<p>Here's a practice essay from BB practice test 4. I would appreciate it a lot if people could grade it and/or give me feedback! I probably should have left more room for the conclusion on this one, I'm thinking. I'm nervous about the essay because it's my first time taking the SAT and I haven't been paying much attention to it. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>*PROMPT: The old saying, "be careful what you wish for," may be an appropriate warning. The drive to achieve a particular goal can dangerously narrow one's perspective and encourage the fantasy that success in one endeavor will solve all of life's difficulties. In fact, success can sometimes have unexpected consequences. Those who propel themselves toward the achievement of one goal often find that their lives are worse once "success" is achieved than they were before.</p>
<p>Can success be disastrous? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position...*</p>
<p>MY ESSAY:</p>
<pre><code> If asked what his or her aim or dream in life is, most people in the world would respond with some variation of the word "success." He or she may want to succeed in a particular career, a sport, in relationships, or in other disciplines. However, though success in a certain endeavor is the greatly desired goal of many individuals, the price of this achievement can sometimes be more than people can handle. In this case, unforseen circumstances can cause someone's success to be disastrous. Two examples of this occurrence include the extravagance of the 1920s in America and Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War.
The 1920s in American history was one of extraordinary extravagance and indulgence. The times seemed to be as wonderful as was possible: new wealth was discovered along with a free, more liberal new morality. The stock market reflected America's apparent success during this time by steadily climbing higher and higher, encouraging growth. However, there was a downside to this success. People, caught up in the excitement of the times, began buying goods on credit and stocks on margin that they couldn't actually afford, causing the stock market to become incredibly unstable. Finally, in 1929, the stock market crashed, beginning the devastating ten-year Great Depression that would cripple the country. These devastating effects resulted from the success people experienced during the decade.
In addition to the extravagance of the 1920s, another example of how success can be disastrous is apparant in Sherman's March to the Sea, a strategic maneuver made by Union General Sherman during the Civil War that was instrumental in ending the conflict. In order to force the Confederate states to return to the Union, General Sherman decided to employ total war to strike fear in the hearts of the people. He marched with his army to Atlanta, burning homes, fields, and crops as he went. Though his tactic brought success to the North, it came with a price: the areas he passed through were utterly devastated and took multiple years to recover from the damage.
Thus, success can sometimes bring harm instead of good, as evidenced by the 1920s and Sherman's March to the Sea.
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