Adam D. answered • 10/24/20
UCLA PhD Specializing in College Essays, PIQs, and Supplements
To approach a question like this, I would advise the writer to begin by choosing words with which they are most comfortable. Make sure there are at least 20 words with definitions you can freely recite, and if that isn’t the case, look them up. If it would be easier, write down a definition next to each of them. Next, start thinking about the connotations of these words, do they mean something “good” or “bad?” Something positive or negative? You might want to separate these words into groups.
A question like this is testing your fluency, a person who was really comfortable with the vocabulary could pick nearly any topic and weave many of these in. Starting with a topic first is a good approach here.
For example, using the idea of pet ownership, a few sentences spring to mind.
Many people believe that the confinement of a dog in a kennel or crate is a humane way of treating an animal. Others despise this practice, believing that locking up a dog is thoroughly unsuitable.
Pick a topic about which you are knowledgeable or enjoy!
