Question

Some people believe that greed and selfishness has become the basis of modern society, and we should return to the old traditions of family and community then we will have a better life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above opinion?

In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes. While people

traditionally prioritize caring, sharing and generosity in life and work, modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.

Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life. They say that it is a jungle out there. To survive, you have to fight with whatever means that come handy. Obviously greedy and selfishness go perfectly well with such ideas. In a company, employees do everything they can to get better pay and higher position, even at the cost of colleagues. We are in any way advocating any selfish conduct. It is just that people are pressured to act in a certain way due to outside influences.

In spite of common practice, it is hard to conclude that modern society is built on greed and selfishness, both of which are not newly invented vocabulary. In ancient times people also did greedy and selfish things though such behaviors were more condemned then. But we can not ignore the fact that people in the past lived a relatively more isolated life and faced less pressure compared with their modern counterparts.

Are we happier to share with others and be generous to them? There is no fixed answer either. Some people take great pleasure helping and giving to others while others feel happy doing the opposite. But I personally think that people should not be too selfish. Caring for others can actually encourage the development of a mutually beneficial relationship.

In conclusion, modern people appear to be more self-centered than those in the past due to strong outside pressure. However, we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.

Are Modern People Becoming More Selfish?

Main comparisons	Contexts
1.   are changing	In the past people put caring, sharing and generosity in the first 2.   .
Nowadays, people seem to be more   3. about themselves.
4.   are changing too.	People in the past appeared to be modest and self-effacing（谦让的）
People may strive to achieve their own  5.   at the price of their coworkers.
The author’s  understanding
6.   for changes in author’s eyes	Fierce  7.  and great  8.  on modern people may be responsible for the changes.
The author’s  9.  towards topic.	A relationship which can  10.  two sides should be established.

Answer

1.Values

2.place

3.concerned

4.Behaviors

5.goals

6.Reasons

7.competition

8.pressure

9.attitudes

10.benefit

【解析】

试题分析：在这个快节奏的世界里，人们的价值观正在发生着重大的变化。有些人认为，贪婪和自私已经成为现代社会的基础，那么是不是现代人都变得自私了呢？在本文中作者对此进行了分析，并提出了自己的观点和看法。

1.信息归纳题。第一段提出了在现代社会中人们的价值观，根据第二段首句In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes.可知此处填Values。

2.信息转换题。根据第二段中prioritize可以判断填 place , 固定短语：in the first place“首先”，填place。

3.信息查找题。根据第二段末句modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.可知填concerned。

4.Behaviors信息归纳题。第三段主要介绍了现在社会中人们的一些行为，由此判断填Behaviors。

5.信息归纳题。第三段主要介绍了人们为了达到目标而不择手段的一些情况，由此判断填goals。

6. 信息归纳题。在文章第四段作者分析了现代社会人们价值观的变化原因，填Reasons。

7.信息归纳题。根据第三段people in the past lived a relatively more isolated life可知古代人生活闭塞，没有竞争，填competition。

8.根据倒数第三段….and faced less pressure compared with their modern counterparts.可知现代人压力大，填pressure。

9.信息归纳题。在文章末段作者提出了自己的观点看法，故填attitude。

10.信息归纳题。根据文章末段we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.可知此处谈论的是良好关系的好处，填benefit。

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