21. Do you want to be a boss who is starting a companyor an employee with a high salary?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Different people may have different choices. Somepeople may put a regular job above good pay for a variety ofreasons. Employees usually know what they are supposed to do andhave a fairly stable life. With a high-paying job, they and theirfamilies can live a comfortable life. When they have accumulatedenough money, they can start a business when conditions arefavorable. On the other hand, many people want to set up a businessof their own right now. Indeed, launching a company involves a lotof effort. What is worse, there is risk. But they like challenges.By trying to establish a company, not only may they make lots ofmoney, they can also develop their abilities to overcomedifficulties.
22. What kind of boss would you like to work for: onewho is inefficient but kind, or one who is efficient but verystrict with employees?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Many people, if not most, preferto work for a kind, good-natured boss. Under such a boss, they feelsecure and happy. The boss won't scold employees simply becausethey have made a small mistake. He will also be generous. It istrue that sometimes because of his lack of ability, his company maynot reap huge profits, and employees can hardly get a raise. Buthappiness is surely more important than money. However, somepeople, including me, will choose to work for a boss who is capablebut very strict with his subordinates. If the boss is capable, hewill lead the company to one new height after another. When thecompany thrives, all employees will benefit. Even if the boss maygive an employee a severe dressing-down for something he or shedid, the employee can learn a lesson from the event. Under such aboss, employees can gain valuable experience, which may serve as agood foundation for them to start a business of their own in thefuture.
23. Why do some people think sports clothes and shoesprovide a good business opportunity? What age groups do you thinkthe business people should target? Why?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: With more leisure time and money,many people pay more attention to their health and recreation. As aresult, more and more people will engage in sports, and they willbuy more fitness gear, including sports clothes and shoes.Obviously this provides a hot business opportunity. In my opinion,business people should target young people first. They are activeand participate more in sports than other age groups. But businesspeople should not neglect older people. After retirement, theyoften find their health on the decline, and therefore have themotivation for fitness exercises. As for middle-aged people, manyof them are under such great pressure at work that they can hardlyafford the time for sports.
24. If you wanted to start a business, which factorswould you consider: your education and ability, your money, or themarket? Why?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: If I wanted to launch a business,I would consider all of these factors, for they all play anindispensable role. First of all, I would consider my ability.Since I majored in biology, I would be cautious in starting acompany to sell something I am not familiar with such as buildingmaterials or DVDs. With my educational background, I may find iteasier to run a company selling bio-tech products. The next thing Iwould have to take into account, is the money available. Supposethe establishment of a company required a capital of a milliondollars, I would try to see whether I could get a loan. If not, Iwould give up the idea and try to set up a smaller service companythat required less capital. Last but not least, I would survey themarket to see if the products I planned to deal with could be sold.If they were unmarketable, I had better give up the idea offounding a company in this area. If they sold well, then I would goahead.
25. What do you think people will choose: a low-paidjob one likes, or a boring well-paid job?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: I think many people prefer to find a job that theyreally like. After all, most people want to enjoy themselves ratherthan have plenty of money without a sense of achievement andhappiness. On the other hand, some people may choose a well-paidjob instead of a job close to their heart to earn more money. Ifone is in serious financial difficulty, one can hardly afford theluxury of a dream job. Money is the top priority.
26. Do you think one's character is important infinding a job? Why or why not?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: I think it is. Although many employers lay emphasison candidates' educational background and work experience, somebelieve that candidates' character is equally important for asuccessful career. In contemporary society, many projects are solarge that they require the coordination of a group of peoplerather than a single person's effort. Therefore, a good team playeris often welcomed. Professionally skilled people may not be able toaccomplish a large project if they are easily angered and cannotget along with their colleagues. If you want to assume a leadingposition, you should be firm on important issues while allowingyour subordinates plenty of freedom. In fact, it is becomingincreasingly common for companies to test candidates' EQ (emotionalquotient) before they decide to hire them.
27. What courses are useful for one's job?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: In fact all courses may turn outto be useful in our future careers. The basic courses we take inthe first two years of university lay a solid foundation for ourfuture development. In the case of computer majors, for example,the math they have learned will enhance their ability for logicalreasoning. The English courses they have followed will help themread the literature in their fields with greater ease. Art coursesmay increase their sense of balance and beauty. However, thecourses in their specialties are often of greater relevance andvalue for their career development. For instance, computer majorsmay find courses such as programming, computer network, database,and CAD (Computer Aided Design) more closely related to theirfuture work.
28. What questions do you think are often asked in aninterview? Why are they asked?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: To start with, the interviewersmay ask you about your education. In this way they can gatherinformation to see if you have acquired the basic knowledgerequired for the job you are applying for. Perhaps most of themwill ask you about your work experience in this field to see if youhave the necessary skills for the job you have in mind. Usuallyemployers do not like an entirely inexperienced employee. They mayalso ask about your character, weaknesses and strengths to find outwhat kind of person you are. They may even ask you something thatis not directly related to the job in question. Your answers tendto show your intelligence level and communication skills.
29. What do you think are the things that contributeto a successful marriage?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: The success of a marriage is dueto many factors, of which love is obviously the most important one.Other factors, which are not entirely unrelated to love, includeshared values and interests, mutual understanding, commitment,effective communication, similar educational background, equaleconomic status, physical fitness, etc. With the same values andmoral standards, friends may develop into lifelong partners. Aftermarriage, there needs to be a commitment to one another, and to thewell-being and development of the family. Similar educationalbackground and intelligence levels are also considered important bysome people. They believe that only with mutual appreciation andunderstanding, can the couple get along easily and happily.
30. Why do people get divorced? Can you guess some ofthe reasons?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Sometimes it is because thecouple did not really understand each other before the marriage, aslove was blind at that time. After marriage, they see each other'sshortcomings more clearly. When disappointment grows beyondcontrol, divorce becomes inevitable. Sometimes it is because one ofthe couple has changed after the marriage. For example, after thehusband is promoted to a leading position, he may have a hectictime all year round, with hardly any time left to be with his wife.Sometimes one of the couple has lost his or her job and becomesirritable. Due to the continual quarrelling at home, the familybreaks up.
31. What do you think of the lives of singlemothers?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Most people look upon singlemothers with sympathy. Single mothers have to support theirchildren on their own. They may find it difficult to provide theirchildren with all the luxuries children of two-parent familiesenjoy. Worse still, they may be under great psychological pressure.Moreover, their children may develop a sense of inferiority. Whenthey see other children are bathed in the love of both parents,they may feel bitterly disappointed.
32. What is your view of the fact that the wife'shousekeeping duties remain the same even when she works outside?What could be the solution?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: If the wife works during the dayjust like the husband, then it is obviously unfair for the wife toshoulder all the housekeeping duties. If the husband can share thehousehold chores with the wife, the love between them can bestrengthened. Unfortunately, influenced by tradition, many men areunwilling to do housework, thinking it to be unmanly. If we want tochange the situation, the media had better give more publicity to"model husbands" who assume a large part of those duties.Gradually, people may change their image of a husband whoconstantly sits in front of the TV, watching football games orinternational news. Also, the development of modern technology andthe appearance of more modern conveniences will further lighten thehousekeeping burden. Thus the problem of who should do thehousework will become less important.
33. What subject do you like best? What made you likeit: your personal interests, the teacher, the practicalapplications of the course in the future, etc.?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: I like physics best, though many classmates find ithard. A lot of factors led me to like this subject. As early as inhigh school, I was amazed at the laws scientists like Newton andEinstein discovered. What they found out changed the world.Luckily, my physics teacher at this university is excellent. He isknowledgeable and patient. Just because of him, I'm willing tospend lots of my spare time on this subject. Most importantly, whatI have learned from the physics course will be of great help inlanding a good job. Nowadays many companies think physics majorsoften have a solid academic foundation and can easily adaptthemselves to a wide variety of positions.
34. Do you think it is necessary?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Some parents believe that by doing a lot ofdifficult math problems, their children will have a solidfoundation in math. Some parents even believe that trying to solvehard math problems will promote the growth of children's brains andhelp develop their logical reasoning ability and concentration,which will facilitate learning in other areas. On the other hand,many people believe that it is unnecessary and unnatural forchildren to study difficult math problems. Some people even believethat strict math training harms children's moral and physicaldevelopment. Fierce competition may dampen the spirit of teamwork,which is so important in the contemporary world.
35. What study habits seem to be common amongsuccessful students?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: Many top students seem to havethese good study habits: They tend to have a strong sense of timeand organize their time well. They may draw up their study planwell in advance. While studying, they check whether they areworking ahead of schedule or lagging behind it. They usually workin a systematic way. Before class, they preview the text to getsome idea about what the teacher is going to say and which part ofthe text is difficult. In class, they listen attentively, takenotes of the main points of the lecture, and ask questions whenthey don't understand. After class, they review what they havelearned. By going through the text and the notes, they can rememberimportant information.
36. How to prevent students' cheating inexaminations?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: First, the administrators mustadopt severe measures to punish that disgraceful practice. In thecase of serious offenders, it is not enough just to give them an F.They must repeat the whole year, or even be expelled from school.Second, it is more important for teachers to enforce the universityrules strictly. When they see students cheating, they should notturn a blind eye to it.
37. What factors may weaken one's memory?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: It is often reported thatlong-term poor nutrition may affect the functioning of the brain,thus damaging both the long-term and short-term memory. Alsoharmful to one's memory is lack of water. Elderly people needplenty of water to guarantee their memory works. A third factor islack of sleep. Without enough sleep, one may feel tired and havedifficulty concentrating, not to mention learning things byheart.
38. Can you describe some possible advantages ofhaving a poor memory?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: A poor memory may have someadvantages. With the passage of time, the sad memories will fade.Those with a short memory tend to recover faster than those with atenacious memory. For the same reason, forgetful people may be moreready to forget their daily worries and forgive others for theiroffenses. With a less retentive mind, they may enjoy lifemore.
39. What can you do to make sure all your relativesand friends are on the guest list for your birthday party?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: First of all, I would check my address book andtick the names of those I intend to invite. Then, to avoid possibleomissions, I would ask some of my close relatives, friends andcolleagues to look at my initial list of names. They might suggestone or two additions. In this way, I can reduce the chances ofmissing those I should invite.
40. How do you ensure important phone numbers arealways at your fingertips?
Suggested answers:
Answer 1: I usually remember my closerelatives and friends' phone numbers through frequent use. But mymemory cannot always be trusted. In this case, a mobile phone isextremely useful because it can store many phone numbers. But whenthe batteries run down, the mobile phone can't help either. So Ialso rely on my address book. To play safe, I prefer to have twoaddress books. I take one with me and leave the other at home. ThusI can always find the number I need.
