Topics for mini-talk (one minute)1．Can you describe some possible advantages of having a poor memory?A poor memory may have some advantages.For example, you can forget the unhappy things easily.easily turn your previous enemies into friendsforget the unhappy expieriences easily.recover from hurt quickly……With the passage of time, the sad memories will fade. Those with a short memory tend to recover faster than those with a tenacious memory. For the same reason, forgetful people may be more ready to forget their daily worries and forgive others for their offenses. With a less retentive mind, they may enjoy life more.2．Do you think it is necessary for most of Chinese children to do a lot of difficult math problems for Olympic Math Competition?Some parents believe that by doing a lot of difficult math problems, their children will have a solid foundation in math. Some parents even believe that trying to solve hard math problems will promote the growth of their children’s brains and help develop their lo gical reasoning ability and concentration, which will facilitate learning in other areas.On the other hand, many people believe that it is unnecessary and unnatural for children to study difficult math problems. Some people even believe strict math train ing harms children’s moral and physical development. Fierce competition may dampen the spirit of teamwork, which is so important in the contemporary world.3．What study habits seem to be common among successful students?Many top students seem to have these good study habits: They tend to have a strong sense of time and organize their time well. They may draw up their study plan well in advance. While studying, they check whether they are working ahead of schedule or lagging behind it. They usually work in a systematic way. Before class, they preview the text to get some idea about what the teacher is going to say and which part of the text is difficult. In class, they listen attentively, take notes of the main points of the lecture, and ask questions when they don't understand. After class, they review what they have learned. By going through the text and the notes, they can remember important information.4．Should we be punctual for class, work, or appointments? Why?In the past, Chinese did not attach much importance to punctuality. In an agricultural country punctuality was not very important. But nowadays, owing to the quickened pace of life and the influence of Western concepts of time, the Chinese seem to be paying more attention to punctuality. If somebody is twenty minutes late for an appointment, you may be annoyed because it is a waste of your time. To avoid being late, we should make adequate preparations. In case an emergency prevents us from arriving at the destination on time, we can call ahead to inform the person concerned of the delay. But for entertainment activities like a party, we may be a bit late, for that causes no inconvenience to others.5．If you wanted to start a business, which factors would you consider first? Why?If I wanted to launch a business, I would consider all of these factors, for they all play an indispensable role. First of all, I would consider my ability. Since I majored in biology, I would be cautious in starting a company to sell something I am not familiar with such as building materials or DVDs. With my educational background, I may find it easier to run a company selling bio-tech products. The next thing I would have to take into account, is the money available. Suppose the establishment of a company required a capital of a million dollars, I would try to see whether I could get a loan. If not, I would give up the idea and try to set up a smaller service company that required less capital. Last but not least, I would survey the market to see if the products I planned to deal with could be sold. If they were unmarketable, I had better give up the idea of founding a company in this area. If they sold well, then I would go ahead.6．Name at least 5 recreational activities, and give specific comments on one of them.With the development of the economy and society, the number of recreational activities grows. People can play all kinds of sports, sing karaoke, go dancing, go to the movies, play video games or online games, or surf the Internet.Some people think these recreational activities are great and necessary, because they can help people release their strain and stress. Some of the activities, such as playing sports, can help people relax physically, while some of them, such as surfing the Internet, can help people relax mentally. However, some people think recreational activities might be harmful if people are addicted. Spending too much time on them will seriously influence people’s normal life.As a college student, I hold a belief that recreational activities do more good than harm. As long as we arrange time by reason, and take part in recreational activities properly, we can make them a helpful tool for our development.7．Can you think of some practical measures to protect forests?I think the most important thing to do is to create a law to forbid the cutting of trees in certainareas. Even when timber is needed for construction, logging should be well planned. In addition to the law, we also need law enforcement personnel who will fine those who fell trees illegally.It is not enough to protect the existing forests. We must also plant trees to make new forests. We should also grow various types of trees to ensure bio-diversity. To make the afforestation program successful, the government should award those units and individuals that have made outstanding contributions.law to forbid the cutting of treesLaw enforcement personnelPlanting more treesAwarding those with outstanding contribution8．What is the relationship between one’s attitude to life and one’s fate?Since the world is complex and mysterious, it is not easy to arrive at a definite conclusion. Some scholars, including a British psychologist, suggest that there exists a correlation between one'sattitude to life and one's fate. But more research is needed before we can be sure of such a correlation. Moreover, the cause-and-effect relationship has not been clearly identified, and we are uncertain which causes which. In real life we can find counter examples: Some optimistic people are not very lucky, while some pessimistic people are quite lucky. Perhaps we should try to find out which case is more frequent: optimistic people with good luck or optimistic people with bad luck. Judging from my personal observations, the former is more common. I can even supply the reason: Optimistic people have more self-confidence, which facilitates their success in life. A survey involving many people is required to discover what most people think about this issue.9．What are the problems jobless workers may have? How can they overcome their difficulties?10．W hat kinds of employees are likely to be fired?If employees do not observe company or department rules, they are likely to be fired. Any boss will be angry if employees are late for work or use the company phone to talk with friends. A boss dislikes people who don’t work hard, gossip a lot or read the newspaper over a cup of tea for hours. Even if one works hard, the boss may not be satisfied if one doesn’t work with high efficiency. After all, company profits come fro m employee achievements. Even though you’ve made significant personal contributions to the company, if you don’t get along well with your colleagues, you may impede the company’s productivity. After all, most jobs require teamwork nowadays. Usually the bos s places a high value on employee loyalty. Disloyal employees may sell the company’s secrets and ruin it overnight. When the company is in financial difficulty and downsizing, the first to be dismissed will be those who have some of the above-mentioned problems.11．W hat are the reasons for the growing popularity of SOHO?The "SOHO" stands for Small Office and Home Office.There are several work styles of it,making up of 1 to 10 workers,creating a personal office,and so on.The modern work style has an increasing trend.Before the 19th century, and the spread of the industrial revolution around the globe, nearly all offices were small offices or home offices, with only a few exceptions. Most businesses were small, and so was the paperwork that went with them.Beginning in the mid-1990s, the advent of the personal computer, and breakthroughs in voice and data communication, created opportunities for office workers to decentralize.Decentralization also benefits employers, in lower overhead, and in many cases, greater productivity.At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, the term " Small Office and Home Office " and its variants —along with the acronym "SOHO"— have been used to a great extent by companies who market products targeting the great numbers of small businesses which have a tiny or medium sized office.Technology has also created a demand for larger businesses to employ individuals who work from home. Sometimes these people remain as an independent businessperson, and sometimes they actually become employees of a larger company.In China,especially the "SARS" in 2003 gathered way the development of the "SOHO".12．N ame at least 5 natural disasters and try to describe the damage caused by the natural disasters? China is a country that natural disasters occur frequently. There are many disasters attacked our living environment every year. Such as droughts, landslides, frosts, typhoons and earthquakes. Because of the disasters, many plants and animals have disappeared. People’s lives and properties are also incurred severe loses. For example, severe storm and storm surges can also kill tens of thousands of people. However, with better fore casting warning and protection facilities the consequences ate expected to diminish. Another example is flood. Although the immediate impact on survivors is likely to be injury and the death of relatives, damage to crops, housing, and infrastructure can conspire to precipitate acute food shortages and homelessness. Water supplies may be contaminated with sewage, leading to disease.13．W hy do people want to improve their appearance? In what ways can people improve their appearance?1/A love of beauty is part of human nature. People like to see beautiful scenery, flowers, andanimals. It is not strange that they also want to look at good-looking humans and improve the way they look themselves. With improved features, one may find a better job, attract a more desirable spouse, and gain faster promotion.Some occupations attach great importance to appearance. Most actors, anchorpersons, and fashion models can be recognized by their looks.It is sometimes argued that by looking good, one tends to feel self-confident. With confidence, success is more likely to follow in any undertaking.2/Some people just want to improve their looks in small ways. They may go on a diet to maintaina good figure, they make up to improve their appearance, put a facial mask or skin smoother ontheir faces during the night, have their teeth straightened, or have their nails polished. Some others have a face-lift to change their nose or chin, make their single-fold eyelids double folded, and have their skin tightened to smooth out wrinkles and crow’s feet. Some even inject botox to remove wrinkles. More drastically, some people may have liposuction to remove fat.But,in my opinon the best way to improve appearance is trying to learn to be more elgant and to be more Knowledgeable.14．W hat measures should we take to prevent drunken driving?15．“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” What is your opinion of the proverb?16．W hat would you say if your friend wants to borrow money from you?17．W hat are the negative social effects of advertisements made by movie stars?Nowadays there are a lot of false advertisements in society made by movie stars. They have caused much harm to society. The harm can be listed as follows. First, they exaggerate the functions of the goods they advertise and mislead consumers. Second, some advertisements contain obscene contents and bring about spiritual pollution. Third, they seriously damage the credit of businesses because the shops which sell those goods will be distrusted and even considered the conspirators of those advertisers by consumers. Personally, I am usually vigilant against any advertisements and so I have never been taken in. However, some people are credulous and are easily taken in. Therefore, in myopinion, effective measures must be taken to ban false advertisements and protect consumers' interests. First, all the advertisements made by movie stars must be strictly censored by the authorities concerned before they are published. Besides, severe punishment must be inflicted on those who publish illegal advertisements. In conclusion, false advertisements must be eliminated in our society18．D o you think a good interior decoration of classrooms will help students to focus their attention?Why?19．W hat extracurricular activities can help a student land a job after graduation?Sure, life in school is pretty interesting. The good news is that colleges pay attention to our life both inside and outside the classroom. Yes , our academics come first, but our activities reveal a great deal about us. They can make a difference to our prospective future. Maybe you play on a sports team, perform in a band , do volunteer work or hold a part-time job. All of these are helpful to us for landing a job graduation. Work experience—paid or volunteer, year-round or summer, can help you identify career interests and goals, gain skills ,and apply classroom learning to the real world .It is also a great way to earn money for college. We can also gain skills and experience through volunteer work , such as by tutoring elementary school kids or spending time at a local hospital. These are good method to step into and recognize the society before our graduation. The precious experience can help us land a job after graduation easily.20．S uggest at least three ways to cheer up a classmate in low spirits.The first most important step is to be available for your friend, night and day. Make them feel that you are there for them and they can call or approach you any time. Stay in touch as much as possible. But don’t trespass on their personal space. Be empathetic towards them. Understand their feelings and show that you understand their hurt. Send a souvenir to brighten up their day. Send them a beautiful card or a pleasant gift. Do something to bring a smile on their face. Buy them a gift which his symbolic of optimism and happiness. Listen to them. The easiest way to ease our friends’pain is to listen to them empty out their heart. And be patient while they recover from their sad mood.Every individual adjust to a situation at he own pace. Make them feel loves. Express you love for them through sweet gestures. Given a hug or hold their hands. Physical comfort is necessary to reassure on a deeper level. Take them out for a movie or a dinner. Make them have fun.Topics for Debate (3-4 minutes)1. What do you think people will choose: a low-paid job one likes, or a boring well-paid job? Candidate 1: I think that many people prefer to find a job that they really like.Candidate 2: I think that some people may choose a well-paid job instead of a job close to their heart.2. Should different cultures integrate or keep their own characteristics?Candidate 1: I think that different cultures should integrate during the trend toward globalization. Candidate 2: I think that diversified cultures make our world more interesting and colorful.3. What kind of boss would you like to work for: one who is inefficient but kind, or one who is efficient but very strict with employees?Candidate 1: I think that many people, if not most, prefer to work for a kind, good-natured boss. Candidate 2: I think that some people, including me, will choose to work for a boss who is capable but very strict with his subordinates.4. Which do you prefer, Chinese movies or foreign movies? Why?Candidate 1: Occasionally I do enjoy seeing a foreign movie.Candidate 2: I feel more at home with Chinese movies.5. Do you think a girl should share the expenses or let the boy pay the bill?Candidate 1: I think it is natural that some girls no longer want men to pick up the check. Candidate 2: I think that the normal pattern is that the boy pays the bill.6. What do you think is the most important factor that leads you to buy something: price, quality, brand name or style?Candidate 1: As a student, I am not rich. When I go shopping, I may choose price and style over quality and brand name.Candidate 2: When I do shopping, I consider quality and brand name first.7. Nowadays, drunken drivers are bound to be punished by being sent into jails. What do you think about it?Candidate 1: I think this practice can definitely prohibit drunken driving.Candidate 2: I think this punishment is not strong enough to stop drunken driving.8. Is there a relationship between reason and emotion? Which plays a bigger role in our lives? Candidate 1: I think that reason plays a bigger role.Candidate 2: I think that emotion plays a bigger role.9. When a boss employs or promotes people, what may be the chief consideration: their education or their practical ability?Candidate 1: I think that one’s educational background is not unimportant.Candidate 2: I think that most bosses may probably attach more importance to the candidate’s ability.10. Stores are closed in the evenings and on weekends in many Western countries, while they are normally open in China. Which system do you prefer? Why?Candidate 1: I think that the weekend is meant for people to have a rest and the employees at stores, post offices and so on all deserve a rest.Candidate 2: I think if all stores are closed, it can be inconvenient for many people, especially those in double-income households.。
