GMAT考试写作指导：Argument范文八三

　　7. In this argument the author concludes that people trying to lose weight are better

　　off consuming sugar than the artificial sweetener aspartame. To support this conclusion

　　the author argues that aspartame can cause weight gain by triggering food cravings,

　　whereas sugar actually enhances the bodys ability to bum fat. Neither of these reasons

　　provides sufficient support for the conclusion.

　　The first reason that aspartame encourages food cravings is supported by research

　　findings that high level s of aspartame deplete the brain chemical responsible for

　　registering a sense of being sated, or full. But the authors generalization based on this

　　research is unreliable. The research was based on a sample in which large amounts of

　　aspartame were administered; however, the author applies the research findings to s

　　target population that includes all aspartame users, many of whom would probably not

　　consume high levels of the artificial sweetener.

　　The second reason that sugar enhances the bodys ability to bum fat is based on

　　the studies in which experimental groups, whose members consumed sugar after at least

　　45 minutes of continuous exercise, showed increased rates of fat burning. The authors

　　general claim, however, applies to all dieters who use sugar instead of aspartame, not

　　just to those who use sugar after long periods of exercise. Once again, the authors

　　generalization is unreliable because it is based on a sample that clearly does not

　　represent all dieters.

　　To conclude, each of the studies cited by the author bases its findings on evidence

　　that does not represent dieters in general; for this reason, neither premise of this

　　argument is a reliable generalization. Consequently, I am not convinced that dieters are

　　better off consuming sugar instead of aspartame.