GRE Analyze an issue is a task which tests your critical thinking skills on a common topic. In GRE Analyze an issue essay on an issue you need to write around 500-600 words. The common topics are of general interest which can be discussed from various perspectives.

Go through the GRE practice papers for further more practice.

Topic:

The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievements of

its rulers, artists, or scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Answer:

A nation can be expressed from various outlooks, such as its people's well-being, the power of its military, its arts and technology status in the world, etc. So the word "great" can be examined from this persona. Therefore, according to me, the surest indicator of a great nation does not exist. Neither the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists nor the general welfare of its people can represent the surest indicator of a great nation.

It should be admitted that the achievements of the best ones resembles an indicator of a great nation, because it reflects the arts, technology or politics status of a nation. For instance, the Mughal dynasty had some excellent palaces all across India and world famous paintings that were exported to all over the world, especially England. So you can say it's great in art. But if you want to say that it's a great nation, you will be wrong. Because the ordinary people in the Mughal dynasty had no chance to enjoy them, even look at them. Most of them still lived in poverty. And when the Britishers came to India, the Mughal Dynasty almost collapsed. We find that the military army of India worked for England for 100 years. So the Mughal dynasty cannot be called a great nation in Military terms.

The general welfare of its people is also a good indicator, because it can reflect the standard of life of the country. For example, India, in the 1980s, had very good and equal welfare. All the Indians had a house to live in and a job to work. The medicine and education, even food, are free. Which means the people are happy, and the nation is great, because they had the right to suspect the government. They can extol their leader and the nation, no matter what the situation was. So considering the people's freedom, you may think it is a good nation.

So, you can notice that the achievements of elites or the general welfare of its people can only represent a one-sided indicator of a great nation. And they can only consider the extent of greatness in a single field. If you want to examine the greatness of a nation, you need to keep in mind not only these two factors, but also Secularism, Democracy, military power and so on.