Hello, I completed this in an online timed practice test. As you'll notice it's not complete and there may be some spelling/grammatical mistakes (I ran out of time). Any critiques or feedback helps!

Topic:

A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.


Response:

Although there are some topics I believe should be taught to every student in a country, I believe there should also be room for free choice in other areas of student's education before college so that they can engage in topics that they find enjoyable and that may be more culturally relevant to their region within the country.

Topics that I believe should mandatory for all students in a nation are math (up to basic algebra), reading and writing comprehension, and critical thinking, as these skills can be beneficial to an individual past their academic studies even if they do not attend college.

Math up to algebra can help an individual with personal financial management, as well as help them with many careers where they have the responsibility of managaing cash.

Reading and writing comprehension allows an individual to enjoy literature and communicate effectively in their personal and professional lives (as in email communication in a work environment). It also provides individuals with the skills to teach themselves new topics of interest outside of college by way of reading a self-teaching book or through accessing online resources.

Critical thinking can be invaluable to an individual, as this provides them with the skills to analyze a topic that they may encounter, such as an opinion report on the news or a post on social media, and reflect on their own sentiments towards the topic. It can also help them participate in continuing the discourse on such topics, which is beneficial not only to them as an indivdual, but could impact the society in which they belong.

That being said, there should be room for students to choose special courses of personal interest to themselves, which may not be a common interest amongst a nationwide student body. Myself, I was part of a dance program from grade 10 through 12, in which one course every day was a dance class of various styles. A program like this was very enriching, and made my academic life before colege very enjoyable. I believe many students who have the chance to choose special courses like I did, maybe it be an art class or a sports class, would also find these topics enriching to their school experience.

As well, there may be courses that are more relevant to some regions of a country as compared to others, therefore courses that may be geared toward preparing students for what is most relevant in their surrounding environment may prove to be beneficial. Some students who live in rural areas may find courses in agriculture more benefical than a course that teaches about rural livinig.

IN conclusion, I believe that math, writ