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gmattesttaker2
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Hello,
This is from an MGMAT Practice exam. Can you please rate this essay:
Prompt:
Read the statement(s) and the instructions that follow, and then make any notes that will help you plan your response. Begin typing your response in the box at the bottom of the screen.
The following appeared in a newspaper editorial during the holiday shopping season:
"Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods. Studies show that, on average Americans spend over a quarter of their leisure time shopping. As such, it is no secret why America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries. Instead of spending their time productively, Americans are wasting time through frivolous consumption. In order to counteract this trend, Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development--by, for example, pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
Response:
In this argument the author is stating that Americans are spending way too much time buying and consumng non-essential goods. The author cites studies that show that on average Americans spend over more thatn 25% of their leisure time shopping. This according to the author is a main reason for America to lose its competitive edge relative to other countries. The author is saying that if Americans spend more time focused on activites like pursuing further studies, volunteering etc. then America can try to regain it's competitive edge.
While it might be true that Americans spend over 25% of their time shopping there is no evidence to support the authors claim that this is causing America to lose it's competitive edge. A lot of people all over the world like to go for shopping since it gives them some diversion from their routine work and they come back refreshed! While it might be true that Americans might be spending more dollars on buying and consuming non-essential stuff this by itself does not affect competitive advantage over other countries. One of the main reasons why the U.S. is losing it's competitive edge is due to the low cost advantage and flexible labor laws provided by some countries around the world and also due to the strong purchasing power of the U.S. dollar! Besides it is a well-known fact that domestic consumption is a big driver of United States' GDP. By going shopping consumers are providing income for supermarkets and shops thereby generating more jobs, keeping the monetary supply going thereby avoiding a situation like the 2008 credit crunch and therefore keeping the economy humming. There are even more benefits if people are buying "Made in USA" products!
The author is bringing a valid point that Americans can spend more time focusing on personal and communal development rather than shopping. However, this is universal than just for Americans!
The author can strengthen his argument by presenting evidence linking frivolous consumption by Americans to a decline in America's competitive advantage. This would lend more strength to his argument. The author could also further strengthen his argument by saying that while focusing on personal and communal development is helpful to all inhabitants of this planet, it would be more beneficial and necessary for Americans given the fact that they have already lost some of their competitive edge due to factors beyond their control.
Hence though this is a good passage about describing the consumption habits of Americans and the author does bring about some very valid points he can strengthen his argument by presenting some of the information mentioned in the paragraph above.
This is from an MGMAT Practice exam. Can you please rate this essay:
Prompt:
Read the statement(s) and the instructions that follow, and then make any notes that will help you plan your response. Begin typing your response in the box at the bottom of the screen.
The following appeared in a newspaper editorial during the holiday shopping season:
"Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods. Studies show that, on average Americans spend over a quarter of their leisure time shopping. As such, it is no secret why America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries. Instead of spending their time productively, Americans are wasting time through frivolous consumption. In order to counteract this trend, Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development--by, for example, pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
Response:
In this argument the author is stating that Americans are spending way too much time buying and consumng non-essential goods. The author cites studies that show that on average Americans spend over more thatn 25% of their leisure time shopping. This according to the author is a main reason for America to lose its competitive edge relative to other countries. The author is saying that if Americans spend more time focused on activites like pursuing further studies, volunteering etc. then America can try to regain it's competitive edge.
While it might be true that Americans spend over 25% of their time shopping there is no evidence to support the authors claim that this is causing America to lose it's competitive edge. A lot of people all over the world like to go for shopping since it gives them some diversion from their routine work and they come back refreshed! While it might be true that Americans might be spending more dollars on buying and consuming non-essential stuff this by itself does not affect competitive advantage over other countries. One of the main reasons why the U.S. is losing it's competitive edge is due to the low cost advantage and flexible labor laws provided by some countries around the world and also due to the strong purchasing power of the U.S. dollar! Besides it is a well-known fact that domestic consumption is a big driver of United States' GDP. By going shopping consumers are providing income for supermarkets and shops thereby generating more jobs, keeping the monetary supply going thereby avoiding a situation like the 2008 credit crunch and therefore keeping the economy humming. There are even more benefits if people are buying "Made in USA" products!
The author is bringing a valid point that Americans can spend more time focusing on personal and communal development rather than shopping. However, this is universal than just for Americans!
The author can strengthen his argument by presenting evidence linking frivolous consumption by Americans to a decline in America's competitive advantage. This would lend more strength to his argument. The author could also further strengthen his argument by saying that while focusing on personal and communal development is helpful to all inhabitants of this planet, it would be more beneficial and necessary for Americans given the fact that they have already lost some of their competitive edge due to factors beyond their control.
Hence though this is a good passage about describing the consumption habits of Americans and the author does bring about some very valid points he can strengthen his argument by presenting some of the information mentioned in the paragraph above.
