In any field of endeavor, it is impossible to make a significant contribution without first being strongly influenced by past achievements within that field.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

The following is my response,

I believe that it is possible to make a significant contribution without first being strongly influenced by past achievements within that field because of persistent effort and determination. Humans are naturally gifted with fighting spirit against the things that are difficult to deal with. Even in the ancient period which lacks technology and innovations, humans have contributed many pharaonic achievements like discovery of fire, wheels and many tools where there is no record of past achievements influence. But knowledge of past achievements is needed for sustainable development.

In politics, politician or the party may fail in one or two elections but they can revitalize the power by enlightening their past achievements and contributions done to the society. This can make them to succeed in the elections which reflect the glory of previous achievements in the same field. Experience plays a major role here which is a key factor to success.

In contrast to the claim or in partial acceptance to the claim, without the influence of past achievements one can make the impossible thing possible by determination as described in first paragraph. A tyro can also become a wizard in a particular field with strong determination and passion. An artist in his/her childhood starts just by scribbling the paper with pencil which is the start for his/her career. After practicing the art throughout the years he can become a profound artist making the proverb “Practice makes the man perfect” true.

Another example is the people who prepares for GRE tests like me. Having inchoate knowledge in vocabulary, they are able to score tremendous marks in GRE in quite short time. All this happens because of their endeavor of getting admissions in their dream universities. Here their background of study doesn’t come to play. Hence no past achievements in this field are also needed. One having a diminutive knowledge of vocabulary can also get good score by practicing vocabulary regularly.

Finally the claim given here is both agreeable and disagreeable to some extent according to the particular situation. With strong endeavor and persistent determination one can make possible significant contribution to the field even without having the influence of past achievements.