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ECPE Writing - Sample Article (Banning Cars from the City)

This is the fourth sample article that conforms to the writing section requirements of the ECPE (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 the piece of writing candidates compose. 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,

C2 Sample Essay 29 (Failure)

https://argutelegacy.blogspot.com/2019/04/c2-essay-29-failure.html
Writing at C2 level (Proficient User) on English language examinations is the same no matter the awarding body when it comes to writing essays. If you are a candidate giving an exam in English (IELTS, CPE, ECPE, CELP, LRN, ESB, TOEFL), make sure you read my earlier post What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog? to get the most out of the sample essays provided on Argute Legacy.  

  The topic of this essay is to give your opinion about the statement "failure is proof that the desire wasn't strong enough." If you are not taking an exam but need to discuss this topic, 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 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 and examples written in approximately half an hour.

For those who'd like to read more sample essays and useful essay-writing posts, click on the image below.




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“Failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.

          In the annals of history there are many who have tried and failed. At times this failure has been attributed to a lack of personal motivation, that burning desire to reach one’s goal. However, beside this runs the contrasting view that other circumstances are to blame.

          Those who profess the former of these two opinions, validate their ideas with innumerable examples of students, for instance, who fail exams or even an entire academic year because of laziness or lack of interest in specific subjects. This shows that they never wanted to work hard in order to pass their exams or school year. Secondly, many are those who believe in the age-old advice that an individual is capable of achieving anything so long as he wants it badly enough. These are reasons enough to prove that if you do not want to succeed, you will indeed not succeed.

          On the other hand, failure is not entirely based on lack of self-motivation. Luck has always played an important part in practically everything. Someone may, for example, have prepared a superb presentation for the board of directors, but on the day of the presentation have had the misfortune of misplacing their note-cards or flash drive, or of someone stealing their briefcase, or even still of having their transparencies chewed to bits by their dog. Organizing a wedding reception outside could lead to disaster as well if the weather turns awry. In these cases, it is not that the individual did not wish to do well, but that fate conspired to see things turn out otherwise.

          All in all, the success of any undertaking depends, in my view, on both personal motivation as well as chance. Few are those who are satisfied with the knowledge of failing able to give the saying “failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough” substance.




Looking for useful vocabulary for the Speaking and Writing sections of ESL exams? Click on the image below.
          

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For tips on essay writing, you might want to take a look at the following post   

https://argutelegacy.blogspot.com/2018/11/essay-writing-organization-1.html

 

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