MATHEMATICS
1. Do you think mathematics is important?
2. Do you think it is difficult to learn mathematics well?
3. Are girls generally good at mathematics?
4. Do you often use a calculator?
1. (Do you think mathematics is important?)
(Answer) Yes, of course it is. (Give a reason for your answer) Math is incredibly important in our lives and, without realizing it, we use mathematical concepts, as well as the skills we learn from doing math problems, every day. The laws of mathematics govern everything around us, and without a good understanding of them, one can encounter significant problems in life. It encourages deliberate, creative, and systematic thinking.
2. (Do you think it is difficult to learn mathematics well?)
(Answer) Well, it is to a certain extent. (Give a reason for your answer) Math is so overwhelming for so many students, including myself. Many children nowadays are reported to struggle to grasp math concepts. Math seems quite problematic because most people have learned it in a way that is quite restrictive, and this is mainly the fault of the school system for teaching math.
3. (Are girls generally good at mathematics?)
(Answer) From my observations and personal experience, they are not at all. (Give a reason for your answer) Girls tend to have less positive math attitudes: They have higher levels of math anxiety and lower levels of confidence in their math skills. This means even when girls show similar performance levels to boys, they are often less sure of themselves. In general, boys are better at analyzing and thinking critically, thus outperforming their female counterparts in scientific subjects, while girls are better at memorizing and learning languages.
4. (Do you often use a calculator?)
(Answer) Not very often. (Give a reason for your answer) As I am an adult now, there is little need to solve complicated calculations. However, I sometimes make use of online calculator to verify important calculations, which I find quite handy and more reliable.
Vocabulary:
govern [v]: to have a controlling influence on something
Eg: Prices of goods are governed by the cost of the raw materials, as well as by the cost of production and distribution.
encounter [v]: to experience something, especially something unpleasant
Eg: The army is reported to be encountering considerable resistance.
systematic [adj]: according to an agreed set of methods or organized plan
Eg: We’ve got to be more systematic in the way that we approach this task.
grasp [v]: to understand something, especially something difficult
Eg: I think I managed to grasp the main points of the lecture.
problematic [adj]: full of problems or difficulties
Eg: Getting everyone there on time might prove problematic.
restrictive [adj]: limiting the freedom of someone or preventing something from growing
Eg: The college is not able to expand because of restrictive planning laws.
analyze [v]: to study something in a systematic and careful way
Eg: In the article, several experienced diplomats analyzed the president’s foreign policy.
outperform [v]: to do well in a particular job or activity compared to others of a similar type
Eg: The company has consistently outperformed its rivals this season.
verify [v]: to prove that something exists or is true, or to make certain that something is correct
Eg: These numbers are surprisingly high and they’ll have to be verified.
handy [adj]: useful or convenient
Eg: We found it handy to have a cellular phone.