I'm new here. I'm taking TOEFL on August 13. I have written several essays and tried to revise them on my own, but I still have trouble evaluating my own essays. Could you please grade the following essay? Thanks a lot.
Topic 95 - Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
The peaceful sky of summer night never fails to grab our attention: novelists and artists regard the space as a fanciful world to set their inspiration, while more realistic scientists and goverments are planning to make use of unknown source yet to be found in the space. However, although space exploration is important, states should never incur unduly high costs on this project. [I'm not sure whether this introduction is too wordy or not...]
The first reason of my argument lies in the fact that so far, few countries in the world have the courage to claim that there are no more urgent issues to be solved other than space exploration. Look at the bony children suffering from starvation, the desperate farmers facing another serious famine, and the disappointed employees fired because of the economic depression. Not to mention the destroyed nature and the worsening global warming. How could a responsible government ignore these facts and just go on to pour money to the unpredicted space research? After all, no one knows when we will make the next significant descovery about space or how such a discovery would change our lives, but almost every one knows that every dollar spent to fight poverty, unemployment and environment protection will help to change the world a better place.
And what is more, even for a party aimed to maintain its presidency, spending more money on improving people's livelihood is more reasonable than pouring dollars to the unknown space. Admittedly, while watching the Apollo astronaut bound along on the Moon's surface, most American people were struck with a strong feeling of patriotism; but such progresses are so rare that the patriotism triggered is almost immediately eclipsed by the disappointment with the government when it fails to provide the poor with enough food and shelters. As far as I am concerned, a logical and intelligent president will drop the enthusiastic, or even crazy idea.
Considering the two points listed above, it is relatively precise to say that putting space travel at the first position is ridiculous and even stupid of a government. After all, it is people that is of the greatest importance. But it does not mean that we should completely set aside our dreams about the space. Personally speaking, governments should support such projects, but not at the expense of more urgent issues.
I appreciate your help... I am worrying about the Rule #5...