in past times we shared our innermost thoughts and desires. Out of loyalty and respect for her (for what is loyalty if not a specific form of respect?) I will not share that which she told me in earnest, and I know that she will honor me in the same way.

Although J.K. Rawlings spoke only of loyalty and tolerance, I believe there is more to a friendship. True friends share love, sympathy, strength, compassion, laughter and tears. When two people are loyal and tolerant, I believe these other things will naturally follow.

All of these things pertain not just to friendships, but to all relationships in life. Partnerships, marriages, families and teammates must all be loyal to and tolerant of one another. Anyone who has contact with other human beings must exhibit these two traits if they wish to be successful.

In conclusion, I believe that J. K. Rawlings put it perfectly when she said that friendships depend on loyalty and tolerance. When you have that, everything else will follow.

Comments SAT作文点评

With the exception of a few pronoun agreement errors, this is an outstanding essay. It would be likely to earn a six from the SAT essay readers. If you review the requirements of a six on the scoring guide, you will find that this response fulfills the requirements. Remember, each score on the Scoring Guide will have a range of responses that receive the same score. There is not just one type of six or one type of five essay, four essay, and so on, but many papers can all garner the same score.

This student stays focused on the prompt. She not only addresses both characteristics—tolerance and loyalty—but she also goes beyond these traits to add some others that she feels are crucial in a friendship. As she says, with loyalty and tolerance, the others will naturally follow.

The personal anecdote is most appropriate in a response to a prompt such as this one.Do not hesitate to use personal examples when applicable. Remember, even if in real life the anecdote doesn’t quite fit the needs of the prompt, you can adjust it a bit so that it is more focused and more useful as support for your statements.

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following statement:

Essay Prompt J.K. Rawlings maintains that “The most important things in friendship are tolerance and loyalty.” Are tolerance and loyalty the most important things in a friendship? Plan and write and essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. If you think other qualities are more important than tolerance and loyalty, be sure explain. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your readings, experiences or observations.

David的SAT作文

Friendship is made up of many components. I would have to say that tolerance and loyalty certainly are important, but because there are so many parts to a good friendship, it is difficult to judge whether they are the most important qualities. Many other pieces of a friendship are vital, but some of them may grow from a basis of tolerance and/or loyalty.

Trust, for example, is something that is definitely important in any successful relationship. It is difficult to work with anyone you don’t have faith in. They could be telling halftruths or they may be unreliable. Without trust people would be forced to do everything themselves and would become socially isolated. However, it is possible that loyalty is more important than trust, because a friend’s loyalty may be a source of trust. If someone sees that a loyal friend has come through for him or her time and time again, trust will develop. And one must ask one’s self if a disloyal friend could ever be trusted.

Though I agree that loyalty is certainly one of the most important factors in a friendship, I do not know if I agree that tolerance is as well. Tolerance, I’m sure, helps a friendship, but it may not be as necessary as many other parts. Friends are often the first to critique work and point out flaws. Often times a friend’s lack of tolerance can help a person improve themselves. Competition is also very common between friends, and that is just not tolerating the fact that one will be beaten. Also, wouldn’t it make sense that someone would be a friend that they find easier to tolerate than most other people? Nontolerance seems to be a big part of friendship too.

I think that acceptance is more important than tolerance in a friendship. One must accept the flaws of a friend at times, but many of a friend’s problems are solved because they are not tolerated. It is important to accept a friend for who they are, but not everything they do must be tolerated. No friendship is perfect, but that doesnot mean that attempting perfection is out of the question.

Comments SAT作文点评

Whew, this young man really likes long sentences, doesn’t he? For the most part, however, he handles them well. Only one or two become a bit convoluted and would probably have been better if broken up into smaller bits.

There is nothing wrong with long sentences, nor is there anything wrong with short ones. After all, both William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway are authors worth reading. Nevertheless, variety is encouraged. Sometimes, as in David’s response, a sentence may become so long that its focus becomes lost. However, let’s remember that this is a 25-minute writing, and that leaves little time for any major reworking of your sentences.

This is a good response to the prompt. It disagrees a bit with Rawlings, and it adds some thoughts and ideas. That is commendable. You will not be graded up or down for agreeing or disagreeing with a prompt. This essay defines tolerance differently than the first response. This is a good response to this prompt, and would, no doubt, earn a five from an SAT Essay reader.

Think carefully about the following passage and the assignment below.

Gandhi labeled close friendships as dangerous because “friends react on one another”and “sometimes loyalty to a friend will lead us into wrongdoing.”

Do you agree or disagree that friends react on one another and can lead us into wrongdoing? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your readings, experiences or observations.

Suemee的SAT Essay范文

Friends can almost always convince or persuade you into doing something that you think is wrong. You feel pressure on you because you feel if you don’t do what they say, you could lose them, which may be a large portion of your life. The deeper and longer a friendship has lasted, the more that person knows your weaknesses that could possibly be used against you in negative ways.

For some people, friends are the only thing in their life they can depend on, and these friends are like an outlet from their other personal problems. Because friends are such a big part of their lives, these dependent people will risk many things in order to continue their relationships. Some may steal, get into drugs, break communication with their own families and become unsuccessful in school. Others may follow their friends because they think that without those people they’d be emptyand feel insecure about themselves.

Friends can also react on one another in positive ways. Being able to tell friends things you couldn’t tell family and helping each other with school work are two positive impacts friends can make in an individual’s life. There are probably more positive effects friends have on one another than negative effects, or else friendships would not exist, and everyone would live for and by themselves.

I think keeping a few close friendships could be a definite benefit for you, but keeping too many could hurt and even damage you in the end. You lose track of what you have told this person and what another person knows about you. Also, some people may just be using the friendship as a stepping stone to get elsewhere, leaving you behind in the dust. Overall, however, keeping a few friendships that are close are pluses because these people are reliable and cause you to be in more control of your life.

Overall, I agree that close friendships can be dangerous, but if no one had friends, we would lose a lot of human interaction and trust. It would be hard to live in a world if we had no friendships or just slight, shallow acquaintances. Failing friendships where someone has felt betrayed make a person stronger and smarter by knowing how to better chose one’s next friend.

Comments SAT范文点评

Suemee did an okay job on a subject that could very quickly garner a lot of trite responses. Within the very narrow time limit of 25 minutes, she puts forth her ideas and supports them well. There is nothing terribly clever about the response; it just does a good job. It flows well, and the writer does not just parrot Gandhi’s ideas or anyone else’s. In fact she makes it clear that yes, friendships might be problematic, but overall a few good friends are good for us, and without them we would be lonely indeed.

Paragraph structure and development are good. Grammar and usage are, for the most part okay. The infamous voice of “YOU” is overused. Once in awhile she seems to realize what she is doing, and she will revert to “a person” or “one,” but like so many of us, “you” comes creeping back into the essay.

Overall, this is a good response, and is likely to receive a five from the SAT readers.

我们先来关注下SAT写作考试的出题形式。SAT作文题目由两部分组成Prompt + Assignment。例如：

Prompt (背景)：下载本文