(五)图表图画型
1.Fighting Drug Abuse
It can be seen from the charts thatdrug abuse has become a grave problem in China. As we can see from the first chart on the left,in 1996, there were only slightly more than 200 thousand drug addicts, while in 2011 the number soared toover 1,000 thousand. The other chart conveys amore shocking message:about 70 percent of the drug addicts in China now are young people aged under35.
A number of factors could account for this dramatic change, but the following might be the most critical ones. In the first place,as China opens its door to the outside world, its people tend to be influenced by western values and life styles. More or less, the drug addicts in China are imitating their counterparts in the U.S. and other western industrialized countries. In the second place,with China transforming from a planned economy to a market-oriented one, there has appeared a vacuum in some people’s faiths, especially in the youngsters’. Confronted with increasingly fierce competition in study and work, many of them resort to drug abuse as a way of relaxation。
In view of the seriousness of the situation, effective measures must be taken before things get worse. For one thing,it is imperative that pertinent laws should be worked out and rigidly enforced to crack down ondrug dealing, cutting off the supply of drugs. For another, a deep-going and ever-lasting campaign should be launched tohelp the young establish the right philosophy and world view. Only with these measures taken can we expect a brighter future。
2. On the Relationship between People
This is a simple but meaningful drawing. // This is an artfully designed and thought-provoking drawing. As we can see,the man living on the upper floor of a building is watering a plant, whose roots have grown downward so far that they have barred the window of an old man living downstairs, making his apartment a prison。
Simple as the drawing is, the message it conveys is profound and far-reaching. Evidently, it is meant to reveal the fact thatsome people tend to base their own happiness on other’s bitterness. Actually, our society abounds with such people. It never too rare to see some peoplewalking their dogs outdoors and let them shit everywhere. Nor is it to find somehonking the horn of their cars while driving in the street, disturbing people living around. Actually, what these people do has more or less infringed upon other’s interest. They should either be condemned or be punished。
To sum up, this picture is indeed instructive. It is essential totake others’ benefits into consideration if we want to see a harmonious society. As is often advocated, we should regard it as an honor to help each other and a shame to benefit oneself at the expense of others。
3. Perseverance: Key to Success
This is a wittily designed and inspiring picture. As it shows,is searching for water. He has already dug many holes in the ground but none of them has reached the water. In fact, the water is just a few inches below the bottom of one of the holes. With a cigarette between his lips and his spade in his hands, he walks away leisurely, saying to himself in mind that there is no water here and I shall try another place。
Simple as the story is, the message it conveys is profound and far-reaching. Obviously, it is meant to tell us about the importance ofperseverance on our way to success. There is no denying the fact that nowadays an increasing number ofyouth lack the spirit of persisting on.A case in point is thatmany of them change their jobs or careers too frequently. Faced with a bit setback or difficulty, they choose to quit and change their goals. If the situation goes as it is, the consequence will be disastrous not only for individuals but for the society as a whole。
Bringing what has been discussed into a conclusion, we may say that the lack ofperseverance is a major barrier on our way to success. In a word, we should truly understand the profound meaning of the picture and try various means to cultivate ourperseverance。
(六)书信型
A Letter of Application for a Job
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am responding to your advertisement inChina Daily onJune 16th,2013, which invites applications forinterpreters.Enclosed with this letter is my resume which details my background。
I believe that I am the best candidate for this position. In the first place, I have been studying for four years inBeijing Foreign Studies University,one of the most prestigiouslanguage schools in China, which has provided me with a desirable command ofEnglishskills. In the second place, I have taken part in a number of social activities in the past years, which have helped cultivate my team-spirit and creativity. Last but not least, I have worked as a part-timeinterpreter, so I am well prepared for this job。
I would treasure the chance and exert every effort to do a good job if I had the luck to be provided with the position. Besides, I shall be much obliged if you will afford me an opportunity for an interview, and I appreciate a response from you at your earliest convenience。
Thank you for considering this application。
(七)读后感型
The Goal of Life
A story goes thata disabled young man managed to reach the peak of every famous high mountain in the world before he was 28. He did all this just as his parents told him to do in their will. But the young man committed suicide in the end and his last words were: “now I have nothing to do with all my goals achieved and my fame well established. I have no new goals。”
Simple as the drawing is, the message it conveys is profound and far-reaching. Evidently, it is meant to reveal the fact that, first, one should have a grand ideal and associate it with the needs of society, and secondly, one should have his own pursuits and should not follow others blindly。
The story is especially instructive when we think of similar happenings around us.Some people, after making a fortune, feel empty and desperate, resorting to drugs or other low style of life. Still more young people do the same because they are in lack of lofty ideals and are only drifting with the tide。
As far as I am concerned,I would like to devote myself to any cause that is beneficial to mankind. My short-term goal is to learn about environmental protection and find a job in this field. And I believe this is a meaningful and useful career. It is worth my life-long efforts. I will keep finding and attaining new goals in this field。
(八)其他类型
Volunteering Activities
No one can have failed to notice the fact that the past years witnessed an increasing number ofvolunteers in China. Taking a look around, one can find examples too many to enumerate.The largest and most notable group of volunteers might be those working for the Beijing Olympic Games and Shanghai Expo。
Such volunteering activitiesare significant in many ways. First and foremost, they have undoubtedly contributed considerably tothis society. As a newly emerging force, volunteers actually present collectivism and the virtue of helping others for fun in a new form. Secondly, by working as volunteers, the younger generation, especially college students, can broaden their horizons, enhance their capacities and associate themselves better with the society. Of course there exist some problems withthese volunteering activities, such as lack of training and loose management of volunteers, but we have reasons to believe that they can be solved in the near future。
Personally,I didn’t work as a volunteer in the earthquake or the Olympics for this reason or that. Nor did I have a chance to work for Shanghai Expo. But I am indeed touched by those voluntary deeds and I am determined to work as a volunteer for environmental protection from now on, which I deem of great importance nowadays。