This week, we will be continuing our study of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) task. Again, questions used are from the Pool of Sample Topics available in the Official Guide to the GMAT.

　　Now, we will be reading the question:

　　「Question No. 25」

　　The following appeared as part of an article in a magazine on lifestyles:

　　“Two years ago, City L was listed fourteenth in an annual survey that ranks cities according to the quality of life that can be enjoyed by those living in them. This information will enable people who are moving to the state in which City L is located to confidently identify one place, at least, where schools are good, housing is affordable, people are friendly, the environment is safe, and the arts flourish.”

　　Teacher’s NOTE:

　　We have learned that we should write an essay in an analytical manner and to discuss the points of doubt in the line of reasoning of the argument and should find a minimum of 4 flaws.

　　Let us again focus on finding which part of the argument goes wrong and draw an outline of our essay before the actual writing starts

　　We have quickly found a few points of doubt:

　　Point of Doubt 1

　　The number-fourteen ranking may have been a low position since the number of cities that were ranked is unspecified and thus may have been just fifteen or eighteen.

　　Point of Doubt 2

　　The number-fourteen ranking was two years ago, and City L may currently rank lower as a result of its declined performance.

　　Point of Doubt 3

　　The ranking was most likely to be based on the cities’ overall quality of life, and City L may have performed well in some of the five categories, and the performance well offset its disadvantages in the categories.

　　Point of Doubt 4

　　City L may be a desirable place in the state, other cities in the same state may be however disappointing. There is no guarantee that others cities are as good as City L.

　　Point of Doubt 5

　　It is reasonable to doubt the credibility of the survey and its results. A poorly designed survey draws invalid results, which can hardly indicate the real case accurately.

　　Now, two sample paragraphs are presented as follows to create a general idea of writing an analytical text

　　Based on Point of Doubt 2

　　Even though the number-fourteen ranking was a rather high place, it was two years ago, however. The author obviously fails to consider the possibility that City L’s quality of life has decreased during the past two years. If it is the case, City L may no longer be a desirable destination for immigrants.

　　Based on Point of Doubt 3

　　The ranking may have been based on the cities’ overall quality of life, and City L may have performed well in some of the five categories and poorly in the others. In other words, the city may have advantages in some areas that well offset its disadvantages in the other areas. As a result, people who intend to move the state and have needs in all of the five aspects may not be satisfied.