5) George studies very hard. He wants to make the most of his chance to learn. 6) We can’t go. To begin with, it’s too cold. Besides, we’re busy.
7) It’s about time that someone spoke up for these basic truths / facts.
8) You should be working instead of lying there in bed at this time of the day. 9) I’ll jot down some notes while he’s speaking.
10) I can’t carry the suitcase on my own; it’s too heavy.
Theme-Related Writing
1. Write an essay in about 100–120 words based on your discussion in Optional Classroom Activities. You can take either of the following titles: 1) I like to study on my own 2) I like to study in a group
2. If you didn’t do Task 3 in Optional Classroom Activities you can write an essay of around 120 words on the following topic.
College Is Not an Ivory Tower
▆ Sample Essays for Task 1:
I like to study on my own
Many of my classmates like to study together. However, I always like to study on my own, with good reasons. First, I feel that I can concentrate better when I study alone. When I have to work together with other people, I often get distracted and more often than not, I end up chatting with them without completing the task at hand. Second, when I study on my own, I can work at my own pace, choosing to spend more time on certain difficult sections and less time on less challenging parts. I can also check my class notes or reference books whenever I feel the need to. One final good advantage of studying alone is that unlike group work, self study is not restricted by time and space. In other words, if I feel like studying, I can do so at any time and anywhere. (146 words)
I like to study in a group
According to a recent study, students who study together by discussing homework and problems usually score higher than those who work on their own. I am happy to hear that because I like to study in a group. I think we can reinforce our understanding of what we have learned in class by asking each other questions. Besides, it is always enjoyable working with someone else. A discussion on questions we don’t understand very well will help clear up any possible confusion. Last but not least, we should not ignore the importance of cooperation in our society. Working with others helps develop our team spirit, which has become essential in this modern world of ours. After all, two heads are always better than one.
(125 words)
▆ Sample Essay for Task 2:
College Is Not an Ivory Tower
People often say that college is an ivory tower and life on campus is cut off from the harsh realities of the real world. College may have been an ivory tower before, but it is not so any more. We college students are under various kinds of pressure. First of all, most of us are burdened with a heavy tuition fee, which keeps on increasing every year. So some of us have to work over ten hours every week. Life for those who can get financial help from their parents is not easy either, as they very often have to follow their parents’ advice and take a major they don’t like. Finally those who are about to graduate suffer from a different kind of pressure: hunting for a job. It is no longer easy for a college student to get a decently paid job these days.
(134 words)
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