二、文化异同,新旧产生的话题

文化异同导致的冲突:

代表题型:International travel often leads people to have some prejudices rather than broad-minded.What are the main reasons for this phenomenon? What do you think people can do to get better understanding of the countries they visit?

解题要点:1. 明确讨论主题:international travel,prejudices,注意broad-minded不是此题的讨论点,应避免答非所问; 2. 注意题目问法,要求给出原因和解决方案, 很多同学往往看到题目就写,结果写成prejudices导致的结果,造成偏题。

具体思路(原因):

国际旅游意味着语言不通(language barriers)和文化差异(cultural differences), 比如人们在在购物中,有些国家接收讨价还价(bargain),有些国家这种行为不被广泛接受(not generally accepted),最终会造成人们之间一定的误解和冲突(cause misunderstanding and conflicts)(呼应题目)。

有些游客仅仅只是为了玩乐(for pleasure),所以缺乏对当地风俗习惯的了解(superficial understanding of local tradition and customs),比如触犯当地的禁忌(violate a local taboo)或使用不尊重的语言(disrespectful languages),结果导致偏见(呼应题目)。

解决方案:

从根源上去解决问题(tackle the root of problems):置身在当地的文化中(immerse themselves in the local culture),比如生活在当地,学习当地语言以及主动遵守规则(take an active role in obeying rules),从而与当地人培养好的人际关系(develop good relationship with the local)。

从制度上去避免问题(formulateand adopt policies to avoid problems)。通过法律法规(enact laws and regulations)规范所有人的行为(rule people’s behaviour and languages). 比如一旦发现有人使用侮辱性或攻击性语言(abusive and aggressive languages),人们有权寻求警察帮助(inform police of the truth and request help),维护自身权益(protect their own rights)。

通过激励措施去正确引导(incentive measures to lead to a disadvantageous position)。 通过加强两国之间的文化沟通,比如举办文化沙龙(culture salon)以及国际旅游节(international tourism festival),增进了解(deepen mutual understanding and build emotional ties)。

文化新旧的话题-练习部分:

该话题范围较为宽泛,涉及范围和题目变化形式多样,在这里已为读者理清思路和素材。

(衣食住行)新事物的替代:

原因和影响:随着经济和科技的进步,人们的衣食住行方面都在发生着细微或显著变化(change or revolutionise people’s ways of living)。比如,人们有更多的闲置资金(disposable funds)来购买生活必需品(basic necessities)甚至奢侈品(luxury goods),从而开始奢侈的生活(lead a lavish life)而非过去简朴的生活(a frugal life),许多的人因此会感受到幸福(feel happiness),因为满足了人最基本的生理需求(physical needs)和精神需求(spiritual needs),当然还有小部分的人,实现了自我价值(self-realisation)。

具体说来,新旧文化的交替,带来生活方式的巨大改变,具体到生活吃穿住行方方面面。这其中好坏都有。具体带来哪些影响呢?

谈到穿着,时尚体现的是一种审美观(perception of beauty)和想象力(imagination),从而打破陈旧(break the mould),丰富人们的精神生活(fulfill spiritual lives)和提高生活质量(improve living standards)。但是可能会造成社会群体社会特别是青少年过度追捧流行趋势,导致传统服饰(traditional costumes)的不被重视,甚至该行业的衰退(fall behind)。

快餐食物因为高卡路里(high in calories, salt and fast),从而容易引发肥胖(lead to obesity),导致不健康的身体状况(poor physical condition),但是不可否认,它们能够丰富烹饪方法(traditional recipes)以及带来生活的便利(improve convenience);

关于现代建筑,它们能够解决人口膨胀(population expansion)的问题,而且有可能更加适宜居住(liveable), 但因此可能造成历史意义(historical significance)和文化根基(cultural root)的丢失;比如说一些传统历史遗迹的破坏(the destruction of some historical constructions)。

以上思路和语言也同样具有广泛适用性,请读者加以记忆和有意识地运用,结合整篇文章的方法和语言点,尝试思考练习以下的题目:

We live in cities or towns which have museums displaying objects of historical and cultural importance, but people do not visit them. How do you think people do not visit museums in their local areas? What is the importance of museums to society?

Modern buildings are appearing in large numbers, some people believe that we should build out buildings in traditional styles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What are your opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of “fast food” and “traditional food”?

Nowadays,the trend of fashion changes very rapidly, and gradually people become the slaves of it. Some people think that a person should choose comfortable clothes, which he or she likes, regardless of fashion. Do you agree or disagree?