Task 2
1. Do you agree or disagree that teachers should encourage students to have class discussion during class? Give specific reasons and details in your response.
Personally, I agree with this. I would say the best way to learn is to participate in class discussion, to begin with, students need to do lots of search and prepare notes for the class discussion. They can learn a lot by actively preparing for this. Additionally, the whole class gets a chance to hear multiple points of view, although some points might not be as thought-provoking, you can learn a lot of stuff beyond the textbooks anyway, and understand how an idea works in real life when people share their personal experiences.
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The success of a school largely depends on the resources it has such as textbooks and journals.
I don't agree that the success of a school largely depends on the resources it has such as textbooks and journals. I admit that they are contributing factors of a good school, but I think facilities and professors are big part of the success of a school. Firstly, science students depend on lab equipments and facilities to test theories in books, just learning theories without experiment in the lab is too boring and unproductive, so facilities, like research centers are very important. On top of that, professors are the key resource of a university, cuz they are the ones who can motivate the students and develop their skills and make them more creative, thus giving the students a better chance to be successful in the future.
3. Some prefer card games, while others prefer computer games. which one do you prefer and why?
Personally, I prefer card games. To begin with, it is more interactive, someone is around when you are playing the card game, and actually it is a great to spend quality time with friends and family members. It bring me and friends closer, it helps me to bond with them. However, lots of people got addicted to computer games and end up wasting their previous time, and sitting in front of the computer all day alone can jeopardize your health and your eyesight.
4. Some students prefer to write their course papers a day or two before the paper is due. Other students prefer to start working on their papers much sooner, spending a little time each day to complete the paper. Which do you prefer? Explain why.
I prefer to finish the paper sooner rather than later, to begin with, to finish lots of paper, you might spend a long time to find relevant references, figure out the data and the models you need to apply in the paper, starting to work on the paper early can make sure you have sufficient time to finish it on time. Plus, If you chose to work on the paper a day or two before it is due, you might have some scheduling problems, and be bombarded with other kinds of assignment, like group projects, presentations and stuff.
5. Some people argue people born with natural abilities are more likely to succeed. Other people believe success can be achieved through hard work. What's your opinion.
Personally, I would say to be successful, one needs to be both talented and hard-working. Lots of businessman and investor have a natural instinct of what kind of field of industry is worth their investment, they need that business acumen to spot the best deal, but I think it also takes hard work, cuz the business world are so competitive, in order to stay alive, they have to work day and night to keep themselves in the game. These two factors are also a must for artists, athletes and even musicians.
6. Some like do jobs with different tasks and others prefer to do the same task every day. Which one do you prefer?
I would like to choose a job that requires me to do lots of tasks. First of all, sitting in the office and repeating the same task again and again can be killing. I will be really bored doing these repetitive tasks, and my working efficiency will be very low. Secondly, doing lots of tasks can develop myself to be a well-rounded person, now the job market is very competitive. If you are trained to do different kind of tasks in a professional setting, you will be more attractive in the job market, thus have a better shot in getting a higher-paid job.
7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: people should be forced to retire after the age of 65.
Personally, I totally agree with this. To begin with, typically by the age of 65, people have worked for like more than 40 years, and that is a pretty long time, we spend more than 40 years dedicated to different professions; and people deserve the chance to enjoy their retirement at 65 years. Additionally, generally, lots of positions require professionals to be extremely healthy and active in order to fulfill their tasks, our health gets worse with the passing time, lots of seniors around 60 years suffer from cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and stuff; so people at around 65 years old are not as productive, thus they should be forced to retire.
8. Some people believe that it is better for children to grow up in big cities. Others believe that it is better for children to grow up in rural areas. What is your opinion and why?
I would say it is better for children to grow up in big cities. The facilities and the atmosphere will be very beneficial to kids to grow up in a city. For example, kids are likely to get better education, medical treatment, and even social welfare. However, kids that live in the country are not that lucky. Apart from that, a big city is multi cultural and full of dynamics, there are people from all over the country and even from around the globe. Getting a chance to experience different languages, customs and cultures will benefit the kids a lot when they grow up and it will make them a better and well-rounded person.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement. Watching TV is not a way to use time.
I think it really depends, TV programs like documentaries can be very informative, and they target different kinds of audience. They cover lots of topics like sports, animal world, history, and even religions. you can really learn a lot about all kinds of stuff. It is very good to watch these shows, however, if someone is indulged in watching meaningless TV programs like different kind of reality shows and even some of the TV sit-coms, it might cast a huge negative impact on their study and work. To sum up, it you are capable of striking a balance between watching good TV shows and meaningless one, watching TV is very good way to use time.
10. Advertisements have too much influence on what people buy.
Personally, I agree that advertisements have too much influence on what people buy. Though economists might think that human are rational beings and make choices based on cost and benefit analysis, psychologists might not agree with that, and I think consumers are very much influenced by commercials on what they buy. Frankly, lots of commercials are too much in bragging about their products and cannot even deliver what they promise, like the so-called ultimate vacuum cleaner cannot even remove a slight stain on the carpet, even though in the advertisement, the company portrays their vacuum as the almighty machine, and the Ad is so vivid and persuasive and people believe it, only later find that it is not what it says in the commercial.
11. Some students prefer to go to universities or colleges in their hometown. Others prefer to go to universities or colleges in new cities or towns. Which do you prefer and why? Include details and examples in your explanation.
Personally, I prefer to study in a new city. I think it is very boring to stay in your city, where you have been living for almost 20 years, they people you will meet are still those you met during primary school and high school. However, to be able to study in another city, you get a chance to learn their local cultures, appreciate the natural beauty, and above all meet more exciting people, and by interacting with local people and making new friend in that city during college, you can broaden your horizon and enrich you life experience.
12. Some would like a job that requires frequent communication with others, others prefer to get job that does not require any communication. Which one do you prefer?
Personally, I am an extremely extrovert and easygoing person and will be really bored if I get a job without any communication with others. I really cannot imagine a position that is repetitive and boring; I do not think I can be productive and efficient at all. Apart from that, there are numerous benefits when interacting with other, like you can have new perspective on things, and human beings are at least social being. The last but the not the least, lots of job require communication and cooperation with other department in order to make a profit and help others.
作者简介
孟炎,托福(TOEFL)口语优秀主讲师,毕业于密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校,经济学硕士,SAS高级程序员。托福110分,GRE高分通过,2008年外研社全国大学生英语竞赛特等奖 (全省仅4人),演讲比赛优胜奖;全额奖学金获得者,曾在经济系任研究生助教教授美国本科生经济学课程。
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