2006年1月全国自考00603英语写作真题试卷

全国2006年1月高等教育自学考试

英语写作试题

课程代码：00603

Ⅰ. Supply the missing conclusion. (20%)

Directions: Study the following passage carefully and write a conclusion in no more than 100 words. Make sure that the tone and vocabulary you use are in unity with the passage provided.

The Harmful Effects of the Multiple-choice Test

The multiple-choice test is a common examination form that is widely used as a standard international testing method in various academic fields, especially in language testing. Some educators and teachers embrace it as a most scientific test form for its objectivity, accuracy and high efficiency of grading test papers. However, after many years of application, investigation and research, other teachers and educators have admitted that to judge students’ real and practical abilities, such testing method has many limitations and drawbacks. In my opinion, for all its efficiency, objectivity and validity, the multiple-choice test should not be widely used for the examinations of academic courses on campus.

Those who argue for the advantages of the multiple-choice test believe that such test can greatly improve the accuracy and speed of test paper grading. The standardized answer sheets of such test make it possible for computers to replace men to grade the papers. Undoubtedly, the computerization of test paper grading not only improves the speed of grading test papers, but also eliminates the subjective factors of bias or preference that can not be totally avoided by those who grade them. Here, computers or electronic devices are considered as the norm for scientific testing method. It may be safe to check manufactured products by electronic devices for their qualities. Yet, to check the real abilities and potentials of complex human beings, such devices and such testing method are far from enough. In fact, many problems from such testing do exist.

First of all, it is convenient for students to cheat in the multiple-choice test. The standardization of answer sheets makes it easier for students to plagiarize others’ answers. The choices of A, B, C, and D are most clearly printed on the answer sheets or test papers. With only a quick glance, any student who attempts to cheat in the exam can surely steal the correct choice from whoever is nearby and whoever is considered as a good student. What’s more, some students may have some secret deal among themselves in the exam, delivering generous service to the needed. In this case, even when they are separated from each other with considerable distance by the proctor, they can still succeed. The proctor may feel quite helpless because even though they sometimes see or feel students cheating, they cannot pinpoint or prove how the students are cheating in the exam. This in a way encourages the students’ misconduct and leads to their ethical degradation.

Secondly, the multiple-choice test is often like a gambling. Doing well in such an exam is in some way becoming a matter of chance. According to the law of probability, if a question has four choices, then the probability of the right answer will be as high as 25%. Even if a person, absolutely ignorant of knowledge of that subject, takes part in the multiple-choice test, he will have 25% chances of getting the right answer, just by guess. Because of this characteristic, some students’ attitude and attention to study may be quite misled and their capability and flexibility may be weakened. For example, we used to answer the multiple-choice tests at middle schools. When we come to college and face a problem of answering various questions in more details by writing or by speaking, we are at a loss, not to mention our difficulty in writing English compositions.

Thirdly, the multiple-choice test fails to evaluate the students’ abilities thoroughly, especially their potential abilities. Owing to the nature of such a test form, the four letters on the answer sheet cannot reveal the thought process of the students who take the exams. We all know that thought process is the reflection of one’s abilities and potentials in many different ways, and that process is often much more important than the test results themselves in telling the real abilities of the students. Therefore, the answers chosen on the answer sheet do not truly correspond to the students’ practical abilities.

Fourthly, such a method of testing can seriously affect the students’ way of studying. Since the multiple-choice test demands no writing, students tend to develop a very passive way of receiving knowledge and responding to the questions related to the knowledge, and therefore neglect the abilities of actively and creatively using what they have learned. This is especially harmful for language study that requires constant actual practice. It may lower the students’ interest and intelligence in their studies and lead to the failure of our educational purposes. After all, how can we meet the complex challenge of modern society with simple “A, B, C, D”?

Ⅱ. Write an outline. (20%)

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and try to compose an outline for the passage provided.

Individualism and Collectivism

America’s individualism culture springs from a 2,000 year tradition of Roman and Greek arts, philosophy and government, as well as the moral and legal traditions of Christianity. By contrast, China’s culture, including its arts, philosophy, and government is rooted in the Confucian ethic, Taoism, Buddhism, and more recently, Chinese Socialism.

American individualism and Chinese collectivism are poles apart. For millennia, millions of Chinese have coped with limited land and resources. Economic and social imperatives, coupled with Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist ethics, have constrained Chinese to subordinate individual goals to societal needs. Centuries of collective culture made some form of Chinese socialism historically inevitable.

By contrast, it is obvious why Americans are the most individualist people on earth. Mere centuries ago, Europeans settled a vast, relatively unpopulated continent, where they enjoyed unprecedented freedom and opportunities as their government mobilized them to settle the frontier. Though America’s frontiers have vanished, the frontier mentality of individualism remains the emotional and philosophical cornerstone of American culture.

Individualism and collectivism permeate every aspect of Eastern and Western culture, influencing American and Chinese economics, politics, morals and values, and especially communication patterns. This is important, for research has proved that the number one cause of failure in international business and relations is not economics or even business but crosscultural communication. And culture is often the culprit behind the miscommunication.

Ⅲ. Composition (60%)

Directions: You are to write an essay about 300 words on the following topic.

In colleges and universities, some students spend more time after class on individual studies, while others like to attend lectures of different kinds. What do you think about these two kinds of studies? Which one do you prefer? Give your reasons.