Victory for the ACT Student Text 15e

W RITING T EST M ECHANICS • 171

TIME TRIAL ȍͷ prompt; ͷͷ minutesȎ

DIRECTIONS: Write an outline for your essay. Then write an introductory paragraph. Planned Obsolescence ƒ› –‡…Š‘Ž‘‰› ƒ—ˆƒ…–—”‡”• ˆ‘ŽŽ‘™ ƒ ’‘Ž‹…› ‘ˆ ’Žƒ‡† ‘„•‘Ž‡•…‡…‡Ǥ „•‘Ž‡•…‡…‡ describes the condition of no longer being used or useful. Planned obsolescence means that manufacturers make products that are designed to wear out and be replaced quickly. New smartphone applications only function on the latest version of a phone. High repair costs ‡…‘—”ƒ‰‡…‘•—‡”• –‘ „—› ƒ ‡™ Žƒ’–‘’ ‹•–‡ƒ† ‘ˆ ϐ‹š‹‰ ƒ „”‘‡ ‘‡Ǥ ’ƒ”‡ ’ƒ”–• ˆ‘” ƒ computer are no longer available after a few years. Planned obsolescence cuts costs for the manufacturer and the consumer, but what are the risks for both parties when the consumer must frequently replace a product? With technology’s prevalent role in our society, planned ‘„•‘Ž‡•…‡…‡ Šƒ• ƒ •–”‘‰ ϐ‹ƒ…‹ƒŽ ‹’ƒ…– ‘ ‘—” Ž‹˜‡•Ǥ Perspective 1 Planned obsolescence can be unfair to consumers, forcing them to spend more money than necessary on products that do ‘– ‘ˆˆ‡” •‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ– improvements to the older ones. ƒ—ˆƒ…–—”‡”• •Š‘—Ž† deliver high quality, long-lasting products. Perspective 2 Some industries, such as the automotive industry, are focusing on creating new products that are more environmentally friendly than what is currently available. Planned obsolescence could encourage consumers to buy these newer products and ultimately have a positive impact on the environment. Perspective 3 Planned obsolescence cuts manufacturing costs and encourages companies to design better products in a shorter period of time. This allows for greater innovation and ultimately gives the consumer a superior product. Essay Task ”‹–‡ ƒ —‹ϐ‹‡†ǡ…‘Š‡”‡– ‡••ƒ› ‹ ™Š‹…Š ›‘— ‡˜ƒŽ—ƒ–‡ —Ž–‹’Ž‡ ’‡”•’‡…–‹˜‡• ‘ –Š‡ ‹’ƒ…– of planned obsolescence. In your essay be sure to: • Analyze and evaluate perspectives given • State and develop your own perspective • Explain the relationship between your perspective and those given Your perspective may be in full agreement with any of the others, in partial agreement or wholly different. Whatever the case, support your ideas with logical reasoning and detailed, persuasive examples.