Sample writing of Unit 2

Directions: Write a composition on either of the following topics. Use at least 6 of the words and phrases from the box. 1) Is writing better than calling? 2) Words I Will Never Forgetinspiring confident encouraging comment treasure response conscious expressive get over pick up escape meditateIs Writing Better than Calling?Sample 1 The conventional way of sending messages is writing a letter. Though it takes a lot of time, it is one of the most commonly used ways of communication. With the development of science and technology, the telephone emerged and it becomes so popular that it is indispensable in our daily life.It is difficult to say which is better. Every means of communication has its advantages and disadvantages. Writing a letter is not only a means of communication, but also a kind of pleasure. What is more, the letters can be kept and read again and again. Sometimes they are inspiring, and sometimes they are encouraging. You can write a lot of things in a letter and it does not cost you much to mail it. But it is slow, and you have to wait a long time to get a response from your friends. On the other hand, making telephone calls is much faster, so they are more appropriate when you need a quick reply. They also enable you to hear your friends voice, which gives you a wonderful feeling. It is so easy just to pick up the phone and call whereas writing takes more energy. But telephoning is expensive, and sometimes you cannot remember all the comments that are made because calls are transient, and cannot be kept for reading later like treasured letters. So it is very hard to say which is better. The only thing we can do is to make a wise choice between writing and calling according to the situation. (258 words) Sample 2 Are letters better than telephone calls? My answer is yes.My first reason is that letters can be kept for a long time. I treasure all the letters from my friends and reread them in my spare time. To me they are the symbols of friendship. Every time I feel exhausted or lonely, they give me encouragement and strength. Letters are an inspiring source of courage.My second reason is that the words in the letters are written after rumination, while calls are not. When you write a letter you have enough time to think about how to express your ideas, so you wont say anything that shouldnt be said. But when you are talking on the phone, sometimes you say something unconsciously that you may regret, or you may make a comment that is misunderstood or that hurts your friend.For some cases, such as love letters, writing is more romantic. Words on a page seem more expressive. Sometimes you feel more confident writing your feelings than conveying them over the phone. (172 words) Words I Will Never Forget Sample 1 Whenever I listen to the inspiring song Cordial Hero, I escape into the past. I think about many extraordinary days I went through. In those days when I was pessimistic, overwhelmed with difficulties, the song would summon up my courage and uplift me. Then, I could feel that my strength was reinforced and that my body had a renewed source of energy. I would be more confident and ready to handle everything.The following words gave me great encouragement: How can we see a rainbow without a storm? No one can succeed without effort. When I was worried about tests, when I was misunderstood or criticized by others, or when things went against my expectations, the song seemed to say to me: Listen, life isnt a wide smooth road, there will be some muddy paths ahead. No one can avoid this. Instead we should be grateful to difficulties because they enable us to mature. With each challenge being overcome we learn to get over our problems more easily.Many years have flown by, and many things have passed. But this beautiful song and its expressive words are always around me and encouraging me to brave the storm. (195 words) Sample 2 I was raised in the countryside by my grandmother. She was a very courageous and inspiring woman and was very beautiful, too. In comparison with her and some of my classmates, I always felt that I was not pretty. In fact, when I was in middle school, I thought I was ugly and because of these negative feelings I was not very confident. I often felt self-conscious.One day when I was walking with my grandmother, we met one of her friends. We talked for a few minutes. Just as my grandmothers friend was about to leave, she turned to me and said, Xiaowen, you look very beautiful today in that green dress.No one had ever made a comment like that to me before. It was