ACT Writing Sample Essays | Science for ACT PDF Download

Sample Prompt

The provided prompt, "Intelligent Machines," serves as a typical example of the prompts utilized in the ACT writing test.

The prompt presents a specific issue and offers three distinct perspectives on that issue. Your task is to carefully read and contemplate the matter and the perspectives provided. Subsequently, you need to articulate your own perspective on the issue and analyze how it relates to at least one of the other perspectives. It is important to note that your score will not be influenced by the particular perspective you choose to adopt regarding the issue.

Intelligent Machines

Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.

Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each suggests a particular way of thinking about the increasing presence of intelligent machines.

Perspective One: What we lose with the replacement of people by machines is some part of our own humanity. Even our mundane daily encounters no longer require from us basic courtesy, respect, and tolerance for other people.
Perspective Two: Machines are good at low-skill, repetitive jobs, and at high-speed, extremely precise jobs. In both cases they work better than humans. This efficiency leads to a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone.

Perspective Three: Intelligent machines challenge our long-standing ideas about what humans are or can be. This is good because it pushes both humans and machines toward new, unimagined possibilities.

Sample Essay 1

Intelligent machines have both positive and negative implications. On one hand, they can streamline processes and make tasks easier. However, they also have the potential to replace human jobs if individuals are unable to adapt and operate them effectively. This can lead to unemployment as businesses opt for machines to perform tasks independently. Additionally, there is a risk of malfunction or frequent breakdowns, resulting in financial losses as these machines are often expensive to purchase. Despite these drawbacks, many businesses still invest in intelligent machines. Unfortunately, some end up encountering issues such as malfunctioning or non-functional machines, resulting in wasted resources. This raises concerns about the overall benefit of these machines for individuals and the community, as they contribute to job losses.

Sample Essay 2

Should machines replace humans in performing goods and services? In my opinion, they should not, and there are several reasons to support this stance. Firstly, machines lack true intelligence unless they are controlled by humans. Regardless of whether they are considered intelligent machines or not, human intervention is necessary for their operation.

One major concern when relying on machines is the potential for malfunctions. Troubleshooting problems can be challenging and time-consuming, whereas if a human were in charge, there might be fewer issues to address. The numerous problems associated with machines often make their use more of a hassle than it is worth.

Furthermore, the increased use of machines means fewer job opportunities for people. The prevailing belief that machines are superior to human labor leads to unemployment and financial hardships for individuals. This loss of employment translates into reduced income, which can have severe consequences such as homelessness or inability to afford basic necessities.

Working with machines can also be highly stressful due to their unreliable nature. They may experience technical glitches, operate at sluggish speeds, or fail to accomplish tasks effectively. While machines may appear intelligent, their functionality heavily relies on human control, rendering them insufficient in terms of independent decision-making.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that machines should not replace humans in job roles since machines lack the ability to think and make informed decisions. Machines do not possess cognitive abilities and are incapable of replacing human intellect. It is more logical to utilize our own capabilities rather than relying solely on machines that fundamentally lack human reasoning.

Sample Essay 3

Machines play a significant role in our daily lives, and their impact can be both positive and negative. While they have revolutionized various aspects of our lives, there are certain drawbacks to consider.

One concerning aspect is the potential loss of our human qualities as we become overly reliant on machines. Excessive use of devices such as cellphones, computers, and video games can lead to a decline in interpersonal skills, including basic courtesy, respect, and tolerance. When individuals become heavily dependent on these machines, they may neglect human interaction and fail to exercise self-motivation, ultimately affecting our societal values.

In the workplace, machines have brought about significant changes to job dynamics. They excel in performing repetitive tasks with precision and high speed, often outperforming humans in terms of accuracy. However, this advancement in technology also poses a threat to employment opportunities. As more machines are introduced, a considerable number of people face the risk of job displacement. Therefore, machines have both positive and negative effects in the workplace.

Despite their drawbacks, machines have also contributed positively to our society. Their advancement has spurred individuals to push their limits and pursue higher levels of education and expertise in order to keep up with technological advancements. Moreover, the study of machines and their potential has opened doors to unimagined possibilities, introducing new ideas and innovations into the world. Machines possess the potential to bring about positive change in addition to their negative impact.

In conclusion, machines have a profound influence on our lives, affecting us both at home and in the workplace. While they can motivate individuals to strive harder and compete, they also have the potential to erode our sense of common courtesy. Nonetheless, machines play a significant role in today's technology-driven world and will continue to shape our future. It is essential to strike a balance and harness their potential while preserving our human qualities and values.

Sample Essay 4

As our modern society continues to advance, it appears that our civility is regressing. While machines offer benefits and contribute to our societal growth, it is crucial to acknowledge their significant drawbacks. Relying on machines as substitutes for human employees has adverse economic implications, and the increasing use of machines diminishes opportunities for human-to-human interactions.

As we strive towards a future that seemed once distant, machines have evolved to become more refined and sophisticated, while human beings have seemingly lost the ability to demonstrate even basic courtesy or mutual respect. Various machines, such as self-checkouts, provide convenience and save time, but this convenience comes at the cost of missed opportunities for meaningful human interactions. The diminishing opportunities for genuine connection result in a decline in understanding and respect among individuals. Furthermore, the pursuit of convenience has become increasingly important. As machines continue to evolve and we, as humans, devolve, there is a growing emphasis on making machines more innovative and precise, enabling users to access everything at their fingertips. For instance, smartphones have made it effortless to participate in "social networking," giving the illusion of enhanced social engagement. However, these interactions lack the soulful connection that is becoming increasingly rare, leading to a de-socialization of people.

Machines have gained popularity in the workplace, with the promise of financial benefits. However, these benefits are limited to a select few, while those who lose their jobs experience no such advantages. The rise in job losses not only impacts the overall economy but also contributes to heightened social tensions and further de-socialization. While society has undoubtedly benefited from technological advances, ranging from indoor plumbing to instant communication, an excessive pursuit of technology can lead to an obsession that harms our humanity.

As more and more machines strive to "make our lives easier" and promote "progress," there seems to be a decline in our human growth. The role of machines should be focused on aiding us as a whole rather than replacing us as individuals. While machines have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in propelling us into the future, we must not overlook the loss of human jobs and etiquette. It is crucial to recognize that an excess of a good thing can ultimately become detrimental.

Sample Essay 5

It is common knowledge that the modern workforce no longer solely consists of humans, as machines are being developed to carry out various tasks. This shift towards automation has the potential to significantly enhance productivity and efficiency, particularly in simple and repetitive tasks. While some individuals express concerns about this trend, believing it may have negative consequences, the advantages offered by these machines outweigh such worries.

Companies that embrace automation generally believe that robots can outperform humans in many tasks. For instance, in the automotive industry, robots are programmed to manufacture most of a car's individual components, exhibiting superior precision and output compared to human workers. Additionally, the use of robots reduces production costs substantially. For example, if a company can purchase a machine for a one-time cost of $30,000 instead of hiring an employee for $50,000 per year to perform a simple task, opting for the machine becomes a more cost-effective choice. Lower production costs translate to lower prices for consumers, benefiting everyone involved. Companies argue that employing machines for low-skill jobs has an overall positive impact on all parties.

Beyond the industrial benefits, some envision machines shaping the future of humanity. The continuous innovation and invention of increasingly intelligent machines can propel us towards uncharted possibilities. Consider the example of the first airplane—the dream of human flight became a reality, leading to a multi-billion dollar industry and countless advancements. It is impossible to foresee the extent of advancements that may be achieved with even more advanced machines. The potential is limitless.

However, there are those who hold reservations about this progress and advancement. They argue that decreased interaction with fellow humans results in a decline in courtesy and tolerance. While there may be some truth to this concern, the minor cost of diminished human interaction is outweighed by the significant increase in efficiency. Take, for instance, self-checkout systems in grocery stores. They allow consumers to swiftly complete their purchases, saving time during each shopping trip. While the time saved in each instance may seem trivial, the cumulative effect over numerous visits can translate to hours of saved time, enabling individuals to dedicate more of their lives to pursuits of greater interest and meaning.

Whether humans embrace it or not, the popularity of machines in the workplace is increasing, diminishing the need for human labor in certain roles. This trend can contribute to societal advancement, improved end products or services, and reduced consumer costs. While some individuals may fear change, it is essential to recognize that the past is behind us, and our focus must be on the future.

Sample Essay 6

The rapid acceptance of technological advancements in our society has led to a lack of critical evaluation of their consequences. People's excitement about the possibilities offered by new technologies often blinds them to potential negative effects. Proceeding without caution and thoughtful consideration would undoubtedly result in disastrous consequences if we replace the natural with the mechanical.

The economic implications alone should give pause to those considering a hasty mechanical takeover. If robots become more prevalent in the workplace, it is certain that humans would be replaced. Initially, businesses may benefit from the efficiency of robots, but over time, a depressed job market would leave a population struggling to meet basic needs and unable to afford the products manufactured by these robots. Society would suffer if it fails to address the economic consequences of surrendering everything to machines.

Our careless embrace of automation has already had an impact on our culture. Automation has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our lives, from shopping to banking to using telephones. The result is evident: a lack of basic respect for our fellow human beings, as increased interaction with machines makes us accustomed to treating them rudely. This cultural saturation with automation leads to rudeness and fosters intolerance, ultimately eroding our societal fabric.

Despite these challenges, some argue that the increasing intelligence of machines is a positive development, as it can alleviate human workload. Computer processors double in power and capability each year, and projections indicate that computers could achieve human-level intelligence as early as 2025. The implications of this shift remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: we are moving too swiftly to anticipate and prevent potential harm to the human species. We are approaching this change without a safety net in place. Therefore, it is crucial for us as a species to slow down our technological advancement, allowing us to thoroughly consider all the implications of such a significant change. We must address negative societal and cultural consequences before fully embracing the integration of automated, intelligent machines.

Slowing down the incorporation of mechanical influence is important to mitigate the potential dangers associated with blind acceptance. Preferring the mechanical over the natural not only interferes with the job market and the economy but also poses a serious threat to our overall culture. Combined with the uncertainty surrounding the increasing intelligence of machines, it is undoubtedly in the best interest of the human species to slow down technological progress, enabling us to prevent further damage if necessary.