Holly老師的英語新天地

以下來個幾組完整的Part2及Part3 Questions之參考答案，幫助考生腦力激盪囉！加油J

 Compare the city life as opposed to country life.

  You should mention:

  the convenience of the city

  attractions of the country

  disadvantages of both

and discuss which lifestyle you prefer and why.

Notes

Ø   Many people appreciate the conveniences of the city. People in the city can see films, visit exhibitions and watch games every day if they like to. Furthermore, if they want to become scholars, scientists or artists, they can find what they need in the city libraries, colleges, museums, and so on. And last but not least is that they can get to know as many people as they want to in the city.

But some people are attracted by the beauty of the country. First, if one is in the country he feels he is closer to nature, small streams, high mountains, fresh air, green grass and so on — all this makes people happy and stirs up the love of live. Secondly, in the country, people seem to have more freedom. They can sing loudly in the field, ride horses along a brook and do some interesting farm work.

Of course, both the city and the country life have their disadvantages. As for the city, there is pollution, noise and heavy traffic. And as far as the country is concerned, its inefficient transportation, and delayed news always makes people feel isolated.

I’d like to live in the city, with visits to the country from time to time. I’m a businessman with my own company. This makes it necessary for me to live in the city, where more opportunities are available to develop my business. And at weekends, I like to go to the country to relax for a while, which will make me feel fresh and energetic for the upcoming busy days.

Ø   Well, different people have different ideas about the lifestyle. In modem societies, most people are in favour of living in big cities, as they believe it will be a better environment to live and work in. There is no doubt that a big city has many social, educational and cultural facilities — public libraries, universities and colleges, museums, art galleries, clubs, etc. it also has a wide variety of big stores, restaurants, theatres and other forms of entertainment.

On the other hand, some people prefer to live in the country if possible. They really don’t understand why so many villagers flock to cities in recent years. They just don’t care too much about those so-cal1ed good facilities. They say the living conditions in big cities are not good at all. There is serious air pollution, ceaseless noise, heavy traffic and more crime. Moreover, since the urban population is expanding, there is an increasing demand for accommodation. When it comes to the country, people can be very close to nature. The air is fresh and the sun shines on you warmly; instead of noise, you hear birds singing which makes you relaxed and happy. Life in the country is so great, cozy and colourful.

As far as I am concerned, I prefer to have a city life as most people do. Modem people can easily adapt themselves to city life; noise, traffic, violence, etc. are hardly noticeable. I believe that country life is dull and inconvenient. It’s quite enough to visit the countryside at weekends. Actually we modem people are too sophisticated for simple country pleasures. We need more opportunities to meet a variety of interesting people; we need more opportunities to get better jobs and fulfill our ambitions and dreams. And in big cities there is a greater range of jobs for us to choose from. I suppose this is one of the most important reasons why so many people want to live in big cities.

Follow-up Questions

1. What do you think of people in the countryside?

2. What aspect of country life do you most enjoy?

Part 3

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of city life?

2. What are the advantages of country life?

3. Do you think there will be great changes in the countryside in the next two decades?

4. What changes does your country really need?

5. What changes would you like to see taking place in the country?

6. What can we get from work aside from money paid for doing it?

7. Does the government do enough to prevent city pollution?

8. What measures should the world community, governmental bodies, and the public take respectively to fight against pollution?

9. Can you imagine a brand-new lifestyle which combines the benefits of both city life and country life?

Reference

1   What are the advantages and disadvantages of city life?

Advantages:

²  It is exciting.

²  It attracts people from the countryside.

²  It offers the best schools, hospitals, and stores.

²  It offers a variety of sports facilities and other leisure activities.

²  It offers many chances of employment.

²  It offers an efficient public transportation system.

²  City planners can create a good living environment.

²  Its noise and overcrowding are hardly noticeable.

Disadvantages:

²  It is unhealthy (e.g. water and air pollution, noise pollution).

²  It is not a good environment for children.

²  It is devoid of nature.

²  It is noisy and dangerous.

²  It makes people nervous and even neurotic.

²  It has created awful slums.

²  Cities are overcrowded and expensive.

²  Many city dwellers long to return to the countryside.

²  It always has rush hours and traffic jams.

2   What are the advantages of country life?

People living in the country enjoy several advantages that people living in the city cannot enjoy.

²  They are in close contact with nature. They make friends with trees and stones, cows and dogs. They breathe fresh air. They fight with strong winds. They listen to the song of birds.

²  This contact with nature is beneficial to health. There are many diseases that arc common in the city, but are not to be found in the country. For example, nearsightedness is almost unknown to country people.

²  Country people are mostly honest. They say what they mean, and make and keep promises with seriousness. They do not put on airs. They do not assume any manners common in what we call polite society.

4   What changes does your country really need?

²  Ordinary citizens can take more political participation.

²  Corruption must be tackled with a harsh penalty for offenders.

²  A sound and more regulated economy is to be established and business games must be fairly played by the rules.

²  The wide social gap between the rich and the poor can be narrowed down.

²  More people of various ages can be admitted into universities.

²  More time for school children is allowed to play and have fun, and much more attention is paid to develop their interest and creativity.

8   What measures should the world community, governmental bodies, and the public take respectively to fight against pollution?

²  Since environmental protection is a global issue, all countries, whether small or big, should spare no efforts in fighting against environment pollution.

²  Education campaign on environmental protection — The government should use the public media to make every citizen fully understand the seriousness of environmental pollution and the significance of environmental protection.

²  Make laws to protect the environment. Those who break environmental protection laws should be heavily punished.

²  Create more environmentally friendly products.

²  Plant more grass and trees.

²  Everybody should do his or her bit to make our environment better to live in.

Additional Topic-related Questions

1    Is there a gap between urban and rural areas in your country?

Ø  Yes. There is. Compared with people living in the countryside, urban people generally enjoy a higher standard of living. They earn more income, receive better welfare and medical care, and have more job opportunities. They also enjoy better transportation and other conveniences of the cities. Anyway, people have turned their attention to this big gap and are trying to improve the situation.

2   What do you think should be done to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas?

Ø  In my opinion, more educated people should be sent to the countryside to help promote cultural and economic development. Advanced technology should be introduced to improve fanning efficiency. Most important of all, rural people should be given more chances to know and understand the outside world.