Gre analytical Writing issue essay Topic 101

GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 188 
"It is through the use of logic and of precise, careful measurement that we become aware of our 
progress. Without such tools, we have no reference points to indicate how far we have advanced 
or retreated." 
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample 
Solution - 188 
Progress is a process of improving in order to get nearer to achieving a particular goal. It is a 
relative issue since we measure this success in terms of how near to the goal a person has 
reached. I agree with the given statement that it is through certain careful measurements that we 
get to know actual progress. However, I also feel that such tools can help in tracing the progress 
of only certain fields. The progress in many fields is not possible to measure in terms of accurate 
and precise measurements, but it is left to observe how far we have retreated or advanced or in 
which direction we have progressed. 
Measuring ones progress starts early in life when a child begins to go to school. There are 
predefined standard measurements used in school that grade a student's progress. Not only does 
this help in making an estimate of individual progress, but it also helps in recording a student's 
progress against the progress of others. With every advancing class, there is advancement in the 
mental capabilities of a student. Another example of measuring progress through accurate and 
precise tools can be taken in the field of business. A business is called progressive if its 
customers, profits as well as shares are increasing. All these factors can be measured and can 
clearly indicate the direction of progress. Similarly, the number of votes a government gets is an 
indicator of its progress. In order to judge the progress of a nation, the increase or decrease in its 
national income, number of people below poverty line, the value of its currency in international 
market etc. can be measured. 
Scientific measurements can definitely help in simplifying and vividly indicating the progress in 
a field. However, I hold the view that these measures and tools are only limited to certain fields 
which have a criterion of measurement. There are many such fields that are abstract and only 
refer to some idea. It is impossible to measure these ideas with scientific tools and units. For 
example, can the progress in goodness, truthfulness and humanity be measured by use of logic 
and precise measurements? These ideas and qualities are only understood and their progress is 
comprehendible only by observation and understanding. 
Let us take the example of happiness. Can any tool or unit of measurement tell us the extent of 
happiness? We cannot measure on any scale if a rich businessman is happier than a poor farmer. 
The status of their respective wealth is in no case a measurement of their satisfaction and 
happiness in life. A businessman can be extremely wealthy but at the same time he could be 
undergoing tensions and worries that keep him from being happy. An addition of money to his 
riches cannot ensure that his happiness quotient will also advance. The state of happiness is 

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however reflected on the facial expression of these people, which is only observed and 
understood, but cannot be measured. 
To sum up, I would like to say that there are certain methods of measuring progress in many 
areas. By using logic and scientific tools, we can not only come to know if we have advanced or 
retreated, but also know the extent of progress or retreat. However, this is possible only with an 
exception to certain fields that cannot be measured in terms of quantity, distance or any other 
units. It is only a matter of understanding and observing progress in these fields and that does not 
come from any scientific measurement. 

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