GRE Analyze an Argument examines your ability to understand and analyze the arguments, evaluating them in the form of an essay. You need to write GRE analyze an argument essay of 500-600 words within 30 minutes. You need to go through GRE AWA practice papers for further practice.

Woven Baskets-GRE Essay Samples for Argument Task

TOPIC

Woven baskets characterized by a particular distinctive pattern have previously been found only in the immediate vicinity of the prehistoric village of Palea and therefore were believed to have been made only by the Palean people. Recently, however, archaeologists discovered such a "Palean" basket in Lithos, an ancient village across the Brim River from Palea. The Brim River is very deep and broad, and so the ancient Paleans could have crossed it only by boat, and no Palean boats have been found. Thus it follows that the so-called Palean baskets were not uniquely Palean.

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.

Overall Point: the fact that woven baskets were only exclusive to Palea is discredited by the author in the passage.

Claim 1: The woven baskets were noticed only in Palea and its vicinity, therefore considered as its handicrafts.

Claim 2: Archaeologists got hold of one Palean basket at Lithos.

Claim 3: It was only feasible to cross the Brim river with the help of a boat because it was deep, but no boat was found.

The author here has stated certain arguments but most of them are partially baseless or deviated from the core statements.

The author has primarily stated that the woven baskets were found only in Palea and has also been produced there, as it was unique to that place. But we cannot dismiss the idea of barter system that was quite prevalent in ancient times, and the inhabitants of Palea village could’ve engaged in that. The baskets are designed with exclusive features which has given way for artistic sense. This can be the reason the Palea villagers have bartered these woven baskets in exchange of other unique products.

Also Check,

Coming to the next claim, archaeologists are stated are to have found a woven basket in Lithos, which is in the vicinity of Palea thereby developing the author’s claim. but this fact doesn’t disapprove the fact that if further explorations would’ve happened, the woven baskets could’ve been discovered elsewhere too. Therefore, only the discovery of a single basket in Lithos doesn’t entirely prove the author correct.

Coming to the last claim that River Brim was deep and broad which could only be crossed by boats, and he didn’t notice one nearby – thereby stating the absence of boats. But, there is no evidence of the Palea villagers being poor and therefore it is also not stated that they couldn’t avail transports to cross the river. It is, therefore, also possible that the exchange happened from the ends of the river.

The author’s assertion about the woven baskets not being absolutely Palean could’ve been pillared more if he would’ve delved more into the trading and transportation facts.