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Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying “The strongest man in the world is independent.” You can give one example or two to illustrate your point of view. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.
Is it better to be self-reliant or, instead, to rely on those around us? In my opinion, while self-reliance is an essential quality that everyone should strive to develop, it is also crucial that we know how to enlist and accept the support of others.
In addition to fostering greater efficiency in our daily lives, self-dependence can also help to make life more meaningful. As an illustration , self-reliant individuals might teach themselves how to play the guitar, bake an apple pie, or grow a flower garden. Nevertheless, it would be difficult for us to survive without the assistance of others. For instance, a doctor might have to call a plumber to fix a leaking faucet; an engineer may need to ask an accountant to fill out his tax returns; and a lawyer with a sore tooth will have no choice but to consult a dentist.
In the final analysis, neither complete self-dependence nor excessive reliance on others is advisable or even feasible. We need to learn to stand on our own feet, but also know how to properly rely on others.
是自力更生好，还是依靠我们周围的人好？在我看来，虽然自立是每个人都应该努力发展的基本素质，但知道如何获取和接受他人的帮助也是非常重要的。
自立除了能让我们在日常生活中培养更高的效率以外，还能让生活变得更有意义。例如，自立的人可以自学如何弹吉他、烘焙苹果派或种植花园。然而，如果没有他人的帮助，我们将很难生存。例如，一位医生可能需要叫水管工来修理漏水的水龙头；一位工程师可能需要请一名会计填写他的纳税申报单；一位牙疼的律师将别无选择，只能咨询一位牙医。
归根结底，完全的自立和过度依赖他人都不明智，也不可取。我们既要学会自立，也要懂得如何恰当地依靠别人。
self-reliant 自立的
essential 基本的
crucial 重要的
enlist 争取，谋取
in addition to 除了
foster 养成
as an illustration 例如
individual 个人
nevertheless 然而
accountant 会计
tax return 纳税申报单
consult 咨询
excessive 过度的
feasible 可取的
stand on one's own feet 自立
国内各类考试的写作部分已经多次考查与“自立”相关的话题，如2003年考研写作“温室花朵经不起风雨”；2010年英语专业四级真题Should College Students Hire Cleaners（大学生是否可以请清洁工）；2010年12月四级真题How Should Parents Help Children to Be Independent（父母如何帮助孩子变得独立）；2015年6月四级真题“父母在孩子成长中的作用”。
① One reason that self-dependence is a valuable attribute is that it can improve our efficiency and productivity. 自立是一种可贵的品质，原因之一在于它能提高我们的效率和生产力。
② In our everyday lives, there will always be occasions when we are unable to obtain outside assistance and have to depend on our own knowledge and problem-solving skills. 在我们的日常生活中，总会有一些场合，我们无法获得外部援助，只能依靠自己的知识和问题解决能力。
③ In contrast, those who trust their own power and judgment will find a creative solution to the problem at hand, enabling them to be more productive and successful. 相比之下，那些相信自己能力和判断的人，会找到一个创造性的解决方案来处理手头的问题，从而让他们更有效率，更成功。