问答题 Directions:
Tourism is one of the most promising industries of the last few years. In most countries there are official organizations to encourage tourists. In fact, very often the ordinary people are worse off because the presence of large numbers of tourists means that the price of food becomes too expensive for poor people in the tourist cities.
In your essay, give your views on the pros and cons of tourism.
You should write 160～200 words neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2.

【正确答案】

【答案解析】One possible version：

Is Tourism Good or Not?

There are two main arguments for tourism. The first and most obvious one, is the economic benefits for the host country. It is usually people from better-off countries that can afford to travel, and they bring with them much-needed "hard currency". The second argument is that tourism increases "international understanding" and friendship between people of different countries. But are the effects all good ones? I doubt it.
Let us look at the economic argument first. Who are the people who actually benefit from tourism? Not the mass of the people, I am sure. In fact, very often the ordinary people are worse off because the pressure of large numbers of tourists means that food becomes too expensive for poor people. And there is another thing. Does tourism really promote "international understanding"? Many tourists cannot even speak the languages of the countries they visit. Their wealth only makes the local people more aware of their own poverty.
My conclusion is that tourism is a harmful development and should be discouraged, not encouraged.