1.3　GRE写作试题分析

　 GRE General Test第一部分为分析性写作（Analytical Writing），该部分由两个任务构成：任务一为Analyze an Issue，任务二为Analyze an Argument，时间各为30分钟。Issue写作对考生分析理解能力、逻辑思维能力和运用各种技巧增强文章说服力能力进行综合考查，主要是要求考生对题目中观点进行评估，并提出自己的观点以展开论证。Argument写作主要要求考生依据具体题目要求对已有论证（即别人观点）进行评估。

2011年8月GRE General Test改革在写作方面主要体现在作文题库、题目要求和写作时间方面的变动。Issue话题题库和Argument话题题库在题目数量上均作了调整，Issue话题调整之后变为149道题目（见附录1），而Argument话题缩减为174道题目（见附录2）。此外，写作题目增加了具体的要求，而Issue写作部分的时间也减少至30分钟（之前为45分钟）。

Issue和Argument写作的具体题目要求分别如下：

　 ◆Issue写作的六种不同题目要求

　 1. Write a response in which you 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.

2. 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.

3. Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

4. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

5. 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.

6. 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.

对于Issue写作的六种题目，前五种均包含给出自己的立场（position）的要求，而最后一种虽未直接提出该要求，但也包含了这层意思。前3种题目比较相似，其不同之处在于需根据不同性质题目的具体要求进行回答：第1种题目中可能给出了判断或评价；第2种题目中可能给出了劝告或建议；第3题目中可能给出了政策或策略。第4种题目要求的特别之处在于要求考虑与自己观点相反的另一种看法并给出该不同看法的原因和例子。第5种题目要求对两个不同的观点均进行考虑。第6种题目要求分析是否同意题目中的观点，并给出原因。

◆Argument写作的八种不同题目要求

1. Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

2. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

3. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the advice and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the advice.

4. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

5. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.

6. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be addressed in order to decide whether the conclusion and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to the questions would help to evaluate the conclusion.

7. Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

8. Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

　 通过分析可以发现，Argument八种不同的写作要求可以大体上分类四类：分析假设类（Examine Assumptions）、回答问题类（Answer/Address Questions）、提供证据类（Discuss Evidence）和提出其他可能性解释类（Discuss Alternative Explanation）。本书第3章会按照该分类对不同题目要求的Argument写作提供针对性训练。