作者：北美考试教学中心 托福写作组 王雨婷

The achievements on technology has brought forth various ways for people to have access to upcoming events happening around the world, making reading or listening to news a daily routine for some people. However, some raise their concern on the lifestyle and argue in favor that people should stop reading or listening to the news for a few days or a week. To my mind, it is much more advisable for people to continuously read or listen to news.

First, not getting exposed to news for a few days or a week causes problems in our social interaction with others. News report is one of the most important means for people to get access to the updated information. Although some may argue that some news reports, like the celebrity gossip in entertainment industry or criminal cases happening in other countries, may have nothing to do with our lives, but those events commonly serve as fodders for chats in most communications. Thus, missing those information for even a few days translates into failing to follow up the topic our friends or colleagues started. After this awkward situation continues for a few days, one may find it hard to integrate into his social group and being squeezed out.

Second, news reports may have great influence on our daily life, and thus is significant to get updated timely. This matters especially when emergent event comes up, so that readers can get fully prepared for the potential disasters or other life-threatening issue. For instance, last year, after I came across some news reports regarding the pneumonia caused by a previously unknown virus, I suggested my mother to purchase some needed medicines and masks in case of any emergency. Later, the COVID-19 broke out and the masks were in short supply while my family still had enough to use. Had I not formed the habit of reading daily news, I would have missed the news and failed to make preparations for it.

Finally, accessing news from time to time enables us to detect opportunities. News reports sometimes closely bond up with the changes in the field of economy, government policy or international relationships, etc. Therefore, this information more or less contributes to one’s career prospect or asset accumulation. If a student knows about the government will carry out more privileged policy in real estate market, he could choose related major in university to ensure a future promising career. If an enterprise knows that the government will introduce law to curb pollution, more money and efforts will be put into the technology to reduce environmental damage so as to avoid future influence on profit.

All in all, to read or listen to news everyday is  a good habit and benefit people in all respects.