问答题 4.  According to a recent survey of Chinese women, a majority of mothers born after 1990 want to be stay-at-home morns. Many women are aware of the challenges of motherhood, especially when they have to juggle a full-time job outside home. Which is worthwhile, being a full-time working or a stay-at-home morn? The following are opinions on this issue. Read the excerpts carefully and write an article of NO LESS THAN 300 words, in which you should:
    1. summarize briefly the opinions, and then
    2. express your opinion towards "Which is worthwhile, being a full-time working or a stay-at-home morn?"
    Marks will be awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.
    Write your article on ANSWER SHEET FOUR.
    Catherine (China)
    I love being a stay-at-home morn. In the beginning it was truly rough for me from being a workaholic to staying at home. Yet, I did not want my child to face growing up with both parents at work. So after discussing it with my husband, we decided that I would be the one to stay at home. Now, our daughter is soon to be 3 years old, and has an amazing personality. It's not for everyone but it is very rewarding in the long run.
    Sassy (Canada)
    Taking care of children is a temporary job, and children will grow up and leave. The longer women are out of the workplace the harder it is to enter it. Women need to realize and accept that you do not want to be dependent on anyone for basic food, clothes or shelter. It has been hard to work and take care of my kids but I make it work.
    Cynthia (US)
    Some days I think we shouldn't give up our careers. And some days I'm jealous of the morns who get to stay home or at least work part time. I'm the breadwinner so that will never be an option for me. I have the career and title I've always wanted but now I can't help but think it's at the expense of precious time with my family.
    Celina (US)
    Being a stay-at-home morn isn't always easy, but it is worth it! I wouldn't trade staying at home with my kids for anything in the world. Being there with my children means they are getting the exact love and care I want them to have. We do not have a lot of money, but we've sacrificed to make it possible. The benefit for our children and our family, for us, outweighs any sacrifice.
    Brittany (UK)
    It never crossed my mind to be a stay-at-home parent. My mom was an amazing role model. If morn never works (out of the house like dad does) then what example does that set? Other than one day I can grow up and stay at home! Parents need to teach their kids work ethic. That simply can't happen if one parent is at home full time.
    LuvuJus (Australia)
    I am a working morn, with a 6 year old and a 3 year old boys. I treasure both my family life and work life. I am very competitive so working gives me confidence that I think makes me a "better" morn and role model to my 2 boys.
    Danireich (UK)
    I think what matters is happiness in whatever path that you've chosen. It really depends on what is best for you and your family. I am a stay-at-home morn and the main reason is that it makes me happy to take care of my child and see them grow right before my eyes. I want to be there every time they need me and my love. I don't think working is best for me because I would not be able to concentrate and be productive at work thinking of my child. Everyone is different. The important thing is you're happy and won't regret your decision now and forever.
【正确答案】[范文]
   
The Merits of a Working Mother

   Along with the joy and excitement of motherhood, many mothers are faced with the unavoidable option between being a stay-at-home morn and a working one. Many women extol the virtues of being a full-time mother as it guarantees sufficient family time and exquisite care for the children, whereas others value the role of a working morn, believing it ensures women's independence as well as setting a good example for the kids. As for myself, I have a firm belief that the merits of a working morn outweigh those of a stay-at-home mom.
   To begin with, working outside is profitable for the marital relationship in the long run. Being a working mother means financial independence, which can avert the feeling of inferiority arising from totally relying on the husband in finance, fostering an atmosphere of equality that is vital for a healthy and sustainable relationship.
   Next, a working mother performs better in the education of children. By working, a mother keeps abreast with the pace of society and is therefore more informed in many aspects of social life compared with a stay-at-home morn. Consequently, children nurtured by working morns tend to have wider horizons and can better fit in the society when they grow up.
   Furthermore, a work life is conducive to a woman's self-actualization. Although family assumes a vital proportion in a woman's life, it should not be the sole centre and the only world for her. Outside the family, women can achieve great accomplishments, making their lives worthwhile. In other words, working is a significant way for women to actualize themselves and live a colorful and substantial life.
   To sum up, being a working mother is beneficial for the marriage, the children as well as the mother herself. A challenging task as it is, it's advisable that women strive to juggle family and work and make a balance between the two.
【答案解析】 依据题目要求，作文主要由两部分构成，第一部分总结材料中的观点并提出自己的观点，第二部分具体阐述支持自己观点的理由。文章的结构可安排如下：
   第一段：对材料中的观点做简要的概括，提炼总结材料中提到的全职母亲和在职母亲各自的优势，然后表明自己的立场——赞成做在职妈妈。
   第二段：指出在职妈妈意味着经济独立，有益于婚姻关系。
   第三段：和全职妈妈作比较，说明在职妈妈对孩子教育更为有利。
   第四段：进一步指出在职妈妈更深层次的优势——职场生活有利于女性的自我实现。
   第五段：总结全文，重申在职妈妈对婚姻、孩子和自身都是有利的，建议努力在家庭和工作中取得平衡。
[参考译文]
   
在职妈妈好处多

   除了为人母的喜悦和激动，许多妈妈还面临着一个不可避免的选择——是做全职妈妈还是在职妈妈。许多女性推崇全职妈妈的优势，因为全职在家能确保妈妈有足够的时间跟家人共处，也能保证孩子能得到细致的照顾；其他女性则珍视在职妈妈这个角色，认为这既保证了女性的独立，同时也能给孩子树立一个好榜样。于我而言，我坚信在职妈妈的好处多于全职妈妈。
   首先，在外工作从长远来说有利于婚姻关系。作为在职妈妈意味着经济独立，这可以避免因经济上全部依靠丈夫而产生的低微感，可以营造一个平等的氛围，这对于维系一段健康和可持续的关系是非常重要的。
   其次，在职妈妈在孩子的教育方面更胜一筹。由于工作的关系，在职妈妈可以跟上社会发展的步伐，在社会生活的很多方面比全职母亲见闻更广。因此，由在职妈妈培养的孩子往往视野更为开阔，长大以后也更能适应和融入社会。
   再次，职场生活利于女性的自我实现。虽然家庭在女性的生命中占据很大的比重，但它不应成为女性唯一的中心和世界。在家庭之外，女性可以取得杰出的成就，使自己的生命更加有价值。换句话来说，工作是女性实现自我价值、活出丰富充实人生的一个重要渠道。
   总而言之，做一个在职母亲无论对婚姻、对孩子还是对女性自身都是有利的。虽然这是一个很有挑战性的任务，女性仍应努力兼顾家庭和工作，在两者之间取得平衡，这样方为明智之举。