Topic 103: Do you think it is good to push students to study hard in their youth?

High expectations for children are nothing new in today's society. It leads to the tendency to push children to study harder and harder. In my opinion, the connection between effort and achievement is quite obvious and should not be denied.

As children grow older, they are more capable of learning more and the amount of time they spend in studying should increase correspondingly. Hard work can raise the odds of success by increasing their knowledge (both general and specialised), improving their abilities and expanding their skill set. All are essential to their success later in life. Without the full commitment to schoolwork, students might end up with struggling with Jailing school performance and even dropping out of the school.

Full engagement in schooling also matches the trends of a modern society. To succeed in today's challenging economy, young people need advanced skills in core subjects like English, math and science, as well as the ability to use computers, solve problems effectively, think critically and work in teams. It appears that most students lack motivation to study and their attention can be diverted easily by such distractions as video games. Without an unmistakable message delivered to them that academic achievement is what makes them survive in this competitive world, they will not learn as much as their ability and effort permits.

Despite the great value of hardworking, one should bear in mind the fact that students of all ages need time to play and relax. They should be given freedom to develop their hobbies and encouraged to dabble in different activities, so they can learn in depth about the world, explore ideas and soothe themselves. Children's tolerance for stress is another noteworthy issue. Failing to cope with stress might disable students from maintaining their interest in studying. A prolonged period of learning is disruptive to children's learning outcomes, distancing students from critical thinking and turning them into rote learners.

From what has been discussed, studying hard is critical to a student's success, helping him or her acquire more knowledge in his or her youth and leading him or her to focus on schoolwork. However, the balance between work and relaxation should be considered in equal measure. Parents and teachers are advised to help children design their timetables scientifically in case that they are fed up with studying.

1. connection = correlation = relationship = link

2. odds = chance = probability = likelihood

3. specialised = particular = specific = focused

4. commitment = dedication = devotion

5. distraction = diversion

6. unmistakable = clear = unambiguous = clear-cut

7. soothe = comfort = appease = pacify

8. tolerance = forbearance = acceptance

9. rote learner = learner who learns things by repeating them

10. fed up with = tired of = bored with

Topic 104: Some people argue that it is good for children to stay away from their families and go to a boarding school. Others suggest that children live with their families and attend a day school. What is your opinion?

Many parents expect their children to live at home until college. However, there are occasions on which parents have to send their children to a boarding school, an educational institution not only giving educational instruction but also providing food and lodging. A boarding school, as an alternative to a day school, has its advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below.

The boarding school option means early separation from parents. For this reason, a student's self-reliance and independence are both bolstered. Living away from home, students have to make most of daily decisions by themselves. They have to adjust to another set of new circumstances and surroundings, which is a good opportunity for them to exercise a variety of skills, such as social skills. Rather than depending on their parents, students have to do the laundry themselves, manage their diets, and keep their bedrooms clean and tidy. They are more self-disciplined than those who attend day schools.

In addition, there is no denying that to many parents, a boarding school provides a choice that merits particular attention, and sometimes, the sole option. Geographic relocation, for example, presents a problem of educational continuity. Because of their career, parents might have to resettle in a neighbourhood where schooling facilities are inadequate. A boarding school is the best option to them, as it protects children from the influence of frequent relocations. It also suits those families where parents are so devoted to their work that they fail to bear care responsibilities.

Although boarding schools succeed in satisfying the needs of some families, opponents are concerned about their mixed impacts on children's development. For example, their intervention on children's academic years appears to be excessive. Extracurricular programmes occupy children's free time and children are required to obey a large number of rules, most of which are stringent and redundant. Any minor mistake can engender punishment or even expulsion. Without permission, students cannot go outside defined school bounds It is no exaggeration to say that children are virtually living in an isolated world.

From what has been discussed, one can observe that a boarding school has its position in a fast-paced society, assisting children to enhance their independence and undertaking care responsibilities as a replacement of parents, although students might have to face limited contact with their families, communities and the loss of freedom.

1. lodging = accommodation = temporary housing

2. bolster = boost

3. self-disciplined = temperate = moderate

4. merit = deserve

5. relocation = repositioning = moving = resettlement

6. continuity = stability

7. stringent = strict = rigorous = rigid = inflexible

8. engender = provoke = cause = bring out

9. expulsion = exclusion = discharge = kicking out

10. without permission = without authorisation

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 2740