1.The offensive had already lasted three days, but we had not gained much ground. Our troops engaging the enemy at the front were faced with strong/fierce/stiff resistance. The divi-sion commander instructed our battalion to get around to the rear of the enemy and launch a surprise attack. To do so, however, we had to cross a marshland and many of us were afraid we might get bogged down in the mud. Our battalion commander decided to take a gamble. We started under cover of darkness and pressed on in spite of great difficulties. By a stroke of luck, the temperature at night suddenly dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius and the marsh froze over. Thanks to the cold weather, we arrived at our destination before dawn and began attacking the enemy from the rear. This turned the tide of the battle. The enemy, caught off guard, soon surrendered.
2.Automobiles changed the world during the 20th century, particularly in the United States and other industrialized nations. They are indeed of great use to us, but they have brought some hazards as well, such as noise and air pollution, and highway fatalities. It is reported that automobile accidents rank among the leading causes of death and injury throughout the world. Fortunately modern innovators are reinventing the automobile. New propulsion systems, fuels, designs, and means of manufacturing cars have all developed rapidly in the past decade. For example, by using the satellite-aided global positioning system (GPS), a computer in the automobile can locate the vehicle's precise position, and with the application of sensors, smart cars can eliminate most car accidents.
3.Well begun is half done, as the saying goes. It is extremely important for a job applicant to do his homework while seeking employment. From my standpoint, whether or not one has done his homework clearly makes a difference in his chance of success.I have a friend who is earning somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 thousand dollars a year in a large computer software company. He told me that from his own experience the decision makers who interview prospective employees like people who are well prepared. Those who make no endeavor to learn as much about his prospective employer as possible don't have much of a chance of success.
4.Professor Huntington's paper greatly inspired me. According to him, in a plural / pluralistic society, there will inevitably be different opinions. The key is to deal with them in such a way that they can play a constructive rather than destructive role.He argues that in a plural/pluralistic society we must stress/attach importance to interpersonal relationships, cooperation, and looking at issues from the perspective of other people. If some groups regard themselves as superior and treat other ethnic groups or religions with disrespect, the whole society may be paralyzed.I am convinced that if we put into practice the ideas mentioned above, then there is the possibility of creating a new civilization.
5.For my own part. I should certainly hesitate to hire a clerk on his face/appearance alone. Appearances are all too often deceptive. For instance, you might well commit an error in judgment if you went by appearances only with people like Edward Hyde Burton, the character created by Maugham. As far as appearance and manners were concerned, Burton seemed a man all of a piece. He was a tiny little fellow with white hair and mild blue eyes. Kind, gentle and candid, he was described by many as one of the most respectable people on earth. Nevertheless, he turned out to be cruel to a friend in need of his help. He insulted and fooled Turner who was down and out and made him commit himself to an insane venture. What was still more surprising was that he was completely indifferent to Turner's death. Without doubt, Burton was a man with a heart of stone.
6.There is no question that today we are under constant pressure to work longer hours, to produce more, to possess more, and to become a success. Workaholism, a modern addiction, has thus arisen. The cause of workaholism is the pe