Practice Exam 1 ❮ 20712Stegner Passage—Student Sample A
Wallace Stegner writes in an essay, “Without any remaining wilderness we arecommitted wholly, without chance for even momentary reflection and rest, to a headlong
drive into our technological termite-life, the Brave New World of a completely man-
controlled environment.” This excerpt attempts to convey that humankind is on a direct
path to a highly mechanical and technological world; one that is ideal in man’s quest
for scientific and technological dominance over nature. According to Stegner, man has
neglected to stop and smell the proverbial patch of roses. The idea that humankind
aims at ultimately dominating the earth with its technological advances can be tenable.
However, Stegner’s argument is fallacious because people DO pause to observe and
introspect.
Humans have been in constant search of enlightenment in the world since timeimmemorial. Like all other organisms, man tends to innovate in order to better
adapt to his natural surroundings. As time progresses, man develops more and better
ways to survive. From the days of the Enlightenment, to the Scientific Revolution, to
the Industrial Revolution, and to the computerized world of today, humankind has
persistently been pursuing ways to analyze and control his en vironment. During the
Mid-Range Essay- Correctly identifies Stegner’s position and attitude about the environment and wilderness
- Understands the demands of the prompt
- Clearly states the position of the writer
- Presents a generally adequate argument that makes use of appropriate examples
- Less well-developed than the high-range essay
- Ideas clearly stated
- A few lapses in diction or syntax
Low-Range Essay- Inadequate response to the prompt
- Misunderstands, oversimplifies, or misrepresents Stegner’s position and attitude
- Insufficient or inappropriate use of examples to develop the writer’s position
- Lack of mature control of elements of essay writing
This prompt posed some difficulties for students. Many had a tendency to address
only one aspect of it: the loss of wilderness. Often, they did not adequately connect this to
the Brave New World concept of a human-controlled environment. The stronger writers
included references to and discussions of the “reflection and rest” in their essays. Many
student writers opposed Stegner’s position by expanding on the concept of wilderness.
Those who agreed with Stegner cited pertinent illustrations ranging from the rain forest to
gasoline princes to overpopulation and the ozone layer. Contradictory and qualifying essays
relied heavily on humankind’s “frontier spirit” and artistic endeavors.