5. The Tape Recorder
The tape recorder is one of the most welcome and popular electronic devices ever invented. For example, it can reproduce sounds quite well, which are hardly distinguishable from the original. Besides, it is very handy and can be carried around. Furthermore, tape recorders are not so expensive as color TV sets or video-tape players, so most families can afford them. Therefore, the tape recorder is liked by everyone and has entered most homes.
This device is useful in many ways. For example, it is used by people to play music and thus gives them a lot of pleasure. Another example is that it is an effective aid for learning a foreign language. It may also serve as a useful tool for many professionals such as reporters and policemen and enables them to work efficiently.
However, it can also become a nuisance. Some youngsters play the tape recorder late at night and therefore disturb their neighbours’ rest. Some shop-owners use it to attract customers and they often play music so loudly that customers feel very annoyed with it. Thus, the tape recorder should be put to good use.
6. Studying Abroad
Attending schools abroad has many advantages. In the first place, by looking at our own country from outside, we can best see the strong points and weak points of our nation and therefore widen our vision and broaden our minds. Second, while studying in a foreign country, we can travel widely, visiting famous scenic spots and making friends with the local people. Thirdly we can use the foreign language in our daily life so that our ability in the second language may be improved quickly. But the most important thing in attending a foreign university is to get acquainted with the latest knowledge in science and technology and make use of the first-rate facilities available. For all these advantages, it is really worthwhile to go abroad for education.
However, as everything has two sides, there are also some disadvantages in attending a foreign university. The most serious problem is the language barrier. Most of the students who are ready to go abroad do not adequate knowledge of the language spoken there. As a result, on arriving there, they will find it difficult to understand what the instructors are saying. Besides, for lack of knowledge of the customs and way of life of the local people, they may run into trouble in dealing with various situations. Therefore, misunderstandings often arise. Furthermore, the cost of living is much higher than that in our country, so most students have to find part-tine jobs in order to help support themselves. Faced with these difficulties, many students find themselves unable to pay full attention to their studies and some students may even fail in their courses and learn little.
Therefore, given an opportunity to attend a school abroad, one must consider both sides of the factors carefully before making up his mind. On the whole, it is a good thing to go and study abroad particularly when the subject is very weak or not available in our country. But on the other hand, one must not lose sight of the disadvantages.
7.
Is the Expansion of Enrollment a Good Thing?
Many colleges and universities have expanded their enrollment since 1998. The reasons for the expansion are as follows. Firstly, they want to keep up with the need of the job market to produce more qualified people to take up the jobs. Secondly, the expansion has entitled many high school graduates to the right of receiving higher education. Last but not least, it can raise the intellectual standards of our nation.
However, studies show that the trend to expand has brought about many problems. For instance, the teaching facilities and accommodation capacities of many colleges and universities are limited and are unable to meet the demand of an ever-increasing number of the newly enrolled students. On the other hand, the average quality of the freshmen is declining. In the long run, hunting for a job will be a tough thing for the graduates and that will inevitably exert much pressure on the prospects of employment.
In spite of all this, I am still confident that the expansion of enrollment is of great benefit to our society and is a good thing. With the development of our national economy, the problem as mentioned above will be solved if proper measures are taken.
8.
Getting to Know the World Outside the Campus
1.大学生了解社会的必要性
2.了解社会的途径(大众媒介，社会服务等)
3.我打算怎么做
With the development of our society, the campus no longer be an “Ivory Tower”. It is necessary for college students to go outside to get to know the world. They should acquire knowledge not only from books but also from the society. Thus they can adapt to society more quickly after they graduate from school. Science and technology are developing rapidly with each passing day. Most students can keep themselves informed by watching TV, listening to the radio, reading newspapers and using computers. It’s also good to take a part-time job, such as tutoring, or working in a restaurant. Any of these methods will enable students to get in touch with society.
Summer vacation will soon be here. I’ve already enrolled to be a volunteer to help others. I think I can do well. Although I won’t be paid, the most important thing is that I can learn a lot about society.
9. Harmfulness of Fake Commodities
1.目前社会上有不少假冒伪劣商品(fake commodities)。为什么会有这种现象？
2.举例说明假冒伪劣商品对消费个人、社会等的危害。
Nowadays in the society, there are enormous fake commodities. When you go to the supermarket, you may buy some fake food commodities. When you go to the pharmacist’s, you may buy some fake medicine.
The deep root of this phenomenon lies in someone’s greed for money. In order to get a large amount of money in a short time, they try every means to produce fake commodities, without any regard for other people’s benefit and health.
Fake commodities can do great harm to both consumers and society. For example, when a person bought fake medicine, it was useless in curing his disease and really a waste of money. Sometimes fake medicine can even cause death. Fake commodities are usually sold in a lower price. It causes unfair competition in the market economy and puts the whole society in disorder.
10.
1.别人请求帮助时，在什么情况下我们会说“不”
2.为什么有些人在该说“不”的时候不说“不”
3.该说“不”时不说“不”的坏处
Don’t Hesitate to Say “No”
To help those who are in need is always regarded as a traditional Chinese moral. However people have to know well what the need is before the help is offered. When the need is just for some minority’s benefit and against most people’s interests, or when it is immoral or unlawful, people should not hesitate to say No. Otherwise they will put themselves into trouble.
Unfortunately, there are so many such examples around us that people end up their leadership in jail or bury their glory in shame simply because they don’t’ say “No” while they should. Some people are reluctant to say “No” in front of all kinds of briberies as they want to swamp their power for money. They can’t resist the temptations of accumulating wealth in a fast but illegal way. For their own good and their friend’s favor, these people would sacrifice millions of RMB Yuan for an unproportional commission and therefore stake there future on scales of law. Other people don’t say No because of misinterpreted friendship and lack of sense of law. They never hesitate to do whatever their friends ask them to do. They believe they are helping their friends even when they are actually violating the law or local regulations. Such people will also be punished according to the degree of their misbehavior.
Therefore, to help is not always doing good. People should learn to say a No when the help might hurt other people’s interests.
