1、1第一类题材 Study Issue 183“As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex and more mysterious.“Does knowledge render things more comprehensible, or more complex and mysterious? In my view the acquisition of knowledge brings about all three at the same time. This
2、 paradoxical result is aptly explained and illustrated by a number of advances in our scientific knowledge. Consider, for example, the sonar system on which blind bats rely to navigate and especially to seek prey. Researchers have learned that this system is startlingly sophisticated. By emitting au
3、dible sounds, then processing the returning echoes, a bat can determine in a nanosecond not only how far away its moving prey is but also the preys speed, direction, size and even specie! This knowledge acquired helps explain, of course, how bats navigate and survive. Yet at the same time this knowl
4、edge points out the incredible complexity of the auditory and brain functions of certain animals, even of mere humans, and creates a certain mystery and wonder about how such systems ever evolved organically.Or consider our knowledge of the universe. Advances in telescope and space-exploration techn
5、ology seem to corroborate the theory of a continually expanding universe that began at the very beginning of time with a “big bang.“ On one level this knowledge, assuming it qualifies as such, helps us comprehend our place in the universe and our ultimate destiny. Yet on the other hand it adds yet a
6、nother chapter to the mystery about what existed before time and the universe. Or consider the area of atomic physics. The naked human eye perceives very little, of course, of the complexity of matter. To our distant ancestors the physical world appeared simple-seemingly comprehensible by means of s
7、ight and touch. Then by way of scientific knowledge we learned that all matter is comprised of atoms, which are further comprised of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Then we discovered an even more basic unit of matter called the quark. And now a new so-called “string“ theory posits the existence o
8、f an even more fundamental, and universal, unit of matter. On the one hand, these discoveries have rendered things more comprehensible, by explaining and reconciling empirical observations of how matter behaves. The string theory also reconciles the discrepancy between the quantum and wave theories
9、of physics. On the other hand, each discovery has in turn revealed that matter is more complex than previously thought. In fact, the 2string theory, which is theoretically sound, calls for seven more dimensions-in addition to the three we already know about! Im hard-pressed to imagine anything more
10、complex or mysterious.In sum, the statement overlooks a paradox about knowledge acquired, at least when it comes to understanding the physical world. When through knowledge a thing becomes more comprehensible and explainable we realize at the same time that it is more complex and mysterious than pre
11、viously thought.第二类题材 SocietyIssue 140 “What society has thought to be its greatest social, political, and individual achievements have often resulted in the greatest discontent.“I strongly agree that great achievements often lead to great discontent. In fact, I would assert more specifically that g
12、reat individual achievements can cause discontent for the individual achiever or for the society impacted by the achievement, or both. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that whether a great achievement causes great discontent can depend on ones personal perspective, as well as the perspec
13、tive of time.With respect to individual achievements, great achievers are by nature ambitious people and therefore tend to be dissatisfied and discontent with their accomplishmentsno matter how great. Great athletes are compelled to try to better their record-breaking performances; great artists and
14、 musicians typically claim that their greatest work will be their next one-a sign of personal discontent. And many child prodigies, especially those who achieve some measure of fame early in life, later suffer psychological discontent for having “peaked“ so early. Perhaps the paradigmatic modern exa
15、mple of a great achievers discontent was Einstein, whose theoretical breakthroughs in physics only raised new theoretical conundrums which Einstein himself recognized and spent the last twenty years of his life struggling unsuccessfully to solve.Individual achievements can often result in discontent
16、 on a societal level. The great achievement of the individual scientists responsible for the success of the Manhattan Project resulted in worldwide anxiety over the threat of nuclear annihilation-a form of discontent with which the worlds denizens will forever be forced to cope. Even individual achi
17、evements that at first glance would appear to have benefited society turn out to be causes of great discontent. Consider the invention of the automobile, along with the 3innovations in manufacturing processes and materials that made mass production possible. As a result we have become a society ensl
18、aved to our cars, relying on them as crutches not only for transportation but also for affording us a false sense of socioeconomic status. Moreover, the development of assembly-line manufacturing has served to alienate workers from their work, which many psychologists agree causes a great deal of pe
19、rsonal discontent.Turning from individual achievements to societal, including political, achievements, the extent to which great achievements have caused great discontent often depends on ones perspective. Consider, for example, Americas spirit of Manifest Destiny during the 19th Century, or British
20、 Imperialism over the span of several centuries. From the perspective of an Imperialist, conquering other lands and peoples might be viewed as an unqualified success. However, from the viewpoint of the indigenous peoples who suffer at the hands of Imperialists, these so-called “achievements“ are the
21、 source of widespread oppression and misery, and in turn discontent, to which any observant Native American or South African native could attest. The extent to which great socio-political achievements have caused great discontent also depends on the perspective of time. For example, F.D.R.s New Deal
22、 was and still is considered by many to be one of the greatest social achievements of the 20th Century. However, we are just now beginning to realize that the social-security system that was an integral part of F.D.R.s social program will soon result in great discontent among those workers currently
23、 paying into the system but unlikely to see any benefits after they retire.To sum up, I agree that great achievements, both individual and socio-political, often result in great discontent. Moreover, great individual achievements can result in discontent for both the individual achiever and the soci
24、ety impacted by the achievement. Nevertheless, in measuring the extent of discontent, we must account for varying personal and political perspectives as well as different time perspectives.第三类题材 Science intranets, the Internet, and satellite technology make us more efficient messengers; and technolo
25、gy even helps us prepare our food and access entertainment more efficiently. Beyond this concession, however, I find the speakers contention indefensible from both an empirical and a normative standpoint.The chief reason for my disagreement lies in the empirical proof: with technological advancement
26、 comes diminished leisure time. In 1960 the average U.S. family included only one breadwinner, who worked just over 40 hours per week. Since then the average work week has increased steadily to nearly 60 hours today; and in most families there are now two breadwinners. What explains this decline in
27、leisure despite increasing efficiency that new technologies have brought about? I contend that technology itself is the culprit behind the decline. We use the additional free time that technology affords us not for leisure but rather for work. As computer technology enables greater and greater offic
28、e productivity it also raises our employers expectations-or demands-for production. Further technological advances breed still greater efficiency and, in turn, expectations. Our spiraling work load is only exacerbated by the competitive business environment in which nearly all of us work today. More
29、over, every technological advance demands our time and attention in order to learn how to use the new technology. Time devoted to keeping pace with technology depletes time for leisure activities.I disagree with the speaker for another reason as well: the suggestion that technologys chief goal shoul
30、d be to facilitate leisure is simply wrongheaded. There are far more vital concerns that technology can and should address. Advances in bio-technology can help cure and prevent diseases; advances in medical technology can allow for safer, less invasive diagnosis and treatment; advances in genetics c
31、an help prevent birth defects; advances in engineering and chemistry can improve the structural integrity of our buildings, roads, bridges and vehicles; information technology enables education while communication technology facilitates global participation in the democratic process. In short, healt
32、h, safety, education, and freedom-and not leisure-are the proper final objectives of technology. Admittedly, advances in these areas sometimes involve improved efficiency; yet efficiency is merely a means to these more important ends.In sum, I find indefensible the speakers suggestion that technolog
33、ys value lies chiefly in the efficiency and resulting leisure time it can afford us. The suggestion runs contrary to the overwhelming evidence that 5technology diminishes leisure time, and it wrongly places leisure ahead of goals such as health, safety, education, and freedom as technologys ultimate
34、 aims. 第四类题材 PoliticsIssue 8“It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public.“I agree with the speaker that it is sometimes necessary, and even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public. A contrary view would reveal
35、a naivety about the inherent nature of public politics, and about the sorts of compromises on the part of well-intentioned political leaders necessary in order to further the publics ultimate interests. Nevertheless, we must not allow our political leaders undue freedom to withhold information, othe
36、rwise, we risk sanctioning demagoguery and undermining the philosophical underpinnings of any democratic society.One reason for my fundamental agreement with the speaker is that in order to gain the opportunity for effective public leadership, a would-be leader must first gain and maintain political
37、 power. In the game of politics, complete forthrightness is a sign of vulnerability and naivety, neither of which earn a politician respect among his or her opponents, and which those opponents will use to every advantage to defeat the politician. In my observation some measure of pandering to the e
38、lectorate is necessary to gain and maintain political leadership. For example, were all politicians to fully disclose every personal foibles, character flaw, and detail concerning personal life, few honest politicians would ever by elected. While this view might seem cynical, personal scandals have
39、in fact proven the undoing of many a political career; thus I think this view is realistic. Another reason why I essentially agree with the speaker is that fully disclosing to the public certain types of information would threaten public safety and perhaps even national security. For example, if the
40、 President were to disclose the governments strategies for thwarting specific plans of an international terrorist or a drug trafficker, those strategies would surely fail, and the publics health and safety would be compromised as a result. Withholding information might also be necessary to avoid pub
41、lic panic. While such cases are rare, they do occur occasionally. For example, during the first few hours of the new millennium the U.S. Pentagons missile defense system experienced a Y2K- related malfunction. This fact was 6withheld from the public until later in the day, once the problem had been
42、solved; and legitimately so, since immediate disclosure would have served no useful purpose and might even have resulted in mass hysteria.Having recognized that withholding information from the public is often necessary to serve the interests of that public, legitimate political leadership neverthel
43、ess requires forthrightness with the citizenry as to the leaders motives and agenda. History informs us that would-be leaders who lack such forthrightness are the same ones who seize and maintain power either by brute force or by demagoguery-that is, by deceiving and manipulating the citizenry. Para
44、gons such as Genghis Khan and Hitler, respectively, come immediately to mind. Any democratic society should of course abhor demagoguery, which operates against the democratic principle of government by the people. Consider also less egregious examples, such as President Nixons withholding of informa
45、tion about his active role in the Watergate cover-up. His behavior demonstrated a concern for self- interest above the broader interests of the democratic system that granted his political authority in the first place.In sum, the game of politics calls for a certain amount of disingenuousness and la
46、ck of forthrightness that we might otherwise characterize as dishonesty. And such behavior is a necessary means to the final objective of effective political leadership. Nevertheless, in any democracy a leader who relies chiefly on deception and secrecy to preserve that leadership, to advance a priv
47、ate agenda, or to conceal selfish motives, betrays the democracy-and ends up forfeiting the political game.第五类题材 MediaIssue 38“In the age of television, reading books is not as important as it once was. People can learn as much by watching television as they can by reading books.“The speaker contend
48、s that people learn just as much from watching television as by reading books, and therefore that reading books is not as important for learning as it once was. I strongly disagree. I concede that in a few respects television, including video, can be a more efficient and effective means of learning.
49、 In most respects, however, these newer media serve as poor substitutes for books when it comes to learning.Admittedly, television holds certain advantages over books for imparting 7certain types of knowledge. For the purpose of documenting and conveying temporal, spatial events and experiences, film and video generally provide a more accurate and convincing record than a book or other written account. For example, it is impossible for anyone, no matter how keen an observer and skilled a journalist, to recount in complete and
