Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 100: It is not uncommon that children are required to obey the rule of their 
parents and teachers. Some people are worried that too much control over children will 
not prepare them well for their adult life. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
 
(parenting); (authoritarian), (authoritative), (permissive) (uninvolved ); (authoritarian); (tolerant) 
(permissive); (authoritative) (establish basic guidelines)
(result in rebellion), hate their parents, who apply strict rules and impose punishment);
( result in docile obedience), (afraid to try and fail), (fail to demonstrate considerable self-regulation)
(lack of independence), (conquer difficulties and handle different situations); (low self-esteem), (feel 
unworthy), (suffer high levels of depression) ; 
(stifle creativity), (deny children the opportunity to express individuality)
(form appropriate behaviour patterns), (stop their misbehavior),
 ( take the right path to success)
Adults' intervention plays a pivotal role in a child's development. Despite this general 
knowledge, people are very often confronted with the arguments about the 
appropriateness of some traditional teaching styles and methods, such as enforcing rules 
and requiring children's compliance. I agree that rules set by parents contribute greatly to 
the shaping of children's behaviour, personalities and all other personal characteristics, 
although I question the view that it is definitely beneficial to children.
There is no points in denying that rule setting is possibly the most effective method in 
overcoming some upbringing difficulties, such as protecting children from dangers and 
guiding them to act rationally. Children are adventuresome and full of curiosity. They 
attempt various activities, either with deliberation or on the spur of the moment. Imposing 
rules is therefore imperative, as it prevents many problems from occurring. For example, 
forbidding accessing knives, medicine, microwaves or ovens can minimize the risk of 
accidents and injuries. Some other rules, such as forbidding spitting, nose-picking and 
foul language, lead children to develop proper demeanor in different social situations, and 
to adhere to strict rules of professional etiquettes from their early childhood.
However, rules should be lifted gradually as children grow older, especially when it 
becomes clear that rules tend to restrain children's mental development. In a traditional 
classroom, for example, rules are set and applied to underpin the authority of a teacher. 
Students are not allowed to pose questions at will, nor are they allowed to challenge 
teachers' answers. Many of their questions remain unanswered, presenting obstacles to 
their learning process and forming numerous misconceptions. Another problem is that it 
will discourage students from reflecting on what they have learnt, and dampen their 
passion for learning. They are trained as mechanical or rote learners, while their aptitude 
for creativity is stifled.
As indicated above, whether to impose rules on children is determined as much by the 
age of children as by the appropriateness of rules themselves. For younger children, strict 
rules should be set to ensure children's safety and health. For older children, rules should 
be concerned about children's behaviour on social occasions. When children become 
responsible and knowledgeable with age, rules should be phased out.
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1. Rationally =sensibly =reasonably
2. Adventuresome=adventurous=daring=courageous=audacious
3. Deliberation=careful consideration 
4. Demeanor = behavior = manner = conduct 
5. Lift = revoke = rescind =cancel 
6. Restrain=hold back=hold down=control 
7. Underpin=buttress=underline=bolster=strengthen=fortify
8. Misconception=mistaken belief=misunderstanding=fallacy
9. Reflect on= mull over=meditate on=contemplate
10. Dampen=reduce=diminish
11. Mechanical = unthinking 
12. Stifle=suppress=restrain=repress
13. With age=as one grows up
14. Phase out=abolish=forsake 
 
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