Translation 1. Translate the following sentences into English, using the words and expressions given in brackets. ▆ Answers for reference: 1) He attempted to save the enterprise which was on the verge of collapse but failed. 2) The president has announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of his first term. 3) The young teacher is skilled at motivating his students to study hard. 4) She loves giving parties and does so whenever she can find an excuse. 5) I’m afraid that you’ll have to compete with at least fifty people for an administrative post in this company. 6) One of the main reasons why they have messed up their lives is that they did not have a good school education when young. 7) Mary is already famous, but she is not happy at all because she’s been obsessed with thoughts of becoming even more famous. 8) With the development of science and technology, people now can have easy access to educational, medical and many other kinds of information. 9) The company’s investment ended in failure due to the wrong strategic decisions of the general manager and so the board of directors decided to throw him out. 10) I know you are tired but try to hang on a little bit longer. We will reach the peak in half an hour. 2. Translate the following passage into English. ▆ Answers for reference: Many people want to be famous because fame can bring them both honor and respect from the public. In most cases, fame can also help them gain wealth. But, after all, very few people can really become famous while most people, including most artists, are unlikely to become famous. It is true that some failure for some people at certain times in their lives does motivate them to strive even harder so as to achieve final success. For example, Thomas Edison, the famous American inventor, had tried hundreds of materials before he finally found the suitable fuse for the electric bulb. However, unfortunately, for most people failure is the end of their struggle. Therefore, in my opinion, success is one thing and fame is another. As long as you have tried your best, you’re already successful whether you are famous or not. Theme-Related Writing Write a composition of no less than 150 words on the topic “Fame — Good or Evil?”. Your paper should cover the following points: 1) the advantages of being famous 2) the disadvantages of being famous 3) your attitude towards fame Sample essay: Fame — Good or Evil? Fame has always been pursued by many people for the advantages it brings about. Fame can assure one of a high social status, high regard, great admiration, etc. Fame can also bring one wealth as a celebrity has more chances to earn big money. Besides, the applause and flowers from fans may boost one’s self-confidence and increase one’s sense of fulfillment. However, fame can ruin one’s life, too. It deprives one of his privacy. As a public figure, he is often chased by fans and journalists, and his private life never escapes the media’s attention or public curiosity. Fame also places one under great pressure. He has to work in line with public expectations and thus becomes the slave of his own success. So fame is a double-edged sword. I don’t seek fame and I don’t envy those who are famous. I highly appreciate what the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow says about fame: “The talent of success is nothing more than doing well whatever you do without a thought of fame.”