Writing1.
Write a description of your hometown.
My Hometown
My hometown used to be as bare as a picked bone, with no tree anywhere around it larger than a ten-foot willow or aider. Now it is a grove. My memory gropes uneasily, trying to establish itself among fifty-foot cottonwoods, lilac and honeysuckle hedges and flower gar- dens. Searched for, plenty of familiarities are there: the Pastime Theater, identical with the one that sits across Main Street from the firehouse in my mind; the lumber yard where we used to get cloth caps advertising De Laval Cream Separators; two or three hardware stores (a prairie wheat town specializes in hardware stores), though each one now has a lot full of farm machinery next to it; the hotel, just as it was rebuilt after the fire; the bank, now remodeled into the post office; the Presbyterian church, now United, and the Leader office, and the square brick prison of the school, now with three smaller prisons added to it. These are old acquaintances that I can check against their replicas in my head and take satisfaction from. But among them are the evidences of Progress-hospital, Masonic Lodge, at least one new elevator, a big Quonset-like skating rink-and all tree-shaded, altered, and distorted, and made vaguely disturbing by greenery. In the old days we all used to try to grow trees, transplanting them from the Hills or getting them free with any two-dollar purchase from one of the stores, but they always dried up and died. To me, who came expecting a dusty hamlet, the change is charming, but memory has been fixed by time as photographs fix the faces of the dead, and this reality is dreamlike. I cannot find myself or my family or my companions in it.
[解析] 要求写一篇描写文。首先,我们要清楚在多数情况下,地点描写是为了给所描述的人物和事件建立一种突出的感受和氛围,从而揭示所描写的人物个性以及所处的特定情景。地点描写的方法因人而异,因文章而异,可以为空间顺序,由远到近或由近到远,由左到右或由右到左,由上到下或由下到上,也可以事件为顺序。从应试的角度出发,文章的主题思想句,如:My hometown used to be as bare as a picked bone, with no tree anywhere around it larger than a ten-foot willow or aider.来描述家乡过去的情况。紧接着我们可以在使用Now it is a grove. My memory gropes uneasily, trying to establish itself among fifty-foot cottonwoods, li-lac and honeysuckle hedges and flower gardens.来描述家乡现在的状况。尽力选择最能打动人之处和最富感染力之处。
2.
Write a description of your dormitory.
My Dormitory
My dormitory is a nice place. When you come into the room, you will notice the white long curtain first. Then you will catch sight of some colorful flowers on the desk, a bright glass on the wall, some little tools here and there, and so on. All of the things in my dormitory room look wonderful.
Among all the things in the room, the radio put on the desk is the most important for us all. Because by listening to the radio, we can get some information of our country and also of some other countries in the world. When we feel tired or sleepy, we can turn it on and listen to music or news. We can also feel relaxed by listening to it. So it is really valuable.
I like my dormitory very much for there is a kind of friendly atmosphere there. All of us take care of each other and try to help others when necessary. So my dormitory is really a good place, not only for us to study but also for us to rest and enjoy our daily life.
[解析] 要求写一篇描写地点的描写文。首先,我们要清楚在多数情况下,地点描写是为了给所描述的人物和事件建立一种突出的感受和氛围,从而揭示所描写人物个性以及所处的特定情景。地点描写的方法因人而异,因文章而异,本文采用空间顺序,即由远到近的顺序来写的。从应试的角度出发,文章的主题思想句,如My dormitory is a nice place.来描述主人公对自己寝室的喜爱。然后采用由远到近的空间顺序来描述房间的布置,并对自己认为最不寻常的物品进行详细的描述。最后可以再次强调该地点对自己的特殊意义。尽力选择最能打动人之处。
3.
Read the following passage carefully and compose a "topic outline" for it. Africas
When many people hear the word "Africa", inevitably they picture steaming jungles and gorillas and other wild animals. Hollywood films have shrunk the public image of this immense, varied continent into a small segment of its actual diversity. To have a more accurate picture of the whole continent, however, one should remember that the continent can be roughly divided into three Africas: the northern desert areas, the southeastern grass- lands, and the tropical jungles to the southwest, each with its distinct climate and terrain and with a style of life suited to the environment.
The northern regions have the environment and living patterns of the desert. Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Morocco have hot, dry climates with very little land suited to farming. Green fields cannot be easily seen. Therefore, the population tends to be clustered into cities along rivers or the seacoast or into smaller settlements near oases. For thousands of years, people have lived in this vast region, relying partly on what the land could offer such as crops and animals they could raise and partly on trade with Europe.
The southeastern grasslands provide a better environment for animal life and for some kinds of crops. Many wild animals inhabit the plains in this region-elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, antelopes, zebras, and lions. The people in this area have long been expert cattle raisers and experienced hunters. Tea, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, and tobacco are some of the main products grown in this region. Fishing also provides some food and income for people along the coast. The population here is less concentrated in cities and towns than in the north, but tends to be denser in areas where adequate rainfall and fertile soil make farming possible.
West Africa is the region closest to the Hollywood image of mysterious jungles. As in the other two regions, the way people make a living depends upon their environment. This does not mean that most of the people live in grass huts in the jungle. In fact, such nations as Nigeria have become highly modernized by income from oil, timber, and minerals. Most of the western countries have some farming that provides food and income; sugar cane, col- fee, and tobacco are the important cash crops, while bananas, rice, and corn are raised for food. Fishing in the rivers and along the coast also accounts for food and income, and precious stones, especially diamonds, enhance the economy of countries like Angola and the Ivory Coast.
Even a superficial look at the major regions of Africa shows that it is a continent with varied environments. Although most of the continent is tropical in its range of temperature, the climate ranges from deserts to rain forests. Similarly, human lifestyles vary from the simplest rural villages to industrial cities, both new and ancient. Contrary to the myth, how- ever, jungle life makes up only a very small portion of the whole of Africa.
Ⅰ.Introduction: three Africas with different climates, terrains and styles of life suited to the environment.
A.Inaccurate public impression of Africa
B.Thesis: One should remember that the continent can be divided into three different Africas.
Ⅱ.Northern dessert regions
A.A place of hot climate and little land for farming
B.Population clustered into cities or near water
C.People living on farming and trading with Europe
Ⅲ.Southeastern grasslands
A.A better environment for animal life and some crops
B.People living on cattle raising, hunting, crops growing, and fishing
C.Denser population is areas with adequate rainfall
Ⅳ.Western jungle areas
A.A region close to Hollywood movie image
B.Some highly modernized countries
C.People living on farming and fishing
Ⅴ.Conclusion: a continent with varied environments
A.Climate ranging form deserts to rain forests
B.Lifestyles varying from rural villages to industrial cities
C.Jungle life making up only a small portion
[解析] 这篇文章主要讲到了非洲的自然环境和不同地区不同的生活习俗。
第一段:很多人在提到非洲的时候,都会想到热带雨林、大猩猩或其他的野兽。好莱坞的电影实际上把这个内部成分复杂的大洲缩成了很小的一部分。要想真正了解非洲,一定要知道,非洲是分为三个部分的。北部是沙漠地区,东南部是草原,西南部是热带雨林。每个地区都有不同的气候和地形,各地的生活方式也不同,而且与当地的环境相适应。
第二段:北部地区有自己的自然条件和生活方式。又从三个方面具体讲:一是埃及等国家气候炎热、干燥,几乎没有可供农耕的土地。二是人口和城市主要沿着河流、海岸和绿洲分布。三是几千年以来,人们一方面依靠贫瘠的土地提供一些农产品,另一方面,靠和欧洲的贸易维持生计。
第三段:东南部草原地区。也是从三个方面讲:一是东南部的草原环境有利于动植物的生长。大象、斑马等很多动物生活在这里。二是这地区的人们擅长养牛和打猎。茶、咖啡等是这个地区主要的农作物。沿海地区,渔业也创造了一定的收入。三是这地区的人们并不像北部一样集中在城市,而是集中在降雨丰富和土壤肥沃的地方。
第四段:西部丛林区。也是从三个方面讲:一是西部非洲更像好莱坞电影中的非洲。就像其他地区一样,这个地区的人们的生活方式取决于这里的气候,但这并不意味着人们要生活在丛林中。二是讲这里的一些国家已经有很高的现代化,收入来自于石油、木材和矿产。三是多数西部国家的农业可以提供食物和收入。咖啡、烟草等是主要的经济作物,而香蕉、玉米等则是主要的食物。渔业也是一项收入。并且,对于一些国家,稀有宝石等为所有国的经济做出了重要的贡献。
第五段:即使是从表面上看,非洲也是一个有着多种多样气候环境的大洲。气候从热带雨林到沙漠都有,尽管大部分地区是热带。相似地,人们的生活也是从原始的部落到工业城市。与神话相比,丛林生活只是整个非洲的一小部分。
从上面的分析中,可以很容易地看出本文的结构和条理,从而写出outline。全文分为五部分。每个自然段独立成为一部分。第一部分总的讲非洲分为三个不同的区域,每个地区有不同的特点。然后在第二、三、四部分中,分别讲三个地区,每个部分也是从三个方面讲。最后一部分是总结,从三个方面点明非洲大陆的多样性。
下面看文中的一些有用的短语的用法:
1)divide into分成
One should remember that the continent can be roughly divided into three Africas.
应该记得,这个大洲可以被粗略地划分为三个部分。
2)be clustered into聚集到
The population tends to be clustered into cities along rivers or the seacoast or into smaller settlements near oases.人口沿河流或海岸,或者沙漠中的绿洲分布。
3)be close to与……接近
West Africa is the region closest to the Hollywood image of mysterious jungles.
西部非洲是与好莱坞电影中的神秘丛林形象最接近的地区。
4)most of……的大部分
Most of the continent is tropical in its range of temperature.
根据气温的变化幅度,这个洲的大部分地区是热带。
5)make up组成
Jungle life makes up only a very small portion of the whole of Africa
丛林生活只是整个非洲的很小的一部分。
4.
Read the following passage carefully and compose a "sentence outline" or "topic outline" for it. Influences of Movies or TV on People's Behavior
Just imagine that it is Saturday evening. What will you probably do tonight? I think lots of people will choose to go to movies or stay at home watching an interesting TV program. TV and movies have played an important role in our daily life.
First of all, they widen our sights. There're numerous TV programs concerning the worldwide affairs. I still remember clearly now when I first saw the African tribes on the screen, I was fascinated by the marvelous jungles, the colorful weapons, the furious animals and the fantastic wild games. Isn't it marvelous to see the people and places totally different from yours! Maybe you would never know them, appreciate them or want to visit them if you haven't encountered them on the gigantic screen.
Second, they are very entertaining. After a day of hard work, maybe you don't have the energy to have a long camping trip, especially when you still have lots of things to do tomorrow morning. Why not turn on the TV and choose an interesting show or an exciting game? While having some coffee, chatting with your family, you really feel relaxed.
Furthermore, as a convenient communicational tool, movies, especially TV programs, help the people in the areas of social work, education, advertisements and so on. There is an interesting program called "Let's get to know each other tonight", which helps young men and women to choose their lovers on the screen. Many people like to see it. It become so popular that nearly everyone can sing the song in that program.
But on the other hand, there are some complaints about them. For example, some children spend hours before the little screen, ignoring their study, outdoor activities and even their family. Parents say that these kids are indifferent to nearly everything and premature somehow.
As for me, I like to see movies very much. I think every good film is a creative product of mankind. They are useful, introductive as well as entertaining. And yet it is true we should tell the kids to spend their time wisely, having other hobbies and other outdoor activities. The same is true for adults. Chocolate is very delicious, but if you eat it every day, it will be tasteless and may be disgusting as well as bad to your health.
Ⅰ.TV and movies have played an important role in our daily life.
Ⅱ. There are several positive influences of movies or TV on people's behavior.
A. They widen our sights.
B. They are very entertaining.
C. They are helpful to people in certain areas.
Ⅲ. They also have some negative influences.
Ⅳ. We should spend our time wisely.
[解析] 第一段:作者指出电视与电影在我们的日常生活中起着一个很重要的作用。
第二~四段:分别对电视和电影的积极作用进行了详细的阐述。首先,可以使我们开阔视野。其次,为我们提供一种娱乐方式。另外,还为人们在社会交际、工作方面提供了很好的帮助。
第五段:提到了电视和电影对人们的负面影响,并举例进行了说明。
最后一段:作者提出了个人的观点,从而更加深化了主题。
5.
Write a description of one of your birthday presents.
My First Bicycle
I got my first bicycle as a birthday present when I was twelve. It was made of shining steel and the frame was painted black. It had a three-speed gear on the crossbar, a dynamo driven by the back wheel that produces electricity for the lamp, a socket on the frame for the pump, a saddle-bag attached to the saddle for my school books, and a bell on the handlebars.
I knew how to ride a bicycle very well, because I had a child's bicycle before that. But I was very excited because in the future I would be able to ride to school, instead of going on the bus. In the first few weeks after my birthday, I rode my new bicycle every day, and gradually discovered all its advantages compared to the one I had had. When I came to a steep hill, I could change gear with my three-speed and pedal up it, instead of getting off and pushing the bike. I was not afraid of getting home after dark because the lamp provided a good light, and the faster I rode the brighter it was.
[解析] 要求书写一篇描写生日礼物的描写文。每件物体都有自己的属性,如大小、颜色、形状和功能等。虽然有时要对物体的每一个方面进行描述,以使读者对物体有一个准确详尽的认知。但更多情况下,我们应该突出描写该物体的与众不同之处。描写重点的选择应该基于写作的目的和写作对象。
6.
Write a description of the Chinese family.
The Chinese Family
Families are sacred to the Chinese. Chinese people, wherever they may be, are strongly attached to their families.
In the old days, Chinese people preferred to live in extended families with up to four generations under the same roof. An extended family was a small society in which everyone has his own place by seniority in the hierachy. In feudal times it was impossible for large members of people to live together without restraints being placed on their behaviour. As the saying goes, "A state has its law and a family has its regulations." In feudal times family regulations are laws in a family in which husbands dominated their wives and fathers their children, including their choice of spouses. No one had the right to interfere if a husband beat his wife or a father beat his son, for these actions were regarded as legal. Every clan set up its ancestral temple where their ancestors were enshrined and worshipped, and it was the duty of every family member to add to the prestige of the family.
Now things are quite different. The feudal extended family has given way to the nuclear family, and its life style has changed a great deal. However, the Chinese have as strong a sentimental attachment to their families as ever. So, it is quite natural and normal for people "to miss all the more their family members during festivals."
[解析] 这是要求书写一篇记叙文。首先,对于这个题目,我们可以采用过去的中国家庭与现如今不同的对比法来进行描述。可以在文章的第一段中包含主题思想句,如:Families are sacred to the Chinese. Chinese people, wherever they may be, are strongly attached to their families.然后采用对比法来讲述过去中国家庭的状况以及现如今中国家庭的不同。对于采取什么样的方式进行展开,因人而异,因文章特点而异。