Ⅱ. Write an outline. (20 %)
Read the following passage carefully and compose a “sentence outline” for it.
Computers in School
Traditional methods of teaching no longer suffice in this technological world. Currently there are more than 650,000 computers in schoolrooms in the United States. Students, mediocre and bright alike, from the first grade through high school, not only are not intimidated by computers, but have become avid participations in the computer epoch.
Kids operating computers implement their curriculum with great versatility. A music student can program musical notes so that the computer will play Beethoven or the Beatles. For a biology class, the computer can produce a picture of the intricate actions of the body’s organs, thus enabling today’s students to envisage human biology in a profound way. A nuclear reactor is no longer an enigma to students who can see its workings in minute detail on a computer. In Wisconsin, the Chippewa Indians are studying their ancient and almost forgotten language with the aid of a computer. More commonly, the computer is used for drilling math and language concepts so that youngsters may learn at their own speed without trying the patience of their human teachers. The simplest computers aid the handicapped, who learn more rapidly from the computer than from humans. Once irksome, remedial drills and exercises now on computer are conducive to learning because the machine responds to correct answers with praise and to incorrect answers with frowns and even an occasional tear.
Adolescents have become so exhilarated by computers that they have developed their own jargon, easily understood by their peers but leaving their disconcerted parents in the dark. They have shown so much fervor for computers that they have formed computer clubs, beguile their leisure hours in computer stores and even attend computer camps. A Boy Scout can get a computer merit badge. One ingenious young student devised a computer game for Atari that will earn him ＄100,000 in royalties.
This is definitely the computer age. It is expected that by 1995 there will be between 950,000 and 11,550,000 computers in American schools. Manufacturers of computers are presently getting tax write-offs for donating equipment to college and universities and are pushing for legislation to obtain further deductions for contributions to elementary and high schools. Furthermore, the price of computers has steadily fallen to the point where a small computer for home or office is being sold for less than ＄100. At that price every class in the country will soon have computer kids.
Ⅲ. Compose an essay. (60 %)
Write an argumentative essay of about 250 words on the following topic:
The Necessity and Importance of Environmental Protection
You are to write in three parts.
In the first part, state specifically what your view is.
In the second part, support your view with two or three reasons.
In the last part, bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or a summary.
