Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then give your comments. Write your essay on Answer Sheet 1. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

【参考范文】

China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy. All couples are allowed to have two children. This decision has aroused much chatter—whether it is high time that China should carry out the universal two-child policy or not. As far as I am concerned, this policy is in line with China’s domestic situations.

Speaking from a macro perspective, this policy is a timely adjustment to China’s changing situations. The aging population has been posing a threat to the sustainable and healthy development of China. This policy will optimize the demographic structure, increase the labor force, ease the pressure of aging population and ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the economy and society.

Speaking from a micro one, as the odds of having a weak elderly parent and all the attendant need for physical and financial assistance have jumped many times in just one generation, this policy will bring about many benefits to the family in the long run. In spite of the fact that child rearing is anything less than an easy task, the disadvantages, such as temporarily economic burden, seem to be pale compared with the benefits. The second child, at least, will accompany his or her sibling and in the future, they will share the responsibility to support and care for their old parents.

【词汇部分】

decades-long长达数十年之久的；odds 几率；chatter 唠叨的话；喋喋不休；demographic 人口统计学的；人口统计的；macro 宏观的； optimize 使最优化；充分利用；micro 微观的；sibling 兄弟姐妹

【参考译文】

中国政府决定终止实行长达数十年以来的计划生育政策。 所有的夫妇都被允许生育二胎。 这项政策一出台就引起了多方热议----中国真的到了全面放开二胎政策的时候了吗？ 我个人认为， 这项政策符合中国国情。

从宏观的角度来讲， 全面放开二胎政策是对不断变化着的中国国情做出的调整。 人口老龄化已经对中国的健康可持续发展造成了威胁。 全面放开二胎政策将会优化人口结构， 增加劳动力， 减轻人口老龄化带来的压力并确保经济和社会的可持续和健康发展。

从微观的角度来讲， 随着父母一方出现身体虚弱状况的概率----在他（或她）身上需要体力和经济的支持----是上一代人的许多倍，全面放开二胎政策，从长远角度来看，将会给家庭带来诸多裨益。虽然养育孩子绝不是一件轻松的事情，但是多养育一个孩子所带来的弊端，比如，经济上暂时的拮据， 是无法与其带来的益处相比较的。 第二胎出生的孩子，至少会让他（或她）的哥哥或者姐姐感到不那么孤单；并且将来他们可以共同赡养他们年迈的父母。