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:
What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?
The following is a sample essay based on the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) writing section. The question can be found on page 12 of the old ECPE Book 1 Practice Examinations textbook published by the Hellenic American Union (date of publication 2012, now no longer in circulation).
Here’s the topic:
Should the use of human embryos be permitted in medical research aimed at curing life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and heart disease? Discuss, using examples to show how society would or would not benefit from this type of research.
Although this may be a longer essay, it is intended to be lengthy so students and teachers can locate words, phrases and ideas they can later use in other pieces of writing.
Here's the sample essay:
One of the most heated debates of the last thirty years concerns medical advances made as a result of laboratory research. Tapping into the secrets embryos can offer scientists has especially stirred up a variety of reactions as to the ethics involved. Though many support the idea of using human embryos to cure life-threatening ailments, others see the dangers that lurk behind such a decision.
To begin with, those who see the necessity to take advantage of the benefits of embryonic experimentation state certain plausible arguments. The first is that life is precious, therefore doing whatever is vital to preserve and cure a human being is perfectly justified. When someone is suffering, it is the duty of doctors to treat that individual to the best of their ability, but when ethics stands barring the road to progress, it is only natural to question the morality of denying someone research into something which could potentially be a panacea. Add to this the fact that embryos have no legal rights since they are not fully formed beings yet, but a cluster of cells. Like any other organisms, they should be used in experimental work aimed at ridding the world of incurable diseases.
Nevertheless, such arguments are easily refuted by those who vehemently support the rights of all human life, whether it is a child’s, an adult’s, a teenager’s or a fetus’s. Prohibiting the exploitation of embryos is logical because first and foremost a definition of what constitutes a life-threatening disease is required if we are to prevent the wanton use of embryos by scientists eager to find new data so as to make their mark in the annals of scientific history. Once the way is opened for the legal use of embryos in studies, it is feared that their use will extend for other purposes. In sum, those who strongly oppose this method are not questioning whether it is right or wrong to use something in order to save lives, but how far things could go. If there is no respect for the rights of an unborn human or for human existence in its earliest form, how can we expect people to show deference for life in its later stages?
All things considered, both sides offer legitimate claims over the use or protection of embryos, yet it is my firm belief that the dangers by far outweigh the benefits. Once the floodgates to embryonic research are opened, there is no stopping large companies from taking charge of research centers and funding scientists to carry out research on, say, cosmetic products or elixirs of eternal youth, not to mention pharmaceutical companies who will see sales of pricey medications plummet once cures have been discovered.
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