华中师范大学研究生英语期末考试口语话题

Scripts for finals:

Semester 1 (or semester 2 for professional graduates)

Topics for oral test (20123/02 --- 20113/07)

1.What kind of woman does Kate Chopin intend to create in her The Story of

an Hour? Is Mrs Sommers a good mother?

2.What does happiness mean to you? Is happy life related to certain life theory?

Do you think you are living a happy life?

Well, i guess everybody got his/her certain definition about happiness, and that definition varies from person to person. It depends on what’s your expe ctation about life and what do you think about it. You are optimistic about your life, you’ll see happiness anywhere and anytime. So it does relate to some certain life theory. To me, happiness means quite simple. Something like getting a praise, winning a game, chatting with my friends. These all makes me feel happy.

And now i do live a happy life, because i am approaching my dream. Every a little bit success in that pursuing makes me feel happy. And i got a nice guy, being with him is my biggest happiness.

3.How to negotiate for success? What techniques may help us communicate

better when conflicts arise? Do you have any experience?

Negotiating skills counts a lot in the way to approach success. It helps others to figure out your minds in a better way. So, when you are negotiating with someone, firstly you get to figure out what does your client need most and put the points, by the way,you’d better cut your words in few minutes because usually you don’t get too much time.

When you got conflicts with someone, try to calm down first and think about why, and what is going wrong between you. Don’t be afraid to apologize if you did something wrong. Once upon a time, i

4.What do you know about adverting? What’s the function of ads in our life?

Do you like any ad slogan? Explain why you like it.

Adverting is a kinda medium that help the producers to communicate with their customers. You can see it on TV, posts, LEDS, etc. To the producers, it helps to get their products or services well acknowledged. And to the customers, it keeps them informed about something they may need and help them make choices.

We got many familiar slogans in daily life and some of them are really adorable. Like To Be NO.1 , it keeps reminding me that i have to do my best on what i am contending for. Some slogans even have become mottoes for many people. That can explain why some people are so obsessed in some slogans.

5.Are electronic computers important in our life and work? What can we (do

you normally) do with computers? Do you know anything about the first electronic brain?

Computers really count a lot in the modern life and in our life. Let’s forget about chatting with instant messagers, surfing the internet, watching movies, playing video games, i do use it for some concrete purposes. Like exploring some academic papers which i am gonna need them to enrich my knowledges. And help my boyfriend to do some designing work which related to urban planning or something.

As i know, the first electronic brain was born in Pennsylvania university in 1946. It was originally designed for military use. And it was really giant.

6.Have you run any risk? Explain what is perceived risk and actual risk. Share

one of your or your friend’s risky experience.

Yes, i do. Sincerely, i think perceived risk is kinda risk which might gonna happen. You can sense it, but you are not so sure about it. And if you do something , it might be avoided. Actual risk is kinda risk that is apparent, i mean,it’s so close., usually you have to fight it.

7.Who is your favorite athlete (at home or abroad)? Why do you like him or

her?

I guess it supposed to be Yao Ming. Born in a normal family, he succeed to make a place in NBA and had made a dramatic difference in Rocket. He successfully showed the world what an Asian can do in basketball game and what a Chinese gentleman will do in the public. Although he had done a great job and impressed the audience with what he got, he failed to get a champion ring. That’s a shame(never say that’s a pity). I feel so sorry about that. Yet he had showed us courage, faith and loyalty. These are something that prevailing to skills, and it is such things that makes one a great athlete. Yao is gonna be marked by the Rocket, the fans and the whole association forever.

8.Is advertising important in our society? How are we related to advertising.

What’s the function of ads?

9.Do you believe in anything or any person or any theory or any religion? Why?

Talk about your belief or faith.

Actually, i do. I am a communist, so i believe in Marxism. I know that a lot of people are suspicious about it nowadays. But i wanna say that the problems we got today is not about the theory, it is about some people. The theory is significantly correct. I take that view because i have read a lot of theories, and there is no other ones like Marxism that has convinced me so much. Unlike other theories, i just can’t find any critics about it. All i wanna do after i finish it is to defend it. It is talking

about philosophy, economics and how to liberate the whole world. It is one of most correct thing in human history.

10.Is there a critical period for learning anything. What does critical period

mean? Do you think there is a critical period for learning to read/write/dance/sing/paint/drive?

Sure there is. Critical period means the most dramatic period for people to acquire something. Usually, you are most efficient during this time, and everything may seems conquerable to you. Personally, i consider that this period may be in one’s juvenile stage. Because p eople in this stage needn’t to worry about some things real tough in life, they are guaranteed with time, money, tutors and they are promised with a brilliant future if they do their jobs very well. When one in his/her mid or old age, he/she may got the best way to acquire something, but usually there is no time. Memories are receding by the way. And probably it wouldn’t make a remarkable difference any more. So, a lot of people just give up.

Semester 2

1、Please talk about your consuming habits with concrete examples. Do you prefer the old brands or the new ones? And why? And also explain how you usually manage your money.

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recentl y, What have you been up to? C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to the research.stuff.

A: That sounds awesome. Wait a minute, Why do i think you are a little different today?

C: Seriously? Where?

A: Yeah, you looks more shining than usual.

B: is that because of the dress?

C: oh, you guys noticed it?

A &

B : of course.

C: well, i bought it yesterday , you won’t believe it !（兴奋）everyone there told me that it was just designed for me!

A: what, You often buy things following others’ advice?

C :No, (停顿)，i mean, sometimes.

B: So, you got any consuming habits?

C: yeah, of course! I often go shopping with my friends. This would be a lot of fun. And i can Share with them my time, my excitement, and my ideas! What about you guys? Would you like to share something?

A: sure. Well, you know, I usually buy things without too much consideration. Basically, i want something, I’ll go and get it, unless it really disappoints me. Guys’ logic.

B: that logic is also kinda suits me. Besides, i have some personal favorite brands, and basically i don’t wanna change it. When i am gonna buy some clothes, i go to H&M, ZARA, and Me&City. When i am gonna buy some shoes, i go to Nike, Adidas.

A: Wow, dude, you got a lot of money. So, how are you gonna manage your money usually?

B: ah, us ually i don’t have a plan for managing my money. I usually won’t realize it that my pocket is empty untill I can’t find a penny in it!

C: I wouldn’t do it in that way. Basically I will have a detail plan for my money. I’ll see what I’ve got first and then I’ll distribute it to some sections.

A: So you got a budget. Honestly, I have a budget too. But that ‘s not gonna be implement. I mean, deficit always happens.

B: Oh, that’s a shame.

C: you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while,but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se you later.

B Me, too.see you.

C: see you.

2. Please introduce the educational system in China briefly. Do you think academic excellence will necessarily lead to success in the real life? If not, what else do you need.

B: Hey there, how is your Dragon Boat Festival?

A: ah, i was preparing some stuffs. I am going aboard.

B: Did I just hear going aboard? You seriously? For what?

A：study

C: No,dude, you are not going aboard. I mean, why? You have a life here!

A: yeah, indeed. I got a life here, and i want a better life in the future. So i am going aboard and get some intelligence supply. I have been spending all the holiday preparing the CVs, Resumes.and blah blah…..

B: why do you think that the education system aboard is better? You can do that right here in this country .

C: sure, we have a sophisticated educational system here.

A: the established domestic educational system? You gotta be kidding me!

B: what’s your problem with that?

A: i got serious problem with that, man. This system is totally sucks!

C: Oh, why is that?

A: See, When you were in primary school, you were told to sit in a standard posture which i now prefer to call it zombie status. When you were middle school , you were nothing but a learning machine.

B: Yeah, but I heard that our middle school guys are doing much better on basic subjects than the American guys.

A: You wouldn’t believe that the American high school students ar e really suckers in study, do you? Because somehow they can have a certain sociology class in high

school and they are supposed to do some papers. Do we have sociology or something in high-school?

C: No, if I did, I wouldn’t be a sucker in reaearch.

A: The most losing thing is the college education. Do we have chances to present our minds in class? Or we do have, would you do that? I guess not. Do you have to oblige yourself to study？NO,because finally you’ll know the what is printed on the test papers. See? This is the Chinese education system.

B: I wanna defense it but i have to admit that damn ,you are right!

C: Yeah, all you have just said is definitely true. But i am afraid a glorious education background is not equivalent to a glourious future.

B: last weekend we held the college entrance examination. Many elites failed that exam once upon a time. I am talking about elites like Pan Shiyi, Ma Yun...

C: I heard about Ma Yun. Story goes that he got only 1 score on math in his first trying. The second time is 19 and the third one is 75 which had finally pushed him into the Hangzhou Noraml University.

B: He was completely a loser in the academic life. But absolutely a winner in his business life!

A: Ok,you guys have made your point! I got it. I know that we need something more than education background to reach success, something like courage, intelligence, enthusiasm, also counts in that pursuing. But at least I have to take a shot.

C: well, then ,sure you are.

A: thanks for your understanding. I will find out what I can do.

C: Ok. wow, you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while, but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se you later.

B Me, too.see you.

C: see you.

3. What does happiness mean to you? Please explain your understanding of it, and the road to happiness.

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recently, What have you been up to? C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to the research stuff.

A: That sounds awesome.

C: No, man ! it’s not awesome, it’s pathetic.

B: what does that mean?

C: that means I feel completely unhappy.

A: well that depends on how you define happiness. So what does happiness mean to you?,

C:I think that would be plenty of money and plenty of time, which means I am free to do whatever I want.

B: Sure they are important in life. But I would rather take prominent social status. A: why is that?

B: Money and time can’t guarantee you a real happiness sometimes. It is social status that bring you a real happiness to somewhere deep in your heart. You can fell it every seconds.

A: so you pretty enjoy being honored, Huh?

B: you can think so..

C: what about yours?

A: well, generally, my definition is a little bit different form you guys’. Just look around, do you really think that you could be happy with all the stuffs you just mentioned?

B:well, what does that supposed to be?

A: To me, it is sometime when you just won a game, you just got praise and you are talking with your close friends, like you guys. Doesn’t this mean happy to you?

B/C: Yes.

B: how are we gonna reach this kind of happiness.

C: I guess we don’t . Prohaps all we have to do is to calm down, f ind a inner peace in your heart and feel what is going on around you. I am sure we can make it.

A: yeah. We are happy just because we can not find any reason not to be.

C: you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while, but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se you later.

B Me, too.see you.

C: see you.

4、What’s your understanding of beauty? What do you think of plastic surgery? Would you like to have one? What are the benefits and possible risks of plastic surgery?

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recently, What have you been up to?

C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to the research stuff.

A: That sounds awesome. Wait a minute, Why do i think you are a little different today?

C: Seriously? Where?

A: Yeah, you looks more shining than usual.

B: yeah, you are beautiful!

C: thanks for your compliment

A: it’s not a compliment. It is true. You don’t think so?

C: well ,actually, I don’t think in that way usually. I usually feel unsatisfied with myself.

B: then who is supposed to be your model?

C: Sure it is Zhang bozhi. don’t you think she is gorgeous? She has a face as innocent as an angel and a curve as sexy as devil. To me, she just looks like a goddess.

A : Wait, we can’t judge a person by his/her physical appearance only.

C: NO,I like her not just because of her beauty, but also her acting skill. She is a very responsible actress. Maybe she is not the best in the entertainment industry, but she is an excellent actress with due diligence.

A: What about yours?

B: I like Yangmi

A: seriously?we heard that she has gone through a plastic surgery.

B:Uh, yeah, I heard that too. But I think that’s OK by me. Everyone wants to be beautiful and everyone has the right to pursuing being beautiful. Some plastic surgeries do help to realize that.

C: A girl as I am, I don’t want to take a plastic surgery. Because That’s not the real me.

I just want to be natural and to be myself.

A: Good girl. By the way, I think plastic surgery is kind of dangerous. hundreds of girls have been reported died of the plastic surgery.

C: yep. And at least you will disfigure yourself even if you survived in a failed surgery.

B: that sounds horrible. I wouldn’t do that anyway. And I will convince people around me to drop that intention either.

A: Me either.

C: you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while, but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se e you later.

B Me, too. see you.

C: see you.

5.Do you like reading literature? Who is your favorite? Why do you like him/her? May you please introduce one of his/her works to us?

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recently, What have you been up to?

C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to the research stuff.

A: That sounds awesome. You must be keeping buried in book every day.

C: yeah. specialized books

B: have you ever got chance to read any literature books?

C: I want to, but I definitely have no time.

B: well, I recommend you the Pride and Prejudice. It’s my favorite book.

A: seriously, Man? It is mine .too. I even wrote a review on it.

C: Oh ,you do? I know you won’t believe this, but Jane Austen is my favorite writer ,too. And sincerely I deem that Pride and Prejudice is her best work.

A: That does make sense. This book has been prevailing all over the world in the past

centuries.

B: What do you know about her?

C: well, she is an English novelist whose works are of romantic fiction. She was born in England, died in her 41.

A: Living in the late 18th century, Jane Austen almost marked all of her works the character of that age . Pride and Prejudice is a representative one.

B: And she has earned a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature.

A: Sure. What do you know from the Pride and Prejudice?

B:Pride and Prejudice is the literary classic written by Jane Austen about Elizabeth Bennet’s growing love for the conservative gentleman——Mr. Darcy at an background of the early 1800’s England.

C: It successfully draw a social picture about the country life and social relationships in England, especially of the wealth and the middle class in early 1800s.

A: that’s right. The book is trying to tell us that only this kind of couple who attract each other by their own moral characters and talents will get a happy ending.

B&C: right!

C: you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while, but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se e you later.

B Me, too. see you.

C: see you.

.

6. Do you think English is a global language? Why or why not? And please state why you should study English and how to learn it well.

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recently, What have you been up to?

C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to prepare the CET6. I wanna try again and see if I can get a higher score.

B: it’s the final time! why are you still dedicate yourself on this stuff?

C: because English is really important to me. It is a global language. you can see it anywhere and anytime.

A: Yeah, It is spoken as a first language by the majority populations of several states, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and a number of Caribbean nations.

B: And It is widely learned as a second language and is an official language of the European Union, the United Nations, as well as in many world organizations.

C:that is why I am gonna update my English to a new level.

B: Is this all for getting a better job?

C: No, of course not all of it. English also help me enjoy some movies. It’s been a lot of fun. What about you guys, what’d your purpose of learning English ?

A: uh, basically, English can help wide my sight, i can get informed what is going on outside the nation. life with English is much more colorful.

B: To me, it is a dramatic media to make friends. Since we are living in the International zone, we get plenty of chance to access to those foreigners. It’s very nice of most of them. Just the problem is, sometimes I can’t follow them very well.

A: well, if you wanna improve your listening, you get to find some native broadcasts, and try to do some dictions, you repeat it again and again till you work out most of the paragraph.

C: how are we gonna improve our oral English then?

A: well. you go to the English corner, try to talk to people in English. Don’t be afraid of being depressed or even humiliated. You keep doing that and I am sure you will make a great difference in 3 months.

C: Ok. I ‘ll try and see what I can do.Oh, you know guys i probably gotta go now. I’d like to stay for a while, but the supervisor awaits me

A: Oops, you always been in a rush. Alright, it’s very nice to talk to you. I’ll se e you later.

B Me, too. see you.

C: see you.

7. Do you like watching TV? What programs do you like most? Please describe your favorite TV program and then talk about the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV.

A：Hey, man/ dude/ guys/pals! What’s up?

B:What’s up/ ’s up , man/ dude/ guys/pals!

A:You know what, I didn’t see you too much recently, What have you been up to?

C:Uh, I have been dedicating myself to the research stuff. What about you guys?

A: same to you.

B: Basically, I have been connected with the TV.

A: you are a lucky man. What do you have on TV?

B: