1990 – 2011 (TEM4WRITNG)历年英语专业四级作文真题及范文汇总2011—COMPOSITION: Recently government agencies in some big cities have been studying the possibility of putting a "pollution tax" on private cars. The amount of tax private car owners would have to pay would depend on the emission levels, i.e. engine or vehicle size. This has caused quite a stir among the public. Some regard it as an effective way to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. But others don't think so. What is your opinion?Should Private Car Owners be Taxed for Pollution?(200 words)One possible version: Should Private Car Owners be Taxed for Pollution?With the development of society, many people can afford a car. As the number of the cars is rising, we are facing some problems. One big problem is the pollution caused by the use of cars. In order to solve the problem, government agencies in some big cities recently suggest that a “pollution tax” should be put on private cars to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. For my part, I agree to this viewpoint, and my reasons are as follows: Firstly, cars contribute to the environmental pollution. For example, lots of big cities in China are now plagued by serious air pollution. Then it is the responsibility of these private car owners to pay for the pollution and they should be taxed. The purpose of collecting environmental pollution tax is to raise the fund, and then utilize the tax revenue lever to protect our environment.Secondly, it is a good way to raise people’s environmental awareness by putting a pollution tax on private cars. If people suffer from the financial loss when making a decision, they will think more about their decision. Then they will consider more when deciding to buy a private car. Consequently, the increase rate of the number of the private cars can be controlled.In a word, it is a very good and necessary attempt to use the means of taxation to treat the pollution. Of course, it must be kept in mind that all people, including the private car owners, should try their best to protect the environment.NOTE-WRITING: During the summer vacation you would like to invite your best friend to your home town.Write a note to him/her, extending your invitation and telling him/her how to get to your hometown. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear my friend,The summer vacation is coming next month. I hope you will visit our home town and stay with us. It's beautiful here with everything in bloom now. If possible, you can come here by the train No. 1010, which will arrive here at 18:00.I am looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible.Sincerely yours,Sally 2010—COMPOSITION: It was recently reported in a newspaper that six students who shared a dorm at a university hired a cleaner to do laundry and cleaning once a week. And each of them paid her 60 yuan a month. This has led to a heated debate as to whether college students should hire cleaners. Should College Students Hire Cleaners?(200 words)One possible version: Should College Students Hire Cleaners?It’s a popular phenomenon nowadays that college students would hire cleaners to help do the laundry and clean their dormitories, which has sparked a heated debate among students, parents and teachers. In my point of view, such practice should not be encouraged on campus.To begin with, college students should have the capacity for the basic laundry and cleaning work. Doing family chores is a simple way to cultivate independence. If college students can’t even do the most basic things in their life, how c an they handle big challenges under pressure in the future? In addition, college students should feel shamed of disposing of their parents’ hard-earned money in this way. Since a large proportion of their living expenses and tuition are covered by their parents, hiring cleaners could be considered a waste of money. Finally, I do not agree with those who claim they hire cleaners for the sake of either study or saving time. This is a mere excuse for their sloth and overreliance.In summary, hiring cleaners should be discouraged on campus, where students are supposed to cultivate a sense of responsibility and independence rather than become lazy parasites.NOTE-WRITING: Your good friend, John, is thinking of organizing an end-of-the-term party. Write him a note telling him that you like his idea and offer to help him. You have to be specific about how you can help him.(50-60 words )One possible version:Dear John,,As a close friend of you, I really love your idea of organizing an end-of-the-semester party. W hat a great idea! It’s my pleasure to give some help if necessary. Firstly, I would like to attend the celebration and share our joy. Secondly, I wish to hold a small musical soiree, at which a band of mine will perform some works by Bach and Strauss. Looking forward to your reply.Yours,Mike2009—COMPOSITION: Tourism is a booming business in China. However, some people worry that too many tourists may bring harm to the environment, while others don't think so.What is your opinion? Will Tourism Bring Harm to the Environment? (200 words)One possible version: Will Tourism Bring Harm to the Environment?In recent years, tourism has developed rapidly in China. Many people believe that tourism produce positive effects on economic growth and we should try our best to promote tourism. But what these people fail to see is that tourism may bring about a disastrous impact on our environment. As for me, I’m firmly convinced that too much tourists bring harm to the environment.The bad impact of tourism on the environment has mainly expressed itself in various ways. One way is the process of exploiting a new scenic spot. In order to attract tourists, a lot of artificial facilities have been built, which have certain unfavorable effects on the environment. This process usually breaks the ecological balance of the area. In some mountainous places, trees are being cut down to build hotels for others to see and explore the beauty of the mountains. Then land slides and mud-rock flows come up. Another way the development of tourism has damaged the environment occurs when tourists go to scenic spots. Some tourists don’t have the awareness to protect the environment, and ignorantly throw their garbage here and there. Some people even kill the local wildlife to eat, which badly damages the balance of the natural environment.It is wrong to sacrifice the environment for the growth of tourism. We must keep in mind that too much tourists bring harm to the environment. We need to find a balance between satisfying the needs of tourists and reducing to a minimum the pollution they cause.NOTE-WRITING: Lily, your roommate, is looking for a part-time job in the coming summer vacation. You saw an ad for a private English tutor for a schoolboy. Write her a note, telling her what the job is and strongly recommending it to her. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Lily,I know you're looking for a part-time job. I just saw an ad about private English tutor fora schoolboy. Your English is excellent and you're patient with children. That's a good job for you. Plus the boy lives near our campus, so do consider this. It's a good chance to make money andgain experience.Yours,Sally 2008—COMPOSITION: December 5th is International V olunteers Day. Since 1985, when the United Nations announced the special day, tens of millions of people around the world have volunteered to help those in need.China now has 4.5 million registered volunteers who have provided more than 4.5 billion hours of volunteer work. What can you gain from volunteering?The Benefits of Volunteering(200 words) One possible version: The Benefits of V olunteeringV olunteering has grown into a fashion these years, with volunteers ranging from college students to white collar workers.I'm more than glad to see that an increasing number of people are willing to help the people in need. And I firmly believe that volunteering can enhance their ability to tackle problems.As we can see, thousands of college students are flocking to rural areas as temporary teachers. There is no doubt that tons of problems are awaiting: lack of food, poor living conditions, etc. So, they need to take great pains to overcome the problems. For example, they have to get used to the simple food with strong will-power, and prepare lessons in poor light. What's more, students there might not cooperate with them well, so they have to figure out a way to interest them, get them involved so as to teach them more effectively. It must be extremely hard for the volunteers to fit in at the beginning, but as they accumulate more experience, they will work out problems successfully.To sum up, volunteering will not only help those in need, but also enhance volunteers' capability when they face difficulties. So, put on your coat, pick up your bag, and go volunteering!NOTE-WRITING: Jane, your classmate, is thinking of subscribing to an English-language newspaper. And you would like to recommend one to her. Write a note, telling her which newspaper it is and describing two features of the paper.(50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Jane,I heard that you'd like to subscribe to a newspaper and I strongly recommend English Corner. I have been reading it for two years and I find it has two main features. Firstly, it covers a variety of themes: entertainment, education and sports, to name but a few. Secondly, it is written by native speakers, which means the English is authentic. So, I do think English Corner is a good choice.Yours,Ann2007—COMPOSITION: Nowadays the Internet has become part of people's life, and million of young people have made friends online.Is It Wise to Make Friends Online(200 words)One possible version: Is It Wise to Make Friends OnlineCurrently the public has paid great attention to the debate concerning whether it is wise or not to make friends online. Taking all the favorable and unfavorable aspects into account, I stand firmly on the side that we can benefit from making friends online. This point ofperspectivecan be explained in the following tangible reasons.Firstly, communication is unquestionably regarded as an extremely important element in our society. Unfortunately, there are people around us appear to be apathetic and have no idea about how to make an acquaintance with a stranger. They may be too shy or they are afraid of being refused by others. But remember no man is an island entire of itself, every man is a part of the continent. As a consequence, regardless of the fact that whether you like it or not, as individuals, we have to be part of the main. And, internet, as a mass medium, provides us with a chance. Things turn to be quite different because sitting in front of the computer screen, people who are scared to make friends online can talk with others more naturally. Secondly, it is well acknowledged that we can learn a lot from our e-pals. If our friend online were a foreigner, we can practice English with him or her. What’s more, we can have a glimpse of general information of another country，such as the culture, the tradition, the custom or the geography.From what have mentioned above, we can come to the conclusion that making friends online can do us some good. And communication online is having a greater impact on our daily life.NOTE-WRITING: Your classmate, Jimmy, is head of the university’s swimming club. He has invited you to join the club, but you like some other sport. Write him a note, declining his invitation and explaining why.(50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Jimmy,Thank you so much for inviting me to the swimming club. I really appreciate that. It would begreat joy to swim on hot days, but I'm afraid I have accepted the invitation from the Judo club. I'vebeen practicing Judo for several years, and I don't want to quit the sport. Thank you again for yourinvitation. I may introduce a friend of mine to you if you are interested. He's really into swimming.Yours,Mike 2006—COMPOSITION: Recently a Beijing information company did a survey of student life among more than 700 students in Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an Chengdu, Shanghai, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shenyang. The results have shown that 67 percent of students think that saving money is a good habit while the rest believe that using tomorrow's money today is better, what do you think? (200 words)One possible version: My Idea of Saving MoneyA recent survey, carried out by a Beijing-based information company, has shown that two thirds of the Chinese college students today favor the idea of saving money for later use, whereas quite many others deem it much better to use tomorrow’s money today. Personally, I side with the former.Firstly, saving money can relieve one’s anxiety in case of accidents, disease or other mishaps. As we all know, when one faces such tragedies as fir damage or fatal disease, one would need a large amount of money to survive such difficulties. Secondly, saving money can give one a sense of fulfillment. Since most people work hard every day, they will be quiet happy and satisfied with his “achievement” when they find they have accumulated a large deposit in the bank. Thirdly, saving money allows one to give a helping hand to others. With money available at the moment, one can offer badly needed help to those in temporary difficulty, say, those who are suffering from flood, famine, a car accident, or things like that. Yet taking a loan from a bank is often too costly. Thus, the timely help will be rewarded with gratitude. A dependable friendship will eventually be fostered.To sum up, saving money does have many advantages. Indeed, it is an important aspect of the Chinese conception of virtue. Therefore, let’s start saving money from today on. NOTE-WRITING: You have got to know that your classmate, Michael, is organizing a weekend excursion for the class. And you are thinking of joining the trip: Write him a note expressing your interest in the excursion and asking for the information on two details related to the excursion. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Michael,I'm so happy to learn you're planning a weekend excursion for our class. I'm eager to join the short journey. Could you tell me more about the journey such as when it will be and where we are going so that I can make preparations ahead of time?I'll be looking forward to your reply. Thanks in advance.Yours,Mike 2005—COMPOSITION: The students' Union of your university is planning to hold an arts festival next semester, and they are inviting students to contribute their ideas and suggestions as to how it should be organized or what should be included.My Idea of a University Arts Festival(200 words)One possible version: My Idea of a University Arts FestivalWith merely four months to go before the arts festival starts, my fellow students are getting increasingly enthusiastic in brainstorming for the significant event. While in my opinion typical activities such as performances, forums and lectures on art should be taken into consideration.The festival itself is an image-creating undertaking. Students should be attracted to thefestival at the first glimpse, so the opening ceremony must be of vital importance. Fascinating performances, for instance, pop music, ballet dancing and instrument playing ought to be put on in this section and if possible an orchestra can be invited to add spice to the ceremony. Certainly only performances are too superficial. To help students take a deeper insight of arts, forums and lectures must be held. Forums can be held through BBS owning to the wide accessibility to Internet, whereas professors and experts can be invited to give lectures concerning basic knowledge of art and the role that art plays in daily life. However, prior to all the above, professional organization, detailed plans and effective promulgation are needed to promise a success.A university arts festival, in brief, must embrace rich content and careful preparation. Only then can it be successful and can everyone enjoy himself.NOTE-WRITING: You have got two tickets to a concert given by a famous pop band/orchestra. Write a note to your friend, Hilda/Mike, describing briefly what it is and inviting her/him to come with you.(50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Hilda,I got two tickets for the Qi Qin & Qi Yu concert, which will be held at the Workers Stadium at 7:30 p.m. this coming Friday. They will bring with them the songs from their best albums and also some songs especially for fans in Beijing. I know you’re a big fan of them. Would you like to go with me? Please let me know by calling me up at the dorm.Yourssincerely,Mike 2004—COMPOSITION: Nowadays young people tend to phone more often than write to each other. So, some say that phones will kill letter writing. What is your opinion? Will Phones Kill Letter Writing?(150 words)One possible version: Will Phones Kill Letter Writing?Nowadays young people choose to phone each other rather writing letters. But even if so, I maintain that letter writing will never be killed by phones, though we have stepped into the Information Age.First, letters can express your subtle feelings. With the increase of the living pace of modern society, we find that there is a lack of communication now. Sometimes when you are speaking to someone that you care and love on the phone, you are so shy that it’s too hard to express any of your feelings towards him/her. Your throat seems to be blocked! At this time, letters will help. Without any embarrassment, you can just write down your deep concern and love on a piece of paper. When you drop the letter into the pillar-box, you will feel what he/she will receive is not only a letter, but also your deepest love. Secondly, letters can be kept as a record of memory, while phones cannot. Just imagine, when you open an old box of letters and read them years later, a lot of beautiful and indelible memories will be brought back to you. What an irreplaceable feeling it is! And I believe, this feeling is something that you can definitely never experience through several phone calls.All in all, letter writing will absolutely survive and even thrive in the Information Age. Phones can never kill it, neither will anything.NOTE-WRITING: Your friend, Jane, has failed in the final exam, and is feeling very unhappy about it. Write a note to comfort her and give her some encouragement. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Jane,I was sorry to learn that you had not been successful in the final exam. Although I’m sending my sympathy, I feel you ought not to feel too much distressed for this frustration. The result is totally out of expectation. Everyone knows you are always working hard and you have made full use of the time. I’m confident that you will succeed in the make-up examination next week.Yourssincerely,Mike 2003—COMPOSITION: People in modern society live under a lot of pressure, from education, career, or family. So it is important for them to keep a good mood under whatever circumstances.The Importance of Keeping a Good Mood(150 words)One possible version: The Importance of Keeping a Good MoodModern people endure a lot of pressure, from education,career, or family. However, not all people can manage to tide them over. There areoften reports of someone going insane or committing suicide. Thoseunfortunate people are not intelligently poor. Yet they were doomed only becausethey suffered troubled minds. From their experiences, I wouldargue that keeping a good mood is all too important.Living in a good mood under whatsoever circumstances is important in at leasttwo ways. For one thing, it can help one foster friendly interpersonal relation.Instead of treating colleagues or classmates as rivals or opponents, one will try tocooperate with them and benefit from them. One willwork harder to keep paces withothers or surpass them rather than complaining or get consumed by jealousy all thetime. For another, a good mood can help one put disappointments and frustrations inthe right perspective. Thinking that failure is the mother of success, one can well survive the temporary blows and look forward to the bright future. Both friendshipand optimism derived from keeping a good mood or mentality are effective outlets forpressures whatsoever.Thus, we need not only to build a strong body but also keep a good mood inorder to face the pressures or challenges of modern society. While most people areaware of the importance of the former, quite a proportion of people fail to recognizethe significance of the latter. NOTE-WRITING: Your friend Clare has invited you to her house-warming party this weekend. However, you will be away then. Write her a note politely declining her invitation and expressing your best wishes to her. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Clare,I’d like to express my sincere congratulations on your moving into a new house and thanks for your gracious invitation to your house-warming party this weekend. But I’m sorry that I won’t be able to attend the party because I will be in Shanghai at that time. I do hope you don’t mind and wish the party a great one.Yours,Jane 2002—COMPOSITION: Nowadays people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health. And they have different ways to stay healthy. For example, some exercise every day; others try to keep a balanced diet. What do you think is the best way to stay healthy?The Best Way to Stay Healthy (150 words)One possible version: The Best Way to Stay HealthyNowadays people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health. And they have different ways to stay healthy. For example, For my part, the best way to stay healthy is the combination of proper physical exercise and a balanced diet.Both physical exercise and a proper diet are essential to health. For one thing, physical exe rcise not only builds a person’s body, but also helps to reduce his or her unnecessary fat. Indeed, this is very important since the redundancy of fat has been medically proved to be a cause of various diseases, some of which are even fatal.For another, a balanced diet can provide a person with the right kind and amount of nutrition required for the operation of our organs. As we know, a multitude of elements are effective in keeping our body running properly. A deficiency in any of them will result in some dysfunction. Yet a balanced diet may prevent this from happening.All in all, I believe the best way to keep fit is talking proper physical exercise plus staying on a balanced diet. Neither is dispensable if we are to enjoy sustainable health. NOTE-WRITING: You have heard that your friend, Jack, wishes to sell his walkman. Write him a note expressing your interest in it, asking him about its condition and offering a price for it. (50-60 words )One possible version: Dear Jack,I’ve heard that you would sell your walkman. You know, I want to buy a used walkman so as to do some English listening exercises. I want to know if your walkman functions very well. If it does, I’d like to offer you 100 yuan for it. Please give me some detailed information about it as soon as possible.Yours,Sally 2001—COMPOSITION: Travel has become part of our life. And more and more of us have come to know the significance of travel through our own experience: Travel Broadens the Mind (150 words)One possible version: Travel Broadens the MindNowadays, travel has become a popular activity. More and more people have enough money to travel abroad or at home. As a matter of fact, travel has become part of our life. This situation is encouraging, for it not only broadens people's minds to the extend whichmay not be reached previously, but also relaxes the m physically, which help people workOne of my best friends is so exclusively engaged in his works that he did not even know what was happen ing out of his own discipline. What’s worse, his progress was nearly little. After accepting my advice, he traveled a few cities and towns. The experience gave him a good opportunity of learning. Today, he gets a bumper harvest in his knowledge—thelongstaIn conclusion, travel opens our mind because it enables us to know about the history and culture of a nation. In a way, going on travels is like reading books.NOTE-WRITING: Yesterday you failed to turn up for the appointment with your teacher, Professor Wang. Write him a note of apology and make a request for another meeting. You should also suggest the time 4 for the requested meeting.(50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Professor Wang,I’m deepl y sorry that I was unable to keep my engagement to meet you. I fear you aredispleased at my failing to keep my promise, but I hope you will forgive me, for my motherI kn ow you’re very busy these days, but I wonder if you could arrange for another appointment me. I look forward to your early reply.Sincerely yours,Mike 2000—COMPOSITION: College life should be varied and colorful. And extracurricularactivities are an important aspect of it. However, at present, there is much room for improvement in this regard. Write an article to the university radio entitled: The Importance of Extracurricular Activities(150 words)One possible version: The Importance of ExtracurricularPeople have different ideas about how students should spend their school days. Some believe students should spend the whole day on academic studies. Others believe extracurricular activities should be a required part of everyday. I think both ways have their advantages, but I prefer the latter.As a student, our main task is to concentrate on our academic study. We have to attend classes, reading books and doing assignments. Only by working hard can we learn well. But I don’t think we should spend every minute on academic study. A proverb says, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Without good health, how can we improve our study efficiency? Besides, spending the whole day studying may make us exhausted. We should find other meaningful things to do. For example, doing extracurricular activities can make students’ life more colorful and beneficial. There are various forms of exercise. Football is my favorite. I play football with my classmates for one hour every afternoon. By playing foot ball I’ve got both joy and strength. I always lookenergetic.Actually doing extracurricular activities doesn’t disturb our study if we make full use of our time. Instead it does help us study more efficiently. We can be good at learning as well asextracurricular activities. So I suggest that students do extracurricular activities alongwithNOTE-WRITING: You’ve read on the notice board that the university library is looking for a part time library assistant who can work at weekends. You think that your classmate, George, is a suitable person for this vacancy. Write him a note, telling him what you know about the vacancy and trying to persuade him to go for an interview. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear George,I have read on the notice board that the university is looking for a part-time library assistance who can work at weekends. I think you are the suitable person for this vacancy, for you are free at weekends and it pays well, yet the job is not difficult. It is also a good chance to improve you. So you shouldgo for an interview.Yours,Mike 1999—COMPOSITION: We see advertisements on television everyday. Some people think that TV advertising brings us benefits, but others don't think so. What is your opinion?A Major Advantage/ Disadvantage of Advertising on Television (150 words) One possible version: A Major Disadvantage of Advertising on Television With the development of advertising, our television programs are flooded with numerous advertisements every day. In my opinion, advertising on television is a negative force in society because they create all kinds of impossible fantasies and they are often dishonest and offensive.In the first place, ads always show happy, rich people, and they make life look easy. However, life is not always easy; on the contrary, it is often very difficult. Not all people live in big and beautiful houses and dress in fashionable clothes. Advertising gives the audience an untruthful picture of reality; therefore, it acts as a distorted social mirror.Secondly, television programs are constantly interrupted by ads, which is annoying and offensive to the majority of audience. If TV stations need money, can’t they come up with better ways instead of advertising?All in all, advertisement on television is a form of pollution. They invade our visual space and they are a great nuisance.NOTE-WRITING: You’ve learned that your friend Jimmy is ill these days. Write him a note expressing your concern, asking after his health and giving your best wishes. (50-60 words )One possible version:Dear Jimmy,I’m sorry to learn the bad news that you are ill these days. How are you feeling now? I can imagine your pain of the disease. Take good care of yourself. We all know that you are very strong-willed an d will be alright soon. I’ll visit you sometime tomorrow. I wish you early recovery.Yours truly,Mike 1998—COMPOSITION: It is now generally accepted that vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) are a major source of air pollution in cities. Your are to suggest only ONE way to solve the problem.One Way to Solve the Problem (150 words)One possible version: One Way to Solve the ProblemWe all know that vehicles are the major source of air pollution in cities. To solve the headache, people have taken a variety of steps, but the result is not satisfying. Here, one way to solve the problem is to set gas thriftier in vehicle.Setting gas thriftier in vehicle not only decreases the consumption of gas which is a major source of air pollution but also slows down the cost of possessing a vehicle which makes millaye price lower. Thereby, all vehicles set gas thriftier will make air have a lower carbon dioxide content deriving from burning gas and coal. The less carbon dioxide, the less。