Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then give your comments. Write your essay on Answer Sheet 1. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

　　范文：

　　China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy. All couples are allowed to have two children. This decision has aroused much chatter—whether it is high time that China should carry out the universal two-child policy or not. As far as I am concerned, this policy is in line with China’s domestic situations.

　　Speaking from a macro perspective, this policy is a timely adjustment to China’s changing situations. The aging population has been posing a threat to the sustainable and healthy development of China. This policy will optimize the demographic structure, increase the labor force, ease the pressure of aging population and ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the economy and society.

　　Speaking from a micro one, as the odds of having a weak elderly parent and all the attendant need for physical and financial assistance have jumped many times in just one generation, this policy will bring about many benefits to the family in the long run. In spite of the fact that child rearing is anything less than an easy task, the disadvantages, such as temporarily economic burden, seem to be pale compared with the benefits. The second child, at least, will accompany his or her sibling and in the future, they will share the responsibility to support and care for their old parents.

　　decades-long长达数十年之久的 odds 几率

　　chatter 唠叨的话;喋喋不休 demographic 人口统计学的;人口统计的

　　macro 宏观的 optimize 使最优化;充分利用

　　micro 微观的 sibling 兄弟姐妹

（实习编辑：杨月）