研究生英语口语考试.doc

1. Describe the differences in western and eastern spatial patterns with examples Meet by chance on the streetA: Hello, Mr. Feng. I heard you had just returned from the USA.B: Yes. You always know the time of day. I have done business with an American company.A: Oh, thats marvelous. Dealing with foreigners is really a challenge for you.B: Quiet right. You know, western and eastern countries have different cultures. It brings me a lot of troubles when both sides negotiate the contract.A: It seems very interesting. I guess you have encountered a lot of culture shock. Could you tell me what struck you most during the visit to America?B: Well. What impressed me most are the differences between western and eastern spatial patterns.A: Really? I am very curious about this subject. Could you say some specific examples?B: OK. Dining in restaurant is a funny story. When having meals in a restaurant, the Americans like sitting close to the seated guests although there are many vacant seats left.A: Yeah. You observe so carefully. I found that Chinese people usually sat far from each other. For example, if somebody takes up one seat in the dining hall, I will keep a little distance with him.B: Yes. Thats the difference. The power of culture is too strong. It influences every aspect of our life.A: Thats true. Culture is the most profound reason for the differences between western and eastern spatial patterns. I hope you will do more successfully in your business.B: Thank you.1. Explain the cultural conflicts caused by different spatial patterns with examples. An American boy and a Chinese girl are going to get married, Today, they discuss how to decorate theirs a large enough room. A：Baby, I think we should distribute the room around the walls, leaving the center place open for a group activities such as family anference and holding a birthday party. B：Honey, Are you joking? Why we waste such a large enough space only for important things, the center place should be used as a dining room to invite our relatives and friends. A：En, It sounds good. Although its a little strange for me, I can accept it for you, Baby. B：Thank you, Honey. Now we should make full use of the right place as our bedroom, and build a small toilet-room in it. A：Oh, Are you crazy? Dont you think so it is not clear to live the toilet-room so near. B：Er, Honey. Its common in china. And we can save time and space. Image when you get up late, you can save time. If we build the toilet-room outside, we should spend more money and occupied more space. A：I cant accept and bear that, I insist that our bed-room can have a small computer room or study-room except toilet-room. B：Mr Li, if you cant conform with me, I cant marry you 2, What kind of attitude should government take towards genetically modified organism food? Mr 黄 is an expert of genetically modified food. Mr 卓 have a talk with Ms Zhang about the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food in a conference. 卓: Hello, Mr 黄, there is a heated discussion about genetically modified food recently and I have some doubts to talk with you. 黄: Its pleasure to talk with you about this question. 卓: Whats your purpose of researching the genetically modified food in the beginning? 黄: Its significant to do this work. food and closing problem could be solved through this research , such as genetically modified rice which output is twice as much as that old rice, and much more high quality kinds will be created by this way. 卓: I think so, however according to some foreigners research , the genetically modified food could be harmful to people because of its no developing through evolutionary processes. 黄: Yes, I have heard of such opinion, but thats to be proven by further experiment. In addition science is a double edged sword. 卓: However genetically modified food is eaten by people so we couldnt deny its potential damage before proving its damage. 黄: I think so. We will have some further research about its damage. 卓: Do you think the government will limit the spread of genetically modified food? 黄: As a citizen, I think some laws must be made to limit genetically modified food before proving its safety. 卓: Yes, I see. Its pleasure to talk with you.3. What is your attitude toward the practice of euthanasia or mercy killing? On the streetA: Hello, Mr. Feng. You dont look very well this morning! Whats wrong?B: I just came back from the hospital. One of my best friends gets cancer now and he is terribly ill.A: Im sorry to hear that. Is it possible to cure his cancer? You know modern medical techniques are very advanced.B: No, not really. He got a kind of deadly cancer and the doctor said he had only three months to live.A: Thats too bad. He must be rather miserable. And the cost of medical care is always unfairly high.B: Yeah, his family is heavily in debt. He has given up his hopes and often asks for mercy killing.A: Do you mean euthanasia? It is a reasonable way to relieve the pain of dying patients, but its not allowed in China.B: I think so. I really cannot bear to see that he is enduring the great pain.A: Yeah, his illness is destined never to be cured. Everyone has the right to die. Continuing the therapy is only the waste of medical resources.B: Absolutely right. Many European countries have made euthanasia legal. When the patient is suffering great pain, I really want to help him, but I have nothing to do.A: We should try our best to help terminally ill patients spend the rest of their lives with less pain and more happiness. So keep optimistic. We are helpful.B: OK. I will help my friend to tide over difficulties.A: Please give him my best.B: Thank you.4. What is the negative side of keeping animals as pets? 黄: hello xiaoming, you look so low, what is up? 卓: my daughters dog died yesterday. And she is very sad. 黄: o I am really sorry to hear that. 卓: thank you. 黄: do you think it is a good idea to keep a pet? 卓: absolutely. 黄: but I believe it always make much trouble. 卓: you are right, but every coin has two sides. You know, most of time , it can develop a kid a responsibilitys sense. 黄: no, like your saying, maybe it will cause damage and accident. For example, some animals have sharp teeth and claws, that might injure your children. It is dangerous. 卓: yes, that is a fact. But now, more and more people keep pets . because people often feel they are very friendly and warm. 黄: Yes, but last time , you know, my neighbors dog bited the kid when the kid beated it. It is very serious. 卓:o unbelievable. I am really sorry to hear that. 黄: yes so now you know what I mean and why I dont keep a pet. 卓: maybe you are right 黄: any more , for me , I have not enough money and place to keep them. 卓: are you kidding ? I believe you can . 黄: ( hehehe ) you know me so much . In addition, if I want to have a trip , who look after the pet? 卓: I can do it for you. 黄: thank you, but I dont still want to keep a pet. what time is it? 卓: 10:00, maybe I should go now. ok see you. 黄: bye.4. Keeping pets has become a big industry throughout the world. Do you think people should spend so much time and money on pets? Why or why not? In the workroomA: Oh, its disgusting. Look at the rubbish on my desk. The mice have come again.B: Im also sick of mice. You know they often wreak havoc on foods, books and many other things.A: Yeah, how I wonder to raise a cat. I believe a cat can keep mice away.B: Maybe you are right. But do you think its a good idea to keep animals as pets?A: Absolutely. It occurred to me that I had kept a dog in my childhood. It really brought a lot of happiness to me.B: The dog is a good friend of man. But I believe it always cause a lot of troubles. For example, dogs have very sharp teeth and claws that might injure people.A: Yeah. Sometimes its dangerous. But most of time, keeping a pet can develop a sense of responsibility. You see, many children have to stay at home by themselves. A pet will give them warmth and reduce their loneliness. So do old people.B: Yes, thats a fact. More and more people are keeping pets to accompany with them. Any more, it costs a lot of time and money to keep them.A: Aha, thats why its unavailable for me to keep a cat. So the mice will continue to cause damage on my desk.B: We can buy some poison to kill mice.A: Good idea. I will get some after school.B: Ok, lets go together. 5. Are any changes taking place concerning the attitudes of Chinese young people towards marriage? Why or why not？ In a restaurantA: Hello, Mr. Feng. Im surprised to see you here. Its a long time since our graduation.B: Yeah, everything has been so different. I could hardly recognize you.A: It seems that you havent changed a bit. Why are you having dinner alone?B: Thats my secret to remain young. I am still single, so I often eat by myself.A: I cant believe it! You have followed the new fashion. Sometimes I think great changes have taken place concerning the attitudes of Chinese young people towards marriage.B: Absolutely. Its just a kind of lifestyle. Being single, you can enjoy your personal space. You can spend more time with your friends.A: Yeah, I know you can list a number of advantages to stay single. To some extent, thats what I sought. But do your parents mind your doing like this.B: In the beginning, they totally disagree with me. Now, they have accepted my idea.A: I really admire you. Its a great challenge to make such a decision. You know every parent wants to be a grandma or a grandpa. You have killed their hopes, maybe.B: I dont think so. If I marry a wrong person, it is more selfish for my wife, for me, for my parents and even the whole society. Besides, I would have more time to share with my parents.A: Actually, although I chose to marry, I feel very happy. Im lucky to find the right person. Thats two kinds of happiness different from you. I hope you will enjoy your meals.B: Thank you. The same to you and your family. 6. “Today.the only place sacred from interruption is the private toilet.” _Lewis Mumford, philosopher A: A: A: A: Good morning, Yingfeng. B: B: B: B: Good morinig, Xuxin. A: A: A: A: Today is a bad day, right? B: B: B: B: Yes, and life is not always sunny. AAAA: I can agree with you, but why do you say so? B:B:B:B: Because recently I read some books about invasion of privacy. A: A: A: A: Could you say something more? B:B:B:B: Just like a philosopher saying that:” Today, the only place sacred from interruption is the private toilet.” A:A:A:A: It sounds interesting! What do you think about it? B:B:B:B: With the development of technology and economic, especially the computer technology, peoples private information has become more and more open to the public, like birthday, telephone number, address and so on. A: A: A: A: As losing cantrol of our private information, our normal life will be disturbed. B: B: B: B: Can you give any example? A:A:A:A: Sometimes, I received some strange calls, or ads mails. And some of the calls even ring in the middle of the night. B:B:B:B: Yes, I have had the experience. Its like a nightmare. A:A:A:A: You see, it seems that we cant do anything about it. BBBB: But we can try ous best to advoid it. A:A:A:A: So, what will you do? B:B:B:B: Just like the philosopher saying, I will stay in my private toilet. A:A:A:A: Okay, now I know youre very humor. A: A: A: A: I just want some measure of control over what people know about me. B: B: B: B: So do I.6.Do you think that over the past few decades private information has become more open to the public? Ai f so l, what are the advantages and disadvan