surveillance cameras

Nowadays, supermarkets not only make a lot of money for their owners, they also bring them some trouble. How can they prevent theft without annoying their customers? The use of surveillance cameras seems a good solution, but more and more arguments arise with the increasing use of th such cameras. Before giving my opinion, I think it is important to look at the arguments on both sides.
Those who support using surveillance cameras in supermarkets insist that it is the best way to protect the owners’ interests. Firstly, a camera is more effective than security guards. One camera can easily cover an area for which 3 or 4 security guards is needed camera is much more objective. Sometimes our eyes might deceive us, while a machine can record exactly what happens. It can prevent much unnecessary embarrassment, too.
On the other hand, some people voice doubts about the installation of surveillance cameras. The most important reason for their disapproval is that such instruments show distrust of customers. Customers should not be watched suspiciously as if they were prisoners. Cameras can become evidence of a serious violation of human rights.
All in all, the best solution is for both sides to respect each other’s needs. The shopkeeper should place surveillance cameras in such a way that the customer does not feel that he or she is being spied upon. At the same time, the customer should respect the shopkeeper’s concern about theft.
308

Happiness

Happiness is a must in life. but what on earth is happiness? Some people are happy when they’ve made money, while other are happy when they’ve found their true love, as for me, I find bliss when I am reading an interesting book in a warm and pretty room. Evidently, 1,000 people will have 1,000 different definitions of happiness. Why is it difficult to define, or rather discover and achieve happiness? I think the major determinant lies in a person’s attitude.
In my opinion, there is little correlation between the circumstance of people’s lives and how happy they are. A moment’s reflection should make this obvious. We all know people who have a relatively easy and comfortable life, and yet are essentially unhappy. And we also know people who have suffered a great deal but generally remain happy. Therefore, happiness is actually of one’s own making. If you have a positive attitude and are determined to find the little happiness of life, you are destined to be jolly.
In the second place, happiness lies in the struggle to be happy. People sometimes go to extremes, and frantically pursue money, power, high social status, etc., which are all symbols of success --- but never of happiness. Perhaps if they shifted their life’s goal from ultimate success to unswerving efforts and to a confidence that they will be successful one day they’d be a great deal happier.
Besides defining it, how do people achieve happiness? No doubt, different people have different ways of going about this task. The following is mine: The first secret is gratitude. All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads people to complain; but it is truer to say that complaining leads to people becoming unhappy. The second secret is realizing that happiness is a by-product of something else. The most obvious sources are those pursuits that give our lives a purpose. These can be anything from playing tennis to studying insects. The more passions we have, the more happiness we are likely to experience.
242

college student

Current college graduates have a very diffluent road before them. With so many jobs looking for employees with college degrees, the graduate will have many employment options to choose from. However exciting his may seem, the graduate will most likely feel very stressed at having to make this final decision. In such a time of anticipation and excitement, he or she will face some of the most difficult choices of his or her lifetime.
The first choice of the graduate will most likely be whether or not he wantsw to continue this education immediately after college graduation. Although a longer education will mean eventually having a more specified job, this does not necessarily mean a higher salary. In today’s society, it is common to find that doctors, lawyers, and professors make the same amount if not less than computer programmers, engineers, and businessmen. And often the graduate will consider taking time off college to work and make money before returning to graduate school. Although this seems to be the best decision for graduates who are either financially independent or still undecided about career choice, many people begin work and never return to school. This is most likely the result o fa high paying job, marriage, or a feeling that they are suddenly too old to be in college.
If the graduate does not plan on going into graduate school, is choice process is made shorter but not simpler. He is faced with the problem of finding a high –paying job related to his past studies and interests. Often, the parents of the graduate will act as links to other family friends who can act as employers. This may enable the graduate to find a job with a higher pay as well as a friendly, social environment. However, if this job is not what the graduate sees himself doing for the rest of his life, he is tied to a business that is more like a family and feels obligation.
College graduates today face more employment opportunities and higher salaries than any generation in the past. Today’s society offers employment regardless of gender, color, or nationality. With a future that offers so many opportunities and options, it is most important for a college graduated to realize his or her dream and pursue that to the highest extent, for only with that approach can he or she truly find happiness in life.
298

Technology

Recently, the issue regarding the future of traditional technology and methods in the midst of the rapid development of science and technology has been in the limelight. Some people argue that the traditional technology and methods are bound to die out, hence the futility of maintaining them. On the other hand, some people firmly believe that the traditional technology and method will survive the technological revolution. As far as I am concerned, the latter opinion carries more weight.
For one thing, being traditional is quite different from being out of date or obsolete. Tradition is what we inherit from our forefathers, and its being handed down from generation to generation proves its capacity to survive. It is only those things that have weathered arduous trials time after time that can be called tradition; otherwise, they are something obsolete.
For another, the survival of traditional technology and methods does not mean that they linger on in a steadily worsening condition. On the contrary, their existence tends to propel an even accelerate the development of science and technology. If we compare the development of science and technology to the construction of a modern building, the traditional technology and methods can be likened to the foundation. Without a solid foundation, the building is destined to collapse.
In addition, the development of science and technology originates in traditional technology and methods. Thus, development itself does not exclude tradition, but required its assistance.
In a word, development and technological renovation can only be accomplished on the basis of traditional technology and methods. From what has been discussed above, we may safely arrive at the conclusion that traditional technology and methods are far from obsolete, and are bound to contribute more to the development of science and technology.
327

Traffic

Transportation has been developing rapidly in recent years, especially in large cities. However, it must be admitted that, along with the benefits of the rapid development of urban traffic, have come certain problems. One of the biggest problems, in my opinion, is traffic jams in some heavily-populated cites. It has become common to see passengers and drivers having to wait in long lines of buses and cars moving at snail’s space on the streets during the rush hours.
There are several reasons for this problem. First, the number of vehicles is increasing much more rapidly than the building of roads. No sooner has a new road been completed and opened to public traffic than it is crowded with all kinds of vehicles. Second, there seem to be too many private cars and not enough public buses. In most cases, a car carries only one or two people, while it occupies almost half the space a bus does. Third, many people, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists do not obey traffic rules properly, especially at busy intersections. And this undoubtedly worsens the already grave situation.
In view of the seriousness of this problem, effective measures must be taken before things get worse. On the on hand, the government should invest more money in the building of new roads and the repairing and maintenance of old ones, particularly those in busy areas of cities. On the other hand, the number of private cars in urban areas should be limited while the number of public buses should be increased. At the same time, it is essential that stricter traffic rules and regulations be issued to strengthen traffic control and facilitate the normal and efficient running of all means of transportation. With such effeorts made and persisted in, I am confident that it will not be long before city traffic in united states flows in a smoother and more efficient manner.
322

advertisements' influences

At present the mass media, including print, TV and radio, are flooded with advertisements. There is a growing worry among some people who believe that youngsters are adversely affected by them and advocate that something must be done to place restrictions on them. Personally, I share these peple’s point of view.
My first reason for this is that advertisements interfere with the healthy development of young people’s characters. The majority of advertisements are targeted at adults. Therefore, there is often something exclusively for adults involved in them, such as the adoption of provocative language and sexually appealing scenes. However, the opportunity for adults and youth to be exposed to advertisements of this kind is equal. As we know, young people are susceptible to bad influences. Their characters are likely to be warped due to constant exposure to such advertisements.
My second reason is that advertisements often mislead young people in choosing their lifestyles. Advertisers try every means possible to attract people’s attention, so they tend to give advertisements a loud and gaudy touch. A common practice is that movie stars and singers are invited to promote products in advertisements. It is always tempting for young people to follow the fashion blindly without realizing that real life is quite different from the dreamy one that advertisements offer.
From what has been discussed above, we can see that young people are subject to the negative influences of advertisements. The time is right for us to restrict advertisements by eliminating their unhealthy parts and by reducing their appearance, say, in media channels designed for young people.
316

Traditonal Clothes

With the recent rapid economic development, the pace of life is becoming faster and faster. Consequently, few people nowadays like traditional clothes. On the other hand, there still people who consider traditional clothes an inalienable part of our cultural tradition, and suggest that appropriate measures be taken to promote the wearing of our traditional garments. In my view, whether to wear traditional clothes or not is not a very critical matter, and personal tastes should be respected.
As long as they keep us warm and comfortable, we have the right to choose whatever clothes we like. Clothing might be a part of our traditional culture, but we certainly need not be over-sensitive to new things. Compared with those old-fashioned ones, western-style clothes are more comfortable, and the material they use is more environmentally friendly. In some cases, modern clothes are even cheaper and more convenient to wear.
In addition, we needn’t directly associate clothes with our cultural heritage. China’s glorious civilization can be illustrated in many different ways, and some of them are vanishing. For example, in older times, the Spring Festival was always accompanied by the sound of firecrackers. But now, many cities have banned them in china. Tradition, including clothing, is changing.
On the other hand, it might be appropriate to wear traditional clothes on special occasions. In fact, they are now preferred by some people during Chinese festivals and ceremonies. As a consequence, certain types of traditional clothes have become populating recent years. Of course, this is also a matter of personal choice.
In a word, everybody has the right to choose his or her clothes. If you hate traditional clothes, just wear jeans, T-shirts, sweaters or suits; if you like traditional ones, go ahead.
312

school newcomers

It is not uncommon these days for high school or college freshmen to feel lonely on their first day at school. They get lost on campus, fail to catch sight of any familiar ace or have nobody to turn to for help. In my view, this increasingly common and serious phenomenon is an indication of the wide gap between these students’ unrealistic vision of school life and disappointing reality.
Some of the difficulties students encounter concern logistics. For example, they are puzzled as to the location of the students; cafeterias, where to register, or how they can retrieve information from the school library. To tackle these problems, a well- organized “orientation session” starting from the very first day would seem helpful. Students feel more at home if they have a detailed campus map, with every place they need to go marked on it.
More often, students’ sense of alienation arises from their own assumption of inadequacy as they face the new period of an independent life. This is natural enough after long years of childhood, when they were completely under their parents’ control. On their first day in the new environment, they are frustrated to find that what they aspired for --- “a brave new world” --- turns out to be a strange and alien one, and they are afraid that they may become even more disillusioned in the days to come.
Yet, with efforts from both the school and the students, the prospect of their gap being bridged is far from dim. Students should be encouraged and motivated to recognize the fact that they are now beginning to be responsible for them. To make this transitional period go smoothly, students should be given the opportunity to prepare themselves. Schools and colleges can invite prospective students for a brief campus tour before the new semester starts. Junior or senior students can be organized to share their own experiences of campus life with freshman. As a result, students will develop a confident feeling about themselves as capable people.
306

Honesty or Lie

One of the first thing s that teachers and parents impress upon children is the importance of always telling the truth. In the United States, young George Washington admitted his fault, by saying, “father, I cannot tell a lie!” In addition, all religions insist that lying is a sin. But I think there are times when telling the truth can do more harm than good.
In wartime, both soldiers and civilians are considered heroes if, despite torture, the refuse to tell the enemy what they know about the situation of their own side. Indeed, if they can deceive the enemy by lying and leading them into a trap, this is regarded as highly praiseworthy behavior. Obviously, to tell the truth in such circumstances would be foolish, and even treacherous.
On a more personal level, when a friend is feeling unwell or even just depressed, it is often unwise to tell him that he looks really ill; doing so can make him feel worse, and could cause him to really fall ill. Conversely, by telling a lie and saying that he looks fine, you will make him feel better and probably help him to recover. In that case you would have done well, not harm, by not telling the you think looks ridiculous, it would be unkind to give your frank opinion. That would only make her feel embarrassed for days or even weeks until she could change the style. So telling a lie by saying that her hair looks wonderful would do not harm in this case.
Everyone during his or her lifetime will inevitably face moments when it is better to hide the truth. A poor mother gives the only piece of bread to her child, saying that she has a bread eaten enough; a seriously ill girl determines to part company with boyfriend, telling him that she does not love him anymore and thinking that temporary disappointment will spare him the long term pain of knowing the truth; and never is this more true than when a patient eagerly awaits a diagnosis form his doctor on whether he has cancer or not. Numerous examples can be given easily, but these will suffice. If telling the truth would do more harm than good, then sometimes it is better not to tell the true.

Computer Effection

In this computer-oriented era, people can do practically everything while still at home. They can do their shopping, pay bills, chat and even work on-line. In the light of this phenomenon, many fear that this way of tackling things might lead to social isolation, and further to the loss of men’s ability to co-exist with one another in society. Personally, however, I don’t agree with this view, and it is my firm belief that not only will the internet bring the world closer together, it will enable men to co-exist better in the worldwide community.
Fist, unsurprisingly, computers and modems have transformed the world into a global village. Messages are sent instantly around the world via the Internet; a bargain is made between a gentleman in Russia and a lady in Argentina; and students studying abroad send voice mails to their loved ones at home, again by using the computer. Indeed, in this fast-paced world, it is impossible to conduct that efficient on-line communication is partly taking the place of the time-consuming personal encounter. And why not? This on-line way of life has made possible much better communication among all the people on this planet, thus making so-called social isolation simply impossible.
At the same time, even if the Internet ensures better social communication, actual social contact is still necessary: Not all business can be handled online, and perfect good will cannot be achieved while the parties concerned are far apart. As a matter of fact, the Internet has made people realize the need for contact in actual social settings. Furthermore, now that better communication has been achieved among people, in conditions of actual social contact they will be able to conduct all sorts of business and attain their respective goals, with a smile and mutual understanding. Given this, people’s ability to co-exist with one another has actually been enhanced, I would say, in this IT ear.

Public & Private School

These days, there is a growing tendency for students to enter private schools. A large number of people hold the opinion that private schools play a more important role in education than public schools. Other people, however, are of the opinion that public schools offer their children more advantages. For my part, I think both public schools and private schools are indispensable to our society.
It is increasingly acknowledged that private schools, with their unique characteristics can provide their students with more practical kills, which makes them more competitive in the job market. Generally speaking, a private school is renowned for certain fields of study, such as law or medicine in which many eminent authorities serve as tutors. In general, private schools, financed mainly through contributions and high tuition fees have plenty of funds to invest in advanced teaching facilities, which can make the students’ lives and studies more convenient and comfortable. But, at the same time, high tuition fees are an obstacle for gifted but poor students.
The great contributions of public schools cannot be ignored, either. Poor students have easier access to the public schools that are supported by the government. Schools, ideally, should provide profound, systematic learning of various subjects. The public school that provides wide-ranging subjects for the students is ideal for such training. Furthermore, since education is being more and more emphasized nowadays, the government will, undoubtedly, invest more money in public schools.
Form what has been discussed above, we many safely draw the conclusion that both public schools and private schools are necessary to train young people for the future development and construction of our country.

In-Class Essay

Different students have their own reasons to attend different school, and most of them have a goal which they want to achieve in school. It is my first semester in College of Alameda. I have my own reason and goal to achieve in this college. Transportation is the reason that I attend this college, and a transfer to a four-year university is my goal.

Transportation is the reason that I attend to College of Alameda. Before my family moved to Alameda, I attended City College of San Francisco. The college was three block away from my home, and it was very convenient for me to go to school. However, after my family move to Alameda, going to school was very agonizing for me. I had to spend two hours at least to commute between Alameda and San Francisco every school day, and the commute costs me twelve dollars a day. However, attending College of Alameda makes me save my time and money in transportation. I ride a bike to school every day, and it takes me about 20 minutes to commute from my home to the college. So, I can have more time in study. On the other hand, because the college is close to my home, I can eat a lunch and take a nap at home. That is the reason that I attend this college.

A transfer to a four-year university is my goal at College of Alameda. My major is Electronic Engineering, and I want to transfer to San Jose State University. Except chemistry course, I have already finished all my major courses which the transfer requires to take, but my English level is too low to transfer. The admission requirement requires me to reach the level of English 1B, and I am taking the course of English 201A now. I will take the course of English 201B in summary and English 1A and 1B in the following two semesters so that I can be able to transfer to San Jose State University in one year. In addition, because the fee of a university is higher than the fee of a college, I will take some courses which the university requires to graduate and I can take in this college so that I can save my money and raise my GPA.

My several friends enrolled in City College of San Francisco with me at the same time, but they already transferred to a four-year university. It is my first semester in College of Alameda. I want to improve my reading and writing ability in this college, and I also want to transfer to San Jose State University in a year. I hope that I will have a good career and support my family after I graduate at the university.

My Life

Some people said that the elder like to recall their memory. I am young, but I tend to recall my early life. When I am alone, I usually recall my childhood, the happy and thoughtless day. I remember, at that time, I was a naught and innocent boy. I liked to play on ground with my friends. I won’t think of my future because it always seemed far away to me. As time lapse, I generally grew up. The light-hearted day went away; I had to think of my future, be worried of my education, and concern on my career.
In the day of my junior high school, my classmates and me contested with each other and studied hard because we knew that we went to better high school and had more opportunities to a university if we got a higher grade. My parents saved all the money to support her children, my younger brother and me, to go to school. My parents were low-educational; they wanted their student to get a good education and to have a good career. At that time, I knew that I didn’t want them disappointed. I had to study hard.
When I was in high school, I was busier than before. The school required us in school seven days per week. Contest between us was very intent. All of us studied very hard because grades were the foundation of attending an university. Except studying, it was nothing left in my high school days. I felt stress and, sometimes, I was sleepless at night. I was worried about that I could not catch up my classmate and anxious about my future.
As I grew up, I begin to realize the hardship of life, and force myself to do some that is advantaged for me. Sometimes, I would have dreamt myself not to grow up. If I were still a kid, I would have to worry about my life. I could have done anything that I wanted. However, the hardship of my life is still a part of the life. When I was I alone, I will recall of the days of high school. It seems bitter but sweet; these memories enrich my life. When I am old, what do I feel of these memories?

poetry

Poetry is a basic means of communication between people. At school we are used to learning prose first and poetry long after. This is contrary to the experience of human communities in general. Poetry is the most direct and simple means of expressing ourselves with words. Most primitive communities have poetry but only well-developed nations produce good prose. Young children rhymes and nursery rhymes come before structured stories.
So in studying poetry, we are not studying anything odd and irrational. We are only following in the tradition of our primitive ancestors. We are studying first things first, poetry before prose. Maybe one of the defects of our over-rational education is that it reduces or eliminates our childlike enjoyment of poetry. Training in communication is not confined to poetry. It is also present in other kinds of literature. And training in communication is as important as the acquisition of factual information or of manual skills. It is useless for us to acquire facts unless we know how to communicate these facts to others.
We are trained to express ourselves through speech and writing. We are also trained to understand others when they speak and write, because real communication is two-way. The understanding of messages sent out by others is as important for communication as the expressing of our own messages.
The training takes place mainly in the language subjects-mainly but exclusively, for a certain amount of communication is given to this training. In the language subjects the training is directed in general to the thought-content of messages, e.g. to statements of fact or to questions requiring factual answers. The tress in our language training is on clarity and objectivity.

TV programs

It is an undeniable fact that television has already become an inalienable part of people’s daily lives, providing them with both information and enjoyment. As to the function of this appliance, some people state that TV programs should be more educational, while others believe that more emphasis should be placed on their entertainment aspect. I am of the opinion that TV programs should be more entertaining than educational.
On the one hand, TV programs by nature are designed to entertain people, not educate them. Ever since the birth of television, it has regarded as a major source of recreation. All the activities of TV broadcasting companies are centered on bringing people laughter, joy and relaxation. This important attribute is the solid ground on which the glamour of TV is built. People pay to be entertained by TV programs, and thus the television industry gets fueled and grows. If we turned TV programs into tools of sheer instruction, the television industry would certainly be deprived of its foundation for development, resulting in its decline. For instance, when a student returns home after a long , boring and busy school day, he or she wants to seek some fun and to relax. If he or she knows that the television will only offer more education and instruction, the chances are high that the television set will remain switched off.
At the same time, TV programs are far from being appropriate tools for education. The essence of education is a process of simultaneous communication. To get the best educational effects, speakers and listeners must be able to address debate and exchange ideas on the topic under study. However, TV programs are one-way instruments. They can only transmit and disseminate information to the viewers, without any immediate feedback. Therefore, the program makers are unable to tailor their products to the ever-changing needs of the viewers. For example, by watching educational programs such as those on the Discovery Channel, a person may indeed obtain some information. During the process, however, when he or she encounters problems there is no person around to consult. Therefore, the effects of this kind of education are by no means comparable to a face-to-face on.

respont part-time jobs for students

There is a growing tendency these days for students to take part-time jobs, even though they are following full-time higher-education courses. Many people criticize this on the grounds that working even part-time interferes with their studies and gives them little or no useful experience. Besides, they say, the little extra money they earn does not compensate for the fatigue incurred by working and studying at the same time.
But it seems to me that working at a part-time job is useful for helping a student or learn how to arrange his or her time properly. We must all learn to plan our time so that we do not become absorbed in one single task, no matter how important it is. In later life, the student will have to be able to balance the demands of a career with the demands of his or her family, and at the same time handle unexpected crises.
Whether or not a part-time job is useful for a student’s future career depends on the type of job chosen. The wisest choice, of course, would be a job connected with what the students intends to do after graduation, and which would allow him or what the students intends to do after graduation, and which would allow him or her to gain invaluable “grassroots” experience. If possible, the job should involve fresh air and exercise, so that the student gets a refreshing break from studying.
As for the money earned from part-time jobs, I firmly believe that it is not only useful but also necessary nowadays for students no matter how little. Tuition fees and the prices of books, not to mention the cost of living, are soaring by the day. as a result, sometimes even a small sum of extra money can make all the difference between passing or failing a course.
To sum up, I agree that full-time student should take part-time jobs. Working while studying teaches the student good time-management habits and can provide useful career experience. Most students need extra money, and if the jobs are chosen properly they can be benefit not only the student’s pockets. But their health and studies as well.