Writing Skill
In the passage, the author uses many different writing techniques to develop the main idea. One of the main writing techniques employed is making comparisons and contrasts. For example, if we look at paragraphs 6 to 13, we would find that the author is making a comparison between two approaches to learning.
比较对照法由比较和对照两部分组成，但两者往往一起用以阐述两者或更多事物间的异同，常用于说明文和论述文的写作。比较描述是比较对象的相同点、类似点，而对照则强调所描述对象之间的不同，甚至相反之处。比较对照的结构模式有多种，可以先集中（one-side-at-a-time method）描述甲，再描述乙：甲A甲B甲C…, 乙A乙B乙C…； 也可以是甲乙方同时逐点（point-by-point method）描述：甲A乙A甲B乙B甲C乙C…。文中6、7采用了集中法，11-13采用了逐点法。 e.g.
Although there are some similarities between the city and the countryside, there still exist great differences. In our country, most people like to live in the city, because life in the city is more convenient. There are more kinds of goods, various entertainment as well as better health service. Children can get better education. But it is noisy and crowded in the city. Life in the countryside, on the other hand, is much simpler and comparatively dull. Transportation is not convenient, and the chances of education are limited. But anyhow, there is much less noise there, and the air is cleaner.
本段从交通、娱乐、教育、环境等四方面论述了城乡生活的差异，采用的是先城市后乡村的集中对照手法。
常用的对照过渡词：like; similarly; likewise; correspondingly; in a similarly way; in the same way; too; similar to; equal to; equally important; both…and…; the same as; in common; equally
常用的比较过渡词：on one hand, on the other hand; on the contrary; in/by contrast; in contrast to; in sharp contrast; conversely; otherwise; however; nevertheless; but; yet; although; whereas/while; it is true…but; instead; unlike; rather than; in spite of; contrary to; contrast with; different from
Samples:
Rural life and urban life maybe all have their own advantages. But in my view, I prefer to have rural life. In the countryside, we can breathe the fresh air and listen to the birds singing sweet songs on the tree. But the air and water in the city have been badly polluted. What you hear almost are all the noises. In addition, the people in the countryside are very enthusiastic. In the free time, we can go to their homes to have a friendly chat with peasants while in the city, every family’s door is well closed all day and all night. People even don’t know who live around them. It seems hard to seek help when we are in need. So, rural life is superior to urban life, as far as I am concerned.
Rural life and urban life maybe all have their own advantages. But in my view, I prefer to have rural life. In the countryside, we can breathe the fresh air and listen to the birds singing sweet songs on the trees. In addition, the people in the countryside are very enthusiastic. In the free time, we can go to their homes to have a friendly chat with them. While in the urban area, the air and water have been badly polluted. What you can hear almost are all the noises. What’s worse, every family is well closed all day and all night. People even don’t know who live around them. It seems hard to seek help when we are in need. So, rural life is superior to urban life, as far as I am concerned.