今回の Topic は、Official Guide to the TOEFL の Independent Essay 第１４問です。

１. Topic           

      People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge)?   Why do you think people attend college or university?

２. Struture

a) Thesis Statement (Introduction)                

    In my opinion, people attend college or university because of acquiring organized knowledge and the way of thinking, preparing careers, and developing human network. 

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

第１ Paragraph　大学で、今日の錯綜した世界の諸問題に対処できる体系的知識と論理的思考能力を育むことが出来る

第２ Paragraph　キャリア形成の点で、著名な大企業に入社するには一流大学を卒業する必要がある

第３ Paragraph　大学には、ビジネス上の利害関係なしで人的ネットワークを築くチャンスがある

 

３. Sample

     In my opinion, people attend college or university because of acquiring organized knowledge and the way of thinking, preparing careers, and developing human network.             

     To begin with, attending university we choose should best suit for acquiring well-rounded and well-organized knowledge and the way of thinking.  In this context, acquired knowledge and the way of thinking should play the crucial role to help us learn something new or something interesting.  For example, in order for us to analyze today’s seemingly complicated situations, it takes us basic historical knowledge and logical reasoning to locate root causes for any problem we face.                              

     In addition, since most undergraduates will have long career in business, graduating from well-known colleges or universities gives them advantageous positions in the hiring process.  For instance, traditionally, large and prestigious Japanese corporations have hired undergraduates only from first-rate colleges and universities.  Therefore, competition for being accepted at those universities has been intensive and fierce.                                                                                             

     Finally, we are looking forward to developing and establishing new human network at college or university.  As is often said, college or university life should be the last chance to form human network without worrying about the business costs and interests.  As far as my experience is concerned, almost all of my close friends are those whom I met during my time with high-school and university.  In the business world, my colleagues are not so much friends as competitors.                      

     It is true that these days, some people have to give up attending college or university due to the rise of tuition fees.  However, because of the three reasons I mentioned above people attend college or university.

 

To be continued.