4. The Development of Private Cars
With the increase in the general standard of living, some ordinary Chinese families can now afford a car. Yet opinions on the development of a private car vary from person to person. Some claim that there are many advantages in possessing a car. It gives a much greater degree of comfort and mobility. The owner of a car is no longer forced to rely on public transport, and hence no irritation caused by waiting for buses or taxies. With a car he can go where he likes and when he wants, so much so that he can enjoy his leisure to the full by making trips to the country or seaside on the weekends, instead of being confined to his immediate neighborhood.
However, others strongly object to developing private cars. They maintain that as more and more cars are produced and run in the street, a large volume of poisonous gas will be given off, polluting the atmosphere and causing actual harm to the health of people. In fact, private cars contribute to traffic congestion so greatly that the advantages gained in comfort and freedom are often cancelled out by the frustration caused by traffic jams.
In spite of all the above-mentioned, I still favor owning a car. The reason is that the car gives a person the freedom to schedule his own time. Though we are confronted with a problem of energy crisis, I am sure that the real solution will have to be a new kind of car, one that uses cheap, efficient fuel and does not contaminate the air.
5. Scientific Discovery — Curse Or Blessing
New scientific discovery nearly always brings mankind a blessing. Take electricity for example. Since its discovery, it has ushered in an era of countless inventions in close connection with it. Nowadays people can read and write by means of lights instead of candles. Fire is another example of discoveries which made human beings survive in ancient times and generates electricity in modern times. Again, minerals such as oil or coal discovered by man have long been used as fuel to develop industry and agriculture.
Yet sometimes scientific discoveries may prove a curse upon the human race. As we know, everything has two sides. Electricity can shock one to death if used carelessly. Smoke from factories and gases from cars are terrible pollutants. Radium used in nuclear power plants can lead to a nuclear war.
The misuse of scientific discoveries must be prevented. Since chemical elements or substances were discovered, some have been made use of for purpose of war. Such weapons as atomic bombs or poisonous gases have proved to be destructive to mankind. Therefore, it is the whole world's duty to prevent scientific discoveries from menacing the human race.
6．Internet — A Two-edged Sword
Internet is playing an increasingly important role in people's life. As a newborn information delivering system, the Internet has made seas of information available at our fingers’ tips. Besides, the Internet serves as the most convenient means for communication. Through the Internet, people can discuss various problems and make friends who share common views.
But just as a coin has two sides, Internet has its own drawbacks which should not be neglected. First, it costs an alarming amount of money to construct the system and the cost is very high to most Chinese consumers. Second, it is sometimes difficult for people to find the right information they are looking for since there is too much rubbish on the net. Finally, it is also difficult to prevent the net from the invasion of criminals.
Therefore, the Internet should be viewed as a two-edged sword, which presents us with both conveniences and troubles. But we should not give up eating for fear of choking. The best policy, as I see it, is to further develop the net and exert proper supervision over it so that it can benefit us in a better way.
7．The Greatest Invention in the Past Century
When asked about the greatest invention in the past century, some people may claim that it is the computer; others may say it is the mobile phone; still others may say it is the automobile. In my opinion, however, it is the Internet.
Of course, the computer, or the electric brain, has greatly facilitated our mental work and spare us the burden of calculating, restoring and searching; the automobile saves us time and makes our travel more convenient and the mobile phone has got people closer. But, these are just the extension of human brain, legs and voice. The Internet, however, has changed human life in a more fundamental way since its birth.
First, as a newborn information delivering system, the Internet has made various information available at our finger's tip. Besides, Internet serves as the most convenient means for communication. Through Internet, people can discuss various problems and make friends. Last but not least, the Internet is also a faithful aid in our daily life since people can go shopping and get medical services online.
To sum up, the Internet is indeed the most interesting and important invention man has ever made.
8. Brain Drain
Brain drain is a delicate problem with which this country is confronted. In the last ten years or so, a lot of scientists and technicians have swarmed into developed countries for further studies or research work, let alone numerous promising students. And there are no indications that they will be back home before long. This country has paid the expenses of training them but lost them. How did that come about?
It is self-evident that their delay of coming back is due to those favorable working and living conditions which are essential to research work. Sophisticated equipment makes it easier for one to gain academic achievements. Our competent scientists abroad are offered higher rewards and greater opportunities which contribute to their success in career.
It seems that it isn't impossible to solve the problem. The scientists and the like can be attracted back home so long as great importance is attached to the intellectual's deserving treatment and effective measures are taken to provide them with excellent pay and agreeable conditions.
9. How to Solve Energy Crisis
Man is faced with a grave problem—the energy crisis, which is becoming increasingly serious. First, with the increase in the world's population, the demand for fuels is growing steadily. Second, the rapid development of industry and agriculture calls for an increasing amount of coal, oil and natural gas.
Confronted with the energy crisis, we should take a series of effective measures to save energy. For one thing, it is high time that people all over the world realized the severe fact that our natural resources have been fixed since the earth was created. For another, the governments of all countries are supposed to lay down the rules and regulations to restrict the amount of gas used by cars. Finally, scientific researches should be encouraged to work out efficient methods of saving fuels and to seek new sources of energy.
Personally, I believe that solar energy is a possible source of clean, inexpensive and abundant energy. It does not pollute the environment and costs only as much as the installation of solar panels to absorb the sun's rays. Consequently, I'm confident that a bright future is awaiting us because solar energy will be able to help us to solve the energy crisis.
10. Fire Accidents in Big Cities
In recent years there has been a marked growth of fire accidents in big cities of our country. Almost every day we see fire engines rushing through streets. Fires have not only resulted in heavy economic losses but also injured and killed many people.
What are the causes of fire accidents? Most of the fires are brought about by carelessness and violation of fire safety regulations. Others are due to the poor quality of home electrical appliances. By the way, some people don't know how to use them properly. Besides, there are quite a few businesses which focus so much of their attention on profits that they tend to neglect and even ignore fire precautions.
In my opinion, in order to prevent fires we should first of all foster people's sense of fire prevention. The second thing we have to do is to increase the number of professional fire fighters, to whom regular training courses should be offered. Finally, we are to improve the existing fire engines and add more fire facilities to high-rise buildings. In this way, a reliable fire prevention system will be formed.
11． Practice Makes Perfect
A well-known proverb goes “Practice makes perfect”, which means that perfection lies in practice. Without practice, you can never expect to be really good at anything. On the contrary, the more you practice, the more likely you are to do things in a perfect way.
Taking a look around, we can find examples too numerous to list. The study of English is a case in point. If you wish to improve your pronunciation, you must practice pronouncing every English syllable again and again. Likewise, if you want to write an excellent composition, you have to sit down and write.
Another example is Deng Yaping, the world No. 1 woman Ping-pong player. This short girl, who does not seem to be cut out for sports, owes her success to painstaking and perseverant practice.
In short, practice is essential if we want to make achievements in our studies or work, or indeed in any other aspect of our life. Practice, to some degree, can make the difference between being merely good at something and becoming a champion.
12．Against a Robbery
Yesterday afternoon，Mrs. Luo left home for shopping. Halfway down the stairs, she found her way blocked by two men armed with knives. They threatened her, saying that they would stab her if she made any noise. Then, they forced her to take them to her flat and open the door. It seemed that Mrs. Luo was be in a big trouble and was bound to lose money or life.
In the flat opposite, a woman heard the noise outside. When she looked out through the window, she discovered that her neighbor was threatened by someone. She immediately called the police. In answer to the call, a patrol police car arrived at the scene of the crime quickly. Three policemen went inside the flat, others guarded outside the building to prevent anyone from escaping.
The two criminals were arrested and taken to the police station with their wrists handcuffed. There they would be questioned and probably charged with robbery.
13. The Robot is a Machine after All
As is vividly shown in the pictures, a man and a robot were playing cards. Obviously, the man was losing, for he was with a sad face. The robot, on the other hand, was smiling. Then the man went to open the body of the robot and changed something inside it. A moment later, they were back again to the game. Now it was the robot’s turn to frown: nearly all the coins were won over by the man.
Simple as the cartoons are, their symbolic meaning is profound and far-reaching: the robot is but a robot, a product by man. It can never really defeat human beings; much less can they control or replace man. With this in mind, we need no longer worry about the miserable fate of human beings as foretold by some pessimists or as described in some American films like “The Star War” or “Matrix”.
While we should be optimistic about the future of human beings, we need also be warrant of the danger resulting from some inappropriate use of modern technology, like that of gene and cloning, which might endanger mankind either physically or morally. We might not be defeated by robots, but we might be ruined by ourselves.
14. A Letter of Application for a Job
June 17th, 2006
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am responding to your advertisement in China Daily on June 10th, 2006, which invites applications for interpreters. Enclosed with this letter is my resume which details my background.
I believe that I am the best candidate for this position. In the first place, I have been studying for four years in Beijing Foreign Studies University, one of the most prestigious language schools in China, which has provided me with a desirable command of English skills. In the second place, I have taken part in a number of social activities in the past years, which have helped cultivate my team-spirit and creativity. Besides, I have attended training courses for interpretation and have obtained related certificates. Last but not least, I have worked as a part-time interpreter, so I am well prepared for this job.
I would treasure the chance and exert every effort to do a good job if I had the luck to be provided with the position. Besides, I shall be much obliged if you will afford me an opportunity for an interview, and I appreciate a response from you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for considering this application.
Best regards.
Yours sincerely
Li Ming
15．The Goal of Life
A story goes that a disabled young man managed to reach the peak of every famous high mountain in the world before he was 28. He did all this just as his parents told him to do in their will. But the young man committed suicide in the end and his last words were: “now I have nothing to do with all my goals achieved and my fame well established. I have no new goals.”
This story might not be true, but it conveys profound messages. First, one should have a grand ideal and associate it with the needs of society. Secondly, one should have his own pursuits and should not follow others blindly.
The story is especially instructive when we think of similar happenings around us. Some people, after making a fortune, feel empty and desperate, resorting to drugs or other low style of life. Still more young people do the same because they are in lack of lofty ideals and are only drifting with the tide.
As far as I am concerned, I would like to devote myself to any cause that is beneficial to mankind. My short-term goal is to learn about environmental protection and find a job in this field. And I believe this is a meaningful and useful career. It is worth my life-long efforts. I will keep finding and attaining new goals in this field.
16．What Will Money Bring Us, Fortune or Misfortune?
A story goes that once an apartment building caught fire. Among the survivors was a boy of five, who crawled out of the building by himself with a wet towel covering his nose. But his father, who taught the boy the way, got killed, for he went back again for his money.
Simple as the story is, it conveys a profound message: money can be more deadly than fire.
Actually, there is no denying the fact that it has been a controversial topic “what will money bring us, fortune or misfortune?” Quite a few people would choose the former instantly, for they believe that money can buy them also everything. There are, of course, people who hate money and believe it is the source of misfortune.
As far as I am concerned, I think that money itself cannot bring us fortune or misfortune, but our attitudes towards it can. Be the master of money and you will drive it to work for you, to buy you necessities and to enjoy your life. However, if you take yourself a slave of money, you will surely fall into the pit of misfortune one day. You will be tempted by money and lose your compass of life. You will even lose your life, as the father in the story did. So, friends, wake up and be the lord of money!
