网校学习卡
1995年6月
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic Should Firecrackers Be Banned? You should write at least 120 words and you should base your composition on the outline (given in Chinese) below:
1、有人认为放鞭炮是好事，为什么?
2、有人认为放鞭炮是坏事，为什么?
3、我的看法
Should Firecrackers Be Banned?
(a)
Some people think that setting off firecrackers is a good thing. They say that it is an ancient Chinese custom which should be preserved. They also claim that firecrackers make festivals and holiday occasions more colorful and entertaining for both adults and children.
On the other hand, there are many people who say that firecrackers should be banned. They point out that firecrackers are responsible for fires which destroy property, and for injuries suffered both by the people who set them off and by innocent bystanders. They also say that firecrackers are a waste of money and resources.
My own point of view is that we should preserve the old custom of letting off firecrackers, while at the same time making them harmless. We can do this by banning firecrackers from public places. In addition, we should restrict the setting off of firecrackers to festival days.
(b)
There is no denying the fact that setting off firecrackers has been a hotly debated topic in China. People’s opinions differ sharply on this issue. Some hold the positive view. They say that it is an ancient Chinese custom which should be preserved. They also claim that firecrackers make festivals and holiday occasions more colorful and entertaining for both adults and children. Without firecrackers, festivals would become dull and cheerless.
Others, however, hold the opposite view. They maintain that firecrackers should be banned. They point out that firecrackers are responsible for fires, which destroy, property, and for injuries suffered both by the people who set them off and by innocent bystanders. They also argue that firecrackers are a waste of money and resources.
Personally, I believe that we should not go to extremes. On the one hand, we should preserve the old custom of letting off firecrackers; on the other hand, we should make it harmless. This can be done by banning firecrackers from public places. In addition, the setting off of firecrackers should be restricted to festival days.
(c)
There has been much controversy over setting off firecrackers in the past years, with each party owning convincing evidences. Those who are in favor of setting firecrackers claim that it is an ancient Chinese custom that should be preserved. They also argue that firecrackers make festivals and holiday occasions more colorful and entertaining for both adults and children. Without firecrackers, festivals would become cold and cheerless.
On the other hand, there are many people who are of the opinion that firecrackers should be banned. They point out that firecrackers are responsible for fires which destroy property, and for injuries suffered both by the people who set them off and by innocent bystanders. Besides, they maintain that firecrackers lead to a waste of money and resources.
Personally, I think that both sides have something right. Actually, firecrackers should be viewed as a two-edged sword, which presents us with both benefits and troubles. But we should not give up eating for fear of choking. The best policy, as I see it, is to maximize their advantages and minimize their unhealthy influence, so that they can benefit us in a better way.
