PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
PART V
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
PART I
Select the best substitute for the underlined parts of the following ten sentences. The first answer [choice A] is identical to the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, then choose A as your answer.
1. Never before such a technological marvel was witnessed by mankind.
A. such a technological marvel was witnessed by mankind
B. has such a technological marvel been witnessed by mankind
C. has mankind witnessed such a technological marvel
D. by mankind had so technological a marvel been witnessed.
2. She used the money to repair her father’s boat, the one which he used to sail from Maine to Florida.
A. boat, the one which he used
B. boat of which was used by him
C. boat one which he used
D. boat. The one which he used
3. While walking through the woods, a soaring hawk was seen overhead by us.
A. a soaring hawk was seen overhead by us
B. a hawk was seen by us soaring overhead
C. a hawk’s soaring overhead was seen by us
D. we saw a hawk soaring overhead
4. Who did your brother take to the prom last year?
A. Who did your brother take
B. Whom did your brother take
C. Who was taken by your brother
D. Whom your brother took
5. Our museum owns a copy of The Mona Lisa and the original is however hanging in the Louvre in Paris.
A. Lisa and the original is however
B. Lisa but the original is however
C. Lisa, the original, however, is hanging
D. Lisa; the original, however, is hanging
6. He was suspended from the team because he was late for too many practices.
A. team because he was late for
B. team, as he was late for
C. team, because of his lateness to
D. team since his lateness to
7. Bill rented the larger of the four moving trucks.
A. the larger of the
B. the largest than
C. the largest of the
D. larger than the
8. I wouldn’t act so rashly if I was you.
A. wouldn’t act to rashly if I was
B. will act rashly if I am
C. wouldn’t act so rashly if I were
D. wouldn’t be acting rashly when I were
9. Dennis, was perplexed by the tax forms, hired an accountant.
A. Dennis, was perplexed by the tax forms, hired
B. Perplexed by the tax forms, Dennis hired
C. Dennis was perplexed by the tax forms to hire
D. Dennis was perplexed by the tax forms, hired
10. “May I take your order?” said the woman at the drive-through window.
A. order?” said
B. order”? said
C. order,” said
D. order.” said
Rewrite the following ten sentences mentally in your own head. Follow the directions given for the formation of the new sentence. Remember that your new sentence should be grammatically correct and convey the same meaning as the original sentence.
11. Jonathan is a great saxophone player, and he is also a great trumpet player.
Rewrite, using: not only
Your new sentence will include:
A. but also a great trumpet player
B. as well as a great trumpet player
C. he also plays trumpet greatly
D. and also a great trumpet player
12. She was delayed by traffic and arrived at the airport too late to make her flight.
Rewrite, beginning with: Having been
Your new sentence will include:
A. her arrival at the airport
B. she was arriving at the airport
C. she arrived at the airport
D. her flight left too early
13. The park ranger’s warning about bears in the national park made me very nervous.
Rewrite, beginning with: I was nervous when
The next words will be:
A. the park ranger’s warning
B. the park ranger warned
C. the park ranger, warning
D. the park ranger was warning
14. Unless he receives financing from his bank, he will not buy the car.
Rewrite, beginning with: He will only
The next words will be:
A. buy the car
B. not buy the car
C. receive financing
D. not receive financing
15. Flooded by the massive rainstorm, the road was blocked off from all car traffic.
Rewrite, beginning with: The road
Your new sentence will include:
A. because it was being
B. because it is
C. because of its being
D. because it was
16. The reporter was sent to prison because she refused to reveal her sources.
Rewrite, beginning with: Because of
The next words will be:
A. being sent to prison
B. the reporter’s refusal
C. the reporter was refusing
D. the sources not being revealed
17. It’s difficult for me to speak Italian, but I can speak Spanish very well.
Rewrite, beginning with: Unlike Italian,
The next words will be:
A. Spanish is easier
B. I can speak Spanish
C. speaking Spanish
D. I am speaking Spanish
18. In the event of a snowstorm, the city’s sanitation department will work overtime.
Rewrite, beginning with: If
The next words will be:
A. it snows
B. snow is
C. snowing
D. snows
19. He is not able to go the beach because he has not finished his final exams.
Rewrite, beginning with: If he had finished
Your new sentence will include:
A. he will not be able
B. he would have been able
C. he is not able
D. he cannot
20. Despite many attempts, he was unable to ride the bull for more than five seconds.
Rewrite, beginning with: Although
The next words will be:
A. attempting
B. many attempts
C. he had been attempting
D. he attempted
For the following ten questions, read the passage and then select the correct answer to the question. You may need to answer based on explicit information from the passage, as well as ideas that are suggested or implied in the passage.
21. As immigrants left Ellis Island, some headed for New York, but others bought tickets to board the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) and traveled by train to their new homes. As the population of the United States increased throughout the 1800s, the need for railway transportation in and out of New Jersey became more obvious. In 1864, the CRRNJ built its first railroad terminal where people could purchase tickets and board trains. As immigration increased, a second terminal was constructed in 1889. This terminal, located near what is now the northern part of Liberty State Park, still stands today as an important part of American history.
The main purpose of this passage is to
A. provide a comprehensive history of the CRRNJ.
B. discuss the increase of rail travel during the immigration boom.
C. debunk the myth that all immigrants stayed in New York City.
D. state that the increase in train travel could not keep pace with the rate of immigration.
22. In the spring of 2010, the explosive eruption of an Icelandic volcano disrupted airplane routes in and out of Europe for weeks. The enormous ash cloud that shrouded much of the North Atlantic Ocean was bad enough, but pilots were particularly concerned about sudden rises and drops in the height of the cloud, which made flying over it more unpredictable and dangerous. Researchers may have found a way to solve this problem by analyzing the ash cloud’s static electricity, which is eventually discharged as bolts of lightning.
We can conclude from the information in the passage that
A. volcanoes generate static electricity.
B. if another ash cloud forms over the Atlantic, pilots will likely have less trouble flying over it.
C. pilots were more concerned about static electricity than the lack of visibility.
D. scientists could have foreseen when the Icelandic ash cloud was created.
23. Setting out a birdfeeder is a common practice in most residential areas. By some estimations, for example, feeders provide nourishment for as many as 30 million birds in Great Britain per year. Despite this fact, however, a scientist in Switzerland has concluded that feeding birds might not be in their best interest. Some male birds, after going without food all night, need to arise early and sing a dawn chorus in order to attract a female. In general, males that sing earliest attract the best mates. When food was introduced overnight, however, 36% of the males didn’t start singing until after sunrise, indicating that the well-fed birds became lazy and more ill-prepared to mate and to defend their territories from rivals.
According to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?
A. Great Britain feeds more birds per capita than any other European nation.
B. The scientist’s experiment was deemed incomplete because birdfeeders affected less than half of the birds studied.
C. Rival male birds rarely rely on birdfeeders for nourishment.
D. Birds that fast all night are more likely to rise and sing before sunrise.
24. Julius Caesar’s first invasion of Britain, in 55 B.C., was unsuccessful, as he timed the attack in late summer and could not maintain the assault throughout the cold British winter. The second invasion, however, took place in the summer of 54 B.C. and comprised a much larger number of ships. In this campaign, Caesar’s troops overwhelmed the most powerful tribes in the area and installed a new king that was friendly to the Roman Empire. The second conquest of Britain did not take place until 43 A.D., when Claudius reigned. After these battles, the Romans established a new capital at Camulodunum and maintained control of most of the British isles for the next three centuries.
According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. British tribes could not defend themselves against an armed naval assault.
B. Caesar would have conquered Britain sooner if he knew more about the severity of its winter weather.
C. At some point between 54 B.C. and 43 A.D., the Roman Empire lost control of Britain.
D. The Roman control over Britain was more stable under Caligula’s rule than under Caesar’s.
25. Many modern naval vessels have been fitted with a sophisticated new sonar system called S2076 Stage 5. Environmentalists lament that the soundbursts emitted by the system, some of which exceed 250 decibels, are seriously damaging marine wildlife. To support this claim, they point to an extraordinary number of seal carcasses found washed up near areas where vessels have used S2076 Stage 5. The developers of this technology have responded by asserting that, although the number of seal deaths is unfortunate, no one has found a causal link between them and the use of S2076 Stage 5. They maintain that the system is safe.
The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. show that the environmentalists’ accusations are false.
B. argue that use of S2076 should be discontinued.
C. emphasize the myriad threats humans pose to animals.
D. outline a controversy over the use of a new technology.
26. The most striking result of the expansion of social networking sites in the past few years has been the numerous legal questions regarding privacy policies. Some frustrated users have abandoned the sites over concerns that their information will be shared without their knowledge, while the sites’ executives have insisted that they are constantly upgrading the tools users can employ to make sure what is private stays private. In the end, it seems unwise to assume that anything uploaded to a social networking site will remain unseen by those who are not permitted to see it. If you choose to post a picture on your page, make sure it’s something you don’t mind sharing with the world.
This passage is mainly about
A. how social networking sites and their users are struggling to find common ground when it comes to protecting personal content.
B. the startling drop in the number of people using social networking sites.
C. the need for regulators to intervene in a heated dispute.
D. the viability of social networking as an alternative to face-to-face relationships.
27. Although the most familiar type of spider web is called an “orb” web, some spiders make horizontal “funnel” webs in moist, sheltered places, such as under a rock or fallen tree. Underneath the flat sheet of web is a sequence of funnels that lead to a hole where the spider is concealed. When an insect strolls out onto the web’s smooth surface, the spider senses the vibrations, emerges from the hole, bites the insect, and drags its meal back into the hole. Funnel webs are very durable, and spiders that construct them often build them for years.
From the passage above, it can be inferred that
A. funnel webs are less common than orb webs because they are more difficult to construct.
B. funnel-web spiders hunt mostly at night, when they are less visible.
C. if you see a funnel web, the spider inside has likely been around for a long time.
D. horizontal webs are more likely to trap insects than vertical ones are.
28. Ireland is known for its ancient castles that date back several centuries, to the time when most of the land was ruled by Vikings. Tourists can walk through their magnificent gardens and explore the majestic castles, many of which still have furniture and other antique items belonging to former residents. The Malahide Castle, located on the seaside of Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, was home to members of the same family for more than 800 years.
Why does the writer mention Malahide Castle in the above paragraph?
A. To identify one of the most important Viking structures in Dublin.
B. To exemplify the age and historical significance of Dublin’s ancient castles.
C. To describe the importance of maintaining ancient architecture for future generations to appreciate it.
D. To encourage tourists to assess the value of its antique furniture.
29. The ancient Chinese perspective regarding dragons is one that Americans might not expect. In America, dragons are typically portrayed as menacing and villainous monsters that crush villages, trample castles, and spew fiery breath at any hero who dares challenge them. In ancient China, however, these mythical beasts were wise, strong, compassionate, and protected people’s families and land. Dragons were seen everywhere in ancient China—carved into temples, book covers, thrones, musical instruments, and weapons. In fact, the Chinese believed that their ruling class actually descended from dragons and continue to seek advice from them.
The author’s main purpose is to
A. illustrate how two disparate cultures can still share beliefs.
B. reconcile contrary opinions of dragons.
C. identify a myth that overwhelmed an ancient culture.
D. emphasize the degree to which the ancient Chinese revered dragons.
30. Terra-cotta, or “baked earth,” was originally used in architecture during the height of the Roman Empire. During the Renaissance, however, terra-cotta became a much more artistic medium. Many sculptors, for example, often used it to make bozzetti, or “rough drafts” of sculptures that would later be carved from stone or cast in bronze. Oddly enough, these bozzetti were often viewed as more interesting than the finished works, as art enthusiasts began collecting terra-cotta models for exhibition in their homes and in galleries. Collectors believed the models represented an artist’s talent far more accurately. As a result, many of these “rough drafts” often commanded higher selling prices than the stone or bronze pieces on which they were based.
It can be inferred from the passage that terra-cotta was
A. so popular that collectors lost interest in finished sculptures.
B. just as sturdy a medium as stone or bronze.
C. easy for sculptors to acquire.
D. no longer used for architecture during the Renaissance.
For the following ten questions, you will see two sentences. Read the sentences, and then choose the best answer to the question.
31. In recent years, the number of adults aged 18-24 without comprehensive health insurance has risen by 14%.
Young adults are showing greater interest in extreme sports that threaten serious bodily injury.
How are the two sentences related?
A. They give the cause and effect of a trend.
B. They create a problem and solution.
C. They display a paradox.
D. They reinforce each other.
32. Over the past several years, the state has seen an alarming rise in child obesity.
The state government has enacted a tax on soft drinks, snacks, and other foods that contain more than a certain amount of sugar.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It suggests that the problem in the first sentence is unable to be solved.
B. It presents a possible solution to the problem stated in the first sentence.
C. It explains a reason for the problem stated in the first sentence.
D. It repeats the sentiment that is implied by the first sentence.
33. Zebra mussels are filter feeders that cleanse freshwater lakes and therefore have helped increase the populations of smallmouth bass.
Zebra mussel populations grow at an alarmingly fast rate, often dominating ecosystems to the detriment of other organisms.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It sums up the points made in the first sentence.
B. It restates the opinion asserted in the first sentence.
C. It provides contrary information.
D. It gives an example for what is stated in the first sentence.
34. Over-the-counter medications are just as useful in combating head-cold symptoms as the medications that require a prescription.
The cough syrup that I bought at the grocery store stopped my cough just as well as the expectorant I got from my pharmacist.
How are the two sentences related?
A. The second sentence provides an example of the conclusion asserted in the first.
B. The second sentence shows there is no evidence to support the first.
C. They restate the same information.
D. They give a cause and its effect.
35. Consumer spending has dropped more than 30% over the past 12 months.
Unemployment has risen by 2.2% since this time last year.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It offers irrelevant information.
B. It offers a solution to a problem.
C. It states a potential cause.
D. It makes a comparison.
36. Specialists in early brain development believe that some video games can enhance a child’s cognition and problem-solving ability.
Children under three who learn to solve simple jigsaw puzzles show a marked propensity to read sooner than those who do not.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It offers nothing relevant to support the first sentence.
B. It provides an alternate interpretation of the first sentence.
C. It contradicts the opinion given in the first sentence.
D. It reinforces the first sentence by offering similar evidence.
37. Because it was a holiday weekend, Marcus believed that the roads would be less crowded than usual.
That morning, Marcus chose to drive to the city rather than take public transportation.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It provides an application of the theory provided in the first sentence.
B. It contradicts the evidence given in the first sentence.
C. It presents a solution to the problem mentioned in the first sentence.
D. It repeats the same idea as stated in the first sentence.
38. Research indicates that male pattern baldness is genetic, passed from parent to child on the androgen receptor gene.
My father is bald, and lately I’ve noticed that my hairline is receding.
How are the two sentences related?
A. They create a contrast.
B. They provide a theory and a specific example.
C. They give a problem and a solution.
D. They repeat the same idea.
39. Many parents have withdrawn their children from private high schools because tuition costs have become prohibitively expensive.
Over the past ten years, the median tuition price at private high schools has kept pace with the rate of increase in the cost of living index.
How are the two sentences related?
A. The second sentence provides supportive evidence for the first.
B. They repeat the same idea.
C. They provide a problem and a solution.
D. The second analyzes the claim made in the first.
40. In order to stimulate spending, Congress authorized a rebate check for all individual taxpayers.
When taxpayers received their rebate checks, they were more likely to save the money than to spend it.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It offers a potential cause.
B. It states an unexpected consequence.
C. It supports a conclusion.
D. It exemplifies the first sentence.
ESSAY QUESTION:
“There is only one definition of success—to be able to spend your life in your own way.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your position by writing a unified essay using relevant reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
PART I
PART II
PART IV
DETAILED ANSWERS—PRACTICE TEST 1
PART I
1. This question is an example of an inverted sentence structure. Since the sentence begins with the negative phrase never before, the present perfect tense [has or have] plus the past participle, must be used. In addition, it’s important to place the auxiliary verb has in front of the principal subject of the sentence, which is mankind. The answer is (C).
2. The words the one which he used to sail from Maine to Florida are a dependent relative clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. Therefore, it needs to be set off by a comma. The answer is (A).
3. The phrase while walking through the woods modifies us, since we were the ones who were walking. Therefore, the first word after the comma has to be “we.” The best answer is (D).
4. This question tests whether you can differentiate the subject pronoun who and the object pronoun whom. In this sentence, the person was taken to the prom and thus received the action; it was the brother who did the “taking.” So the question should begin with whom. The best answer is (B).
5. Our museum owns a copy of The Mona Lisa and the original, however, is hanging in the Louvre are complete sentences on their own. Therefore, it’s OK to link them in the same sentence with a semicolon. Answer choices (A) and (B) have no punctuation separating the two phrases, and the comma in answer choice (C) creates a run-on sentence. The best answer is (D).
6. In this sentence, the word because links He was suspended from the team and he was late for too many practices, but it serves as a subordinating conjunction, so it doesn’t need a comma before it. The best answer is (A).
7. When you compare two things, use the suffix -er, or the comparative form. If you are comparing three or more things, however, you must use the superlative form (-est). Since there are four moving trucks, the superlative form largest is correct. The best answer is (C).
8. Whenever a speaker refers to himself in an imaginary situation—otherwise known as the subjunctive mood—the proper verb is were instead of was. The beginning of the sentence also needs to use would. The best answer is (C).
9. Answer choice (A) is incorrect because it doesn’t need was in the appositive (descriptive) clause. Answer choices (C) and (D) are incorrect because they are run-on sentences. Perplexed by the tax forms is a modifier that describes Dennis, so the best answer is (B).
10. Punctuation should be enclosed within the final quotation mark when giving dialogue. Since this is a question, the sentence correctly has a question mark within the quotation marks. The best answer is (A).
PART II
11. Sentences that use not only must also include but also to finish the parallel thought. The new sentence is Jonathan is not only a great saxophone player but also a great trumpet player. The best answer is (A).
12. The new sentence is: Having been delayed by traffic, she arrived at the airport too late to make her flight. In the new sentence, the present participle phrase Having been delayed in traffic describes the woman that is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, she must come directly after the comma. Answer choice (B) is incorrect because it unnecessarily changes the verb tense from the simple past. The best answer is (C).
13. The new sentence is: I was nervous when the park ranger warned me about bears in the national park. The word when forms a subordinate clause in the second part of the new sentence, and there is no need to change the verb tense from the simple past in both parts of the sentence. The best answer is (B).
14. The new sentence is: He will only buy the car if he receives financing from his bank. This is a conditional sentence that states that one thing (getting financing) has to happen first, in the present tense, in order for the other (buying the car) to happen in the future tense. The best answer is (A).
15. The new sentence is: The road was blocked off from all car traffic because it was flooded by the massive rainstorm. The flooding caused the road to be blocked off, so you can use because in order to link the two clauses. And the sentence should stay consistently in the simple past tense. The best answer is (D).
16. Because of links the two phrases in the sentence together, and it needs to be followed by a noun phrase. Therefore, the simple past tense refused in the initial sentence must be changed to its noun form, refusal. The best answer is (B).
17. The new sentence compares Spanish and Italian and asserts that the two are not like each other. The phrase Unlike Italian modifies Spanish, so Spanish must come directly after the comma. The best answer is (A).
18. The new sentence will be: If it snows, the city’s sanitation will work overtime. The phrase in the event of should be followed by a noun or noun phrase, but If is followed by a simple present tense. The best answer is (A).
19. The new sentence would be constructed as follows: If he had finished his final exams, he would have been able to go to the beach. The new construction is conditional, and since he didn’t go the beach, the conclusion is an imaginary situation that requires would. The best answer is (B).
20. The new sentence would be constructed as follows: Although he attempted it many times, he was unable to ride the bull for more than five seconds. The second half of the sentence is unchanged, but the first must change because despite takes a noun phrase and although takes a simple subject and verb. The best answer is (D).
PART III
21. The passage introduces us to the CRRNJ and describes how it grew over the latter half of the 19th century. It doesn’t provide a comprehensive history, because it’s very difficult to provide a complete and detailed history in only five sentences. Answer choices (C) and (D) are never mentioned. The best answer is (B).
22. The passage starts by discussing a problem and then mentions a study that has helped lead to a solution to that problem. Therefore, the writer believes that if another similar cloud occurs, it might not be as big a problem because people will be better equipped to analyze it. The information in answer choices (A), (C), and (D) is not stated in the passage. The best answer is (B).
23. The experiment in the passage details how birds that eat during the night tend to rise later in the day, so it stands to reason that those who fast all night get up earlier in order to eat something in their natural environment and sing before sunrise to attract females. The best answer is (D).
24. The passage states that Caesar conquered Britain in 54 B.C. and refers to a second conquest in 43 A.D. If the Romans saw fit to invade Britain again, it must be true that they lost control of Britain between those two dates. Answer choice (B) might seem possible, but we don’t know that the only thing keeping Caesar from conquering Britain was the weather. Other factors might have been involved. The best answer is (C).
25. The passage describes the use of S2076 Stage 5 and provides both sides of the argument over whether it should be used. The author does not reveal his opinion either way, so answer choices (A), (B), and (C) are far too extreme and one-sided. The best answer is (D).
26. The passage asserts that some users don’t like their perceived lack of privacy when it comes to using social networking sites, and that the sites are trying to reassure users that their content is not under threat. The best answer is (A).
27. The last sentence in the passage states that spiders that construct [funnel webs] often build them for years. This means that any funnel web you come across probably took a long time to make, so you can infer that the spider has likely been in that location for a while. The best answer is (C).
28. The main idea of the paragraph is that Ireland (and more specifically, Dublin) has several ancient castles that preserve an idea of what life was like several centuries ago. Malahide Castle is referenced as an example of one such castle, which dates back 800 years. (Note that exemplify means “to give an example.”) The best answer is (B).
29. The passage discusses several ways in which the ancient Chinese people revered (or “looked up to”) dragons, but it does nothing to reconcile the views of Chinese and American cultures, nor does it indicate that dragons overwhelmed the culture. The best answer is (D).
30. The passage states that many sculptors often used terra-cotta to make these rough drafts, so it’s unlikely that terra-cotta would be in such broad use if it were expensive or rare. The best answer is (C).
PART IV
31. If young adults do not have health insurance, one might expect that they would avoid subjecting themselves to getting hurt. However, the second sentence asserts the exact opposite idea, thus displaying a paradox, or two situations that seem to contradict each other. The best answer is (C).
32. The problem is the increasing numbers of children who suffer from obesity. The proposed solution is to levy a tax on the sugary foods that children eat, in order to discourage people from buying them. The best answer is (B).
33. The first sentence suggests that zebra mussels are helpful to other species in the water they inhabit, but the second sentence provides information that suggests that the mussels are hurtful. In other words, the second contradicts (or “says the opposite of”) the first one. The best answer is (C).
34. The cough syrup in sentence 2 is an example of an over-the-counter medication referenced in sentence 1. They don’t restate the same information, however, since the first sentence is far more general than the second one. The best answer is (A).
35. The first sentence states that people aren’t spending as much money as they normally do, and the first provides a possible reason by stating that more people have lost their jobs over the same time period. The best answer is (C).
36. Both sentences talk about the positive effects of games and puzzles on the early development of a child’s brain. So the second sentence reinforces the idea proposed in the first. The best answer is (D).
37. Marcus had a theory that there wouldn’t be as much traffic on the roads, and he applied this theory by driving rather than taking public transportation. The sentences don’t contradict each other, and there is no problem to solve. The best answer is (A).
38. The first sentence states a theory based on research, and the second sentence is more specific, as it relates to two particular people. Answer choice (D) is incorrect, because although the sentences clearly support each other, they do not repeat the same idea. The best answer is (B).
39. The first sentence states a claim among parents that it has become too expensive to educate their children in a private high school, and the second sentence analyzes that claim by stating that prices at private high schools have increased at the same rate as everything else. The best answer is (D).
40. Congress wanted people to spend the money it gave taxpayers, but they saved it instead. So this result was something Congress did not expect. The best answer is (B).
PART V
Here is a sample response to the essay question:
When people are asked to define success, I think most say that success depends on how much money you’ve earned. I have to disagree, however, because I believe success is based on happiness, which has nothing to do with money. I’ve known richer people than me who are miserable, and I’ve known poorer people than me without a care in the world. Happiness comes from being comfortable in your own skin, and by living the life you want. These are the people who have found the most success, and that’s why, for the following three reasons, I agree with the given essay prompt.
I don’t come from a very rich family. My dad repairs telephone equipment and my mom is a nurse, and neither of them makes a lot of money. And despite the many challenges of raising four kids in a middle-class household, my parents seem very happy. My dad always said he wanted to work outdoors instead of behind a desk, and my mom told me she has wanted to care for sick people since she was seven years old. In these respects, they have succeeded in finding careers that fit with the goals they set.
Conversely, my friend Jeff’s family has a lot more money than mine does, yet he never sees his father because he’s always working or traveling around the world. Last month Jeff scored the winning goal in a lacrosse playoff game, and his dad couldn’t attend because he was working in Istanbul. I’ve talked to Jeff’s dad about careers, and he says he is stuck between liking the law and disliking being a lawyer. He enjoys researching and arguing cases, but hates that he has to spend so much time away from his family to do it. Clearly, Jeff’s dad is not as successful as he might seem. What good is a lot of money if it takes you away from the people you love?
Jeff’s dad reminds me of William Foster Kane, the wealthy newspaper publisher in one of my favorite movies, Citizen Kane. Kane amasses amazing wealth, yet he dies alone in a mansion full of possessions he never enjoyed, longing for his favorite childhood sled. The movie is a fictional story, but I think it depicts a very compelling real-life scenario where people place too much value on the money they earn, at the expense of the personal relationships that give life it’s most profound meaning.
In conclusion, I believe the best way to measure your success is to figure out how happy you are to get out of bed in the morning. It is way too common in our materialistic lifestyle to let your possessions show the world what a “success” you are. But believe that if you have a job you like, a family around you, and a way to balance your life between them, you can look in the mirror and see a successful person staring back.