WRITING1.
Directions:
For this part, you are allowed30 minutes to write a composition of no less than 150 words under the title of "A Gift to My Parents." Your writing should cover the following items: 1. What gift do you think is most appropriate to your parents?
2. Why do you choose such a gift?
3. When do you think is the most appropriate time to give it?
[范文]
As the Lunar New Year is drawing near, I feel homesick again. I can't wait to see my parents who are still living in a small village in Shandong Province. I've decided to buy them a cell phone as a New Year gift with the money I made from my part-time jobs.
I'm going to buy a cell phone for them for the simple reason that I hope to stay in contact with them. I thought about opening the telephone service for them, but they objected to my idea with the belief that it was too expensive to make long-distance phone calls. Then, it occurred to me that a cell phone would be more preferable. With the cell phone, I can call them anytime. I always feel happy when I hear their voice and I believe that they are happier to hear mine. Besides, I can send them text messages when necessary.
The best time to give this gift to my parents is the Eve of the Lunar New Year, when the whole family will get together to enjoy the happiest time of the year. I want to give them a pleasant surprise, so I have never mentioned the gift to them. I'm sure they will feel proud to have a daughter like me.
2.
Directions: For this part, you are allowed30 minutes to write a composition of no less than 150 words under the title of "My Hopes for the Coming Year." You are advised to avoid using any stereotyped expressions or sentences.
[范文]
As the year 2012 is coming to an end,I'd like to express my hopes for the coming new year. I wish each of my hopes could come true in the new year.
First of all, I hope my parents can remain as healthy and happy as ever. They are farmers in a small village in the south of Henan Province. Many years of toil have taken their youth away, making them vulnerable to discomfort from time to time. I'll feel very happy if they stay healthy.
My second hope is that I can get adapted to scientific research as soon as possible. It will be seven months before I finish my course study in the classroom. My life will center around reading scientific literature and experiments. I hope I can soon conduct experiments on my own.
My last hope is that I can be fortunate enough to find a boy friend among my classmates. I'm twenty-three years old. I'm haunted by the fear of being left single. I hope I can meet Mr. Right in the new year.
These are my hopes for the new year. I'm well aware that nothing comes easily. I have to spare no effort in everything I do. Nothing can make me happier than the materialization of these hopes.
由于深受应试范文的影响,很多学生看到作文题目就想到套路作文,甚至不考虑套话和废话是否会影响自己的成绩。“灾情”最严重的是选择观点型的作文。下面介绍两种比较“经典”的套路作文。
1.废话连篇型:
With social development, ... has become a hot topic of discussion. Different people have different opinions on this matter. Some people believe that...while others deem that... As far as I'm concerned (As for me), I think that...
There are at least two reasons to account for my choice. On one hand...On the other hand (For one thing... For another...). Last but not least...
However, each coin has two sides... The above analysis can lead safely to the conclusion that... The individuals have to...and the government should... Only in this way, can we have a bright future.
评论:这样的作文不仅毫无新意,而且有不少累赘的表达。文章内容空洞,论点不明,语言低俗。作文要求你表明自己的观点,而不是其他人感觉如何。所以,你要尽量谈自己的理由,少用多余的文字凑字数。此外,很多同学在表达“最后一点”时喜欢使用last but not least,但Webster New World Dictionary(p1522)有这样的说明:
...hackneyed refers to such expressions which through constant use have become virtually meaningless (e.g., "last but not least");...
由此可见,last but not least并不是流行的英语,而是“几乎没什么意义”的表达法,也就是我们俗称“被用滥”的字眼。您还用吗?
2.“两面光”型:
Which is more important, a decent job or a master's degree?
When asked which is more important, a decent job or a master's degree, I find it difficult to answer this question. So it is not easy for me to make a choice. Both a decent job and a high academic degree have some advantages.
If you have a decent job, you can make more money and feel less stress. Not only can you... but... Besides, you can enjoy more social benefits...
However, there is no denying that better education can create more opportunities. For example... The higher your academic degree is, the more likely you are to find a better job.
So a good job and a high academic degree are both of great importance. We can't live a happy life without either (You can hardly give up one and choose the other). What's important is to make a choice according to your actual need.
评论:这样的写法十分普遍,甚至在托福考试中。虽然这只是个人爱好问题,但笔者不欣赏这种作品。如果写作的题目是compare and contrast...,上述写法确实无可厚非。遇到选择观点的题目时,更明智的写法是支持其中一种观点,提供充分的论据,尽量不要以相同数量的文字谈论两种观点。
由于担心出现这两种类型的作文,北京统考题的作文题很少是选择观点型的。但问题是不论作文题目是什么,总有不少学生套用流行的范文句子,尤其是第一种“废话连篇”型。因此,统考题参考答案上都提醒阅卷老师对使用套句或套路的作文酌情扣分。
3.
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition of no less than 150 words under the title of "Never Too Old to Learn." Give examples to support your idea.
[范文]
There is a well-known saying that one is never too old to learn. This saying is beginning to assume new importance in the age of knowledge explosion. I believe in this saying and I maintain that it holds true for everyone in the contemporary world.
To start with, knowledge explosion is taking place along with the fast development of technology, making it necessary for us to keep learning in order to keep up with the times. One has to learn more about related fields to facilitate his research. One can never remain well-informed without updating his knowledge constantly.
Secondly, learning something new can help keep one mentally alert so that aging is slowed down and life quality can be improved. New knowledge is likely to force one to think more for himself. In this way, one can remain active in thinking.
Finally, one can never learn enough. To go very far, we have to spend all our lives reading and learning. We have to make uncompromising efforts to become really knowledgeable.
I'm a graduate student now. Young as I am, I'm supposed to keep this saying in mind. I'll try to learn as much as possible while young and I'm determined to continue to learn until the end of my life.
4.
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition of no less than 150 words under the title of "The Power of Innovation." You are advised to avoid using any stereotyped expressions or sentences, such as "last but not the least."
[范文]
Whenever we talk about research, we are likely to mention the word "innovation." When we take a look at the achievements of Nobel Prize winners, we may find that innovation is at the heart of their work. The importance of innovation in research can never be exaggerated, because innovation is what research is all about.
To start with, innovation is the very life-blood of any endeavor in research. Research is by no means a repetition of what has been done before, but instead aims to make new discoveries or add to our knowledge of nature. No research in any sphere can be of high academic value unless it is innovative enough to attract the attention of other scientists.
Secondly, let's look at technology. New electronic gadgets come into being each day; conventional products will soon be replaced by those that are more efficient and innovative. Take the cell phone for example. How many of us use the same cell phone for years? It is likely that we replace our cell phone every few years. It is innovation that pushes technology forward.
As innovation plays a crucial role in the age of digitalization, schools should try to give more weight to the cultivation of the ability to innovate. School teachers are to highlight the importance of innovation rather than focus on test scores. I hope that my child in the future can be creative and innovative.