以下由水木清华网友 riki 录入，寄托天下整理 

Topic: 47
-------------------------------------
Resolving problems between individuals or groups is important. What should be considered or kept in mind in resolving problems between individuals or groups? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 
------------------------------------- 
 
Conflict resolution is very important. The technique is the same whether it's between people, between groups, or between nations. You need to find a common ground, you need to learn what both sides want; and you need to plan steps to resolve the conflict. 

Finding a common ground is the first important step in any conflict resolution. For example, if two countries are fighting, a mediator could ask what is the single thing that both countries are concerned about. One answer might be their children's future. Agreeing on the future of their children is an important step. 

The next step would be to try to determine what both sides want for their children. For example, Country S says, "Security from Country Y." Country Ysays, "Security from Country X." Obviously, they feel threatened by one another. 

The third step is to plan steps to resolve the conflict. A mediator might ask what would make each side more secure: stronger borders? Increased trade? Smaller military forces? Once the steps are established, the peace process has begun. 

I don't mean to imply that this is easy. Resolving long-term disputes in not simple. But the process can be broken down into three steps(common grounds, needs, steps to resolution) and then repeated and repeated until there is peace. 

Topic: 48 
-------------------------------------
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Self-confidence is the most important factor for success in school or at work. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
-------------------------------------
Self-Confidence is one very important factor for success, but there are two other equally important factors: knowledge and sensitivity. All three are required for success in any area. 

One needs to feel one can accomplish a task. If one thinks he or she is incapable of doing something, he or she will not succeed. For example, if you think you are going to poorly on an exam, you will probably do poorly. It is important to tell yourself that you can do well. If you have confidence in yourself, you will probably do well. 

Even if you have a great deal of self-confidence, you won't be able to do well on the exam without knowledge. You have to understand your subject very well. With knowledge and self-confidence you have a better chance of success. 

In areas other than exams, you will need to be sensitive to your surroundings in order to succeed. You will need to know whether to boast about yourself or be modest. You will need to know whether you should take the lead or let others. This is a difficult skill to learn, but an important one for success. 

To be successful in school or work, you need three qualities: self-confidence, knowledge, and sensitivity. Alone, none of these factors help you succeed. But together, they ensure success. 

Topic: 49
-------------------------------------
Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
-------------------------------------
Dangerous sports or activities attract a certain type of person. This person is often a risk taker, an optimist, and a fatalist. 

People who take risks are found both in dangerous sports and business. But it Is a special person who takes a risk with his own life as opposed to his money. My father was a risk taker. He put everything he owned into his business, but he stopped playing risky sports like horseback riding and skiing. Once his business was a success and he no longer had to worry about providing for us, he returned at the age of 60, to the risky sports that he did as a youth. 

Someone who plays a dangerous sports must be optimist. They cannot imagine that anything will happen to them. They never think about breaking their le while skiing, falling off a cliff while rock climbing, falling on their head while sky diving. They live for the thrill of the moment without a thought to the many things that could go wrong. 

Rock climbers and sports car drivers must be fatalist. They might plan for potential problems, but once they have done everything they can do, the outcome is out of their hands. A motorcyclist who jumps across a narrow canyon will get the fastest, strongest bike available that will carry him or her across the canyon. However, wind conditions or other problems might interfere and the cyclist may fall short of his goal. 

Many people have the same traits of course. Many of us are risk takers, optimists, and fatalists. But I think people who play dangerous sports must have  these characteristics in abundance.
  
Topic:  50 
-------------------------------------
Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion, using specific reasons and examples. 
-------------------------------------
Without a doubt, hard work is a much better predictor of success than natural ability. In my experience, I have seen this at work in sports, school, and work. 

Many athletes have a natural ability to run the fastest mile or kick the ball the most accurately. Unless they work hard though, they will not be a star. They need to train daily, eat properly, live correctly. It takes hard work to be Number One. 

At school, I have seen many very bright students do poorly on exams. They count on their intelligence to get them through. However, unless they do their  homework everyday, participate in class discussions, and study for exams, they will be at the bottom of the class. 

Many salespeople can talk with anyone and convince them to buy something. They have a natural ability to sell. They must however apply some hard work to this kill. They must learn a lot about their customers, about the product they are selling, and about the market. They must put some effort into the paper work that goes along with the sale. If they don't follow through, the sale will not be made. 

Whatever the area, whether on the playing field, at school, or on the sales floor, a person must not rely on his natural ability alone if he or she wants to succeed. They must work hard to be a success. 

Topic:   51 
-------------------------------------
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older(15 to 18 year-old) teenaged children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. 

No one knows me as well as my parents. No one wants the best fro me like my parents. It is natural that I should allow my parents to make important decisions for me. I think all older teenagers (15 to 18 year-olds) should take their parents advice on decisions that concern their education, their social life, and their future careers. 

My parents have always chosen the best schools for me to attend. They have encouraged me to attend special prep classes to make sure that I was well prepared for the exams. They have given me tutors to make sure that I understood my subjects well. When it comes to choosing a college, I will trust my parents to make that decision. They know what they can afford and what will give me a good education. 

When I was young, my parents would invite children over to play with me. Over the years, I have become very close to these children. They are like my family. We celebrate holidays and birthdays together. We even go to the mountains together in the summer. My parents do not want me to fall in to the wrong crowd. They do not want me to meet and fall in love with someone they do not know. I understand that and I want to make them happy. 

My father runs a very successful business and my mother is a well-known politician. They are very well connected and they have any friends who would like me to work for them when I finish school. This is a very good arrangement for me. 

If all children follow their parents' wishes, they would probably be happier. Parents only want the best for their children. 

Topic: 52
-------------------------------------
Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
-------------------------------------
Traveling alone is the only way to travel. If you take someone with you, you  take your home with you. When you travel alone, you meet new people, have new experiences, and learn more about yourself. 

When I travel with a friend, I spend all my time with that friend. We eat to gether and sightsee together. When I travel alone, I spend my time looking for new friends. It is easy to find other people, either other tourists or locals, to eat with or have a coffee with. When you share meals with strangers , they become friends. 

When I travel with a friend, my routine is predictable. We maintain the same schedule that do at home. When I travel alone, I adopt the rhythm of the place I visit. I might take a nap in the afternoon and eat dinner at 11pm. I might go to a disco and dance all night. 

When I travel with a friend, we know how we will react to things. When I travel alone, each new experience requires a new reaction. If I don't try new things, I won't be able to decide if I like something or not. Shall I ride an ostrich or eat one? 

I think it is always important to do things on your own. You can find new friends, collect new memories, and adopt different ways of doing things. Isn't that the point of travel? 

Topic: 53
-------------------------------------
Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the days' work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which  do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. 
-------------------------------------
I prefer sleeping late and staying up late at night. This routine fits my body's rhythm, my work schedule, and my social life. 

I believe in following my body's natural rhythm. My body tells me to sleep until I am ready to get up and go to bed when I am sleepy. This means I never get up early in the morning. My body tells me it likes me to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day. 

Sleeping late also fits my work schedule. Actually I don't have that much work to do. I can easily finish my work between lunch and dinner. I think that if one works too much, there is not enough time left to enjoy one's self. 

My active social life is another reason I prefer to sleep late. Who gets up early in the morning to have fun? No one. Anything amusing, such as concerts , dances, parties, dinners, all happen at night.  If I got up early in the morning, I would be too tired to enjoy myself in the evening. 

I will maintain this pattern forever I hope. I think it is always important to listen to your body and if your body tells you to stay in bed, you should listen to it. By listening to your body, you will never let work interfere with your social life. 

Topic:   54 
-------------------------------------

What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
-------------------------------------
The qualities of a good son and daughter-obedience, loyalty, respect-have not changed. Any parent will tell you that, like their ancestors, they expect these qualities from their children. However, they do not always get what they expect from their children. 

Parents demand that their sons and daughter, regardless of age, obey them. Even if the children are married and have their own children, they should still do whatever their parents ask of them. At least, that's the way it was. Now, children tend to obey their parents until the children are of college age. Then they feel they are adult enough and can make their own decisions even if these decisions are against the parent's wishes. 

Parents also expect loyalty from their children. If there was a dispute in the neighborhood or between families, the parents would expect their children to side with their own family. This quality is probably still very common. Most children today will support their family against other. 

Parents, of course, demand respect. As people become more mobile, and children are introduced to non-traditional ways of doing things, this quality may not endure. Parents are sometimes viewed as old-fashioned. Children don't think their parents can appreciate the way life really is. They think their parents are too old to understand. They lose respect for their parents. 

Obedience, loyalty, and respect are virtues that are being challenged today. We may not obey our parent, give them the loyalty or respect they wish or deserve, but I hope my children obey me, are loyal to me, and respect me.
 
Topic:   55
-------------------------------------
Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. 
-------------------------------------
I would prefer to work in a large company rather than a small one. A large company has more to offer in terms of advancement, training, and prestige. 

In a large company, I can start at an entry-level position and work myself up top. I could start in the mailroom and, once I know the company, can apply for a managerial position. In a small company, there is not as much room to grow. 

In a large company, there are a variety of jobs. I could work in sales, in marketing, in distribution, in shipping, or in any department I applied for. I could be trained in a variety of positions and would have valuable experiences. In a small company, there would not be the same opportunity. 

In a large company, there would be more prestige. I could brag to my friends  that I worked for one of the biggest companies in the world. I would always  have something to talk about when I met strangers. If worked for a small company, I would always have to explain what the company did. 

Working for a small company would not give me the same opportunities for advancement or on-the-job training as working for a larger company would. Nor would I be as proud to work for a small company-unless the small company was my own.
 
Topic: 56 
-------------------------------------
People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your answer.
-------------------------------------
Although people work to earn money, money is not the main reason people stay  in their jobs. They also work because they enjoy working, they receive job satisfaction, and they like the sense of accomplishment. 

Most people work for work's sake. They enjoy going to an office, or store, or school each day. They like to interact with other people. They like to help people solve problems, learn something, or get a product. People like to help other people. 

A lot of people keep the same job because the job gives them a lot of satisfaction. They genuinely enjoy what they do. This is true for most teachers. A teacher's pay is not very great, but the job satisfaction can be very high. 

Helping someone learn is one of the greatest things anyone can do. 

People enjoy their work because they like the sense of accomplishment. They like to know that they finished a project. People who work in factories take  pride in the car they produce or the television they assemble. When they see a car on the street, they can feel a sense of accomplishment. They helped make that car. 

Money is nice, but it is not the only reason people get up and go to work each day. I believe that people work because they enjoy the act of working,they find their work personally rewarding, and they like the feeling of a job well done.