Part 3常见问题:Making Comparisons – Questions on Differences1. What are the differences in the music that young and old people listen to?I suppose there are a handful of differences, one of which would be that young people, onthe whole, mainly like listening to pop music, whereas the older generation tend to prefer listening to more traditional music, like folk music, Chinese opera, and even old revolutionary songs. So that’s one difference, and I guess another would be that young people often listen to Western music as well as Chinese music, whereas in contrast, I think it’s fair to say that most elderly people just tend to listen to Chinese music.2. What are the differences between living in cities and living in the countryside?Well I guess one difference would be that living in rural areas is generally a lot morerelaxing than living in urban areas, basically because the pace of life is relatively slower and more laid-back (悠闲). So that’s one thing, and as well as this, I guess another difference would be that in the countryside, there are generally not as many things to do as there are living in cities.3. What are the differences between young people and old people when they go travelling?I guess there are a handful of differences, of which one would be that young people generally like doing quite exciting and energetic things, for example if they’re on the beach, theymight play frisbee or volleyball, whereas I would say the elderly, on the whole, tend to simply like relaxing when they go on holiday, so they’ll probably take a few books with them and spend most of the time on a deck chair next to a swimming pool soaking up the sun and enjoying the feeling of doing nothing.4. What are the differences between a city centre and the suburbs?Well firstly, I think it’s fair to say that the city centre tends to be the most built-up area of the city, and is where most of the main commercial buildings are situated, like shopping malls and office blocks, whereas the suburbs are generally much more residential, and everything’s usually a lot more spread out (分散).So this is one aspect, and I suppose another thing to mention would be the traffic, because in most cities, the downtown areas, on the whole, tend to get horrendously congested (可怕的拥堵), whereas in the outskirts, the traffic’s normally not too bad, which is why I guess more and more people nowadays prefer living a little bit further out from the city centre – at least this seems to be the case in Guangzhou anyway.5. What are the differences between formal and casual clothes?Well thinking about it, I’d say it’s really what they seek to achieve. So basically what I meanis that, for formal clothes, one’s appearance is the most important aspect. In other words, you want to look good and presentable (像样的) in front of others; whereas for casual clothes, I’d say the comfort is the most important thing, which is why most people wear casual clothes when they’re at home. So formal clothes might look better than casual clothes, but they’re definitely not as comfortable!6. Are there any differences between the people who were famous in the past, and the people who are famous today?That’s an interesting question, and to tell the truth, I’m not really all that sure. But thinkingabout it, I guess there might be a few differences. I mean, nowadays it’s relatively easier to become famous because of the Internet, which gives everyone the possibility of gaining exposureto a large number of people. So because of this, I’d say that nowadays there are a lot of peoplewith normal backgrounds who have been able to become famous, whereas in the past, I imaginethis wasn't so much the case (以前不太这样子的), and that most people who became famousseveral decades ago probably received more professional training and had privileged backgrounds (家庭背景好).7. Do people of different ages relax in the same way?No, I guess on the whole, they generally don’t. I mean, children, for example, kind of justlike to relax by playing with toys or watching cartoons on TV. And for my age group, I’d say we generally like chatting with friends on QQ or weibo, which is the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.And regarding the older generation, I’d say they tend to relax by simply either watching TV orreading the newspaper, which is something that young people don’t really do anymore.Part 3常见问题:How important…?●It’s extremely important because…●It’s definitely important because…●It’s essential because…●It’s fundamental because…●It’s not that important because…(It’s not so important because…)1. How important are leaders to a community of people?Oh, I think that good leadership is absolutely vital for the progress and stability of a community. Humans are social by nature, and having strong individuals guide them, is essential for their development.2. How important is giving hospitality to friends/strangers in your culture?It’s very important to be hospitable in Chinese culture. We always pay extra attention to makingpeople feel at hoe when they visit us. We believe that it is a sign of curtesy(=politeness), and weshould make sure that people feel as comfortable as possible. In the countryside, it’s very common for farmers to offer tea to people who pass by. I visited many old villages in Fujian and Guizhou, and I was always well received by the locals when I asked them for directions. Chinesepeople are usually very welcoming.3. How important is it to maintain individuality？It is fundamental to maintain individuality. Even if you are part of a team, you should fix yourselfsome personal goals, because you can’t always depend on others. In addition, if you improve yourself, everyone will benefit from it. Nowadays, I think that it is important to think by oneself,and make decisions independently. In China, we receive an education that does not encourage individuality or originality, but it’s essential to be creative and independent in today’s world.You should realize what is good for your own future. Plus, I think it ‘s nice to have time on yourown sometimes. I was raised as an only child, and I enjoy being alone from time to time.4. How important is music for a country?Music is essential for a country. First of all, every country has its own music, which means thatmusic can represent national identity. In addition, music definitely brings people together, so itcreates feelings of patriotism. For example, when the national anthem is playing, people willbe proud of their own countries.5. How important do you think traditional music will be in the future?Well, we never know for sure what will happen in the future, but I think that our traditionalmusic will become more fashionable very soon. I think that people might get tired of international music. Young people might enjoy the traditional sounds, as well as the skills requiredto play ancient instruments. Some famous artists like Jay Chou already mix modern rhythmswith traditional sound. I think that might get even more popular in the future. Traditional instruments like the erhu, pipa or guzheng sound absolutely stunning.6. How important are art galleries in modern societies?I think that art galleries are extremely important to societies because they display the objects societies consider beautiful. Art galleries are great places for people to appreciate fine art. Theyallow people to daydream, and they develop everyone’s imagination. I regard art museums as sophisticated places. Only refined people can fully enjoy art. I think that children should be takento art galleries, and a guide should explain to them why paintings are meaningful and what theyactually represent. Everyone should understand that art expresses feelings.7. How important are clothes as an expression of personality?I would say that clothes are extremely important nowadays. I think clothes reflect people’s tastes. You can judge if people care about their appearance or not, you can see if they are rathershy or outgoing. Sometimes colors can express whether or not people are active, enthusiasticor even optimistic. On the other hand, I was raised to believe that we shouldn’t judge a book byits cover. Appearance can be deceptive. A man might wear a suit on a daily basis at work, andyou might think that he is serious and reliable, but in fact he may go out every night, drink a lotof alcohol and lie to everyone. Very often, clothes reflect your professional position rather thanyour personality.Part 3常见问题:How could…? (Solutions)●I guess the best would be to…●I guess there are a number of things that could be done, one of which would be to…●I guess …could be… in a number of ways.●One possibility might be to…●One thing could be to…●I guess that requires…●They should definitely do… and…●It is indispensable(=essential) for the government to…●In order to solve this problem, the government should…●The most effective way to solve this problem might be to…●They could also arrange to do…● A number of actions should be taken…●This issue should be taken care of (=tackled) step by step…●Initially… Then… And probably most importantly…Explaining your idea:●Because in so doing,…●Because by doing that,…●Because then…●Because at the moment,…1. How can traffic congestion be reduced?Well, I guess congestion could be reduced in a number of ways.For example, one thing would be to increase the number of car lanes, because in so doing, cars would have more space to drive around. So that’s one thing, and I suppose maybe another possibility might be to introduce (引进) a congestion charge (拥堵费), like they’ve done in some cities around the world, as by doing this, people will think twice (三思而行) before getting into their cars. So yeah, that’s basically what I reckon.2. How do you think noise in cities could be reduced?Thinking about it, I guess there are a number of things that could be done, one of which would be t o impose a fine on (惩罚) companies or individuals who make excessive noise, especially construction companies, because I’d say they’re, by far, the biggest culprits. And as well as this, maybe another thing might be to ban vehicles from hooting, because it’s one of the noisiest sounds in cities, and so I’m sure they would become a lot quieter without cars hooting all the time.3. How do you think you could improve and be on time more often?I guess the best thing to do would be to always allow lots of time to get anywhere. So for example, if it normally takes me, say, half an hour to get to the city centre, then I should probably leave home about an hour before I need to get there.4. What can the government do about pollution?Well I guess they could do a number of things, one of which would be to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint (碳脚印), in other words, become more environmentally-friendly. And one way of doing this, I suppose, might be to introduce a system whereby people are paid for recycling things, such as empty bottles and cans, otherwise they have no incentive.5. How can children be encouraged to play less computer games and more sports?That's a tough question, because it's practically impossible tearing a child away from a computer screen when they’re busy playing a game, but I guess one thing that could be done would be to make sports more appealing by providing more sports facilities. So, in other words, if a child only has to walk five minutes to get to a basketball court, he’s much more likely to play basketball than if he had to catch a bus for half an hour.6. How should parents educate their children before they start school?Well, I'm no expert, but I guess one thing they should do is encourage their children in everything they do, even if they make mistakes, because this'll help build children’s confidence and self-esteem (自尊). So that’s one thing, and I guess another good thing for parents to do would be to read stories, especially ones with good moral values, because all children love stories, and, in this way, they’ll be learning things without even realizing it.7. How do you think people can deal with pressure?That’s a good question, and thinking about it, I’d say one thing that they could do is to let those close to them know how they’re really feeling, instead of keeping it bottled in (把感受深埋心底). And I know it sounds a bit simple, but I think in this way, friends and family will be able to help someone share the burden they are feeling, and hopefully help them get rid of the pressure. Or at the very least (最起码), they can support them in dealing with it.8. How do you think children could be brought up to become unselfish people?Well if I think about how my parents brought me up, one of the things they did to prevent me from becoming selfish was to set a good example (做出榜样) for me. In other words, they were always considerate and generous towards others, and this rubbed off on me (对我产生了影响), you know, it made me act in the same way. So I’d say this is definitely one of the best things that parents can do.9. Do you have any ideas on how to help children learn to co-operate with others and work asa team?That’s a good question, and thinking about it, I’d say one way of cultivating their teamwork skills would be through games, because after all, every child enjoys playing games. So if they were given games to play which involved working together with other children, then I think this would be a very effective way of developing their sense of teamwork.10. In what ways can parents encourage their children to develop leadership abilities?That’s a good question, and I’d say parents can encourage their children in a number of ways, one of which would be to give them as much freedom as possible to do what they want, instead of always telling them what to do. Because in this way, I think children will be able to better develop a sense of independence and maturity, which are important leadership qualities. And as well as this, I think another thing that parents can do is to always encourage their children in everything they do, regardless of how well they do it, because children will become more self-confident as a result, and will therefore be more likely to become a good leader.Part 3常见问题:Why问题类型1. Why do people enjoy visiting others?People enjoy visiting their friends and relatives because it is a good chance to get together and talk. You only enjoy visiting the people you get along well with. You expect to share some stories, or some laughs. Visits always bring people closer together. In addition, you might have a drink or some snacks while talking. Being with friends is always enjoyable and relaxing.2. Why do many people enjoy painting as a hobby?Painting must be relaxing, I guess. It could be a good way for a person to forget about his or her problems. It’s a quiet activity for people to unwind, and use their creativity at the same time.3. Why do many people encourage their children to join groups?I think that parents always want their children to be a member of a team because it is important for kids to socialize and make friends. Being part of a group will allow children to communicate with other young people and to expand their social skills. Nowadays, it’s fundamental to have good interpersonal skills. In addition, parents believe that it is better to play or learn with others rather than to be alone. A lot of young people like to stay in front of their computers at home, but parents consider this as a bad habit. I think that hanging out with other people is more fun and enjoyable.4. Why do some people think that keeping pets is good for children?It can be beneficial for children to have a pet because the animal can become a good companion. In addition, some parents believe that having a pet can give children a sense of responsibility. The kids must walk the dog, clean it and feed it. It could be a good chance for children to learn how to take care of weaker and younger creatures. I think that children with pets might learn how to be more considerate and thoughtful.5. Why do many films nowadays show a lot of violence?That’s a good question, and it fuels(=create)a lot of debates. I think that many men like to watch violent movies because, perhaps deep inside, men need this kind of adrenaline rush (=intense excitement) but they can’t experience it in real life. I think that young men always dream of having super-powers, and being able to crush anyone they dislike. Nowadays, we live in a pretty peaceful society even though there are occasional crimes, and violence simply lets people escape from reality. However, I think problems can sometimes happen when some people stop being able to discern what is real from what is fictional.6. Why don’t some people want to play sports?I suppose it must be related to their education and their personality. If their parents didn’t encourage them to practice sports at a young age, chances are they won’t enjoy running and competing. In addition, some people simply don’t have this mentality. Some might say they are a little lazy. I think everyone is different: in English you say “to each his own,”, right?7. Why do some people follow fashion in your country?Well, I guess it’s nice to look good and trendy. People want to buy cool clothes in order to leave a good first impression on others, and they also want their friends to think that they look nice, or elegant, or hip. Looking attractive is important in society. Wearing nice clothes definitely gives people confidence. In addition, people enjoy spending time with pretty girls or handsome guys: it’s always more pleasant talking with them. It sounds a bit superficial, but I think it’s true, we’re all attracted to beauty.8. Why is it important to know weather predictions in advance?I think it’s important to know what the weather will be like for people who plan to go traveling, or for those who plan to spend time outside for a special occasion. In addition, when there are weather alerts for a typhoon, a tornado, or a hurricane, it’s obviously vital to be aware of what might happen. These are extreme circumstances. Otherwise, I don’t think we need to check the weather forecast on a daily basis, because we shouldn’t try to control everything. I guess it’s simply a habit old people develop. I don’t think young people worry too much about tomorrow’s weather.9. Why do many people want to go abroad for an extended period of time?A lot students want to further their studies overseas because they believe that foreign universities can offer a better education, as well as more opportunities for their future. In some cases, people expect to find a better job and to make more money. I’ve heard that many Australian students take a year off after their studies in order to relax before starting our in life. They want to visit many countries and experience life. I think it’s amazing for young people to be able to do this. In China, if a student finds a part-time job, he’ll never make enough money to fly all around the globe.10. Why does shopping make some people feel happy?I guess that it’s always a pleasant feeling to get some new clothes that look good. It can make you look better, and people feel more confident when they’re pleased with their appearance. In addition, a lot of women consider shopping a hobby. It’s relaxing for them. They can spend time with their friends or their mothers, chatting and laughing while trying on new clothes. We all know how much women worry about their appearance, so it’s understandable that shopping for nice clothes and shoes can make themexcited. What’s more, we are all becoming more materialistic: we all care about having a car, a nice mobile, a good computer, because other people do. We can’t help comparing what we have with that others ought. On top of this, if we can buy something nice and expensive with our own money, we will experience a sense of achievement.Part 3常见问题:Compare…(Advantages and Disadvantages)●Well, looking at the advantages, I’d say that the main one is that…And as for the drawbacks, I suppose the most obvious one is that…Well, in terms of the positive effects, I’d say it’s a key source of revenue for many regions, especially for underdeveloped areas which would struggle a lot if it wasn’t for tourism. And it also creates a lot of employment for countries as well. Regarding the negative effects,I wouldn’t actually say there are that many, but I supposeone could be that local governments in some areas might start paying more attention to attracting tourism rather than the well-being (福利) of the local citizens, which I think is wrong, because taking care of the needs of the local citizens should always be the number one priority(最优先考虑的事).3. What are the pros and cons of long-distance travelling?Ok, well looking at the pros, I guess I’d basically say that when you travel far away, you get to see things that you wouldn’t normally see where you’re from, so for example, if I went to Africa, I’m sure I would get to see a whole new lifestyle, you know, something completely different to what I’m used to here.”And as for the cons, well, first of all, travelling a long way can be quite stressful and exhausting, especially if there are delays involved. And I know from personal experience that long-haul flights (长途航班) tend to be particularly uncomfortable, as unless you’re in business or first class, you have very little leg space, and it’s really difficult getting to sleep. So it’s often not a great deal of fun, especially if you’re travelling on your own.4. What are the advantages of giving money as a gift?Well, I guess one of the biggest advantages is that the person receiving the money can get whatever they want with it, so you save yourself the risk of wasting your money on something that the person has no interest in. And as well as this, I guess another advantage is that it saves a lot of time, because firstly you don’t have to spend time deciding on what to get, and secondly, you don’t have to bother about going and buying something. So all in all, money makes a pretty good gift!5. What do you think are the benefits of traveling by train?Well for me, I’d say one of the biggest benefits is that, with trains, you pretty much know (基本上知道) exactly what time you’ll arrive somewhere. Because I mean, unlike cars and buses, you won’t get stuck in traffic (堵在路上) if you go by train. So unless your train is delayed, which doesn’t happen a lot here, you should be able to get where you wanna go on time.So that’s one thing, and as well as this, I’d say another good thing about traveling by train is that you can get up and move around during the journey, which isn’t really possible if you’re in a car! So I think this makes traveling by train a bit more comfortable and enjoyable than a lot of other forms of transport.6. Are there any disadvantages to having lots of money?Yeah, I suppose there are. For example, I’ve heard quite a few stories about people who have won the lottery that have gone on to become quite unhappy and depressed, because everyone around them suddenly started asking for money. So this would be one disadvantage, and I guess another would be that it might bequite difficult to tell who your real friends are, because it’s very likely that a lot of people might want to make friends with you purely because of your money. But in any case (不过，五路如何), I’d still much rather be rich than just well-off (小康)!7. What are the benefits of swimming?Well, I guess the first thing to say would be that it’s good exercise, because you use all the muscles in your body when you swim. And it’s also relatively easy on the body, at least compared with some other kinds of exercise, because when you swim, your body’s moving in quite a smooth motion, whereas in sports like basketball and football, you often have to make sudden movements, which can lead to injuries if you’re not careful! So that would be one thing, and I guess another good thing about swimming is that it’s usually quite refreshing (清凉提神的), especially when the weather’s hot, and it can even be quite relaxing, as long as the pool’s not too crowded, of course!8. What are the good points about being famous?Well first of all, I imagine if you’re famous, you’re probably welcomed by people everywhere you go, which I’m sure must be nice to experience! So that’s one thing, and I guess another advantage of being famous is that you get a lot of companies sending you free stuff, like clothes and bags, in the hope that other people will see you with their product and then go and buy it themselves. And I remember once reading an interview with Will Smith, the actor, who said that he hardly needs to buy anything nowadays, because he gets most things for free!9. Are there any disadvantages to being famous?Yeah I’d say there are. And the most obvious one would be a lack of privacy. Because as I’m sure you know, most celebrities get followed around everywhere by the paparazzi, even on holiday, which I’m sure they must get sick and tired of (感到十分厌烦).So this would be one disadvantage, and I guess another would be that it might be quite difficult to tell (很难看得出) who your real friends are, because it’s very likely that a lot of people might want to be your friend purely because of your fame. And I guess that’s the reason why most celebrities mainly hang out and mingle(交际) with other celebrities.10. What benefits do people derive from taking part in competitive sport?Well I’ve never really thought about it, but I guess one benefit would be that people get a lot of excitement from taking part in competitive sport, because I mean, one of the beauties of sport is that you never quite know what’s gonna happen, or how the result’s gonna turn out. So it’s generally quite exciting taking part, and not just that, but (不仅如此) it’s also a fun way of keeping fit. You know, it’s a lot more fun than simply running on a treadmill (跑步机) for example!11. In general, what are the pros and cons of advertising?Well, looking at the advantages, I’d say that the main one is that it can help increase the awareness of a product or service, and in a lot of cases, you can reach a very wide target market through advertising, for example with TV and Internet ads. And as for the drawbacks, well I suppose the most obvious one is the cost, because as I’m sure you know, advertising isn’t cheap, and you have to pay for it up front, before you can start enjoying the benefits. So in other words, there’s quite a big element of risk (风险) to it, because you know, you could end up losing quite a lot of money if your advertising campaign (广告宣传活动) isn’t successful.。
