Hey folks,
I have been doing the 2nd full Sample Test from ETS. Please find below the first, integrated essay on Professors and their presence in the media.
FYI: The article explained the advantages for professors being on TV (1. Prof reputation, 2. University reputation, 3. Public exposed to experts), whereas the lecturer showed the contradicted to all of them....you probably know that task...
Here my essay:
On the one hand, the article discusses the topic of benefits of professors being in the television and bases its argument on the facts that it brings advantages to the professor, the university and the public. On the other hand, the professor discusses the article's arguments and casts doubts on its validity.
First, the reading states that a professor acquires reputation and enhances his or her importance when being on TV. In contrast, the lecturer provides the information that professors being frequently in the media appear to be no serious scholars and are therefore usually not invited to important conferences. Hence, she casts doubts on the evidence exhibited by the passage. As a result one might say that being often in TV shows is not beneficial for a professor's reputation.
Second, the article pushes forth the idea that not only the professor him/herself gains importance, but also the university. However, the speaker contradicts the idea by explaining the high amount of time it consumes to prepare for TV shows. The time for preparing the speech and getting reading for the camera instead could be used in order to do research or work with the students. Consequently, we can argue that indeed, the presence in the media is very time consuming and hence this time is missing for regular work at the university.
Finally, and most importantly, the reading states that also the public benefits due to the fact that it is exposed to experts knowledge. However, the lecturer again contradicts the claim as most professors in the media do not offer serious, high quality lectures. Instead their comments usually are about the same quality like regular TV program and hence do not offer additional knowledge.
In summary, the professor casts serious doubts on the main standpoint of the passage. We can safely assume that indeed professors in the media do not provide advantages for themselves, the university and the public due to the reasons provided above.
Thanks a lot for reading and scoring