Task 1
1. What can we do to reduce air pollution? Give examples and details in your answer.
There are lots of ways for the city to reduce air pollution. Firstly, they can cut down the usage of cars and other vehicles, thus the car exhaust can be reduced. The decision makers should invest more money to improve public transportation, like adding more bus routes, making public transportation more accessible; develop express local trains and renovating bumpy roads. Secondly, the government should put forward some policies to punish factory who discharge lots of gas emission into the air, for example, they can impose a heavy tax on these factories. Plus, they can subsidize the environment conscious companies that use renewable energies like natural gas, wind power and nuclear power.
2. Which of the following teaching methods do you consider the most effective, a field trip to local places of interest, tutoring sessions that provide individual help or presentations given by local leaders? Please include reasons and examples to support your choice.
I would say the best way learn is to go on a field trip, and actually I still remember my field trip back in primary school. We went to the zoo, not like watching a video, I got a chance to interact with animals under the instruction of the zoo keeper, they were so lovely. What I am trying to say is that students can discovery stuff that doesn't come across in pictures or videos or even in a classroom. Apart from that, learning through exploration is more fun and effective. There are students who got a hard time reading textbooks, however, going on a field trip, they are totally interested in the stuff they are going to see, thus they concentrate better and can learn more.
3. Your community center now offers classes on the weekends for free, which of the following class you will choose to take, give reason to explain your choose. 1) A financial course to help you manage money 2) car maintenance and repair 3)Review of Latin-American music
I would say I like to take a financial course, cuz, it is very important for someone to be financially independent and manage their money efficiently, by going to a financial course one can learn lots of stuff, like
when it is the right time to invest in stocks, or to buy gold as a form of asset, or even understand the overall economic condition of the country. A friend told me that he recently signed up a on line lecture on how to make wise investment in stock market, and he followed the instructions, and it turned out that he made a very good call by buying the stock from a company, which was recommended in the class, and made a big killing in it.
4. Talk about an organization or club you want to join and why.
I would like to join in the swimming club, cuz if I joined the club, I would have a chance to compete with my teammates to represent my university. That would be a great honor to get to do that. In some competitions, I have to work my teammates to win the game, and it gives me a strong sense of belonging and I feel I am needed by the team, my teammate and I would cheer up each other and get inspirations, encouragements from my fellow teammate. On top that, I am a big swimming fan, when I am swimming in the pool, I feel so relaxed and it is a very good way to keep fit.
5. What the some important effects of worldwide availability of internet on modern people's life? Use specific details and examples to support your response.
Well, internet does have a big impact on people's lives, to begin with,it is a very convenient and fun way to buy stuff on-line, with just a click of the button, the next moment you know, your order is delivered right at your door. It is also easy to compare the prices offered by different on-line stores, the only thing you need to remember is that always to shop in a reputable on-line store. Plus, by signing up on a social network like facebook, MSN, and wechat, which is so popular in China, you can get to know more people. By sending text messages to your friends and family members whenever you want to, I think internet has brought people closer than ever, it makes communication so instant.
6. Would you like to make friend with different interest or the one with same interest? And why?
I would like make friends with different interests. Even though it might be easy for two people with the same interest to be friends, as the saying goes birds of the same feather flock together. By making friends with people of interest interests, we can get a chance to know more, like, we can know more in different fields, if your friend happens to be a car fan, you will broaden your knowledge about different types of cars. Also, your friend can learn something that he is not very familiar to him, it is always a good thing to learn from others and have something to offer at the same time.
7. Some universities have decided to force students who cheat at school to leave the school. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Please include reasons and details in your explanation.
By forcing the students who cheat at school to leave, other students might learn that honesty is the best policy. Indeed, honesty is quite important, cuz nobody wants to deal with a cheater. This will help to prevent further cheating in exam and other kinds of assignments, thus creating a very fair academic environment. However, there are also obvious advantages, students who cheat are not mature enough to tell right from wrong, they just simply made a tiny mistake, and everybody deserves a second chance to be better person, it is quite relentless to deprive their right to be educated, and they might be a very brilliant kid who just made a stupid mistake. In this case, it will a big loss.
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.
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, and this is a is big disadvantage.
9. Computer technology has influenced student’s study in various ways. Give examples to illustrate the advantage that a computer helps in your study.
Well, I cannot agree more that computer has made our study much easier and more efficiently. Actually, when I do research, I can just type in the key words of the topic that I am researching, and then the next moment I know, there are millions of sources showing up on the screen, and I can use whichever I need to. It is so instant and convenient, and most of the sources are free. Additionally, I can use lots of software on the computer to help to study more efficiently, like, recently, I am preparing the TOEFL exam, I can just use a dictionary on the computer to check the unfamiliar words, it's far more effective than using a traditional dictionary.
10. Describe a day that you enjoyed the most or was the most special to you. Include reasons and details to support your response.
I would say the most important day in my life was my college graduation day. I graduated from a prestigious university in the Unites States, but it was challenging for me. Four years before I graduated from college, the first time I set foot on the land of America, I felt so isolated and had tremendous language barriers. However, during my four years in college, I not only improved my English language proficiency, but also kept a high GPA and was on the dean's list every year. But, I know that this day does not come easy, it symbolizes the time and effort I put to get my diploma.
11. Which one of the following factor do you think is most important when it comes to travelling. Low cost, good weather, or various activities?
Well, Personally, I would say the most important factor is the activities that I can do during the trip. I like to go to places where I can appreciate the natural beauty, and get a chance to get away from the city concrete jungles. Actually, I just want to go to beautiful places with great natural scenery, like tropical rainforests, coastal cities, or mountainous ranges. As for the activities, I like water activities, surfing, water skiing, also I like climbing mountains. cuz, doing these stuff I can keep fit, and improve my cardio vascular system, that's why I think activities are the most important.
12. Your friend plans to go to your country to study but has concern about expenditure, what is your advice for your friend?
Well, As the saying goes don't bite off more than you can chew, so when dealing with money, you should never spend more money than you make. So, I guess my friend should try to make ends meet and spend under his or her budget. Also, working part time is also a good way to save up some money. For example, one can choose to be a delivery guy or even wait tables. By delivering food to customers, not only can you get lots of tips from generous customers, you can also get transportation fee paid from them. One can make easily make $ 150-200 a day.
13. Imagine that you have to give up watching TV for one month, would this be difficult for you? Explain why.
Well, personally, I would say it will not be difficult for me to do that. Cuz, honestly, I am not a fun of watching TV, since most of the time, I am pretty busy with my school assignment, like presentations, group projects and research papers, and stuff. Plus, even if I really need some information of current events, like sports, technology, and politics, I can always use my smart phone and with a touch on the screen, the whole world is basically in front of me.
14. Which of the following activities would you do with friends rather than alone? Taking a walk, watching a movie or travelling.
I would say I like to take a walk alone, my primary purpose of taking a walk is to reflect about my study and life, and I want to enjoy this experience alone and keep it to myself. To find a peaceful time and enjoy that without the presence of others can be pretty tough, since we have to deal with lots of people every day, like classmates, friends, colleagues and stuff. Taking a walk is a great chance to get away with our busy schedule, and find inner peace within ourselves. If I took a walk with a friend, I might get distracted, thus there is not point of taking a walk with others.
15. A friend of yours wants to make a big purchase but does not have enough money. What would you suggest your friend do to?
Frankly, there are not lots of part jobs, from which you can make lots of money. However, I think to work in a restaurant part-time is a pretty decent choice. You can choose to be a delivery guy or even wait tables. By delivering food to customers, not only can you get lots of tips from generous customers, you can also get transportation fee paid from them. One can make easily make $ 150-200 a day. Also, you can build up a sense of responsibility from doing this job, on top of that, when the customers smile at you and appreciate your service, you can have a sense of achievement. To be able to make others happy is always a pleasant experience. Based on these reasons, I suggest my friend to work in a restaurant.
16. Which period do you think is the toughest during one's life? childhood, adolescent, or adulthood?
I would say the toughest period during one's life is adulthood. Not like the childhood, we are pursuing our degrees in universities or already doing a job to make a living. In school, we are constantly under lots of pressure, the assignments like problem sets, presentations, research papers are killing us. After graduation, we have to fulfill all kinds of responsibilities as a professional. On the other hand, being a child or an adolescent is much easier, they just have fun and do not have to worry about anything.
17. Which of the following do you think is the most important for maintaining good health? Doing exercises, eating healthy food, or going to bed early?
I would say doing exercise is definitely my choice, going to the gym and doing some exercises is of great fun. Actually, it helps me to keep fit and be athletic and develop my agility and strength at the same time, so I do not look awkward. There are lots of exercises that one can do to keep healthy, like do jogging in the park, work out in the gym, do some aerobics like yoga, and swimming. These activities can enhance your cardiovascular system, and help you to get rid of the poisonous substance in your body, and I do not think eating healthy food and going to bed early are as helpful as doing exercises.
Task 2
1. Some people prefer to give practical gifts while others prefer to give entertaining gifts. Which do you prefer to give and why? Please use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Personally, I prefer to give practical gifts to my friends. Notebook, bookshelf, basketball and stuff are very good choices. For example, a friend can take notes in class with the help of a notebook, they can create a shopping list, and even keep a diary by writing about what happened in their lives, including the things make them happy, sad and angry. Since the notebook is used so often, it can help me to connect more with my friends, and keep our friendship forever. However, they might not care a lot if you give them things like, cartoon figurine, or other kinds of decorative stuff.
2. Nowadays many people find their social network on the Internet. Do you think it is a positive trend?
Well, personally I am a big internet fan, and I think on-line social networks is a very good to socialize with friends and family members, and even get connected with professionals. Actually, it is instant and easy to use, social network like facebook, MSN, and professional social network-Linkedin. With wifi access and a tablet or smart phone, I can connect with people in no time. Additionally, before the invention of on-line social network, we have to call someone through the phone or visit them in person and it is very costly in terms of both money and time, cuz we have to physically be somewhere in order to talk to them face to face, with on-line social network, it makes it possible for you to talk to loved ones more easily.
3. Do you agree or disagree with the statement: it is easier for people today to lead a healthy life than people 100 years ago.
Personally, I would say it is easier for people to lead a healthy life style now than the past, now, with the raising livelihood, more people have access to nutritional food, like sea food, for example, salmon, tuna, shrimp and stuff like that. They are high in protein, low in carbs. Plus, the Food and Drug Administration follow closely on the food safety issues, and it is very costly for relevant companies to have some loopholes in their food production. On top of all these, nowadays, people is much more attentive to their health than ever before, with increased campaign on the both public and private side.
4. When traveling, do you prefer to stay at one place for a long time or spend less time but visit more places? Explain you answer in details.
Personally, I prefer to stay at one place for a long time. As for me, the purpose of traveling around is to experience the local cultures and customs, appreciate the natural beauty there. You might have to take your time and interact with the locals, taking photos, and it is quite impossible for one to achieve that if they just leave the place the time they arrive. Additionally, traveling between places waste lots of precious time, which can be otherwise used to experience and understand one single place. Also, it saves you the trouble to plan a complicated itinerary and you don't have to worry about getting stuck on your way to the next destination.
5. Do you prefer to live alone or live with others.
Personally, I prefer to live alone. Actually, I am very private person, most of the time, I keep things to myself. I would get distracted if I chose to live with others who I might not familiar with. Actually, I am highly efficient when I do things without the disturb of others, like when I study I feel more comfortable when nobody is around me. Plus, someone you are living with might have totally different habits and schedule when it comes to when to study or sleep or even watch TV. It would be really disruptive when one wants to study while the other prefers to watch TV.
6. Do you agree or disagree with the statement: employees should be prohibited to listen to music at work.
Well, personally, I think it's a very bad idea to prohibit music in workplace. Actually, listening to music is a very good way for people to release their negative emotions, like sadness, or sorrow, or even anger. Employees might forget about the pressure in life and thus have a higher efficiency in the workplace. Additionally, music keeps people refreshed and spurs creativity and innovation. So, that is why it is a common practice for high-tech to allow the play of music in their office, just so that they can create a relaxing environment and be more creative, and thus make more breakthroughs in their field.
7. Some people like to participate in activities alone, others like to do that with a team or group. Which way do you prefer and why?
Personally, I would like to participate in activities in a group, I am an extrovert and outgoing person, and I think it is more fun when there are people around me. Plus, I can also learned the importance of cooperation and responsibility when I am with a team, for example in a sport competition, me and my teammate struggle together for a common goal, offer each other motivation along the way, and I feel that I care something bigger than myself during the game, and I think this is very meaningful.
8. Some people prefer to have a very tight schedule, while others prefer to have more free time in their schedule. Which one do you prefer and why?
I would say I prefer a very tight schedule, I am the kind of person who are very motivated under lots of workload, and I am likely to goof off when there is not much to do. Having a tight schedule makes my day productive, like as a student, I enjoy finishing assignments, like problem sets, papers, and even doing group project with fellow classmates. I get a strong sense of achievement when I keep working nonstop. However, if I have lots of free time, I just stay in my apartment, and wasting my time, and that is certainly not the right thing to do.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the statement: University education is more important than it was in the past.
Personally, I do think that higher education is more important than ever before, to begin with, it is impossible for someone to get job without a decent college degree because of the competitive job market. We are not even talking about high-end and high paying jobs like a banker, a lawyer or other professions. A office clerk position now requires a college degree. Additionally, since technology improves so fast that in order not to be replaced by robots or human intelligence, one needs to have higher education much more than ever before, cuz in a university, you can learn advanced knowledge, skill sets in different field.
10. Do you agree or disagree with the statement: it is better to live close to parents than to live far away from them.
Personally, I prefer to live close to my parents for the following reasons. To begin with, I am family person, and I enjoy to spend time with my families. To spending some quality time once in a while is very important to me, and living close to my parents can help to do that more conveniently. Plus, if we live close to each other, we can constantly look out for one another. Like if I got sick or have some kind of emergencies, my parents can attend me in a timely manner. Also, they are getting old, and they need my immediate care, things can be much easier if I live close to them.
11. Some people prefer to live in the present, others prefer to be prepared for the future and plan ahead. Which do you prefer? Explain why.
Personally, I prefer to plan ahead instead of just living in the present. Although I am not particularly worried about the future, I do prefer to prepare for the worst case scenario. For example, I have the habit of saving money for a rainy day, cuz if I don't, I will be screwed up if I got an emergency and am urgent in need of money. Additionally, one can land more opportunities if one can plan ahead for the future. Since sometimes it is impossible for you to achieve sometime in a single day, great achievement can only be made possible by gradual preparation.
12. When going on a vacation, some people prefer to stay in a hotel, while others prefer to camp outside in a tent. Which do you prefer?
Personally, I would choose to camp outside in a tent. The only reason for me to go on a vacation is to get away from the busy streets and concrete jungles, and get a chance to be close to mother nature, by camping outside, I got a chance to appreciate the beautiful starry sky at night, and enjoy the tranquility, I don't have the chance to enjoy that moment when living in the city. Also, camping outside makes it easier for you to do some hiking, like walking on the trail, and do some fishing and BBQ.
13. Do you agree or disagree with the statement: working in groups with people responsibilities is the most effective way to get the work done.
Personally, I couldn't agree more with that. Indeed, the group is likely to finish the work before deadline when working with highly responsible people. Consider this, when you work with unreliable colleagues, you might have no problem to finish your fair share of the work, but it will be impossible for your group to finish a project if your untrustworthy coworker is negligent. However, it will be far better to work with someone who is very liable, since not only can a responsible coworker finish his or her work on time, they can also motivate others, thus, the group as whole tend to finish the work before the deadline.
14. Some people think that robots will very helpful for us in the future, other think robots will never be as smart as human. Which do you agree with?
Admittedly, robots are used in lots of aspects in modern life, like robots have replaced lots of manual labor in factories, and they can also be used to execute hazardous tasks, however, I think they will never be as smart as humans. Scientist can write programs so that they can be very intelligent, they can win a chess game over a very intelligent person, but they will never tell whether someone is happy or depressed, and will not act accordingly. The robots themselves will not be able to display their emotions. Emotional quotient matters a lot when we are judging whether someone is smart or not. Thus, robots will be as smart as human.
15. Do you agree with the following statement: it is important to study the history from ancestors.
I couldn't agree more with that, learning history from ancestors is a great way to learn the mindset, ideas, and attitudes of the past, and this gives us a chance to learn from who we came from and find one's identity. Additionally, we can draw upon the ancient philosophy to make today's world a better place, like ancient Chinese philosophy can gives us some insight on how to live harmoniously with the mother nature and stop polluting the environment, to help the preserve the endangered species, and stuff like that.
16. Do you agree with the following statement: school should ban on all junk food, such as hamburger, soda, and sugar from school property.
Personally, it is really important for the school to encourage healthy eating habits, and junk food like French fries and hamburgers alike should be banned in schools. Too much junk food with high carbs leads to childhood obesity. Additionally, Greasy junk food lacks certain vitamins for the healthy development of the children, and students without sufficient healthy food might suffer from lack of concentration on their study and they get easily distracted, thus school should encourage healthy eating habit.
17. Some people like to do exam review in the morning, while others would like to do that in the evening. Which one do you prefer and why?
I would say I like to review exams in the evening. One of the reasons is that, I find it more quiet in the evening and I can concentrate on my reviewing, however if I did some review during the day, I would easily get distracted, actually, it is kind of noisy during the day, finding a peaceful spot to study is pretty difficult. Also, I feel like I am more energetic during night time, and I am kind of sluggish during the day, so doing some review during the night can be really productive for me.
18. Do you agree or disagree: school should ask their students to evaluate teachers.
Personally, I think that schools should ask their students to evaluate teachers. To begin with, this can give students a stake in the quality of their education, if a teacher fails the expectation of the students, they might get replaced because their poor evaluation from the students., thus they students might get a chance to have a much better teacher. Additionally, this provides the teachers with very good feedback, so they can make some changes accordingly. They can make their lesson plan, course material and even PowerPoint slides much nicer, therefore, students can improve their learning in the class.
19. 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.
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