托福写作范文：学习历史还是科学

 　　2016年托福写作真题题目：

　　Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

　　托福写作范文：

　　While I was in middle school, I was told by my mathematics teacher, “ If you understand science and mathematics, you can make it anywhere in the world.” This is still true today. History and literature are very important, and need to be studied. However, if I have to choose between the two, I infer that it is more important to study science and mathematics since they are more practical. In fact it is easier to secure a job with skills in science and mathematics. Also, experts in science and mathematics have higher social statuses, and make more money.

　　The primary reason for studying science and mathematics is that those who do so land jobs more easily than shoes who study history and literature. Jobs are always available in fields such as medicine, engineering, and other professions that make it a requisite¹ to have a science or mathematics background. Students who study history or literature can find jobs, but most of the jobs are either teaching or writing and seldom well-paying. For example, one friend of mine with a degree in history from a prestigious² university was offered a job of teaching in a community college for 7,000 dollars a year whereas³ another friend of mine with a degree in chemistry from a good university got a job in company which paid him 14,000 dollars a year.

　　The second reason why it is more important to study science and mathematics is that scientists and mathematicians⁴ are valued more than experts in history and literature. For example, when asked what they do, experts in history and literature may receive little attention when they provide the information. In contrast, a scientist may excite a lot of interest among those who listen to his or her introduction. The reason for such a differential treatment is not personal, but is indicative⁵ of a social trend: scientists and mathematicians in general enjoy more social prestige⁶ than those who study history and literature.

　　The third reason for such a choice is that scientists and mathematicians generally make more money than people in other professions. Like the differential attention that they may receive, the two groups of people are assigned different values money wise. A doctor, a chemist, or a person in one of these fields often has a much higher salary than a professor of literature or an expert in history. Moreover, scientists and mathematicians generally have more projects to work on and therefore make even more money.

　　Our society places a great value on science and mathematics, so it is important to learn skills in these fields. With a science or mathematics background, one will secure a high-paying job, enjoy much social prestige, and receive a hefty salary. Such being the case, who would choose to study anything other than science and mathematics?

1 requisite   

adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品

参考例句：

• He hasn't got the requisite qualifications for the job.他不具备这工作所需的资格。
• Food and air are requisite for life.食物和空气是生命的必需品。

2 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

3 whereas   

conj.而，却，反之

参考例句：

• They want a house,whereas we would rather live in a flat.他们想要一座房子，而我们宁愿住在一套房间里。
• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。

4 mathematicians   

数学家( mathematician的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Do you suppose our mathematicians are unequal to that? 你以为我们的数学家做不到这一点吗？ 来自英汉文学
• Mathematicians can solve problems with two variables. 数学家们可以用两个变数来解决问题。 来自哲学部分

5 indicative   

adj.(of)象征的；陈述的；n.陈述语气

参考例句：

• His presence is indicative of his willingness to help.他的出席表示他愿意帮忙。
• Use the indicative mood to make a sentence.请用陈述语气造句。

6 prestige   

n.声望，威望，威信

参考例句：

• Their products enjoy ever higher prestige in the world market.他们的产品在世界市场上享有越来越高的声誉。
• He has high prestige among the masses.他在群众中威信很高。