北美教学中心 托福口语组 刘思元

2021年7月一共有5场托福考试，涉及话题包含日常学习、工作和生活话题。工作题材譬如考生对于公司商业行为的态度，线上面试或线下面试的偏好，这都是比较常见的高频话题，需要考生对高频话题的练习做到熟能生巧。学习类考题中涉及学校政策的态度，学校应该削减运动俱乐部的经费开支还是减少对课外学术俱乐部的投入？这道题在今年的三月份的考试中刚刚出现过，也是我们的老朋友了，所以就非常考验大家是否对自己练习过的话题在考场上遇到时仍然能做到脱口而出；另一道题问到关于gap year（间隔年）的态度则是五年前的老题，近几年都没有出现，这道题目需要考生具有一定的文化知识背景才能答题；还有一道题问到考生是否能接受在存在不良商业行为的公司工作，需要大家对社会上的商业丑闻有些许了解。这也就对大家有了更高的要求，我们在长期英语学习能力提升的过程中，不应拘泥于考题本身，为了考试而学习，而应放眼更广阔的文化背景，更多了解不同的生活方式，关心时事政治，只有不断开阔眼界才能给我们源源不断地灵感。

虽然ETS官方表示不考察内容的深度，但是，相信引用了深入思考和社会现象作为素材的答案也更加引人入胜，让考官眼前一亮。

坚持练习和积累，量变形成质变，相信大家在备考托福的过程中不仅收获了语言能力带来的自信和底气，也对生活和学习的态度有了更深的思考，对自己有了更深的了解。

2021年7月14日

2019.10.12下午场/2021年1月家考版旧题复用

Some companies are controversial and criticized for their business practices. Do you think it is acceptable for people to take jobs at such companies, even if the jobs pay well? Explain why or why not.

题目解析：

有些公司的商业行为存在争议，但是可以付给你不错的薪资，你是否会接受在这样的公司工作？这道题解题的关键就在于怎么解读公司的“争议性行为”，而答题的难点也就在于如何对这样的商业丑闻进行细节化的描述。常见的可能会收到批判的商业性行为包括manipulating accounting(财务造假)，误导性产品信息 (misleading product information), unfair competition (不良竞争)，or anything that damages the environment(危害环境)。以及最近才发生的由于非法收集用户信息的滴滴下架应用商店这则新闻正好可以帮助我们答题。不接受这样的工作我们可以说公司越大，越应该承担一定的社会责任。 这类行径对公众利益造成了损害，而且和自己的价值观不符合，所以即使暂时这个公司仍然有很好的收益，也不愿意违背自己的良心或道德去为其工作。接受这样的工作我们也可以说明自己的理由，比如：公司的商业行为是公司管理层需要思考的问题，我作为一个小小的打工人，更在乎我自己的收益。

范文A:

Given a choice, I will not be accepting the position, as it isn’t the right fit for my long-term career goals. For example, not long ago, a ride-hailing App named Didi has been pulled from app store, because it was illegally collecting users’ personal data without their consent. A corporate scandal can have a dramatic effect on the company’s reputation. And you know what? If the company has a shaky reputation, then chances are you job and position may not last long. Moreover, there are some basic values that you believe in, right? Companies, no matter small or big ones, should be socially responsible. Remember, you will have to spend a major part of your day in the office, and if you don’t feel any positive vibes about the place, then it’s not the right company to work for even if the salary and perks are tempting.

范文B:

As for me, I will accept a job with decent salary even if it’s from a controversial company. It’s a no-brainer since money is the bread and butter of our life. After graduation, I have to live a living all on my own, paying for my own wants, I mean vacation, shopping, entertainment or other things that make life more fun, and also save some for rainy fund, you can never save too much because you never know what happens. While as for the controversy, whether ethical or other issues, I think it has nothing to do with me, but has everything to do with my company, it’s what my company should be worried about and adopt measures to handle. Thus, I would like to work in a controversial company for the sake of the high salary.

2021年7月11日

Which do you prefer, to do a face-to-face interview or to do a telephone interview?

2018.11.24旧题复用

题目解析：这是一道比较经典的科技类关于线上线下的话题。此类话题有出现过很多次，比如线上课和线下课你更喜欢哪种上课方式？小组讨论、公司开会是通过线上还是下线的方式进行？线上购物或线下购物？这些题目之间既有不同的细节，又可以总结出一些通用的思路。如果选择线上，理由包括方便，省时间，不用通勤，以及最近的考试仍然可以使用新冠疫情的语料；如果选择线下可以说增加自己的表现度，通过近距离的接触给面试官留下更深刻的印象，以及线上可能存在技术原因导致的交流效率下降等等。

范文A:

I prefer to do a phone interview especially when applying for a job in a remote location. I don’t have to spend hours on the road just to complete the hiring process. It's nice to roll out of bed a bit later and not have to worry about the commute. Otherwise it’s really annoying getting up early being stressed and rushed to get to the office, what if I got stuck in traffic? That’ll ruin my mood for the whole day and affect my performance for sure. Another reason why I was very against being interviewed face-to-face, because to go for the interview, you need to try to be presentable. I don't really wanna, you know, put on makeup, do my hair, and put on nice clothes, can I just call?

范文B:

Well, I just like better the traditional ways of doing things, like going for an interview in person, as I know whether the work environment and team dynamics will suit my personality and working style. For example, I’d like to know if I need to be at my desk from 9 to 6 or are things more laid-back as long as you get your work done? How much do co-workers socialize? Is the office dog- or cat- friendly? But I wouldn’t be able to ask a laundry list of all those detailed questions on phone. On top of that, in-person interviews often allow more room for me to clarify my answers. Because these conversations go deeper than phone interviews. With phone conversations, there is the risk of being misunderstood, since you cannot use body language or facial cues. During an in-person interview, you can use nonverbal communication to send a powerful message, demonstrate confidence, and really leave a lasting impression.

2021年7月10日

2016.12.11 旧题复用：

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement？Students should have a one-year vacation before they attend universities.

题目解析：这道题是有关学生对“gap year（间隔年）”的看法。这需要考生首先对这个概念有一些了解，也就是通常这一年中学生经常会用来去做一些什么事情？常见的包括 community service（社区服务）, internships（实习工作）, travel（旅游）, backpacking（背包旅行）等等。如果首先确定了这一年学生具体要做的事情，那么接下来的答案就不难展开了。如果不同意的话，则可能的理由包括这一年的费用带来的经济负担，以及如果缺乏清晰的目标和计划这一年将会浑浑噩噩一无所获，以及迟一年再上学可能会找不到学习的状态，甚至和同龄人开始拉开差距等等。

范文A:

I’m a big fan of taking a gap year before students enter college. Students can take a break from their studies to travel or gain work experience before moving on to university. I think doing this has become more important than ever. Taking that breather from the stress of senior year can helps them clear their mind. The whole point of gap year is to find your passion. Do the things that you didn’t get to do while you were in the 12 years of school beforehand. Getting some space from parents. Getting some space from everybody’s expectations. Getting into the workforce can also be a good thing. Or maybe you just need some time for self growth. Trying to figure out who you are as a person and what you really want.

范文B:

To be honest, it’s something I’ve never thought about. It was a bit of an alien concept to me. I guess it would be far too expensive. From flights to housing to program fees and food, there are a lot of budget considerations to take into account during a gap year. Moreover, choosing a gap year of travel means you’ll probably be starting college a year later than your peer. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. When you started your college study after a year out, you lose the study momentum. Your study skills could suffer if they’re not used for a whole year. Most importantly, even if you’re so craving for traveling around, the Covid-19 pandemic make it a complicated decision. Many international borders remained closed and jobs and internships are harder to come by.

2021年7月4日

2018.9.15/2021.3.24旧题复用

The university is now in financial trouble and needs to shut down some clubs. Which of the following clubs do you think your university should shut down?

1. Sports clubs like the skiing club

2. Academic clubs like the math club

题目解析：大学如果经费紧张不得不关闭一些学校的俱乐部，你认为应该关闭体育俱乐部还是在学术活动上减少经费投入？这道题目今年三月份已经出现过一次，相信大多数学生都不陌生。选择减少学术上的课外投入也可能是大多是同学们的选择，因为学校的学习已经给大家带来太大的压力，而体育活动对于学生的身心发展能带来巨大益处，除了健康上的好处，它也是一种非常好的社交机会和方式，因为你们已经拥有共同的兴趣爱好，而友谊往往是建立在此基础之上。

范文A:

I would go for sports club so maybe academic clubs could be shut down. And I believe most student will have the same opinion as me, because we’ve had enough studies in class, why adding more to our schedule after class? Especially when participating sports activities can benefit us a lot. Firstly, people who play sports regularly are naturally fitter and leaner. I myself, for example, I put on some weight recently. Now I am totally out of shape and wanting to get in shape for the summer. Start exercising, doing sports, eat vegetables and no more candy, those are all good approaches to losing weight. In addition, sports clubs and teams contain people from different backgrounds, professions, and ages, but everyone is united by their enthusiasm for the game. It's a great way to meet new people and socialize.

2021年7月3日

2014.6.28 旧题复用：

Some people prefer to take a vacation in cities, others prefer to spend their vacation in countryside. Which do you prefer? Explain why.

题目解析：这道旅游类的话题看似在问旅游，实际上更像是一个地点类的话题。所以答案里面主要需要涉及大城市和小乡村的区别。那么如果选择大城市，理由可以是更多选择，不论是景点，食物，还是人文，甚至是住宿地点的选择。如果选择小乡村，那么可以说，大城市的弊端包括拥堵的交通，人满为患的打卡地，千篇一律的水泥建筑，不尽人意的空气质量，都不能给人非常享受的旅游体验，而乡村的宁静和安逸正是远离喧嚣净化心灵的好去处。

范文A:

To me, I choose to visit major metropolitan cities instead of off the beaten track destination. First and foremost, I love the bustling city vibe. Everything in big cities seem to be vibrant and dynamic, markets of every kind can usually be found in every bigger city. Big cities attract people from all walks of life, and it can be interesting to just sit and watch people walking by from the French window of a Starbucks over a cup of coffee, you can always find people from different countries chatting with each other. Besides, if you are interested in art and history, from museums to iconic buildings, and galleries, cities often have a lot to offer. What’s more, the big cities usually offer a great variety of nightlife. Bars, restaurants and clubs and so much more. All in all, I prefer urban cities to rural towns.

范文B:

In my opinion, countryside is a better holiday destination even though dining and partying options might be restricted to a very few or none. But we all spend our lives almost entirely in cities, city breaks are literally like a home-away-from-home. And the tourist attractions are rushed and crowded, so I’d love to holiday in quiet, picturesque places to escape the hustle and bustle of cities. From my personal experience, I can say how positive and happy nature can help you feel. I often go backpacking in mountain areas, because the scenery is spectacular on the mountain, you can always hear clear sounds of birds fling in the forest. While watching the brook flow slowly towards the far distance, you can also take a breath of fresh air which can deprive you of all your negativity and calm your senses. The relaxed holiday will let you go back refreshed and rejuvenated.