Question

Some people believe that greed and selfishness has become the basis of modern society, and we should return to the old traditions of family and community then we will have a better life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above opinion?

In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes. While people

traditionally prioritize caring, sharing and generosity in life and work, modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.

Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life. They say that it is a jungle out there. To survive, you have to fight with whatever means that come handy. Obviously greedy and selfishness go perfectly well with such ideas. In a company, employees do everything they can to get better pay and higher position, even at the cost of colleagues. We are in any way advocating any selfish conduct. It is just that people are pressured to act in a certain way due to outside influences.

In spite of common practice, it is hard to conclude that modern society is built on greed and selfishness, both of which are not newly invented vocabulary. In ancient times people also did greedy and selfish things though such behaviors were more condemned then. But we can not ignore the fact that people in the past lived a relatively more isolated life and faced less pressure compared with their modern counterparts.

Are we happier to share with others and be generous to them? There is no fixed answer either. Some people take great pleasure helping and giving to others while others feel happy doing the opposite. But I personally think that people should not be too selfish. Caring for others can actually encourage the development of a mutually beneficial relationship.

In conclusion, modern people appear to be more self-centered than those in the past due to strong outside pressure. However, we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.

Are Modern People Becoming More Selfish?

Main comparisons	Contexts
1. are changing	In the past people put caring, sharing and generosity in the first 2. .
Nowadays, people seem to be more 3. about themselves.
4. are changing too.	People in the past appeared to be modest and self-effacing（谦让的）
People may strive to achieve their own 5. at the price of their coworkers.
The author’s understanding
6. for changes in author’s eyes	Fierce 7. and great 8. on modern people may be responsible for the changes.
The author’s 9. towards topic.	A relationship which can 10. two sides should be established.

Answer 1

1.Values

2.place

3.concerned

4.Behavio(u)rs

5.goals

6.Reasons

7.competition

8.pressure

9.attitudes

10.benefit

【解析】

1.In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes.得知现代社会一些人认为贪婪和自私成为了基本准则，不同于以前我们的家庭传统，说明大家的价值观在变化，填Values。

2.根据While people traditionally prioritize caring, sharing and generosity in life and work, 在过去人们把关爱、分享和慷慨放在第一位，“放在第一位”put something in the first place。

3.根据modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.得知现代人更以关心自己，以自我为中心，“关心”be concerned about。

4.根据Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life.得知现代人的行为举止也在变化，填 Behavio(u)rs。

5.根据In a company, employees do everything they can to get better pay and higher position, even at the cost of colleagues.为了实现高薪和高职位这些目标，不惜牺牲同事为代价，填goals。

6.】根据下面表格的描述这里是讲人们有这些变化的原因，填Reasons。

7.根据Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life. 现代人自私的行为是因为社会残酷的竞争造成，填competition。

8.根据. It is just that people are pressured to act in a certain way due to outside influences.由于外部压力人们被迫自私。填 pressure。

9.下面是作者阐述自己的态度 填attitudes。

10.根据However, we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.我们应该鼓励人们彼此建立互惠的关系。填 benefit。

考点：词汇的运用