国際教養AO入試 reference, human rights, minorities

マイノリティーの視点を借りる――「人間図書館」の試み  Yahoo News
http://news.yahoo.co.jp/feature/463

国際教養入試関連 英検1級ライティングトピック 2016

1.    TOPIC：Can international terrorism ever be eliminated? 2015年度2回 　POINTS：Economic inequality, Education, Financial costs, Historical background, International relations, Military action

2.    Agree or disagree: National identity is becoming less important in today’s global society. 2006年度2回   POINTS： immigration, international conflicts, language, nationalism, tourism, values and traditions

3.    Is too much emphasis put on work in modern society? 2011年度2回  POINTS： business culture, family relations, global competition, health, materialism, temporary employment

4.    Agree or disagree: The use of nuclear power should be expanded 2008年度1回  POINTS： demand for electricity, disposal of nuclear waste, global warming, price of oil, renewable energy, Safety

5.    Should Japan play a bigger role in international affairs? 2010年度1回 　POINTS：Cultural exchanges, Development aid, Domestic issues, Nuclear disarmament, Terrorism, The environment

6.    Should cloning research be promoted, or should it be discontinued? 2015年度1回　POINTS：Endangered species, Ethics, Financial costs, Food supply, Medical applications, Risks

7.    Is society doing enough to deal with violent crime? 2008年度2回  POINTS： banning weapons, economic causes of crime, school education, stricter punishments, surveillance cameras, the influence of the media

8.    Are people in modern society losing their moral values? 2009年度2回 POINTS：Education, Family , relations, Materialism, Public manners, Religion, The Internet

9.    When future generations look back on this era, for what will they praise and/or criticize us? 2006年度1回  POINTS： fossil fuel age, technology, health and medicine, human rights, international relations, literature and the arts, morals and values, scientific endeavor

Pre-TOEFL writing, Should we pay attention to the opinions made by famous people?

Writing Topic

When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay attention to these opinions? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer

☆Hints for Points

1.    Celebrities raise awareness of important issues and make changes.

2.    Issues taken up by famous people are usually very important.

3.    Most famous people follow the status quo and what they say could be wrong.

4.    Endorsement by stars could be misused to manipulate public opinions.

☆Sample Development

1. Celebrities raise awareness of important issues and make changes. They have the power to mobilize large numbers of people in a short time. Their admirers follow them through media, and when they mention something and call for an action through such media as Twitter, the comments will be shared by people and actually lead to some positive results. Angelina Jolie has used her fame to support poor people in Africa. Leonardo DiCaprio actively tries to alert the world to climate change whenever possible. The 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, contributed to attention to police brutality and all the discrimination against black people in the U.S. by refusing to stand up but instead kneeling down during national anthem and the news made people of all walks of life all over the world think about the problem and the importance of taking a stand. Many stars are taking advantage of their status for good causes and we should listen to them.

2. Most famous people follow the status quo and what they say could be wrong. They live on exposure to the mainstream media, which depend on sponsors. Thus, they consciously or unconsciously conform to the people in power. For example, when a documentary film maker Michael Moore blamed President George W. Bush for having a fictitious war, meaning that the Iraq War was based on a false reason, at the Academy Award ceremony, almost all participants booed him and accused him of being “unpatriotic”. Before long, Michael Moore proved right. There were no weapons of mass distraction in Iraq and it turned out that Bush administration had wanted to attack Iraq since 9.11 not for war on terrorism but for oil. Few celebrities, just like mainstream media, mention it even today. As this example shows, it is necessary to make an educated guess on whether to pay attention to opinions given by famous people.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure                                    

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Follow-up】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

国際教養AO入試 reference, climate change, migration, American politics

Trump in the White House: An Interview With Noam Chomsky
Monday, 14 November 2016 00:00By C.J. Polychroniou, Truthout | Interview
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/38360-trump-in-the-white-house-an-interview-with-noam-chomsky

No ideologue?   Donald Trump chooses Jeff Sessions for attorney-general
Nov 18th 2016, 11:37 BY LEXINGTON | WASHINGTON, DC      Timekeeper
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/11/no-ideologue

Noam Chomsky on Trump's Victory   Aljazeera Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtgYNJHuo3M

A message from MIT faculty reaffirming our shared values
http://www.mitvalues.org/

Pre-TOEFL writing, All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school.

Writing Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Give specific reasons to support your answer.

☆Note

Secondary schools are junior high school and high school.

☆Hints for Points

1.    Habit to enjoy good art and music should be maintained through all education years.

2.    Secondary school students should be given chances to expand their world as much as possible.

3.    Art and music should be optional in secondary school.

4.    Some may enjoy drawing pictures while they may feel horrified by the thought of singing in class.

☆Sample Development

1. Art and music should be optional in secondary school. The basics of art and music are taught at primary school and students already know their aptitudes. They can decide whether taking these subjects will benefit them or not. Both art and music are for the joy of life and it is putting the cart before the horse to force students to learn them. Therefore, they should be given a choice.

2. Secondary school students should be given chances to expand their world as much as possible. Those who had no interest in art and music in primary school may open their eyes to either or both of these subjects in secondary school. Then the school should provide opportunities to experience the finest pieces humans make when one is ready to appreciate them.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Follow-up】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】