今回で今学期のTest Writing (月曜)の授業は終わりです。まもなく実際にTOEFLを受験する人も多いと思いますのでindependent writing (Test Writingの授業で練習したタイプのテスト)に解答する際の注意事項を今までの総復習をかねて確認しておきたいと思います。
《準備》
良いエッセイを書くために日頃から行っておくとよいこととしては、１）良い文章を読む ２）問題意識を持つ等がありますが、受験日が近くなると以下のようなことをすることも必要です。
♦実際に書いて練習しておく 授業で主な課題パターンはチェックしました。また、実際に書いてみてより完成度の高いエッセイへのイメージはつかめたことと思います。しかしレッスンで身につけたことを定着・維持・発展させるために「書く」ということを今後も続けましょう。ETSのHPに実際に出題される課題が掲載されていますので目を通し、特に書きづらそうなものを選んで書いて見ましょう。その際、最低２回書きます。最初は30分に時間を設定して書き、自分で添削するか誰かに添削してもらい、もう一度時間制限無しで書き直します。
ETSの課題掲載場所のURL→http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TEOFL/pdf)
♦添削済み答案の書き直し 自己添削では見つかりにくいミスや悪い癖を授業の添削済み答案の書き込みで確認し、それらに注意しながら書き直しましょう。
♦主な時事問題と自分の研究課題・趣味をまとめておく AO対策も兼ねて環境問題、貧困対策、グローバル化等の時事問題と自分の趣味・研究課題を100語前後の英文にまとめておきましょう。
♦英文読後日記をつける（英字新聞・雑誌の記事・社説・投稿等を読み、要約と感想を各１～２文の英文にまとめましょう。具体例の材料集めと表現力をつけるのに役立ちます。
♦基本文法問題で典型的なミスをチェック 英文エッセイの試験ではきちんとした英文を書くことが最も重要です。基本文法の誤文訂正問題でよくあるミスをチェックしておきましょう。また、文法の評価が１～２になることが多い人は文法の基本例文を言って書けるようにしましょう。
♦手本の書写と要約 文法・表現力の評価が３になることが多い人はテキストやBarron’s Writing for the TOEFL iBT等のsample essayをタイプで書写します。意味単位ごとに写すと表現が身につきやすくなります。ただ写すのではなく内容を取りながら行ってください。最後に内容を要約します。最初は各段落のMain Ideaを抜き出し、次に自分の言葉で言い換えます。
《試験本番》
以下の注意点は普段の練習で実践し本番では自然にできるようにしておきましょう。
手順を守る ― 1. 課題の確認 2. Brainstormingと構成 3. 書く4. 見直し の流れで書く。（あせらずに、1～4の手順を守ってきちんとしたエッセイにすることを目指しましょう。）
1. 課題の確認
♦予想外の課題が出てもあわてない（このテストは英作文の力を見るテストであって知識を試すテストではないことを忘れず、自分に分かる範囲内で論理性のある答案を書きましょう。）
♦課題の条件を見落とさない（例えば ”Parents are the best teachers for children (ages between 1-12).”の場合、eighth graders (中学生)を例に挙げることはできません。課題を正確に読み取ることが、期待される水準の答案を書く第一歩です。）
2. Brainstormingと構成
♦まず論点と構成を明確にしてから書き始める （実際に書く前に数分かけてよいのでBrainstorming + 構成の作業をしてエッセイの骨組みを作りましょう。Brainstormingは「頭の中の材料を外に出す作業」です。思いついたことを箇条書きでPC画面に打ち込んでゆきます。構成ではBrainstormingで箇条書きにした材料を整理し、１）topicごとにまとめ〈1 paragraph = 1 topic〉 ２）重要な順に本論の段落順を決め、最初に導入、最後に結論の段落を設定します。）
英文エッセイの基本構造を崩さない（奇抜な構成のエッセイで評価が上がることはありません。基本のエッセイ構造に従って書きましょう。評価されるのは論証のうまさと表現力です。）
3. 書く
♦読み手に話しかけるようなつもりで書くと同時にきちんとした書き言葉を心がける（実際に書き始めたら論証に集中します。読み手を身近な人に想定してその人に説明するような気持ちで書いてゆくのも良いと思います。ただし、きちんとした書き言葉を使うことだけは留意しましょう。）
♦客観的な文章にする（書く内容を考える際に自分にとって身近なことから考えてゆくことはアイディアを出す上で大切ですが、考えを文章に変換するときは客観的な言い方を心がけましょう。コツとしては、主語が ”I” ではなく ”People” や ”Students” などのより一般的な人や ”It” または無生物主語で始まる文を多く書くと客観的な文章にしやすくなります。特に個人的な好みや選択を問う問題以外でこの点に気をつけることが大切です。）
♦当然予測される反論は取り上げて反論への反論をする（高スコアを目指す場合、反論の処理は避けて通れません。反論の処理により内容が充実し、合格ラインの300語をクリアできます。 １）反論処理用の段落を作る または ２）各段落の適所で反論を処理するようにしましょう）
♦漠然としたtopicに趣味関連で解答する場合、人生観・問題意識を入れて内容を深める
♦よく知らない単語や使い慣れない構文は使わない（本番では実力を最大限に発揮することが大切です。背伸びをしたり迷ったりすると失敗します。）♦同じ単語・表現を繰り返さない（表現力がないと思われますので同じ語・表現の繰り返しは２回程度にとどめましょう。別の語を思いつかない場合は主語や構文自体を変えてみましょう。） ♦導入の段落は主張とその理由があれば合格点の範囲内です。例えばいつもI agree with the statement that …(Writing Topicのstatement) . I have two reasons to support my opinion.のように書き出している場合、このままでも良いですが第2文を主張の理由を簡潔に述べたものにすると十分な導入になります。うまい前置きがあれば更に良いでしょうが長すぎると逆効果です。主題は早めに簡潔に示しましょう。（主題は２行目位までに書くべきだと言う人もいます。） ♦論じ方の説明はしない ♦導入の段落に具体例は入れない（具体例は本論に書きます。） ♦結論の段落に新しいtopicは加えない ♦カンマは次の3つの場合は必ず入れ、その他は入れない方が無難です。１．挿入の前後 ２．副詞（句・節）が文頭に出た時、その副詞の直後（例外: 【文頭の否定語＋倒置】構文はカンマ不要） ３．重文（ … and …のような文）の前半が長いか複雑な時、また短くても内容が一区切りしている時、その部分の直後 ♦結論の段落は総括です。導入の段落と同じ内容を違う表現でまとめます。主張の理由は一言で締めくくるのも良いし、本論の各主題を1個の名詞や形容詞などで表すのも一つの方法です。
4. 見直し
主に論理の矛盾と説明不足に注意して読み直しましょう。
本番の前にはもう一度、基本を守り、論理性・客観性を保ち、沢山書くことを自分に言い聞かせましょう。頑張ってください！ 佐々木
2010年6月21日月曜日
2010年6月6日日曜日
Class Supplement (TOEFL Essay 漠然とした課題)
《漠然とした課題―与えられる条件が少なすぎる課題の難しい点》
今回のレッスンの課題（Imagine that you have been given a large area of land to use however you wish, how would you choose to use this land?）は普段の課題とタイプが異なることに皆さん気づかれたことと思います。これと似たタイプの課題には以下のようなものがあります。
1. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
故郷の町に関して重要な事を変えることができるとしたら何を変えるか？
2. If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed. 何か新しいものを発明できるとしたら何を発明するか？
3. Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
一年間の旅に出る場合、着替えと身の回り品以外にもう一つ持っていくことができるとすれば何を持っていくか？
4. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. 新しい祭日（人または出来事関連）を作るとしたらどんな祭日を作るか？
これらの課題はagree/disagreeタイプの課題や与えられた選択肢からひとつを選ぶタイプの課題とは違い、書く内容を自由に決めることができる一方、あまりにも漠然としているため、最悪の場合何も書くことを思いつかない、あるいは思いついても話を広げにくい内容を選んでしまう可能性が全くないと言えません。
《正攻法の対処法―問題の本質を考えて答える》
漠然とした課題への対処法は問題の本質を考え、インスピレーションを働かせて答えることです。--- 上記４つの課題に対し実際に自分ならどう解答するか考えて見ましょう。---
例えば、上記の４つの課題に対しては以下のような解答内容が考えられます。
1. →外国人嫌いを直す 2. →温暖化を止める機械 3. →家族の写真 4. →開国記念日
ただしこれらの解答内容を300語以上のエッセイに仕上げるためには普段からこれら全ての分野（1. 国際化と日本人 2. 温暖化 3. 自分の価値観 4. グローバル化）についてまとまった内容が書ける力をつけておく必要があります。また、当然そうして試験に臨むことが求められているわけですが、たまたま試験本番で何も思いつかない、あるいは思いついた解答内容に関して書く材料が乏しく書ききることができない場合に備えて次のような対処法があります。
《漠然とした課題で困ったときの対処法》
漠然とした課題に対して何も書く内容が浮かばない、または思いついた内容を膨らませる材料がない場合の対処法として《自分の得意分野や趣味に結び付けて考える》という方法があります。得意分野や趣味に関して一通りのことが語れるように前もってまとめておき、課題の本質を踏まえながら、得意分野・趣味を材料にして内容を膨らませます。
例えば、得意分野が貧困対策、趣味が音楽の場合、上記の４つの課題に対して以下のような解答内容が考えられると思います。（ ）の中は書く材料の関連分野です。
例： 得意分野－貧困対策、趣味－音楽
1. →世界最貧国の首都と姉妹都市になり、貧困問題への意識を高める（貧困対策）
2. →何語の歌詞でも耳に入ると同時に意味が分かるiPod（音楽）
3. →iPod（音楽）
4. →飢えで亡くなった人たちの記念日（貧困対策）
また、得意分野が環境保護で趣味が野鳥観察の場合、以下のような解答が可能です。
例： 得意分野―環境保護、趣味―野鳥観察
1. →環境保護の徹底（環境保護）
2. →観察対象の鳥になって共に行動し、そのデータを送信してくれる機械（野鳥観察）
3. →野鳥図鑑（野鳥観察）
4. →「沈黙の春」（環境保護関連本の古典）の作者の記念日（環境保護）
《準備方法―得意分野・趣味について100語前後でまとめておく》
得意分野： 日頃問題意識を持っていること、大学で専攻希望の学問分野の課題、AO入試の自己推薦文に書く自分の課題のうちひとつについて、【現状・問題点・対策】または【歴史・特色・将来の展望】を100語前後にまとめておく。
趣味： 【趣味の対象の特徴・魅力、問題点、期待すること、自分の価値観・人生観との関連付け】を100語前後にまとめておく。
どちらも概略からポイントとなる詳細まで一通りのことをカバーしておく事が大切です。
《こじ付けのためではなく自己表現の一環として準備する》
漠然とした課題には以上のような準備があれば最悪の事態は避けられると考えられます。もちろんどんなトピックでも無理やり用意した文章に結び付けようとするのは間違った対処法です。これはあくまで最悪の事態への対処法です。しかし、誰でも得意分野と趣味は少なくともひとつあり、それらについては一通りのことが言え、ものの考え方や話題にすることがそれらに傾くのは日頃経験する現象なので、漠然とした課題への解答が得意分野・趣味に関するものになるのは自然なことであり、この対処法は全くの邪道というわけではなさそうです。本番のTOEFL受験までに得意分野・趣味について英文でまとめておきましょう。
今回のレッスンの課題（Imagine that you have been given a large area of land to use however you wish, how would you choose to use this land?）は普段の課題とタイプが異なることに皆さん気づかれたことと思います。これと似たタイプの課題には以下のようなものがあります。
1. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
故郷の町に関して重要な事を変えることができるとしたら何を変えるか？
2. If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed. 何か新しいものを発明できるとしたら何を発明するか？
3. Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
一年間の旅に出る場合、着替えと身の回り品以外にもう一つ持っていくことができるとすれば何を持っていくか？
4. Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. 新しい祭日（人または出来事関連）を作るとしたらどんな祭日を作るか？
これらの課題はagree/disagreeタイプの課題や与えられた選択肢からひとつを選ぶタイプの課題とは違い、書く内容を自由に決めることができる一方、あまりにも漠然としているため、最悪の場合何も書くことを思いつかない、あるいは思いついても話を広げにくい内容を選んでしまう可能性が全くないと言えません。
《正攻法の対処法―問題の本質を考えて答える》
漠然とした課題への対処法は問題の本質を考え、インスピレーションを働かせて答えることです。--- 上記４つの課題に対し実際に自分ならどう解答するか考えて見ましょう。---
例えば、上記の４つの課題に対しては以下のような解答内容が考えられます。
1. →外国人嫌いを直す 2. →温暖化を止める機械 3. →家族の写真 4. →開国記念日
ただしこれらの解答内容を300語以上のエッセイに仕上げるためには普段からこれら全ての分野（1. 国際化と日本人 2. 温暖化 3. 自分の価値観 4. グローバル化）についてまとまった内容が書ける力をつけておく必要があります。また、当然そうして試験に臨むことが求められているわけですが、たまたま試験本番で何も思いつかない、あるいは思いついた解答内容に関して書く材料が乏しく書ききることができない場合に備えて次のような対処法があります。
《漠然とした課題で困ったときの対処法》
漠然とした課題に対して何も書く内容が浮かばない、または思いついた内容を膨らませる材料がない場合の対処法として《自分の得意分野や趣味に結び付けて考える》という方法があります。得意分野や趣味に関して一通りのことが語れるように前もってまとめておき、課題の本質を踏まえながら、得意分野・趣味を材料にして内容を膨らませます。
例えば、得意分野が貧困対策、趣味が音楽の場合、上記の４つの課題に対して以下のような解答内容が考えられると思います。（ ）の中は書く材料の関連分野です。
例： 得意分野－貧困対策、趣味－音楽
1. →世界最貧国の首都と姉妹都市になり、貧困問題への意識を高める（貧困対策）
2. →何語の歌詞でも耳に入ると同時に意味が分かるiPod（音楽）
3. →iPod（音楽）
4. →飢えで亡くなった人たちの記念日（貧困対策）
また、得意分野が環境保護で趣味が野鳥観察の場合、以下のような解答が可能です。
例： 得意分野―環境保護、趣味―野鳥観察
1. →環境保護の徹底（環境保護）
2. →観察対象の鳥になって共に行動し、そのデータを送信してくれる機械（野鳥観察）
3. →野鳥図鑑（野鳥観察）
4. →「沈黙の春」（環境保護関連本の古典）の作者の記念日（環境保護）
《準備方法―得意分野・趣味について100語前後でまとめておく》
得意分野： 日頃問題意識を持っていること、大学で専攻希望の学問分野の課題、AO入試の自己推薦文に書く自分の課題のうちひとつについて、【現状・問題点・対策】または【歴史・特色・将来の展望】を100語前後にまとめておく。
趣味： 【趣味の対象の特徴・魅力、問題点、期待すること、自分の価値観・人生観との関連付け】を100語前後にまとめておく。
どちらも概略からポイントとなる詳細まで一通りのことをカバーしておく事が大切です。
《こじ付けのためではなく自己表現の一環として準備する》
漠然とした課題には以上のような準備があれば最悪の事態は避けられると考えられます。もちろんどんなトピックでも無理やり用意した文章に結び付けようとするのは間違った対処法です。これはあくまで最悪の事態への対処法です。しかし、誰でも得意分野と趣味は少なくともひとつあり、それらについては一通りのことが言え、ものの考え方や話題にすることがそれらに傾くのは日頃経験する現象なので、漠然とした課題への解答が得意分野・趣味に関するものになるのは自然なことであり、この対処法は全くの邪道というわけではなさそうです。本番のTOEFL受験までに得意分野・趣味について英文でまとめておきましょう。
2010年5月23日日曜日
Class Supplement (TOEFL Essay, a land to use however you wish)
Topic: Imagine that you have been given a large area of land to use however you wish, how would you choose to use this land?
Essay for ideas and expressions:
There would be many wise or innovative uses of a large area of land, but I would make it a town as a test case for peaceful coexistence of crows and people. No other birds are so stigmatized as crows, probably in my country Japan in particular. They are regarded as filthy scavengers, spiteful punks, and the sign of death, yet, if observed carefully and without prejudice, they will turn out to be as smart and likable as dolphins. In fact, some people call them flying dogs.
Crows, especially the jungle crows―those that we see every morning scattering garbage on the sidewalk, used to live in trees in forests and feed on dead animals on the ground. Development replaced trees with buildings and dead animals with garbage bags. They have been doing the same to survive, nesting on the power poles and eating food on the ground, but now humans are offended by their routine. Crows attack people only to protect their offspring, and the worst thing they can do is to swoop from behind and kick, which they rarely actually do because they are afraid of humans. They remember the face of the person who attacked or threatened them and repeatedly retaliate, but think of their trauma and it is understandable that they do it for self-defense. The biggest stigma that crows bear is the image of death, which probably derives from their color―surely they eat dead bodies but so do many other creatures, including dogs and bacteria. The fear of the color black is our problem, not theirs. In the eyes of humans on the ground crows on power lines are eerie dark spots in the sky, but seen from high above, they are precious pieces of life shining in purple-green. Incidentally, crows are much cleaner than pigeons and chickens. They bathe a few times a day if possible.
Although they are loathed, it is rather well known that crows are very smart, affectionate, and remarkable birds. The intelligence level of crows is said to be that of 5-year-olds. They use their calls as vocabularies for their communication, use and sometimes make tools, and play, all of which are seen in only a few species. They cherish their family and some of them communicate with humans. Also, there are many reports that they grieve the death of other crows. One of the most striking things about crows is their eyes. As they can see ultraviolet, they have great eyesight. They can spot a piece of white bread on the snow field from 200 meters above. It is a shame that we do not have good relationships with these interesting birds that happen to live closest to us.
And here comes my model town for crows and humankind. In this town, part of the garbage it produces would be sent to the areas designated for crows, thus the streets made clean and the cost of waste incineration and CO2 emissions reduced. As they eat mice, insects, and many other things in nature other than garbage, the amount of food given to crows would be controlled in order not to disturb the ecosystem. Those white droppings crows leave everywhere could be diverted off of the streets if we successfully communicated with them, which might be rather easy considering their learning ability. My wildest dream is to let them participate in rescue operations taking advantage of their excellent eyesight. Since they can fly a long distance and their cognitive level is high, they could make good rescue crows. Of course to protect their rights, only those willing and having the aptitude would be allowed to be given the missions.
I once saw a crow perched on a power line entertaining a dog down in a garage. The dog, wagging its tail and jumping around in the small space, looked quite happy to see its friend with wings. The scene reflected their positions in this world. Both born with the same intelligence level, one is confined and the other free. Crows could have been domesticated long ago since their cleverness must have been noticed by our ancestors, but they have not. It seems to me, with no offence to dogs, that they know what dignity is and keep a distance from humans. They are hated but live proudly. They are sensitive enough to feel the pain of life, yet won't give up on life and can do without such things as hope or dream or religion. Perhaps we could learn something important from them by living much closer to them than now.
Essay for ideas and expressions:
There would be many wise or innovative uses of a large area of land, but I would make it a town as a test case for peaceful coexistence of crows and people. No other birds are so stigmatized as crows, probably in my country Japan in particular. They are regarded as filthy scavengers, spiteful punks, and the sign of death, yet, if observed carefully and without prejudice, they will turn out to be as smart and likable as dolphins. In fact, some people call them flying dogs.
Crows, especially the jungle crows―those that we see every morning scattering garbage on the sidewalk, used to live in trees in forests and feed on dead animals on the ground. Development replaced trees with buildings and dead animals with garbage bags. They have been doing the same to survive, nesting on the power poles and eating food on the ground, but now humans are offended by their routine. Crows attack people only to protect their offspring, and the worst thing they can do is to swoop from behind and kick, which they rarely actually do because they are afraid of humans. They remember the face of the person who attacked or threatened them and repeatedly retaliate, but think of their trauma and it is understandable that they do it for self-defense. The biggest stigma that crows bear is the image of death, which probably derives from their color―surely they eat dead bodies but so do many other creatures, including dogs and bacteria. The fear of the color black is our problem, not theirs. In the eyes of humans on the ground crows on power lines are eerie dark spots in the sky, but seen from high above, they are precious pieces of life shining in purple-green. Incidentally, crows are much cleaner than pigeons and chickens. They bathe a few times a day if possible.
Although they are loathed, it is rather well known that crows are very smart, affectionate, and remarkable birds. The intelligence level of crows is said to be that of 5-year-olds. They use their calls as vocabularies for their communication, use and sometimes make tools, and play, all of which are seen in only a few species. They cherish their family and some of them communicate with humans. Also, there are many reports that they grieve the death of other crows. One of the most striking things about crows is their eyes. As they can see ultraviolet, they have great eyesight. They can spot a piece of white bread on the snow field from 200 meters above. It is a shame that we do not have good relationships with these interesting birds that happen to live closest to us.
And here comes my model town for crows and humankind. In this town, part of the garbage it produces would be sent to the areas designated for crows, thus the streets made clean and the cost of waste incineration and CO2 emissions reduced. As they eat mice, insects, and many other things in nature other than garbage, the amount of food given to crows would be controlled in order not to disturb the ecosystem. Those white droppings crows leave everywhere could be diverted off of the streets if we successfully communicated with them, which might be rather easy considering their learning ability. My wildest dream is to let them participate in rescue operations taking advantage of their excellent eyesight. Since they can fly a long distance and their cognitive level is high, they could make good rescue crows. Of course to protect their rights, only those willing and having the aptitude would be allowed to be given the missions.
I once saw a crow perched on a power line entertaining a dog down in a garage. The dog, wagging its tail and jumping around in the small space, looked quite happy to see its friend with wings. The scene reflected their positions in this world. Both born with the same intelligence level, one is confined and the other free. Crows could have been domesticated long ago since their cleverness must have been noticed by our ancestors, but they have not. It seems to me, with no offence to dogs, that they know what dignity is and keep a distance from humans. They are hated but live proudly. They are sensitive enough to feel the pain of life, yet won't give up on life and can do without such things as hope or dream or religion. Perhaps we could learn something important from them by living much closer to them than now.
2010年5月5日水曜日
Class Supplement (TOEFL Essay; the more college graduates, the better?))
Topic: Some people believe that a college or university diploma has become far less meaningful than before, with ever larger percentages of people receiving higher-levels of education. Others believe that it is a positive development to have increasing numbers of students graduating from college. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with?
Essay for ideas and expressions:
I share the view that it is a positive development to have increasing numbers of college graduates because higher education improves both individuals and society. Depreciation of college diplomas in competition is the problem on a personal level.
It is true that as more people go to college the value of a college diploma becomes relatively lower in competition, primarily in job-hunting. It is a serious matter but only for the competitors. It might be discouraging if what higher education gives you were just that. However, university education gives you more than just an advantage in competition. At university, you study a wide spectrum of subjects as well as your majors, and through the intellectual training in these courses, you learn to think in scientific ways, see things from multiple perspectives, and keep yourself informed and inspired. Also, the knowledge and skills you acquire will make your life easier and more enjoyable. A college diploma has the absolute value of so many years of study, and the increase of the number of people with it is fundamentally good for society.
Humans have survived and thrived by sharing and spreading knowledge, and thus the higher the education level of society becomes, the easier for its members to live. A county’s development is in proportion to its education level. Oppressors always make sure the oppressed stay uneducated. Also, chances of our survival and living happier lives will be higher if there are more experts in each field. For example, we are in dire need of them to tackle the threats we face now such as climate change, terrorist attacks with nuclear arms, financial crises, and pandemics, just to name a few. To say nothing of scientists, we need specialists to do away with terrorism, financial crimes, abuse and bullying, and other phenomena that seem to be related to the defects of modern society as well as human weakness. We also need people who can help everyone regain what is lost for the sake of efficiency and development in modernization and globalization and live a more fulfilling life. If there are more of these experts in governments and other organizations other than universities, society and its members will benefit more, and if there are more college students, there will be more people who will aspire to do these jobs in the future.
Perhaps things might not be so simple given that the smartest people in higher positions are often the cause of serious problems like corruption and fraud. But people cramming only for the purpose of having a lucrative job can be just another phenomenon in capitalism, and I think people and universities have great potential to improve society. Seeing the history of more people sharing information and knowledge leading to today’s prosperity, I believe more people going to college means many more good ideas for individual welfare and true development of society.
Essay for ideas and expressions:
I share the view that it is a positive development to have increasing numbers of college graduates because higher education improves both individuals and society. Depreciation of college diplomas in competition is the problem on a personal level.
It is true that as more people go to college the value of a college diploma becomes relatively lower in competition, primarily in job-hunting. It is a serious matter but only for the competitors. It might be discouraging if what higher education gives you were just that. However, university education gives you more than just an advantage in competition. At university, you study a wide spectrum of subjects as well as your majors, and through the intellectual training in these courses, you learn to think in scientific ways, see things from multiple perspectives, and keep yourself informed and inspired. Also, the knowledge and skills you acquire will make your life easier and more enjoyable. A college diploma has the absolute value of so many years of study, and the increase of the number of people with it is fundamentally good for society.
Humans have survived and thrived by sharing and spreading knowledge, and thus the higher the education level of society becomes, the easier for its members to live. A county’s development is in proportion to its education level. Oppressors always make sure the oppressed stay uneducated. Also, chances of our survival and living happier lives will be higher if there are more experts in each field. For example, we are in dire need of them to tackle the threats we face now such as climate change, terrorist attacks with nuclear arms, financial crises, and pandemics, just to name a few. To say nothing of scientists, we need specialists to do away with terrorism, financial crimes, abuse and bullying, and other phenomena that seem to be related to the defects of modern society as well as human weakness. We also need people who can help everyone regain what is lost for the sake of efficiency and development in modernization and globalization and live a more fulfilling life. If there are more of these experts in governments and other organizations other than universities, society and its members will benefit more, and if there are more college students, there will be more people who will aspire to do these jobs in the future.
Perhaps things might not be so simple given that the smartest people in higher positions are often the cause of serious problems like corruption and fraud. But people cramming only for the purpose of having a lucrative job can be just another phenomenon in capitalism, and I think people and universities have great potential to improve society. Seeing the history of more people sharing information and knowledge leading to today’s prosperity, I believe more people going to college means many more good ideas for individual welfare and true development of society.
2010年4月19日月曜日
Class Supplement (TOEFL Essay, a product you would like to invent)
Topic: Suppose you were an inventor and you had the knowledge and ability to develop a new product. What product would you like to invent?
Essay for ideas and expressions:
If making such a thing were possible, I would make a product which resolves carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon producing carbohydrate as a by-product of the process at a relatively low cost so that people could tackle the problems related to global warming in two ways: CO2 reduction and food security stabilization.
Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses, especially CO2, is the first priority in the climate change issue. If there were a machine which can resolve CO2 into two harmless substances like oxygen and carbon, it could safely and directly reduce the amount of CO2 that already exists in the atmosphere and drastically reduce CO2 emissions. We could install the device on top of buildings and rocky mountains, in smokestacks of factories, and exhaust pipes of vehicles.
Carbohydrate is the source of energy. Therefore, making carbohydrate as a by-product of CO2 reduction process could contribute to stabilization of food security. Global warming, combined with population increase and rapidly rising standard of living as a result of globalization, is worsening the problem of food shortage. For example, because of rising temperature, flora and fauna in each area on the planet has been changing and affecting agriculture. Farmers are starting to have difficulty growing the same crops in the same ways as in the past. Studies on new types of crops more suitable to new weather patterns are devastatingly behind the speed of climate change and governments have not seriously started funding these studies. The number of inundated fields due to rising sea level or flood is increasing, and water shortage caused by desertification, extremely rapid thawing of glacier, or drought caused by climate change is expected to happen in a matter of years. It is clear that many parts of the world will have more difficulty providing people with enough food. Carbohydrate made from the air, which may need less water to make and which can be provided on a regular bases, might be a great help when this problem ensues.
I might think of designing the device to make diamonds, also made of carbon, instead of carbohydrate. However, diamonds cannot help counter the imminent threat we face now. Moreover, they could cause conflicts, for human greed has no limit. Although putting in place the measures to stop using fossil fuels is the best thing to do to solve the problem of global warming, reducing CO2 emissions while using fossil fuels is the practical solution so far. Therefore, I would make food from CO2 in the air to help lower the impact if I had the knowledge and ability.
Essay for ideas and expressions:
If making such a thing were possible, I would make a product which resolves carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon producing carbohydrate as a by-product of the process at a relatively low cost so that people could tackle the problems related to global warming in two ways: CO2 reduction and food security stabilization.
Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses, especially CO2, is the first priority in the climate change issue. If there were a machine which can resolve CO2 into two harmless substances like oxygen and carbon, it could safely and directly reduce the amount of CO2 that already exists in the atmosphere and drastically reduce CO2 emissions. We could install the device on top of buildings and rocky mountains, in smokestacks of factories, and exhaust pipes of vehicles.
Carbohydrate is the source of energy. Therefore, making carbohydrate as a by-product of CO2 reduction process could contribute to stabilization of food security. Global warming, combined with population increase and rapidly rising standard of living as a result of globalization, is worsening the problem of food shortage. For example, because of rising temperature, flora and fauna in each area on the planet has been changing and affecting agriculture. Farmers are starting to have difficulty growing the same crops in the same ways as in the past. Studies on new types of crops more suitable to new weather patterns are devastatingly behind the speed of climate change and governments have not seriously started funding these studies. The number of inundated fields due to rising sea level or flood is increasing, and water shortage caused by desertification, extremely rapid thawing of glacier, or drought caused by climate change is expected to happen in a matter of years. It is clear that many parts of the world will have more difficulty providing people with enough food. Carbohydrate made from the air, which may need less water to make and which can be provided on a regular bases, might be a great help when this problem ensues.
I might think of designing the device to make diamonds, also made of carbon, instead of carbohydrate. However, diamonds cannot help counter the imminent threat we face now. Moreover, they could cause conflicts, for human greed has no limit. Although putting in place the measures to stop using fossil fuels is the best thing to do to solve the problem of global warming, reducing CO2 emissions while using fossil fuels is the practical solution so far. Therefore, I would make food from CO2 in the air to help lower the impact if I had the knowledge and ability.
2010年4月12日月曜日
Class Supplement (TOEFL Essay, Do the mass media concentrate too much on the private lives of famous people?)
Topic: Consider the following statement. The mass media (television, magazines, newspapers, and so on) concentrate too much on the private lives of famous people. Do you agree or disagree withthis idea?
Essay for ideas and expressions:
When we say something is too much, we mean either it crosses some line or it is doing harm, or both. Celebrity journalism crosses the line between freedom of press and violation of privacy, makes celebrities suffer, and makes us less human. Thus, I agree with the statement that the mass media concentrate too much on the private lives of famous people.
I understand freedom of press prevents information from being hidden from the public while a person’s privacy is protected by law unless hiding it is seriously against public interests. Then reporting a famous person’s private information that has nothing to do with public interests is illegal. Although professions of famous people are often related to public interests, their private lives are usually not. Just like other people, celebrities have no obligation to make their whole lives open to public. However, in reality there are many reports on celebrities whose contents are private and which are made just to satisfy curiosities of audience and readers, and therefore it can be said that the media’s reporting about famous people is too much.
In addition, today’s celebrity journalism seems to be bad for both famous people and gossipers. Bad effects on famous people are obvious. There have been many celebrities whose lives were irreversibly affected by media reports that they were not accountable to the public for. Some became mentally or physically ill, others died. It is clear that media coverage about famous people has gone too far. Gossiping also deteriorates our human nature. When we gossip, we enjoy ourselves at the expense of what someone does not want others to pay attention to. In short, gossipers have fun with someone else’s pain. This makes you lose the most human part of your being: empathy with those who are not directly related to you. It is often mentioned that lack of this quality underlies discrimination and violence. The media, pursuing higher ratings or circulation, provide as much private information as the audience and readers please and contribute to the degradation of humankind.
As most media reports of celebrities violate privacy and are doing harm to those involved, including audience and readers, it is clear that the mass media cover too much of the private lives of famous people. If the media reported only what celebrities want to share with their fans, we might become better people.
Essay for ideas and expressions:
When we say something is too much, we mean either it crosses some line or it is doing harm, or both. Celebrity journalism crosses the line between freedom of press and violation of privacy, makes celebrities suffer, and makes us less human. Thus, I agree with the statement that the mass media concentrate too much on the private lives of famous people.
I understand freedom of press prevents information from being hidden from the public while a person’s privacy is protected by law unless hiding it is seriously against public interests. Then reporting a famous person’s private information that has nothing to do with public interests is illegal. Although professions of famous people are often related to public interests, their private lives are usually not. Just like other people, celebrities have no obligation to make their whole lives open to public. However, in reality there are many reports on celebrities whose contents are private and which are made just to satisfy curiosities of audience and readers, and therefore it can be said that the media’s reporting about famous people is too much.
In addition, today’s celebrity journalism seems to be bad for both famous people and gossipers. Bad effects on famous people are obvious. There have been many celebrities whose lives were irreversibly affected by media reports that they were not accountable to the public for. Some became mentally or physically ill, others died. It is clear that media coverage about famous people has gone too far. Gossiping also deteriorates our human nature. When we gossip, we enjoy ourselves at the expense of what someone does not want others to pay attention to. In short, gossipers have fun with someone else’s pain. This makes you lose the most human part of your being: empathy with those who are not directly related to you. It is often mentioned that lack of this quality underlies discrimination and violence. The media, pursuing higher ratings or circulation, provide as much private information as the audience and readers please and contribute to the degradation of humankind.
As most media reports of celebrities violate privacy and are doing harm to those involved, including audience and readers, it is clear that the mass media cover too much of the private lives of famous people. If the media reported only what celebrities want to share with their fans, we might become better people.
2010年4月11日日曜日
からす
夕方、近所で一番賢くて元気なカラスが少しはりきって鳴くので外を見ると夏らしい陰影のはっきりした夕暮れだ。
数週間前、長雨が急に止んだ夕方に同じカラスが同じ鳴き方をもっと派手にして回った時は
20～30分後に昼間に戻ったように明るくなり、そして金色の夕暮れがやってきた。
雨雲の残る空の端から光が戻り始めたのを見てカラスは騒いだのだろう。
あの時ほどのはしゃぎようではないが
あんなに鳴くならよほど美しいのだろう、きちんとみようと思って近くの土手に行くと完全な半円の虹が立っていた。
雲が多いので透明感がないけれども七色が区別できる大きな虹で右下が二重になっている。
川をまたいで視界の端から端までかかった虹の下の橋を電車がゆっくり渡って行き、散歩していた人たちが立ち止まって見ている。
賢いカラスの声はし続けていたが姿は見えなかった。
しばらくして虹が薄れだしたので出たついでに買い物に行くことにして土手を降り路地を抜け環七の歩道橋を上がると
真上の街灯に賢いカラスが来て止まった。
話かけるとじっと見下ろしてくるので立ち止まり、下で手すりにもたれて虹の切れ端を見ていた。
少しするとカラスが近くの電線に飛び移り虹と反対の方向を向いて何かに呼びかけるように３ｘ２回鳴いた。
振り返ると荘厳なばら色の夕焼けだった。
数週間前、長雨が急に止んだ夕方に同じカラスが同じ鳴き方をもっと派手にして回った時は
20～30分後に昼間に戻ったように明るくなり、そして金色の夕暮れがやってきた。
雨雲の残る空の端から光が戻り始めたのを見てカラスは騒いだのだろう。
あの時ほどのはしゃぎようではないが
あんなに鳴くならよほど美しいのだろう、きちんとみようと思って近くの土手に行くと完全な半円の虹が立っていた。
雲が多いので透明感がないけれども七色が区別できる大きな虹で右下が二重になっている。
川をまたいで視界の端から端までかかった虹の下の橋を電車がゆっくり渡って行き、散歩していた人たちが立ち止まって見ている。
賢いカラスの声はし続けていたが姿は見えなかった。
しばらくして虹が薄れだしたので出たついでに買い物に行くことにして土手を降り路地を抜け環七の歩道橋を上がると
真上の街灯に賢いカラスが来て止まった。
話かけるとじっと見下ろしてくるので立ち止まり、下で手すりにもたれて虹の切れ端を見ていた。
少しするとカラスが近くの電線に飛び移り虹と反対の方向を向いて何かに呼びかけるように３ｘ２回鳴いた。
振り返ると荘厳なばら色の夕焼けだった。
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