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題目：卡內基美倫大學資訊系的課程亂入

CMU的CS課程安排
台灣喜歡說自己的大學很頂尖，雖不完全是唬爛，不過我覺得多數時候是自己喊爽的。雖然我們有許多不如人之處，但是要我一一指出，也沒這個能耐，但是總歸要看一下所謂「頂尖」大學裡的資訊系到底是怎麼回事。我選卡內基美倫大學（CMU）而非NYU，原因無他，我覺得CMU就是在很多方面好過NYU不少。很多很多年前，ＣＭＵ的全美排名很好，尤其是Computer Science更是厲害。所有的大學研究要做得好，一定是要從大學部開始做起，沒有好的大學部學生，研究所是不可能有好碩士生，沒有好的碩士生，就不可能有好的博士生，沒有好的博士生卻可以做出好的研究這種事一定是騙人的。即使自己的大學部學生不會留下來繼續唸研究所，只要把學校辦好，自然可以吸引好學生過來念研究所，大學部的口碑自然重要。所以，讓我們先來看看CMU大學部的課程安排好了。
CMU的大學部課程很多元，假如我把課一一列出來，大家一定會不知道從何看起，因為課的種類實在太多了，所以我從ＣＭＵ授與的學位種類開始。首先，CMU並非只有所謂資工系學士一種學位，而且不只是資工系，他的底下還設了其他研究單位，我把它們列在下面，其中還可以細分主副修。
1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
2. Bachelor of Science and Arts
3. Bachelor of Science in Music and Technology
4. Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology
5. Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Machine Learning
接著是系與屬下單位的附加主修與副修。
1. Human-Computer Interaction
2. Software Engineering
3. Computational Biology
4. Neural Computation
5. Language Technologies
6. Machine Learning
7. Robotics
既然CMU的機器人是出名的，從上面來看，除了機器人學為主副修項目外，直接與機器人研究相關的就有Machine Learning與Human-Computer Interaction，但是其他的難道就沒有關係嗎？起碼最基礎的Computer Science以及進階一點的Neural Computation就脫不了關係。但是老實說，Science and Arts關係也很大喔，這個我留待以後再講。
從CMU這樣子的安排看來，它即使不是非常主張，至少也是鼓勵它的學生要有主副修的。這樣子的主副修在台灣比較不一樣，老實說，這些副修其實都在資訊系下面喔，又有點像是台灣所謂的學程！雖然看起來有點怪，但是其實這些主副修類別都是要在領域知識上有很大的跨越的，可想而知，在CMU當老師多半是除了自己主專長領域外，還要多懂其他領域的學問，否則如何能指導學生呢？以Computational Biology來說，至少要跨資訊，數學與生物三大領域。Robotics就更不用說了，跨的領域要更多才行。但是不管是哪一個主副修，需要的都是高度的系統整合領域。舉例來說，在國內往往會過度專注在影像處理與圖形識別這個單一領域，而影像處理與圖形識在CMU裡面卻不過就是機器人學或是人機互動介面裡面的一小部分，但是這樣子的安排就將此一領域整進去一個更大的領域裡面，而這個大領域會是產生真正有用且複雜的應用的，進而有相當大的產值，從這幾年來看，機器人這麼夯，不得不對CMU的資訊系「當年」的遠見感到佩服，而且他們做的都不僅是一般玩具用的機器人，多數有著更廣泛應用的可能，同時CMU還與周邊的如匹茲堡大學在這個方面合作，成大資訊系的孫永年老師與連震杰老師都是出身自此處。假如各位上網查一下，孫老師在醫學影像上的成就非常傑出，這是要跨醫學領域的，而連老師對於利用影像於機械自動化產業界也是貢獻良多，情況也相似。
各位一定在上文之中看到兩個很特別的學位，那就是科學與藝術，以及，音樂科學與技術，這兩個領域。眾所週知，藝術領域上，因為人類想像力的因素，是比較難被電腦所取代的，但是近年來，電腦在這個領域慢慢有了比較長足的進步，也許CMU認為，隨著機器學習（或者說人工智慧）的進步，開始在這種比較難突破的領域有更深入的應用了。而其中的音樂科學與技術這一個專長竟然是2009年才新增的，CMU開始對於音樂這件事重視起來，難道是它預測未來這一個領域會跟之前選擇機器人一樣紅了起來呢？以一個外人來說，很難猜到它是怎麼想的。但是，對於一個從事音樂科學的人來說，真是既期待又怕受傷害呢！假如大家去查一下資料，就會了解音樂在全球的市場有多大，音樂可以獨立於影像而存在，但是當代，影片卻不能沒有音樂。再次，這樣的題目在台灣是不太受到重視的。還記得很多年前，我到成大應徵時，系教評會決定給我offer，但是當時的院卻不解的問在場報告的系主任為何會聘一個做音樂的老師，還好，我當時還會一點點視訊壓縮，軟硬體設計，人機界面，機器學習，再加上可以上的課算多。
對於畢業要求，除了主副修外，學生要修360units的學分才可以。一剛開始我是有點嚇一跳，因為這幾乎是台灣大學的三倍。不過後來才比較清楚它並非用時數來等比學分，以Introduction to Computer Systems門課來看，它是門12 units的課程，一般在台灣，這個可能只有三學分而已。多數的課都是9units。
當然，我們很難從網頁上看出CMU在這整個課程的安排是否夠扎實，開課的老師是否夠教得夠好，這些這麼厲害的課是否只是因應流行才臨時開的「應用課程」（這個在台灣很流行這麼做）。不過，在美國待過的大概都知道，每一門課的作業都多到爆，一學期要是修四門課就很累了，若是修到五門，那可是會操死人的。所謂作業，可能包含手寫作業與程式作業，有的還包含期末專題，我的訊號與系統這門目前修的人不太多的課大概就是這麼樣子。但是老實說，老師上得好當然好，不過真正上得好的老師絕非多數，但是在美國，我是沒碰過上得很爛的就是，即使當時我覺得上得不好的老師，事後我都覺得是我自己的問題比較多。但是真正重要的其實是助教，當年大學部的課的助教大概就是我們這群博士生所組成，對大學部的學生的要求都是我們在執行的。我記得當年，我還要在一定時段找一間教室教大學部學生。最後當人是不留情面的，大學部我沒注意，研究所的課，超過1/3的學生拿B以下是很正常了。
說真的，認真都是自己要要求自己的。而且在那種所有人都很認真的氛圍下，自己就會認真，不必助教逼，老師當然更不可能逼了。在國內，交大算是loading比較重的學校了，有一年我到舊金山開會，我回去拜訪老闆，所以選擇借住在兩位在Stanford唸博士班的學生的宿舍，一位來自交大，一位來自政大。半夜他們做完實驗時回來，我問他們，跟國內比起來如何，他們異口同聲說，假如這裡是人世，那國內簡直是天堂。他們多半是半夜三多點回來睡覺，早上不到九點就要出門了，因為他們的老師經常是不在的，一切要靠自己，即使老師沒教過也要自己想辦法把事情做好。多數的學生真的不是本來就強，而是不想辦法讓自己變強根本就生存不下去。
讓我們回到助教的重要性。說真的，不管是在Stanford或是NYU-Tandon，研究計畫多的教授都很忙，而在這類私立學校，找funding是最重要的事了，於是管控學習品質的常常是助教。因為助教都是博士生，程度比大學部學生好非常多，所以有問題問助教比問老師快多了，我在當助教時，每週有兩個時段會在一間學校安排的教室等學生來問。我已經算是不太會逼學生的助教了，畢竟人在外國，不必要給人難過。說真的，會認真的不必助教逼，因為學費這麼貴（20年前，一學分就超過500美元了。），不認真吃虧的是自己。但是助教厲害，讓學生無所遁形，同時也獲得學生的敬畏，學期末我也是把分數打一下，老師就照樣繳交出去了。我問一位在CMU唸過碩士的學生，他的回答約莫也是如此。如今的台灣，我們的課的助教幾乎都是碩士生，老實說，還不一定比大學部學生厲害到哪裡去，要怎麼靠助教要求品質，而台灣的教授比較起來，因為受制於體制，瞎忙的機率不低，要要求學生實在是有心無力。更有甚者，反正學費便宜，沒認真學好像也還好。而要求嚴格的課，不管有用否，選修的人數會讓教授害怕開不成，我的大學部的一門課就是如此，讓人感嘆。
好吧！回到CMU的設計。我猜，若是學生並不能確定自己以後要走的方向，那麼最可能的就是拿Bachelor of Science in Computer Science的學位。合理猜測，其他四種學位就是讓真正對某一領域有興趣的學生選的。所以，除了核心課程之外，每一種選的課都不太一樣，這是合理的設計。以CMU開的課的範圍之廣，一般修課又累，一個學生根本不可能，或是說不需要把每一種學位裡面的重要必選修課程都選一遍，除非他實在天資聰穎，又希望廣博所有領域。要是不信，我之後再來分析某一學位要修的課程項目給大家看好了。但是在台灣，因為沒有這樣子分，依照台灣學生修課習性，柿子撿軟的吃，負擔重的課不選，專選作業不多又容易高分的課，於是，修課跨大數據，網路，多媒體，訊號處理，資料探勘，生醫資訊，嵌入式系統，晶片設計，電腦動畫，醫學影像，資料庫等等，幾乎把所有領域都一網打盡，只求好過關之餘四年後卻什麼都沒學到，樣樣通卻樣樣鬆。你一定會問，若是所有老師都把課弄很嚴格不就好了？各位，給學生壓力就是給自己壓力，還要多花時間每年變花樣的，懂了嗎？何況帶頭嚴格，你的課可能就會開不成，要不然就是教學評鑑分數可能相對很低，不僅優良教師當選無望，若是升等會議被拿出來說嘴，不怕嗎？俗話說，與人方便，就是與自己方便。方便來方便去，學生的程度就被方便掉了，不過學生對於這種現象也不會太在意就是，反正可以畢業就好。所以還要再來怪學用落差嗎？
CMU這樣子的做法讓興趣明確的人走自己的路。簡言之，在美國，這種學生多半早就在高中畢業前就已經弄清楚自己想幹嘛了。更正確地說，高中以前多半就自己在搞東搞西的搞這個領域的東西了。但是因為基礎不穩固扎實，所以來唸個大學，補一下理論方面的不足，順便做幾個專題專論讓自己的實作更有深度。我跟你說，即使是老美，這種學生肯定也不在多數，但總比台灣的比例高不少。套一句流行術語，這些人是Make to Learn，也就是不管三七二十一先幹了再說，等碰壁了再來學更厲害的東西，也就是先用柴刀劈柴，然後再來學怎麼用玄鐵重劍。我在Stanford認識的博士生，好幾個大學是念純音樂系的，研究所才轉過來，而且願意乖乖的從大學微積分與工程數學開始唸起。但是台灣，或者是世界上大多數的學生是Learn to Make，從小學的都是以後要當厲害學者用的東西，卻不知道該拿來做什麼，兼之教不得法，學也不得其法，不僅學了就忘，還會反過來砍了學生的興趣，這就像是不會舞劍卻拿倚天劍來劍舞，不僅不好看，還把自己的臂膀給斬了下來，多冤枉啊！
CMU這種做法才差不多可以被稱之為多元，它不是給你一條沒得選的路，而是清楚地給你幾條更清楚的路，但是你自己必須先想清楚才行。所謂不奮不啟不悱不發，因材施教，有教無類，安ㄋㄟ 懂嗎？別以為老美心腸好，懂教育，你看CMU，Stanford，NYU等等，哪一家的學費便宜了？還不是擺明了要賺你的錢。你說他搶錢也好，為學生著想也罷，說真的，學生認真學，出去會有前途，即使現在被你搶了這麼多錢，回過頭來還是感謝「母校」的。你看，這些學校的校友捐款難道還少了？這叫做生意兼作育英才，一兼二顧，摸ㄌㄚˊ子兼洗褲。同時，老美也知道，這一套不是人人可以學得來的，即使在美國，能真的這麼搞的學校也不會多。一來，這類學校私立的居多，私立學校愛怎麼搞，怎麼漲價，國家基本上是不太管的。二來，這麼搞要花很多錢，這類學校不僅捐款多，來自研究的經費也多，所以不怕。三來，老師自己要有這個觀念，系要有這種共識與前瞻眼光。最後是這麼幹要花老師很多精神去想的，老師有沒力氣，有沒意願呢？放眼台灣，你說哪一間大學能這麼幹呢？這也就是台灣雖然留美回來的各領域博士教授這麼多（包含教育領域），教育也不見得高明的原因吧？
從前瞻性與完整性來看，顯然CMU的Computer Science不希望只是培養一堆只有很純的資訊背景的Programmers就好，這個從CMU的Computer Science過去與藝術領域的緊密合作就可以看得出來。我不知道這算不算對的說法，但是很多人都說，當今Apple之所以比其他平台要受人喜愛，一部分原因是在除了程式之外的設計方面比較強。同樣的，藝術是不是人類最不容易被電腦所取代的領域我自己也沒有定論，但是顯然這會是許多人所贊同的。藝術跟下棋不同，後者容易設計出cost function，藝術呢？顯然並不容易。下棋容易定出勝負，藝術呢？看來也難。梵谷與提香哪個畫圖比較好看，應該見仁見智吧！在歐美，藝術與科技結合的作品越來越受矚目，在台灣要從事這個領域的工作者恐怕要到國外去才有辦法吧！這些藝術作品可以產生多大產值呢？也許不是馬上，但是請想想，梵谷的產值是多少呢？難以估算吧！
根據CMU Computer Science的網站上的資料來看，有關電腦音樂的研究群大約是在2009前後成軍，之後提供了Bachelor of Science in music technology學位。一個真正的世界頂尖大學竟然會在金融海嘯之際成立這樣子的研究群，覺得奇怪嗎？要知道，在這種學校，一個系或是學位，成立後若是找不到經費，沒人來念，你以為校方會給你成立嗎？會支持成立一定是要校方投入資源，如空間，師資等等，不能替學校賺錢的，除非政經原因特殊這種，不然是不可能隨隨便便給你資源來成立的。這個CMU學位的成立目的如下：
「a comprehensive understanding of all three areas of study relating to Music technology: music, computer programming, and electrical engineering，Students vary from accomplished musicians to those with a keen interest in exploring the musical applications of technology, and working closely with advisors to guide in both course selection and capstone projects.」
看清楚喔！要學音樂，電機與程式設計。它特別強調程式設計代表不一定要學一堆資訊領域的核心科目如，作業系統，資料結構，網路通訊等等，主要是會寫程式。想想看，一個以後做音樂的學生都要會寫程式了，一個以Computer Science為主力（如，資訊，醫資等有資訊兩字的系所）的學生不會寫程式不是笑話嗎？假如你點進去，那麼就會看到，這個學位的學生要修人文，數學還有物理相關課程。一堆台灣的資訊系學生不喜歡的數學與物理課程，卻被CMU列在以後要靠音樂吃飯的學生所需要修的課程之中。台灣的學生，有沒有覺得自己遜掉了呢？台灣學音樂的學生一定也覺得自己的數學不行，但是老實跟大家說，這些主力是音樂的老美學生，乍看似乎對數學與物理不可能在行，但是這些人卯起來可真不是蓋的，我自己在CCRMA就遇到兩個。
此外，不要以為只有CMU眼光獨到，我列一些類似的給大家看。
1. U.C. Berkeley（柏克萊）的 CNMAT（新音樂與音訊技術研究中心）
2. Princeton U.（普林斯頓）的Sound Lab （聲音實驗室）
3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (伊利諾大學香檳分校)的Music Information Retrieval (MIR)（音樂資訊擷取）
4. Stanford U. （史丹福）的CCRMA（電腦音樂與音響研究中心）
5. MIT（麻省理工媒體實驗室）的Music, Mind and Machine Group of Media Lab.
6. IRCAM, Paris （巴黎現代音樂與音響學院）
7. Fraunhofer Institute of Digital Media Technology （德國法蘭霍夫數位媒體技術）的Semantic Music Technology Group

連同CMＵ，這六間美國的學校，都是名校，而且都很貴族。伊利諾大學香檳分校是隸屬圖書館與資訊科學系，其他有的是在資訊系下面，有的是在音樂系下面，但是也都會與資訊系合作，甚至還加上心理系，機械系與生物系。IRCAM與 Fraunhofer也是這個領域的研究的歐洲重鎮。IRCAM更是位於龐畢度中心之內的國家級研究中心，為已故名指揮家皮耶包列茲所創立。
想想我前面說的，當年我到成大來應聘時，還被問資訊系找一個做音樂的老師要做什麼？看看歐美就知道了，有這樣子的系的學校並不多，但是若是有，學校的等級就不會太差。過去我一直對這件事感到不解，想了很久才明白，人類一定是吃飽了撐著才會開始享受音樂，正所謂飽暖思淫慾。假如以年代來看，早在1975年CCRMA就被創立，而IRCAM更是法國總龐畢度請包列茲在1977年創立營運。1990年前後，CCRMA的專利技術每年技轉金額是很嚇人的。在台灣，要找願意做這個領域的學生不多，因為大家認為音樂領域有什麼好賺的，看來並不正確。事實上，這類的人才一直都是缺的，要兼具音樂，電機，資訊，物理等等多方面知識的人當然難找，所以一直都是退而求其次的，也就是像我這種音樂方面不太行的，一樣也可以在裡面做一點點小東西。但是，當我看到CMU的課程規劃，我馬上知道，若是這般扎實訓練出來的人多了起來，那類似我這種半調子的肯定要沒戲唱了。
CMU為選擇Bachelor of Science in music technology的學生所開出的菜單分以下七大類，
1 Music Concentration: 包含Studio，Major ensemble。
2 Technical Concentration：包含Concepts of Mathematics and Introduction to Computer Systems。
3 Music Core：包含和聲，對位，編曲，視唱，節奏等等。
4 Emphasis on Electrical Engineering：包含數位系統，類比電子電路等等。
5 Emphasis on Computer Science：包含平行與循序資料結構與演算法，電腦音樂系統與資訊處理等等。
6 Music and Technology Core：包含程式設計，電腦音樂，訊號處理，電腦音樂電子學，多軌錄音，剪接，混音與母帶製作等等。最後要做兩學期的大學專題（Projects）。
7 General Requirement
7.1 Humanities Courses：認知，行為，心理學，哲學等等。
7.2 Mathematics：微積分，微分方程，近似理論等。
7.3 Science：普通物理，音樂物理。
7.4 University Required Course：Computing，Interpretation and Argument等等。
7.5 Seminar
看看上面的課程規劃，音樂專門的就很厲害了，我完全不會，電子相關就有三門。資料結構不是一般的資料結構，而是有特別標明「平行與循序資料結構與演算法」喔！數學很重要，埋在不同類別裡，但是仍然列出微分方程與近似理論，後者真的很重要，恐怕台灣的資訊工程系的學生知道有這種課的沒多少。台灣的資訊系學生都不想修物理，結果人家有兩門。重要的技術方面的課都是12units的，多數是9units，只有音樂專門的科目會有比較少，如3或是6units的。
說真的，看到這種課程陣容，連我都會腳軟。音樂方面的才能一定要有一點，所以很適合小時候就有學音樂的學生。台灣的印象是，學音樂的數理一定不好，但是這真的刻板印象，音樂小時候學很吃香，但是數學物理電腦大一點，甚至大學再來學都不算晚，在國外，念完音樂系，甚至研究所，再轉來唸工程，甚至以後以工程為主要研究之一的我就遇到不少，Stanford的CCRMA的創辦人，John Chowning就是，他老人家發明的FM合成技術可是賺大錢的喔！不只是他，我在CCRMA認識的如Max Matthew，Chris Chafe，Julius Smith， Perry Cook，Scott V. Dyne，Gary Scavone等等，以及我在IRCAM的合作夥伴 Axel Roebel，以及目前在清大任教的劉奕汶老師，這些人都有深厚的音樂背景。跟他們比，比開發技術不會輸，但是整體來看，我算遜的了。
台灣的學生多數會先考慮從事某一領域的「出路」，要是學工程的學生回去跟父母親說要改做音樂，在我那個年代可能不被打，也會被罵吧！反過來學音樂的又不敢來（過去有幾年，我每年去師大音樂系引誘學生都沒成功）。可是這真的是個「沒出路」的領域嗎？先不說John Chowning與Julius Smith的頗為有產值的專利技術，目前當紅的Smule的創辦人Ge Wang是Perry Cook的學生（同時也是Stanford的助理教授），以及Positive Grid的三個創辦人其中之二，Larry Wu與Al Shiao是我的學生。
先不說，台灣會從音樂轉到科技研發的學生我幾乎沒見過（假如有，一定要打我臉，請他/她來唸博士班），會知道這裡有著一片藍海的工程學系的學生也不多，我的學生則多半是誤打誤撞才進來的。但是，在台灣，要能撐起這樣子的學位的學校在哪裡？也許交通大學還有點可能，因為交大同時兼有涵蓋工程與音樂這兩種領域的兩個學院。
讓我們看一下簡立峰教授對於最近的物聯網產業的一席話（註）。
「AlphaGo 的成功只是一個很會下棋的程式，人類生活中有太多事情充滿 Intelligence，而 AlphaGo 只是其中一件。而今天這件事為什麽大家覺得影響這麽大？因為大家覺得圍棋很難，但人類有很多能力，直覺、聯想、創造、決策都很難，到目前為止，電腦圍棋下的好不等於其他都做得很好。
短期內的人工智慧叫做兩個字，一個叫做大數據、一個叫做機器學習，AlphaGo 告訴大家的是在人工智慧時代，透過資料訓練電腦自我學習的方法，這其實在生活裡通通都有，例如在用 Gmail 時發現垃圾郵件被篩選掉了；Uber 知道什麽時候要依據車子的調動狀況來調漲車資。
什麽是物聯網的未來想像？這個時間點要注意的是機器學習。創業最好的方法是透過網路，網路是透過寫程式。而你的程式加上網路，如果未來可以取得資料，用上機器學習的方法，你會取得下一代科技，在各行各業發展智慧服務。」

假如大家去搜尋一下有關音樂技術研究的部分，就會知道「音樂推薦」這個在音樂下載網站上常用的選項，然後再進一步去看「音樂推薦」之中可能會用到「音樂情緒」的技術，挖深一點後，就會看到中研院楊奕軒老師所帶領的團隊，這時就會知道，這是簡老師所說的「透過資料訓練電腦自我學習的方法」，同時，這也是「人類有很多能力，直覺、聯想、創造、決策都很難，到目前為止，電腦圍棋下的好不等於其他都做得很好」的。
在台灣，有多少學音樂的學生會把音樂與機器學習聯想在一起呢？又有多少學資訊的學生會把音樂與機器學習聯想在一起呢？又或者，台灣哪一天可以有音樂系的學生會跳下來學習人工智慧技術呢？多數時候，這是台灣的學生到了國外才會選擇的道路，如清大的劉奕汶老師，師大的趙菁文老師，目前在法國工作的葉中興博士。
在此，我有意無意鼓吹音樂技術研究這個領域，只是湊巧在CMU的資訊系的整體規劃上看到這些資訊，有感而發而已。但是假如大家回到前文所提，CMU的五大學位與七大領域裡面，明擺著有關機器學習的佔了頗重的份量（如Neural Computing），但是其實幾乎每一樣都會與機器學習的相關技術有重大關聯，如同上述的音樂技術一般。回溯「人工智慧」這個領域，其實並不是新的東西，過去幾十年，「人工智慧」時而被提起，但是一陣子就會沒落，甚至有一陣子學者改稱「專家系統」，因為「人工智慧」這個名詞就跟現在台灣的「文創產業」，會讓人聯想到「華而不實」這四個字。但是每隔十幾二十年，「人工智慧」總會被再次提及，又再次沒落。連Google都承認他們並未在此有重大的演算法的革新，但是依靠龐大的計算能力，他們把所謂的「人工智慧」提升到過去所未見的地步。而更重要的是所謂的「Domain Knowledge」，缺乏了「領域知識」，「人工智慧」就什麼也不是。可是，一旦具備深厚的領域知識，你就可以「用上機器學習的方法，你會取得下一代科技，在各行各業發展智慧服務」。顯而易見的，CMU並未因為「人工智慧」的起起落落而改變初衷，事實上CMU更是最早發展「人工智慧」的學校之一。這份堅持，配合其他如人文，藝術，音樂，生物，機械等等領域所累積的「領域知識」，不僅機器人等領域有傑出的表現，也終於等到「人工智慧」的「再次春天」。（雖然我不知道過一陣子「人工智慧」會不會又再次沈落下去。）
隨著在寫這篇文章的時間，許多的線上教學課程網站所能提供的越來越豐富，讓我有一種「教授」這樣的的職業是否將在未來消失，或者說，需求量會大幅降低。因為，網路上可以聽到許多課上得比我好的老師提供線上課程，以聲音訊號處理這門課來說，若是要依循「講課」方式來講，那麼比我好的不知凡幾，事實上，我實驗室的學生在上我的課之前，我會建議他們先去聽Xavier Serra與Julius Smith的課（註2）。不過，與此同時，MIT的校長雖然也在大力鼓吹線上課程，也覺得這在未來是很有市場價值的，但是，他也同時認為「頂尖大學」如MIT，Harvard，Stanford等仍然是必須的，因為這些學校都致力於解決「人類所面對最棘手的問題不論是氣候異常、能源、食物、空污、癌症等問題」（註3），因為這些問題都是需要長時間投入的，而這樣子的問題可不是在網路上讀好線上課程，取得學分，甚至是學位，就可以有辦法解決的。一來，這是需要如同這些頂尖學校一樣，長期對一個問題的執著與支持，不能短視近利，也不能以能賺錢為目的，而是以解決地球的問題為目的。二來，雖然老師自己講課看來可能不再必須，但是很多解決問題的心法卻是無法透過線上課程傳遞，必須依賴類似古老的師徒制方式學習，師生共同致力，一問一答之下，才有辦法達到的。最近，我在MIT的課程中發現了一個有趣的趨勢（我是井底之蛙，也許人家這麼做很多年了），那就是一門課中，老師負責找經費把課程場域建起來，開學後只給學生必要的材料，解決方案則是要學生自己想辦法尋找，老師並不如一般一樣地講課，助教的工作是不斷出招擾亂修課學生的專案進行。若是在台灣，應該會被學生罵扁，不過，這是MIT的教學方式，您說到底有沒有效呢？也許在我們這種不算頂尖大學的學校裡也可以來試驗一下。
在CMU的資訊系身上，我們看到它長期對「人工智慧」的投入，不因為這個領域一時的消沈而放棄，同時，不斷思考如何改變經營方式，與增加對未來有用的新領域，並且多數會與機器學習有關，這樣子，不僅機器學習可以被用來幫助解決更多新問題，整個系也越多元，但是多元並不代表是一盤散沙，因為他是有核心價值的，而這個核心價值是數十年不變的，即使是不斷修正以適應這個世界的發展。再者，跨領域合作的風氣因此愈盛，一個教授不能只懂自己的東西，科技要跨向藝術，文文等其他領域，因為，資訊系教授本身若是沒有增加藝術涵養，藝術系教授若是沒有去學習科技背景，怎麼可能會合作得好呢？最後是課程安排對學生非常有挑戰性，以美國頂尖大學對學生要求之嚴格，CMU的學生要拿到學位當須付出比台灣的學生多出不只一倍的努力，而這就是人家領先我們之處。
在台灣，我們喜歡喊著「頂尖」，喜歡說自己「多元」，過去科技部更是有很多「跨領域計劃」，也許有那麼幾家學校真的是如此在做，但是距離高層次的頂尖與多元恐怕還差那麼一截，而所謂的教授跨領域，跨來跨去還是在自己原本相關的領域，並未真的是重新以學徒的心態去學習一個新領域的知識後，再來做研究，並進一步傳授給學生。至於教學部份，多數教授還是用過去2,30年前自己當學生時自己老師所用的授課方式在上課，更有的就是翻翻念念PowerPoint而已，在啟發學生方面，不僅不夠，還可能戕害學生學習的樂趣。我想台灣有很多老師很努力在改變教育現場，在資訊科技對未來世界日益重要之際，而國外的學校，甚至是公司，都以無比的速度在往前進，我想我們不僅是要學習跟上而已，還必須去設想與努力如何在20年後仍可以與世界一流大學比肩。

註1：”丞相，起风了！ 看清楚，张忠谋、简立峰、潘健成，他们講的是什么？— 台湾电子业今天看什么？”, TWicic懂灣灣。http://goo.gl/9lphvh
註2: 音樂應用的音頻信號處理，https://www.coursera.org/course/audio
註3: MIT校長：創新「蕃茄醬」論與「慢資金」，https://goo.gl/Mhfefs

托福資源 閱讀 翻譯2

托福考試閱讀問題的類型，第二部分

（你可能想通過閱讀來啟動第一部分本文）

六：參考問題

這種類型的問題問你確定哪些特定代詞指。一個問題會是這個樣子：“參考”“這個詞是什麼”這一 給定的代名詞會在屏幕上突出顯示。

我教我的學生兩個基本的策略來解決這個問題：

• 如果代名詞前面加一個逗號，尋求立即逗號前面的主題。這將是在同一個句子中的代詞。
• 如果代詞是由句點，尋求立即期間前句的主語。

這種技術通常工作。作為備份，嘗試用你的答案選擇更換的代名詞。

下面是一個示例問題：

20世紀確實是一個時期的芭蕾代表的一切離斷的，這是前所未有的創造性發展的同時，為舞者和編舞。也有人震驚，驚訝和思想為公眾的擴大的時候，在他們的定義是什麼舞蹈是條款。這是真正意義上的革命。

什麼是第一個“它”指的通道？

          A.芭蕾

          B. 20世紀

          C.舞蹈的定義

          D.新的舞蹈風格

答案是B.選擇，您可以找到這個使用上述方法，因為代詞立即被一個句點。

七：句子簡化問題

這種類型的問題，給你從通道相當長的句子，要求您選擇，簡化了它的句子。簡化句子必須包含所有原始的基本信息，並不得違背它。下面是一個例子：

到了80年代的舞蹈倒了個個兒和現代舞蹈（或者，這個時候，“當代舞”），顯然仍是許多從業者一個高度技術和政治手段。現有沿著古典芭蕾，兩種藝術形式是由現在的生活平靜隔壁另一個與以往時代的競爭和反感的一點。目前時間看見我們依然在非常有競爭力的藝術氛圍中，編舞競爭產生最令人震驚的工作，但是，仍然有美女的影子是有，並在一個時代裡的舞蹈技巧，進一步在專業知識，力量和柔韌性比以往任何時候都在歷史上進展不大不可思議的舞蹈。

以下哪項最能表達在強調句的基本信息？

          答：當前，舞蹈是一個非常有競爭力的藝術領域，雖然編舞試圖生產出最震撼的可能的工作多的美可以發現和舞蹈演員的技術能力有所增加。

          B.舞蹈並不令人震驚，因為它在過去，但它仍然是誰與誰的舞者更技術上比以往任何時候都善於合作編舞之間的具有競爭力的比賽。

          C.目前舞蹈編舞家之間的競爭產生最震撼的可能的工作，雖然有些美仍然可以發現。

          D.目前的舞者更強大，比以往任何時候編舞正在努力生產出比以往任何時候更震撼的作品才更加靈活。

答案是A.選擇選項B說違背了閱讀“舞蹈是不是令人震驚，因為它是在過去。” 選項C沒有提及舞者的改善能力，而選項D不提的是，美的影子仍然可以在今天的風格的舞蹈中找到。

八：句子插入問題

這種類型的問題問你插入一個給定的句子到從通道的一段。您必須從對句子四個可能的地點之一選擇。為了解決這個問題尋找在充當連接器周圍的句子單詞。還查找共享對象。例如，如果給定的一句是指“本論”看一個句子中引用的一些理論的段落。如果它是指在一個段落引用到一台機器為“本機”的樣子。但是，解決這個問題並不總是那麼簡單，因為給出的句子可能會使用同義詞。如果段落提到“這一理論，”給出的句子可能是指“這個想法，”這意味著同樣的事情。下面是一個示例問題：

由於俄羅斯芭蕾舞團開始於20世紀初革命性的芭蕾，也一直在繼續努力打破古典芭蕾的模具。*目前芭蕾技巧的藝術範圍更加包羅萬象比以往任何時候。*   這也影響了芭蕾舞團的伴奏音樂，stagings和多媒體。現代編舞家已經接受了古典舞蹈編導就不用考慮接受的藝術形式技巧。*的分類古典芭蕾作品的界限正在不斷拉長，攪渾和模糊可能直到所有今天仍然是技術的成語，如痕跡“投票'。*

看四顆星（*），表明那裡的下面這句話可能適合。

“這些努力非常顯著的方式已經改變了芭蕾的藝術。”

會在哪裡了一句最合適？

          A.第一明星

          B.第二個星

          C.第三顆星

          D.第四星

答案是A.選擇的關鍵詞識別為“企圖”，這是一個代名詞“的努力。”

九：表問題

這種類型的問題，是互動的。因為它們需要你了解整個閱讀文章，而不僅僅是一個單一的段落他們是困難的。你可以花一些時間對他們的工作，但是，因為他們是值得三四次之多，其他閱讀的問題。

為了解決這些問題，必須給予拖動到句子在表中的適當位置。

例如，如果在閱讀文章核電比較油功率表將對“石油利益”和標題“核電的益處。” 您將獲得的利益發言六次，你必須確定他們所描述哪種類型的電源。你會發現只有在每一個閱讀文章這個問題類型之一。

十：最重要的思想問題

這種類型的問題也是互動的。如表疑問這些問題所需要的整個讀通道的理解。而像表的問題，他們是值得每三，四個點。你會發現只有在每一個閱讀文章這個問題類型之一。

這個問題為您提供了從通道的主點，關於它的六句的集合。你會被要求“選擇三句話最能解釋經文的要點。”

他們鑰匙回答這樣的問題，是先消除那些根本就不在通道表達的選擇。其次，你必須消除表達從閱讀文章細枝末節的選擇。你必須選擇表達從通道重要的是，大思路唯一的答案的選擇。如需幫助回想一下，當你了解托福獨立寫作。這之間的答案選擇是區分
“理由”，哪些是“細節”。通常（但並不總是）正確答案的選擇將是“要點”在閱讀各個段落的開頭表達，而在不正確的選擇將是進來後段的詳細信息。

托福資源 閱讀 翻譯1

托福閱讀部分包含了一系列學術專題長文章的。你會讀這些文章，並回答有關其內容的詳細問題。您可以在你回答問題讀文章。這是你如何掌握這個測試部分。

托福閱讀策略

我教我的學生，最重要的是把未讀完的文章時，他們首先看到它。你根本就沒有足夠的時間來做文章的細讀。相反，你應該略讀文章，要特別注意的第一個段落，段落的其餘部分開放的句子。您將有機會更仔細閱讀文章時，您將得到回答的問題。幸運的是，這些問題通常聲明明確他們正在處理哪些段落。你可以在那個時候更仔細閱讀段落。

托福考試閱讀題型

一：事實信息

這是問題的最簡單的類型。它考驗你找到通道中的特定信息的能力。的信息被明確說明。下面是一個例子：

考古提供了從史前時代的舞蹈的痕跡，如在印度9000歲貝特卡岩棚畫和埃及陵墓繪畫從公元前3300年描繪的舞蹈人物。其中舞蹈最早的結構用途可能是在性能和​​神話的講述。製作書面語言之前，舞蹈是通過降低這些故事代代相傳的方法之一。另一種早期使用的舞蹈可能已經為先導，以欣喜若狂恍惚的狀態在治療儀式。舞蹈是仍然可以從巴西雨林卡拉哈里沙漠用於這一目的許多文化。歐洲的一些部落還用響亮組載歌載舞，以與其他部落的危險的戰鬥做好準備。

根據第一款，為什麼舞蹈用來傳遞下來的故事幾代人之間？

          答：因為它比文字更具表現力

          B.因為寫作尚未開發的

          C.這是描繪從神話故事的一個好辦法

          D.舞蹈可以部落之間共享

回答這個問題是B的通道不使用完全相同的話，但得到的答复是明確指出：“生產書寫語言之前，舞蹈是通過降低這些故事從一代到的方法之一下一個。”

通過查找從段落可能的答案關鍵詞和短語找到這種類型的答案。在這裡，“書面”出現在正確的答案，在本段。但不要使用此方法太多了 - 許多問題都是“招的問題。” 答案C包括關鍵字“神話”，但它是不是答案。很多時候我的學生接只是因為他們發現被更迭和答案之間共享的幾句話不正確的答案。

二：消極事實

這些問題是類似於事實問題。在負實際問題，你給出的答案選項列表，您必須確定是一個不中的一段話說明。例如，如果給上述相同的段落，一個問題可能會問：

以下哪一項不被列為第1款中一個歷史性的使用的舞蹈？

          A.神話的講述

          B.治療儀式

          C.由於風調雨順祈禱

          D.要準備戰鬥

回答這個問題C.要回答這類問題脫脂從每一個問題關鍵詞的通道。這樣做你會發現，A，B和D都明確在段落中提到。C不是，因此是正確的答案。

三：推理問題

這些問題需要基於在通道中給出的信息得出結論。答案是沒有明確在通道說明。相反，你必須能夠挑選基於通道是什麼，答案提示。下面是一個例子：

到了18世紀芭蕾已經從宮廷到巴黎歌劇院遷移。在本世紀的芭蕾舞劇在歐洲傳播，並在其自己的權利，芭蕾動作德移動作為一個更大的奇觀的一部分影像，行為藝術的宮廷安排開發。這種新形式捲走大部分宮廷舞蹈的人為性和對藝術應該嚮往模仿自然的理念爭取。這最終導致了服飾，允許運動的浮動更自由比以前是有利於更充分地利用身體的表達的能力。它還開門pointework，這更接受自然衣料的允許腳跟鞋少，這導致了舞者能夠更多地利用上升到黛咪足尖的發展。

在第3，什麼是筆者意味著對芭蕾的服裝？

          答：在17世紀使用的服裝往往僅限芭蕾舞演員的動作

          B.早期芭蕾舞的服裝進行了動物在自然界的外觀仿照

          C.舞者在舞台上表演赤腳

          D.歐洲國家之間的差異早期芭蕾舞的服裝

回答這個問題是A.筆者說，在18世紀的服裝“允許的運動比以前舞者更多的自由......”因此，我們可以推斷（猜），在服飾17世紀有時受到限制的運動舞者。

答案B的目的是欺騙您。是的，它包含的是，你會在通道發現一個關鍵字詞“自然”，但它是不正確。這是旨在懲罰考生猜誰不完全理解的通道。

四：修辭目的問題

這種類型的問題需要你理解為什麼一個文章的作者包括了一些信息。

為了解決這類問題試圖了解該段的要點和引用的信息是如何被列入。熟悉像“短語，以支持 ”，“ 解釋 ”， “ 對比 ”，“比較 ”，“ 質疑 ”，“ 展示 ”，“ 佔 ”，這可能會出現在答案的選擇。

這裡有兩個例子：

一個簡短的例外在二十世紀中使用的新的想法和設計發生在1960年，看到後現代主義的發展。後現代主義對簡單改變了方向，小東西之美，未經訓練的身體之美，古樸和運動。著名的“否”宣言拒絕所有的服飾，故事和外派頭有利於原材料和糙米運動也許是這波思維的極端。遺憾的是缺少的服飾，故事和外派頭不使一個很好的舞蹈表演，以及由20世紀60年代，集裝飾和衝擊值的末尾再次進入現代編舞的詞彙“。

為什麼筆者提及第5段的“否”宣言？

          A.為了解釋簡約舞蹈perfomances事業在20世紀60年代的舞蹈

          B.為了表明新的思想對20世紀60年代的舞蹈表演效果

          C.為了說明極端的想法，一些舞者和編舞家曾在20世紀60年代

          D.要解釋為什麼20世紀60年代後的舞蹈表演再一次用套，裝飾和衝擊值

回答這個問題是C的文章的主要觀點是談論20世紀60年代的舞蹈表演。“否”的宣言中提到，說明一些塑造舞蹈在20世紀60年代的想法。選項A聽起來像一個正確的答案，但在宣言不是事業的想法。的想法的原因是後現代主義。正如你所看到的，是必需的通道的仔細閱讀，以找到正確的答案。下面是關於同一通道的另一個修辭類型的問題：

在第5，為什麼作者提到，演出服裝沒有和故事不會導致好節目嗎？

          A.要解釋為什麼20世紀60年代後的舞蹈表演再一次用套，裝飾和衝擊值

          B.要批評20世紀60年代的舞蹈表演

          C.到了60年代的舞蹈表演與那些20世紀60年代後，

          D.為了說明趨勢20世紀70年代芭蕾

答案是A.他清楚地解釋為什麼舞蹈在60年代末期轉向回用服飾，佈景和故事。選項B和C聽上去還不錯，但作者的主要意圖是要解釋為什麼舞蹈在20世紀60年代末發生變化。

五：詞彙

這是一個相當簡單的類型的問題。你是要挑選基於其在通過使用一個不熟悉的單詞的意思。如果你熟悉的字問題將是相當容易的。如果沒有，你應該尋找通過檢查周圍的句子線索。下面是一個例子：

20世紀確實是一個時期的芭蕾代表的一切告別的。這是前所未有的創作發展的同時，為舞者和編舞。也有人震驚，驚訝和思想為公眾的擴大的時候，在他們的定義是什麼舞蹈是條款。這是真正意義上的革命。

這個“史無前例”的第2款是意思最相近：

          A.獨特

          B.流行

          C.苛刻

          D.難

答案是A.獨特之處是前所未有的代名詞。一般來說，包含在答案的話會比在問題中給出的詞更熟悉。因此，你可以看一下對通過匹配的答案選擇，線索。獨特的是在由短語，如暗示“破遠離一切芭蕾舞主張。”

要繼續托福的閱讀部分做準備，請繼續第二部分這篇文章。

[Pocket Listening] Toefl iBT写作必背200句

Toefl iBT写作必背200句
1. A large number of people tend to live under the illusion that they completed their education when they finished their schooling. Obviously, they seem to fail to take into account the basic fact that a person’s education is a most important aspect of his life.
2. In recent years, there is a growing tendency for parents to ask their children to accept extra educational programs.
3. A proper part-time job does not occupy too much of a student’s time. In fact, it is unhealthy for them to spend all of time on studying. As the old saying goes: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
4. Statistics show that 30 percent of the population does not have strong standpoint.
5. According to a recent survey, four million people die each year from diseases linked to smoking.
6. Additional social stresses may also occur because of the population explosion or problems arising from mass migration movements though modern means of transportation have greatly alleviated that particular problem.
7. Although many experts from universities and institutes consistently maintain that it is an inevitable part of an independent life, parents in growing numbers are starting to realize that people, including teachers and experts in education, should pay considerable attention to this problem.
8. It must be noted that improvements in agriculture seem to not be able to catch up with the population increases in rural areas and that there are millions of peasants who still live a miserable life and have to face the dangers of exposure and starvation.
9. Parents should be encouraged to send their children to nursery schools, which will bring about profound impacts on children and families, and even society as a whole.
10. Many sociologists point out that rural emigrants are putting pressure on population control and social order, that they are threatening to take already scarce city jobs; and that they have worsened traffic and public health problems. 11. Although this view is widely held, there is little evidence that education can be obtained at any age and at any place.
12. An increasing number of experts believe that migrant will have a positive effect on the city construction. However, this opinion is now being questioned by more and more city residents, who complain that the migrants have brought many serious problems like crime and prostitution.
13. There is a general discussion these days about education in many colleges and institutes. One of the questions under debate is whether education is a lifetime study.
14. An investigation shows that female workers tend to have a favorable attitude toward retirement.
15. There is a lot of discussion about science and technology. One of the questions under debate is whether traditional technological methods are bound to die out when a country begins to develop modern science and technology.
16. An investigation shows that many older people express a strong desire to continue studying at a university or a college.
17. Anthropologists have discovered that fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise are universally reflected in facial expressions.
18. According to a recent survey, a growing number of people express a strong desire to take another job or spend more time on the job in order to get more money to support their family.
19. Parents should emphasize that their children maintain a balance between play and study. As an old saying goes: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
20. As a member of society, everybody should shoulder the responsibility of one’s own behavior. Responsibility is society’s ethical foundation. Without responsibility, or morals, society will be paralyzed, and not run well. Fortunately since the human civilization began, everyone’s responsibility everyone’s responsibility in societies with a legal basis is to accept the consequence of one’s behavior.
21. There are several reasons for this problem. One of the main reasons is that the number of vehicles is increasing much more rapidly than roads are being built. Another primary reason is that there seems to be too many private cars and not enough public buses.
22. As a popular saying goes, ”there are two sides to everything.” Now the public is benefiting more and more from scientific and technological inventions. On the other hand, science and technology can cause a lot of problems. People in many countries are suffering from public hazards because of these problems.
23. There if a general discussion about fashion in recent years. One of the question under debate is whether a person should choose comfortable clothes, which he or she likes, regardless of fashion.
24. As for me, I’m firmly convinced that the number of foreign tourists should be limited for the following reasons.
25. From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that a part-time job can have a far-reaching impact on students and they should be encouraged to take part-time job, which will benefit students and their families, even society as a whole.
26. There is a general debate on the campus today over the phenomenon of college of high school students having part-time jobs.
27. An increasing number of people are beginning to realize that educating does not end with graduation.
28. Although modern science and technology have proved that such methods are absurd, there are still millions of people in many remote places that use these methods.
29. As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged sword which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both.
30. As the time and cost of making a chip drops to a few days and a few hundred dollars, engines may soon be free to let their imagination soar without being impeded by expensive failures.
31. People seem to fail to take into account the fact that education does not end with graduation.
32. At the time when technology means ever more harmful carbon in the air we breathe, we need these forests more than ever.
33. Because of the space crunch, the Art Museum has become increasingly cautious in considering acquisitions and donations of art, in some cases passing up opportunity to strengthen its collections.
34. Before giving my opinion, I think it is important to look at the arguments on both sides.
35. At the same time, along with the benefits of such machines, employees must study these machines so that they are able to control them.
36. Besides, the living standard of the average Chinese person is still not high enough to be able to afford the many different sorts of expenses uncured during long distance travels.
37. Bicycles can’t be compared to other means of transportation like cars and trains for speed and comfort.
38. But it is really the case? The information I’ve collected over last few years leads to believe that artistic and cultural projects may be useful than many governments think. In fact, basic infrastructure projects play an extremely important role and should be given priority.
39. When asked what kind of school they are willing to send their children to, many parents say they would choose a boarding school rather than day schools for their children.
40. But what these people fail to see is that international tourism may bring about a disastrous impact on our environment and local history.
41. By taking a major-related part-time job, students can not only improve their academic studies, but get experience, experience they will never be able to get from the textbooks.
42. Children are undergoing rapid physical development; and lack of physical exercise may produce disastrous results later in life.
43. Although many people tend to live under the illusion that traditional technology and methods are still playing an extremely important role in their lives, increasing evidence shows that it is less useful than many people think.
44. There is a growing tendency these days for many people who live in rural areas to come into and work in city. This problem has caused wide public concern in most cities all over the world.
45. Children with parents whose guidance is firm, consistent, and rational are inclined to possess high level of self-confidence.
46. Civilized men like this kind of life. While they enjoy the comfort and banal luxury of their dwelling, they do not realize that they are deprived of the necessities of life.
47. Consequently, the extra money obtained from a part-time job will strongly encourage students to continue to study.
48. Due to high tuition fees, most ordinary families cannot afford to seed their children boarding schools.
49. Editors of newspapers and magazines often go to extremes to provide their readers with unimportant facts and statistics.
50. Environmental experts point out that increasing pollution not only causes serious problems such as global warming but also could threaten to end human life on our planet.
51. Only in a peaceful environment can people lay emphasis on sports events. The Olympic Games is a convincing example because it has been compelled to be cancelled several times in its history due to wars.
52. Even the best graduates need to continue learning before they become educated persons.
53. This issue is becoming a matter of concern for more and more people, especially for parents and experts in education.
54. For lack of a distinct culture, some places can not attract tourists any more. Consequently, a quick rise in the number of foreign tourists may eventually lead to a decline in local tourism.
55. There is no denying the fact that air pollution is an extremely serious problem and city authorities should take strong measures to deal with it.
56. For the majority of people, reading or learning a new skill has become the focus of their lives and the source of their happiness and contentment after their retirement.
57. From what has been discussed above, I am fully convinced that the leisure lifestyle is undergoing a decline with the progress of modern society, and that this decline is not a bad thing.
58. As for me, it is essential to know, at first, what kind of problems young students might encounter on campus.
59. For people who want to adopt a healthy and meaningful lifestyle, it is important to find time to acquire new knowledge. As the old saying goes, it is never too old to learn.
60. As for me, I’m in favor of the opinion that education is not over at graduation for the following reasons.
61. From psychological aspect, the majority of children tend to have an unfavorable attitude toward additional educational activities.
62. From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that both day schools and boarding schools are important to train young students for our society.
63. As for me, the declining of traditional technology and methods is not a bad thing; it is the natural result of society’s progress.
64. There is growing tendency for parents to stay at home to look after their children instead of returning to work earlier.
65. Furthermore, people who are addicted to fashion have to spend more time going shopping and paying more attention to the impression they make on others. As a result, it is impossible to devote enough time and energy in their studies and jobs.
66. In democratic countries any efforts to restrict the freedom of the press are rightly condemned. However, this freedom can easily be abused.
67. A government’s protection of ancient culture does not merely safeguard one’s own culture, it also promotes modern civilization.
68. However, there is an even more insidious kind of pollution that particularly affects urban areas and invades our daily lives, and that is noise.
69. However, this idea is now being questioned by more and more experts, who point out that it is unhealthy for children who always stay at home with their parents.
70. I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield.
71. From what I have mentioned above, we can see clearly that violence on TV has a major influence on youngsters’ behaviors.
72. I find young people exciting. They have an air of freedom, and they have not a dreary commitment to mean ambitions or love of comfort. They are not anxious social climbers, and they have no devotion to material things.
73. If we glimpse the unutterable, it is unwise to try to utter it, nor should we seek to invest with significance that which we cannot grasp. Beauty in terms of our human meanings is meaningless.
74. At the same time, there are still many people who live under the traditional ideas that day schools play an extremely important role in children’s study.
75. In addition to the obvious problem-loneliness-another major obstacle, in my opinion, is the alien environment of the campus.
76. At the same time, young people should be encouraged to communicate with their peers and develop their interpersonal skills, which may help them greatly reduce dependence on their parents and is essential for maintaining a healthy mental condition.
77. If you want to achieve something or intend to fulfill one of your ambitions, you must work hard and be prepared. Otherwise, you will not be able to take advantage of opportunities when they arrive.
78. In conclusion, we must rationally take this problem into account and place more emphasis on peasants’ lives. Any government that is build to this point will pay a heavy price.
79. However, unfair competition will cause social Darwinism and the strong will prey on the weak, which is unfavorable to society’s harmonious development. 80. In fact, we have to admit that quality of life is as important as life style.
81. In my opinion, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone in our society, but only those who are adequately prepared and highly qualified can make use of them.
82. Extra studies bring about an unhealthy impact on the physical growth of children. Educational experts point out that it is equally important to have some sport activities instead of extra studies when children spend the whole day in a boring classroom.
83. If you can do without the few pastoral pleasures of the country, you will find the city provide you with the best that life can offer.
84. In the last few decades, advances in medical technology have made it possible for people to live longer than in the past.
85. With development of our national economy, all these problems will certainly be solved step by step.
86. From what has been discussed above, I firmly believe that time will prove that traditional technology and methods will die out with the development of modern science and technology. The maintenance of the traditional technology and methods in futile.
87. There seems to be too many people without job and not enough available job positions.
88. In view of such a serious situation, environmental-friendly transportation tools like bicycles are more important than ever before.
89. Insects would make it impossible for us to live in the world; they would devour all our crops and kill our flocks and herds, if it were not for the protection we get from insect-eating animals.
90. It is commonly accepted that no college or university can educate its students by the time they graduate.
91. In view of the seriousness of this problem, effective measures should be taken before things get worse.
92. Whatever the source of noise, one thing is certain: silence, it seems, has been build, which have unfavorable effects on the environment.
93. It is desirable to build more hospitals, shopping centers, recreation centers, cinemas and other public facilities to meet the public’s growing needs.
94. In addition, in order to attract tourists, a lot of artificial facilities have been built, which have unfavorable effects on the environment.
95. It is fairly clear that sleeping period must have some function, and because there is so much of it the function would seem to be important.
96. In conclusion, we must lay emphasis on this problem and try our hardest to help them enjoy their first day on campus.
97. It is generally believed that the chief reason for the increase in population in developed countries is not so much the rise in birth rates but the decline in death rates resulting from improvements in medical care.
98. In the first place, school authorities should provide more services to help freshmen to get used to their new life as soon as possible.
99. It is hard to imagine a student focusing his or her energy on a textbook while other children are playing.
100. Tourism, however, gives rise to a number of problems. For instance, it becomes a burden to inefficient transportation systems.
101. It is impossible to say simply for the fun and exercise: as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are around.
102. It is suggested that governments ought to make efforts to reduce the increasing gap between cities and the countryside. They ought to set aside an appropriate amount of funds for improving the standard of peasants’ lives.
103. Many people claim that with rapid economic development the number of people who use bicycle is decreasing and bicycles are bound to die out. However, the information I’ve collected leads me to believe that the bicycle will continue to play an extremely important role in modern society.
104. Moreover, many people, including drivers and cyclists, do not obey the traffic rules properly, especially at busy intersections. This undoubtedly worsens an already grave situation.
105. It is true that during their explorations they often faced difficulties and dangers of the most perilous nature, equipped in a manner which would make a modern climber shudder at the thought, but they did not go out of their way to court such excitement.
106. Many experts point out that physical exercise contributes directly to a person’s physical fitness.
107. No one can deny the basic fact that it is impossible for average workers to easily master thigh-technology skills.
108. An advantage of children’s participating in some paid work is that this practice can cultivate their independence, self-determination and sense of responsibility.
109. Take cars, for example, they not only pollute the air in cities, but make them crowded. Furthermore, they are responsible for a lot of traffic accidents. Car noise disturbs residents living on both sides of streets all day and night.
110. Long before children are able to speak or understand a language, they communicate through facial expressions and by making noises.
111. In the first place, some aspects of traditional technology and methods are harmful and hamper the development of modern technology and science.
112. It is indisputable that there are millions of people who still have miserable lives and have to face the dangers of starvation and exposure.
113. Many city residents complain that there are few buses in their city that they have to spend too much time waiting for a bus, which is usually crowed with a large number of passengers.
114. Although people’s lives have been dramatically changed over the last decades, it must be admitted that, shortage of funds is still one of the biggest challenges students face because tuition fees and book prices are rising by the day.
115. Many government leaders go into raptures at the mere mention of artistic and cultural projects. They are forever talking about the nice parks, the smart sculptures in the central city and the art galleries filled with valuable rarities. Nothing, they maintain, is more essential to economic growth than these projects.
116. Many parents believe that additional educational activities provide obvious
advantages. With extra studies, they maintain, their children are able to obtain many kinds of practical skills and useful knowledge, which will put them in a beneficial position in the job markets when they grow up.
117. It is widely acknowledged that computers and other machines have become an indispensable part of our society, which make out life and work more comfortable and less laborious.
118. Many people believe that international tourism produces positive effects on economic growth and local government should be encouraged to promote international tourism.
119. Although rural immigrants contribute greatly to the economic growth of the cities, they may also bring about may negative impacts.
120. It is commonly though that our society has been dramatically changed by modern science and technology, and human beings have made extraordinary progress in knowledge and technology during recent decades.
121. Many surveys show that people in increasing numbers are beginning to recognize that boarding schools provide a better environment and facilities for children.
122. There are two reasons for the improvement in people’s living conditions. In the first place, we have been carrying out reform and opening-up policy. Secondly, there has been a rapid expansion of our national economy. Furthermore, the birth rate has been brought under control.
123. Many values associated with traditional technology are out of date and should be replaced by modern science.
124. From what has been discussed above, we can safely draw the conclusion that, although parents desire to look after children by themselves is understandable, its disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.
125. Many young people go into raptures at the merely mention of buying clothes. And they seem to be attracted by colorful material and various styles of fashion. There is nothing, they maintain, that can be compared with clothes. In fact, fashion has become an indispensable part of youngster’s lives.
126. Meanwhile, the number of people who have access to their own cars has risen sharply in recent years.
127. Millions of people have to spend more time and energy on studying new skills and technology so that they can keep up in today’s job market.
128. Modern civilization advocates materials. Without the government’s intervention and protection to the cultural tradition legacy, the destruction to it will be too ghastly to contemplate.
129. Moreover, children will have been time to play and communicate with their peers due to extra studies, consequently, it is difficult for them to develop and cultivate their character and interpersonal skills. They may become more solitary and even suffer from mental illness.
130. The thought, the mankind’s intelligence quintessence, whether it is accepted by the contemporary people, it will be wonderful works in the history of progress of mankind.
131. Most important of all, apart from their hometown and parents, students don’t see any familiar faces and suffer from homesickness, which might cause serious mental problems.
132. My suggestions to deal with the problem are as follows. To begin with, it is urgent to create nature reserves. Secondly, certain rare wild animals that might become extinct should be collected, fed and reproduced artificially. Finally, those who hunt them should be punished severely.
133. Many people seem to overlook the basic fact that clothing’s major function is to keep us warm and comfortable.
134. From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that the advantages of bicycles far outweigh their disadvantages and they will still play an essential role in modern society.
135. No one can doubt the essential fact that the traffic problem over the last few years has caused public concern all over the world. Experts in increasing numbers are beginning to believe that this situation will lead to unfavorable effects on economic growth in local areas.
136. The senior and junior students could share their own experiences with the new students about how to overcome the difficulties they encountered, and how to adjust to the new environment.
137. The story of a poor family that acquired fame and fortune overnight, dramatically illustrates the power of the press.
138. Not only can walking fish live out of water, but they can also travel short distance over land.
139. People in growing numbers are beginning to believe that learning new skills and acquiring knowledge contributes directly to enhancing their job or promotion opportunities.
140. Although parents would be able to devote much more time and energy to their children, it must be admitted that, parents have less experience and knowledge of educating and supervising children, when compared with professional teachers working in kindergartens or nursery schools.
141. It is true that the Fifth Amendment states that the government may not take private property for public use without compensation, but it is the government that defines private property.
142. People differ in their attitudes towards failure. Faced with it, some of them can stand up to it, draw useful lessons from it, and try hard to fulfill what they are determined to do. Others, however, lose heart and give up.
143. Nowadays, many students go into raptures at the mere mention of going to high school or college. Unfortunately, for most young people, their first day on campus is not a pleasant experience.
144. On the one hand, it is indisputable that boarding schools are exerting a growing influence, especially in last few years.
145. From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that although extra studies provide many obvious advantages, its disadvantages shouldn’t be ignored and far outweigh its advantages. It is absurd to force children to take extra studies after school.
146. No one can deny the fact that a person’s education is the most important aspect of his or her life.
147. One of the great early writers wrote:”Work is the grand cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind.” If this it true, then the present situation should make us wonder whether the rule that the average workers is obliged to retire at the age of 50 is reasonable.
148. Parents are firmly convinced that sending their children to kindergartens or nursery schools will have an unfavorable influence on their growth.
149. The problem of international tourism has caused widespread public concern in recent years,
150. People believe that computer skills will enhance their job and promotion opportunities.
151. Proper measures must be taken to limit the number of foreign tourists and great efforts should be made to protect local environments and historical sites from the harmful effects of international tourism.
152. Real statesmen have the political faith and ambition, but do not use it like a vulgar tool.
153. Rich as our country is, our quality of life is by no means satisfactory.
154. Scientists do not know why dinosaurs became extinct, but some theories postulate that changes in geography, climate, and sea levels were responsible. 155. A sense of justice, consciousness of responsibility, and sympathy bring up the basic factors of a statesman.
156. Since it is unnecessary to consider a student’s routine life, day school can lay stress on teaching instead of other aspects, such as dormitory and cafeteria management.
157. Stone does not decay, and so the tools of long ago have remained when even the bones of the men who made them have disappeared without trace. 158. Students attending a boarding school should cultivate their independence apart from their parents.
159. The information I’ve collected over last few years leads me to believe that this knowledge may be less useful than most people think.
160. Television is more than just an electronic appliance; it is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings.
161. Competition and cooperation are ways of mankind progress. To lay more stress on one or the other oversimplifies the issue and is detrimental to society’s forward progress.
162. Cooperation across boundaries will help to resolve various problems which have been puzzling the society for a long time.
163. The critic appreciates and appraises artistic work via their unique criteria, thus providing a context to evaluate a work’s social value.
164. Since the examination is around the corner, I am compelled to give up sports.
165. The critic has set up a kind of creation norm and culture rule, thus playing a driving role in the artist’s creation to a certain extent.
166. The difference between a man who succeeds and one who does not lies in the way each one treats opportunities. The successful person always makes adequate preparations to meet opportunities as they arrive. The unsuccessful person, on the other hand, works little and just watches as opportunities pass by. 167. The Europe Investment Bank has provides loan of about eighty million Euros to Estonia for the renovation and expansion of the electric power transmission-line system.
168. When it comes to education, the majority of people believe that education is a lifetime pursuit.
169. The greater the population there is in a locality, the greater the need there is for water, transportation, and disposal of refuse.
170. The latest surveys show that quite a few children have unpleasant associations with homework.
171. The majority of students believe that a part-time job will provide them with more opportunities to develop, their interpersonal skills, which will put them in a favorable position in the job market.
172. Television, the most pervasive and persuasive of modern technologies, and marked by rapid change and growth, is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary sophistication and versatility that promises to reshape our lives and our world.
173. The number of private cars in urban areas should be limited while the number of public buses should increase.
174. An investigation shows that many immigrants think that working in city provides them with not only a higher salary but also the opportunity to learn new skills.
175. “The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, make them.” This is remark made by Bernard Shaw, a great writer, and his view is shared by more and more people as time goes by.
176. There is only one difference between an old man and a young one: the young man has a glorious future before him and old one has a splendid future behind him: and maybe that is where the rub is.
177. These days, people in growing numbers are beginning to complain that work is more stressful and less leisurely than in the past. Many experts point out that with the development of modern society it is an inevitable result and there is no way to avoid it.
178. From what has been discussed above, it would be reasonable to believe that basic projects play a far more important role than artistic and cultural projects in people’s lives and economic growth.
179. The reason why we have to grow trees is that they can supply fresh air for us.
180. Those urban planners who are blind to this point will pay a heavy price, one they cannot afford.
181. To average people, they often tend to live under the illusion that proficiency in English often means a good opportunity for one’s career, is this really the case? 182. Today an increasing number of people have realized that law education is of great importance. In order to keep law and order, every one of us is supposed to get a law education.
183. Tourism brings China a lot of benefits. First, it enables Chinese people to know more about the outside world and promotes friendship and understanding. Secondly, it is financially beneficial to China, which needs more foreign currency for its modernization program.
184. This whole progress by which machines can be used to work for us has been called automation.
185. Unfortunately, there is very little evidence that big companies are willing to invest huge sums of money in a place without sufficient infrastructure, such as basic electricity and water supplies.
186. Using a bicycle contributes greatly to people’s physical fitness as well as easing traffic jams.
187. Those who are in favor of artistic and cultural projects argue that the cultural environment will attract more tourists, which will bring huge profits to local residents. Some people even equate the building of such projects with economic improvements.
188. Whether a large family is a good thing or not is a very popular topic, which is often talked about not only by city residents but also farmers as well.
189. It has always been a mystery to me why city dwellers, who appreciate all these things, obstinately pretend that they would prefer to live in the country. 190. Furthermore, students living in their own homes would have access to a comfortable life and have more opportunities to communicate with their parents, and that has a beneficial impact on the development of their personal character. 191. What’s more, living as school can save them a great deal of time on the commute between home and school, so they would be able to concentrate more time and energy on their academic work.
192. It has been estimated that the weight of all the insects destroyed by spiders in Britain in one year would be greater than the total weight of all the human beings in the country.
193. With the opening and reform policy being carried out, thousands upon thousands of foreign visitors are crowding into our country. They are eager to see this old mysterious land with a splendid cultural of more than 5000 years.
194. Without something of this kind, searching for intelligence on other planets would be like trying to meet a friend in London without a pre-arranged rendezvous and absurdly wandering the streets in the hope of a chance encounter.
195. In the organization of industrial life, the influence of the factory upon the physiological and mental state of the workers has been completely neglected. 196. This caused the construction of gigantic building where too many human beings are crowed together.
197. Modern industry is based on the idea of maximum production at the lowest cost, in order that an individual or a group of individual or a group of individuals may earn as much money as possible.
198. Young men who have reason to fear that they will be killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have cheated of the best things that life has to offer. But in an old man who has known human joys and sorrows, and has achieved whatever work it was in him to do, the fear of death is somewhat abject and ignoble.
199. When anyone opens a current account at a bank, he is lending the bank money, repayment of which he may demand at any time, either in cash or by drawing a cheque in favor of another person.
200. Primarily, the banker-customer relationship is that of debtor and creditor-who is which depending on whether the customer’s account is in credit or if overdrawn.