GRE analyze an argument task tests the writing capabilities of a candidate through an essay response. GRE analyze an argument task consisting of an argument which the candidate needs to study and provide their thoughts, ideas, and pieces of evidence. This GRE analyze an argument sample essay - Blue highway focuses on high traffic on Blue Highway. Candidates will get similar topics in GRE writing practice papers to practice from.

Topic:

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.

"Commuters complain that increased rush-hour traffic on Blue Highway between the suburbs and the city center has doubled their commuting time. The favored proposal of the motorists' lobby is to widen the highway, adding an additional lane of traffic. But last year's addition of a lane to the nearby Green Highway was followed by a worsening of traffic jams on it. A better alternative is to add a bicycle lane to Blue Highway. Many area residents are keen bicyclists. A bicycle lane would encourage them to use bicycles to commute, and so would reduce rush-hour traffic rather than fostering an increase."

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Answer:

In this piece of information provided above, it is quite evident that the writer of the editorial is stating about the immense traffic covering the Blue Highway during rush hour. It is either the writer or maybe the people he has a word with who have stated about the rush-hour traffic that is keeping them back from reaching destinations. They have complained that the time of reaching the city center from the suburbs has doubled. Words from the motorist’s lobby provided their opinion of the addition of a lane in the highway. But the writer’s lobby stated how previously this initiative of a card lane was implemented on Green Highway and since then there has been unexpected traffic there too. The writer’s lobby further placed their opinions that the addition of a bike lane would cease the issue caused on the blue highway. To make a decision, there needs to be an influx of more observance of the traffic on both the highways.

Also check:

According to readers, the doubling of commuting time may be a result of increased vehicles on the Blue Highway. Alongside rising vehicle numbers, the reason for the highway department lowering the speed limit on the Highway can also be a major point to be considered. Now, moving on to answer the question of where the additional vehicles are appearing. Decision-makers may, later on, discover the construction of a traffic artery in the making that is probably partially or completely shut down for construction which is resulting in the rise of vehicles. This also makes the present traffic rush temporary.

Now, the idea of comparison between Blue highway and Green Highway is not fruitful enough. Both are different roads connecting different paths and routes. The vehicles on each of the roads are different, and so are the traffic regulations. To support the idea of the writer of adding bike lanes, there should be a valid point stating that bikes will lower the automobile traffic in those cities where the percentage of commuters is quite high. To dig into the matter, they can consult the other areas having bike lanes and how that has impacted their traffic system.

This is for commuters who are agreeing on riding a bike and having a bike lane. They will be requiring pieces of evidence to safely park their bikes when they will be away for work. Will there be safe and secure parking options available for bicyclists in the near future? They will also expect a certain amount of incentives when riding bikes as they would have received when driving a car. After all, a highlighting factor is, by riding bicycles they are reducing pollution. Has the author conducted a survey where he questioned bicyclists about their eagerness to ride a bike and commute to work/school/other places by riding it? Has the author even conducted a meteorological survey to observe the weather conditions and how they will affect the bicyclists throughout the year?

The author also didn’t calculate the construction costs of building a bicycle lane. During the time when the automobile is a necessity, and immense construction costs are allotted for innovations, the author should have considered all these facts before providing an opinion. He also needs to throw light on the fact that a bike lane will be the correct solution to the traffic congestion caused on Blue highway.