Many people nowadays move to big cities for work and study. What are the advantages of moving to big cities for work or school？ Explain why.
现在许多人搬到大城市工作和学习。到大城市工作或上学的好处是什么？为什么？。

CNN:Turns out cities are safest places to live
7 Benefits of Going to School in a Big City


Working or studying in a big city can be great if you enjoy the hustle and bustle and crave access to new possibilities.


First, a big city equipped with modern infrastructure makes people’s lives convenient and efficient. With thriving public transportation, from buses to the subway, you can get around a lot faster, even if you don't have a car. It's also incredibly cost-effective because some schools and companies provide a pass to use public transport for free or at a discounted rate.


Also, when you go to school or work in a big city, it's a rare occasion that you'll be stuck in your apartment. Not only are there plenty of campus or company events, but you have an entire city at your hands. You can spend your days exploring the city and attend local concerts and comedy clubs at night. You'll never run out of something to do when you move to a big city.



Notes：

1. Outline
搬到大城市不仅方便还有无限可能
R1: big cities make people’s lives convenient and efficient 大城市使人们的生活方便高效。
R2: big cities opens up endless possibilities 大城市有无限可能永远不会无聊


2. Vocabulary
hustle and bustle：熙熙攘攘，忙碌的生活
thriving public transportation：越来越发达的公共交通
modern infrastructure：现代化的基础设施
rare occasion：小概率事件
run out of something to do：无事可做

Some people believe that it is better for small children to grow up in a small town. Others think that it’s better for them to grow up in a big city. Which do you think is better?
有些人认为小孩子在小城镇长大比较好。然而，另一些人则认为他们在大城市长大比较好。你认为哪一个更好？

Based on my own experience, I believe that it’s better for a kid to grow up in a big city. The following reasons should elucidate why I’m that way inclined.

First is the exposure to a more diverse group of people. People in big cities tend to meet and get to know people of different races, religions and social classes. This is less true in a small town. Thus, living in a city prepares children for life in a diverse society.

In addition, children growing up in the city typically have more opportunities when it comes to education. Most cities offer a variety of magnet, charter, private and public schools, which have to be competitive with one another (in price and quality) to keep their doors open.

Lastly, cities offer better social support services, such as libraries and recreation centers. Although these services typically exist in small towns, city facilities tend to be better equipped.


Notes
1. Outline
大城市更适合小孩成长
R1：exposure to diverse group of people 接触更多多样化的人
R2: more education resources 更多教育资源
R3: offer better social support services 提供更好的社会支持服务

2. Vocabulary
diverse 多样化的
magnet magnet school 精英中学 特别才艺学校
charter 特许公立学校 美国的一种在州政府帮助下由家长、公司等办的学校

What's your favorite place to study?
你最喜欢学习的地方是什么？

My favorite place to study is the campus library. I am at my most focused and efficient there for the following reasons.

First, libraries provide us with an almost unlimited source of papers and articles. If you need to find materials for your research paper, the staff are willing to help you find related scholarly articles through an online research tool. Moreover, it goes without saying that the library houses a decent selection of books.

Second, the second floor of my school's library is a great atmosphere for relaxing and writing. There are large windows with a nice view of the woods behind campus, and the comfy chairs and quiet atmosphere always make studying a lot more fun! With tons of resources at one’s fingertips and all the warm-hearted librarians, the library has already become my second home.

Notes：
decent selection：相当好的，恰到好处的
at fingertips：或者是at one's fingertips，表示在手边，唾手可得

Which of the following occupations do you consider the most important for a city, a policeman, a public transportation worker, or a building designer?
你认为下列哪个职业对城市最重要？警察、公共交通工作者还是建筑设计师？

A policeman, as it is not only a hugely important occupation for a city, but also is highly respected in our wider society.

Policemen try their best to save lives every day. In our minds, policemen are always pulling victims out of burning cars or providing first aid and basic life support to shooting victims. There are other duties of policemen that influence our lives. For example, speeding tickets improve traffic safety.

Furthermore, policemen can sometimes act as life mentors to people who are on the wrong path. Drug addicts, gang members and thieves, people who do harm to the city, are timid when they encounter policemen. Policing is an opportunity to show these people a better way, which may play a huge role in their future lives.

Finally, policemen have abilities to deal with varied problems. Police work is some of the most varied out there; one day you could be doing paperwork and filing, the next you are out on the street. A wide range of different accidents happen in the city every day, and no one can solve such troublesome problems as quickly and efficiently as policemen.


Notes
1. Outline
R1: save lives 拯救生命
R2: become life mentor for people who are on the wrong path 成为走上歧路的人的
R3: have varied abilities to deal with different problems 有很多能力解决不同问题

2. Vocabulary
first aid: 紧急救助
wrong path 这里指走上歧路的人
Drug addict: 吸毒成瘾的人
gang members: 帮会成员

Some people prefer to spend their vacation in the countryside, while others prefer large cities. Which do you prefer and why?
有些人喜欢在乡村度假，而另一些人则喜欢大城市。你喜欢哪一个？为什么？

I prefer to spend my vacation in the countryside, for many reasons.


First of all, when in the countryside, I am able to smell the fragrance of grass and flowers, hear the birds sing and feel the gentle breeze caressing my face. All of these things are impossible to experience in big cities nowadays. The countryside is an ideal place for both relaxing and exercising.


Secondly, spending one’s vacation in the countryside can be quite economical, which is an important consideration for students like me who are not financially independent. You don't need to be able to afford expensive transportation and room costs in the countryside. Instead, only a small car equipped with a practical GPS, carrying a group of good friends is required in a rural setting.


Outline 更喜欢郊外度假
R1：better environment and atmosphere 环境好氛围好
R2: more affordable and economical 更加的经济实惠

Vocabulary
breeze 微风
caressing 爱抚 这里相当于把微风拟人了
rural 农村的，乡下的

Describe a time when you tried to do something that you had never done before. Explain what you did and why.
描述一次你尝试做一些你从未做过的事情。解释你做了什么和为什么你做了

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson.


For the past weeks, I have been immersed in a building project that I have been dreaming about since last summer; I am building a playhouse for my two boys on my apartment’s balcony. I have no previous building experience, but slowly and steadily the small building is getting closer to completion. I must admit that it has its faults — just a glance will reveal that it wasn’t built by a professional. But I have created something, and that can be the start of a great new passion and a lifelong adventure.


One of the best things about this project is the fact that it has opened up an array of new opportunities. Doing what I have done many times before leads to predictable results. To make room for new possibilities, I need to do something different.


The project has also got my creative juices flowing. Working with completely different tools than I normally do has opened my eyes to many different and exciting ideas for future projects.

Would you prefer to live near your workplace/university or far from it?
决定：大而新的地方，但远离你的工作场所和/或大学；小而老的地方，但靠近你的工作场所和/或大学。

As commute times have gotten longer and longer, many of us find ourselves spending long hours behind the wheels of our cars. Here are some important benefits of living close to where you work.

First of all, living near your workplace can make you a more reliable employee. When bad weather strikes, those who live farther away are more likely to experience difficulty getting to the office. If you live nearby, your commute is likely to be less problematic. In this way, your boss will be inclined to rely on you. This reputation for reliability will serve you well in your career.

Secondly, choosing to live close to your workplace can even improve your health. If you live close enough to walk or bike to work, you can be reaping the benefits of exercise while you make your way to the office each day. Even a small amount of exercise every day can be beneficial, and incorporating that exercise into your daily routine amplifies those health benefits.


Notes：
1. Outline
住得近更好
R1：can make you a more reliable employee 可以使你成为一个更可靠的员工。
R2: can improve your health 可以让你变得更健康

2. Vocabulary
commute 通勤
behind the wheels：掌舵，文中意为开车
bad weather strikes：坏天气来袭，strike经常和earthquake等词连用
incorporating：合并，并入
daily routine：日常安排

Do you agree with the preservation of old buildings?
你同意旧建筑的保护吗？

I agree with preserving old buildings. It's an environmentally responsible practice.


The most crucial element of building preservation is the fact that it’s environmentally friendly. An immediate advantage of old buildings is that the building already exists. Therefore, the energy required to demolish and rebuild can be used elsewhere.


Also, there are some sentimental and intangible benefits of historic preservation. For example, people can commemorate the past and appreciate the inherent aesthetics of the building's texture, craftsmanship and style thanks to the retention of history and authenticity.


But the foremost benefit of building preservation is the fact that its alternative — demolishment — is a one-way street. We can never be certain what will be valued in the future, and there's no chance to renovate or save a historic site once it's gone.



Notes


1. Outline
应该保存旧建筑
R1：environmentally friendly 保护环境不产生建筑废弃材料
R2: intangible benefits such as commemoration purpose 无形的好处例如纪念意义


2. Vocabulary
environmentally responsible practice 环保的做法
immediate advantage 这里可以理解为显而易见的好处
intangible 无形的 触摸不到的
commemorate 庆祝 纪念
inherent aesthetics 自身所内含的美 内在美
texture, craftsmanship and style 质地，工艺和风格
retention 保留 扣留
authenticity 真实性 确实性
a one-way street 一条单行道 means no coming back 无法回头
renovate 更新 修复

Should your government build a library or a park in your community? Why?
你的政府应该在你的社区建立一个图书馆或公园吗？为什么？

I support the assertion that the government should build a park because good facilities contribute to the general quality of life in the community. A community with good parks and other facilities is a more pleasant and sociable place to live, with a lively outdoor and cultural life. Residents spend more time in the community, and therefore are more familiar with one another. This contributes to an amplified sense of community.


What's more, good parks can make the community more attractive, physically. Well-designed parks, especially when they're part of a comprehensive community plan, can add greatly to the pleasant atmosphere of a community. Parks can include flowerbeds, grassy lawns, benches, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields, as in Central Park in New York or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Parks are the lungs of a city, offering green space and fresh air to people who otherwise may seldom experience anything but concrete and exhaust fumes.


Notes：
sociable place：友善的，好社交的
grassy lawns：茵茵草坪
otherwise：否则…… ，一般与might／would等词合用表示如果不然，就会如何如何，是常用的写作句式
concrete and exhaust fumes：混凝土和废气，与绿色对比，代表了社区里不健康的元素

Do you prefer to study in the classroom or outside the classroom?
你喜欢在教室里学习还是在教室外面学习？。

Personally speaking, I prefer to study outside the classroom. I feel this way for the following reasons.

First of all, outside learning exposes students to new opportunities. Museums, galleries, zoos and farms can be of great interest to students, acting as places in which we can find out how things are made and maybe even engage in some interactive learning. Through creating a memorable experience, knowledge is more likely to take root.

Moreover, learning outside the classroom fosters the use of “systems thinking.” As a mini-ecosystem, the outdoor classroom emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. Through exposure to the intricate web of life, we come to understand that complex natural and societal systems often require holistic rather than linear solutions.

Third, it blurs the boundaries between academic learning and creative play. When a teacher asks who wants to go outside, every hand raises. By preserving a person’s innate sense of curiosity and wonder, outside learning promotes active engagement. Through showing that learning can be fun, members of the class become lifelong learners.

If given the chance to travel to the Moon, what would you bring with you?
如果你有机会去月球旅行，你想带些什么？

The first thing and most valued thing in my suitcase would be the feather of a falcon. The Moon has no air, and hence no air resistance. It’s thus a great place to demonstrate Galileo’s principle with a falcon feather and another heavy thing.

My second choice would be a really powerful telescope with a great camera and tripod. This would enable me to watch the overall landscape of the earth. The Great Wall, the Himalayas and the Pacific Ocean would be there for me to explore. Moreover, with the telescope and the camera, I could witness the smog diffuse across the globe and record it for people on the earth. I would also take a piece of rock from earth to the Moon. Since we take rocks from the Moon, I feel like we need to leave something for aliens on the Moon.

When choosing a restaurant or café, what are some important features you look out for？ Why?
在选择餐馆或咖啡馆时，你关心的一些重要特征是什么？为什么？

Well, one of the most important features I care about when choosing a restaurant is its service. Nothing irks me more than sitting down at a nice restaurant, excited to begin the meal, and then waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for someone to come over and take my order.

I also don’t like it when servers take away one person’s plate while someone else is still eating. That makes the person who’s still eating feel bad. The clearing of plates, and how that’s handled, is a good way to judge a restaurant.

Your university plans to open a cafe inside the campus library. Do you think this is a good idea? Explain your answer.
你的大学计划在校园图书馆旁开一家咖啡馆。你认为这是个好主意吗？解释为什么或为什么不

Personally, I agree with the university’s proposal. A café inside the campus library is a good idea for the following reasons.

First, cafés give stressed students an opportunity to relax. They are bright, vibrant spaces with something for everyone. Students will be encouraged to come along, relax and have a coffee on our huge curvy sofas. Dine at the funky tables and chairs or even continue working at one of the many flat screen PCs.

Second, if there is a wide variety of food on offer, all fresh and made to order, students will flock to the library and they will thus learn more. If you fancy something a little naughty, the library should serve Danish pastries, muffins, cookies and large slices of cake. They could also serve great coffee, delicious smoothies and some chilled frappés to keep you cool.

Some people like to live in traditional buildings, while others prefer to live in modern ones. Which do you prefer and why?
有些人喜欢住在传统的建筑里，而另一些人则喜欢住在现代化的房子里。你喜欢哪一个？为什么？

For the following reasons, I prefer living in modern buildings.

First, the design of a modern building is usually unique. Some of these modern designs may be boxy and flat roofed, but they certainly manage to be anything but boring. Would you rather live in a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art home, or one with a traditional design that mimics the one next door? Modern architecture is anything but cookie cutter.

Second, modern buildings are warmer. A large number of modern designs feature elements that are naturally warm and inviting, such as wood and stone. With floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, vaulted posts, beam ceilings and large windows letting in light, who would ever choose to live in an older house?

Choose a destination that you like to visit with your friends and explain why it appeals to you.
选择一个你想和你的朋友一起去的地方，并解释原因。

The reasons for visiting coffee shops extend beyond the quenching of thirst. Coffee shops are popular because they serve as ideal places to spend time with friends or read books. “Coffee shop culture” can be explained in the following ways.

It dates back to the Middle East several centuries ago. People first gathered in coffee shops to exchange views about political events and scientific problems. In fact, many scientific discoveries can be traced directly to coffee shop conversations.

Most coffee shops have a cozy atmosphere. They are places where you can sit for hours as you sip your coffee. People go with friends and family to chat and relax after going shopping, or meet up just for a gossip. For me and my friends, one of the highlights of hitting the coffee shop is enjoying gourmet coffees and a muffin. When smelling freshly roasted beans and sipping a beautifully crafted espresso macchiato, I sit wondering what life would be like without coffee.

Some students like to sit at the front of the classroom. Others prefer to sit at the back. Which do you prefer?
有些学生喜欢坐在教室前面，另一些学生则喜欢坐在后面。你喜欢哪种方式？

Students in the front row tend to be more eager, like a particularly chatty person at a bar. Their seating choice says: “I want to be part of the conversation.” It also says: “I’m smarter and I’m getting an A in this class.” Can’t a teacher spot this strategy? Of course. However, the teacher has seventy-five minutes to kill and it’s a lot easier when people participate. They are consequently unlikely to discriminate against the eager.

The students who sit at back do so because it allows them to goof off without getting caught. Some kids may also dislike sitting close to their teacher.

If given an empty piece of land, would you rather use it to build a garden or a playground for children?
如果你有一块空的土地，你愿意用它来建造一个花园或一个孩子们的游乐场吗？

Compared to building a playground for children, growing a garden in empty land has many more advantages.

Improving your health is one good reason to grow a garden. Eating fruits and vegetables is a proven way to stay healthy. Many studies have found that people who eat more fruits and vegetables suffer less from cancer and chronic diseases. It’s a lot easier to get more vegetables into your diet when they are growing affordably right in your backyard!

Besides, this isn’t the only heath benefit gardening offers. It’s also an easy and enjoyable way to spend time in the fresh air and sunshine, getting healthy, moderate exercise. Most people agree that gardening is pleasant and relaxing, and it has actually been clinically proven to alleviate stress.

Would you rather live in the city or the countryside?
你会选择哪里是你的家：一个嘈杂的地方靠近商店，餐馆和交通枢纽或远离一切安静的地方吗？

Most people find it comfortable to live in quiet places. They crave tranquillity and safety. But I prefer cities and busy places. Here’s why.


First, you will be exposed to constant conversation, which can be fascinating to overhear. How does a person turn a phrase? What kind of voices do the speakers have? Gravelly, sweet, annoying? This simply can’t be experienced if you live in the middle of nowhere.


Second, when you want to do some creative work at home such as writing or drawing, noise may inform your work. The sound around you might lead you to a new creative idea. Life happens in the noise, so I choose to live in real life.

Do you prefer outdoor or indoor games?
你喜欢哪一种，室内游戏还是室外游戏？

It is better for all of us, especially children, to play games outdoors.

Many studies tell us why indoor play is detrimental to children’s growth. Outdoors, a child learns on multiple levels with each new adventure. Through creating imaginary castles, lands and creatures, the brain develops at a much faster rate than it does if you’re stuck indoors.

There are numerous other positive effects of outdoor play. When children play outdoors, not only do they perform better academically, but they are also more fun to be around. Everyone wants to play with the kid with an active imagination! Consequently, children will be much happier because, if they play outdoors, they’re more likely to be smart and have lots of friends. All of this comes from just playing outside; you can bake many loaves in the same oven. There are even more physical advantages of outdoor play than mental ones.

Obviously, if a child is playing outside he/she will be way more active than the child that stays indoors. The great thing about this is that it can have long-lasting effects. Years down the road, the child will still be more active and less likely to be overweight.