TOEFL ESSAY [Ambidextrous people]

The main idea of the reading passage is that ambidextrous people actually have more advantages than left-handed or right-handed people, whereas the speaker argues against the points presented by the reading passage.

 

The first point that the lecturer argues is the ablest performers. The writer claims that ambidextrous people are the ablest performers of various tasks including sports, music and surgery. However, the professor opposes the writer's argument based on the assertion that ambidextrous people are not proficient at performing various tasks. For example, unlike left- or right-handed people, who have a preferred and therefore more specialized hand, ambidextrous people divide their proficiency between two hands. Therefore, their proficiency is not on a par with right- or left-handed individuals. This argument is supported by the study of chimpanzees, the closest relatives to humans. According to a study of chimpanzees' termite-eating, right- or left-handed chimpanzees ate more termites than the ambidextrous ones.

 

Another point that the lecturer argues is historical figures' abilities. As mentioned in the reading passage, ambidextrous people in history, such as Michelangelo and Einstein, worked more efficiently. However, the lecturer maintains that people like Michelangelo and Einstein are rare exceptions whose abilities cannot be attributed only to ambidexterity. There should be other factors that contribute to their efficiency. Moreover, in the case of chimpanzees, ambidextrous ones do not perform better than left- or right- handed ones.

 

The last point of the lecturer argues is increasing brain size. The writer contends that ambidexterity increases people's brain size. Moreover, ambidextrous people are more emotionally independent and determined. On the contrary, the professor points out ambidexterity may increase brain size and activity, but it can also interfere with the ability to learn. For example, it can result in neurological disorders such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, which are serious learning disabilities.

 

In sum, the professor casts doubts on the writer's idea.