1.Should College Students Be Allowed to Live off Campus?
Some time ago, China's Ministry of Education banned university students from renting private accommodation. To this people’s attitudes differ sharply. Some hold the positive view. They say that most students prefer to live off campus for the purpose of living with their boyfriends or girl friends, which might severely affect their study. Besides, living on campus can ensure the safety of students and facilitate communication between them.
However, many others hold the opposite view. They claim that the living conditions on campus are unbearable. The dormitory is usually crowded and badly equipped. Besides, the university cuts the electricity too early every night. Therefore, many students choose to live off campus in rented houses with the purpose of enjoying a reasonably better living environment and concentrating more on their studies.
As far as I am concerned, I tend to believe that universities should be more flexible towards the administration of dorms. The ban should never be a cut-off measure and special situations should be considered. Meanwhile, the school should try to upgrade the overall condition of dorms and provide all students with a better service at a low price.
(或Personally, I am in favor of the decision of China's Ministry of Education. Anyway, college students, most aged 18-22, are still too young to control themselves or make proper decisions. Besides, living on campus promotes a sense of belonging by being closely connected with other students. This could truly be a valuable part of the four-year college education.)
2. On Lottery Games
There is no denying the fact that lottery games have become a hotly debated topic in China. Opinions on this issue differ from person to person. Some people believe that lottery games are beneficial in many ways. For one thing, they help collect money for the poor, the disabled and the cause of sports. For another, lottery games provide people with a means of entertainment or pastime.
Many others, however, hold the opposite view. They claim that lottery games are, in fact, a kind of gambling. People are tempted to earn money through their luck instead of down-to-earth labor. They also aruge that the ticket buyers attach more importance to the prizes than to the support of the disabled or the cause of sports.
As far as I am concerned,// Weighing the arguments of both sides, I believe that it is OK to buy lottery tickets. Anyway, it has been existence for many years and proved to be more beneficial than harmful. Actually, we don’t have to worry too much because facts have shown that most people can treat lottery games with a peaceful and normal mind.
(Personally, I think that both sides have something right. Actually, lottery games should be viewed as a two-edged sword, which presents us with both benefits and troubles. But we should not give up eating for fear of choking. The best policy, as I see it, is to maximize their advantages and minimize their unhealthy influence, so that they can benefit us in a better way.)
3. TV Talent Show --- A Good Thing or Bad?
An army of people today are fond of the TV talent show. They support it and see themselves as fans of one or another show star. They believe that the TV talent show can change one’s fortune. At least, they argue that, the show offers the opportunity to show and develop one’s talents.
On the contrary, a number of people hold the negative attitude to TV talent shows. They maintain that the TV talent show today is like a river that has risen to its flood level. It misleads the youth and makes them believe that they can make a fortune or become famous overnight. As a result, a lot of students can’t calm down to study on the show’s season. Some of them take interest in imitating their idol, so much so that they can hardly recognize themselves.
For my part, I believe that the TV talent show is like a double-edged sword, which can do both good and harm. Therefore, it is extremely important for us to face it properly. For one thing, the TV studios are supposed to create more positive and favorable shows. For another, the media ought to guide people, especially the young, to right way and refrain from exaggerating the effect of the show.
4. College Students’ Job Hunting
There is no denying the fact that job hunting is a grave problem with which college graduates are confronted. Reports are often heard upon the number of students who fail to find a job on graduation. Actually, the problem has become so widespread that it has severely affected the graduates’ life and hindered the development of economy.
A number of factors account for the problem, but the following are the most critical ones. First, in recent years, colleges and universities have enrolled so many students that the number of graduates are far greater than the need in the market. Secondly, many graduates would rather stay in large cities without suitable jobs to do than go to small towns or the country. Last but not least, the ongoing financial crisis and economic depression aggravate the difficulty in job-seeking.
In view of the seriousness of the problem, effective measures must be taken before things get worse. For one thing, it is essential that the government create more job opportunities by all means. For another, graduates should change their attitude towards employment and go to work in small cities and the country. With these measures taken, we have reasons to believe that the problem can be solved in the near future.
5. Food Safety
There is no denying the fact that food safety is a grave problem with which we are confronted. Reports are often heard upon food products of bad quality. The most notable instance might be the notorious San Lu milk powder scandal which has drawn considerable publicity in the past months. Actually, the problem has become so widespread that it has severely affected people’s life and hindered the development of economy.
Fake and shoddy food products are bound to generate severe consequences if we keep turning a blind eye to them. First and foremost, they directly infringe upon consumers’ rights, wasting their money and threatening their health and even lives. Besides, the production and sale of such food cause serious losses on the part of honest and lawful producers. Last but not least, the destruction of the food means a grievous waste of the nation’s resources.
In view of the seriousness of the problem, effective measures must be taken before things get worse. First, it is high time that pertinent laws and regulations were worked out and rigidly enforced to crack down on any production and circulation of substandard food products. Meanwhile, inactive and incompetent civil servants should be immediately purged from the team of food safety supervision and administration. Only with these measures taken can we expect a bright future of this nation.
6. Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way
A famous saying goes that “where there is a will, there is a way”, by which is meant that one can find a way to success as long as he or she has a strong will. With a strong will, one can focus all his energy on one point, which makes success possible. With a strong will, one also can find any chance possible and make the best use of it.
History abounds with examples of strong-willed figures winning success. I can think of no better illustration of this than the deeds of Gou Jian, king of Yue in ancient China. After defeated by Fu Chai, king of Wu, Gou made himself suffer a lot to iron his will. Eventually, with the help of Fan Li and Xi Shi, he managed to rebuild his country and his armies and had Fu Chai taste the bitterness of failure.
Actually, both history and common sense suggest that a strong will is essential for success. One should lose no chance to strength his will and remember, God helps those who help themselves.
7. The Increase in the Number of Students Attending Graduate Entrance Exams
It can be seen from the chart that there have been sharp increases in the number of students attending graduate entrance exams in University X in the past decade. As the chart shows, the year 1999 witnessed only 2,900 students taking part in the exams. In 2004, the number soared to nearly four thousand. In 2009, far more people prepared themselves for graduate study.
A number of factors could account for the change in the chart, but the following might be the critical ones. First, due to the spreading financial crisis and economic recession in the past years, the number of job vacancies has been on a sharp decline. Secondly, as a result of expanded enrollments in many colleges and universities, the number of graduates has rocketed in China, which adds to the fierceness of competition in the job market. Last but not least, relevant state policies and the boom of higher education provide students with more opportunities to go after higher degrees.
Personally, I would not pursue graduate study right upon graduation from college. The main reason is that I have not made up my mind on the field to major in. But I really deem it necessary for me to secure a master degree. So I would set my goal while I am working.
8. Fighting Drug Abuse
It can be seen from the charts that drug abuse has become a grave problem in China. As we can see from the first chart on the left, in 1994, there were only slightly more than 200 thousand drug addicts, while in 2007 the number soared to over 1,000 thousand. The other chart conveys a more shocking message: about 70 percent of the drug addicts in China now are young people aged under 35.
A number of factors could account for this dramatic change, but the following might be the most critical ones. In the first place, as China opens its door to the outside world, its people tend to be influenced by western values and life styles. More or less, the drug addicts in China are imitating their counterparts in the U.S. and other western industrialized countries. For another, with China transforming from a planned economy to a market-oriented one, there has appeared a vacuum in people’s faiths, especially in the youngsters’ faiths. Confronted with increasingly fierce competition in study and work, many of them resort to drug abuse as a way of relaxation.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, effective measures must be taken before things get worse. For one thing, it is imperative that pertinent laws should be worked out and rigidly enforced to crack down on drug dealing, cutting off the supply of drugs. For another, a deep-going and ever-lasting campaign should be launched to help the young establish the right philosophy and world view. Only with these measures taken can we expect a brighter future.
9. A Letter of Invitation
June 20th, 2009
Dear Professor Bush,
I am Li Ming, President of English Club in this university, and I am writing to invite you to work as a judge for an English Speech Contest to be held by the club in Classroom 101 at 9:00 AM on July 5th，2009.
The contest is an important annual activity of English club. It has been held for 5 years running. The purpose of the contest is to create a favorable atmosphere for English study within the university. Experience shows that such contests contribute a lot to the improvement of students’ spoken English. To make sure the contest is a fair and just one, and to obtain more instructions, experienced English teachers are invited to work as judges. That is why I am writing to you.
It is my knowledge that you are an excellent English teacher and are always ready to offer help to English learners. Therefore, I earnestly request you to do us the favor by being present at the contest if you happen to have no other plans on January 5th.
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely
Li Ming
10. College Graduates Work as Village Officials
There is no denying the fact that it is a hotly debated topic today how college graduates should choose their careers. Some time ago, it was reported that some college graduates chose to work as village officials. To this people’s attitudes differ sharply. Some hold the positive view while others are against it. As far as I am concerned, I believe that it is a wise choice.
On the one hand, college graduates can contribute a lot to the development of the countryside. First, they can apply their professional knowledge there. Secondly, they can introduce new concepts to the countryside and speed the development of rural culture. As a result, the gap between the city and the countryside can well be bridged.
On the other hand, these graduates can benefit a lot from working as village officials. While too many college graduates are fighting for the handful of positions in big cities, these graduates can find themselves a wider stage of development and realize their value.
Therefore, it is a win-win choice for college graduates to work as village officials and more graduates should be encouraged to work in the countryside.