1. Do children need to get encouragement?

Yes, I definitely think children need to get encouragement. It helps them develop a healthy sense of self-esteem. When you，re that young, you can easily get discouraged320 if things don’t go your way. If children don’t get any encouragement, they might become anxious and develop unhealthy behaviours later in life. So parents should encourage their children when they’re facing difficulties, or even if they make a mistake. It，s all part of learning how to get through life321.

2. What do parents do to encourage children to learn more?，

I suppose that generally, parents encourage their kids to learn more by setting a good example322 Even if the parents aren’t trying to learn something, they can show their kids how to be hard-working and responsible. Plus, they can encourage them by giving them rewards when they improve their learning. For example, they can take their children on a special trip if they show improvement in their studies.

3. Do you think it’s important for teenagers to set goals?

Yes, it，s definitely important for teenagers to set goals. Even though it might be tempting to just wing323 everything, setting goals and achieving them teaches teenagers responsibility. They need to learn those types of skills in order to make it324 in the real world. After they graduate and try to get jobs, setting goals will help them have better careers. Plus, when they achieve a goal, it，ll encourage them and boost their self-esteem.

4. Who do you think has the greater influence on the goal-setting of children? Teachers or parents?

It,s a tough call325, but I think that teachers might actually have a greater influence on children5 s goalsetting. Parents are definitely important as well, don’t get me wrong326. But when it comes down to it327, teachers actually spend more time with children, at least in the earlier parts of their lives. So they’re the ones who can encourage them over time to set goals and achieve them. Plus, a lot of goals are based on education.

5. Is money the only tool to motivate employees to work better?

No, I don’t think money is the only tool. Well, it’s definitely one of the most powerful tools. But employees can also be motivated by different kinds of rewards, like getting more time off work. If employees often work overtime and don’t have enough vacation, it’s very easy for them to develop anxiety, which might negatively affect their productivity. Plus, I know a lot of people who just want to do better because they love what they do. They just want to do better for their own sense of satisfaction. So sometimes, improvement comes from self-motivation328.

6. Is competition between employees a good thing? Are there any disadvantages of it?

Well, it depends. Sometimes, competition between employees can help them improve their job performance. If they’re trying to beat out another employee329 for a raise or a promotion, then they’ll put their all into their work. But I think there are some disadvantages. Sometimes, competition can make employees rush through their work330, which ends up being less productive when they make mistakes. Plus, it can also put too much stress on them.

320 get discouraged:被打击、气馁
321 get through life:度过这一生
322 setting a good example:树立好的榜样
323 wmg:毫无准备，随性的，即兴而为
324 make it:达到既定目标，成功
325 It’s a tough call:这种选择题很难做，很难选择
326 don’t get me wrong:别误会我的意思
327 when it comes down to it:归根结底，总体来说
328 self-腦tivation:自我激励
329 beat out:打败，击败
330 rush through their work:匆忙，草率完成工作