___ tina is the name.

...264

Both the author in the reading passage and the lecturer talk about the memoir of Chevalier. Yet their viewpoints contrast with each other. While the author doubts the accuracy of the memoir, the lecturer thinks otherwise, contending that the memoir is pretty accurate and it is a reliable historical source.

First of all, while the writer states that Chevalier was not wealthy because of the loan from a merchant, the speaker presents opposing discourse to such a belief, reasoning that Chevalier borrowed money since it took a few days for his assets to be converted into cash. The speaker explains that the kind of wealth of Chevalier was gained by selling them first, and then Chevalier would get the money in cash.

Secondly, the writer doubts the accuracy of the conversations that Chevalier records in the memoir between himself and the famous Voltaire. However, as opposed to thus conviction, the speaker argues that Chevalier wrote down everything immediately after having a talk with Voltaire each night. Besides, he kept them for many years and referred to them when writing.

Thirdly, the writer questions the memoir's account of the Chevalier's escape from a notorious prison in Venice, Italy. But, presented by the speaker to diminish the authenticity is the argument that other people in the prison were more politically well-connected, and none of them were able to receive freedom. In addition, there is an old document showed that after Chevalier's escape, the prison repaired the ceiling. The speaker points out that the prison did have to repair the ceiling unless Chevalier made a hole there.

...300(35'')

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 

The extended family (grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles) is less important now than it was in the past.

Some people believe that the extended family is less important now than it was in the past, whereas other people believe that it is still very essential. As far as I am concerned, the extended family is no longer as vital as it was in the old days. I am willing to discuss the reasons further in the following essay.

First of all, the living style has changed a lot in these years. In the present time, for more work opportunities and better education for children, people tends to move to the cities. However, the price of houses is increasing dramatically, so it is more difficult for people to buy a big house in the city center. Besides, most elders prefer to stay in the countryside. Under this situation, people are more unlikely to live with other family members together and the interaction between family members will gradually disappear. As a result, extended family becomes less important to most people now.

Secondly, technological improvement makes extended families less significant. Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone and the internet is easily connected, thus, it is so convenient for people to make new friends that they tend to spend their time with their friends instead of their extended families. In addition, most grandparents, aunts and uncles even do not use cell phones. Under this circumstance, people enjoy the chatting with people that are met online and lost the connection with their family members. Consequently, it might not be surprised that people gradually forget the extended family members.

As has been demonstrated above, it is undeniable that the extended family is less crucial nowadays. Due to the new living style and technological development, meeting grandparents and cousins is more difficult than before. Therefore, people should cherish the time they spend with their extended families.