1 历年真题及范文

2006Joseph Epstein, a famous American writer, once said, "We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide (so) that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how different the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about." Do you agree or disagree with him? Write an essay of about 400 words entitled:AmbitionIn the first part of your essay you should state clearly your opinion in response to Epstein’s view, and in the second part you should support your opinion with appropriate details. In the last part you should bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or a summary.Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriateness. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.Write your essay on ANSWER SHEET FOUR.审题指导：从文章标题“Ambition”来分析，这是一篇重点强调作者应如何理解“Ambition”的阐述性说明文。

我们从试卷提出的几点要求分析，会更清楚地看出这一点，比如：试卷要求考生在第一段阐明对Epstein所提观点的理解，要求考生在第二段举例支持自己的观点。

在第三段考生应归纳总结在前两段所述观点，使其前后一致，圆满结束全文。

Sample 1Ambition is an eager and strong desire to achieve something, and the firm determination to carry out one’s decisions. It provides people with the inner motivating force to make great success in life. Just as the famous American writer Joseph Epstein, said, “And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed.” In fact, once we make up our minds to choose to do something, we will have a definite direction in our life. As far as I am concerned, this is the essence of the life, which isapplicable to every aspect of our daily life.On the one hand, ambition may provide people with the sense of responsibility. No matter what decision you make, you have to be responsible for your choice. Your choice procures you a sense of orientation, or more specially a sense of responsibility. And only a strong sense of responsibility may enable one to accomplish great success. Caesar of the ancient Roman Empire was urged by his ambition “I came, I saw, I conquered”, and became an unrivaled empire builder in the history of Rome. Premier Zhou Enlai, always stimulated by his ambition of “striving for the flourishing of China”, made great contribution to the cause of building a stronger China and became one of the greatest leaders in the history of China.On the other hand, ambition may inspire people’s potentials to the utmost extent. Without ambition the potentials will remain slumbering like a dormant volcano. A case in point is Ms. Zhang Haidi, a Chinese Helen Keller. It is her ambition to be a useful person that has turned the almost paralyzed Zhang Haidi into a well-accomplished figure whose achievements would dwarf those of some normal people.Since it has a strong influence upon people, ambition must be directed in the right decision. If wrongly directed, ambition may bring havoc on him and others. The notorious Hitler, whose ambition was to conquer Europe by whatever evil means, finally turned himself into a devil, which almost destroyed the whole Europe.All in all, if ambition is wisely and correctly directed, it may benefit people enormously; otherwise, it may ruin others and ourselves. In my point of view, as long as one is motivated by a well-directed ambition, one may make success in his life and may live a beautiful, meaningful, and rewarding life.评析本文开门见山给出了ambition的定义，提出全文论点“It provides people with inner motivating force to make great success in life”，并引用Joseph Epstein的话语进一步进行解释说明。

在第二段中，作者从两个方面对观点进行论证。

一方面，雄心可以使人具有强烈责任感；另一方面，雄心可以使人的潜能发挥到极致；在论述观点时，分别举例Caesar, Zhou Enlai, Zhang Haidi做正面论述，然后举例Hitler进行反面论证，正反例证结合，论证充分有力，说服力强。

文章最后一段总结全文，重申主题，指出只要雄心朝着正确方向发展，对美好的人生有着巨大的促进作用。

Sample 2Ambition is the decision one makes and the resolution with which he carries out that decision. It provides us with the required driving force to accomplish any undertakings in our life. Just as Joseph Epstein, a famous American writer put it, “And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed.” Indeed, once we make up our minds to choose to do something, then our life becomes meaningful and specifically orientated. This notion of life, as far as I observe, is closest to truth and does apply to almost all aspects of life.First things first, ambition renders us a sense of mission. No matter what decision you make you have to be responsible for your choice. Your choice procures you a sense of orientation, or more specially a sense of mission. And only a strong mission may enable one to accomplish greatness. Caesar of the ancient Roman Empire was urged by his ambition “I came, I saw, I conquered.” And became an unrivaled empire builder in the history of Rome. John Milton, stimulated always by his ambition that ai med at writing some “mighty lines” which England would unwillingly forget, had in due time secured his position as the second Shakespeare in the history of English literature.In the second place, ambition can bring one’s potentials to the full. Ambition may well serve as a catalyst activating one’s dormant potentials. Without ambition one’s potentials will remain slumbering like a dormant volcano. A case in point is Ms Zhang Haidi, a Chinese Helen Keller. It was her ambition to be a useful person has turned the almost paralyzed Zhang Haidi into a well-accomplished figure whose achievements would dwarf those of some normal people aim at the sun, though, at worst, they may probably land on the moon.Influential as it is upon us, however, ambition must be channeled in the rightdirection. If wrongly directed, one’s ambition may bring havoc on him and others. Hitler, whose ambition was to conquer Europe by whatever evil means, finally turned him into a demon. It was this demon that almost cast Europe into an unfathomable abyss of anguish and suffering. Another case is Macbeth whose ambition was to become the king of Scotland. However, his ambition was materialized by the murder of King Duncan. Consequently, unbearable guilt and psychological agony drove him to his tragic doom.To sum up, ambition can benefit us tremendously if wisely and correctly channeled, otherwise it may ruin others and ourselves. A poet says: life can be bad; life can be good; life can be dirty; life can be sad,; life can even be painful. In my mind’s eye, a person can make his life beautiful, meaningful and rewarding and stand out as a respectable personage if he is motivated by a well-orientated ambition.评析本文观点明确，条理性较强，符合试卷中对三段具体写作内容的要求，行文通顺流畅。