USHER Q1Q2 私の答え
Strategies:
What is an interesting book you have not read yet?
以前作っておいたあなたが好きな本は？の作文を活用。
My friend recommended me to read "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking. My friend enjoyed reading this book because difficult concepts in astrophysics were presented by using easy to understand terms. Although he had no prior knowledge of astrophysics, he was able to understand clearly some of the most difficult concepts such as quantum physics, theory of relativity, worm holes, black holes, big bang, etc. He really enjoyed reading this book and strongly recommended me to read it.
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Do you prefer a friend who has the same thoughts or a friend who has different thoughts?
すでに同様な問題あり。
I do not mind at all having friends who have different opinions than mine. Actually I have many friends who always disagree with my opinions, but we have maintained great and long-term friendships. I feel it is intellectually stimulating to exchange our ideas and opinions on a subject. For example, my best friend has totally different political views from mine. When it is voting time, we always have different opinions as to which party we should be supporting. But these arguments are always purely logical and constructive from which both of us can learn and benefit.
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Day 1
Describe what kind of group activity you want to participate.
以前やった問題の変形。
I would like to participate in a volunteer work to help those victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami for two reasons. First, my heart goes to those who were killed by this unprecedented natural disaster and those who were left with no houses, no money, no relatives and friends and above all no hope to live the rest of their lives. Second, as I plan to retire soon, I want to spend my remaining life to help those who are suffering. As God gave me a chance to live in this world, I feel obligated to help those suffering in the worst condition and suffering alone.
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Some people say that it is better for children to go on a field trip. Others say that it is better for them to study in classroom.
以前やった問題の変形。
This depends on which subjects they study. For example, if they study mathematics or foreign languages, the best place to study would be in a classroom with a qualified teacher, a whiteboard, and a pointer. However, if they study subjects such as botany or zoology, they should go on a field trip to a museum or a zoo, because they can actually see and touch plants and animals, which is more interesting than reading many pages of a textbook. In a nutshell, it relies on which subjects they study.
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Day 2
What is something you tried hard but have never accomplished before?
新しい題材。
I tried to break 90 in my golf game but never accomplished it.
First, I changed my golf clubs many times. This did not work because every time I bought a new club, it messed up my swing and worsened my scores.
Second, I took lessons from a pro. This did not work, either, because he tried to drastically change my golf swing and I ended up with shooting my worst score.
In the end, none of these measures was instrumental to achieving my goal.
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When students study abroad, should they stay with a family already living there?
既出問題。
It depends on how long I stay in a foreign country. If my stay is relatively a short time, like one month or so, I would prefer to stay with a local family. This is because I can learn the new language and culture from my host family. (For example, when I participated in a 4 week summer Spanish program in Spain, I stayed in a host family, which was a great learning experience of the Spanish culture.) In contrast, if I stay in a country for a long time, I would definitely live alone, because my privacy takes precedence over any other benefits of living with a local family or friends.
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Day 3
Describe a social or political event in your country and how it influenced your nation.
難問。この種の問題は事前に予習しておかないと本番では絶対アイディアが出てこない。
Every August 6, the city of Hiroshima holds a ceremony to console the victims of the atomic bomb and to pray for the lasting peace of the world. This ceremony reminds us of two things.
First, we should learn a lesson from the mistake made in the past and make every effort to prevent the recurrence of this tragic event.
Second, Japan, being the only country attacked by atomic bombs, should take the leading role to eliminate nuclear weapons from the face of the earth.
May all the victims of the atomic bomb rest in peace.
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Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students learn more by participating in class discussions.
既出問題。
I agree with the statement for two reasons.
First, discussions stimulate my thinking process. To be specific, in a physics class, we discussed why the sky is blue. I really enjoyed this thinking process.
Second, through discussions, I can learn opinions of other students. For example, in a history class, we debated on the reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire. Other students suggested numerous theories, and I learned a great deal from them.
So, I agree that students learn more from discussions.
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Day 4
Explain how cell phones influenced people’s lives.
既出問題。
As far as I am concerned, my cell phone greatly improved my life in two ways. First, as my job requires me to travel extensively, my cell phone helps me to communicate with my family members. I usually talk with my wife and kids at least three times a day. Second, my cell-phone entertains me when I travel; I can listen to music, watch movies, surf the internet, book a hotel, read an electronic book, you name it. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without my cell phone.
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Advertising junk food or candy bars should be prohibited for children.
It depends on the extent of the risk to children.
First, if the risk of the junk foods is not proven, companies selling the junk foods have constitutional right, or freedom of speech to advertise their products. The government may recommend them to stop advertising, but legally they are not bound to comply.
However, if the risk is scientifically proven to be significant, then the government should intervene and restrict such messages directed at children.
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Day 5
Who is a musician or an artist you do not respect?
これは難問。嫌いな歌手なんていないぞ。作り話しかない。
I hate a heavy metal band called KISS for two reasons.
First of all, their music is too loud. For example, I was in a bar. The music was so loud that I had to practically yell at someone two inches away from me.
Second, their music is very depressing and difficult to understand. For example, all they talk about are death, Satan, demons, and devils and I just do not get the message behind the music.
So, I do not appreciate Kiss.
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Some people say that in-born talent is the most important to become an artist. Others say hard work is more important.
I think hard work is more important. I will use two contrasting examples.
First, my friend is a violinist and he was called a prodigy, but he was lazy and did not practice. As a result, he ended up with a mediocre violinist.
In contrast, Midori, an internationally famous violinist, for example. She was also born with an exceptional talent, but what made her different from my friend was she practiced extremely hard. According to her, she practiced on average 7 hours a day in her childhood.
In sum, genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.
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Day 6
Describe a benefit you have got from using the internet.
類似問題。
There are two benefits.
First, I can communicate with my family with ease and less cost. Specifically, as my job requires me to travel extensively, I used to spend a lot of money making long distance calls to my family. Now, thanks to the software called Skype, I can communicate with my family free of charge. Second, internet makes my travel very easy. For example, I can make reservations for my transportation and accommodation very easily.
So, these are two benefits of internet.
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Some people say it is better to take long but relaxed course in college. Others say it is better to take short but intensive course.
Intensive courses are better. I will use two contrasting examples.
First, in college, I had to take a Spanish class where we met only once a week for four months. The problem was I forgot everything I learned in the previous week and had to start all over again.
In contrast, I took a summer intensive Spanish program where I studied 5 hours every day for four weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, I made a significant improvement in my command of Spanish.
So, I recommend intensive classes.
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Day 7
What do you and your family do for enjoyment?
My family enjoys watching NHL hockey games on TV for two reasons.
First, the game of ice hockey is exciting. Specifically, every two or three minutes, some players get excited, remove gloves, and start a fist fighting. It is interesting that referees let them fight for a while before intervening.
Second, it is a great stress relieving activity. We drink a lot of beer, I mean a lot and yell and cheer at the TV. Go for it Penguins! I feel so good after watching a game especially when my team wins.
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It is important to get dressed up and stay fashionable.
I do not care about the latest fashion for two reasons.
First, it costs too much money. Basically, I purchase all my clothing at a Target or Wal-Mart. A pair of jeans and a T-shirt are all I need. It is a waste of money to buy fashionable clothes.
Second, I do not have to impress others. As I am an established businessman, I really do not need to impress others with my fancy suites or watches. Steve Jobs did not wear expensive suits.
So, I do not care about fashion.
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I agree with this statement for two reasons.
First, when I started to work, I wore an old worn out suit. Nobody took my opinion seriously in meetingｓ and nobody in conferences approached me.
Later, I invested 2000 dollars on a suit and a watch. Then, my colleagues started to pay more attention to my presentation and more people wanted to exchange name cards in conferences.
My expensive suit and watch made a big difference in my career.
So, I believe we should be dressed up.
