刘文勇GRE写作Argument题库 Day 36

Day 36 An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces

The following report appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council. “An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds represent the most frequently given reason for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid— a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil— as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism.”

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

五问：

（1）“An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds”和“colds represent the most frequently given reason for absences from school and work”是事实，“we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid— a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil— as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism”是结论，值得反驳吗？

（2）本文提到了一项研究，但却没有给出与这项研究相关的代表性信息，使得这个研究结果是否能够在本地实施成为一个问题。此外，更重要的是，这项研究调查的是另一个地区，本地与另一个地区的特点是否一致？两个地区除了吃鱼之外是否可能有其他不一致的特点？你能具体地罗列一下吗？例如：气候的影响，可能 East Meria的温差小，不容易感冒；或者该地区的居民注意锻炼身体，身体素质比较好。

（3）就医的次数更少就意味着他们更少感冒吗？这些民众是否有可能在感冒时不愿求助于医生呢？会不会自己在药店买感冒药吃了？原文直接将鱼的食用与预防感冒之间建立了因果关系，但是这种关系一定是成立的吗？这种因果关系一定是唯一的吗？一定是最重要的吗？

（4）感冒是人们缺勤时使用最多的理由，这就意味着人们的确是因为感冒才缺勤的吗？感冒是否可能仅仅是请假的一个借口呢？

（5）即使吃鱼可以预防感冒，从鱼油中提取的 Ichthaid一定能预防感冒吗？是否可能是鱼体内的其他成分有此功能？