Content1)August 7, 2013_Topic: What Education? (3)2)August 14, 2013_Topic: Target for books? (4)3)August 21, 2013_Topic: Is choice good? (5)4)August 28, 2013_Topic: Do we need GM FOOD? (6)5)September 4, 2013_Topic: Equal chance? (7)6)September 11, 2013_ Topic: Is advert needed? (8)7)September 18, 2013_ Topic: Just inflated art? (9)8)September 25, 2013_ Topic: Going back wards? (10)9)October 2, 2013 _Topic: How you reserved? (11)10)October 9, 2013 _Topic: Time for a tax? (12)11)October 16, 2013 _Topic: Ban on foreign names (13)12)October 23, 2013 _Topic: Big bad cartoon series? (14)13)October 30, 2013 _Topic: GM: Which side are you on? (15)14)November 6, 2013_Topic: Is ‘lights out’ out? (16)15)November 13, 2013_Topic: Would honesty help? (17)16)November 20 ,2013_Topic :Should all cars go through lottery？ (18)17)November 27, 2013_Topic: Cash gifts right? (19)18)December 4, 2013 _Topic: Free abortions? (20)19)December 11, 2013_Topic: Can stars teach? (21)20)December 18, 2013_Topic: Fines for smog? (21)21)December 25, 2013_Topic: Higher prices? (22)22)January 1, 2014_Topic: Island safe idea? (23)23)January 15, 2014_Topic: One-way talents? (24)24)January 22, 2014_Topic: ID for delivery? (25)25)January 22, 2014_Topic: Prioritize love? (26)26)February 12, 2014_Topic: Ban on fireworks? (27)27)February 19, 2014_Topic: Fair Advantage? (28)28)February26, 2014_Topic: Praise Quitters? (29)29)March5,2014_Topic: Paid Commercials? (30)30)March12, 2014_Topic: On Shaky Ground? (31)31)March19, 2014_Topic: Stay, or Give up? (33)32)March26, 2014_Topic: Score system fair? (34)33)April 2, 2014 _Topic: Full of hot air? (35)34)April 9, 2014 _Topic: Private matters? (35)35)April, 16 2014_Topic: Time to relocate? (37)36)April 23, 2014 _Topic: Helpful TV limit? (37)37)April 30, 2014 _Topic: Bad aftertaste? (38)38)May 7, 2014_Topic: Ban on Bribery? (39)39)May14, 2014_Topic: Winning formula? (40)40)May 21, 2014_Topic: Too old to keep? (41)41)May 28, 2014_Topic: Time to cut work communication? (42)42)June 4, 2014_Topic: Fair inheritance? (43)43)June 11, 2014_Topic: Pay for delays? (44)44)June 18, 2014_Topic: Like or dislike? (45)45)June 25, 2014_Topic: One step too far? (46)46)July 2, 2014_Topic: Can robot improve user experience? (47)47)July 9, 2014_Topic: Time to turn page? (48)48)July16, 2014_Topic: Chen a role model or laughing stock? (50)1)August 7, 2013_Topic: What Education?Topic sentence: Is education becoming less important in securing people’s jobs and careers?Yes.1. New technologies are developed at such a high speed, making older ones outdated and irrelevant, that people who spent 10-20 years in education to become experts in their field will find a large part of their knowledge and skills useless.2. The education system of modern economies are too profit-driven and tend to generate an over supply of talent in certain “hot” fields. However, these often tend to be fields that develop very fast, with new technologies and business models emerging all the time. These educated in outdated models quickly find themselves becoming useless.3. The more educated a person, the more specialized and narrow their knowledge and skills. Small changes in their fields could mean that their years of education and training rapidly lose their value. For example, computer translation technologies may take the jobs of many translators in the next few years.No.1. Well-educated people not only acquire highly specialized knowledge ,but also basic skills that allow them to quickly adapt to diverse situations and learn new skills, and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in different areas. This makes well-educated people flexible and versatile in the face of uncertainty.2. Krugman “exaggerates”the speed at which new technologies are being developed .key technological breakthroughs in many important fields, such as biomedicine and fuel-cell technologies, have been a bit slow in recent years despite the money and talent thrown at them.3. There is a big difference between acquiring academic knowledge and combining that knowledge with practical training and constantly testing theories and applications in the field .those educated in the latter format generally fare much better and aremore successful in their careers.2)August 14, 2013_Topic: Target for books?Topic sentence: Will a national law on reading encourage Chinese people to read more books?Yes.1. In order to help people read more, the government will need to make more books available to the public. This will result in more funding support for universities, schools and libraries. This will be very good for general education in China.2. In order to comply with the law, primary, middle and high schools will set more tangible goals for young students to read books, because they are the most reachable targets for the campaign. Million of students will read more books.3. The national campaign to promote reading could also extend into electronic publishing and reading, which means more state support for the “nascent “electronic publishing industry.No:1. The most serious and voracious readers read for private enjoyment .they won’t like it if the government tries to tell them what and how many books to read .the law could run into strong opposition from the public.2. In reality, it’s very difficult to measure the law’s effectiveness. While the government can set targets, it has few means to count exactly how many books people read, because ,unlike in a national census, government officials can’t go into private home and ask people to show them their books.3. Instead of passing a national law requiring people to read more, the government should use its resources more wisely. For example, it can make an effort to promote good literature, science and inspirational books and great writers.3)August 21, 2013_Topic: Is choice good?Topic sentence: Do you think other universities across the country should adopt similar systems to offer students a choice in their roommates?Yes:1. Personal differences in the dormitory can have a big impact on students experience of university life. If they don’t get enough rest in their dormitory or don’t get along with their roommates, it can distract them from their studies and prevent them from fully developing their social skills.2. For young students, choosing their roommates could be an important opportunity to shape their future. This is because university roommates often become close friends and can have a good influent on each other’s lives later on.3. From the university’s point of view, self-chosen roommates usually get along better with each other .this saves university administrators a lot of trouble in solving conflicts between students, allowing them to focus their resources on providing more useful services to the students.No:1. Many first-year college students are leaving their families for the first time and living in a dormitory with young people of the same age. Many haven’t developed their own living habits yet. It doesn’t make much sense to ask them to choose roommates based on living habits.2. The great thing about dormitory life is that young people get to live and make friends with people from different backgrounds, with different personalities and habits. That’s part of growing up. Without this level of unpredictability, dormitory life might be easier but much less interesting and challenging.3. It’s easy to let every student make their own choice, but it makes it difficult for the university to match all the different requests. In the end, it’s very likely that not everyone would get what they want. This adds to the university’s administrative costs and creates an unnecessary burden for the students.4)August 28, 2013_Topic: Do we need GM FOOD?Topic sentence: Should we support genetically modified food?Yes:1. Natural food sources are insufficient to support the world’s population. GM food is the only way to ensure the survival of the human race and our civilization. Nothing else can increase food supply enough to catch up with the speed of population growth.2. GM crops have proven to be more efficient and so far there is no scientific evidence to suggest GM food is unsafe. We don’t have time to wait a few more generations to decide whether GM food is safe enough to expand across the world.3. Many people’s fear of GM food comes from prejudice and ignorance. Many have had their mind poisoned by GM conspiracy theories and have made up their mind before considering the facts.No:1. There is great potential in traditional, natural food sources. With more scientific cultivation technologies and better waster control, these sources could support for more people than they do today.2. From a pure scientific point of view, GM food shouldn’t be pronounced safe before adequate and comprehensive testing is completed. Although GM food has been around for dozens of cities, this is far from enough to assess the long-term risks.3. The world’s largest agricultural firms that use GM technology have great control over the scientific community and media coverage on GM food. They have worked for many years to sway the media and public opinion away from the real dangers of GM food.5)September 4, 2013_Topic: Equal chance?Topic sentence: Is education still a great equalizing power in our society? Opinion:Yes:cation is not like putting half-finished products through an assembly line. One’s own efforts do make a great difference. Even though those with few resources cannot get the best education, they can still do their best and make up for lost opportunities through hard work. Most importantly, education gives them many opportunities to improve themselves.2. The rich and powerful can get their children prestigious degrees and desired jobs, but not necessarily entrepreneurship and innovative power. One doesn’t have to finish college to become a top scientist or business leader. A basic education can provide the skills and vision necessary to do great things.3. The rich and powerful cannot monopolize all educational resources. The government can also play a key role, making sure educational resources are distributed more equally.No:1. Today’s China has become a “guanxisociety”. From getting one’s children into a good kindergarten all the way up to a good university and graduate school, the rich and powerful always have the first pick. This greatly reduces the opportunities for those from the bottom of the society to move upward.2. Highly specialized jobs with the power to change the society require an advanced education and other qualifications, and those opportunities are increasingly snatched up by those already in wealth and power. There are glass ceilings everywhere, blocking the upward paths of many people.3. As the number of college students has ballooned in recent years, the effectiveness of education has become under doubt. Many college students cannot find meaningful jobs that can improve their own and their families’ lives. This is making people lose hope in education.6)September 11, 2013_ Topic: Is advert needed?Topic sentence: Was it a good thing for Renming University to put upp a video ad in Times Square?Yes:1. By making itself better known in the world, Renming University could attract more high-quality international students and faculty, which in turn would help elevate its research and teaching pRowess, making its students more competitive. This is an important step in the outward reach of Chinese education institutions.2. The fact that a Renming University alumnus is rich enough to pay for such an expensive ad shows that the university has produced some capable graduates. It will also encourage other graduates to give back to their alma mater in a similar way. Overall, this is a very positive event.3. Universities are about innovation. Putting a brand ad in Times Square is a very innovative way for an educational institution to promote itself. Renming University’s ad campaign ct a new could start a new trend among Chinese education institutions to reach out to the world.No:1. Renming University is already one of China’s best universities. It doesn’t need to put its name in Times Square, where nobody knows what it is, to gain any more fame. It should focus more on improving its teaching and research capabilities, and better serve its students. This is what really matters when it comes to education.2. Universities don’t become better educators by putting up a commercial ad in one of the world’s most expensive squares. Instead, Renming University should have used the money it spent on making the video ad on more meaningful projects, such as providing financial support for students with difficulties or purchasing more books for its library.3. The fact that the ad space was paid by an alumnus is problematic because his or her identity and the amount of money involved were not made public. The lack of transparency in the deal is inappropriate. Alumni should make contributions back totheir alma mater in a much more open manner.7)September 18, 2013_ Topic: Just inflated art?Topic sentence: Is the giant yellow duck really art?Yes:1.The definition of art changes over time. Different times have their own, different notions of what art is. This has always been the case. If enough people today believe the yellow duck is art, then it is.2. In simple terms, art is something that gives people a pleasing and uplifting experience. Judging from the global response of audiences to the yellow duck, it’s very powerful and popular art.3. Art s often controversial because different people have different opinions of it. Some say the giant duck is a joke, but others may feel nostalgic because the duck reminds them of their childhood.No:1. The image and shape of the yellow duck has long been familiar to people in the world. Florentijn Hofman only borrowed it and made a gigantic copy of it. There is no innovation in copying.2. Art is something that lasts, the craze surrounding the yellow cluck is bound to be short-lived. Once the “wow fator” blows over, people around the world will quickly forget about it.3. Florentijn Hofman’s project is too profit-driven. There has been strong commeccial interest behind the duck’s appearance in every city it has been to. That makes the project lose its artistic appeal.8)September 25, 2013_ Topic: Going back wards?Topic sentence: Should China introduce reverse mortgages on a large scale?Yes:1. As government officials have pointed out, the reverse mortgage scheme serves only as a supplement to the government-run pension system. Those retirees who want a better life in their old age can choose to do it, but it’s not compulsory for everyone.2. Generally, the private sector is more flexible and efficient than government agencies. Insurance companies and banks may do better job and provide better services to retirees, which would in turn put pressure on the government to improve.3. Financial institutions are by nature competitive. They will compete fiercely among themselves to provide better conditions and better services to pensioners who give up their property. This will lead to lower fees and a better conditions and a better quality of service.NO:1. As housing prices continue to soar in many parts of China, housing is the most valuable thing aging parents could pass on to their children. It is unlikely that retirees would be willing to give up their property for a better retirement.2. Given the difference between housing prices in first-tier cities and other cities, as well as the changes in housing prices, it will be very difficult for financial institutions to determine exactly how much they should offer retirees for their property.3. Many adults are forced to live with their parents because they can’t afford to buy their own apartment. If those properties are taken by financial institutions after their parents pass away, they will have nowhere to live.9)October 2, 2013 _Topic: How you reserved?Topic sentence: should universities charge students for reserved seats?Yes:1. From charging students extra for dormitories fitted with air conditions to different canteen prices, money is playing an important role in education. So why shouldn’t universities charge for reserved seats?2. Charging a reasonable fee for library seats can ensure that only students who seriously need the seats get them. This way, they also have an incentive to make the most of their quiet time there. Students who only read novels or play games on their laptops can do so in their dormitory.3. Many universities have open campuses, and students are complaining that their educational resources are being hogged by outsiders. This is specially the case in university libraries, where many non-students occupy seats for reading. Charging students money for reserved seats ensure that only they can use the library facilities. No:1. Even though an annual fee of 800 yuan doesn’t sound like very much, it’s still an extra burden for students from lower-incomes families. The library belongs for students, and paying a fee doesn’t make one student different form anther.2. It’s every university’s duty to make sure all students are provided with adequate space to study. Students shouldn’t be forced to pay for poor planning administration on account of university officials. Faced with a shortage of library seats, they should focus on making more seats available instead of charging for them.3. Classroom and library seats have always been in short supply in Chinese universities. But the old way is the fairest way-students wait in line for available seats. Reserving seats for paying students is a very unfair policy that defeats the very purpose of university education.10)October 9, 2013 _Topic: Time for a tax?Topic sentence: Is it right for the government to start charging an inheritance tax? Yes:1.The inheritance tax has proven very effective in other counties in improving the equal distribution of wealth Income disparity is becoming very serious in china. The government needs to use policy tools to stop it form getting worse.2. China is quickly becoming a high-income society. The number of billionaires in China is catching up with other developed countries. They leave large amounts of wealth to their children and tax revenue form these inheritances would mean a big boost the government’s coffers?3. An inheritance tax law would encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, as young people would inherit less from their parents and rely less on family wealth. Instead, they may feel encouraged to build their own enterprises and earn more money themselves.No:1.For many medium-and lower- income families in urban areas, housing is their most valuable asset. The value of their apartments has risen a lot in recent years, but the families may not have a lot cash to pay the taxes. If an inheritance tax is introduced, their children may be forced to sell the housing their parents left them as an inheritance.2. The tax only makes sense when the government has made adequate provisions for social benefits, such as a pension system and medicare. But these are hardly sufficient in today’s China, so it’s unfair to start collecting an inheritance tax.3. Rich people have many resources and means to evade the inheritance tax, but the middle-class has no choices but to pay up. If the threshold for the tax is 800,000 yuan, the tax will target the middle-class, which defeats its purpose.11)October 16, 2013 _Topic: Ban on foreign namesTopic sentence: Was it right for Henan to issue the ban?Yes:1. The improper use of foreign cultural elements is destroying the Chinese language and culture. We already have many geographical names with rich history and cultural meanings, but we are abandoning these for foreign names nobody understands and that have no cultural relation to Chin at all. Only the government has the power to stop such foolish acts.2. Because of supply-dominated nature of the Chinese real estate market, people don’t really have a choice when they come across a property they want to buy but which has a name they don’t like. Only by using the government’s power to battle developers can we solve this problem.No:1.Cultural taste is a matter of choice. A decision by a few scholars or government officials on what is good and what is bad taste does not hold true for the whole population. Real estate developers use many foreign names because their consumers prefer in this way. In this case, the government has definitely overstepped the boundaries of its power.2. China has never been so open to the world, and China is having an unprecedented amount of interaction with foreign cultures. Therefore it is natural for China to absorb foreign cultural elements into its own culture, and using foreign names for Chinese places is one aspect of that.12)October 23, 2013 _Topic: Big bad cartoon series?Topic sentence: Is the criticism of violence in popular children’s carton series justified?Yes:1.Because of the popularity of shows like Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, even the tiniest bit of violence can have a deep impact on children. If copied by children in real life, some of the actions shown in the series could be quite harmful.2. Action routines in these cartoon series may seem funny the first time, but after being shown repeatedly for so many years it could lead children to believe that such violence is OK.3. Society standard for what is acceptable for children constantly changing. Therefore, it is acceptable for children’s cartoon series that has been popular for years to be found unacceptable and in need of modification. For the welfare of children, such changes are necessary.No:1.Much more violent content is shown on TV every day. Because China has no classification or viewer guidance system for TV programs, many violent series are watched by the whole family, including children. These shows are a much bigger problem than children’s cartoon series.2. The series were approved by the government and have been shown on TV for years. If all of a sudden their content is too violent for a child, that means the government’s monitors did a poor job when they approved these violent shows.3. The state media’s criticism of the series is not based on solid scientific research of factual t on evidence, but on general impressions and anecdotes. It’s unfair to launch such series accusations and demand changes without convincing evidence.13)October 30, 2013 _Topic: GM: Which side are you on?Topic sentence: Are scientists justified in asking the government to promote genetically modified rice in China?Yes:1. GM food is the future of the agriculture industry. Western companies have made great advances in this field and have significant market in the industry. If China doesn’t catch up soon, there is no future for the Chinese agriculture industry.2. Not all of the scientists who signed the petition are related to the agriculture industry, but many lf them participated because they are truly convinced that China should speed up the development of GM rice for the good of the nation. Their scientific opinions should be respected.3. Precisely because of the productivity and disease-resistance of GM rice strains are key to the long-term interests of China. The government’s open support and investment can help speed up domestic research and make Chinese rice crops feed more people.No:1. Although existing scientific research has not proven that genetically modified food causes any negative health effects, not enough time has passed since the invention of GM food to rule out potential long-term health impacts. From a purely pint of view, scientists are too rash to conclude that it is safe.2. Huge economic interests are at stake in the debate over GM food, especially for those who promote it. Monsanto and other agricultural companies hold huge financial power over the industry and scientific circles, and it is natural for people to suspect that there are conflicts interests.3. A lot of genetically modified crops are already being grown and sold to markets in China. The government doesn’t need any additional effort to promote genetically modified rice.14)November 6, 2013_Topic: Is ‘lights out’ out?Topic sentence：Should universities reconsider their mandatory “light out “policies? Yes:1. In a digital age, an uninterrupted power supply has become a basic requirement for students. Even if they don’t need to work late into the night, they have various deices that need to be charged, such as mobile phones tablets and laptop computers. What’s more, the lights out policy could be fatal in the event of an emergency.2. Many students decide to move out of student dormitories and rent private apartments off campus because of the blackouts. This not only puts more financial pressure on students, but also bring risks, campus, dormitories are usually much safer and cheaper for students.3. College students are adults. Universities should trust them to be able to manage their own schedules and work things out with their roommates, instead of turning off electricity for everybody at the same time.No:1. Turning the power off at night forces students to go to sleep instead of playing online games or watching videos all night long ,as many tend to do in less regulated dormitory buildings. This is a waste of time and causes health problems.2. Students who work or play late at night disturb their roommates who go to sleep earlier. This is a constant source of tension in university dormitories. Turning the power off for everybody at a fixed time is a very effective solution to this problem.3. Many universities now provide all-night classrooms or study rooms for students who want to stay up late to write assays or prepare for exams. This way, dormitory buildings can observe the blackout policy and allow other students to get adequate sleep at night.15)November 13, 2013_Topic: Would honesty help?Topic sentence：Would an “honesty pension” work in China?Yes:1. An “honesty pension” mechanism could serve two purposes: it would solve the problem of provision for public servants after their retirement; and it would be a powerful tool to fight corruption. Both are badly needed reforms and they should be introduced as soon as possible.2. Most Chinese public servants are underpaid. A big pension on the condition of a corruption- free career serves as a strong incentive for government officials to work hard and stay clean.3. Similar policies in Singapore and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have been highly effective. Public servants there are among the most professional and cleanest in the world. We have a lot to learn from their policies.No:1. An “honesty pension”only offers an incentive for public servants to resist the temptation of corruption, but if the potential benefits of corrupt practices outweigh the financial incentive, it won’t be very effective.2. Corrupt officials, especially those in very powerful positions, can make huge gains through dirty deals. What would really stop them are stringent laws and serve criminal punishments. Monetary incentives are highly inadequate.3. Given the huge number of Chinese public servants. It is unrealistic to provide additional pension money for all of them. Besides, if the policy starts on a trial basic for some public servants, it will create an uneven playing field and create further problems.。
