2004_02_Session_A_sample speeches

A. Species extinction- a natural process?

Throughout the history of the planet, species extinction has occurred naturally. Humans are, however, responsible for speeding up this process of extinction. Regarding natural extinction, the most obvious example is that of the dinosaurs. Some 65 million years ago, thousands of diverse species were wiped out. More recently, at the time of the last Ice Age, species such as the wooly mammoth and saber-toothed tiger became extinct. We know that humans have many ape-like ancestors, for example Homo erectus, who died out before we evolved. These species become extinct as a result of extreme natural disasters, such as climate change or meteors hitting the earth. Species can also die out naturally when their rivals become stronger or their habitat is destroyed.

Time after time, humans have been guilty of causing species to become extinct. At present, over-fishing may be bringing out the annihilation if such magnificent animals as the rhino, the tiger and the whale. Introducing foreign species into habitats where they don’t reside naturally has also contributed to the extinction of numerous species. The cats that humans bring onto once isolated islands often hunt the local birds into extinction because these birds have previously had no natural predators.

Some 65 million years ago, thousands of diverse species were wiped out. More recently, at the time of the last Ice Age, species such as the wooly mammoth and saber-toothed tiger became extinct. We know that humans have many ape-like ancestors, for example Homo erectus, who died out before we evolved. These species become extinct as a result of extreme natural disasters, such as climate change or meteors hitting the earth. Species can also die out naturally when their rivals become stronger or their habitat is destroyed. Time after time, humans have been guilty of causing species to become extinct. At present, over-fishing may be bringing out the annihilation if such magnificent animals as the rhino, the tiger and the whale.

Introducing foreign species into habitats where they don’t reside naturally has also contributed to the extinction of numerous species. The cats that humans bring onto once isolated islands often hunt the local birds into extinction because these birds have previously had no natural predators.

B. Can age restrictions in the workplace be justified?

The issue of forcing workers to retire when they reach a certain age is a difficult one and there is now easy answer. This is because it depends on so many factors, such as the type of job, and the physical condition of each individual person. When it come to workplace, we need a retirement age to protect the aging employees and the people around them. If they are working with machinery in a factory, they may have to be agile, physically and mentally. If they are working in hospitals, where they may be making decisions which affect patient’s lives, workers must have sharp memories and stay up-to-date with new technology. Workplaces such as these may therefore be morally correct when setting forced retirement ages. However, in other fields, age and accumulated knowledge be an advantage. Researchers, professors, and entrepreneurs may very well benefit from their many years of experience. It is hard to justify setting age limits for people who work in environments where they can be of no harm to themselves or others. Indeed, if the government were to impose age restrictions on some profession but not all, it would seem unfair. Therefore, although the current system is far from perfect, it is probably the best option available.

When it come to workplace, we need a retirement age to protect the aging employees and the people around them. If they are working with machinery in a factory, they may have to be agile, physically and mentally. If they are working in hospitals, where they may be making decisions which affect patient’s lives, workers must have sharp memories and stay up-to-date with new technology. Workplaces such as these may therefore be morally correct when setting forced retirement ages. However, in other fields, age and accumulated knowledge be an advantage. Researchers, professors, and entrepreneurs may very well benefit from their many years of experience.

It is hard to justify setting age limits for people who work in environments where they can be of no harm to themselves or others. Indeed, if the government were to impose age restrictions on some profession but not all, it would seem unfair. Therefore, although the current system is far from perfect, it is probably the best option available.

D. The pros and cons of a world currency

It is well known to business people and travelers that if you were to begin a journey in the US with $100 and travel to five different countries, exchanging your currency as you went, that upon your return to the US, you would have only $80 left, even if you had not spent one penny. Why? Because we lose money every time we make an exchange. Business and corporations all suffer in a similar way when they trade or import/export across international borders. From this point of view, a world currency would be a good idea. The single European currency is largely a success, and countries which are not yet a part of it, like Britain, are being encouraged to join. On the other hand, there are problems associated with a single world currency. In developing countries, people have monthly salaries equivalent to only a few thousand yen, whereas in Japan we expect to earn several hundred thousand yen a month. The difference is stark, and it would allow few very rich countries to dominate world politics even more than they do now. Also, the European currency was created partly to challenge the strength of the dollar and the yen. The market needs competition, and the effect of taking away the competition between currencies would be disastrous.

Why? Because we lose money every time we make an exchange. Business and corporations all suffer in a similar way when they trade or import/export across international borders. From this point of view, a world currency would be a good idea. The single European currency is largely a success, and countries which are not yet a part of it, like Britain, are being encouraged to join. On the other hand, there are problems associated with a single world currency. In developing countries, people have monthly salaries equivalent to only a few thousand yen, whereas in Japan we expect to earn several hundred thousand yen a month.

The difference is stark, and it would allow few very rich countries to dominate world politics even more than they do now. Also, the European currency was created partly to challenge the strength of the dollar and the yen. The market needs competition, and the effect of taking away the competition between currencies would be disastrous.

CD (4)-9

A. Will renewable energy sources ever completely replace fossil fuels?

The easy answer to this is fossil fuels will inevitably be replaced at some time in the future. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, and most obviously, the reserves of fossil fuels on the planet will one day run out. It’s true that there are untapped and undiscovered reserves of coal, gas, and oil on the planet, but while these may supply us with fuel for another 100 years or so, they, too, will eventually run dry. Secondly, as we drain the most easily accessible fossil fuel supplies, we will be left with only the most inaccessible ones, such as those under the polar ice caps. These will be extremely expensive to bring up and it will become cheaper to use other energy sources. Thirdly, people are beginning to demand more environmentally-friendly forms of energy for their cars and houses. As this demand grows and producers see that there is a market and money to be made, they will invest in developing alternative sources of energy. Lastly, it is to be hoped that we need not only rely on traditional renewable energies like wind, water and solar power, but that we will make new discoveries, such as binary fission, which exists in theory but not yet in practice.

The easy answer to this is fossil fuels will inevitably be replaced at some time in the future. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, and most obviously, the reserves of fossil fuels on the planet will one day run out. It’s true that there are untapped and undiscovered reserves of coal, gas, and oil on the planet, but while these may supply us with fuel for another 100 years or so, they, too, will eventually run dry. Secondly, as we drain the most easily accessible fossil fuel supplies, we will be left with only the most inaccessible ones, such as those under the polar ice caps. These will be extremely expensive to bring up and it will become cheaper to use other energy sources. Thirdly, people are beginning to demand more environmentally-friendly forms of energy for their cars and houses. As this demand grows and producers see that there is a market and money to be made, they will invest in developing alternative sources of energy.

Lastly, it is to be hoped that we need not only rely on traditional renewable energies like wind, water and solar power, but that we will make new discoveries, such as binary fission, which exists in theory but not yet in practice.

B. The pros and cons of the double-income family

The term “double-income family” means that the husband and wife both have full-time jobs which require them to be away from home all day. Of course, it may also be that one or both parents can work at home or work so-called “flex-time,” but, in fact, this is rarely the case. There are two major advantages to both adults having jobs. The first is financial. The second is that it allows both parents to continue their careers and attempt to achieve success and fulfillment in their chose field.

However, numerous disadvantages come to mind when considering the double-income family. If the couple has children, neither the husband nor the wife will have time to take care of them. Instead, they will have to hire a nanny or enroll the children in a nursery school. Because of job responsibilities, the couple will have little time to enjoy each other’s company, and may also be restricted in the number of holidays they can take together. Finally, they will most likely fill up their free time doing household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and paying the bills. This is contrast to the traditional family, where the bread winner, usually the man, enjoys the support of a housewife, who takes care if these things so that he can concentrate on his career.

There are two major advantages to both adults having jobs. The first is financial. The second is that it allows both parents to continue their careers and attempt to achieve success and fulfillment in their chosen field. However, numerous disadvantages come to mind when considering the double-income family. If the couple has children, neither the husband nor the wife will have time to take care of them. Instead, they will have to hire a nanny or enroll the children in a nursery school. Because of job responsibilities, the couple will have little time to enjoy each other’s company, and may also be restricted in the number of holidays they can take together. Finally, they will most likely fill up their free time doing household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and paying the bills.

This is contrast to the traditional family, where the bread winner, usually the man, enjoys the support of a housewife, who takes care if these things so that he can concentrate on his career.

E. Do people get wiser as they get older?

Wisdom is traditionally associated with age. Whereas intelligence is something we generally believe we are born with-although it may be cultivated with a good upbringing or education-wisdom is accumulated with age and experience. This is why we tend to use the epithets “wise old man” but “intelligence young man.” But is this really the case? It certainly seems to be true with other mammals. An elephant herd, for example, relies on its matriarch who, using her accumulated knowledge, leads the herd over vast expanses to find the food and water necessary for survival. However, having met many older people over the years, I would say that for humans, only in rare cases does age actually lead to wisdom. Perhaps, it would be better to assert that age to remember their experiences and the ability to learn from their mistakes. These are the only people who have the capacity to get wiser as they get older.

This is why we tend to use the epithets “wise old man” but “intelligent young man.” But is this really the case? It certainly seems to be true with other mammals. An elephant herd, for example, relies on its matriarch who, using her accumulated knowledge, leads the herd over vast expanses to find the food and water necessary for survival. However, having met many older people over the years, I would say that for humans, only in rare cases does age actually lead to wisdom.

Perhaps, it would be better to assert that age to remember their experiences and the ability to learn from their mistakes. These are the only people who have the capacity to get wiser as they get older.