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14. Reading Preferences
It can be seen from the table that popular fiction is most popular with American students, accounting for 65.9% of book circulation in the library. General nonfiction comes next, taking up 18.2%, while books concerning science, technology and education take up only 10.8%. The least preferred category is that of art, literature and poetry, with a circulation rate of merely 5.1%.
A number of factors could account for the reading preferences, but the following are the most critical ones. Firstly, popular fiction is fascinating to the young students. Secondly, books about science and technology are usually too complex and difficult to read. They often contain many special terms which most students can’t understand. Finally, in today’s market economy, much more emphasis is laid on practical and vocational books rather than arts or poetry.
When it comes to me, poetry and art are my favorites. Such kind of books can nourish my mind, broaden my horizons and render me a fresh feeling. Reading a piece of good poetry tends to relieve my burden and lessen my tension, making me more creative and dynamic. It gets me into an imaginary world, fresh and beautiful. I just love it!

15. Changes in the Ownership of Houses in China
It can be seen from the chart that there have been dramatic changes in the ownership of houses in China in the past 50 years. While the percentage of state-owned houses has dropped from 70% in 1950’s to 20% in 1990’s, that of private houses has soared from 30% to 80% during the same period of time.
A number of factors could account for the change in the chart, but the following are the most critical ones. First, thanks to the policy of reform and opening-up, the nation’s economy has been developing at a considerably high speed in the past decades. Therefore, people have more extra money to improve their housing. Secondly, other relevant state policies and the boom of real estate industry provide citizens with more opportunities to choose their own dwelling places. Last but not least, people have attached greater importance to their quality of life. Thus, more of them have purchased houses in their own favor.
In a word, this chart is a perfect indicator of China’s fast expanding economy and people’s rising standard of life. Although a series of problems have arisen in the process, it is reasonable for us to believe that they can be solved in the near future with effective measures taken by both the government and the public.

16. Student Use of Computer
Students tend to use computers more and more frequently nowadays. Reading this chart, we can find that the average number of hours a student spends on the computer per week has increased sharply. In 1990, it was less than 2 hours; and in 1995, it increased to almost 4 hours, and in 2000, the number soared to 20 hours.
Obviously computers are becoming increasingly popular. There are several reasons for this change. First, computers facilitate us in more aspects of life. Also, the fast development of the Internet enlarges our demands for using computers. We can easily contact with friends in remote places through the Internet. Besides, the prices of computers are getting lower and lower, which enables more students to purchase them.
However, there still exist some problems, such as poor quality, out-of-date designs and so on. And how to balance the time between using computers and studying is also a serious problem. Anyhow, we will benefit a lot from computers as long as we use them properly.

17. Health Gains in Developing Countries
It can be seen from the chart that there have been dramatic changes in life expectancy and infant mortality in developing countries in the past decades. As the chart shows, people’s life expectancy soared from 40 years old to 60 years old from 1960 to 1990. Meanwhile, infant mortality declined from 200 to 150 deaths per thousand births.
The change in the chart may be attributed to a number of factors, but the following are the most critical ones. First, developing countries’ economy has been developing at a considerably high speed in the past decades. Therefore, people have more extra money to improve their health. Secondly, the advances in medical sciences and boom of medical industry provide citizens with more opportunities to cure their diseases. Last but not least, people have attached greater importance to their quality of life, thus they have spent more money and time to build up their bodies.
In a word, this chart is a perfect indicator of developing nations’ fast expanding economy and people’s rising standard of life. Although a series of problems have arisen in the process, it is reasonable for us to believe that they can be solved in the near future with effective measures taken by both the government and the public.
(或If this trend continues, developing countries will soon approach the developed countries in terms of health care. People will live longer and healthier lives. The result of this will be happier and more productive populations.)
18. Film Is Giving Way to TV
(a)
The latest statistics show that the number of people attending cinemas is getting steadily smaller. At the same time, the number of television viewers is growing at almost the same rate.
Experts say that these two trends are connected in three ways. First, over the past few decades television sets have appeared in almost every home. Second, films very quickly become available on video, and can be shown on the TV screen. Third, it is becoming more expensive to make films, and so the prices of cinema seats are rising.
However, this does not mean the death of the movie industry. There will always be people who prefer to go out to see a film. This is because no matter how good a TV film or video is, it can never be as entertaining as a film shown on the “big screen.”

(b)
Film is giving way to TV. According to an investigation made on the number of film-goers and TV-watchers in a ten-year period (1975-1985), at the end of 1985, the number of film-goers declined sharply to about 15 thousand which accounts for only some 20 percent of what in 1975, the heyday of films. This decline, no doubt, owes to the steadily increasing number of TV-watchers in the same decade.
This, I think, indicates the changing pace in our society. Nowadays, people prefer TV to film largely because they have less chance than their older generation to spend two or three hours in a cinema; they prefer a kind of entertainment which is freer, less time-consuming and thus more efficient. TV just meets their need. This is at least partly if not wholly the reason that attributes to the boom of TV in our generation.
Nevertheless, there are still a number of film-fans nowadays. They claim that as a classical art, film is far more enjoyable than TV. Some of them also want to recall the “true-life” which existed in the “good-past”. All in all, film is still a charming kind of art as it used to be.

19. Car Accidents Declining in Walton City
It can be seen from the graph that the rate of car accidents in Walton City experienced rises and falls in 1990. From January to March last year it increased by 45%. From March to June it dropped by about half the previous rate. From June to August there was a steep rise of 50%. After that, however, there was a steady decrease.
There are several reasons for this improvement, but the following are the most critical ones. First, new traffic regulations have made drivers more careful. Second, more people are using bicycles for transportation. Finally, in the later part of the year good weather made the roads safer to drive on.
I am confident that there will be even fewer car accidents in Walton in the future. First, major roads have been repaired and the number of public buses has been increased in the past few months. Moreover, a traffic safety campaign has made all the local people more aware of the dangers of unsafe driving.