教育、就业
In countries where there is a high rate of unemployment, most students should be offered only primary education. There is no point in offering secondary education to those who have no hope of finding a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
*经典范文
While access to education should be universal and affordable, the reality is that it often is out of reach for many. High unemployment in some countries or regions may even make some feel that it is a waste of
time. While situations and circumstances may vary, in general we should do our part to make sure that as many people finish high school and university as possible.
First, we must consider the economics of a proper education. With limited education one can perhaps find odd jobs at an earlier age, but their long-term income and opportunities will be limited. Compare that with someone who completes school. While graduates may have trouble finding work at first, once they do, they have a better chance of keeping their jobs and earning more in the future and thus have a better quality of life.
Secondly, educated people do a lot to create jobs. Most entrepreneurs and businessmen, people who create employment, themselves received education. These are the people who create growth and opportunity in a society; conversely, those without education can only struggle to look after themselves.
Some would say that by not investing in secondary education when the outlook is bad, governments can save money. This may be true in the short term but it leaves the long-term problem of an undereducated and underdeveloped society. Surely this is not a responsible solution.
In the final analysis, it often takes short-term sacrifice and investment to achieve long term prosperity. Governments must not take shortcuts when it comes to ensuring everyone receives a proper secondary education. This is the surest way to create a better future for everyone. (274 words)
*刘洪波老师点评
写作观点：当然要让大家接受中学或大学教育了。首先，算笔经济账，受过高等教育的人即使开始不好找工作，但一旦拥有，就比较稳定，挣的也比小学毕业就进入职场的人多。其次，很多公司老板都是受过高等教育的人，他们创造了许多就业机会。然后文章驳斥反方观点短视。
题目本身很可笑：“在失业率高的国家，大部分学生只需要读完小学就行了。对那些没有希望找工作的学生来说，读中学没有意义。”
百分之九十以上的考生都会驳斥， I completely disagree with this view. （我完全不同意这个观点。）论据有很多：比如“天生我才必有用，谁也没有权利说一个人没有希望找到工作”“高等教育的目的不仅是让学生将来找工作”“小学毕业能找什么样的工作”“如果都是小学毕业就业，失业率会更高”等。本文最后提到 Governments must not take shortcuts，解决就业问题，政府不能走捷径。 shortcut 一词用得好，点出题目本身的观点看似是解决问题的捷径，其实是短视的 short-sighted，会导致恶性循环（vicious circle）。
先学习下面的词汇和短语，然后再重读范文，体会它们在文中的运用。
*词汇和短语
universal adj. 普遍的
affordable adj. 付得起钱的
odd adj. 临时的，不固定的
struggle v. 努力，奋斗
analysis n. 分析
sacrifice n. 牺牲
prosperity n. 繁荣
shortcut n. 捷径
out of reach 达不到
a waste of time 时间上的浪费
do one’s part to 尽自己的职责
finish high school 读完高中
at an earlier age 在比较早的年龄
compare with 和……比较
have trouble (in) doing sth. 做某事有困难
* 三分钟熟读或背诵本文最实用的三个句子
● While situations and circumstances may vary, in general we should do our part to make sure that as many people finish high school and university as possible.
● This may be true in the short term but it leaves the long-term problem of an undereducated and underdeveloped society.
● Governments must not take shortcuts when it comes to ensuring everyone receives a proper secondary education.
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