Topic 1:The telephone plays an important role in modern life. There's no doubt that it has improved the quality of our lives in many ways. In other ways, however, it has had a negative effect on our lives.

Discuss both the positive and negative effects of the telephone on modern life. Support your ideas with reasons and examples. (250 words)

Topic 2: Many places in the China have lotteries in which a person may win a million dollars or more. What would be the advantages of winning a million dollars? Would there be disadvantages? Write a 250-words essay explaining the advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 3: Many families are having fewer children. Having even just one child can have a dramatic impact on the parents' lives. Write about this impact in about 250 words. You can discuss the negative impact, the positive impact, or both.

Topic 4: Everyone complains about taxes, yet think about what would happen if there were no longer an income tax. In a 250-word essay, discuss the positive effects of an income tax, the negative effects, or both.

Topic 5: Television is still a relatively new invention, yet it has had profound effects on China and on Chinese's lives. Write about 250 words discussing the effects of television. You can write about the good effects, the bad effects, or both.

Topic 6: Most people have dreams of one day becoming rich. But does the average person have the ability to make a lot of money? Think about this question. Then write about 250 words describing your thoughts.

Topic 7: More and more people are living by themselves today. What are the advantages of living alone? What are the disadvantages? Write an essay of about 250 words explaining the advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 8: Sports are very popular in today's society. Some people believe, "Winning is the only thing." Others believe, " It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." Is there a way in sports in which both opponents could "win" a game? "Lose" a game? Detail your thoughts on this issue in an essay of about 250 words.

Topic 9: Manufacturers who advertise sometimes directly name one or two of their competitors and attack their products. What are your feelings about this advertising practice? Write an essay of about 250 words describing your ideas.

Topic 10: For many years the nuclear family, consisting of father, mother, and children, was considered to be the normal family pattern in China's society. Yet in many other cultures and in our own in the past, three generations--grandparents, parents, and children--often have lived together. What are the advantages and disadvantages of three generations living together? Give specific examples in a 250-word essay.

Topic 11: Surveys show that more people get the news by watching television than by reading the newspaper. Think about whether TV news shows are adequate as a person's only source of news. Write an essay of about 250 words that details your thoughts.

Topic 12: Some people live in one community their entire lives. Many more move at least once; some quite often. Compare and contrast moving to different parts of the country versus living in one community your entire life. Write about 250 words.

Topic 13: The automobile has had a profound effect on modern life. Some of these effects have been positive and others negative. Detail these effects in a 250-word essay.

Topic 14: Materialism means placing great importance on material things such as clothes, property, and furniture. Many people complain that modern society is too materialistic. Are people in these times " what they own " or " what they are " ? Explain your thoughts on the matter in an essay of about 250 words.

Topic 15: People spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to see or read about movie stars, TV actors, and athletes. What role do such celebrities play in society? Write an essay of about 250 words. Give specific examples.

作者：镇与栋(小太哥)