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:
Let's look at the meaning of the word "dilemma", its origins and synonyms.
Definition
A dilemma is defined as a situation involving two or more differing options. The choice between the two is difficult and most often undesirable.
In a more general sense, it is used as a synonym for the word "problem" or "difficult situation".
Origins
It comes from the Ancient Greek word "δίλημμα". The word itself is made up of two parts:
Definition
A dilemma is defined as a situation involving two or more differing options. The choice between the two is difficult and most often undesirable.
In a more general sense, it is used as a synonym for the word "problem" or "difficult situation".
Origins
It comes from the Ancient Greek word "δίλημμα". The word itself is made up of two parts:
- di: which is a prefix meaning "having two of"
- in Latin "di" became "bi" and is now part of many words such as bifocal, bipolar, binary
- lemma: proposition
- in formal logic, it is considered a true proposition used in a syllogism in order to validate the truth of an inference
Synonyms
impasse, plight, predicament, quandary, difficulty, problem
less formally: fix, jam, pickle, Catch-22, bind, tight corner
Phrases expressing dilemmas
- between Scylla and Charybdis (the two monsters in Homer's The Odyssey Odysseus had to confront and choose between as he was making his way back to Ithaca. He opted for Scylla, a six-headed sea monster that killed six of his crew, rather than Charybdis, a whirlpool that would engulf his entire ship)
- between a rock and a hard place
- between the devil and the deep blue sea
- out of the frying pan into the fire (also the title of J.R.R. Tolkien's sixth chapter from The Hobbit)
Other phrases
We say "I'm on the horns of a dilemma" to mean that I am struggling with a difficult decision where I have to choose between two unappealing options.