今回の Topic は、Official Guide to the TOEFL の Independent Essay 第１１問です。

１. Topic           

      Compare and contrast your way of life with that of your parents.  Which way of life do you think would be more satisfying for the next generations?  Use specific details to support your answer.

２. Struture

a) Thesis Statement (Introduction)                

     Both my parents and I have placed the highest value on family, worked hard, and thought our way of life fulfilling.  Therefore, as long as they share the same values and consider their life to be fulfilling, the next generations should pursue what they really want to do.

b) Body の部分を構成する３つの Paragraph の Main Idea は、

第１ Paragraph　私の祖父母の世代とは異なって、両親も私も物質面では恵まれた環境で生活してきた

第２ Paragraph　更に、私も両親も大学教育を受けることが出来た

第３ Paragraph　自己実現と社会貢献の適切なバランスが維持できる限り、次の世代は自分の思うままに生きれば良い

 

３. Sample

     Both my parents and I have placed the highest value on family, worked hard, and thought our way of life fulfilling.  Therefore, as long as they share the same values and consider their life to be fulfilling, the next generations should pursue what they really want to do.            

     To begin with, unlike my grandparents, my parents grew up in a society where they could lead a comfortable life materially.  My grandparents had devoted almost their entire life for supporting the family in dire straits after the Second World War.  In contrast, my parents could live a decent life without worrying about basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and housing and received the advanced education at universities, which my grandparents could not afford to.                      

     In addition, I also have enjoyed decent way of life and been graduated from university.  In retrospect, both my parents and I could strike a right balance between supporting family and pursing self-fulfillment.  Fortunately, there have been many opportunities for both of us since Japan had been at its height in terms of economic growth in our generations, until the beginning of the twenty first century.  In this regard, I feel sorry for the next generations because the same would not be true of the era to come.                                                                                         

     Finally, the next generations should choose their way of life freely regardless of those of their parents and grandparents.  As both my parents’ and my life have been fulfilling as a whole when it comes to supporting the families, pursuing self-realization, and social contribution, the next generations should not need to determine which way of life is better than the other.  Thanks to the rapid growth of technologies, especially the AI, they would pursue fruitful new life we never dream of.                     

     In conclusion, because of the three reasons I mentioned above, the next generations should pursue their way of life freely as long as the appropriate balance of supporting families, pursuing self-fulfillment, and social contribution are satisfied.

 

To be continued.