It is better to try to be original than to merely imitate others. People should always try to say, write, think, or create something new. There is little value in merely repeating what has been done before. People who merely copy or use the ideas and inventions of others, no matter how successful they may be, have never achieved anything significant
Is it always better to be original than to imitate or use the ideas of others? Plan and write a multi-paragraph essay (300-600 words) in which you develop your point of view on the above question. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
Originality fosters creativity and innovation, allowing individuals to express unique perspectives and solutions. It encourages critical thinking and personal growth, as developing one's ideas often leads to deeper understanding and mastery of a subject. Conversely, imitation can stifle creativity and limit personal expression. While learning from others can be beneficial, relying solely on their ideas may hinder the development of one's voice and perspective. Furthermore, excessive imitation can lead to plagiarism and a lack of authenticity, which are detrimental in academic and professional settings. In summary, while there is value in learning from others, prioritizing originality cultivates a richer, more diverse intellectual landscape.
Originality fosters creativity and innovation, allowing individuals to express unique perspectives and solutions. It encourages critical thinking and personal growth, as developing one's ideas often leads to deeper understanding and mastery of a subject. Conversely, imitation can stifle creativity and limit personal expression. While learning from others can be beneficial, relying solely on their ideas may hinder the development of one's voice and perspective. Furthermore, excessive imitation can lead to plagiarism and a lack of authenticity, which are detrimental in academic and professional settings. In summary, while there is value in learning from others, prioritizing originality cultivates a richer, more diverse intellectual landscape.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? High-tech teams around the world are working on projects designed to enhance people's telepresence "their sense of physically being in a location even when they are actually thousands of miles away.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. telepresence', their
- C. telepresence.' Their
- D. telepresence' their
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, effectively conveying the intended meaning without introducing errors. The phrase "telepresence" is correctly followed by a quotation mark, and the sentence flows logically. Option B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a period after "telepresence," which disrupts the sentence's clarity and structure. Option C improperly replaces the comma with a period, creating a fragment because "Their sense..." would then be a standalone sentence without proper connection to the previous thought. Option D lacks the necessary punctuation to separate the two ideas, resulting in a confusing and grammatically incorrect construction.
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, effectively conveying the intended meaning without introducing errors. The phrase "telepresence" is correctly followed by a quotation mark, and the sentence flows logically. Option B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a period after "telepresence," which disrupts the sentence's clarity and structure. Option C improperly replaces the comma with a period, creating a fragment because "Their sense..." would then be a standalone sentence without proper connection to the previous thought. Option D lacks the necessary punctuation to separate the two ideas, resulting in a confusing and grammatically incorrect construction.
What does the passage suggest about the light bulbs used in the first train signaling systems?
- A. They were very fragile.
- B. They were all the same color.
- C. They were only illuminated at night.
- D. They were also used to signal automobile drivers.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The passage indicates that the light bulbs in the first train signaling systems were designed to emit a specific color to convey signals, suggesting uniformity in color for clarity and safety. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not mention the fragility of the bulbs. Option C is misleading; while the bulbs may have been primarily used at night, the passage does not explicitly state that they were only illuminated then. Option D is also incorrect; the passage focuses on train signaling without reference to their use for automobile drivers. Thus, the emphasis on color highlights the importance of consistent signaling in train operations.
The passage indicates that the light bulbs in the first train signaling systems were designed to emit a specific color to convey signals, suggesting uniformity in color for clarity and safety. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not mention the fragility of the bulbs. Option C is misleading; while the bulbs may have been primarily used at night, the passage does not explicitly state that they were only illuminated then. Option D is also incorrect; the passage focuses on train signaling without reference to their use for automobile drivers. Thus, the emphasis on color highlights the importance of consistent signaling in train operations.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 9 and 10 (reproduced below)? These robots are equipped with cameras and video screens. The robots allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- A. These robots, while being equipped with cameras and video screens, allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings, interact more personally with their coworkers
- B. These robots are equipped with cameras and video screens, moreover, they allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- C. Equipped with cameras and video screens, these robots allow the home-bound workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers.
- D. In order to allow the workers to attend meetings and interact more personally with their coworkers, these robots are equipped with cameras and video screens
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively combines the two sentences by starting with a participial phrase, "Equipped with cameras and video screens," which succinctly conveys essential information about the robots while maintaining clarity. This structure emphasizes the robots' capabilities and their purpose in a streamlined manner. Option A introduces unnecessary complexity with "while being," making the sentence less direct and harder to follow. Option B uses "moreover," which is inappropriate for connecting the two ideas and creates a run-on sentence that disrupts the flow. Option D alters the focus by suggesting that the robots are equipped solely for the purpose of allowing interaction, which misrepresents the original intent and adds unnecessary wording.
Option C effectively combines the two sentences by starting with a participial phrase, "Equipped with cameras and video screens," which succinctly conveys essential information about the robots while maintaining clarity. This structure emphasizes the robots' capabilities and their purpose in a streamlined manner. Option A introduces unnecessary complexity with "while being," making the sentence less direct and harder to follow. Option B uses "moreover," which is inappropriate for connecting the two ideas and creates a run-on sentence that disrupts the flow. Option D alters the focus by suggesting that the robots are equipped solely for the purpose of allowing interaction, which misrepresents the original intent and adds unnecessary wording.
The author uses a direct quotation (sentence 4) to
- A. present a skeptical opinion about Ardi
- B. provide eyewitness testimony about Ardi
- C. place Ardi in the context of other discoveries
- D. give a physical description of Ardi
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The use of a direct quotation in sentence 4 serves to place Ardi within the broader context of other significant discoveries, highlighting its relevance and importance in the field. This contextualization helps readers understand Ardi's significance in relation to other findings. Option A is incorrect; the quotation does not express skepticism but rather situates Ardi among other discoveries. Option B is also wrong, as the quotation does not provide firsthand eyewitness testimony. Lastly, option D is misleading; the quotation does not focus on a physical description of Ardi but emphasizes its contextual importance.
The use of a direct quotation in sentence 4 serves to place Ardi within the broader context of other significant discoveries, highlighting its relevance and importance in the field. This contextualization helps readers understand Ardi's significance in relation to other findings. Option A is incorrect; the quotation does not express skepticism but rather situates Ardi among other discoveries. Option B is also wrong, as the quotation does not provide firsthand eyewitness testimony. Lastly, option D is misleading; the quotation does not focus on a physical description of Ardi but emphasizes its contextual importance.