Part I: Summary and Opinion

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The first computers were very large and some were as big as several rooms. Over
time, the technology improved and computers became smaller. Now, personal
computers are everywhere. They are supposed to improve the quality of our lives, but
they have not made life better.

Computers waste a lot of time. Computers are machines, and machines often
break. There are many stories about people who have wasted time because of
computer problems. For example, one woman bought a computer, and after she turned
it on it did not work. She spent a week talking on the phone with someone from
customer support and was still not able to successfully set up the computer. She
eventually returned the computer to the store. In another story, a graduate student at a
major university lost a year’s worth of research because his computer stopped
working. He had to start his research project all over again. Having a computer means
losing time when they break.

Computers also hurt relationships between people. It is important to build strong

relationships with family and friends. However, people often sit in front of their
computers instead of being with their family and friends. On computers, there is
always another email to answer, another website to read, or another online game to
play. Before computers, families would talk and play games as a group for an entire
evening. Now, a family can be in the same house without talking to one another. This
can damage relationships between people.

Computers are in more places than ever before. Computers are getting smaller
and easier to carry around. We will see more and more computers as technology
improves. Despite what many people think, they do not make life better. (287)

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Teenagers work after school. Other teenagers work on the weekend. Others work
during school breaks. Schools teach students a lot, but having a job can help students
in ways that schools cannot. All teenagers should work while they are in school.

Teenagers who have jobs as students can learn about different job fields. If a
student wants to become a doctor, he or she can learn what it is like to work in a
hospital. A student who likes children can help at a school. Student will get very
useful experiences. Such experiences make it easier for students to decide what kind
of job they should look for when they graduate. In some cases, teenagers may learn
what certain jobs are not right for them. Finding out what work they do or do not like
is an important for teenagers to learn about a variety of jobs.

Students who work also learn how to manage their own money. Many teenagers
depend on their parents for everything. If parents give teenagers money, then
teenagers will get used to receiving money easily. By working hard for their own
money, teenagers learn its value. They also learn how to make the most of their
money when choosing what to buy. Understanding how to manage money is a useful
skill for teenagers to learn.

A job may take time away from students’ studies but it will also teach them a lot
about different job fields and managing money. A part-time job provides students
with experiences and skills that cannot be taught in school.

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Over the past several years, the number of people visiting zoos in the United
States, Australia, and England has reached record levels. Zoos attract a lot of tourists
and families. But they are not the best place for animals to live.

A zoo can provide only limited space for each animal. Some bears, for example,
have only 10 meters of walking space at a zoo, but in their natural home, bears can
walk for long distances. Many zoos keep big cats in very small spaces compared to
their natural environments. In a zoo, they cannot move enough to stay active and
strong. Also, birds are often kept in small spaces where they must walk from branch
to branch instead of flying. Having too little space to live in can be bad for the
animals’ minds and bodies.

It is also important to understand that zoos can be harmful and even deadly for
some animals. Animals from different regions or areas live very close together. They
can get sick because they are not used to each other. People can also hurt animals be
giving them food that they are not supposed to eat. Animals can get sick when
humans throw waste in their living space. For example, some animals think plastic
bottles are food and they hurt themselves trying to eat the plastic. So it is not always
the case that animals are safer in zoos than they are in their natural homes.

Many people visit zoos every year. They think it is a fun activity for families.
But they should think about the poor living conditions of the animals in zoos. When it
comes time to plan an activity with your family, zoos are not the best choice.

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Some children grow up in a big city while other children grow up in the
countryside. Childhood experiences can be very different depending on where a
person is raised. Although the countryside can be more peaceful than a big city, it is
better for children to grow up in a big city.

Children who grow up in a big city have more opportunities. If a child wants to
sing, dance, or play a musical instrument, he or she can easily find different teachers
or clubs. A child who is interested in sports has a lot of sports to choose from. In
addition, most big cities have excellent museums, zoos, art galleries, and libraries.
Therefore, children can spend their evenings, weekends, and summers learning about
many different subjects. By experiencing a wide range of activities, children will be
able to find out what they like and maybe find a special interest.

Children can develop a world view in a big city. In big cities, there are people
from many different backgrounds. It is good for young people to meet people from
different cultures. It prepares them for the real world. They can learn ideas or opinions
that are different from the ones they are used to. By meeting people from all over the
world, a big city helps children to understand how different people communicate.
When faced with a problem, a big city child is more likely to consider many different
solutions.

Some people do not like big city life, but it has more opportunities and more
culture than life in the countryside. Living in a big city is a great way to prepare
children for the real world.

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Few cities have enough money to pay for all the things they wish to do. This is
especially true for transportation projects. It is important for city leaders to know what
is best for their city in the long run. In planning for future growth, cities should spend
more money on improving public transportation than on improving roads for private
cars.

Many cities are growing more and more each year. The population is rising. This
means that there are more people driving on the road. This creates congestion. As a
result, there are space problems because more of the city space needs to be used for
roads and parking. Instead, this valuable space could be used for parks or housing.
Cities should focus on building public transportation so that congestion is reduced.
Business, trains, and bicycle lanes are some solutions.

Reducing the number of drivers on the road can also help reduce air pollution.
Cars are one of the biggest sources of air pollution, contributing to global climate
change. Many people would like to take public transportation, but it is not available in
their city. Other people prefer driving in the comfort of their own cars because they
are not aware of the effects car pollution has on the environment. In both cases, cities
should work hard to make public transportation an option.

Although it is expensive to develop public transportation, it is worth it. Cities

will benefit. Developing buses, trains, and bicycle lanes should be important to every
city. People need to know the effects that driving has on the environment.

Write a short summary of the author’s opinion in 25-50 words. Do not copy.

Write your opinion. Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why? Write
at least 50 words. Try to use your own ideas.