The Changing World: Technology, Environment and Global Issues
What you must understand
This domain deals with contemporary issues: technology and social media, environmental protection, urbanisation, education and career change, health, and globalisation. You must be able to describe trends, give opinions, and discuss advantages and disadvantages in Chinese.
Key vocabulary includes 网络, 社交媒体, pollution-related terms such as 污染 and 环保, 气候变化, 城市化, 就业, 压力, and 全球化. You also need discourse markers to organise an argument: 首先, 其次, 另外, 然而, 因此, 总的来说.
Traps that appear in questions
- Giving only one side. Prompts asking 你认为……有什么好处和坏处 require both. Answering only benefits caps your marks.
- Weak opinion language. 我觉得 is fine, but higher marks come from 我认为, 在我看来, 我同意……因为……. Always attach a reason.
- Misusing 因为/所以. Chinese allows 因为……所以…… together, but do not stack 所以 twice in one sentence.
- Confusing 会, 能 and 可以. 会 suggests learned ability or likelihood; 能 suggests physical ability or permission; 可以 suggests permission. Questions on future trends often expect 会.
- Vague statistics. If you cite a number, keep it simple and plausible: 很多年轻人每天用手机超过五个小时.
Rule of thumb
Use the PEEL structure in Chinese: Point (我认为……), Evidence (例如……), Explanation (因为……), Link (所以……). This keeps your response organised and gives examiners clear signposts.
Worked example
Prompt: 手机对年轻人的生活有什么影响？ A strong answer: 首先，手机让沟通更方便，例如可以随时和家人视频。然而，有些年轻人花太多时间在社交媒体上，因此学习效率下降。总的来说，手机是工具，关键在于怎么使用。