1991
What I Usually Do after Class
Many students spend their after-class time for entertainment. Some go to the sports ground. Some go to the clubs. But nearly everyday after class I would sit amidst the garden plants, practicing oral English with one of my classmates or a friend from other classes.
It is good to have some entertainment after class. But I think it more sensible to use the time for my oral English improvement because, as an international-business student, good oral presentation ability will certainly add to my success in the future.
However, our curriculum doesn't offer us enough time practicing speaking English, as there are too many teacher-speaking English courses and courses in Chinese. During class hours, you don't have the time to speak English, and neither can you find a partner, because all the others are busy having classes.
The only way out is to practice my oral English after class, when there are both time and partners. Still, hope the school will adjust our curriculum so that we will have more chance to practice oral English during class hours.
1992
My View on Reading Extensively
Our teachers often urge us to read more. They ask us to read famous works by writers both in China and in the world, to read books of both literature and science, and both in past times and modern. I think reading extensively like this is very good for us students.
For the students, the knowledge taught at classes is limited, and sometimes, the teachers fail to give satisfactory answers to questions put up by their students. This is because class hours and the teachers' knowledge are both limited. Through reading extensively, we can solve these problems. Also, books can take us to wonderful places where we can never be, or lead us to great persons whom we can never meet. This kind of pleasure certainly can't be shared with those who don't read.
As one of my teachers says, books are our most knowledgeable and convenient teachers and friends. I've learnt a lot through reading extensively and I want to read more. I really enjoy it.
1993
My Idea of Becoming a Teacher in the Future
Most of the students want to be a business person, some want to work in a government department, while only a few want to be a teacher. I'm one of the few. I think teaching is a noble job, and it is beneficial, too.
China is now developing her economy, which can't be achieved without a solid foundation of science and technology. Without education advanced science and technology is out of the question. It's safe to say that teachers play a decisive role in the country's economic development. Besides the importance of their job, China's teachers enjoy a lot of special benefits. The job is secure; salaries are guaranteed; and, there are two vacations in a year, one is a month long, the other lasts 2 months, of which people in other occupations are often jealous.
It's glorious to do what the country most needs us to do. And personally I like the profession of teaching. Now I'm working hard to make myself a qualified teacher.
1994
TV: a good thing or a bad thing?
Nowadays TV has gotten into nearly every person's life. Most people spend their spare time watching TV programs. People like doing this because TV is a good thing in many aspects.
First, TV is a good source of information. News programs and commercials timely and completely provide information about world affairs, domestic problems, sports events, and business developments. Second. TV is an effective tool of education. Millions of students take the same TV lecture at the same time. No school can afford such a large class room. Third, TV is a convenient means of entertainment. People can view plays, movies, and art shows without taking the trouble of going to the theatres.
Information, education, and entertainment are so important that TV becomes part of People's life. It is really a good thing today. However, if we further improve the quality of programs and clear sex and violence off the screen, it will be a better thing tomorrow.
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1995
Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Part-Time Job
Nowadays, many college students have a part-time job. They work in their spare time in bars, restaurants, or at their client's home as a tutor. The up side of this is it can make them more independent. The down side is it is harmful to their study and their mind.
Traditionally, the Chinese parents take care of everything for their children until they get married, which makes the young too dependent. Earning money through their own efforts helps them see the value of labour so that they want to be more independent. However, working off campus takes a lot of time from their study. Specially for us language students, basic language skills demand time-consuming practice. Working more outside means working less at school. Moreover, a bulging purse can easily turn one from knowledge learning to money pursuing.
Comparing the two sides, there are more disadvantages than advantages. To us students, knowledge is more important than independence. It's not wise to earn a little money at the cost of neglecting one's study.
1996
The Main Difference Between My College Life and My Middle School Life
According to my experience, college life is more independent and that in middle school is the other way round. My middle school teachers often talked through the whole class and we were there to memorize everything. Homework was so assigned that we didn't have a minute of our own. But my college professors just show us different ways of solving problems and then leave us alone to get the conclusion. We have a lot of free time after class for our own plans.
Comparing the two, I like the college life better. It is important for us students to learn to be independent because after college we will be left alone struggling in the vast sea of the society, and there we have to solve problems that need us to make decisions by ourselves—there will be no teachers over your shoulders.
Middle school life and college life are both necessary experiences. However, if the middle, school teachers let go their reins a little, their students will be better prepared for college life.
The Main Difference Between My College Life and My Middle School Life
College life is quite different from middle school life. We, for example, have greater academic pressure, and we have more chance to meet learned scholars. Among various differences, I enjoy the “freedom” of college life most.
I prefer college life to middle school life because I am free in the college. Firstly, in the college, I can enjoy the freedom to make decisions. After classes I am free; I can decide what to do and how to do it on my will and out of my interest. No one “orders” me to do extra exercises, or to attend countless non-interesting “interest-oriented classes”. Secondly, in the college, I appreciate the free atmosphere of study. I am free to discuss various problems with my teachers. No one scolds me when I argue against his or her opinions. No one criticizes me “neglecting business” when I consult with my instructors over some topics on philosophy, politics, etc. However, in the middle school, I had no freedom to decide what to do, because attending college is the only dream of my parents and my teachers. In the middle school, I did not dare to argue with my teachers, for they had the standard answers to the questions.
Therefore, by comparison, I love the freedom of college life, which makes me feel like an adult. To the newcomers, I would suggest that we should make the best use of the “freedom” provided by the colleges to fully develop ourselves.
1997
More Pressure from Academic Studies Does No Good to Us
Everyone passing the entrance examination to university remembers the pressure in his senior high school. Entering the university or college, we should have less pressure from academic studies.
With less pressure from academic studies, we can learn to enjoy learning by ourselves. Also, we can learn some practical knowledge after classes, which will be very helpful after our graduation. In the meanwhile, we can get the time and energy to practice what we learn from the classes. We have even more time to improve our characters and to grow into a mature person. On the other hand, 2
more pressure from academic studies can make the students too tired to enjoy their studies. The only goal for the students is to pass all kinds of examinations, and to survive the graduation. They will not care how to get passed which will be fulfilled by cheating.
In one word, I call for less pressure form academic studies because more pressure will do bad to us.
More Pressure from Academic Studies Does Good to Us
Last Friday, the teacher of spoken English had us discuss the effect of pressure from academic studies on us students. Some of my classmates maintained that it would not be beneficial if the pressure increased. I did not side with this view for two reasons.
First, pressure is a necessary driving force. As society grows more and more competitive, college students must live up to future challenges foreseeable even today. Under pressure, each student must work hard. The good learners will try to take the lead, whereas the low achievers will do their utmost to catch up. Second, the pressure that exists among our students is far from sufficient. The teachers do give assignments from time to time, yet they have failed to keep the students busy enough. Quite a few of us idle away their time by playing video games, seeing films, watching TV, or playing cards. All these do not merely happen on weekends. By introducing more academic pressure into our life, the school can minimize the possibility of our doing wrong things.
In summary, I believe more pressure from academic studies does a great deal of good to us college students. It is not that fearsome as some of us assume. Putting it in the right perspective, none of us will break or collapse.
Section B Note-writing
May11th, 1997
Dear Victoria,
I was surprised not seeing you at my party yesterday until I terribly realized that I forgot to invite you. I am really sorry, Victoria. I planned to invite you when I borrowed your cook yesterday morning. However, you know, I saw you were really busy answering the phone from your mother at the time, so I forgot to invite you. Please accept my apology, Victoria. I hope that you can come to my home tomorrow afternoon and we can have tea together.
Yours,
Mary
Nov. 7
Dear Victoria,
This note is meant to be a token of my apology to you for having not invited you to a party held at my home last Sunday. It all happened quite by accident. Before the party, I scribbled a list of names and I clearly remember you were on the list. Then I asked my sister to call all of you one by one. Unfortunately, she misread your name and dialed a different friend of mine whose name happened to be spelt quite like yours. Finally, the same number of guests came and I was so careless that I didn't realize a mistake had occurred. I wish you, my closest friend, would forgive me.
Yours,
Peter
1998
One Way to Solve the Problem
To deal with the air pollution caused by vehicles in cities is a challenging job. My suggestion is to produce vehicles powered by solar energy.
Compared with mineral fuels such as gasoline, solar energy is inexhaustible in supply. The growth of cities and increase of vehicles call for more supply of energy, but there is a limit to the reserve of oil. Thus, solar energy with its endless supply is one of our solutions to energy crisis. The second advantage of solar energy is its cleanness. Traditional vehicles operating on gasoline give 3
off exhaust, causing damage to human health and polluting the air. From the perspective of environmental protection solar energy is a much better choice. After the new technology becomes economically feasible, the sky over cities will be brighter, and the air will no longer be a threat to our health.
Because of the two benefits of using solar energy as a new fuel, we should spend more money on the research which can make our dream come true.
One Way to Solve the Problem
It is now generally accepted that vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) are a major source of air pollution in cities. Some solutions to the problem have been proposed, such as reducing the number of vehicles and using lead-free petrol. However, I would suggest replacing petrol with electricity as the source of power.
The substitution of petrol with electricity is advantageous for at least two reasons. On the one hand, electricity is clean. As we know, the use of petrol has proved to be the most serious cause of pollution when we drive in vehicles. If electricity is applied, no pollutants will be yielded or produced. On the other hand, unlike petrol, electricity is almost inexhaustible. Now that many ways of generating electricity are available today, the resort to electricity may free us from the worry that the power needed for vehicle use may run out someday. As a consequence, we will not have to impose restrictions on the use of vehicles. Nor will we need to trim down their number.
To sum up, using electricity as power is arguably an ideal solution to the problem of vehicle pollution. It can both keep the air clean and permanently satisfy the needs of vehicle users. Section B Note-writing
May 10th, 1998
Dear George,
I have got a ticket to a computer fair for the coming Sunday at two o’clock in the afternoon. The fair will be held at the International Center for Convention and Exhibition. I shall not be free that day, so I send the ticket to you and I am sure that a computer wizard like you will be glad to go there. Bus No. 101 will take you directly to the center from our school.
Yours,
Mark
Oct. 18
Dear George,
I've got a ticket for a computer fair, but as I will go to Beijing on business this weekend. I won’t be able to attend it. So I’m now sending the ticket to you. You’re always been keen on playing with the computer. I think you may like to go to the fair.
Please find the ticket enclosed. Wish you would enjoy yourself there.
Yours,
Mark
1999
A Major Disadvantage of Advertising on Television
Most TV programs today are companied by all kinds of advertisements. They may be about various products or services or public benefits. Some of them are helpful to our life. Some of them, I must say, may get us into trouble.
Generally speaking, all advertisements give us information about the items they try to publicize, which can help us stop wandering around among various products and suffering the confusion of making our decision.
However, we may be misled by advertisements, especially by the false ones. Unfortunately, there are some false advertisements existing. Some of them boast too much about the advantage of 4
the products. Therefore, the customers may get the unreasonable illusion about it.
To improve the situation, our government should take more strict measures to control advertisements. In the meanwhile, we customers should use our minds to make good use of advertisements and to resist the temptation of spending too much money on the products that may turn out to be useless or even harmful to us.
A Major Advantage of Advertising on Television
We see advertisements on Television every day. Some people think that TV advertising brings us benefits, but others don't think so. In my opinion, it makes the consumers aware of the availability of products for their choice.
On Television we often find some advertisements about the same kind of products. At one time, for instance, VCD players of multitudinous brands dominated the prime time of CCTV1. Almost whetting on people's nerves, the advertisements did introduce a large variety of electronic products to them. Such being the case, the consumers can get well informed of the different VCD players, including their properties and functions. When they make a purchase, they are able to choose the right brand according to their need. All this was impossible, however, when people were ignorant of the choices available to them. More often than not, they would buy the best-known product or the locally made product.
In conclusion, TV advertising plays a very important role in our economic behavior. With abundant information available on TV, we can make sensible choices as consumers.
Section B Note-writing
May 10, 1999
Dear Jimmy,
I am very sorry to hear that you are ill these days. Are you feeling better now? I hope it is not anything serious. We’re all very concerned about you. Don't worry about your studies. I’ll help you catch up when you are well.
Get well soon.
Yours,
Johnny
Sep. 20
Dear Jimmy,
I'm very sorry to hear that you're ill these days. Are you down with a bad cold? Or is it because you worked too hard? Are you feeling better now? I really want to go and see you, but a new task my boss assigned yesterday has prevented me from paying you a visit. Any way, I'll come to you as soon as I finish it. Until then, I pray for your early recovery.
Yours,
Jim
2000
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Almost all the college freshmen expect their college life varied and colorful. Of course, the variety and colorfulness of their life are largely decided by the extracurricular activities. Therefore, how to improve the quality of the extracurricular activities is an important question that students as well as teachers should consider.
First, students can set up all kinds of communities on, say, chess, balls, etc. and arrange some matches regularly. In this way, those students with the same hobbies can easily improve their skills and have a lot more friends. Second, teachers can give some lectures on the hot topics after certain intervals. Students can get in touch with the recent development of the society and can also improve their knowledge. Third, the college can provide some chances for the students to practice their knowledge.
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In one word, it involves all the efforts from college, teachers and students themselves to get the quality of the college life improved.
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Dear editor,
College life is often said to be varied and colorful. And extracurricular activities are an important aspect of it. However, at present, I find there is much room for improvement in this regard. Among others, the necessity of extracurricular activities had not been adequately heeded. It is necessary, therefore, to drive home the importance of such activities.
Evidently, extracurricular activities are important in various ways. To start with, such activities can enrich the students’ college life. A student may ultimately grow tired of study if he spends all the time reading and writing. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Secondly, outside-class activities can help to develop the students' ability to cooperate and coordinate with others. Involved in those activities, the students shift their attention from individual effort to group performance. As a result, they will grow more aware of others' needs and functions in their life. Last but not least, extracurricular activities provide the students with an opportunity to practise what they have learned in books. Through the activities, the gap between the theory and reality can be bridged.
To sum up, extracurricular activities are of immense importance to the college students. Unless people are aware of their importance, we can never expect the college life to be fully enjoyable. Section B Note-writing
May 10th, 2007
Dear George,
I have heard that you are considering applying for a part-time job. The university library is now looking for an assistant working at weekends. I think you are the suitable person for the vacancy. You are careful, and love reading. Why not apply? I am sure you can get the job and enjoy it. Wish you success.
Yours,
Michael
Sep. 26
Dear George,
Yesterday I read on the notice board that our university library is looking for a part-time library assistant who can work at weekends. I know you've been looking for a part-time job, so I'm writing to tell you about the vacancy. I think you're the right person for the post, since you meet all the listed requirements. True, the job is not highly paid, but you only have to work at weekends. So why not go for an interview?
Wish you good luck.
Yours truly,
Tom
2001
TRAVEL BROADENS OUR MIND
It has become a fashion for us Chinese people to go traveling during the long holidays in recent years. People either travel abroad or go sightseeing within the country. In fact travel has already been turned into a part of our life. The significance of travel is obvious it can broaden our mind.
It is quite definite that travel can broaden our mind. Last summer, I visited Mount Tai, a world known natural scenery, and Qufu, a world famous historic and cultural city. On the top of the Mount Tai, I was deeply moved by the natural beauty, picturesque scenes and especially the inscriptions carved on the rocks by so many historical figures, who so profoundly expressed their love of our country. In Qufu, I was thoroughly attracted by our great culture and long history of 6
civilization, especially the school of elite thought by Confucious as the greatest educator. I felt very proud of cultural lineage. As a student of English from a Normal university, I was determined to introduce our great country with so many natural sceneries and so many places of historical relics to the world.
As an old saying goes: traveling ten thousand miles and reading ten thousand books is the top ideal for people. Travel really opens our mind because it enables us to know about the beautiful scenery, the long history and the great culture of a nation. Remember every time you travel around you will experience something new in mind.
Travel Broadens the Mind
It is absolutely right that “Travel can broaden the mind.” Through traveling, we learn that there are so many different places and people existing in the world.
On one hand, we can enjoy the beautiful and historical spots and the happy people with their special custom. Traveling in the modem city, say, Beijing, we can learn a lot from all the museums, royal parks, and enjoy the delicious Beijing baked ducks. On the other hand, we can realize that the world is not perfect. We can experience the poor life and do our best to help the people. Touring in an underdeveloped village, Baise, for example, we can see how poor the people are. Therefore, traveling is the best way to avoid being “a frog at the bottom of a well”.
Let’s travel more interesting places and learn more about our mother nature.
Travel Broadens the Mind
Today, many of us go traveling every year. As a matter of fact, travel has become part of our life. Through our own experience -we have come to know the significance of travel. Above all, I think it broadens our mind in the sense that it helps us to know more about the splendor of the Chinese civilization.
Last summer I went to visit the No. 2 Nanjing Yangste Bridge Park, which boasted a focus-in view of the grand modern bridge. It attracted me a lot, but I was more deeply impressed by the exhibition of the bridge models there. The bridges in miniature ranged from the most ancient ones to the most modern ones built by the Chinese working people. Despite their age, the modeled ancient bridges were delicate in structure and nice in form. I could not help admiring our ancestors for their wisdom and feeling proud of our civilization.
In short, travel opens our mind because it enables us to know about the history and culture of a nation. In a way, going on travels is like reading books.
Section B Note-writing
June 3, 2001
Dear Professor Wang,
I am terribly sorry that I failed to keep the appointment with you yesterday. One of my roommates fell ill suddenly and there was nobody else in the room, so I had to take her to the hospital. She is fine now, but I broke our appointment. Please forgive me. I wonder if we can meet again some time next week. I will be very grateful if you arrange another meeting with me. Please let me know after you get the time fixed.
Sincerely yours,
Kate
June 16, 2001
Dear professor,
I am terribly sorry for having missed the appointment with you yesterday afternoon. I started out for your office at twelve. But unfortunately I was caught in a terrible traffic jam. When I finally got to your office you had already left. I know you are pretty occupied these days, but I wonder if you could arrange for another appointment with me. I badly need your help with my paper. Would this Friday afternoon be OK? I look forward to your reply.
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Yours sincerely,
Jerry
Sep. 16
Dear Professor,
I’m deeply sorry that I missed the appointment with you. I started out for your office at nine. I should have been able to arrive there on time, but unfortunately my bike went flat. I was even more desperate because there was no repair shop in sight. I had had to wheel the bike some five hundred meters before I got help. But it was late, for when I got to your office you had already left.
I know you're pretty occupied these days, but I wonder if you could arrange for another appointment with me now that I badly need your help with my thesis. Would this Friday afternoon be OK for you? If possible, I will go to your office at two p. m. I look forward to your early reply.
Yours truly,
Kate
2002
THE BEST WAY TO STAY HEALTHY
Nowadays people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health. And they have different ways to stay healthy. For example, some exercise everyday; others try to keep a balanced diet. In my opinion, to do physical exercise is the best way.
My suggestion that physical exercise is the best way for people to stay fit is based on the following two reasons. The first reason is that physical exercise can help to reduce one’s unnecessary fat and weight. Medical experts have reported that the redundancy of fat is one of the causes of various diseases, some of which are even fatal. The second reason is that physical exercise can keep people a good shape of figure. For example, by doing physical exercise, man can have a strong body and look cool; while woman can have a slim figure and look pretty. That is why there are so many people doing physical exercise in the parks, on the sports ground and in the various body-building clubs.
In short, I believe the best way to keep fit is to do physical exercise. We may bear the following in mind: to do physical exercise every day, you will keep the doctor away.
The Best Way to Stay Healthy
If you have recently started or restarted an exercise program, you are not alone, and it proves to be the best way to stay healthy.
In the first place, exercise makes your body, most importantly, your heart stronger by helping it pump more blood with each heartbeat. The blood then delivers more oxygen to your body. Exercise can also lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease. Besides, exercise is the best way to lose weight. Burning calories and working off the fat will help you look and feel better. In the second place, more and more people realize that mental health is nevertheless more important than physical health. Focusing your energy on taking care of yourself with proper exercise is the best way to not just transform your body but to lift your spirits.
If you are blessed with a healthy body and healthy mind by getting into exercises like soccer, ice skating, jogging, running, swimming, bicycling or anything that involves lots of activities, you can be confident that you are the “wealthiest”, thus the happiest man on the planet.
The Best Way to Stay Healthy
Nowadays people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health. And they have different ways to stay healthy. For example, some exercise everyday, others try to keep a balanced diet. For my part, the best way to stay healthy is the combination of proper physical exercise and a balanced diet.
Both physical exercise and proper diet are essential to health. For one thing, physical exercise not only builds a person's body, but also helps to reduce his or her unnecessary fat. Indeed, this is 8
very important since the redundancy of fat has been medically proved to be a cause of various diseases, some of which are even fatal.
For another, a balanced diet can provide a person with the right kind and amount of nutrition required for the operation of our organs. As we know, a multitude of elements are effective in keeping our body-running properly. A deficiency in any of them will result in some dysfunction. Yet a balanced diet may prevent this from happening.
All in all, I believe the best way to keep fit is taking proper physical exercise plus staying on a balanced diet. Neither is dispensable if we are to enjoy sustainable health.
Section B Note-writing
May 6th, 2002
Dear Jack,
I have heard that you wish to sell your walkman. I am very interested in it. I am just wondering about its condition. Give me a call when you have a moment. My telephone number is 555-2436. I am willing to offer 30 dollars for it if everything is OK.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours,
Sam
September 12, 2002
Dear Jack,
I heard from Sam you would sell your walkman. It happened that my Walkman was broken for almost a month. I’d like to buy yours if possible. So will you let me know about its present condition and the price you would like to charge? Would 30 dollars is a reasonable price?
Yours,
Simon
May 6
Dear Jack,
This morning I met Tom. He said you wished to sell your walkman. I don’t know why you want to part with it, but I’d like to buy it if possible. So will you please let me know about its present condition and the price at which you expect it to be sold?
Yours,
Dick
2003
The Importance of Keeping a Good Mood
Modem people are supposed to endure a lot of pressure, from education, career, or family. There are often tragic stories in the newspapers about people who went insane or some who committed suicide. Those tragedies once again indicate how important it is to keep a good mood.
Keeping a good mood under whatsoever circumstances is important in at least two aspects. The first one is that keeping a good mood can help people possess a right attitude towards various difficulties and challenges. Self-confidence is always the best way for people to get out of the difficult situation. For example, some people have failed in business for several times and now they are in deep debt, but they never give up their hope and still believe they have the ability to be successful. This self-confidence will surely lead them to success someday. The second one is that keeping a good mood can help people put disappointment and frustration in the right perspective. Thinking that failure is the mother of success, people can well survive the temporary blows and look forward to the right future.
Through the above analysis, we can realize how important it is to keep a good mood in order to 9
face the pressure or challenges of modem society. When most people are aware of the importance of physical health, we must simultaneously remind them of the significance of mental health.
The Importance of Keeping a Good Mood
In today’s increasingly competitive world it is essential to maintain a positive attitude towards life. To put it in a metaphor, keeping a good mood is a foundation upon which our life is built.
Keeping a good mood is important because it can help us solve various problems in life. The following two situations can enable us to clearly see how a positive attitude helps us cope with unpleasant things. Take English learning for example. In our effort to grasp English mistakes are unavoidable. From one perspective mistakes are annoying, but a positive attitude can make us realize that only through making mistakes can a learner be expected to make progress. Sometimes one may come down with a serious cold, feeling depressed. But a change in attitude will enable us to look at the matter from a positive perspective. The illness may teach us the importance of health.
As we can see, keeping a good mood can help us to deal with mistakes in the right way and find comfort in time of sorrow. Its importance cannot be denied.
The Importance of Keeping a Good Mood
Modern people are supposed to endure a lot of pressure, from education, career, or family. However, not all people can manage to tide them over. There are often reports of someone going insane or someone committing suicide. Those unfortunate people are not intelligently poor. Yet they were doomed only because they suffered troubled minds or mixed feelings. From their experiences, I would argue that keeping a good mood is all too important.
Living in a good mood under whatsoever circumstances is important in at least two ways. For one thing, it can help one foster friendly interpersonal relation. Instead of treating colleagues or classmates as rivals or opponents, one will try to cooperate with them and benefit from them. One will work harder to keep paces with others or surpass them rather than complaining or get consumed by jealousy all the time. For another, a good mood can help one put disappointments and frustrations in the right perspective. Thinking that failure is the mother of success, one can well survive the temporary blows and look forward to the bright future. Both friendship and optimism derived from keeping a good mood or mentality are effective outlets for pressures whatsoever.
Thus, we need not only to build a strong body but also keep a good mood in order to face the pressures or challenges of modern society. While most people are aware of the importance of the former, quite a proportion of people fail to recognize the significance of the latter.
Section B Note-writing
June 16th, 2003
Dear Clare,
Thank you for inviting me to your house-warming party to be given at this weekend. I really ought to be there, but as I have a very important appointment with Professor Zhang, I can’t be present. How I regret to have to miss the party! Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your new home, and I will certainly call at your new home some time later. I hope you will have a good time with your friends.
Yours,
Kate
November 12, 2002
Dear Clare,
Congratulations on your moving into a new house and thanks a lot for your invitation to your house-warming party this weekend. But I won’t be able to come because I have to be in Beijing on business this Friday and will return until next Monday. Nevertheless, I hope you will enjoy the party and wish the new house of yours would bring you a wonderful new life.
Yours,
Dik
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Oct. 16
Dear Clare,
Congratulations on your moving into a new house and thanks a lot for your invitation to your house-warming party this weekend. But I really hate to tell you that I won’t be able to turn up then because I must leave for Chicago on business this Friday morning and will return until next Monday. What a pity that I should miss this important occasion! Nevertheless, I hope you will enjoy the party and wish the new house of yours would bring you a wonderful new life!
Yours,
Mary
2004
WILL PHONES KILL LETTER WRITING?
According to a recent survey made by China Daily, about 200 million Chinese are using phones as their daily communications means in steady of writing letters to each other. So some people say that phones will kill letter writing. But I don’t think so.
My argument that phones will not kill letter writing lies in at least three aspects. First, letter writing as a traditional way of communication still has some advantages over phones. For example, if people want to express something confidential to their close friend, they will turn to letter writing. Another example is that rural workers who are working far away from their hometown are more likely to write letters to their families than to make phone calls for the purpose of saving money. Second, letter writing is more authoritative and formal in some way. For instance, people who are doing business will write formal business letters to do a deal; people who want to recommend or introduce someone to someone else will write letter of recommendation or letter of introduction; people who want to apply for a scholarship will write a letter of application to a certain university, etc. Last but not the least, letter writing is still regarded as a token of friendship among friends. People always write letters to show their everlasting love and affection.
All in all, letter writing is still very popular among people. It is still a good way for people to communicate with each other and it is impossible to be killed by phones. Just do as the saying goes if you don’t want to be forgotten by your friend, then take out your pen and write him a letter!
Will Phones Kill Letter Writing?
Today, with the quick pace of life, people especially young people usually do not have as much time to write letters as before. They communicate with each other through the electric line. They are becoming so dependent on telephones that some people say that one day phones will kill letter writing. But I don’t think it is the case.
It is true that communicating by letters is not as convenient as by telephone. However, letter writing makes people think clearly. When a person writes, he must organize his thoughts and express his ideas and feelings more logically. In addition, letters give you a chance to read them again. Isn’t it exciting to receive a letter from your parents or your friends? Isn’t it pleasant to read the letter again and to feel again the excitement and the pleasantness?
So if you have time, write a letter right now, and you will certainly give your friends and your family a pleasant surprise.
Will Phones Kill Letter Writing?
Young people nowadays tend to phone each other more often than write to each other. That leads some people to the worry that phones will kill letter writing. As a matter of fact, the worry is groundless. In my view, phones will never kill letter writing.
Just as libraries or shops in the cyberspace can never replace the actual ones, phone calls will never kill letter writing. They are only another means to transmit information or express feelings. Although phone calls have advantages over letter writing, for example, they are much faster and people can also hear the voice, letters are irreplaceable. First of all, they are much cheaper than phone calls. Secondly, they convey information accurately. Thirdly, unlike phone calls, letters can be kept and re-read.
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Based on the above analysis, I feel safe to say letter writing can never be replaced by phone calls, though we find a dwindling number of letter writers these days.
Will Phones Kill Letter Writing?
Nowadays young people tend to phone more often than write to each other. So, some say that phones will kill letter writing. As a young man myself, I fully endorse this prediction.
An overwhelming advantage of phoning over letter writing is its immediacy. If all goes properly, it takes just a second to get connected. The parties at the two ends of the line will then be able to freely exchange whatever information or feeling they like to. They don't have to suffer a delay of several days, as in the case of letter writing, before they get across some ideas. Of course, some may object on the grounds that such immediacy is obtained at the costs of greater expense and lower quality. But, as modern technology matures, the two problems, if at all, will evaporate.
From the argument above, I can conclude that the favored use of phones will eventually eliminate the traditional letter-writing.
Section B Note-writing
July 20, 2004
Dear Jane,
This morning Sandy came to tell me you are feeling very unhappy these days because you failed in the final examination of mathematics. As a close friend of yours, I just want you not to be so depressed and not to lose heart. You know there is no permanent winner, so don’t be so disappointed. Cheer up, my dear friend.
Yours truly,
Sherri
June 18th
Dear Jane,
I was very happy to receive your letter on June 8. In the letter you told me that you had failed in the final examination, and was feeling very unhappy about it. I can understand your feelings completely. I know you had been studying very hard before the exam. I hope you won’t lose heart. The world won’t end if you didn't pass a single test. Perhaps there is something wrong with your study habits. I believe you will make great progress with the improvement of your study habits.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Good luck!
Yours,
Christina
April 28 Dear Jane,
I am sorry to learn that you failed in the final exam. I know you must be feeling very unhappy. I am writing to tell you that you should not worry too much about the result, for one’s performance in a certain exam can not always show his aptitude and competence. What is more, you still have another chance. You will sure to pass the exam, so long as you work harder.
Yours,
Mary
June 16
Dear Jane,
I'm sorry to learn about your poor luck in the final exam. Well, you really don't have to feel too sad about it. You know, this is just the kind of thing that often happens to us students. It doesn't mean we are failures. Trust yourself as I do. I'm sure you will be a big success next time. Cheer up, Jane. Let's do some window shopping tomorrow afternoon, shall we?
Look forward to your call.
Yours,
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John
2005
MY IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY ARTS FESTIVAL
In recent years, university arts festival has become an indispensable part of the university student. But as far as its contents are concerned, there is still much room for improvement.
To make the university arts festival more colorful and interesting, the following contents should be included. First, more students should be involved in the festival. Anyway, a university arts festival is not merely for a small number of gifted students to demonstrate their talents for singing, dancing, drawing, playing musical instruments and performing on the stage, etc. It should attract the average students, who, in the past, were treated as the passive spectators, to play an active role in it. Second, the intercollegiate exchange of university arts festival activities should be advocated. Through the exchange, the students from different universities or colleges may develop a better mutual communication and understanding. Most importantly, such an exchange can make the university arts festivals more attractive and more festive.
In short, though university arts festival is very popular among the Chinese universities, we still have much to do to make it perfect. If we want to make it a sustainable appeal to all the students, we have to infuse something fresh into it.
My Idea of a University Arts Festival
I was so excited when I heard the news that an arts festival will be held. Here are some of my suggestions about what should be included in the festival.
As an English major, I’d like to learn more about the western civilization. I think a necessary condition for my suggested program is multi-media language lab. Our project will consist of some lectures, which are aimed at a sketch of western civilization. Since our explored topic is too broad, we will focus on modem history of the western civilization. Our lectures will begin with Greek culture and Roman culture with an emphasis on Greek philosophy and science, and then we will introduce the Bible and Christianity to our audience. The next part is our focus. We will present the Renaissance and Reformation, followed by discovery and crisis in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The Industrial Revolution and its impact on the western world will be our next topic.
We will make full use of the multi-media technology in our program. I believe this informative and interesting item will be popular to our students.
My Idea of the Art Festival
I’ve just heard that the Students’ Union of our university will hold an arts festival next semester. As a student, I hope it will be a great success. Considering many arts festival already held here and there are approximately the same, I recommend that for the coming arts festival of ours, creativity be a key word.
To begin with, we can start the festival with an evening party. Of course, it will not be a common party. Rather, we can invite some students with special talent to give performances while some other students to act as judges. The student-featured evening party will be able to attract a large enthusiastic student audience. Meanwhile, teachers' presence will also be expected to enhance student-teacher interaction. From their participation the students can find a new role in them. Secondly, we can launch some programs that serve to enrich the students' knowledge of art, such as arts lectures and exhibitions. In this way, we can attach some new meaning to the arts festival; that is, our purpose of having an arts festival will not be confined to entertainment but go as far as educating the students. Particularly with the exhibits, the arts festival will have a more enduring effect than ordinary festivals.
All in all, it is my hope that the arts festival will be held creatively. I look forward to its coming and having a good time then.
My Suggestion to the Arts Festival
I'm excited that our school will hold an arts festival. Surely it will be in the interests of all the 13
students because it can definitely enliven our college life. Personally, I suggest the arts festival include a stage play contest.
When it comes to holding an arts festival, some people always think of singing and dancing. However, not every student is fond of these activities. They may be too common to arouse the students' strong interest. Another disadvantage is that only a small number of people can get a chance to sing or dance on the stage. By contrast, stage plays can involve more students in performances. They can write their own plays and design their own ways of acting so that their creativity and imagination can be given full play. By staging the actual picture of their life and study on campus, they can give expression to their true thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, the audience will be stirred and impressed now that they have similar experiences and feelings. Through the contest, the students' enthusiasm for the whole event will be heightened.
Based on the above considerations, I believe a stage play contest will be a good choice for our Students' Union in organizing the arts festival. I am sure it will become quite popular among our students.
Section B Note-writing
17 July, 2005
Dear Mike,
I’ve got two tickets to a concert given by your favorite orchestra this coming Saturday at People’s Theater. The time is 8:00 p. m. I'd like you to join me. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Call or write to say that you are coming. Hope to see you on Saturday evening.
Yours,
Cathy
March 10, 2005
Dear Mike,
I have two tickets to a concert at People’s Music Hall this Sunday evening. It is the New Year’s Concert given by Beijing Orchestra, one of the most famous orchestras in China. You are a fan of classical music, so I invite you to go to the concert with me. Give me a reply as soon as possible.
Yours,
Tom
April 20
Dear Mike,
I’ve got two tickets to a concert given by a famous pop band for this Friday evening. Guess which band? It’s beyond! I know you have long been a fan of the band. So I guess you would certainly like to come with me. By the way, the concert will start at six p. m. and last two hours.
Please give me a call when you receive this note.
Affectionately yours,
Kate
2006
It Is Wise to Use Tomorrow’s Money Today
Saving money for contingency is held by most Chinese as a golden law. This is reflected in a recent survey among students in Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shengyang because 65 percent of students in the survey still hold the “spend less, save more” principle. Only 33 percent think it’s better to use tomorrow’s money. I agree with the latter view: it is wiser to use tomorrow’s money.
My argument is that we should enjoy what we can enjoy today with the money we earn today and what we'll get tomorrow. The sarcastic story is well-known to everyone: Two old ladies from China and West respectively died and entered the Paradise. They met and exchanged their life experience in the world. The Chinese lady bought a new big house with her whole-life savings before death, but she had never lived in it a day. For the Western woman, she had bought a big house with a long-term loan which had not been paid off until her death and lived in it for most of 14
her life. It is true that the two ladies couldn't buy a big house in their youth. But the big difference is that the Western woman had enjoyed a big house with tomorrow's money but the Chinese lady not. What implications can we get from the story?
Big expenditures like buying a house may cost one several years or even one’s whole-life salary, it is wiser to spend tomorrow's money and enjoy first, rather than to save enough patiently and live in hunger.
Saving Money or Spending Tomorrow’s Money Today
Money is to our life what blood is to our body. In the world today, nobody could live without money. According to a recent survey conducted by one authoritative information corporation, an estimated 67 of college students in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, etc. think saving money is a good habit. On the contrary, the rest are convinced that spending tomorrow’s money is better. As far as I am concerned, saving money best suits me and renders me the greatest enjoyment.
Admittedly, spending tomorrow's money, as advocated by many, has its active role to play in our economic life. It can spur people to make more money to enjoy life. And consumerism brought about by this trend can of course do a great deal to drive forward our economy.
However, there are numerous merits for saving money. First things first, saving money is a preparation for a secured life. The best way to secure a safe and sound life and be free from poverty and anxiety about future is, of course, in current situation, to have a certain amount of money in hand. In our daily life, various things unexpected and emergent may fall upon us. In these cases, if we have savings, we can manage to overcome these crises more easily. In addition, money dissipating and luxurious life can weaken us. By contrast, just as Albert Einstein put it, “A simple and unassuming life is good for everybody, physically and mentally.”
By and large, why so many people advocate spending tomorrow’s money and so many exclaim the dogma is beyond my understanding. It seems that it can bring us nothing but anxiety and more uncertainty about our life, while saving for the rainy day, a fine tradition of Chinese nationality, can provide us with the greatest security and the best satisfaction of life.
Section B Note-writing
April 23
Michael,
I've heard you are organizing a weekend excursion for our class. It’s a great idea. I like it very much. Excursion is a good way of relaxing our mind after a week’s study. I'll join the trip, but I want to ask you two details of it: first, when and where shall we meet? Secondly, should I bring food with me?
Jack
April 23rd
Dear Michael,
I have heard you’ve got a good idea of a weekend excursion for the class. It is remarkable of you to be so devoted and considerate to our class. I definitely want to join you, especially after having been up to my neck in my term paper for weeks. Marry told me that the event falls on May holiday. Have you come up with where we go and how? We have great expectations for it. Please let me know what happens as soon as possible.
Yours,
Linda
2007
Is it wise to make friends online?
With the popularity of personal computers and the advancement of internet technology, we, in particular, the young generation, are eager to embrace every new experience in the virtual world, 15
including making friends. However, I believe, we should take a second thought of making friends online.
First of all, admittedly, with the whole world just one click away, we have the opportunity to make friends from every comer of the world. But there is also a possibility that we make friends with ill-intentions since people on both ends may choose not to display themselves earnestly. Accordingly the significance of making friends online may be undermined considerably. Furthermore, indulgence in chatting online naturally reduces the time to communicate with friends in real life. You may run the risk of losing your dear friends around you. As young students, we need to learn more about the world through talking and traveling. A hug or a hand-shake can sometimes express more profound meanings than words, let alone the cold and lifeless characters on the screen.
It is important to point out that we do not deny modem technology. Instead, we are proposing a more cautious attitude of making friends online.
Is It Wise to Make Friends Online?
It is now prevalent that an increasing number of young people are attached to making friends online. People's views about this phenomenon vary from one to another. Some people just take it for granted since many people do so while some other people raise doubts about this and worry whether this may exert some negative influence. However, just like everything else in this world, we cannot view it from one side only.
Among its quite a few advantages, one stands out that, with Internet, people may have privilege to make new friends no matter where they are. Its convenience, ease of chatting and security of privacy may all contribute to its popularity. So with some online chatting tools such as QQ and MSN, people may communicate with more friends, exchange more information with the outside world and build up a harmonious society.
When it comes to its disadvantages, waste of time seems top of its list. Some young people, who should spend much of their time learning, now indulge in online chatting. What is more, some people even cheat others and make illegal money.
There is no denying that making online friends or chatting online shares both advantages and disadvantages. So it is desirable that the government should take some immediate measures to guide young people access to Internet resources rationally. Only in this way can they enjoy a beneficial web world.
Section B Note-writing
April 23, 2007
Jimmy,
Thank you so much for inviting me to your swimming club. But I am afraid I cannot join you this time since we have only one choice for sport club and I find I am more interested in basketball. So maybe the basketball club is more suitable for me. Hope we can play together sometime.
Tim
April 26
Dear Jimmy,
Thanks for inviting me to join the swimming club, but I’m afraid that I cannot accept your invitation. I’d like to take the badminton club instead. You see, we don’t have so much spare time and have to make a choice between the two. So I’d better to do something that really attracts me. Anyway, thank you all the same.
Yours,
Jack
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2008
SECTION A COMPOSITION 35 MINI
December 5th is International Volunteers Day. Since 1985, when the United Nations announced the special day, tens of millions of people around the world have volunteered to help those in need, China now has 4.5 million registered volunteers who have provided more than 4.5 billion hours of volunteer work. What can you gain from volunteering?
Write on ANSWER SHEET TWO a composition of about 200 words on the following topic:
The Benefits of Volunteering
SECTION B NOTE-WRITING 10 MIN
Write on ANSWER SHEET TWO a note of about 50-60 words based on the following situation: Jane, your classmate, is thinking of subscribing to an English-language newspaper. And you would like to recommend one to her. Write a note, telling her which newspaper it is and describing two features of the paper.
Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriateness.
The Benefits of Volunteering
"Volunteer" is a hot word in China in 2008, the year of Beijing Olympic Games. If you look around, you will notice a lot of work has been done by the volunteers. They take care of the senior citizens in the sanatorium during weekends, they offer free lessons to people in need of proper education; they help with the community public service without charging for anything. It is evident that the volunteers are doing benefits to the society by sacrificing their personal time and energy, however, they also benefit from it personally.
Voluntary work benefits the participant personally in many ways. First, it will increase his confidence. The voluntary work may seem trivial, such as haircutting, babysitting, cleaning the house, etc, but it provides a chance for the volunteers to prove his effort as important to others. Hence, he will be more confident about his personal capacity and social value. Second, voluntary work helps one to improve his communicative skills. Doing voluntary work means contacting with people of other social sections in another way. The volunteers will leave his home, school or office and work in a new site with a brand-new identity, as a voluntary teacher, cleaner, assistant, etc. Such a practice offers chance for him to communicate with different people in different ways. The success of the voluntary work relies to a great part on his ability to communicate with others. Therefore, he may take it as a chance to improve his communicative skills. Third and the most important, doing voluntary work will establish for the volunteers a harmonious social and psychological existence. If everyone in the society does not hesitate to offer free help to others, no one will have to worry when he is in need. Such a safe mentality, which is consolidated by more voluntary work, will ensure a harmonious atmosphere for the society and a balanced state of mind for any individual social being, including the volunteers.
In short, volunteering work may seem to be a sacrifice of time and energy for the volunteers, but the benefits generated by the work outweigh tremendously the sacrifice.
April 26
Jane,
I’ve heard that you are subscribing to an English-language Newspaper. I would like to recommend to you The 21st Century. It is a newspaper affiliated to China Daily, with College students as its target readers. Most of the columns are what we undergraduates are actually concerned with, such as “Language Learning”, “Job Market”, “Sports and Entertainment”, etc. I have benefited and enjoyed a lot from reading it. I hope you will also find pleasure with it.
Yours,
Tim
17
2009
Will Tourism Bring Harm to the Environment?
In recent years, tourism has developed rapidly in China. Many people believe that tourism produce positive effects on economic growth and we should try our best to promote tourism. But what these people fail to see is that tourism may bring about a disastrous impact on our environment.
As for me, I'm firmly convinced that too much tourists bring harm to the environment.
The bad impact of tourism on the environment has mainly expressed itself in various ways. One way is the process of exploiting a new scenic spot. In order to attract tourists, a lot of artificial facilities have been built, which have certain unfavorable effects on the environment. This process usually breaks the ecological balance of the area. In some mountainous places, trees are being cut down to build hotels for others to see and explore the beauty of the mountains. Then land slides and mud-rock flows come up. Another way the development of tourism has damaged the environment occurs when tourists go to scenic spots. Some tourists don't have the awareness to protect the environment, and ignorantly throw their garbage here and there. Some people even kill the local
wildlife to eat, which badly damages the balance of the natural environment.
It is wrong to sacrifice the environment for the growth of tourism. We must keep in mind that too much tourists bring harm to the environment. We need to find a balance between satisfying the
needs of tourists and reducing to a minimum the pollution they cause.
Section B
April 23,
2009
Dear Lily,
I know you’re looking for a part-time job in the coming summer vacation. And I have just seen an ad for a private English tutor for a schoolboy on the campus. Since you’re good at English and like teaching, I think this job is very suitable for you. It will help you both earn some money and practice yourselves. So please think about it.
Mary 18