Monday, February 9, 2015

Students give up on tough English exam 英文科題目難不少學生放棄

Students give up on tough English exam
英文科題目難不少學生放棄

The National College Entrance Examination English exam took place on the morning of Feb. 2. Many students found the topic too difficult and gave up.
二月二日大學學測英文科，不少學生認為題目很難乾脆放棄。

Photo: Liao Shu-ling, Liberty Times
照片：記者廖淑玲攝

The National College Entrance Examination‘s English exam took place on the afternoon of Feb. 2. The English essay section of the exam gave two separate book titles and asked examinees to imagine the possible contents of each, then choose which one of the books they would like to read, providing a reason for its selection. A large number of students found the topic was too difficult and gave up. Most students believe this year’s exam was tougher than last year’s, especially the English essay, which was not a traditional “picture-story telling” style of question.

A student surnamed Chen from Yang-Tze Senior High School, who sat the exam, said one of the book titles was about admiring other people’s strong points, while the other was concerned with how to obtain the abilities of a leader. He chose “look upon others with admiring eyes,” because it was an easy topic to develop. Another student named Lin said the English exam was too difficult and it was hard not to throw in the towel, adding that it even caused a nearby student to laugh out loud.(Liberty Times, translated by Edward Jones)

大學學測二月二日上午考英文，英文作文要考生就兩本不同書的書名設想可能的內容，並說明選擇想看那一本書的理由，不少學生認為題目很難乾脆放棄。

大多數考生認為考題較往年難，尤其英文作文不是傳統「看圖說故事」的題型，而是用兩本書的書名封面，要考生選擇想念其中的哪一本，並說明理由。

揚子高中的陳姓考生說，考題中的兩本書，一本是欣賞別人的優點，一本是有關於如何具備領導統御的能力，他選擇用欣賞的眼光看待別人，不難發揮，倒是有另一名林姓考生說，英文考太難了，讓他不放棄都難，引得一旁同學哈哈大笑。

(自由時報記者廖淑玲)

TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字

1. tough adj.

困難 (kun4 nan2)

例: That’s a really tough question, let me think it over.

(那真是個很難的問題，讓我好好想想。)

2. admire v.

欣賞 (xin1 shang3)

例: He may have a fiery temper, but I admire his steely resolve.

(他或許脾氣暴躁，但我欣賞他鋼鐵般的決心。)

3. throw in the towel v. phr.

放棄 (fang4 qi4)

例: When the going gets tough, Fredrick always throws in the towel.

(每次一遇到難題，費德烈就放棄了。)

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Menu of Teachers' Union Activities

Teachers' Union chapters need to be more actively democratic and responsive to its members needs. It is important to achieve this by creating sub-committees that would address areas of interest to members and get many members involved. Each sub- committee would be comprised of teacher and para-professional volunteers and facilitated by an elected committee member. Sub-committee membership is the vehicle for any interested teacher or para-professional who would like to become more active in social or political issues affecting the teachers' union chapter,improve the flow of information to  members, and make improvements to  work

environment.

MENU OF UNION ACTIVITIES Listed below is each objective and a proposal for sub-committees that would be created to realize that objective. Maybe you have an idea for another sub-committee? Remember, the form and direction of each sub-committee takes shape through you.

OBJECTIVE -ACTIVITY “To cooperate to the fullest extent with the labor movement

and to work for a progressive labor philosophy to awaken in

all members a labor consciousness and sense of solidarity

with labor.”

1. Union Solidarity Committee: Discuss labor issues with

possible petition drives. Update and advise colleagues on

contract issues. Contact and keep up with labor issues in

other schools in the area and worldwide..

****************************************************************

“To protect the schools against unsound economy and against efforts at domination by political, economic, religious, or military group.”

2. Sweat-free School Committee: Help your school join the

movement against sweatshops by identifying violators and

using union-made items at school.

3. Tolerance Committee: Discuss and recommend ways for

helping students get along better and helping teachers

understand cultural diversity. Work with clubs and the

student organization to promote cross-cultural sensitivity.

**************************************************************

“To promote education as a social agency for developing

the capacities of the young, for enlightened adults, and for

working toward a society motivated by the ideal of service and democratic participation.”

4. Teachers’ Resource Committee: Organize and expand

the teachers’ library resources such as videos, text,

classroom activity manuals, and member services brochures.

This includes the maintenance of office equipment, such as

the copy machine, computer, printer, and television. ****************************************************************

“To make members aware of their political responsibilities.”

5. Bulletin Committee: Update, decorate, and maintain the

union message boards. Monitor and maintain our list-serve.

Consider creating a chapter newsletter.

****************************************************************

“To advance the economic and professional interests of

members.”

6. Financial Advisory Committee: Act as an adviser to both

new and old colleagues with their financial questions on 401K, tax deferred annuity, DA, pension, and payroll.

7. In-Service Training Committee: Act as an advisor assisting

colleagues on licensing requirements, degree fulfillment, as

well as available classes for professional development, and

credits toward salary steps. Have information on sabbaticals. *****************************************************************

“To establish the active participation of education employees

in the formulation of educational policies.”

8. Education Committee: Discuss trends in education,

standardized testing, and effective teaching methodologies.

Create and develop a bank of useful teaching methodologies,

materials and plans. Assist colleagues *****************************************************************

“To work for democratic administration and supervision.”

9. Union-Administration Consultation Committee: Form an

agenda from sub-committee suggestions and prepare for

consultation meetings with the principal as required of elected Committee members. Report to the rank and file.

10. School General Assembly Committee: Attend, present our

petitions, and report on G.A. Required of Committee Delegates. ******************************************************************

“To protect members whenever necessary.”

11. Safety Committee: Advise colleagues on strategies for

classroom management and violence prevention. Instruct on

the procedures established for dealing with disruptive students.

12. New Teacher Support Group: Help new teachers maneuver in your school and give advise on clerical matters. how to survive an observation, and how to file grievance reports. Review mentoring candidates and help with selection.

13. Health Committee: Advise on insurance plans and make

available listings of doctors, dentists, and labs. Make available

 information of stress management. Work toward making your

school a safer school. Meet with cafeteria personnel to discuss and develop healthier lunch menus.

*****************************************************************

I believe each sub-committee can work toward creating a new

union environment in our schools, one of action, inclusion, and service. Each person can contribute to their area of expertise. In these days of union entrenchment, we must be more active to protect the gains you have made and make sure we’re fairly represented.

Education Emancipation Organization

Monday, February 9, 2015