[TOEFL essay] Working with machines vs. Working with people

Based on the matter of working partners, people have different favorite kinds of occupations. Some prefer occupations in which they work primarily with machines. Others choose professions in which they work with people. Each of the two types has its own advantages, and which one suits a person best depends on his personalities and field of profession. Personally I prefer working with machines, for I enjoy the feeling of being the boss whenever at work.

First of all, many people like working with machines since they are technically advanced, and are becoming a perfect substitute for human labor. It is obvious that machines and computers are essential for most fields of occupations. For industrial workers, automatic machines are indispensible; for art designers and architects, computers prove to be great tools in mass designing with high accuracy, while for scientists, scientific machines such as computers and telescopes are strictly required for research. As can be seen, machines are ideal partners for a lot of people whose limited time and capabilities do not allow them to work on their own.

On the contrary, human are still regarded as the best working partners by several people whose jobs require human discussion and interaction. It is clear that in some jobs, teamwork and mutual assistance among workers are crucial to success. Moreover, it is widely believed that professions involving interaction between people are much more interesting, while those in which human primarily work with machines are boringly repetitive. To illustrate this point, recent researches demonstrated that more than half the workers doing such jobs as electrician and mechanical engineering over a long time in the US feel they are driven stressed. Lastly, some people prefer the atmosphere of working in a competitive environment where peer pressure can motivate them to work harder and improve their effectiveness and productivity.

For personal reasons, however, I prefer working with machines. Firstly, machines are highly consistent, accurate, and reliable, while humans may be spontaneous and fallible. In addition, it is not easy to find a person whose personalities and working habits fit mine, which is key to successful cooperation. Moreover, I always like to have things work in my own way. Consequently, I consider machines to be my best partners since they are obedient servants who always do whatever they are told to do and never criticize me, unlike some co-workers who may disagree with my plans. To sum up, working with machines or working with human, each of which has its advantages and drawbacks, depends on each person’s preference; I choose to work mainly with machines because of both their reliability and their flexibility, which enables me to do things in my own way.

Reading List for September

Ok I haven’t managed to finish the reading mission for August. More exactly I wasn’t resolute enough to strictly follow my established plan, partially due to the mid-August vacation plus my sluggishness. By far I have just completed “Sons of Fortune”, not even bothered crossing a finger through the 2nd and 3rd books, and abruptly changed my mind to try “Treasure Island”.

I know I’ll have to go to self-discipline for the 3 or 4 upcoming months as long as I still want to get a decent, or at least, “acceptable” score for the SAT. Sometimes I feel a bit regretful about my decision to register for the test that early, but anyway, it’s just about time to really strive. Really. (Oh, again, sometimes I feel I am sooooo pompous)

Ok, Let’s start tomorrow. READ, READ, and READ.

1. Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson

2. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

3. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

4. To Kill a Mocking Bird – Harper Lee

[TOEFL Essay] A Small Town vs. A Big City

The second essay I decided to post to the blog since I think it’s generally better than the others I’ve written.

—————————————-

Topic Question: Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

I was born and lived in a small town in the countryside for years until my family moved to Hanoi, a very big city, so I believe I have good experience living in both places. From my perspective, big cities make life more significant and enjoyable. Since the movement to Hanoi, I can hardly think of a possibility to return to live in a small town.

In terms of living quality, I must say a big city is far flourishing than a town. It offers me the chance to expose to a good education, and a healthily competitive environment for me to live in. Also, in a rapidly thriving city like Hanoi, all kinds of services seem so plentiful. I don’t have to ride a bike 10 kilometers to school every morning anymore. Moreover, how convenient it is when markets and supermarkets lie only 50 footsteps from home, and my parents no longer have to travel over 30 kilometers to get medical treatments. We now already have a decent fridge, a TV, a computer and copious amount of clean water, which was always in dearth when I was a child.

The second reason I love this city so much is that I enjoy the abundance of mass media and entertainments here. Once suffered the shortage of newspaper and books, I now listen to hottest up-to-date news on TV twice a day, surf the Internet to find out information, and have access to library to read and research whatever I am inquisitive about. Furthermore, it is various sorts of entertainment, along with media, that play a crucial part of my life. After school I often watch a comedy show on Star World, see a film at night, go out for supper with my family once a week, and go to the stadium every weekend.

Finally, the hustle and bustle of a changing city contributes to motivate me to achieve goals. It took me months to adapt to this changing world when I first came to Hanoi, but soon I realized this animated environment has changed my whole life. Every morning I come to school and compete with my friends in every class for the valedictorian title. Whenever walking down the street I can notice people rushing in a very dynamic fashion. It is the bustling and competitive atmosphere of work within this busy city that gives me the greatest impetus for studying and working for my future, which I believe cannot be found in my old tranquil hometown.

Hitherto, I have never regretted moving to a big city like Hanoi. In fact, the past three years of modern life gave me a lot more than the over ten years of living in the countryside. I love this hurly-burly of city life, all the facilities and comforts I am provided with, a valuable approach to latest technologies, and the exposure to big opportunities. Therefore, I am totally convinced that life in a big city is much better than one in a small town.

————————-

It seems I still cannot get rid of my wordiness. Over 400 words, though tried my best to truncate it.

=> Task: Practice thinking and expressing ideas straightforwardly unless if I want to write a complete essay under time pressure

Reading List for August

I planned to make my summer reading list from the beginning of the summer, but it seemed I haven’t do enough commitment. I often found myself break plans, consequently so far I just completed only 2 books (Animal Farm, and Harry Potter 6 – I am juvenile, I know – and in fact now halfway through “Sons of Fortune”).

I think it’s now the right time to make myself more self-disciplinary. One important thing I read some months ago in a book is that whenever one tries to plan for some work, write it down on a piece of paper, because that will not only daily remind him of the work but also make coerce him to strictly commit to it.

1. Sons of Fortune – Jeffrey Archer (already halfway through it)

2. Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe

3. To Kill a Mocking Bird – Harper Lee (optional)

Today is already August 2nd so I’m not quite sure I can finish all these three. If I complete the first two and still have decent time, then it might be possible. “To Kill a Mocking Bird” seems a well-known book. Just try my best. I’ve got a lot of novels to wade through in the next Sep, Oct, and Nov. Not only will I read them for my knowledge but also to serve my Dec SAT.

Jul 20

Sometimes we need to be a little bit expedient to get our tasks done, although that may cause collateral ramifications.

Even if the criminal tried hard to expiate for his sins, he did not receive any forbearance, or clemency from the jury since his iniquitous act is irrevocable.

The World Trade Center was obliterated and demolished in the September 11st terrorist attack. In retrospect, it is still a recollection redolent of mournful calamity. All the witnesses tried to expunge that sorrowful memoir from their mind.

The publishing company granted the author the privilege to publish her book, but on the condition that she expurgate all the ferociously and lubriciously detailed graphics.

My grandfather’s bicycle has been used for roughly 40 years and still remains extant. That is ascribed to his parsimony and frugality, or to be more limpid, his thrift.

Even though Thierry Henry has gone, he is extolled by a lot of Arsenal steadfast supporters all around the world. We, with our greatest esteem and idolatry, all wish you best luck at the new club – Barcelona.

Not until this morning did I know that Osama Bin Laden is a stalwart and fanatical supporter of Arsenal FC.

I think of a nostalgic recollection of myself rejoicing boisterously after receiving my letter of admission from Giang Vo Secondary School.

All the petty, or negligible trivia included in my essay seemed extraneous to the topic – it had surely been diverted from the main subject.

Arsenal’s style of playing a sort of ethereal soccer is so intriguing that I engross myself in watching them instead of finishing my assignments.

Fearing of hardships of life, the decided to lead a reclusive life. He extricated himself from competing – he kind of forsaking the fortitude he once owned when he was an ambitious businessman.

Except her gregarious facade, or veneer towards people, she was a lonely widow trying to dissemble her real discontent of life.

After dogged efforts to inspect this seemingly unfathomable case, the lawyer finally managed to work it out.

All the neighbours are very aghast of how come that lonely mother can be so fecund. She has born 13 children by far.

Only a few felicitous examples may brighten your essay.

The fervent man is a keen audience – He is so zealous in reading. He could sit for the entire day avidly digest one book after another. I believe he has wade through virtually half the library.

A feral, or undomesticated horse, can kill a horse neophyte at times.

The fetid odor deriving from the kitchen is really disgusting. I don’t reckon how can that noisome pong permeate into my house. What a stinking reek! In fact, I must say it is the most malodorous stench I have ever smelled in my life.