托福考试作文范文：政府是否应该花钱在探索太空上

　　Outer space and basic needs

　　托福写作题目：

　　Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space. Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

　　托福写作范文：

　　Even people bornafter 1968 can easily name the first man to land on the moon; we have all seenthe black and white footage of Neil Armstrong in a space sui taking slow,bounding steps to plant an American flag on the moon's surface. Now, fortyyears later, some might suggest that governments should continue exploringouter space, and should even devote a healthy amount of money from theirbudgets to this end. However, the needs of our world have changed, and we mustprioritize our spending accordingly and allocate our financial resources tohelping the Earth itself.

　　When we consider theexploration of outer space that had its heyday in the 1950's and 1960's, wemust also consider the political factors that were present here on Earth.During the Cold War, countries like the United States and the Soviet Union wereinterested in displaying their intellectual, scientific and financialresources, and outer space became the arena in which this took place. The“Space Race” culminated in 1968 when the United States landed the firstastronauts on the moon. Space exploration was of extreme interest to ordinarycitizens, but was connected to themes of national strength and patriotism. Now, as we considerwhether to continue the exploration of outer space, our world is faced with adifferent set of circumstances.

　　Governments are less preoccupied with theirstanding in the world, and more interested in the well-being of those who livein it. The greatest threat to our well-being is our damaged environment,

　　andthis is a concern of the entire world. For example, pollution caused byfactories in South America might contribute to rising water levels inBangladesh. Space exploration would require a great outlay of money onequipment, personnel and fuel; instead we must allot our financial resourcestoward cooperating with other countries to improve the environment and helpmake life more bearable for our fellow citizens on earth.

　　In summary, those who were alive during the Age ofExploration of the 1950's and 1960's can remember the excitement of that era;the scientific findings of those missions to outer space have provided preciousinsights into the universe beyond Earth. However, one of the goals ofgovernments pursuing space exploration was to provide a show of strength fortheir countries. Now, the best way a government can show its strength is toshow that it cares for its fellow citizens around the world.