短暂的美丽大学英语综合教程3课后作文

Unit5

1. The Significance of Lifelong Education

Decades ago, due to the low standard of living in China, only a smal

l percentage of the nation's population could receive college educati

on. Once given the opportunity, one would surely secure a well-paid

and much-respected job, which he or she would probably do for a li

fetime. Therefore, to secure a college degree used to be the ultimate

goal of a person's education.

Today, however, we are living in what is called a

y

speed. One must constantly renew one's knowledge and upgrade on

e's skills so as to meet the needs of the changing world. Moreover, a

t the stage of general education, it is pointless for a person to attemp

t to know everything. When one is required to settle down to be a sp

ecialist in a specific field, one has to make an in-depth study of the s

ubject one is supposed to know. In this sense, general education can

provide students with only a passport to lifelong education. As Rob

ert Maynard Hutchins once said, the object of education is to prepar

e the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.

In my opinion, life in modern society is not only a process of

ng to live

nd Learn

2. Should Family Schooling Exist?

Meng Mu Tang, a private school in Shanghai, is modeled after the e

ducational system of ancient Chinese home schools, which favored

rote memorization and recitation of classic works. But the local edu

cation authorities in Shanghai have declared it illegal according to a

report in 21st Century. Should family schooling exist? What role sh

ould it play?

In my opinion, family schooling should be permitted to play a positi

ve role in the current educational system in China. Every family sho

uld be free to choose the form of education that best suits their child

ren's interests and natural gifts. Although the existing education syst

em in China has remarkably improved, it does not fit each child perf

ectly. Since family schooling provides a means to develop a person'

s talents and unique interest, Meng Mu Tang, as a private school ge

ared to a specific group of children, should not be banned in haste. I

n view of the current dynamic, quality-minded educational reforms i

n China, we should permit family schooling to enrich and diversify

our educational system.

On the other hand, home schooling should adapt itself to the moder

n world. To prepare children for the future, it should equip them wit

h knowledge and innovative power so that they can cope with the de

velopment of the modern world. While tapping children's innate tale

nts on an individual basis, family schooling should never neglect the

ir all-round development. Meng Mu Tang may not be a perfect priva

te school, but we should let it live and have a try so that family scho

oling may eventually become an indispensable component of our fo

rmal education.

Unit6

1. My Views on Cultural Differences

In my opinion, cultural differences have more advantages than disad

vantages. First of all, it is cultural differences that make our world s

o colorful. If you go to a foreign country, you will be impressed not

only by its physical environment but also by its cultural environmen

t

—

its foods, clothes, customs, social practices, etc. Differences bet

ween cultures have always been a source of joy and inspiration.

Secondly, differences in culture enrich human civilization.

Different cultures compete with as well as learn from each other. Ro

man culture was modeled on Greek culture, which had once borrow

ed a lot from Egyptian culture. American culture is also a blend of

many different cultures.

Thirdly, differences in culture give each culture its unique identity.

A culture is usually seen in relation to other cultures. Chinese cultur

e distinguishes itself from others by its peculiar concepts and things

that can hardly be found elsewhere. Of course, cultural differences m

ay cause conflicts and misunderstandings. But interdependence, co

mmon interests and mutual goals of different nations always outwei

gh differences in culture. Nations with different cultures should lear

n from each other and live peacefully together. To this end, we shou

ld be more tolerant to other cultures while preserving, protecting and

developing our own.

2. My Views on the Influence of Western Culture

On weekends, I gather with my friends at MacDonald's or KFC. We

eat fried chicken, drink Coco-cola and talk about the latest release o

f Hollywood movies. We read foreign novels, listen to Western mus

ic and watch NBA. We admire Bill Gates, George Michael and Prin

cess Diana. We dress ourselves in the Western style and celebrate C

hristmas and Valentine's Day. Our way of life has thus changed. Ind

eed, the influence of Western culture is strongly felt in our everyday

life.

This influence in turn prepares us well to blend into the modern wor

ld and participate in the world market competition. But we should n

ot ignore its side effects. Our national culture may gradually lose its

ground if our attention is focused only upon Western culture. In foll

owing the trend of globalization we should maintain our own cultur

al identity, cherish our cultural tradition and develop our own cultur

e. What Mahatma Gandhi once said can best sum up my views on th