Version 91
Should athletes have a high salary?
Sample 1The 27th World Football Cup has concluded. People around the world enjoy great fun from the excellent performance of the football players. But meanwhile, a new issue arises. Should athletes have a high salary? From my point of view, I think they should get a good pay.

Firstly, the development of athletic level represents for the power of a country. Athletes make great contributions to the society and earn great glories to their country. When our national anthem is played in the stadium, we feel very proud of our country's strength. Therefore, a high salary is a reward to the efforts athletes make.

Secondly, athletes devote themselves fully to the training and exercises. Every day, they do a lot of exercises with a view to setting new record in the sports games. Athletes are apt to be hurt in the matches, because some sports games are dangerous, for example, football, boxing and wushu. High pay guarantees prompt and good medical care if they get hurt.

Thirdly, the athletic career is very short. Many athletes retire when they are still quite young. High salary can ensure that they can have a better life after they retire. If they want a further study, they will have no financial burdens.

However, we have also noticed that some athletes cheat the referees and spectators in order to get money. Some of them even bribe the judges and referees. The government must take some measures to prohibit this kind of corruption.

To sum up, it is reasonable for athletes to get high salary, because they are worth of it.
(265 words totally)

Sample 2
Salaries should reflect people’s dedication and job responsibilities. However, sports figures, who don’t benefit the community in general, earn millions of dollars each. In my opinion this is wrong. Things should be done to change this situation.

If we take the example of a sport star such as Tyson, it is hard for us to say in what way he benefits the society. In fact, his disobeying game rules sets a bad example for young people, and his abandoned behavior encourages people to experiment with sex and violence. Besides, his job does not require special skills or years of training and education. Although he can entertain and excite audience, I do not think he is justified to receive so much money and his job can be considered essential.

On the other hand, most people in ‘ordinary’ professions like nurses, doctors and teachers earn only a small fraction of the income of these “stars”. However, if we give a careful look at these professions, we will find that they not only require special skills and years of education but also help the people and the whole society. For instance, teachers disseminate knowledge to the society; doctors and nurses give patients good medical care and prolong their life. They are much more useful, and actually more essential to society than sports personalities. Without these ‘ordinary’ professions, our society would stop progressing. Their salaries should relate to skill, education or the value of the individual to society.

Things should be done to make salaries fairer. Huge amounts of money shall be given to more deserving people. It seems that the only solution is to impose heavy taxes upon people who earn excessively high salaries.  (281 words)

作者：孙肇春