Gre analytical Writing issue essay Topic 101

GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 145 
"One can best understand the most important characteristics of a society by studying its major 
cities." 
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample 
Solution - 145 
As the good old clich goes, "when you are in Rome, do as the Romans do," it is understood that 
Romans can be expected to behave in a manner that is represented by the city of Rome. In other 
words, the city of Rome reflects the characteristics of the Roman society. Is this true in the 
present world also? This clich may be questionable in the modern world because Rome would 
now constitute of people from various societies who have chosen to settle there due to various 
reasons like their choice of career. Therefore, it is now very difficult to understand the most 
important characteristics of any one society by studying its major cities. On the contrary, these 
characteristics could be better understood by studying the villages and small towns of the society 
where the traits and characteristics of that society would still be preserved. 
In the past, the major cities of any civilization or society were the economic, cultural and 
political centers of that particular society. These cities reflected the true characteristics of the 
society that they were a part of. However, due to rapid developments across the globe, now most 
of the major cities of the world are almost the same. This is because there has been an 
intermingling of various societies with people traveling far and wide in search of careers and 
better homes. Any major city of the world would now consist of people who may have varied 
origins. 
Can a study of Paris help in understanding the true characteristics of the French society? The 
answer to this question would probably be a "No". This is because by virtue of being the fashion 
hub of the world, Paris now the home of designers, fashion models, garment manufacturers who 
have their roots in some other country. Therefore, a study of Paris cannot be relied upon for 
giving accurate information about the French society. Moreover, over the years, there would 
have been inter-race marriages leading to a new generation that does not carry the traits of the 
societies of either of its parents. In fact, the case is similar in most of the major cities across the 
world leading to a generation that is not related to any one society in particular. On the contrary, 
small towns and villages situated in the countryside of France will give you an idea of the 
characteristics of the French society as these townships would be consisting of French people 
who have been able to retain their traditions through the generations. 
Extensive excavations in Pakistan had led to the discovery of the civilizations of Mohenjodaro 
and Harappa. These excavations revealed the remains of the towns that were a part of the Indus 
valley civilization. A study of these towns has shed light on the characteristics of the society that 
existed in those times. The people of the society were restricted to living in these cities due to 
lack of suitable means of transport for long distance traveling. They were probably born and 

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brought up in the same city and this made them follow the norms of the society religiously. 
Therefore, a study of the major cities in the past would have given an exact indication of the 
characteristics of the societies that existed in those times. However, the same may not be true in 
the present context. 
In sum, it is definitely true that a study of the major cities of any society helps in understanding 
the characteristics of the society. However, this may not necessarily be true in the modern world 
where the characteristics of a society are probably limited to its rural areas. 

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