Issue 9

"Although many people think that the luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life are entirely harmless, they in fact, prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals."

Do modern luxuries serve to undermine our true strength and independence as individuals? The speaker believes so, and I tend to agree. Consider the automobile, for example. Most people consider the automobile a necessity rather than a luxury; yet it is for this very reason that the automobile so aptly supports the speaker's point. To the extent that we depend on cars as crutches, they prevent us from becoming truly independent and strong in character as individuals.

　　可借鉴之处：开头启用了一个非常醒目的问句，这是最能吸引批卷者视线也是高分作文的表现！

Consider first the effect of the automobile on our independence as individuals. In some respects the automobile serves to enhance such independence. For example, cars make it possible for people in isolated and depressed areas without public transportation to become more independent by pursuing gainful employment outside their communities. And teenagers discover that owning a car, or even borrowing one on occasion, affords them a needed sense of independence from their parents.

　　此段主要是为下一段的驳论作铺垫。

　　精华：Consider first…

　　in some respects… = in some cases, to some extent

　　注意afford的用法

However, cars have diminished our independence in a number of more significant respects.

　　We've grown dependent on our cars for commuting to work. We rely on them like crutches for short trips to the corner store, and for carting our children to and from school. Moreover, the car has become a means not only to our assorted physical destinations but also to the attainment of our socioeconomic goals, insofar as the automobile has become a symbol of status. In fact, in my observation many, if not most, working professionals willingly undermine their financial security for the sake of being seen driving this year's new SUV or luxury sedan. In short, we've become slaves to the automobile.

　　精华：diminish our independence in a number of more significant respects

　　注意not only…but also的用法

　　没有什么惊天地泣鬼神的事例，但却能用平常生活中的点滴起到说理的作用，此法值得借鉴。

Consider next the overall impact of the automobile on our strength as individuals, by which I mean strength of character, or mettle. I would be hard-pressed to list one way in which the automobile enhances one's strength of character. Driving a powerful SUV might afford a person a feeling and appearance of strength, or machismo(男人气魄). But this feeling has nothing to do with a person's true character. In contrast, there is a certain strength of character that comes with eschewing modern conveniences such as cars, and with the knowledge that one is contributing to a cleaner and quieter environment, a safer neighborhood, and arguably a more genteel society. Also, alternative modes of transportation such as bicycling and walking are forms of exercise which require and promote the virtue of self-discipline. Finally, in my observation people who have forsaken the automobile spend more time at home, where they are more inclined to prepare and even grow their own food, and to spend more time with their families. The former enhances one's independence; the latter enhances the integrity of one's values and the strength of one's family.

精华：contribute to，Consider next…，Also,…，Finally,…，in my observation…

　　be inclined to do sth. = cling to do sth. = intend to do sth. = be apt to do / aptly do sth.

　　一种比较简单易行的对比/类比：The former…the latter…

To sum up, the automobile helps illustrate that when a luxury becomes a necessity it can sap（注意此为 GRE常考单词) our independence and strength as individuals. Perhaps our society is better off, on balance, with such "luxuries" after all, the automobile industry has created countless jobs, raised our standard of living, and made the world more interesting. However, by becoming slaves to the automobile we trade off (= sacrifice) a certain independence and inner strength.

此文章得分应该是>5分了。为什么？首先，头尾都不错；其次，全文无太多的语法错误，表意清晰，举例恰到好处；再次，分析手法运用了不完全否定的同意的辩论方式，这是最保守的做法。

（来源：网络）