Task 1:

If your friend were dropping out of the college, would you consider it a good thing?

I don't think it is a good thing and will suggest him to change his mind for the following reasons. First, the problem that caused him to consider a drop-out may be solved in many other ways. For example, changing a major, transferring to another university, or simply taking a gap year. Second, dropping out of college will shut many doors for him since he does not have a basic bachelor degree like others. College not only provides us with basic knowledge, but an environment to grow in an all-round way, like, how to make time management, how to communicate and get along with others etc. Without this solid foundation, he will face more obstacles, which makes this dropping out option pretty impulsive and irrational.

Task 2:

帮助教授完成重要科研任务还是参加姐姐的生日派对?

I would choose to help my professor to finish his important academic research though attending my sister's birthday party is pretty important to me as well. But if the two things overlap, my sister will definitely urge me to pick the former one, coz she is quite supportive of my study; she quit her study years ago, coz she says she really doesn't have any talents for book learning, but right now, she is a successful young business woman operating a big company; every time when we get together, she keeps telling me, the top priority for me is always to do well academically coz I got the talents; and each time when I bring back my scholarship and straight A score-report, she will become extremely satisfied and happy.

I don't agree with the statement. First, it is true that kids might be tempted to behave well in school for getting money to buy whatever they want, but this kind of mechanism simply leads to pure money worshipping; who pays the money for kids born into poor families? What if one day the incentive no longer exists any more? Second, I think there are other alternatives to achieve this goal, like kids could be rewarded with interesting books or given certain honors if they behave well. In certain cases, money might be a magical expedient, but it is crucial for kids to be instilled with correct values.（北京新东方 鲁妍钰）