Topics for Spoken English Test(for reference)

Unit 1 From Competence to Commitment

School education in China is very different from that in America. The differences exist in almost every aspect of it, curricula, classroom instruction, homework, exam, class size, students’ contribution to the class, etc. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Which method do you like more?

Chinese education 1. more-focused 2. more systematic

3. help to build a more solid foundation

American education 1. more student-centered 2. more flexible 3. more accessible

Unit 2 Family Business: the Next Generation

Today, a lot of young people want to establish their own business. They want to be bosses themselves. They say there are a lot of advantages of it. But others feel being a boss is not as good as it sounds. They prefer to work for others. Do you want to be a boss or work for a boss?

Advantages:

1. authority over everything 2. more self-realizing

3. more motivated to work

Disadvantages:

1. heavy mental burden 2. less free time

3. responsibility for accidents if there is any

Unit 3 An American Love Affair

Ever since its invention, the automobile has been celebrated by some and meanwhile severely denounced by others. What advantages and disadvantages do cars have? Do you want to have a car of your own?

Advantages:

Great contribution to the prosperity of our economy

Plenty of conveniences such as moving around freely, traveling to the country over the weekend

Free choice of living wherever you like without being compelled to work locally Feeling of independence and freedom

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Disadvantages: Pollution

Traffic problems in town Road accidents

The soaring cost of petrol and the increased license fees and road tax

Unit 4 The No-child Family: Going Against 100,000 Years of Biology

A no-child family turns out to produce both good aspects and bad aspects. What are they respectively? Do you want to have a family with a child or without?

Positive aspects of a no-child family: 1. more freedom to enjoy life 2. less economic burden 3. more self-accomplishing

Negative aspects of a no-child family: 1. marriage more easily broken up 2. less emotional satisfaction 3. no dependence when old

Unit 5 Sandwich Generation

The standard traditional Chinese family, with several generations living under the same roof, is disappearing. Some people like it while others don't. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional family pattern? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages:

1. better care of family members 2. satisfaction of emotional needs

Disadvantages:

1. lack of independence and freedom

2. conflicts resulting from the generation gap

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