The two criminals were arrested and taken to the police station with their wrists handcuffed. There they would be questioned and probably charged with robbery.

13. The Robot is a Machine after All

As is vividly shown in the pictures, a man and a robot were playing cards. Obviously, the man was losing, for he was with a sad face. The robot, on the other hand, was smiling. Then the man went to open the body of the robot and changed something inside it. A moment later, they were back again to the game. Now it was the robot’s turn to frown: nearly all the coins were won over by the man.

Simple as the cartoons are, their symbolic meaning is profound and far-reaching: the robot is but a robot, a product by man. It can never really defeat human beings; much less can they control or replace man. With this in mind, we need no longer worry about the miserable fate of human beings as foretold by some pessimists or as described in some American films like “The Star War” or “Matrix”.

While we should be optimistic about the future of human beings, we need also be warrant of the danger resulting from some inappropriate use of modern technology, like that of gene and cloning, which might endanger mankind either physically or morally. We might not be defeated by robots, but we might be ruined by ourselves.

14. A Letter of Application for a Job

June 17th, 2006

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am responding to your advertisement in China Daily on June 10th, 2006, which invites applications for interpreters. Enclosed with this letter is my resume which details my background.

I believe that I am the best candidate for this position. In the first place, I have been studying for four years in Beijing Foreign Studies University, one of the most prestigious language schools in China, which has provided me with a desirable command of English skills. In the second place, I have taken part in a number of social activities in the past years, which have helped cultivate my team-spirit and creativity. Besides, I have attended training courses for interpretation and have obtained related certificates. Last but not least, I have worked as a part-time interpreter, so I am well prepared for this job.

I would treasure the chance and exert every effort to do a good job if I had the luck to be provided with the position. Besides, I shall be much obliged if you will afford me an opportunity for an interview, and I appreciate a response from you at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for considering this application.? Best regards.
Yours sincerelyLi Ming

15．The Goal of Life

A story goes that a disabled young man managed to reach the peak of every famous high mountain in the world before he was 28. He did all this just as his parents told him to do in their will. But the young man committed suicide in the end and his last words were: “now I have nothing to do with all my goals achieved and my fame well established. I have no new goals.”
This story might not be true, but it conveys profound messages. First, one should have a grand ideal and associate it with the needs of society. Secondly, one should have his own pursuits and should not follow others blindly.