8. statistics of family expenses in shanghai

198019902000

food & clothing68%45%20%

recreation3%5%8%

education6%16%22%

health care6%10%16%

others17%24%35%

1.ϱóм֧ͥı仯

2.Щ仯ԭ

3.˵Щ仯Ը˺Ӱ?

as is shown in the table above, dramatic changes have taken place in family expenses in the city of shanghai within two decades (from 1980 to 2000). the most obvious change is in expense on food and clothing, which has dropped by 48%, while those on recreation, education and health care have increased respectively by 5%, l6% and l0%. expenses on other things keep rising from 17% to 35%.the statistics of rise and fall seem to exist in isolation but are in fact closely related to one another. the most likely factors accounting for these changes are as follows:

development in economy is the fundamental one. the increased income results in the lowering percentage of food and clothing. that is to say, a small percentage of the total income is enough to cover food and clothing expenses.

another factor lies in the development of peoples concept. when people are well fed and well dressed, they begin to interest themselves in recreation and education.

these changes should also be attributed to social reforms. in the 1990 s, college education was not totally free as it was before, which also accounts for the rising expenses on education. soon after, the government gradually stopped offering houses to its citizens without charges. people had to save a large proportion of their money for housing.

thats partly why the expenses for others doubled.as for the more expenses on health care, i figure there are two main reasons: the cancellation of free medical care and peoples awareness of the importance of health.the changes reflect the development of the city and indicate that people are enjoying more.

9. on space project

**ܿרı༭дһţ˵̫̽Ŀ̬(ֻ֧򷴶)򵥳ɡ

dear editor

thank you for your starting a special column for the discussion on space projects. frankly, it seems to me that our space projects so far have been in the main a waste of money, time, energy, human lives and resources.

the richer countries are pouring large sums of money into space research programs which are of no benefit to human beings while in underdeveloped countries thousands of people are dying of hunger. besides, many scientists time and energy are wasted, which could have been devoted to improving our living condition. whats more, many astronauts have died completely uselessly in space vehicles which have been faulty. they were young people who hadnt enjoyed the fruit of life yet.

apart from human wastage, there is the wastage of resources which are finite and essential if man is to survive. i think its high time we stopped these meaningless programs.

10.turn off your mobile phone

direction: for this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic turn off your mobile phone. you should write no less than 120 words and base your composition on the outline below:

1.ƶ绰ǵ˱

2.ƶ绰ʱҲӰ

3.ijЩصֻ

turn off your mobile phone

with the development of information technology and reduced price of communication products, the mobi1e phone has become a necessity for most people. obviously, it shortens the distance between people and makes our life more convenient. thanks to it, its easy for us to contact or be contacted by others anytime and anywhere. we will never miss any important meetingsgreat deals or admirable opportunities.

buthave you noticed sometimes the mobile phone also brings eMBA rrassment to us? its not rare to see someone pressing the mobile phone to his ear and shouting loudly in public as if there were no one else present. and im sure each one has had such an experience that the mobi1e phone ring continuously on a formal occasion. perhaps these people have many lifeanddeath reasons to keep the phone working at all times, but it interrupts people around them who have to hear what they dont care when they want to concentrate on what theyre doing.

so if you are one of them, please shut off your cell phone in public, especially on a quiet and serious occasion. its a respect for both others and yourself.