This is the fifth sample article candidates of the ECPE examination (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Michigan) My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in this type of piece of writing. As stated, examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words, readers are able to distinguish the author's unique "voice"). Before reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own. The question appeared in Practice Tests for the ECPE Book 1 (revised 2021 version) and is accompanied by the following three writing prompts:
If you are not taking an exam but need ideas on whether a government should fund science-related subjects more than other disciplines, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.
The topic is similar to what candidates would expect in any other C2 level examination in that examiners want to see a well-organized, coherent and cohesive discussion of the issue with arguments, explanations and examples.
For more sample essays and useful essay-writing posts, click on the image below.
It is common practice for a country's government to fund universities to improve teaching, research and keep tuition fees low. However, the question being raised lately is whether governments should focus on funding science-related subjects more or other disciplines such as Economics or language-learning studies.
Universities have always been the
center of attention as any country’s progress has depended to a great extent on the
ideas which have poured forth from these great institutions of knowledge. It is only
natural then that governments would want to benefit from this knowledge, hence
the various funding programs set up over the years.
Nowadays, the debate issuing from this funding is related to the antagonism
between faculties on which should receive the greater part of governmental funds.
Those who affirm that science courses which belong to the natural, formal or applied sciences are more important and therefore should be endorsed by the government more
than any other courses base their arguments on the fact that these subjects
offer more to society and humankind as a whole. They support their claims with
the various technological feats science has accomplished: open-heart surgery
and other medical miracles; the discovery and exploration of other planets; the
development of mechanical means of thinking which aid man in dealing with
difficult manual as well as mental tasks. These extraordinary accomplishments
would not have come to pass had there been no one to facilitate the programs which
were the basis of research behind these breakthroughs. Government backing in the form of
money is therefore a necessity which will aid science to continue the progress
made in the fields of medicine, space exploration, environmental sustainability and more, ultimately leading to the improvement of life on earth.
On the other hand, there are those who
vehemently profess that life does not solely revolve around science, as there is
more to it than just tangible objects. That is what other courses offer, they contend.
Language for instance, which is imperative in the quest for better relations
between countries around the world, also broadens one’s scope of human culture
and one’s imagination, both of which give
flavor to life despite the fact that many may think that this is unnecessary.
Similarly, Economics is a subject whose benefits are as tangible as those of
Science since by studying the various economies of the world, the virulent impact of disasters such as
the Crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929, which brought about ten
arduous years of depression, may easily be if not prevented at least mitigated.
On the whole, no one subject should
benefit from special governmental treatment. All disciplines are equally
important and the fact that many have survived through the centuries proves this.
I firmly believe that as with all aspects of life, variety is needed. Only by combining overall
knowledge can life on earth, human existence and the standard of living, which
is what knowledge in general should aim to improve, continue to
develop and progress in a favorable way.