Make sure your headset is on. This section measures your ability to use writing to communicate in an academic environment. There will be two writing tasks. For the first writing task, you will read a passage and listen to a lecture and then answer a question based on what you have read and heard. For the second writing task, you will answer a question based on your own knowledge and experience. Now listen to the directions for the first writing task.
1. Make sure your headset is on. This section measures your ability to use writing to communicate in an academic environment. There will be two writing tasks. For the first writing task, you will read a passage and listen to a lecture and then answer a question based on what you have read and heard. For the second writing task, you will answer a question based on your own knowledge and experience. Now listen to the directions for the first writing task.
Writing Based on Reading and Listening
For this task, you will have 3 minutes to read a passage about an academic topic. You may take notes on the passage if you wish. The passage will then be removed and you will listen to a lecture about the same topic. While you listen, you may also take notes. Then you will have 20 minutes to write a response to a question that asks you about the relationship between the lecture you heard and the reading passage. Try to answer the question as completely as possible using information from the reading passage and the lecture. The question does not ask you to express your personal opinion. You will be able to see the reading passage again when it is time for you to write. You may use your notes to help you answer the question. Typically, an effective response will be 150 to 225 words long. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on the completeness and accuracy of the content. If you finish your response before the time is up, you may click on NEXT to go on to the second writing task. Now you will see the reading passage for 3 minutes. Remember it will be available to you again when you are writing. Immediately after the reading time ends, the lecture will begin, so keep your headset on until the lecture is over. Question 1 of 2 Sick employees and those suffering from chronic health problems are burdens to their companies because the loss of work hours results in lower productivity by workers and fewer profits for businesses. One way that companies can reduce the effects of these problems is to offer health incentive plans. They may offer monetary incentives to workers who take fewer sick days off. They may also provide in-house exercise facilities and give bonuses to those employees who regularly utilize them, and they may further encourage healthy living by bestowing financial awards or other types of compensation upon individuals who lose weight or quit smoking. Programs such as these have several advantages, one of which is that they encourage workers—especially those lacking motivation—to become healthier. By offering rewards for improved health and taking fewer sick days, companies can inspire their employees to become healthier. These healthy workers become happy and more productive. Additionally, these inducements are effective on those who are already fit, do not smoke, and lack other bad habits simply by encouraging them to maintain their healthy lifestyles. Rather than giving monetary rewards, companies may provide incentives such as lower health insurance rates and longer periods of vacation to convince their employees to stay in shape for long periods of time. The ultimate goals of these programs are to save money on expenditures and to increase profits. For every day an employee is out sick, a company loses money, and those workers who end up suffering long-term health problems due to unhealthy lifestyles regularly have their health care subsidized by their employers, which can be expensive. Thus companies can save money by ensuring that their workers are as healthy as possible.
Question 1 of 2 Directions You have 20 minutes to plan and write your response. Your response will be judged on the basis of the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the points in the lecture and their relationship to the passage. Typically, an effective response will be 150-225 words. Question Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage. Sick employees and those suffering from chronic health problems are burdens to their companies because the loss of work hours results in lower productivity by workers and fewer profits for businesses. One way that companies can reduce the effects of these problems is to offer health incentive plans. They may offer monetary incentives to workers who take fewer sick days off. They may also provide in-house exercise facilities and give bonuses to those employees who regularly utilize them, and they may further encourage healthy living by bestowing financial awards or other types of compensation upon individuals who lose weight or quit smoking. Programs such as these have several advantages, one of which is that they encourage workers—especially those lacking motivation—to become healthier. By off
Sample Essay In his lecture, the professor discusses health incentive plans that some businesses use to encourage their employees to become healthier. He is skeptical of their effectiveness and casts doubt on the arguments in their favor that are mentioned in the reading passage. The professor begins by remarking that these plans are usually only effective for short periods of time. He says that people can stop their bad habits for a while but eventually resume them, which makes them disappointed and sad. In mentioning those facts, the professor disregards the argument in the reading passage that these programs encourage employees to get healthier. The next argument the professor takes on concerns who gets rewarded. While the reading passage mentions that incentives given to employees make them want to get in shape, the professor points out a problem with who gets the incentives. Some employees do not want healthy individuals to get rewards since they are already in shape whereas healthy employees do not want lazy employees to be rewarded for their lack of self-control. The final point covered concerns companies themselves. The author of the reading passage believes companies will save money and become more profitable with these programs. But the professor comments that employees take sick days for reasons other than illnesses, so they will probably continue acting the same way in the future.
[听力原文] Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about. M Professor: Nowadays, businesses are devising health incentive plans for their employees. Basically, uh, the companies are rewarding their workers for getting into shape, stopping bad habits, and being healthy in general. You might consider these plans positive features, but they're actually rather controversial. Let me explain why... One problem is that these plans are often effective for short periods of time but fail the longer they go on. Why's that... ? Well, people may visit health clubs, stop smoking, or give up their favorite junk foods for a while, but let's be honest... It's hard to quit those activities for years. In fact, it's virtually inevitable that most people will resume their bad habits at some point in their lives. And when employees return to their old ways, they frequently get discouraged and depressed, which is neither good for them nor their employers. Numerous employees decry these plans as unfair if they compensate workers who are already healthy since those people get rewarded for doing nothing. Some people have trouble staying healthy due to, uh, a lack of time or family obligations, and there's growing evidence that genes cause some people to be overweight. On the other hand, healthy people claim it's unfair for them to miss out on rewards being given to people they consider lazy and lacking in self-control. What about companies... ? They institute these programs to increase productivity and to save money by having their employees take fewer sick days. But remember that people don't always take sick days because they're sick. They might, um, have family commitments, have a sick spouse or child, or simply be too tired to work that day and need a break. So I imagine that no matter what programs exist, people will still end up taking the same number of sick days as before.
2.
Writing Based on Knowledge and Experience
For this task, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state, explain, and support your opinion on an issue. You have 30 minutes to write your essay. Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 300 words. Your essay will be judged on the quality of your writing. This includes the development of your ideas, the organization of the content, and the quality and accuracy of the language you used to express ideas. Click on CONTINUE to go on. Question 2 of 2 Directions Read the question below. You have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. Typically, an effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words. Question Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is important for schools and businesses to have rules regarding the types of clothing that people are allowed to wear. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample Essay-Agree I strongly agree with the statement. In my opinion, both schools and businesses should have rules regarding the types of clothing that people are allowed to wear at them. I feel this way for three main reasons. First, it is crucial that everyone at a school or business look similar to foster a sense of togetherness. I wear a uniform at my school, and I like it when I see my fellow students wearing the same outfit. It makes me feel like we are members of the same team. This is especially true when I am off campus. Whenever I see another student with my school's uniform on, I always say hi even if I do not personally know that particular student. Because we belong to the same school, we have a connection with each other. Second, when everyone at a school or business wears similar or identical clothes, it looks more professional. I have seen group pictures of students at schools with no uniforms, and they do not look nearly as good as the group pictures of students wearing uniforms. In addition, I love visiting my mother's place of business. All the employees wear similar clothes since her company has regulations regarding that, so everyone there looks very professional. I think it must be a great place to work. Third, when a school or business has rules regarding the types of clothes people can wear, it reduces the amount of competition between the students or employees. My sister attends a school with no dress code, so the students there waste tons of money on clothes. They always try to outdo one another with regard to who can wear the most expensive or stylish clothes, which seems like a huge waste of time and money to me. If those students had to wear uniforms, they could quit focusing on clothes and start thinking more about their schoolwork. I believe schools and businesses should regulate how people dress because it can unite people, it looks more professional, and it can reduce competition between others. For those three reasons, I agree with the statement. Sample Essay-Disagree There are many students and businesspeople who support schools and businesses having dress codes or making people wear uniforms. I, however, am not one of those individuals, so I disagree with the statement. For starters, making people dress similarly or the same stifles creativity. Several of my friends have their own unique styles when they are not at school, but they have to wear uniforms when they go to class, which prevents them from showing off their uniqueness. I can see how unhappy they look when they put their uniforms on and blend in with all the other students. Once they return home, however, they change out of their uniforms and put their regular clothes back on. At that time, they can be creative in their styles and resume being happy. Something else to consider is that people feel comfortable in different types of clothes. Personally, I do not mind wearing a school uniform, but my brother despises his. He has to wear a coat and tie to school every day, but he hates wearing ties. He remarks that he feels like his tie is choking him, so he constantly tugs at it. He would be much more comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts, but his school does not permit him to wear casual clothes like those. Finally, clothes are really not important. What is important is how well the people wearing the clothes perform. My father is an outstanding salesman at his company, so his manager does not care what my father wears to work. The only thing his boss cares about is how many sales my father makes each day. The same is true for my mother, who is a chef at a restaurant. The owner of the restaurant does not bother my mother about her clothes because he wants her to make the most delicious meals possible, not look stylish. For each of my parents, their job performances, not their clothes, are important. I disagree with the statement because I do not believe schools or businesses should tell people what to wear. Having a dress code can reduce people's creativity, uniforms are often uncomfortable, and clothes are not particularly important. Those three reasons explain exactly why I believe the statement is wrong.