[GRE writing] Mar. 6, 2024

Task:

The following appeared in a memo from the director of a large group of hospitals.

The following appeared in a memo from the director of a large group of hospitals.

 

'In a controlled experiment, a group of patients with insomnia slept an average of eight hours per night for two weeks.

In a controlled experiment, a group of patients with insomnia slept an average of eight hours per night for two weeks.

In a controlled experiment, a group of patients with insomnia slept an average of eight hours per night for two weeks.

 

Another group slept six hours per night for two weeks.

 

At the end of the study, the group that slept eight hours per night reported feeling more rested than the group that slept six hours per night.

At the end of the study, the group that slept eight hours per night reported feeling more rested than the group that slept six hours per night.

 

Therefore, to feel more rested, people suffering from insomnia should aim to sleep eight hours per night.

Therefore, to feel more rested, people suffering from insomnia should aim to sleep eight hours per night.

 

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

 

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.

 

Model Answer:

In the memo, the director of a group of hospitals argues that people suffering from insomnia should aim to sleep eight hours per night, based on a controlled experiment where one group slept eight hours per night and another slept six hours per night.

 

However, the argument is flawed and requires further evidence to be convincing.

However, the argument is flawed and requires further evidence to be convincing.

However, the argument is flawed and requires further evidence to be convincing.

 

Firstly, the experiment lacks specific details about the participants' conditions and lifestyles outside of sleep duration.

Firstly, the experiment lacks specific details about the participants' conditions and lifestyles outside of sleep duration.

 

Factors such as stress levels, medication usage, and overall health can significantly impact sleep quality and feelings of restfulness.

Factors such as stress levels, medication usage, and overall health can significantly impact sleep quality and feelings of restfulness.

 

Without accounting for these variables, it's challenging to attribute the reported differences in restfulness solely to the number of hours slept.

Without accounting for these variables, it's challenging to attribute the reported differences in restfulness solely to the number of hours slept.

Without accounting for these variables, it's challenging to attribute the reported differences in restfulness solely to the number of hours slept.

 

Additionally, the experiment's duration of two weeks may not be sufficient to draw long-term conclusions about the effects of sleep duration on restfulness.

Additionally, the experiment's duration of two weeks may not be sufficient to draw long-term conclusions about the effects of sleep duration on restfulness.

 

Insomnia is a chronic condition, and its management typically involves sustained lifestyle changes rather than short-term interventions.

Insomnia is a chronic condition, and its management typically involves sustained lifestyle changes rather than short-term interventions.

 

A more extended study that follows participants over an extended period would provide more reliable insights into the relationship between sleep duration and restfulness.

 

Furthermore, the director's argument assumes a causal relationship between sleep duration and restfulness without considering potential confounding factors.

Furthermore, the director's argument assumes a causal relationship between sleep duration and restfulness without considering potential confounding factors.

 

For example, individuals in the eight-hour group may have implemented other sleep hygiene practices, such as limiting screen time before bed or maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, which could contribute to their reported feelings of restfulness.

For example, individuals in the eight-hour group may have implemented other sleep hygiene practices, such as limiting screen time before bed or maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, which could contribute to their reported feelings of restfulness.

For example, individuals in the eight-hour group may have implemented other sleep hygiene practices, such as limiting screen time before bed or maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, which could contribute to their reported feelings of restfulness.

 

Without controlling for these variables, it's premature to conclude that increasing sleep duration alone leads to improved restfulness.

Without controlling for these variables, it's premature to conclude that increasing sleep duration alone leads to improved restfulness.

Without controlling for these variables, it's premature to conclude that increasing sleep duration alone leads to improved restfulness.

 

In conclusion, the director's argument regarding the relationship between sleep duration and restfulness is weak due to the lack of specific evidence, short duration of the experiment, and failure to account for confounding variables.

In conclusion, the director's argument regarding the relationship between sleep duration and restfulness is weak due to the lack of specific evidence, short duration of the experiment, and failure to account for confounding variables.

 

To strengthen the argument, future research should incorporate comprehensive assessments of participants' lifestyles and employ longitudinal study designs to establish causality effectively.

To strengthen the argument, future research should incorporate comprehensive assessments of participants' lifestyles and employ longitudinal study designs to establish causality effectively.