2003_03_Session_A_sample speeches

A. The controversy surrounding the use of animals in experiments

The thorny issue of animals revolves around two factors. Firstly, the kind of animal that the experiments are conducted on, and secondly, the purpose or product for which the experiment is required. In the first place, there are few people who object to tests in scientific laboratories that involve rodents such as rats or mice. They are considered to be household pests. Though they share many genes in common with humans, they don’t have any human-like qualities or common ancestry with humans. Furthermore, they make excellent study subjects because their life span are short, allowing us to study them over generations. But animals belonging to the monkey or dog families, such as chimpanzees or beagles, arouse our sympathy because they are larger, more intelligent, and seem to communicate their emotions to us via their eyes and body language. It is hard for many people to imagine that cute animals are being tortured in laboratories.

However, when a cosmetic company tests a new range of make-up or soap by putting it into dog’s eyes, we must ask ourselves whether we are really being fair to the animals we share our planet with.

The thorny issues of animals revolve around two factors. Firstly, the kind of animal that the experiments are conducted on, and secondly, the purpose or product for which the experiment is required.

In the first place, there are few people who object to tests in scientific laboratories that involve rodents such as rats or mice. They are considered to be household pests. Though they share many genes in common with humans, they don’t have any human-like qualities or common ancestry with humans. Furthermore, they make excellent study subjects because their life span are short, allowing us to study them over generations. But animals belonging to the monkey or dog families, such as chimpanzees or beagles, arouse our sympathy because they are larger, more intelligent, and seem to communicate their emotions to us via their eyes and body language. It is hard for many people to imagine that cute animals are being tortured in laboratories.

On the other hand, we must balance this reality against the obvious benefits that result from animal experimentation. When pharmaceutical companies use animal experimentation in their search for cures for diseases that afflict all mankind, such as cancer and malaria, we can say that the ends justify the means. However, when a cosmetic company tests a new range of make-up or soap by putting it into dog’s eyes, we must ask ourselves whether we are really being fair to the animals we share our planet with.

C. The role of culture traditions in modern society

In ever growing numbers, young people are leaving the countryside for more modern lifestyles that are only available in large metropolitan areas. Rural communities have found that migration to the cities not only depletes their populations but also threatens longstanding rural traditions. Many local festivals and farming traditions are based on systems of belief which are no longer relevant and which have been replaced by faith in science and technology. As a result, many traditions have been forgotten or are nowadays considered a nuisance.

I am reminded in particular of small villages which no longer have enough able-bodied men to carry the village mikoshi, or portable shrine, during festivals in summer. But such traditions are part of Japan’s cultural heritage. They bring people together, allow the whole community-young and old-to participate in an event together, and give everyone a sense of shared identity. In this regard, it must be noted that the traditions of the country have not entirely disappeared. For example, many Japanese people take delight in the story of Tanabata, the Star Festival. It is interesting that even in a sprawling, overcrowded city like Tokyo, where for an outsider it is virtually impossible to distinguish one neighborhood from another, each local community conducts its own festival at a certain time each year.

Many local festivals and farming traditions are based on systems of belief which are no longer relevant and which have been replaced by faith in science and technology. As a result, many traditions have been forgotten or are nowadays considered a nuisance. I am reminded, in particular, of small villages which no longer have enough able-bodied men to carry the village mikoshi, or portable shrine, during festivals in summer. But such traditions are part of Japan’s cultural heritage. They bring people together, allow the whole community, young and old, to participate in an event together and give everyone a sense of shared identity. In this regard, it must be noted that the traditions of the country have not entirely disappeared. For example, many Japanese people take delight in the story of Tanabata, the Star Festival.

It is interesting that even in a sprawling, overcrowded city like Tokyo, where for an outsider it is virtually impossible to distinguish one neighborhood from another, each local community conducts its own festival at a certain time each year.

D. Saving or spending-which should the government encourage?

It is well known that the government wants to kick- start the economy by encouraging consumers to increase spending. The demand created when people buy more jobs and thus more money in the pockets of consumers. The wheels of the economy are set in motion. Government economists believe that it is vital to encourage housewives to buy new products, as it is these women who have their husband’s salaries at their disposal. However, people are afraid to spend money when they do not feel financially secure. If their husband’s jobs are insecure or if they are worried about the size if their husband’s next bonus, the nation’s housewives are far more likely to hide their money “under the bed,” as it were, and “save it for rainy day,” rather than spend it. In western countries, workers are encouraged not to trust state pensions for their future, but instead to invest in company or other private pension schemes, and to start putting their money into savings accounts from as young as twenty-five. This is not the case in Japan because people have the banks, and instead keep their money at home in safes or convert it into gold bars. While increased spending will certainly help at the national level, it seems that, for the time being, savings is the best course of action at the individual level.

The wheels of the economy are set in motion. Government economists believe that it is vital to encourage housewives to buy new products, as it is these women who have their husband’s salaries at their disposal. However, people are afraid to spend money when they do not feel financially secure. If their husband’s jobs are insecure or if they are worried about the size if their husband’s next bonus, the nation’s housewives are far more likely to hide their money “under the bed,” as it were, and “save it for rainy day,” rather than spend it. In western countries, workers are encouraged not to trust state pensions for their future, but instead to invest in company or other private pension schemes, and to start putting their money into savings accounts from as young as twenty-five. This is not the case in Japan because people have the banks, and instead keep their money at home in safes or convert it into gold bars.

While increased spending will certainly help at the national level, it seems that, for the time being, savings is the best course of action at the individual level.

CD (4) - 13

A. The environmental issues that most concerns human civilization

There are many major environmental concerns for the planet. One is the problem caused by the recent creation of holes in the ozone layer. Now the ultra-violent rays from the sun can enter the earth’s atmosphere through the openings in the once completely protective ozone layer, we are at much greater risk of getting skin cancer. Another problem is the destruction of coral reefs due to soil erosion. Land, which has been washed into the sea covers the reefs and suffocates them.

But the problem which the scientists are most concerned with is global warming. A great deal of human activity is directly associated with the causes of global warming. The cutting down of the rainforest for timber and what is known as the “slash-and-burn” method of farming have meant that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gasoline, provides us with energy to run our factories, heat our homes, and drive our cars. But these fuels also release dangerous amounts of carbon gases into the atmosphere, and scientists have blamed these gases for the relatively recent rising of the earth’s temperature.

The consequences of global warming are numerous and foreboding. Warmer temperatures pose a threat to the habitants of many animals and will likely result in the extinction of thousands of species. Conversely, it will allow other species, for example, many kinds of insects, to thrive; but to such a degree that they may harm humans. Scientists point to malaria-carrying mosquito, which has already migrated from Africa to Europe in recent years. Looking to the polar ice caps and glaciers, scientists predict dire consequences as result of current rates, sea levels around the world will rise, causing drastic problems for coastal areas and eventually engulfing many island-nations entirely.

Another problem is the destruction of coral reefs due to soil erosion. Land, which has been washed into the sea covers the reefs and suffocates them. But the problem which the scientists are most concerned with is global warming. A great deal of human activity is directly associated with the causes of global warming. The cutting down of the rainforest for timber and what is known as the “slash-and-burn” method of farming have meant that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gasoline, provides us with energy to run our factories, heat our homes, and drive our cars. But these fuels also release dangerous amounts of carbon gases into the atmosphere, and scientists have blamed these gases for the relatively recent rising of the earth’s temperature. The consequences of global warming are numerous and foreboding. Warmer temperatures pose a threat to the habitants of many animals and will likely result in the extinction of thousands of species. Conversely, it will allow other species, for example, many kinds of insects, to thrive; but to such a degree that they may harm humans. Scientists point to malaria-carrying mosquito, which has already migrated from Africa to Europe in recent years.

Looking to the polar ice caps and glaciers, scientists predict dire consequences as result of current rates, sea levels around the world will rise, causing drastic problems for coastal areas and eventually engulfing many island-nations entirely.

D. The social responsibilities of large corporations

Large corporations that have come to dominate industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil, and technology were established for one reason. Their owners wanted to make profit. That is why these days we have drug manufacturers developing important medicines but selling them at prices so high that only rich can afford to buy them. Look at medicines for AIDS. People in underdeveloped countries cannot afford treatment and therefore die in alarming numbers. Similarly, the tobacco industry advertises to get young people hooked on smoking in order to secure a market for future sales.

On the other hand, some corporations are shining examples of how success can be achieved while also helping society. When Henry Ford established the Ford Motor Company, he paid his production-line workers three times what other similar companies paid, and so created a happy, healthy workforce. These workers could afford to pay for decent housing for their families and to send their children to good school. But it is not realistic to expect all corporations to act like this. Large corporations will continue to seek huge profits, but we must ask our governments to regulate these giant money-making businesses so that they cannot exploit their workers or their customers.

Large corporations that have come to dominate industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil, and technology were established for one reason. Their owners wanted to make profit.

That is why these days we have drug manufacturers developing important medicines but selling them at prices so high that only rich can afford to buy them. Look at medicines for AIDS. People in underdeveloped countries cannot afford treatment and therefore die in alarming numbers. Similarly, the tobacco industry advertises to get young people hooked on smoking in order to secure a market for future sales. On the other hand, some corporations are shining examples of how success can be achieved while also helping society. When Henry Ford established the Ford Motor Company, he paid his production-line workers three times what other similar companies paid, and so created a happy, healthy workforce. These workers could afford to pay for decent housing for their families and to send their children to good school. But it is not realistic to expect all corporations to act like this.

Large corporations will continue to seek huge profits, but we must ask our governments to regulate these giant money-making businesses so that they cannot exploit their workers or their customers.

E. Praise or punishment-which is more effective in education children?

Children learn their best when they’re having fun. Most educators agree on this It’s logical, then, that the good feelings that children have when they are praised are more suitable to the classroom environment than the fear they feel when they are punished. A child who has been rewarded and encouraged is likely to seek more of the same. So as a general classroom practice, it’s better to praise children for getting an answer correct, rather than hold the threat of punishment over them if they get the answer wrong. That’s not to say that children should never be punished. When a mother slaps a child’s hand away because the child has reached out to touch a fire, this kind of punishment, so to speak, is for the child’s own benefit. In the same way, we may sometimes need to punish children in order to protect them from their own wrongdoing, so that they grow into model citizens with a clear idea of right and wrong behavior. The point is that punishment must be carefully controlled by some central figure of authority, such as the school principal, so that it does not get carried out by teachers simply responding in anger. Finally, many people agree that it is inhumane to slap or hit schoolchildren. A far better way to punish children is to withhold privileges, such as free time, so that children understand they have done something wrong.

Children learn their best when they’re having fun. Most educators agree on this. It’s logical, then, that the good feelings that children have when they are praised are more suitable to the classroom environment than the fear they feel when they are punished.

A child who has been rewarded and encouraged is likely to seek more of the same. So as a general classroom practice, it’s better to praise children for getting an answer correct, rather than hold the threat of punishment over them if they get the answer wrong. That’s not to say that children should never be punished. When a mother slaps a child’s hand away because the child has reached out to touch a fire, this kind of punishment, so to speak, is for the child’s own benefit. In the same way, we may sometimes need to punish children in order to protect them from their own wrongdoing, so that they grow into model citizens with a clear idea of right and wrong behavior.

The point is that punishment must be carefully controlled by some central figure of authority, such as the school principal, so that it does not get carried out by teachers simply responding in anger. Finally, many people agree that it is inhumane to slap or hit schoolchildren. A far better way to punish children is to withhold privileges, such as free time, so that children understand they have done something wrong.