2021年11月30日火曜日

Pre-TOEFL Writing Should you pay attention to the opinions of famous people? - revised -

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

有名人の意見に注目すべきかどうか

 

Hints for Points

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

有名人は重要な問題への意識を喚起し改革を起こす。

2.     Issues taken up by famous people are usually significant.

有名人が取り上げる問題は通常非常に重要。

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

ほとんどの有名人は現状に従うので発言が間違っている可能性がある。

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

スターの支持は世論操作に使われるかもしれない。

 

Sample Essay Structure                                           

IntroductionWe should pay attention to the opinions of celebrities with a reservation. 保留付きで賛成

Point 1Most celebrities have a good heart and their agenda is worth listening to. 善良で聴くに値する議題

Point 2Public opinion often comes out of a celebrity’s mouth. 世論の反映

Follow-upHowever, celebrity influence can be used for bad purposes. 悪用される可能性

ConclusionWith caution, we should listen to what famous people say. 注意して耳を傾けるべき

 

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. Since their admirers follow them through social media, when they mention something and call for an action, the comments will be shared by people and lead to positive results. Michael Moore, the filmmaker, has made people know the truth in politics and social problems, encouraging them to realize true democracy. Roger Waters, the member of Pink Floyd, has been working for the freedom of the people in Palestine, reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas, and other causes. The 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, contributed to attention to police brutality and the discrimination against black people in the U.S. by refusing to stand up but instead kneeling down during the national anthem, and the news made people all over the world think about the problem and the importance of taking a stand. Actors are working. Too. Angelina Jolie has used her fame to support poor people in Africa. Leonardo DiCaprio actively tries to alert the world to climate change. Many stars are taking advantage of their publicity for good causes, and we should listen to them. 有名人は重要な問題への意識を喚起し改革を起こす。短期間で多数を動員する力がある。崇拝者がソーシャル・メディアを通してフォローしているので彼らが何かに言及し行動を求めると人々にシェアされ肯定的な結果になる。(マイケル・ムーア→政治・社会問題の真実と真の民主主義実現の呼びかけ、ロジャー・ウオーターズー→パレスチナ問題や被災地復興他、コリン・キャパニック→アメリカの警察の暴力と黒人差別、アンジェリーナ・ジョリー→貧困問題、レオナルド・ディカプリオ→温暖化)多くのスターが良い運動のために知名度を活用しており我々は耳を傾けるべき。

 

2. Most famous people follow the status quo, and what they say could be wrong. They live on their exposure to the mainstream media, which depend on sponsors. Thus, they conform to the people in power. For example, when Michael Moore blamed President George W. Bush for having a fictitious war, meaning that the Iraq War was based on a false reason, in his winning speech of the Academy Award, many participants booed him and accused him of being “unpatriotic”, but before long, Michael Moore proved right. There were no weapons of mass distraction in Iraq, and it turned out that the Bush administration had planned the war since 9.11 not for war on terrorism but for oil. However, few celebrities, as well as the mainstream media, mention it even today. As this example shows, it is necessary to make an educated guess on the opinions of famous people. ほとんどの有名人は現状に従うので発言が間違っている可能性がある。彼らは主要メディアに曝されることで生活しており、メディアはスポンサーに頼っている。従って権力のある人たちに合わせる。マイケル・ムーアがアカデミー賞授賞スピーチでブッシュ大統領を嘘の戦争をしている(イラク戦争は嘘の理由に基づいている)と言って非難した時、多くの出席者がブーイングし非国民だと非難したが、まもなくマイケル・ムーアが正しかったことが分かった(イラクに大量破壊兵器はなく、ブッシュ政権は9.11直後からテロではなく石油のために戦争を計画していたことが明らかになった。)。しかし現在そのことに言及する有名人は主要メディア同様ほとんどいない。有名人の意見については、知識に裏付けられた推測をすることが必要だ。

 

3. Celebrity influence can be used for bad purposes. Famous musicians and artists have been used for war propaganda. Also, a comment of an influential person can be an incitement for illicit activities. When a popular TV show host Glenn Beck said, “I’m usually against death penalty except when it comes to Michael Moore,” many people tried to kill Michael Moore, the filmmaker who criticized the Iraq War, which was soon proved to be an illegal invasion. People who talked with Michael Moore in person realized that they were wrong and made friends with him. 2021 United States Capitol Attack was caused by people who believed Donald Trump’s lies about his loss in the 2020 presidential election. 有名人の影響力が悪い目的に使われる可能性がある。有名な音楽家や芸術家は戦争のプロパガンダに使われてきた。また、影響力のある人の発言が犯罪の教唆になる可能性もある。人気のあるテレビ番組の司会であるグレン・ベックが「死刑には通常反対だがマイケル・ムーアは別だ。」と言った時、多くの人が彼を殺そうとした。マイケル・ムーアはイラク戦争を批判した映画監督で、まもなく戦争は違法な侵略であることが明らかになった。マイケル・ムーアと直接話した人は自分が間違っていたことを悟り、彼と友達になった。2021年の米国会議事堂襲撃事件は、ドナルド・トランプの2020年大統領選の敗北に関する嘘を信じた人々が起こした。


2021年11月28日日曜日

TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Eating out on a regular basis or eating at home except for rare occasions? - revised -

Writing Topic

Many people like to eat in restaurants on a regular basis. Others would rather eat at home, except on rare occasions. Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why? Support your essay with details and examples. 

 

Let’s Think

1.       Discuss advantages of eating at home and those of eating out.

2.       Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why?

 

Hints for points

Advantages of eating at home and counterargument treatment

1.     It is healthy / is good for the (your) health / helps you (to) keep fit.

2.     It is economical / costs less / helps save money.

3.     It is relaxing / is comfortable / is refreshing / releases your stress / helps you get refreshed because you use the different part of your brain.

4.     It helps you communicate with your family / enjoy interacting with others.

5.     I can enjoy flavor of Mom’s cooking / learn how to make a feast / pass down culture and tradition.

6.     eating out only once in a while makes the event more enjoyable. (“less is more”)

Counterarguments and examples of confirmations of your argument:

(1)   It takes time to cook.

A simple but well-balanced meal takes only around 30 minutes to prepare.

(2)   It is boring to eat the same thing every day.

Cookbooks and online recipes will help make home meal enjoyable.

 

Advantages of eating out

1.     It saves time / allows you to do other things such as homework.

2.     It provides opportunities to experience different ethnic foods.

3.     It tastes better than home-cooked meals / offers variety.

4.     It promotes social life / is a good opportunity to learn manners.

5.     It makes life more enjoyable. (“spices up” your life)

Counterarguments and examples of confirmations of your argument:

(1)   Foods served in restaurants are unhealthy.

There are restaurants serving healthy food. Also, good breakfast and fruit for snacks can make up for nutrients lacking in purchased food.

(2)   It is corrupting to eat out on a regular basis.

“Eating on a regular basis” does not mean every day. Also, it can be a necessary habit to live in a city.

 

Sample Body Structures


A

Point 1It is good for the health to cook yourself.

Point 2Having a good time with family over dinner is important.

Counterargument-treatmentEating out might be exciting, but the truth is that life is a series of unremarkable moments with occasional pleasant times. To eat the same kind of homemade meals with your folks every day makes it more delightful to eat at a restaurant for a special event.

B

Merits of Eating at HomeIt is good for the health to eat at home.

Merits of Eating OutBy eating out, you can use time effectively and reduce stress.

My ChoiceMy family are all busy working and studying, so I prefer to dine in restaurants on a regular basis. We can enjoy cooking together at home on holidays,


 

Your Sample Essay Structure

Introduction = Outline

 

Point 1                                                                                                               e.g.

 

Point 2                                                                                                               e.g.

 

Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment                                                          e.g.

 

Conclusion = Wrap-up

 

 

Paragraph development

 


A.      Main IdeaIt is good for the health to cook yourself.

Supporting Detail (general)Fresh and safe ingredients can be used for home meals.

Supporting Detail (specific)For example, you can buy meat and vegetables at a store of your own choice right before you cook. On the other hand, food restaurants serve has frozen food chemicals. This is especially true with seasoning. At home, you can make broth using natural food, but restaurants often use ready-made soup stock containing additives and preservatives.

Follow-up Tighter regulations on food have made restaurant food healthier than before, but businesses prioritize cutting costs. When you prepare dishes for yourself, at least you know what you are eating.

ConclusionBy cooking for yourself, you can make sure that you stay healthy.

 

B.      Main Idea&Supporting Detail (general) Eating out regularly livens up life because it helps you socialize with others.

Supporting Detail (specific)Having conversation over meals surrounded by other relaxed diners helps you see people and life positively. Going to a familiar Chinese restaurant with your beloved makes you feel comfortable. Sharing new Italian dishes with your friends is exciting. Each of such times is a precious moment of life.

Follow-up This habit might seem morally wrong to some people, but eating in restaurants on a regular basis does not mean eating out all the time. Allowing oneself an hour of good mealtime a few times a week is neither an extravagance nor indulgence. It is a lifestyle. Especially for city dwellers who are busy and lack human contact outside of work, it can be a necessary habit to stay healthy mentally.

ConclusionMan does not live to eat but eat to live.


 


 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points of your essay structure, and develop it. You can either use or not use the form below.

 

Main Idea

 

Supporting Detail (general)

 

 

Supporting Detail (specific)

 

 

 

 

Follow-up 

 

 

Conclusion