上个礼拜去了兰州，第一次去，从机场到市区居然要1个小时，估计当年修机场时实在找不到平地。一路上全是黄土坡，稀疏的植被，已经是奇迹。最让人激动人心的一刻是快到市区时，透过几个山丘的间隙忽然发现了高楼大厦，在没有心里准备的情况下忽然就来到了一个现代的、繁华的都市。在接下来的4天里，发现兰州其实是个相当干净、相当漂亮的城市。第三天的徒步拉练是在公路进行的，从城区往西固方向走，马路宽阔，天空明朗，导致暴露的身体严重晒伤。但兰州的感觉真的是出乎意料。

这周去了南京、杭州，闷热，一年来已经去过好几次了，见到留学业务的同事感觉很是亲切，还见到了杭州留学经理陈磊的太太，很漂亮，两口子甜蜜蜜。

明天又要去青岛，两周前刚去过一次，因为留学工作，这次去是为了雅思活动，跟耿耿一起。

下周还要去西安。还没想好7月份去什么地方。

参加工作快7年了，前5年基本上没怎么出差，第六年开始忽然开始疯狂的出差。生活的状态改变有时候是疾风骤雨似的，想想去年这个时候还带着家人去采摘、渡假呢。也发现只要是想做点事情，就要做出一些牺牲，就看我们如何去平衡了。

天气再适合不过了，有点阴，时不时的一阵毛毛雨。

一直走到中午1点钟，在农家乐匆匆吃过午饭，老俞也加入了我们，还被餐厅里其他的食客认出，一阵寒暄。老俞自爆刚参加了一期农民创业的电视节目，自嘲估计将来不光在大学生、父母中认知度高，估计马上在农民工中也会有很大的知名度。

下午两点半接着爬山走路，但下午的路大都是下山路，膝盖的旧伤又开始捣乱，跟几个同样膝盖受伤的同事落在最后，眼看着天黑了还没走完山路，膝盖疼的只能一步步的熬，又一次体会到那种只能坚持，只能死扛的处境，因为没有其他办法。每次在新东方拉练都要体会这种极其痛苦的时刻，疼也好，骂娘也好，痛苦也好，委屈也好，该做事还是要做事。

到山下的时候已经晚上9点了，一天走了整整30公里山路，去阳坊吃的涮羊肉，喝了点酒。到家已经12点多，洗漱完倒头就睡，有一阵两腿疼的睡不着，但半小时后就睡过去了。这一觉睡得没有任何感觉和记忆，不像平时睡觉，醒来起码你知道自己睡觉了，还睡了一段时间。这个晚上睡的好像这8个小时是个感觉和记忆的断层，你甚至感觉不到你睡了8个小时，你甚至感觉不到自己睡觉了。

后天就能上班了，正常生活又能开始了，很期待。

一直开会、出差，现在还在上海、南京。

多谢王冬老师和外教Chris的总结，具体题目可以去看Chris和王冬老师的网站。

Part 1 (30 topics)

Work/Studies   Accommodation     Hometown  Gardens      Sport   Television

Handwriting     Food         Transportation   News       Parties    Visitors

Swimming      Holidays   Bicycles     Shopping     Letters    Music

Reading      Relaxing    Plans & Goals   Cooking    Travelling     Names

Daily Routine     Art Galleries  Gifts    Advertisement Fruits   Driving

Part 2 (46 Topics)

人物题(People) 

1.         Someone You Enjoy Spending Time With

2.         Someone Who is Good at Cooking

3.         A Famous Person 

4.         A Good Friend 

5.         A Family Member 

         地点题(Place)

1.         A Home You Like

2.         A Library

3.         An Historic Site 

4.         A Place with a Lot of Water  (May 9, 2009)

物品题(Object)

实际

1.         A Good Law 

2.         Clothing for Special Occasions 

3.         A Work of Art 

4.         A TV Program 

5.         A Course You Would Like to Study 

6.         A Childhood Song or Melody

7.         A Childhood Toy

8.        An Advertisement

9.        An Interesting Lecture or Speech 

11.      An Electrical/Electronic Product  (May 9, 2009)

12.      A Film (May 9, 2009)

13.      A Job  (May 9, 2009)

14.     A Newspaper or Magazine Article  (May 9, 2009)

抽象

15.     A Photograph

16.     Your Favourite Season

17.     Something You Want to Buy 

18.     A Childhood Game

19.     Some Advice You Received

20.     A Traffic Jam 

21.     A Healthy Habit 

22.     A Piece of Good News

23.    A Conversation You Had  (May 9, 2009)  

事件题(Event)

1.         A Stage in Your Life you Enjoyed

2.         An Educational Trip

3.         A Success You Have Had

4.         A Sports Event

5.         A Happy Event

6.         A Future Change 

7.         Something you did that Helped You Learn a Language

8.       A Leisure Activity  (May 9, 2009)

9.        A Party  (May 9, 2009)

10.      A Picnic or Outdoor Meal  (May 9, 2009)

11.      An Unplanned Travel Experience  (May 9, 2009)

12.      A Science Lesson (May 9, 2009) 

13.      An Exciting Sport  (May 9, 2009) 

14.     A Time When You Helped Someone  (May 9, 2009)

细化的雅思分数统计终于公布了，才知道上次开会时老外提到的雅思分数是母语为“Chinese”的学术类考生的平均分数，这样一来范围无疑就扩大了很多，因为香港和台湾地区的母语也是中文，而香港考生的分数在08年达到了破纪录的6.31分，台湾分数也在5.66，无疑拉动了华人雅思的分数。如果按照“countries or regions of origin”来统计，China的得分才更能反映中国大陆考生的实际情况。

分数比07年上升了0.01分，基本持平，阅读和口语略有下降。

听力   阅读    写作    口语    总分 

5.64   5.81    5.20    5.35    5.57  

刚出差回来，下午去参加了英国使馆文化处组织的2009国际教育峰会暨雅思考试20周年庆典，在中国大饭店，英国教育推广向来舍得花钱。

剑桥大学考试委员会雅思课题经理Rod Borough公布了2008年中国雅思考生的表现。听力提高较多，阅读几乎没有变化，写作进步有限，口语略有提升。但由于给出的成绩是A和G的总合，所以很难讲绝大部分A类烤鸭的成绩是否有提高，只能等着雅思官方机构公布更为详细的数据。

可以看出写作和口语始终是中国考生的弱项，即使有所提高，幅度也很有限。

另外一组数据，08年全球雅思考生已突破120万人，中国雅思考生也逼近30万，出国那叫一个火。

连经济学人杂志的首席代表也被请来讲教育的反周期（即面对金融危机，留学反而会越来越火），有很多很有意思的观点，慢慢跟大家分享。

先回家休息，出差太累了，生活已接近无规律。

周末才能回京，回信会慢一些。

From: yuzizi1981
Sent: 2009-3-6 (星期五) 22:06
To: 孙涛
Subject: 老师，我有一个很急很急的问题!!!!!

孙涛老师：

这个寒假在新东方学的雅思，让我收获很多，也让我萌生了一个想法，可是却被泼了很多的冷水，我是一个大二的学生，学的是会计，本来打算是读完大二就出国的，想去澳大利亚申请麦考瑞大学的会计，但是经过家里人的商议和与出过国的人的咨询，觉得如果是大二出国会有很多的困难，而且会面临语言、生活、学习等等很多方面的压力，还有就是我学的专业在国外的课程很难，面临学业上的困难就更大了。这也让现阶段备考的我很压抑，被很多人泼冷水，心里不是滋味。

我本来的打算是在国外读完本科后，在当地实习，最好是能找到工作的机会，看自己到底是不是和从事会计这个行业，因为我本身虽然是学会计的，但是对于营销和管理的方面比较感兴趣也比较擅长，将来不是很想从事会计这个工作，但是却想拥有这个一技之长，而且我是属于外向型的人，喜欢与人打交道也比较愿意研究金融这方面的问题，但是家里人，包括很多的亲人都不支持我的想法，认为我有点天真而且对于困难也过于低估了，而且他们也觉得现在的海归很多都不是很值钱，我出国读大学也不是很值得，我也知道现在出国会面临很多的风险，可是我现在真的是很难抉择，不知道到底是什么时间出去才是一个正确的选择，而且我的家庭也不是一个很富裕的家庭，只是一般的家庭，所以父母也不敢让我花很多钱到国外去冒这个险，最后却什么也没得到

老师，我现在真的是到了一个十字路口了，请您帮我分析一下我到底应不应该出国？什么时间才合适？很多人反对我的观点让我很怀疑我的决定到底对不对，在国内读大学和到国外去读大学到底有多大的区别？是不是我在国外读大学本科就比国内读要好很多，除了语言能力之外有没有什么真的是让人非常值得去读的？而且我的最后择业其实不是很想当会计的，不知道我的选择对我未来的择业会有多大的影响？

谢谢老师！                                         

                                             一个困惑已久的学生

                                                        张

在2009-03-07，"孙涛" 写道：

见信好！

  

理解你现在的困惑。

 

关于出去读硕还是读本。

如果可以选择，在国外读本要比读硕好。利于在国外就业，能更长时间的感受和学习国外文化，硕士阶段做镀金比较好。

 

关于国外本科和国内本科。

其实知识方面没有太本质区别，国外能学到的更多的是一种独立的治学和生活能力，语言确实也会有很大提高。但如果经济上不是特别富裕的话，也不建议出去读本科，出国读本科是锦上添花，不是必需品。好好在国内读书、找工作也是正路，等将来成熟了，自己有积蓄了，照样可以出国。

 

关于专业问题。

很多时候我们本科学的东西未必是将来工作需要的东西，真正知道自己喜欢什么或者知道自己要学什么是在工作了3-5年之后，而不是在大学的时候。一定记得，大学除了提供一些将来可能会用的专业知识外，最主要的是让你获得了一种能力，一种内涵，一种态度。

 

总之一句话，如果经济条件不允许，那就好好在国内读书，不过不是死读书，而是让大学生活过的更有意义一些，让自己变的更自信一些，见识更开阔一些。

 

最后顺便问一下，是否介意我把你的问题挂到我的博客上去，想不想听一听网友们的议论呢？尊重你的隐私。

 

孙涛

2月的最后一场考试也考完了，到目前为止口语第一赛季的题目基本上出全了。

Part 1

1. Work or study
2. Hometown
3. Accommodation
4. Cooking and food
5. Shopping
6. Letter
7. Bicycle
8. Birthday
9. Internet
10. Dance
11. Museum
12. Music
13. Evening
14. Friends
15. Holiday
16. Travelling
17. Swimming
18. Gift
19. Garden
20. News

Part 2

1. Traffic jam
2. Interesting story on TV
3. Advertisement
4. Interesting speech or lecture
5. Childhood game
6. Childhood toy
7. Childhood music or song
8. A change in life
9. Historical site
10. Tourist attraction
11. Performance
12. Law
13. Photo
14. Organization
15. Interesting news
16. A Book you read recently
17. Long journey
18. Library
19. Family member
20. A subject you would like to learn
21. Sports event
22. Educational visit
23. Best friend
24. Important stage in life
25. A thing you want to buy
26. A success
27. Favorite course
28. Clothes for special occasions
29. A famous person you want to meet
30. A person you helped
31. A person who is good at cooking
32. Advice
33. Someone you want to spend time with
34. A gift
35. Something that helped you learn a foreign language
36. A house or apartment
37. Favorite season

香港的大学不多，且历史较短，除了港大有近百年的历史外，其他学校多是青少。但在这仅有的8所大学中，居然有4所跻身世界200强，不得不让人惊讶。

在香港的时候路过港大，很遗憾没进去看看。第二天由于行程原因，只去了港科大和中文大学，不过感觉已经很过瘾，spiritually and PHYSICALLY!

科大正式成立于1991年，短短20年不到，居然在08年排入世界百强，位列53名。科大被誉为美式教育的典范，科大的迅速崛起把香港的高等教育和科学技术推到了世界一流的水准，最重要的是，她还是亚洲最美丽的大学之一，坐落于风景如画的九龙清水湾。

面朝大海，看像不像仙境。

由于年轻，科大的所有设施都是崭新的。刚刚走入科大的时候，感觉好像回到了英国的华威大学，忽然想到两个学校是多么的相似：华威是英国美式大学的典范；华威建校只有40年，却也排名至世界57；华威也坐落于山丘上，校园颜色鲜艳而不陈旧。禁不住对科大有了一见钟情式的好感。

科大的图书馆感觉很雅致，图书馆入口处的休息室里摆着中国书画和录制，很静谧，让人很留恋学校的时光，谈谈恋爱读读书。

中文大学历史久一些，同样坐落于山上，让人感慨在香港读书绝对身体好。学生下了火车后要坐巴士到山顶的宿舍和教室。

中文大学太大了，路太陡了，都爬到腿哆嗦。可怎么都找不到正门，无奈下拍不到校门拍一下校车吧。

在校园里走着，随处都有触动，看下面这个横幅，是我见到最牛的，呵呵，不知道中大校长看了有什么感受。

中大的校园生活很是丰富，在一个相当与北大三角地的地方看到很多海报，“咏春拳”是最显眼的，李小龙的影响现在还在。

香港的教育体制走过了近百年，跟大陆的几乎同期，但两相比较，差别不用言说。尤其是科大的成功，更是让亚洲的教育扬眉吐气，不可思议，不可思议。的确像有人讲的，十年不鸣，一鸣惊人；百年不飞，一飞冲天。

疯狂的4天，这4天走的路比我在北京两个月走的路都多（一点不夸张！），本来是去休假，结果累个半死，尤其是参观香港中文大学的时候，简直就是去了一趟香山，还是不坐缆车上、下山，呵呵。

初到香港，第一感觉，跟英国太像了，双层巴士，不规则的街道，英文的街道名称，街道的颜色和感觉，路上疾驰的汽车，很像伯明翰。

在北京待贯了，到哪儿都觉得挤和窄，在香港更是这样，街道一律的窄，而汽车跑的飞快，有点吓人。

香港对我们很多人来讲是个熟悉的陌生地，太多名字和场面我们早在20年前可能就已经很熟悉了。

香港也有很朴实的一面，就跟《海角7号》里面的台湾小镇一样，每个地方都有反现代的一面。

所以，来香港的第一印象不是很好，觉得有点乱，第二天来到星光大道，才感觉豁然开朗。

还有很多品牌店，虽然我不太懂，但看到还是感觉很震撼。

我的兴趣不太在这儿，在香港待着的时候抽空除了几个大学看了看，感觉不错，待会跟大家分享。

目的地——香港，可惜这次乐乐去不了，少了个最好的购物向导。

期间可能回不了贴子了。

春节7天假期过得真快，除了过年外，有一天时间用于上课，其他时间就是陪家人，看碟，偶尔写点工作邮件，再就是备课，编书。

备课和编书是个让人享受的过程，就像旅游卫视的一句台词，身未动，心已远。这个过程就是我最好的stress reliever。为了编书，要找很多的资料，就会有很多的发现，很多的触动。在编写"a work of art"这个章节时，找到了国外报纸上的一篇文章，介绍了全世界必须要去看的20个博物馆和艺术馆(must-see museums)，只去过两个，卢浮宫和荷兰国立博物馆，大英博物馆只是在大门外拍了张照片，呵呵，行程匆忙，甚至没有来得及进去看看。文章中有一句话，很撩人，就是最开始的那3句话：

20个博物馆，一辈子的时间，你可以的！

Can we?

在准备"a place with a lot of water"时，看到福布斯杂志评选出的 Ten best beaches in the world，呵呵，只去过一个，想起刚才那句话，可以套用一下，10个海滩，一辈子的时间，你也可以的！

But CAN we?

20个，10个...看似简单，尽管有七、八十年的时间，又有多少人能做到？

忽然很紧张，一辈子原来有太多事情可以做！可有时候总会因为过于投入日常的琐事而变得烦躁和忧虑，生活中一定要有something big to do，除了脚踏实地外，还要仰望星空。

不一定要去那么多的博物馆，也不一定非要去玩那么多的海滩，但一定要有自己的must-do list，我们有一辈子的时间，难道不可以吗？

先给烤鸭们拜年啦！

Part 1

1. Work or study
2. Hometown
3. Accommodation
4. Cooking and food
5. Shopping
6. Letter
7. Bicycle
8. Birthday
9. Internet
10. Dance
11. Museum
12. Music
13. Evening
14. Friends
15. Holiday
16. Travelling
17. Swimming
18. Gift
19. Garden

Part 2

1. Traffic jam
2. TV program
3. Advertisement
4. Interesting speech or lecture
5. Childhood game
6. Childhood toy
7. Childhood music or song
8. A change in life
9. Historical site
10. Performance
11. Law
12. Photo
13. Organization
14. Interesting news in 2008
15. Book
16. Long journey
17. Library
18. Family member
19. A subject you would like to learn
20. Sports event
21. Educational visit
22. Best friend
23. Enjoyable stage in life
24. A thing you want to buy
25. A success
26. favorite course

http://wdnos.blog.sohu.com/108378186.html

Part 1

1. Work or study
2. Accommodation
3. Cooking
4. Shopping
5. Letter
6. Bicycle
7. Birthday
8. Internet
9. Dance
10. Museum
11. Music
12. Evening
13. Friends

Part 2

1. Traffic jam http://wdnos.blog.sohu.com/108417396.html
2. TV program
3. Advertisement
4. Interesting speech or lecture
5. Childhood game
6. Childhood toy
7. Childhood music or song
8. A change in life
9. Historical site
10. Performance
11. Law
12. Photo
13. Organization
14. Interesting news in 2008
15. Book
16. Long journey
17. Library
18. Family member
19. A subject you would like to learn 
20. health http://wdnos.blog.sohu.com/108434022.html

A Traffic Jam 

Describe a time when you were caught in a traffic jam.

You should say:

when it happened

where it happened

how you passed the time while waiting

and explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam.

Part 3

When do traffic jams usually happen?

What are the causes of traffic jams?

Compare travelling by car and travelling by bus.

Do you think the problem of traffic congestion will be eased in the future or will it become worse?

What would you suggest as possible solutions to the problem of congested traffic?

A Health Problem 

Describe a health problem that you know.

You should say:

what this problem is

what causes of the problem

how it affects people's health

and explain how to solve this health problem.

Part 3

Can you think of any other examples of a lifestyle that is bad for your health?

Why is smoking bad for you?

What benefits do people derive from doing exercise?

What do you think will be the physical effects if children spend all their time sitting in front of the TV or a computer?

Do you think companies should provide more facilities (e.g., a gym) for people to exercise at work?

An Interesting Lecture or Speech 

Describe an interesting lecture or speech that you heard.

You should say:

when you heard it

where you heard it

what the lecture or speech was about

and explain what influence or effect this lecture or speech had on you.

Part3:

Are elective courses important?

Which is more useful? courses or teachers?

What qualities should a good teacher have?

Should universities provide more internship?

Which is more important to the company when you are looking for a job? education background or working experience?

A Childhood Song

Describe a song that you remember from your childhood.

You should say:

how you learned this song

when and where you learned it

what the song is about

and explain how you felt when you used to sing this song.

Part3:

What's your favourite kind of music?

How do you feel when you listen to this music?

Is music an important subject at school in China? 

What are some differences between the music you listened to as a child and the music you listen to now?

How does music affect (or influence) people?

Compare the music that young people like and the music that old(er) people like.

Does western music have any influence on Chinese music?

 A Childhood Toy 

Describe a toy that you enjoyed playing with in your childhood.

You should say:

how you got this toy

what it looked like

what you did with this toy

 and explain why you enjoyed playing with this toy.

Part3:

Are there any differences between boys' toys and girls' toys?

Which kind of toys do people most like to buy, imported ones or Native ones?

Why people prefer some kind of toys and dislike others.

Are there any differences between Chinese toys or toys of foreign countries?

Compare the advantages and (possible) disadvantages of children playing alone and children playing with other children.

An Historic Site

Describe an (an important) historic site in your country.

You should say:

where it is

how you know about this place

what can be seen at this site now

and explain why it is important in the history of your country

Part3：

Through what ways do you get to know history?

What are some of the best (or, most popular) travel destinations in China? 

Which places (countries) are Chinese people most interested in visiting? (Why?)

When many people visit a particular place, what effects can that have on this place?

What difficulties might a foreigner have while travelling as a tourist in China?

Describe a library

You should say:

where it is

when you went there

what books and facilities this library has

and explain what you like(d) or dislike(d) about this library.

Part3:

What can people read in a library that they can't read in other places?

Even though it might cost a lot to maintain a library, do you think every university should have its own library? 

Do you think every primary school and secondary school should have a library? 

Do you think every town and city should have a public library?

Do you think public libraries should be free of charge?

What are the qualities of a good library?

How do you think libraries can (or do) encourage people to read more?

With the rapid development of technology today, do you think we still need books in future?

Describe an advertisement that persuaded you to buy a product.

You should say:

what kind of advertisement it was

when and where you saw (or heard) this advertisement

 what product you bought

and explain how this advertisement persuaded you to buy that product.

Part3：

What are the different kinds of advertising?

What kind of advertising is most common in China?

(Advertisements on) which media have the greatest effect on people - TV, radio, billboards, newspapers ...? Why?

Is advertising on the internet very influential?

How do advertisements attract the attention of people?

What kinds of advertisements are most attractive to children (or, young people)? 

Do overseas advertisements used in, or adapted for use in China affect Chinese culture and values?

Do you think there should be controls on (= laws concerning) advertising,  for example cigarette and alcohol advertising?

1.         Do you often use the Internet?

Yes, the Internet is great. I use the internet to keep up with current events. The Internet has a lot of quality news articles from many different sources. There is a world of knowledge right at your finger tips.

Yes, almost every day. I use the Internet for school research, email, and sometimes for map quest and news.

2.         What do you use the Internet for most?

To check my emails, chat with my friends, go on YouTube and watch videos, play games online, search for photos and other stuff like that.

I guess everything, but for me the Internet is mainly about the people on it, meaning here is where my social life is.

I use the Internet to keep in touch with family members and friends. I use it with my job, I also use it to read the local and national news headlines, read my horoscope daily and to see what TV shows are worth watching tonight or tomorrow.

3.         How did you learn how to use the Internet?

Everybody was always asking me for my email address, but I didn't have one. I went to a website a friend informed me of and created one. Friends kept telling me about different websites to check out. I tried them one by one and discovered that the web has unlimited uses. Finally, I found I was using the Internet almost everyday on my own.

4.         How do you go onto the Internet? 

I like to go out and use the Internet so I don’t feel like I am being lazy. I usually take my laptop to a coffee shop, ask the waitress for the password, and type it in. If I can’t go to a café, I just connect to the web at home.

5.         What are the good and bad points about the Internet?

A good point is that there is a lot of free information. I can easily stay up to date with all that is happening in the world today. A bad point is that it is sometimes hard to decipher between what is fact and what is opinion. One must make sure that the information he or she is receiving is from a reliable source. 

6.         Do you think the use of the Internet needs to be controlled?

Yes, I do. There are a lot of mischief makers in the world that can use the Internet to do evil things. There are hackers that break into people’s computers by use of the Internet with the intent of stealing. Hackers also like to break into government or business sites to disrupt their operations.

新东方全国范围内的新教师培训又开始了，从全国几十个学校来了300多名新教师，在大兴的某个培训中心封闭6天。我去待了2天，跟雅思新教师一起讨论雅思教学的一些问题，感觉看到了6年前的自己。

这次新教师培训是新东方规模最大的一次，加上四、五十个培训师和特邀教师，大家一起在餐厅吃饭的时候充分感受到了近400人的气场，人真多呀！新东方的人才培养还是很让人自豪的。

晚上闲来无事跟几个老哥们一起看球赛，打牌，斗地主，每个人身上都有赌性，呵呵。打牌时总结出一条规律，做事偏激进的话可能会大输，但同时也有大赢的可能；但如果做事偏保守的话会小输，也会大输，却几乎没有大赢的机会。

闲扯了几句，明天开始又要上班了。

先是抱歉，头两篇求职记中的金美美系昵称，主人公原名金雯是也。文章在新东方网站转载时署名“金美美”，看来是当成了真名，呵呵，导致后来金雯向我抱怨，不过窃以为“美美”还真是不错。

在这篇里金雯重点介绍了填写网申材料时如何回答“为什么要选择我们公司”这个问题，有一个观点很有道理，即每个人都能发现，但未必每个人都能接着去思考。下一篇会介绍简历被接受后要参加的公司的“网上测试”。

开放式问题中几乎会被每家公司考察的就是why question。而其中为什么选择这家公司，为什么选择这个职位又是最常见的问题。在回答的时候，要在150-200字的范围内歌功颂德显然是不可能的。在这里，简单地给大家提两个建议：

第一，   公司的独特之处：

每个大公司都有自己的企业文化，而之所以愿意招应届生或者工作年限不超过两年的学生（统称为graduate entry），是因为他们特别希望找到跟自己文化契合的候选人，并且培养成符合自己公司气质的人才。这个时候如果你一味强调贵公司每年的收入有多少，薪水多么高，在业界如何执其牛耳，其实是隔靴搔痒。

稍微好一点的同学会去公司的网站上找一些数据，比如2008年度最受毕业生欢迎的公司，比如每年给慈善事业捐了多少钱。但是这只是第二个层次，你能找到数字，别人也能找到。简单的复制粘贴并不能让你鹤立鸡群。

我在英国应聘四大会计事务所的时候都回答了为什么选择这家公司的问题，写得还个个都得发自肺腑一片赤诚。怎么办呢？我先去每个公司的网站研究了这样两个事实：对应聘者要求的能力的排列顺序；去年进入该公司优秀毕业生的录像。其实每个人都能找到的这些内容，但是未必每个人都能更深入地思考。

举例而言，我发现KPMG把team working和communication skills放在首位，而DDT则把谨慎仔细，独立完成task的要求放在最显著的位置。那么，这两个公司，至少伦敦的分公司的企业文化不言而喻。究竟是充满互动充满交流的一个公司，还是各司其职每个员工都能独当一面的公司马上跃然纸上。甚至这样的侧重同样应该体现在你前面competence的问题中。

去年的毕业生其实就是今年的风向标，有的公司甚至会公布我们去年招了多少个新人，其中有多少个来自什么专业，有多少个女性，有多少残疾人的比例。当我看到PWC的3个优秀新员工分别毕业于牛津大学法律系，剑桥大学室内设计系和帝国理工的化学分析专业，我几乎马上就肯定了这个公司对名校学生的偏好，和对非专业背景申请者的宽容以及乐意给员工很多培训的特点。而EY的4个优秀新员工，来自四个档次不一的学校却几乎都是accounting，finance或者economics专业毕业的，我也理解了，EY是一个希望员工一进去就能上手干活的公司，他不奢求你有多么金碧辉煌的背景，只要你能在选拔过程中说明自己有多少专业优势即可。（结果也不出我意料，唯一一个在第一轮就把我拒掉的就是EY，也许他们觉得教育心理学和auditing真的相差太远吧）。

第二，   自己的独特之处

在确定了公司所需要的人才类型以后，如何紧密地把他和自己的需求结合起来就是最后的点睛之笔。外企都特别强调和鼓励员工的自身发展以及工作的舒适程度，他们笃信，假如你在一个自己不喜欢的团队里，那么无论你多么努力，都无法最大程度地发挥自己的优势。

告诉HR，我就是你们要找的人，而你们也是我要找的团队，是回答此类问题的最好解决方法。比如在回答why KPMG的时候，我就给出了一个很核心的词，diversity。我表示自己有一个永远需要通过接触各种不同的人来学习的习惯，如果周围都是一群跟我没有区别的人，我一定会觉得很闷，很没有学习的动力。我希望同事每天都有让我新鲜的地方，每天都充满给我学习机会的无限可能。这也是为什么我选修了很多公共学科，因为这样可以接触到各个专业的同学，从他们身上我找到更多姿多彩的自己。

后来面试我的HR在interview的一开始就告诉我，这个答案给她留下了很深刻的印象，因为她也是这样的人，而这也是她选择KPMG一个很重要的原因。

所谓磨刀不误砍柴工，如果多花一点时间来思考，一定会有意想不到的收获。

不过书的内容还是对得起读者的。第一次尝试把口语的三部分都打通，围绕主题来练考试的一、二、三部分，步步为营，反复使用同一资源，肯定会增加复习的有效性。而且正如该书前言里讲的，雅思对我们的一个重要挑战就是学习规划能力和计划实施能力，这本书的特点之一就是把雅思最常考的话题融入到3个月的复习规划里了，从而避免长期备考的盲目性和随意性。

第一次跟冬子老师合作，很感谢他的投入。这本书里面好多内容都已经公布在冬子和我的博客上了，其他的也会陆续贴出来。

You should say:

       who this person was

       what he/she looked like

       how you became friends

and explain why you remember this person so well.

Sample Answer:

The school friend I remember well is Sara. She’s not only my school friend, but also my best friend. I’ve known her since we were in middle school.

She is of the same height with me, but thinner. With beautiful eyes and straight black hair, she’s really a pretty girl.

We became friends because we were born on exactly the same day and we happened to hold the birthday party at the same KFC when we were 14. That day, we became friends.

We’ve been friends for 7 years. I remember her so well because she is someone who is the exact personal mirror image of myself. We understand each other like soul mates. We were all young and rebellious and she understood my madness. She knows me better than I know myself at times, at the most critical times. She is who I want to call first when I feel I'm in crisis. Now, though we are in different cities, we still keep in touch with each by phone and email.

Part 3

Are there any differences between childhood friends and friends in adulthood?

Actually yes. First, a childhood friendship has innocence and there are easier ties to make with someone when you are younger. There are also easier ways to find things in common with another person when you are younger. When you’re older it’s kind of like having the safety net removed. Then, you can do something as a kid in a friendship and it’s either cute or brushed off. As an adult it’s a little harder because if something is misconstrued then even the most rational person can get upset.

Which do you think is better, to have a large group of friends or just a few close friends?

Definitely a few good friends. Less worry and problems to deal with. I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to close friends. I feel more comfortable hanging out with my small band of pals, and I know I can be myself and I trust them all implicitly.

How is the way people make friends today different to the way people made friends years ago?

Well, the way people make friends today is not much different from the way people used to. You meet someone and hang out with them and see if your personality clicks.

Do you think it’s important (or necessary) to keep in contact with childhood friends?

All I could think of is the song: ‘make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver but the other gold.’ Keeping old friends has shown to be a good stress reducer. Talking with an old friend and laughing at how things were is always great fun. When I talk with old friends, it feels so comfortable and great and it makes me feel warm all over. So I think it’s important to maintain childhood friends.

Do most people change their friends when they grow up?

I don’t think so. Like that cheesy saying “Make new friends, but keep the old." People maintain their childhood friend and at the same time, make new friends. With today’s advancements especially, it's so convenient to keep in touch. All of my best friends have moved away-- some as far as across the country. Yet we can still talk via e-mail and Instant Messenger and it doesn't seem like we're quite as far away.

Some adults think that childhood was the best part of their lives. Why do they think that way?

As a child, one can live, play, act, dream as he or she wants to and there are no responsibilities and worries. While being an adult, there’s so much pressure and less freedom, one can't do everything a kid can. Besides, memory is always sweet than reality, especially when the adults know that they would never go back to childhood, childhood seems more priceless.

What methods do most people use to memorize things?

The best way to memorize something depends on how you learn. If you are an auditory learner (learn by hearing) you might try doing flash cards or reciting things out loud. If you are a visual leaner (learn by seeing or doing) you might try writing what you need to memorize over and over.

What do you think is the value of teaching history in school?

History always helps us to understand the present about a person, society or nation. For example, history of the Egyptian, Indian and Chinese civilizations gives us a good idea of how people lived, worked or fought in wars in the past and how the world has progressed over the centuries. Take a passion to study history you will discover that many countries have so many amazing secrets, stories and knowledge to offer. And the past can in some way help us to predict about the future.

变化，感觉是09年的主题。美国要变，世界要变，中国要变，新东方要变，我也要变。

每年年底和年初交界的时候，总感觉在新的一年，生活、工作一定要有一些变化，每年都要有好的变化。

去年（其实就是08年）最后一次主管会上，领导同样提到了变化，“主管在自己的工作岗位上，要为自己的部门带来变化，巨大的变化；把你摆到这个岗位上，就要看到变化。”其实在工作中，不仅是主管，员工也要为自己的工作岗位带来变化，也要让人感觉到因为你的存在，的确不太一样。

生活中，我同样希望由于我的存在，使得别人的生活不太一样，当然，必须是for the better，呵呵。

也祝福所有我认识的人和认识我的人，在09年有让自己满意的变化。