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    9月1日

    新托福 今年网考时间

    今年新托福考试一共18场。
    9/15,
    10/8, 10/15, 10/21, 10/22, 10/28, 10/29,
    11/3, 11/5, 11/17, 11/18, 11/19,
    12/1, 12/3, 12/8, 12/10, 12/15, 12/16
     
    如果考生报考多于一次的考试，两次考试之间必须最少间隔七天。
     
     
    22:20 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (3) | 固定链接 | 写入日志
    8月1日

    去美国前 最好要知道这些

     

     

    昨天晚上，一个女孩打电话给我说，不想考国内大学了，想去美国大学读本科。我问她为什么，她说不知道。我问她是否熟悉国内大学的生活，她说不熟悉。我问她对美国大学本科了解多少，她说不了解。

    　　在很多人的心目中，美国大学就是优秀教育的代名词。不过，不同的人对优秀有不同的标准。如果拥有充分的信息，每个人都能够做出适合自己的判断和决定。但是，有些信息在跨越不同文化时被扭曲了。这篇文章试图把它们中的一些扭回来。

    “    怎么是历史专业？”

    　　在国内的大学，历史专业是包括哲学，政治学，宗教学，人类学等著名冷门专业之一。人们心目中，这些专业的毕业生找工作不但范围小，而且难度大。用被很多人歪曲后的徐小平职业中心论来看，读这些专业基本没戏了，所以不该去读。有人很容易就把这种想法延伸到美国，认为美国大学的历史专业也一样不受欢迎。所以，每每告诉国内的朋友说自己可能主修历史时，都会遇见诧异的目光。这种跨文化的不理解很正常，就像美国学生不理解为什么中国大学生还要军训一样正常，一样诧异。

    　　其实在美国社会，历史专业恰恰相反成了最受欢迎最吃香的本科专业之一。据不完全统计，美国历史专业的毕业生的平均收入要超过经济学专业，心理学专业甚至计算机专业的毕业生。在很多美国大学里， 历史专业都是最受学生欢迎的专业。在美国，历史专业学生毕业后有很多选择。其中一部分去了法学院，之后便成为律师----美国最挣钱最受尊敬的职业之一；有人去了商学院读MBA，就像现任（可能马上变前任）美国总统小布什在耶鲁大学本科的专业就是历史，然后去了哈佛读MBA。 历史专业毕业生如果申请研究生院，可以学习几乎任何一个专业包括理工科，有人甚至申请去读了医学院，后来成了医生。而且，各个大学院系等都非常欢迎历史专业的毕业生，因为美国大学的历史专业的要求非常高，也就是非常难读的一个专业。读历史的学生会有很多的阅读和写作，有时候两三天会要求你看完一本几百页的历史书，隔三差五的会有感觉写不完的几十页的论文。这就决定了美国的历史专业对于批判性思维(Critical Thinking)能力的培养特别有帮助。简单说，这种批判性思维能力包括批判性地阅读，批判性地评估和思考以及清晰并有说服力地表达。而这个批判性思维能力是美国社会所特别推崇的，是美国人认为的人才优秀的标准之一。培养这种批判性思维能力是美国上千所包括哈佛耶鲁在内大学共同的核心教育目标。总而言之，美国社会的价值观推崇这种批判性思维能力，而美国大学的历史专业在美国人的眼里是最能培养这种能力的专业。那么，历史专业在美国自然就很热门。

    　　从上面这个逻辑，我们很简单地可以推断出，在美国大学里，只要被美国人认为对培养这种批判性思维能力有很大帮助的专业都会不同程度地成为最受欢迎专业之一。这也就解释了为什么美国人这么喜欢读历史，政治，哲学等在国内非常冷门的专业。根本原因就是不同文化的社会价值观的不同取向。

    “    美国大学的写作？没问题！我高中时作文一直高分…”

    　　很多人会觉得上面这个推理很对。因为他们默认两国对写作的理解是一致的。但事实上，这种说法在现实生活中常常是错误的。美国大学对写作优秀的标准是不同于国内的。美国大学把写作和文学写作分开。他们认为非文学性写作，比如学术论文和申请的个人陈述写作等，就是用平实清楚的语言有条理地表达你的观点或思想或说明一个问题等。对于这样的文章，一些我们熟悉的写作修辞手法和花哨的语言便无用武之地。那些写作中感人的抒情很可能使一篇文章在国内语文考试中被认为是佳作，但在美国大学的非文学性写作中，这些抒情等手法却很有可能被认为是败笔，是必须删除的多余部分。

    　　而按照美国大学优秀文章的标准，写作能力很大程度上就取决于逻辑思维能力。其实，英语本身就是一门非常注重逻辑的语言。用这种语言进行写作，逻辑思维能力也就必然成为提高写作能力的关键。在美国大学，被认为优秀的非文学性写作中的每一句话和每一句话之间的逻辑关系必然非常严密和清晰，不会有多余的语言，不会有笼统的表达。一般也不可能找到任何抒情的文字，文中的任何观点意见除了公认的事实外必须有事实依据或者逻辑论证来支持这种观点和思想。就拿比喻来说，在国内我们受到的教育给我们的印象就是一个比喻应该会使你要表达的东西更加生动。这是因为国内的写作教育把文学性写作和非文学性写作结合了起来，而像比喻等技巧又是文学性的写作中必不可少的重要手法。但是，美国大学认为，非文学性写作中的比喻只是把原来简洁明了的表达用一个与表达本质不相关的例子来重复表达。这样一个重复的表达在逻辑上不能够证明原命题，而且，这种用来比喻的例子和原来的要表达的思想之间的相似关系如果没有被论证是不符合学术论文的严密性的要求的。所以这个比喻会被认为是多余的，这样就又不符合美国大学中非文学性写作的简洁要求了。

    　　还有一个令我印象深刻的例子，我在美国大学第一年内写的几十篇论文里，凡是被动语态几乎都被教授改成了主动语态。一些常用在国内考试作文中为显示水平的复杂句型很多都被教授改拆分成简单明了的短句子。教授们的理由是一致的, 那就是主动语态比被动的更直接，更简练，也就是说主动语态的句子不用读者去兜一个圈子反过来思维，这就使文章更加容易阅读和理解，而且用的词更少。当然，把复杂句子改为简单句子同样是为了这个目的。

    　　简单地说，在国内写文章时，你打一个比方，引用名言等等都可能被认为是好文章。但是在美国大学写论文，你依然按照国内时大家认为的优秀文章标准写的话，你的论文可能就会很糟糕。所以，你一定要弄明白美国大学优秀写作的标准，并且按照这个标准去提高你的写作能力。

    “    大学了，难道不会阅读?”

    　　在美国大学，阅读可以说会占据你学习的很大一部分时间。美国大学的学习大致就是听课，回家做阅读，写论文，做研究等。而听课一星期可能就只有3堂50分钟的课，论文和研究也不是天天要做。所以，其实平时大部分的学习就是在做阅读。教授的课程提纲上一般都会告诉你明天上课之前你要读到哪里。有人认为，阅读嘛，就是一个一个字地挨着往下读就行了，没什么难的。也有人会说，阅读就是获得信息，就像在国内考试前把知识点都背下来, 也就是你获得了这些信息。但是在美国大学，阅读不仅仅只有这些。那么他们的阅读到底还要读什么？

    　　我们可以把阅读简单地分成两个层次。一个就是刚才讲的阅读是为了获得信息。有些美国大学里的阅读只要达到这个层次就可以了，比如，舞台设计课里介绍哪一种木材适合做什么材料的阅读。但是，大部分课程特别是社会科学要求的阅读都要达到更深的一层次，那就是读文章的内在逻辑。你不但要理解整篇文章的逻辑，而且更重要的是文章中提出的各种理论的逻辑。比如，在政治学里，西方资本主义的当代主要流派都主张消除性别歧视和种族歧视。这就可能是你在课本里读到的信息。这也许就像国内常说的知识点。但是，你光知道这个知识点，就是完成了信息的获得，在美国大学是远远不够的。你必须进一步去思考其中的内在逻辑，例如，消除性别歧视和种族歧视有利于促进平等，促进平等就会促进教育机会的平等，这样就会使更多的人可以受到更好的教育。而那些资本主义当代流派认为教育会使人更加有效率，更加多产。而有效率和多产的劳动者的增加有利于资本主义的发展。所以那些西方资本主义的当代流派会努力地去消除性别歧视和种族歧视。

    　　上面这些东西就是你要从课本的逻辑里读出来的。你不要需要去背诵，关键是你要学会分析文章的内在逻辑。美国大学考试的时候，一般也不会要你简单地把知识点记住然后向默写一样回答问题，而更多的是要求你学会，比如是政治学的考试，使用政治学的分析方法去分析材料中的内在逻辑，并解决问题。当然你对材料内在逻辑的分析可能会出错，这也许就是为什么要有教授，为什么每个星期要去上3堂课的原因了。

    “    和美国人谈恋爱？”

    　　其实，这一段我想说的是关于和美国人交谈，包括交朋友和交男女朋友。当然，无论交什么朋友，都是建立在交流的基础上的。那么，和美国人交流，除了流利的英语外还要什么呢？

    　　首先，你要懂得王强提出的美语思维，也就是你要懂得美国人思维方式和我们中国人的区别。这个区别王强已经讲地非常明白了，我在这里就不重复了。而我要说的是，在美国的亲身经历告诉我懂得美国人的思维方式是和美国人交流的关键，简单的说，如果你会用美国人的思维方式去思考问题，那么，你就可能和美国人交朋友。

    　　在懂得美国人的思维方式上更进一步，你最好理解并学会使用美国人的幽默，或者按照字面意思理解，美国人的嘲讽(sarcasm)。这是美国一种文化，时时刻刻你都能感觉到。也许，这就是为什么我们心目中的美国人很爱开玩笑。记得在第一次去美国的飞机上，我入境登记卡(IP-94)填错了一项，就问飞机上的服务人员再要一份空白的。那个美国人走到我的面前认真地说，“对不起，每个人只有一份。”我当时就急了，有点不知所措，便问他怎么办。那个美国人严肃地思考了一会儿，就笑了，同时递给我一份空的入境卡。我这才明白原来他在开玩笑。懂得美国人的思维方式你只是具备了和美国人交朋友的基础，而懂得使用美国人的幽默和嘲讽会使你很容易交到朋友，并成为一个非常受美国人欢迎的人。这样，你也就有了可能和美国人谈恋爱。因为我发现懂得幽默时常嘲讽的人特别受美国女孩的欢迎。

    　　所以，总的来说，在美国，说流利的英文使你可以交流；理解美国人的思维方式使你可以交上朋友；懂得使用美国的幽默和嘲讽使你可以谈恋爱。

    　　最后总结一下，整篇文章其实就是讲了在美国大学本科要求毕业生具备的四种能力：批判性思维能力，条理清晰明了的写作能力，内在逻辑分析的阅读能力，和理解美语思维和美国幽默的沟通能力。简单讲，这4种能力是美国人认为的优秀人才的基本标准。很明显，这个标准和国内的大学人才培养的目标和优秀人才的标准是不同的，那么我们要做的就是不要把中国社会的情况和文化套用到美国社会。这样你就不会为本身在国内非常优秀的你在美国学习生活的不如意而感到迷茫。最后的最后，是给即将或者已经留学美国的朋友们的，就是尽快理解并学习这四种能力，然后把你努力的方向对准这四种能力。这样才是真正适应美国的学习和生活，才能够使你在国内的风采飘过太平洋后仍然风采依旧，甚至更上一层楼。

    来源：上海新东方学校

     

    22:58 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (6) | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    2006美国工学院排名（2）

    32. University of Pennsylvania

                                             

                                                                           

     33. North Carolina State University

                                             

                                                                           

     33. Washington University in St. Louis (Sever)

                                             

                                                                           

     35. University of California–Davis

                                             

                                                                           

     35. University of Rochester (NY)

                                             

                                                                           

     37. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY)

                                             

                                                                           

     38. University of Virginia

                                             

                                                                           

     39. University of Colorado–Boulder

                                             

                                                                           

     39. Yale University (CT)

                                             

                                                                           

     41. University of California–Irvine (Samueli)

                                             

                                                                           

     42. Boston University

                                             

                                                                           

     42. Case Western Reserve University (OH)

                                             

                                                                           

     42. Dartmouth College (Thayer) (NH)                                            

                                                                           

     42. Iowa State University

                                             

                                                                           

     42. University of Delaware

                                             

                                                                           

     47. Arizona State University (Fulton)

                                             

                                                                           

     47. Lehigh University (Rossin) (PA)                                                

                                                                           

     47. Rutgers State University–New Brunswick (NJ)

                                             

                                                                           

     47. Vanderbilt University (TN)

    23:47 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    2006年美国工学院排名 (1)

     

    2006年美国工学院排名

     1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

     

     

       2. Stanford University (CA)

     

      

       3. University of California–Berkeley

                                             

                                                                                

       4. Georgia Institute of Technology

                                             

                                                                           

       5. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign

                                             

                                                                           

       6. Purdue University–West Lafayette (IN)

                                             

                                                                           

       6. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

                                             

                                                                           

       8. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

                                             

                                                                           

       9. University of Southern California (Viterbi)

                                             

                                                                           

     10. California Institute of Technology

                                             

                                                                           

     11. Cornell University (NY)

                                             

                                                                           

     11. University of California–San Diego (Jacobs)

                                             

                                                                           

     13. University of Texas–Austin

                                             

                                                                           

     14. Texas A&M University–College Station (Look)

                                             

                                                                           

     15. University of California–Los Angeles (Samueli)

                                             

                                                                           

     15. University of Maryland–College Park (Clark)

                                             

                                                                           

     15. University of Wisconsin–Madison

                                             

                                                                           

     18. Princeton University (NJ)

                                             

                                                                           

     19. Pennsylvania State University–University Park

                                             

                                                                           

     20. Columbia University (Fu Foundation) (NY)

                                             

                                                                           

     21. Harvard University (MA)

                                             

                                                                           

     21. Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) (MD)

                                             

                                                                           

     21. Northwestern University (McCormick) (IL)

                                             

                                                                           

     21. University of California–Santa Barbara

                                             

                                                                           

     21. University of Washington

                                             

                                                                           

     26. Ohio State University

                                             

                                                                           

     26. University of Florida

                                             

                                                                           

     28. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

                                             

                                                                           

     29. Rice University (Brown) (TX)

                                             

                                                                           

     30. Duke University (NC)

                                             

                                                                           

     30. Virginia Tech

                                             

                                                                           

     

    23:45 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志
    7月24日

    Paraphrase

     

    Paraphrase

     

    Phrasal Verbs (informal)                 One-word Verbs (formal)

    Bring out                             cause

    Carry on                              continue, transact

    Carry out                             complete, accomplish

    Clear up                              clarify

    Come about                           happen

    Come across                           find

    Come by                              find accidentally

    Come out with                          publish, produce

    Come up with                          create

    Cut down on                           reduce

    Fall through                           fail

    Figure out                             understand

    Find out                               discover

    Give off                               emit

    Go after                               follow

    Go back                               reduce

    Go before                              precede

    Go down                               decrease

    Go on                                 continue, happen

    Go over                                review

    Go through                             experience, penetrate

    Go up                                 increase

    Keep on                                continue

    Leave out                               exclude, omit

    Look for                                seek

    Look into                               investigate

    Look like                               resemble

    Look over                              examine

    Look up                                locate information

    Look up to                              respect

    Make out                               understand with difficulty

    Make up                                invent, compose

    Pick out                                select

    Point out                                show, indicate

    Put off                                  postpone

    Put up with                              tolerate

    Rule out                                eliminate

    Run across                              find accidentally

    Run into                                meet by accident

    Set up                                  arrange

    Show up                                appear unexpectedly

    Spell out                                state in detail

    Stand for                                represent

    Stick out                                protrude

    Take into account                         consider

    Take over                               assume control

    Take place                               occur

    Think through                            reason

    Throw away                              discard

    Touch on                                mention briefly

    Try out                                 test

    Turn into                                transform

    Turn out                                conclude

    Turn up                                 discover

    Wind up                                finish

    Work out                                active

    Write up                                report

     

    13:25 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (1) | 固定链接 | 查看引用通告 (1) | 写入日志

    2006年美国大学排名（college) 2

       51. Denison University (OH)

       51. Wabash College (IN)

       53. Lawrence University (WI)

       53. Pitzer College (CA)

       55. Agnes Scott College (GA)

       55. Illinois Wesleyan University

       55. Kalamazoo College (MI)

       55. St. Olaf College (MN)

       55. Wheaton College (IL)

       55. Wofford College (SC)

       61. Beloit College (WI)

       61. Hobart and William Smith Col. (NY)

       61. Southwestern University (TX)

       61. St. Lawrence University (NY)

       61. Willamette University (OR)

       66. Drew University (NJ)

       66. Wheaton College (MA)

       68. College of Wooster (OH)

       69. Earlham College (IN)

       69. St. John's University (MN)

       71. Sweet Briar College (VA)

       71. Ursinus College (PA)

       73. Austin College (TX)

       73. Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)

       73. Hendrix College (AR)

       73. Knox College (IL)

       73. Mills College (CA)

       73. Muhlenberg College (PA)

       73. Spelman College (GA)

       73. Virginia Military Institute*

       81. Lewis and Clark College (OR)

       81. Millsaps College (MS)

       81. University of Puget Sound (WA)

       84. Albion College (MI)

       84. Principia College (IL)

       84. Randolph - Macon Woman's College (VA)

       84. St. Mary's College of Maryland*

       88. Allegheny College (PA)

       88. Birmingham - Southern College (AL)

       88. College of St. Benedict (MN)

       88. Hollins University (VA)

       88. New College of Florida*‡†

       88. Thomas Aquinas College (CA)

       94. Augustana College (IL)

       94. Goucher College (MD)

       94. Hanover College (IN)

       94. Hope College (MI)

       94. Washington and Jefferson Col. (PA)

       94. Wells College (NY)

     100. Bennington College (VT)

     100. Juniata College (PA)

     100. Ohio Wesleyan University

     100. Presbyterian College (SC)

     104. Hampden - Sydney College (VA)

     104. Hampshire College (MA)

     104. Hillsdale College (MI)

     104. Randolph - Macon College (VA)

     104. Transylvania University (KY)

     104. Washington College (MD)

     104. Westmont College (CA)

    13:17 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    2006年美国大学排名（college) 1

    2006年美国大学综合排名前104名（college）

      1. Williams College (MA)

         2. Amherst College (MA)

         3. Swarthmore College (PA)

         4. Wellesley College (MA)

         5. Carleton College (MN)

         6. Bowdoin College (ME)

         6. Pomona College (CA)

         8. Haverford College (PA)

         8. Middlebury College (VT)

       10. Claremont McKenna College (CA)

       10. Davidson College (NC)

       12. Wesleyan University (CT)

       13. Vassar College (NY)

       14. Washington and Lee University (VA)

       15. Colgate University (NY)

       15. Grinnell College (IA)

       15. Hamilton College (NY)

       18. Harvey Mudd College (CA)

       19. Smith College (MA)

       20. Colby College (ME)

       21. Bates College (ME)

       21. Bryn Mawr College (PA)

       23. Mount Holyoke College (MA)

       23. Oberlin College (OH)

       25. Macalester College (MN)

       25. Trinity College (CT)

       27. Barnard College (NY)

       27. Bucknell University (PA)

       27. Colorado College

       27. Lafayette College (PA)

       27. Scripps College (CA)

       32. College of the Holy Cross (MA)

       32. Kenyon College (OH)

       34. Sewanee – University of the South (TN)

       34. University of Richmond (VA)‡

       36. Connecticut College

       36. Union College (NY)

       36. Whitman College (WA)

       39. Bard College (NY)

       39. Franklin and Marshall College (PA)

       41. Centre College (KY)

       41. Furman University (SC)

       41. Occidental College (CA)

       41. Skidmore College (NY)

       45. Dickinson College (PA)

       45. Rhodes College (TN)

       47. Gettysburg College (PA)

       47. Reed College (OR)1

       49. DePauw University (IN)

       49. Sarah Lawrence College (NY)

    13:16 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    2006年美国大学排名（2）

       52. University of Texas – Austin*

       53. George Washington University (DC)

       53. Worcester Polytechnic Inst. (MA)

       55. Pepperdine University (CA)

       55. Univ. of Maryland – College Park*

       55. University of Miami (FL)

       58. University of Georgia*

       58. University of Pittsburgh*

       60. Boston University

       60. Ohio State University – Columbus*

       60. Purdue Univ. – West Lafayette (IN)*

       60. Rutgers – New Brunswick (NJ)*

       60. Texas A&M Univ. – College Station*

       60. University of Iowa*

       66. Miami University – Oxford (OH)*

       66. University of Delaware*

       68. Fordham University (NY)

       68. Univ. of California – Santa Cruz*

       68. University of Connecticut*

       71. Brigham Young Univ. – Provo (UT)

       71. Southern Methodist University (TX)

       71. Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)

       74. Indiana University – Bloomington*

       74. Michigan State University*

       74. SUNY – Binghamton*

       74. Univ. of Minnesota – Twin Cities*

       78. Baylor University (TX)

       78. Clemson University (SC)*

       78. North Carolina State U. – Raleigh*

       78. St. Louis University

       78. University of Colorado – Boulder*

       78. Virginia Tech*

       84. Clark University (MA)

       85. American University (DC)

       85. Auburn University (AL)*

       85. Iowa State University*

       85. Marquette University (WI)

       85. Univ. of California – Riverside*

       85. University of Denver

       85. Univ. of Missouri – Columbia*

       85. University of Tennessee*

       93. Howard University (DC)

       93. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry*

       93. University of Tulsa (OK)

       93. University of Vermont*

       97. Illinois Institute of Technology

       97. SUNY – Stony Brook*

       97. Texas Christian University

       97. University of Arizona*

       97. University of Kansas*

       97. Univ. of Nebraska – Lincoln*

       97. University of New Hampshire*

     104. University of Alabama*

     104. University of Dayton (OH)

     104. Univ. of Massachusetts – Amherst*

     104. University of San Diego

     104. University of the Pacific (CA)

     109. Drexel University (PA)

     109. Florida State University*

     109. Ohio University*

     109. University of Missouri – Rolla*

     109. University of Oklahoma*

     109. Univ. of South Carolina – Columbia*

     115. Loyola University Chicago

     115. Northeastern University (MA)

     115. University at Buffalo – SUNY*

     115. University of Oregon*

     115. University of San Francisco

     120. Catholic University of America (DC)

     120. Colorado State University*

     120. University of Kentucky*

     120. University of Utah*

     120. Washington State University*

    13:11 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    2006年美国大学排名（1）

    2006年美国大学综合排名前120名（university）

     

         1. Harvard University (MA)

         1. Princeton University (NJ)

         3. Yale University (CT)

         4. University of Pennsylvania

         5. Duke University (NC)

         5. Stanford University (CA)

         7. California Institute of Technology

         7. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology

         9. Columbia University (NY)

         9. Dartmouth College (NH)

       11. Washington University in St. Louis

       12. Northwestern University (IL)

       13. Cornell University (NY)

       13. Johns Hopkins University (MD)

       15. Brown University (RI)

       15. University of Chicago

       17. Rice University (TX)

       18. University of Notre Dame (IN)

       18. Vanderbilt University (TN)

       20. Emory University (GA)

       20. University of California – Berkeley*

       22. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

       23. Georgetown University (DC)

       23. University of Virginia*

       25. Univ. of California – Los Angeles*

       25. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor*

       27. Tufts University (MA)

       27. U. of North Carolina – Chapel Hill*

       27. Wake Forest University (NC)

       30. Univ. of Southern California

       31. College of William and Mary (VA)*

       32. Lehigh University (PA)

       32. Univ. of California – San Diego*

       34. Brandeis University (MA)

       34. University of Rochester (NY)

       34. Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison*

       37. Case Western Reserve Univ. (OH)

       37. Georgia Institute of Technology*

       37. New York University

       40. Boston College

       40. University of California – Irvine*

       42. U. of Illinois – Urbana - Champaign*

       43. Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (NY)

       43. Tulane University (LA)

       45. Univ. of California – Santa Barbara*

       45. University of Washington*

       45. Yeshiva University (NY)

       48. Pennsylvania State U. – University Park*

       48. University of California – Davis*

       50. Syracuse University (NY)

       50. University of Florida*

    13:10 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (1) | 固定链接 | 写入日志
    7月20日

    英国英语和美国英语的差异――同词异义

    英国英语和美国英语的差异――同词异义

     

                                  Br. E.                      Am. E

    Avenue                       小路                        大街

    Block                         大楼                       街区

    Boot                          (汽车)行李箱                靴子

    Dresser                       食品柜                      梳妆台

    Dry goods                     谷物                        纺织品

    Faculty                        大学的学院                 全体教员

    Fire company                   火灾保险公司               消防队

    Homely                        朴实的                     丑陋的

    Pocketbook                     笔记本                     钱包

    Redcap                        宪兵                       搬运工

    Sleeper                        枕木                       卧车

    Suspenders                     吊袜带                     吊裤带

    Tutor                          导师                       助教

    Vest                           内衣汗衫                   西服背心

    10:36 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (2) | 固定链接 | 写入日志
    7月14日

    Modern Life

    Modern Life

    A.     Urban life

    Key words:

    apartment, residential area, city center/downtown, outskirts, slum (贫民窟)，metropolis (大都市)，

    cafeteria, fancy restaurant, snack bar, stadium, art gallery (美术馆)，monument, junk shop (旧货店)，barber shop, beauty salon, department stores/supermarket/convenience store/7-11,

    skyscrapers (摩天大楼)， city hall (市政府)， employment agency, stock exchange

     

    表示现代生活词组：fast-tempo society, densely populated, overcrowding, get one’s hands full/ be up to one’s neck/ears/eyes in work,

     

    表示环境问题的词组city planning, improve the eco-environment, （改善生态环境），improve the eco-construction （加强生态建设），prevent and control pollution (防治污染)，garbage disposal （垃圾处理），the necessities of life (生活必需品), pollution fines             

     

    B.     Transportation

    Key words:

    a.       coach, trackless trolley (BrE. trolleybus), double-decker bus (双层巴士),  subway(underground, tube),  light rail train, 磁悬浮列车magnetically levitated train 
    Maglev train(magnetically levitated train)  magnetic suspension train 
    automobile (private car),  cab( taxi rank, taxi stand, hail), van, commercial vehicle (    商用车)

    b.       board, leave for, highway code 交通法规， minimum fare (of a taxi) 最低车费，keep the meter running继续打表，open to traffic 通车， rush hour, peak time, traffic jam, traffic policeman 交警，

     

    C.     Internet

    Key words:

    a.       desktop, laptop, palmtop, software and hardware, floppy disc, monitor,

    b.      browser 浏览器，database, data transmission, email address, Internet users, firewall防火墙，

    homepage 主页，website, information highway, information age, information society, information technology,  IT industry, virtual reality 虚拟现实，Internet café/ cyber café

    Phrases: access the Internet, attach a file to the email, download sth from websites, keep in touch with sb.  via email, keep up-to-date in one’s field using the Internet, surf cyberspace/the Web/the Internet 网上冲浪， purchase sth online

     

    12:29 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (6) | 固定链接 | 写入日志
    7月9日

    Free choice Questions

    Free choice Questions

    A.      Describe a person/people

    1.       Describe a family member/close friend/schoolmate/workmate/neighbor/an adventurous person

    2.       Describe your favorite teacher and explain how this teacher influenced you.

    3.       Describe a famous businessperson/a sport person/sports team you admire and explain why you admire him/her.

    4.       Describe your favorite singer/actor/actress/band group/character in a film and explain why you like him/her/them.

    5.       Describe a celebrity/a famous person in history you want to see most and explain why you want to see this celebrity.

     

    B.      Describe a place

    1.       Describe a shop/restaurant/museum/park/garden/an ideal house/ company/city/country/ and explain why you like it.

    2.       Describe your room and explain how you spend time there.

    3.       Describe your school and campus and explain what impression it gives you.

    4.       Describe the highest/emblematic/historic building in your town.

    5.       Describe a kind of traditional building in your country

     

    C.      Describe an object

    1.       Describe an important machine/ means of transport/ a work of art and explain why you think it is important in your life.

    2.       Describe the best/worst invention in the 20th century and explain how it affects your life.

    3.       Describe an important invention before computer/a normal commodity in your family and explain its advantages and disadvantages.

    4.       Describe an important gift/letter/photograph and explain why it is special to you.

    5.       Describe something expensive you want to buy and explain why you want to buy it.

     

    D.     Describe your favorites

    Describe your favorite clothing/jewelry/advertisement/medium/TV program/type of holiday/movie/sports/leisure activity/music/song/weather/dish/animal/traditional Chinese art or craft/newspaper/magazine/book/an interesting news story/website and explain why you like it.

     

    E.      Describe events/your experiences

    1.       Describe an exciting period/a positive change/a important success/decision in your life/ and explain why it is XXX

    2.       Describe your most unforgettable childhood story/a happy event in your childhood and explain why it is XXX

    3.       Describe the best party /holiday /trip/a long distance travel/ wedding/a special meal/ the worst weather/ and explain why it is XXX

    4.       Describe your experience of learning English/a family event/a sport event/an accident and explain the importance of it.

    5.       Describe an important festival in your country/a popular game that children play in your town.

    6.       Describe a project you have done and explain what you got from doing this project.

    15:27 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (4) | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    Describe a person

    Describe a person

    A. People (yourself, family, friend) （Appearance—Personality—Examples）

    1.      Describe yourself

    Appearance: But general words, not too detailed. (Freckles, black spot, pimples, dimples, acne 痤疮, a pointed chin 尖下巴，double chin)

     

    tall, short, fat, slim, slender, hot, sexy, gorgeous, charming, elegant,

    lean, strong, muscled, sun-tanned, masculine

    weird(weirdo), a big pain, troublemaker

             

    Personality: extroverted, sociable, open-minded, outgoing, easy-going (easy to get along), warm-hearted, a heart of gold, tolerant, as cool as cucumber          introverted, stubborn, keep one’s opinions/ideas to oneself, shy, unsociable, uncommunicative, self-conscious 

     

    Hobby:    collect stamps and coins, read books (English novels, English and American literatures), watch TV and movies (cartoons, thrillers, etc., couch potato), go shopping (party animals), traveling (backpacker, hiker), surf on the Internet, chat on the web, write my own stories on the blog. 

     

    Study or work: student (senior high school, university), full/part time, employed, unemployed—laid-off, freelancer--SOHO （Small Office Home Office）

     

    Sentence patterns: I like to do/doing sth, I prefer to do sth, I enjoy/fancy doing sth, I am interested in doing sth, I am keen on, I’m good at,

     

    2.      Family

    Types of family: a small/nuclear family (核心家庭，小家庭)

                  a big/large/extended family (大家庭)

                  a single-parent family (单亲家庭)

    Relative relationship: cousin, nephew, niece, XXX-in-law, family tree

    Phrase: feed/support/raise a family, start/found family, family financial situation, family function, family relationship, family planning, family education, etc.

           (家庭的经济状况，居住的环境会影响到孩子的综合素质及与父母亲的关系)

    Sentence patterns: I grew up in a very close, loving family.

                   I’m lucky to live in a strict yet loving family.

                   I get along well with all the family members.

                   I keep in touch with my family regularly.

                   I miss my family very much. / Just that I miss my family terribly.

                  

    3.      Friends

    Key words:

    Character: considerate/thoughtful, emotional, enthusiastic, friendly, generous, gentle, helpful, honest, humorous, kind, patient,

    affectionate关爱的, amicable和蔼的, caring, frank, ideal, intimate, sociable, sympathetic, talkative/gossip /expressive富于表情的，有表现力的,eloquent 雄辩的,有口才的， trustworthy, etc.

     

    Phrases:

    A. an easy-going/ understanding/broad-minded /warm-hearted person,

    B. be friendly with, be on intimate terms with sb, keep friendly relations, keep/lose contact with sb, make friends with,

    C. ask for help, help sb. out, a shoulder to cry on, cheer sb. up, turn to one’s friend when in difficulty,

    D. for the sake of friendship, cherish friendship, have a bosom friend, understand each other, reach an understanding, seek common ground while reserving differences 求同存异

     

    Questions for discussion:

    1.      What do you think a true friend should be?

    2.      What does friendship mean to you?

    3.      Why do you think friendship important to you?

    4.      What is the basis of friendship?

    5.      What kind of people do you make friend with?

    6.      What do you have in common with your friends?

    7.      Are you very good at keeping in touch with friends?

    8.      How well do you communicate with your friends?     

     

     

     

    15:25 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    Independent Questions 4

    A.      Why……?/Do you think……?

    1.      People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, and increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    2.      Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    3.       Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    4.      Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

    5.      Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    6.      If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

    7.      Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    8.      Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

    9.      Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    10.  In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

    11.  When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    12.  Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    13.  Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    14.  Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

    15.  Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    1:13 | 添加评论 | 阅读评论 (1) | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    Independent Questions 3

    A.      Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

    1.       Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Parents are the best teachers.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    2.       A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.

    3.       Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Television has destroyed communication among friends and family.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    4.       Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Universities should give the same amount of money to their students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    5.       It has recently been announced that a new restaurant/shopping center /movie theater /high school /university may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    6.       It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

    7.       In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.

    8.       Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    9.       Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities.
    Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.

    10.    Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    11.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    12.   Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    13.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, email, or telephone calls.
    Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    14.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    15.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    One should never judge a person by external appearances.
    Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    16.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    A person should never make an important decision alone.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    17.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Games are as important for adults as they are for children.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    18.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenage children.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    19.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child's success in school.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    20.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Grades (marks) encourage students to learn.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    21.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    22.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

    23.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Boys and girls should attend separate schools.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    24.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Technology has made the world a better place to live.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    25.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Modern technology is creating a single world culture.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    26.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Telephones and email have made communication between people less personal.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    27.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn.
    Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    28.   Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    29.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    People behave differently when they wear different clothes.
    Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support your answer.

    30.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different.
    Use specific reasons to support your answer.

    31.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts.
    Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

    32.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    33.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school.
    Use specific reasons to support your answer.

    34.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    There is nothing that young people can teach older people.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

    35.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Reading fiction (such as novels and short stories) is more enjoyable than watching movies.
    Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

    36.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    A person's childhood years (the time from birth to twelve years of age) are the most important years of a person's life.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    37.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Playing a game is fun only when you win.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    38.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    High schools should allow students to study the courses that students want to study.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    39.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    40.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Only people who earn a lot of money are successful.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    41.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Playing games teaches us about life.
    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    42.   Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
    Watching television is bad for children.
    Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

    1:12 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    Independent Questions 2

    A.      Which one do you prefer?

    1.       Compare knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?

    2.       Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    3.       Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    4.        Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

    5.       Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.

    6.       Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    7.       Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.

    8.       Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    9.       You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    10.   Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people's lives.

    •  automobiles

    •  bicycles

    •  airplanes

    Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    11.   Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    12.   Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day's work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    13.   Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    14.   Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    15.   Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    16.   A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    17.   Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    18.   Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    19.   Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice.

    20.   Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    21.   If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire: an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    22.   Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    23.   Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

    24.   Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    25.   Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    26.   Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

    27. Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    28. Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice

    29. You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

    30. Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    31. Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    32. Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference.

    33. You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice.

    34. Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why.

    35. Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.

    36. When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details.

    37. Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

    38. Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

    39. Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Which view do you agree with? Why?

    40. Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to support your position.

    41. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Which do you prefer — planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

    42. People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice.

    43. Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?

    44. Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why.

    45. Some people trust their first impressions about a person's character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person's character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples.

    46. Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    47. Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    48. Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    49. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    50. Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

    51. Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    52. A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation.

    53. Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy — computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your recommendation.

    54. Some items (such as clothes or furniture) can be made by hand or by machine. Which do you prefer — items made by hand or items made by machine? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

    55. In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home by using technology such as computers or television or of studying at traditional schools. Which would you prefer? Use reasons and specific details to explain your choice.

    56. Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    57. A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either

    •  to go on vacation

    •  to buy a car

    Your friend has asked you for advice. Compare your friend's two choices and explain which one you think your friend should choose. Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    58. Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    59. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.

     

    1:10 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志

    Independent Questions 1

    A.      Describe

    1.  Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

    2.  If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

    3.  How do movies or television influence people's behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

    4.  What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

    5.  We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.

    6.  What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    7.  What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    8.  People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer.

    9.  What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

    10. What do you want most in a friend — someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

    11. If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

    12. Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous person in your country. Who would you choose? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

    13. Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.

    14. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    15. If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    16. What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    17. If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history, what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    18. If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    19. If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    20. Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

    21. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

    22. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you write your answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question.

    23. If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed.

    24. If you could make one important change in a school that you attended, what change would you make? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

    25. A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child's development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

    26. Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

    27. Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.

    28. What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.

    29. You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

    30. The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

    31. People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

    32. You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

    33. People recognize a difference between children and adults. What events (experiences or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

    34. People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

    35. Groups or organizations are an important part of some people's lives. Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

    36. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

    37. Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

    38. What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and examples to explain your answer.

     

    1:08 | 添加评论 | 固定链接 | 写入日志