传说中的雅思写作“28道核心母题”

郑庆利

通过对题库的反复研究和总结，我们可以把题库里反复考察的题目总结为以下28道，他们具备举 一反三的功能，即解决了一道题就基本上能解决一类题。这样，同学们就可以在较短的时间内丰富自己应对雅思考题的ideas and expressions, 争取短期突破雅思写作的思路和语言表达。

简单的事实！

Ÿ           2009年的47道题目中43题与我们总结的核心母题相似或一样，只有4道新题！

Ÿ           2010年前三季度的35道题目中，30道题目在题库中都能找到其原题或与之相似的旧题，只有5道较新的题目…

关于“母题”!
其他题目都是在它基础上演变而来，故称之为母题。下面方框中是题库中的一道核心“母题”：

请读者仔细观察下面的题目：
 Some people think Ÿthe best way to reduce crimeis to give longer prison sentence. Others, however, think there are better alternative waysto reduce crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
显然，这道题目跟母题#18是极其相似的，在写两道题目时很多素材和语句是可以相互替换的。

请读者仔细观察2009年曾经考过的两道犯罪类题目：
 Research suggests that the majority of ucriminalswho were sent to prison would continue to commit crimes when set free. Whydo you think this is the case?  What can be done to solve this problem?2009.6.13
 Some people think  ulawbreakersshould be sent to prisons while others claim they should be made to work in communities. Discuss both and give your own opinion.2009.9.17
显然，2009年这两道题目仍然在讨论如何处理罪犯/犯罪的话题，跟母题#18仍然是异曲同工。如果一个考生在考试之前已经很好的思考或者练习了母题#18，或者看了其优秀范文，那可想而知，这个学生更容易获得好成绩甚至是超常的发挥——即使这些题目在所谓的题型上并不一致。

传说中的28道母题

以下为具体母题。建议学生在考试前写完其中一半的题目，剩下的题目进行构思和提纲写作。遇到问题应通过跟老师或同学讨论解决，如果自学，也可以从参考资料中阅读其相应的范文，进而总结素材和词汇。

Ÿ           28篇对应范文见《就是要你过雅思写作6.5》第六章。

1.many people believe that the main aim for university education is to help graduates to find better jobs, while some people believe that university education has wider benefits for individuals and society . Discuss both views and give your opinion.71208

2. it is often said that the subjects taught in schools are too academic in orientation and that it would be more useful for children to learn about practical matters such as home management, work and interpersonal skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3. Some people argue that teaching children of different abilities together benefits all of them. Others believe that intelligent children should be taught separately and given special treatment. Discuss both views and how do you think about it?

4. Higher education can be funded by several ways such as the following:1. All costs paid by the government; 2. All costs paid by the students;3. All costs paid by the government loan which students have to pay back after graduation.Please discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of all these three theories above and decide which the best is.

5. Schools are no longer necessary, because children can get so much information available through Internet, and they can study just as well at home. What extent do you agree or disagree?

6. Some people think teachers have a greater influnce than parents in the development of a child’s intelligence and social skills. Do you agree or disagree? 2008-9-6

7. Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?c5-t2

8. In many countries, more and more young people are leaving school and unable to find jobs after graduation. What problems do you think youth unemployment will cause to the individual and the society? What measures can be taken to address this problem?

9. it is generally acknowledged that families are now not as close as they used to be. What are the possible reasons for this and what can be done to reverse the trend?

10. It is now possible to perform everyday tasks, such as bank transaction, shopping or even office works, without meeting people face to face. What are the effects it may have on individuals and the society as a whole?

11. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

12. Many people believe that the increasing use of modern technology at work and in leisure is reducing people’s creativity. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

13. Food can be produced cheaper if we use improved fertilizers and better machinery. However some of methods may be dangerous for human health, and have negative effects for local communities.  What is your opinion?

14. Some people believe that air travel should be restricted because it causes serious pollution and uses up the world's fuel resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

15. Unlimited car use has brought us a lot of problems. What are these problems? And should we discourage people to use cars?

16. 15 Some people claim that public museums and art galleries will not be needed because people can see historical objects and works by using computer. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

17. Some people say that giving aid to poor countries has more negative effects than positive effects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

18. In many countries，the proportion of older people is steadily increasing.  Does this trend make positive or negative effects to society？

19. Some people think it is acceptable to use the animals in any way for benfits of human beings, while others think it is not justifiable. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

20. Throughout the history, male leaders often made the society more violent and conflicting. If women governed the world, it would be a more peaceful world.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

21. Do the problems brought by international travel outweigh the advantages?

22. Several languages are dying out every year.  Some people do not think it is important and say that our life will be simpler with fewer languages.  To what extent do you agree or disagree.

23. In some countries, advertisers increase the amount of advertising which try to persuade children to buy snacks, toys，and other goods. Parents object to such pressure on children. But some advertisers claim that there is useful information in these advertisements. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

24. The government should control the amount of violence in films and on television in order to decrease the level of violent crimes in the society. Do you agree or disagree?

25. Sending criminals to the prison is not the best method of dealing with them. Education and job training are better ways to help them.

26. Some people say that governments should pay for the public health care and education, while others say that it is not the government’s responsibility. Please discuss both views and give your own opinion.

27. Some people believe that individuals can not improve environment, but only governments and big companies can make a difference. To what extend do you agree or disagree?

28. Some people believe that the personal happiness is directly related with the economic success. Others argue that the happiness depends on completely other factors. Discuss both of the views and give your own opinion