Reаding Pаssаge fоr Final Writing Exam Have yоu heard abоut the idiom “to cut corners?” This phrase comes from driving. It’s when you come to a sharp turn in the road and, instead of going all the way to the corner, you go straight across and cut off the corner to save time by shortening the distance you travel. Cutting corners in this sense means doing something badly or cheaply because things were left out of a process that should not have been. Cutting corners could imply laziness or complacency. If someone says “I won’t cut corners just to save money. I put quality first,” it means doing something poorly in order to save time or money. You can find many examples of someone cutting corners on the news and on newspaper’s or magazine’s headlines that create scandals to get the consumers’ attention. For example, “Teachers were virtually giving answers to students in order to boost standardized test scores,” or “A local flagship company was being fined millions of dollars for price fixing.” (taken from: https://www.bloomsbury-international.com/student-ezone/idiom-of-the-week/1694-to-cut-corners/) Final Essay Prompts (Select One) Describe a time in your life when you had to cut corners in order to finish something fast or buy something cheaper. Support your main points with specific details, reasons, and examples. Describe a time in the life of someone you know well had to cut corners in order to finish something fast or buy something cheaper. Support your main points with specific details, reasons, and examples.
Reаding Pаssаge fоr Final Writing Exam The idiоm "burning the midnight оil" refers to working or studying late into the night, often sacrificing sleep to complete a demanding task or meet an impending deadline. This expression originates from the pre-electricity era when people relied on oil lamps for light, and staying awake past sundown required burning additional lamp oil. Over time, the phrase has evolved to symbolize persistence, diligence, and a strong work ethic, though it can also carry connotations of fatigue or unsustainable effort. For instance, an ambitious professional might say, "I’ve been burning the midnight oil every night this week to finalize the presentation for our client." While this demonstrates their dedication, it also suggests the potential toll on their physical and mental well-being. This idiom, therefore, serves as a reminder of the fine line between hard work and burnout, emphasizing the importance of balancing productivity with self-care. Final Essay Prompts (Select One) Based on what you read about the idiom "burning the midnight oil," write an essay about how it reflects both positive and negative aspects of hard work. Support your main points with specific details, reasons, and examples. Have you or has someone you know ever "burned the midnight oil" to complete a task? Write an essay describing the situation or the challenge(s) you or someone you know faced, and whether the experience was worth the effort. Support your main points with specific details, reasons, and examples.