问答题 Paragraph Writing
The student writer of the following essay was presented with an imaginary dilemma—whether or not to buy a stolen final exam under specific circumstances. The student was asked to justify one decision or another. She chose to argue for a decision she knew would be unpopular. Read this essay, and then write a paragraph in no more than 150 words to refute one of the arguments in this essay, follow the three steps outlined below:
1. Identify in the essay the one argument that you strongly disagree with and summarize it in one sentence.
Argument to be refuted: ______
2. Write down your counterargument that is an argument against what you have identified in step 1.
3. Use your counterargument as the topic sentence and write up the paragraph.

I had a difficult decision to make. Normally, choosing between honesty and dishonesty barely requires thought. I try to be an honest person, but in my situation choosing to buy a black-marketed copy of an important math test forced me to be dishonest. As long as I understood how to work out the required problems, I felt buying the test was not so unreasonable.
Before buying the test I weighed both sides carefully I didn"t want to make a hasty decision, and I found a compromise I could accept. I devoted most of my studying time to the problems on the black-marketed test. After conquering them, I then reviewed the rest of the material until I had mastered it as well. Knowing I had put forth a good effort to study all that was required, I felt better about my decision. I hadn"t cheated myself out of learning important math concepts that I would need in the future.
A comprehensive math exam ranks high in difficulty among exams in general. In a whole semester of an advanced math course, there are probably over one hundred types of problems. Out of those, the instructor selects around twenty for the exam. What a relief it would be to know exactly what types of problems would appear. Much of the tension and worrying that final exams cause would be remedied. When I bought the test, the aggravation of wondering how well or how poorly I would do on the exam was gone. I felt very confident about my math course, which gave me reassurance for my other final exams.
Another reason for buying the test was the curve of our grades since almost all of my classmates had bought a copy of the test, they would naturally do well. The accumulation of high scores would push the curve way up, making it impossible for me to get a decent grade without a copy of my own. Math is one of the most important classes and one in which I must do well. Without a high score on the final exam and a good overall grade for the course I would lose my scholarship and my means of finishing college. I was not ready to take that big chance; I could have lost too much.
I realize my decision to buy a copy of the test was a dishonest one, and many people would not justify it. However, I could not afford to fail the exam or the course. The consequences of failing would affect my future in many ways. I could not afford the expense of college without a scholarship. Without finishing college, my chances of finding a good, satisfying job would be substantially lowered.
Completing my college education sits at the top of my value list. My decision to buy the test assured me of a good math grade. I was also certain of being granted a scholarship.