ANALYSIS OF AN ARGUMENT
Time—30 minutes
Directions: In this section, you will be asked to write a critique of the argument presented below. note that you are not being asked to present your own views on the subject. Instead, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking, what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion, or what sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument.
Read the argument and the instructions that follow it, and then make any notes in your test booklet that will help you plan your response. Begin writing your response on the separate answer document. Make sure that you use the answer document that goes with this writing task.
The following appeared in a memorandum from the directors of a security and safety consulting service.
"Our research indicates that over the past six years no incidents of employee theft have been reported within ten of the comparnies that have been our clients. In analyzing the security practices of these ten companies, we have further learned that each of them requires its employees to wear photo identification badges while at work. In the future, therefore, we should recommend the use of such identification badges to all of our clients."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. You can also discuss what, if anything, would make the argument more sound and persuasive or would help you to better evaluate its conclusion.
ANALYSIS OF AN ISSUE
Time—30 minutes
Directions: In this section, you will need to analyze the issue presented below and explain your views on it. The question has no "correct" answer. Instead, you should consider various perspectives as you develop your own position on the issue.
Read the statement and the instructions that follow it, and then make any notes in your test booklet that will help you plan your response. Begin writing your response on the separate answer document. Make sure that you use the answer docurmtne that goes with this writing task.
"There are essentially two forces that motivate people: self-interest and fear."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your position with reasons and/or examples from your own experience observations, or reading.
SECTION 1
Time—25 minutes
18 Questions
Traditionally, the first firm to commercialize a new technology has benefited from the unique opportunity to shape product definitions, forcing followers to adapt to a standard or invest in an unproven alternative. Today, however.
(5) the largest payoffs may go to companies that lead in ceveioping integrated approaches for successful mass groduction and distrioution.
Producers of the Beta format for videocassentte recorders (VCR s) for example, were first to develop the VCR com
(10) nearcially in 1975, but producers of the rival VHS (Video Home System) format proved to be more successful at forming strategic alliances with other producers and distributors to manufacture and market their VCR format. Seeking to maintain exclusive control over VCR distri
(15) bution. Beta producers were reluctant to form such alliances and eventually lost ground to VHS in the competition for the global VCR market.
Despite Beta s Substantial technological head start and the fact that VHS was neither technically better nor cheaper
(20) than Beta, deveiopers of VHS quickly turned a slight early lead in sales into a dominant position. Strategic alignments with producers of prerecorded tapes reinforced the VHS advantage. The perception among consumers that prerecorded tapes were more available in VHS format further
