English | Z-cosy

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CET-4

CET4_202312_330015232107405.pdf

536.3KB

CET-6

一般般吧、不过毕竟纯裸考的，比CET4还随意

srds口语怎么回事？？？

TOEFL

The problem is…… I got to give it another run

The thing is, it is very difficult to improve my spoken English in a non-native environment. And I deem it stupid to spend more time on a subject which is almost saturated.

So, let it be.

Another run for TOEFL, and maybe another for GRE.

Then say GOODBYE to English! (at least for now)

大英赛

24大英赛成绩.pdf

25.8KB

不过明年也可以报着刷刷分~也不是很重要的奖项啦

GRE

Essay Writing Structure（5 Paragraphs）

(2024 Edition) Writing the GRE Issue Essay Step by Step

The argument essay is gone (pour one out in its memory), but the issue essay remains. If you're looking for cheap, quality test prep, check out www.gregmat.com/pricing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSL3XXrFfH4

Introduction

Hook

Generalization, anecdote, interesting fact, trend, quote, etc.
Introduces the topic (nothing more)
Don't write your thesis or supporting idea here!

Shift to prompt

Makes your essay more cohesive (make it flow better)
An abrupt shift to your thesis is awkward

Thesis (most important part of the essay)

This baby is the boss that controls everything
The thesis exists on a spectrum:

Strongly agree
Mostly agree
Neutral
Mostly disagree
Strongly disagree

Greg recommends "mostly agree" or "mostly disagree"

Outline(tells your reader how you’re going to structure your essay)

Don't neglect this; academic readers like to know what's coming
Tells reader how you're going to structure your essay
Indicate how many reasons/examples you'll use

Body Paragraphs (Two of them)

Topic sentence

Introduces your first reason that supports your thesis
Must introduce the overall idea of the paragraph (the "controlling" idea)
Must support your thesis
Acts as a mini thesis

Example 1

Need a good example, preferably from:

History
Politics
Economics

If needed, use a good hypothetical
Avoid personal anecdotes ("Uncle Bob" stories)

Example 2 (Optional)(Addition/Counter Example)

Same rules apply as Example 1
Benefits of including second example:

Further develops the idea
Increases word count
Discourages "story telling"

Development/Explanation

Develop your idea
Connect the reason to the thesis
Explain why this matters
2-3 sentences of development is sufficient

Concession Paragraph (Counterpoint)

Topic sentence

Introduces a counterpoint to your thesis
Reflects why you "mostly" agreed/disagreed
Allows room for nuance

Example 1

Same rules as body paragraph examples

Example 2 (Optional)

Same rules apply

Development/Explanation

Same rules as body paragraph development

Conclusion

Less critical but necessary

Rephrase your thesis

Summarize supporting ideas

Wrap up the essay concisely

Other tips

editing on the fly

word count is important

examples should be specific and have to match the reason

范文

The past 20 years has engendered more human connectivity than all previous millennia of our species' existence. With so much change in such a short period of time, determining whether this phenomenon has been largely positive or negative is difficult, if not impossible. /The prompt takes the negative stance and argues that technological advancements have resulted in more harm than good./ In my opinion, I mostly disagree with this view and believe that technological progression has improved our connectivity and relationships for the following two reasons, though I do concede that recent advancements have unfortunately decreased our need for face-to-face connection.

First Point

First of all, technological advancement has resulted in more benefits for our inter-connectivity because, as a species, we are no longer constrained by distance. /For example, a Japanese exchange student studying in New York City can communicate with her mother in Tokyo easily and effectively at no charge using an application like Whats App or Facebook./ In the past, this same student would have had no choice but to send a letter (which might arrive three weeks later) or call long distance at an exorbitant rate of dollars per minute. The earth is massive, and even if one were travelling at the maximum speed of a commercial jetliner, it would take nearly 24 hours to travel from one end of the planet to another. However, technology has created a reality in which all of Earth’s 8 billion inhabitants are right next to each other, not longer constrained by distance in any meaningful way. The advantage of the leap cannot be overstated, from the way we interact with our families to the way we conduct business around the globe.

Second Point

Second of all, the progression of our technology has allowed not just for the ability to sustain our current relationships but also the capacity to form new ones and become part of distinct communities. For example, an individual from a small town in America might be partial to the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons and be able to cultivate this hobby by joining a local league in a larger town that he discovered on the Internet. Thirty years ago, this individual would have found it challenging to engage with this hobby and perhaps would never have pursued it given the difficulty in locating like-minded peers. Humans have an inherent need to be part of a tribe, to be part of a group that shares their interests and passions. Technology makes this possible, particularly for those individuals with niche hobbies that are not necessarily shared by those closest to them. Such freedom of expression has led to millions of people thriving in life and finding their true callings.

Concession

However, I do concede that technology has led to the unfortunate consequence of people no longer feeling the need for face-to-face interaction. For example, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, millions (perhaps billions) of workers around the globe no longer deem it necessary to go to their office and meet their co-workers on a personal level. Instead, they can simply use a video conferencing app like Zoom or Google Meet. In addition, the phenomenon of "video dating" is becoming increasingly popular, where a date is conducted entirely online rather than at a coffee shop or restaurant. As referenced above, humans are extremely social animals. We have an instinctual need to be around other humans. Multiple studies have shown that if a human is deprived of contact with other members of the species, a host of physical and mental consequences result. Technology in some ways is undermining this evolutionary need, one that has been with us for hundreds of thousands of years. It is possible that we can adjust to the new paradigm, but it's doubtful that this adjustment can occur at the same rate of technological process. It is no surprise that we are seeing rising depression and anxiety around the world, even as our standards of living improve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is true that technological progress has eroded some of our connectivity, particularly our face-to-face interaction, the benefits of no longer being constrained by distance and being able to form connections with like-minded people clearly outweigh the cons.

The Role of Individual Choice in Life Outcomes

The debate between environmental determinism and individual agency has persisted throughout human history. While some argue that our circumstances entirely shape our destiny, the prompt suggests that individual choices play no significant role in life outcomes. I disagree with this deterministic view and believe that personal choices substantially influence our life trajectories, though I acknowledge that external constraints do pose real challenges.

First Point

First and foremost, historical evidence demonstrates that individuals can transcend their circumstances through conscious choices and determined action. For example, during World War II, Anne Frank chose to maintain hope and document her experiences despite being confined in extremely oppressive conditions. Her diary not only helped her process trauma but also became a powerful testament to human resilience that has inspired millions. Similarly, Helen Keller, born both deaf and blind, made the conscious decision to learn and communicate, ultimately becoming an accomplished author and political activist. These cases illustrate that even under severe limitations, individual choice can significantly shape outcomes.

Second Point

Secondly, modern research in psychology and neuroscience supports the impact of individual agency on life outcomes. Studies show that people who adopt a "growth mindset" - believing in their ability to develop and improve - consistently outperform those with fixed mindsets, regardless of initial circumstances. For instance, a 2020 Stanford study found that students from disadvantaged backgrounds who cultivated a growth mindset improved their academic performance by 31% compared to control groups. This demonstrates how our chosen attitudes and responses to challenges can substantially influence our achievements.

Concession

However, I must acknowledge that external factors do create significant constraints on individual choice. Socioeconomic background, access to education, and systemic inequalities can severely limit available options. For example, a child born into poverty may face numerous obstacles in accessing quality education or healthcare, regardless of their personal motivation. Recent studies indicate that zip code remains one of the strongest predictors of life expectancy and income potential in many countries. These structural barriers cannot be dismissed and require systematic societal solutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while external constraints undeniably influence our life paths, the evidence suggests that individual choices still play a crucial role in determining outcomes. The combination of historical examples and modern research demonstrates that personal agency, while not unlimited, remains a powerful force in shaping our destinies. The key lies in recognizing both the reality of constraints and the potential for individual choice to create meaningful change within those boundaries.

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