一、求学信
Directions: You want to study at a certain foreign university. Write a letter to ask about the situation there as regards accommodation and fees, possible scholarsips, and what qualifications one needs for acceptance.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a Chinese student who wish to apply for admission into your prestigious university. My plan is to start my course next term, and I would be grateful if you would be kind enough to provide me with certain essential information.
First, what qualifications do I need to follow a course of study at your university? I already have a bachelor’s degree from Beijing University, but I wonder if there are any further academic requirements. Second, how much are the tuition fees? Although I intend to be self-supporting, I would be interested to hear if there are any scholarships available for international students. Third, what is the situation as regards accommodation?
I look forward to your reply, and to attending your esteemed institution.
二、环境保护
Directions: Study the following picture carefully and write an essay in which you should
1) describe the picture briefly;
2) interpret the social phenomenon reflected by it, and
3) give your point of view.
（图略）
It is symbolically revealed in the cartoon that sand storm in a city is so heavy that taxis cannot move any more. A passenger with a mask on his mouth, is riding on the back of a camel, which is the new “taxi”.
The purpose of the cartoon is to show us that utmost importance should be attached to environmental protection. On the one hand, it so happens that we cut trees to clear land for farming and level up a lake to build houses. The result of so doing and other destructive developments is deforestation and uncontrollable desertification, thus driving us homeless like the scene we see above. On the other hand, scientists have warned that unless drastic steps are taken, the problem of sand storm will eventually get out of hand. As a matter of fact, people from all walks of life are showing a real concern over this issue.
From my point of view, we should work out concrete solutions to the problem. For one thing, the best way to fight back against the greedy desert is to vigorously set about the task of planting trees and grasses for the reforestation to reclaim the land. For another, since trees play a vital role in water and soil conservation, we must waste no natural resources and possibly develop alternative forms of energy to replace the decreasing resources. Accordingly, the earth is our home and we have the duty to take care of it for ourselves and our descendants
