Writing1.
Write a description of scene in city.
Hongkong at Night
Hongkong is a beautiful seaport which attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Al- though it is very small, yet the scenery is wonderful. At night, Hongkong is covered with so many electric lights that it looks like a Christmas tree. There is a road around the middle of the mountain and the electric lights along the road look like a long dragon winding its way in the darkness. Houses built on the top of the mountain seem like many lonely people standing there waiting and waiting.
When the moon rises, the gentle soft light shines over sea. Stars twinkle all night. In my imagination, they are the attendants of beautiful Queen Moon. If we look at the city from a distance, it is hard to know where the lights on the mountain stop and the stars in the heaven begin, because they are all blend so beautifully. Many ferries and boats go across the sea and leave silver lines behind them in the water that ripples along.
While you are crossing the harbor at night, your heart will be caught by the beauty of Hongkong's night. The lights of Hongkong glimmer all the time. Their colors white, red, yellow and green-glimmer are like many kinds of diamonds. If you look in the sea, you will see that the water is as beautiful as the real lights because the lights are also reflected in the water. When you look up at the sky, you will see the bright moon above your head. It seems like a big diamond. Beside it, there are small diamonds, stars, accompanying it. At that time, you may feel that you are living in a diamond world.
Hongkong is a beautiful city in the day, but it is even more wonderful at night.
[解析] 要求书写一篇关于城市的描写。景物描写通常包括三个要素:背景、人物和行为。我们知道景物描写也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。首先,我们要确定城市以及所要重点描述的场景。在文章的第一段中,可先提出文章的主题思想句,如:Hongkong is a beautiful seaport which attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Although it is very small, yet the scenery is wonderful.然后对香港的夜景进行详尽的描述。尽力选择最能打动人之处和最富感染力之处。
2.
The following passage is incomplete with one body paragraph missing. Study the passage carefully and write the missing paragraph of about 100 words. Make sure that the tone and vocabulary you use are in unity with the passage provided. Childhood Fears
I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall experiencing some of the most carefree times of my life. But I can also remember, even more vividly, moments of being deeply frightened. As a child, I was truly terrified of the dark, of getting lost, and of not being liked by others. These fears were very real and caused me some extremely uncomfortable moments.
Maybe it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar room at night that scared me so much. There was never total darkness, but a streetlight or passing car lights made clothes hung over a chair take on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the curtains seemed to move when there was no breeze. A tiny crack in the floor would sound a hundred times louder than in the daylight, and my imagination would take over, creating burglars and monsters. Darkness always made me feel so helpless, too. My heart would pound, and I would lie very still so that the "enemy" wouldn't discover me. stead of saddle shoes to school. Being popular was so important to me then, and the fear of not being liked was a powerful one.
One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is being able to recognize and outgrow our fears. I've learned that darkness does not have to take on a life of its own, that others can help me when I'm lost, and that friendliness and sincerity will encourage people to like me. Understanding the things that scared US as children helps us to cope with our lives as adults.
Another fear in my childhood was that I would get lost. when all the buses were lined up along the curb, I was terrified that I'd get on the wrong one. I would scan the bus for the faces of my friends, make sure the bus driver was the same one that had been there in the morning, and even then ask the others over and over again to be sure I was on the right bus. On school or family trips I wouldn't let the leaders out of my sight. And of course, I was never very adventurous when it came to taking walks or hikes, because I would go only where I was sure I could never get lost.
[解析] 这是一篇关于作者回忆小时候害怕的事情的说明性文章。文章要求补充第三段。首先让我们来分析一下文章的各个段落和它们之间的联系。
第一段:主要写到作者认为自己的童年是快乐的,他清楚地记得小时候无忧无虑的生活。但同时也记得一些很让他害怕的时刻。作为一个小孩,作者害怕黑,怕迷路,怕不被别人喜欢。这些害怕很真实,让作者觉得很不舒服。其中本段倒数第二句为文章中心思想中的关键词。
1)the most carefree times of my life我生命中最无忧无虑的时光
2)be terrified of害怕……
I was truly terrified of the dark, of getting lost and not being liked by others.
我很害怕黑,怕迷路,怕不被别人喜欢。
第二段:是主体段一,主要写道,也许是我卧室里熟悉的东西在夜里看起来或听起来很奇怪,因此让我害怕。其实没有完全的黑暗,但是路灯或者是路过的车灯让挂在椅子上的衣服呈现出怪兽的形状。用眼角的余光,我能看到好像当没有风的时候,窗帘还会摆动。地板上很小的声音听上去像是白天的上百倍,这时我的想象就会占了上风,想象他是夜贼或怪兽。黑暗总是让我觉得很无助,我的心怦怦地跳,我就这样静静地死去,这样,“敌人”就不会轻易地发现我了。这一段与关键词中的害怕黑暗紧密相关。
1)the corner of my eye眼睛的余光
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the curtains seemed to move when there was no breeze.
用眼角的余光,我看到窗帘在摆动,即使在没有风的时候。
2)take over接管,取得主导地位
My imagination would take over, creating burglars and monsters.我的想象就占据了主导地位,认为那是夜贼或怪兽。
第四段:是主体段三,主要写,我认为最害怕的是不被别人喜欢。首先,我很害羞,其次,我常常担心自己的长相,认为别人会不喜欢我,因为我太胖或戴着牙齿矫正器。我尽量穿别人认为“正确”的衣服,并有时因穿衣服和妈妈吵架。那时候,受欢迎对我来说太重要了,最害怕的就是别人不喜欢我。这一段与关键词中的害怕不被别人喜欢相联系。
第五段:是结论段,应用的是归纳主要观点的方法,即:对三个主体段中的主要观点进行归纳。主要写,从孩子成为大人的一个步骤就是不再害怕童年曾经害怕的东西。黑暗是生活的一部分,当迷路的时候可以向别人求助,友好和亲切可以使别人喜欢我们。明白那些童年时曾经让我们害怕的东西有助于更好地解决成人的事情。
1)evolve from逐渐发展
One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is being able to recognize and outgrow our fears.
从孩子逐渐成为大人的一步就是不再害怕童年曾经害怕的东西。
2)cope with解决
Understanding the things that scared us as children helps us to cope with our lives as adults.
明白那些童年时曾经让我们害怕的东西有助于更好地解决成人的事情。
通过上文的分析,第一段中提到了三种害怕的东西,第二段讲的是害怕黑暗,第四段讲的是害怕不被别人喜欢,由此可见,第三段缺省的主题是害怕迷路,所以第三段应该补充的是害怕迷路。作为一个小孩,很可能是在上学、放学的路上发生这种事,所以可以就这个事件进行详细地描写。例如害怕迷路时的心情和表现,以及为了避免迷路所做出的行为。
下面我们来看一下句子的组织:
1)当所有的公共汽车都停在路边的时候,我特别担心我上错车。
When all the buses were lined up along the curb, I was terrified that I'd get on the wrong one.
2)我会仔细地看公交车,是否里面有我同学熟悉的面孔,看司机是不是和早上的是同一个人,甚至还会一次又一次地问别人以保证我没上错车。
I would scan the bus for the faces of my friends, make sure the bus driver was the same one that had been there in the morning, and even then ask the others over and over again to be sure I was on the right bus.
3)out of my sight离开我的视线
在去学校或回家的路上,我不会让领队离开我的视线。
On school or family trips I wouldn't let the leaders out of my sight.
3.
Read the following passage carefully and compose a "sentence outline" for it. The Changing Workweek
In the early 1900s in the USA, workers in large industries worked long days and long weeks. It was not uncommon for workers in the meat packing companies of Chicago, for ex- ample, to work twelve to fourteen hours, for six or seven days a week. As unions started exerting their influence, however, the working conditions of American workers began improving, and the workweek was gradually shortened. Today, workers have workweek options that were unheard of earlier in the last century.
The five-day workweek has become commonplace in American industries. However, the four-day workweek is becoming even more popular. Many workers prefer ten-hour a day. This gives them longer working days, but it also gives them three day weekends, an unheard of luxury even twenty years ago. Management isn't complaining since the same amount of work gets accomplished, and in some cases a plant can be totally shut down on the fifth day, saving the company thousands of dollars in utilities.
Another change in the workweek is the variable hour's option. While American workers have traditionally worked day or night shifts, some companies are allowing workers to set their own hours within the workweek. Flexible schedules are becoming more common in metropolitan areas with commuter time traffic problems and in industries that are open a- round the clock. The advantage to the workers is that they can plan their hours around the days of their families. For example, a husband who takes each afternoon off could babysit the children while his wife works. The variable hours schedule also motivates workers be- cause the company is letting them control their own time.
A third change in the workweek over the past twenty years is the use of overtime. While most workers do not have to work beyond a forty hour week, many companies will pay them time and a half to do so. Although this is more expensive for the company, it is still cheaper than having to hire additional workers and providing benefits. On traditional nonworking days such as holidays, workers are often paid double time or more to work. Overtime pay al- lows companies to meet their production needs without exploiting the workers. It allows workers to make extra money at a higher rate than they normally work for. Although over- time work often represents a return to longer working days and weeks, it is done on a voluntary basis and is usually negotiated willingly by the workers.
What does the future hold for American workers? As modern technology turns more and more work to machines, the typical workweek may continue to shrink. Some companies have already gone to the thirty-five hour week, and in the 21st century, the thirty-five hour week may be standard. Within twenty years, the most common workweek may be a four-day week, thirty-two hour workweek. The great advantage to shorter workweek is that workers have more time off to themselves. However, given the financial demands upon American families in the future, it may also become common for workers to hold down two full-time jobs at one time. Given the American work ethic, most workers will probably fill their free time with more work instead of more leisure.
1.Introduction: The working conditions of American workers have been improved.
A.American workers used to work long days and long weeks.
B.Unions improved the working conditions of American workers.
C.Thesis: Today, American workers have workweek options that were unheard of earlier in the last century.
2.There have been changes in the American workweek.
A.American workers now have a shorter workweek.
B.American workers now have variable hours options.
C.Both management and workers benefit from the use of overtime.
3.What does the future hold for American workers?
A.The typical workweek may continue to shrink.
B.They will have more free time to themselves.
C.Under the financial pressure and given the work ethic, many workers may have two jobs instead of more leisure.
[解析] 这篇文章主要讲工作周的改变。首先来分析一下各段的意思及其关系。第一段:阐述现在工作周的缩短。二十世纪最初的几年美国工作者一天要工作十几个小时。现在,随着工作条件的改进,工作周开始缩短。
working condition工作条件
第二段:五天的工作周十分普遍,而四天的工作周也开始流行起来。人们更倾向于四天的工作,每天工作十小时。这样他们有足够长的时间工作,同时还有三天周末。管理人员也并不反对,因为这样不仅能完成工作量,还能在第五天闭店以节省开支。
commonplace常见现象shut down关门
第三段:讲另一个改变——工作时间的任选。工作时由固定的早晚班改为随意调整。灵活的日程安排在大都市变得常见。对工作者来说,其好处在于可以根据家庭生活调整工作时间。例如,当妻子外出工作时,丈夫可以在下午停止工作去照看孩子。这种改变还可以激励工作者,因为公司给予其自由支配的时间。
variable hour's option工作时的任选
flexible schedules灵活的日程安排
第四段:讲第三个变化——加班时间的利用。当大部分工作者在每周40小时的工作日外还得工作时,公司就需要付加班费,如果他们需要工人加班的话。尽管这又是一笔昂贵的开支,却比另雇工人或提供福利便宜得多。通过加班,公司可以完成产品需求,而无须榨取工人。工人也可获得额外的报酬。尽管加班意味着工作时间的增加,但它是基于自愿和协商原则的。
voluntary basis自愿基础
第五段:展望未来工作时间的变化。由于科技的发展,工作时间将继续缩短。工作时缩短的最大好处是工作者获得更多可供自己支配的时间。但是,由于家庭经济的需要,两个全职工作在未来是必要的。未来美国工作者的工作标准将是——在空闲时间做更多的工作而非安逸地消磨时光。
ethic道德标准
由以上分析可以看出全文分为三个层次。
第一段为第一层。主要介绍工作条件的改善。
1)美国工作者过去需要工作很长时间
2)企业工会改善了工作条件
3)点明主旨:今天,美国工作者享有过去人们所没有的任选的工作时间。
第二至第四段为第二层。主要写工作时间的三大变化
1)工作周缩短
2)工作时间的灵活变化
3)加班对雇佣双方的好处
最后一段为第三层。主要预示未来工作时间的变化
1)工作时间将继续缩短
2)工作者将有更多闲暇时间
3)在经济压力下,人们将需要两份全职工作
4.
Read the following passage carefully and compose a "topic outline" for it. The Human Brain
For centuries, people wondered about how the human brain works. Re- searchers were particularly concerned about its structure and functions. It was not long ago that scientists made the remarkable discovery that our brains are divided into two halves- left brain and right brain, and that each half has separate features and roles.
The left brain is said to be the logical brain. It is the left brain that we use to solve mathematical problems and go think logically. For example, if you are asked how to make coffee, this is what happens. Your left brain begins to work; it searches its files for information on coffee making. If it finds the files, it begins relating what to do step by step. If it does not find any record, it says it does not know.
The right brain is often called the creative brain. It has the function of thinking creatively. This contains all the artistic functions, including art and music appreciation. When you want to draw a picture or compose a piece of music or write poetry, it is the right brain that is in operation. When you come across a new situation in your life, your right brain gives ideas on how to tackle it.
To some people, the left brain is dominant and to others, the right brain is. Of people who are good in mathematics and language expression-that is, putting into practice what they have learnt, we say that they are more left-brained. They are not very sensitive and believe in doing everything only after reasoning. They are very sharp at arguments. They are the type who will not believe in anything until they see it. Right-brained people are more artistic and have a good sense of music appreciation. They are also more sensitive and tend to be emotional. They are more open to new ideas and are willing to accept radical positions.
Is the left brain better or the right brain? Both sides of the brain are equally important. In an ideal situation, a person should be exactly equal in both sides of the brain. However, as in most things, the ideal never happens. People are dominated by one or the other side of their brains. In order to function effectively in the world, we must learn to use both sides of the brain. In many situations that we meet in the world, there will be requirements for both sides of the brain to work together as partners. For example, when you want to write a story, which brain do you use? The answer is both brains. You need the right brain to think of the ideas and you need the left side to arrange everything in a logical sequence. You cannot go through life with only one side functioning
It's fundamentally important for people to know these interesting facts about the human brains. However, many aspects concerning our brains still remain unknown. With scientists' persistent efforts, more secrets of the human brain will be revealed.
Topic outline
(Ⅰ)Introduction: scientists' discovery about human brain.
A. People's concern about the structure and functions of the brain.
B. Thesis: Our brains are divided into two halves and each half has separate features and roles.
(Ⅱ)Features and roles of left and right brains.
A. Left brain with the function of thinking logically
B. Right brain with the function of thinking creatively
(Ⅲ)Dominance of left or right brain.
A. Features of left-brained people
B. Features of right-brained people
C. Coordination of left and right brains
[解析] 这是一篇通过对人脑的两部分——左脑和右脑——特点及其功能的简要介绍,进一步揭示出左脑和右脑同等重要这一事实的说明文。整篇文章由六段组成,但通读全篇,根据文章大意,可以将本文分为三个部分。
第一部分为文章的第一段,通过介绍人们对人脑工作的好奇及研究人员对其结构和功能的密切关注,从而提出本文的主题思想句:Not long ago that scientists made the remarkable discovery that our brains are divided into two halves—left brain and right brain, and that each half has seperate features and roles.主题思想句是全文叙述内容的归结,为下文作出了很好的铺垫。
第二部分为文章的第二、三段,在这两段中分别介绍了左脑和右脑的不同特点及作用,主要从两个方面进行叙述:第一方面左脑被人们称为逻辑性大脑(logical brain),我们常常通过左脑解决数学问题以及进行逻辑思维。文章以沏茶为例,进一步说明左脑是如何进行思维的。
第二方面右脑通常被称为创造性头脑(creative brain),它可以使人们进行创造性思维,这种思维为人们提供了艺术及音乐方面的欣赏能力。文章以画图、谱写音乐、写诗等为例,强调了右脑的这种创造性思维在生活中的运用。
第三部分为文章的第四、五、六段,着重通过介绍左脑和右脑谁起主导作用展开叙述,从而进一步得出二者同等重要的结论。这一部分可划分为三个方面:第一方面,对于一些人来说,左脑起着主导作用,而另一些人则是右脑起主导作用。
a)左脑起主导作用的人的特点:
①擅长数学和语言表达;
②不是很敏感,相信靠推理得出的结论;
③善于发现论点,相信亲眼所见的事实。
b)右脑起主导作用的人的特点:
①更具艺术感及很好的音乐欣赏能力;
②敏感,易于情绪化;③喜欢汲取新思想并乐于接受一些比较激进的观点。
第二方面,通过设问句(左脑和右脑,谁更为重要?)提出二者同等重要的结论并进一步展开论述。理想情况下二者应该是同等重要。然而,大多数情况下,这种理想情况从未发生过,人们总是被某个半脑控制着。为了有效发挥二者的作用,我们必须学会如何使用左脑和右脑,使它们如同搭档一般工作。
第三方面,从根本上说,人们有必要了解有关人脑的一些有趣的事实。然而,人脑的诸多方面尚为迷津,相信在科学家的不懈努力下,更多有关人脑的秘密将被揭晓。
通过以上分析,我们不难看出,文章的六个段落之间存在着相互依存的紧密关系。本文围绕科学家有关人脑发现的简要介绍→左脑和右脑的不同特点及作用→左脑和右脑合作情况三部分展开。
大纲也可以照此脉络来组织。
原文中部分有益的短语:
1)step by step逐渐地;一步一步地
e. g. He learnt the rules of the game step by step.他逐渐学会了游戏的规则。
2)be sharp at对……敏锐;对……机敏
e. g. The little boy is extremely sharp at finding unusual phenomena happening in the atmosphere.这个小男孩对于大气中存在的异常现象感觉很敏锐。
3)go through遭受;经历;忍受(=be through)
e. g. The country has gone/been through too many wars.这个国家经历了太多的战争。
5.
The following passage is incomplete with one body paragraph missing. Study the passage carefully and write the missing paragraph in about 100 words. Make sure that your tone and diction are in unity with the passage provided. Benefits of Face-to-Face Communication
Face-to-face communication is the first basic communication method. In the era of information technology, people are now faced with a myriad of communication options. Be it letters, emails, or telephone conversations, none is more effective than face-to- face interaction, because it helps the speaker to convey a complete message, obtain immediate feedback, and build trusting relationship.
In addition, face-to-face communication provides immediate feedback. If the message is ambiguous, the speaker can clarify it right away. The listener can raise questions if he feels confused. Hence, the speaker can detect and prevent possible misunderstandings or confusion among the listeners. Since all the people involved in the interactive process can easily see each other, their approval, interest, or disregard can easily be deduced and dealt with. Renowned CEOs, like Bill Gates, attach much importance to face-to-face communication and highly appreciate the timely responses of the staff at business meetings.
Lastly, face-to-face communication enhances the relationship between people. It's difficult to build rapport only over emails or through phone calls. It seems that people tend to depend less and less on face-to-face talks to express their gratitude and appreciation, but this form of contact is extremely important for establishing trusting relationship. As an office worker, what would you feel when your colleagues come up to your desk and congratulate you on the great report you sent or the presentation you made recently? If a team leader calls his team members to the office just to say "thanks" and pat their backs, the team will be sure to take a liking to him immediately.
Even in the modern world full of electronic communication devices, face-to-face communication remains the most powerful human interaction. Without face-to-face communication, information recipients have to interpret an incomplete message, because much of the information gained in communication is derived from non-verbal cues. They have no chance to question the speaker or clarify the information. Moreover, they are unlikely to feel warmth from or build trust on the message deliverer. Therefore, face-to-face interaction cannot be re- placed by other forms of communication.
To begin with, face-to-face communication affords the speaker the opportunity to deliver his complete message. In a face-to-face interaction, emotions, moods and expressions come forth to the surface, which are not seen or felt from written words or words spoken on the telephone. Through eye contact, facial expressions and body language, the speaker gives the listener a thorough idea of his point of view. All these factors influence how the same words are received. For example, by leaning forward on his chair, opening his arms and moving his hands in a forceful manner, the speaker can convey interest and leadership.
[解析] 浏览全文可知,这篇文章为说明文。它可分成三个大的部分:开头段,数个主体段和结论段。开头段是第一段。它由导入语和主题句组成。面对面的交流是人们最基本的沟通方法(这是导入语一)。在信息技术快速发展的时代,人们可以通过各种形式来实现面对面的交流(这是导入语二),因为只有面对面的交流才能表达完整的信息、获得及时的反馈并建立双方信任的合作关系。(导出主题句)
第三段:讲到面对面的交流能为我们提供及时的反馈(main idea)。首先,如果信息传递的不准确或者模糊时,讲话者可以立即进行解释。听者如果有疑问,也可以立即进行提问。其中比尔•盖茨也曾指出面对面交流的重要性以及在生意上信息反馈的及时性。
第四段:提到面对面的交流也能加强双方的合作关系(main idea)。如今采用面对面沟通的方式来表达感谢的人越来越少了。但是面对面交流是建立双方信任关系的重要方式。
第五段:属于结论段,是对全文的总结和概括,是对主题句的强调和深化。
很显然,面对面的交流的第2个好处在第三段了详尽了阐述,第3个好处在第四段作了详尽的阐述。那么可推知第三段应阐述面对面交流能表达完整的信息”。为了保持文章风格的一致,阐述方式可参照第三、四段。