Claim: Imagination is a more valuable asset than experience.
Reason: People who lack experience are free to imagine what is possible without the constraints of established habits and attitudes.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based.
Some people claim that a nation's government should preserve its wilderness areas in their natural state. Others argue that these areas should be developed for potential economic gain.
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The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is to analyze the trends of its youth.
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The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
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Colleges and universities should require all faculty to spend time working outside the academic world in professions relevant to the courses they teach.
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Claim: The best test of an argument is its ability to convince someone with an opposing viewpoint.
Reason: Only by being forced to defend an idea against the doubts and contrasting views of others does one really discover the value of that idea.
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Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
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The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things.
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The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.
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Scandals are useful because they focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer ever could.
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It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
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In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
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All college and university students would benefit from spending at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
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Educators should teach facts only after their students have studied the ideas, trends, and concepts that help explain those facts.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.
Some people believe that society should try to save every plant and animal species, despite the expense to humans in effort, time, and financial well-being. Others believe that society need not make extraordinary efforts, especially at a great cost in money and jobs, to save endangered species.
Write a 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.
In any field-business, politics, education, government-those in power should be required to step down after five years.
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Claim: Any piece of information referred to as a fact should be mistrusted, since it may well be proven false in the future.
Reason: Much of the information that people assume is factual actually turns out to be inaccurate.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based.
Some people believe that government funding of the arts is necessary to ensure that the arts can flourish and be available to all people. Others believe that government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts.
Write a 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.
Claim: Colleges and universities should specify all required courses and eliminate elective courses in order to provide clear guidance for students.
Reason: College students—like people in general—prefer to follow directions rather than make their own decisions.
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We can learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
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Unfortunately, in contemporary society, creating an appealing image has become more important than the reality or truth behind that image.
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Governments should not fund any scientific research whose consequences are unclear.
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It is more harmful to compromise one's own beliefs than to adhere to them.
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To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
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Educators should take students' interests into account when planning the content of the courses they teach.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.
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