Writing1.
Direction: Read the following paragraph and then write a response paper of about 250 to 300 English words. In China, minimum wage becomes higher in many places. But people disagree over its benefits and drawbacks. Supporters say it increases the worker's standard of living, while opponents say it increase unemployment. What do you think?
Minimum wage in China
To counter domestic inflation, several provinces in China have increased their minimum wage. But people disagree over its pros and cons.
Proponents of raising the minimum wage think that it increases the standard of living of workers, reduces poverty, and forces businesses to be more efficient. Objectors think that if it is high enough to be effective, it increases unemployment. Employers might be unhappy with higher labor costs. But labor activists warn that inflation has reduced the buying power of today's minimum wage. They say a minimum wage must be enough for workers and their families to live on.
To my way of thinking, benefits of raising the minimum wage are much greater than drawbacks. First of all, raising wages may help sustain domestic demand as slower global growth damps the rebound in exports. Higher wages and salaries among industrial and services workers could help China reduce its reliance on exports and investment as engines of growth. In the second place, the widening gap between rich and poor has been evident for years in China. Raising the minimum wages is part of the rebalancing. Narrowing this gap is important to maintaining a population with equal freedoms. Last but not the least, raising the minimum wage forces wealthy companies to share more of the money they make with the people who helped them make it. It helps reduce the practice of hoarding all the money for the executives and paying wages to workers that do not meet their basic needs.
From what has been mentioned above, we can come to the conclusion that raising the minimum wage has much more advantages than disadvantages. We all should support the country's policy to raise the minimum wage.
2.
Directions: Write a passage of about 150 words on the following topic: Should African disputes and conflicts be handled by African countries themselves, rather than by external international organization?
Should African disputes and conflicts be handled by African countries themselves,
rather than by external international organization?
In recent years, the international situation is very complex, and there are disputes and conflicts from time to time within various countries. African countries are no exception. The causes of conflict in Africa involve in many aspects, which include both internal contradictions and external intervention. This has adversely affected the unity, stability and development of African countries. But the key is that African disputes and conflicts should be handled by African countries themselves.
On the one hand, the fundamental problem in Africa that triggers disputes and conflicts is slow economic development and poverty. In this case, the international community should provide the financial, technical and managerial assistance necessary to them so that the African people can rely on their own forces to promote the development of the national economy. On the other hand, the political differences between countries have led to disputes which need to be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation, rather than external intervention.
Our country supports the efforts made by African countries for the peaceful settlement of regional conflicts, and plays a positive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability.
3. People think that gift is an essential element in developing children's capability in their school study and future career. Give your opinion with convincing supporting points.
Gift is certainly one of the essential elements for children to learn when they are young and to work when they grow up. But it is not the only decisive factor.
A child with a gift higher than others of his age may learn things more easily and quickly. If a child has a special gift for a typical skill or subject, for instance, music or mathematics, he may become an artist or an expert. Some children are gifted in many ways, so that they may become versatile later on. We can list many living examples: juvenile college students, Liu Xang the like, and CCTV hosts. By contrast, nobody believes that a mentally disabled baby can develop into an intelligent scientist to win Nobel Price.
But gift is a naturally inherited ability, exactly like what the term itself suggests, by human genetic process from one's ancestors, and it has nothing to do with a child's ultimate success in any case of learning. Imagine a bright child who does nothing in classroom. Can he make any progress in his study? Postnatal personal qualities, such as persistence, diligence or patience, play a more dominating function. The clichés proverb "no pain no gain", although old-fashioned, really reveals the truth. The best world record of 110 hurdles this year illustrates the combination of all the nice qualities that Liu Xiang has developed in his training.
Individual interest also potentially encourages children's earning. Motivation is regarded psychologically as an inevitable aspect. It is often found that a child is triggered to like a study field by an accidental occasion or gradual influence in the living environment. Somebody establishes his or her enthusiastic motivation for a specific field only because of the continuously deepened understanding of it during the long period of the course study.
To sum up, both nature and nurture are essential. To some degree, the latter may be even vital.
4.
Directions: In this part, you are required to write a composition entitled My View on Happiness in no less than 200 words. Your composition should be based on the following outline.
My View on Happiness
Everyone desires and pursues happiness. But happiness means different things to different people. Some people believe that if they can earn a large amount of money, they will be happy because they believe that money can bring them whatever they want. But wealthy people who are suffering from serious diseases claim that being healthy is happiness. For small children, delicious food or interesting toys may give them a sense of happiness. Nowdays many people value intelligence or wisdom. They are sure that intelligence and wisdom can bring genuine happiness. Apparently, the definition of happiness varies from person to person.
For me, happiness means the process of working hard and making constant progress in my studies. I will be very happy if I can realize my value in my futrue career and make some contributions to the development of our country. It also means being on good terms with my colleagues and friends. When I am at home, I enjoy the happiness of establishing a harmonious relationship with my family members who share both joy and hardship. Of course, I will he very happy when my constant efforts bring the pleasure of success and a comfortable life. Besides, happiness consists in contentment.
Happiness is of great value in our daily life. It makes our life meaningful and hopeful, and gives us confidence and strength.