Question

【题目】Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

People are social creatures by nature, and so it is hardly surprising that some portion of their self-esteem (自尊心) comes from the approval of others. This instinct is why the approval of peers, and the fear of disapproval, is such a powerful force in many people’s lives.

Despite the most common associations with the term peer, peer pressure is not always negative. A student whose friends do extremely well in academics may be obliged to study harder and get good grades. Players on a sports team may feel driven to play harder in order to help the team win. This type of influence may even get a friend off drugs, or help an adult take up a good habit or drop a bad one. Study groups, class projects, and even book clubs are examples of positive peer groups, that encourage people to better themselves.

However, for certain individuals, seeking social acceptance is so important that it becomes like an addiction. In order to fit in, they may go so far as to abandon their sense of right and wrong. Groups of children may join in bullying (欺凌) newcomers in school. Teens and young adults may feel obliged to use drugs or alcohol, or join gangs that encourage criminal behavior. Mature adults may sometimes feel pressured to cover up illegal activity at the company where they work, or end up in debt because they are unable to resist the temptation to buy a house or car that they can’t afford in an effort to keep up with the Joneses.

There is no question that some people are more easily affected by peer pressure than others. Being self-aware is at the root of managing this type of pressure. “Going with the flow,” is not always a bad thing, but as each individual is still responsible for the consequences, it is important to be a thinking participant in the decision.

Answer 1

【答案】To seek social approval is the source of peer pressure Positive peer pressure pushes people to do better academically and athletically because peers either set good examples or create uplifting environment. However, peer pressure sometimes makes people lose moral principles and turn to illegal activities like bullying or selling drugs. Raising self-awareness may help fight against negative peer pressure.

【解析】

本篇书面表达属于概要写作。用不超过60个单词的篇幅概括短文的大意和要点。

一、写作步骤：

（1）细读原文。首先要仔细阅读短文，掌握文章主旨和结构，明确各段的大意。

（2）弄清要求。概要写作是写全文概要，不是写某一部分的概要，或者就某些问题写出要点。

（3）列出原文要点。分析原文的内容和结构，将内容分项扼要表述并注意在结构上的顺序。在此基础上选出与文章主题密切相关的部分。

二、在写作时要特别注意下面几点：

（1）概要应包括原文中的主要事实，略去不必要的细节。

（2）注意要点之间的衔接，要用适当的关联词语贯通全文，切忌只简单地写出一些互不相干的句子，但也不要每两句之间都加关联词语，以免显得生硬。

（3）不排斥用原文的某些词句，但不要照搬原文的句子，如果不能完全用自己的话语表达，至少对原文句子做一些同义词替换，如果结构上也能有一些转换会更好。

（5）计算词数，看是否符合规定的词数要求。