Homework has been a lasting topic in education. School teachers assign homework to students that are meant to be completed during non-school hours. Instead of giving up homework， teachers should improve its quality.

During the first few years of the 20th century， most educators believed that homework helped create disciplined minds. By 1940， growing attention that homework mixed with other home activities led to a reaction against it. Since then， arguments both for and against homework have continued.

A number of studies conducted on homework concluded that homework has a positive influence on students’ achievements. That is to say， doing homework can help students get better grades.

Although the research supporting for homework is powerful， the case against homework is popular. Some authors criticized both the quantity and quality of homework. They provided evidence that too much homework harms students’ health and family time. They insisted that teachers reduce the amount of homework and avoid homework during breaks and holidays.

Some researchers have offered various recommendations. For example， 5 to 10 minutes per subject might be suitable for grade 4 students， whereas 30 to 60 minutes might be suitable for college-bound high school students.

Some experts recommend homework that provide parents with clear instructions showing their role without expecting them to teach the content.

All in all， homework should allow students and their parents or other family members to engage in meaningful conversations related to their school courses and help improve the students’ learning experience.

“雙減”是指有效減輕義務(wù)教育階段學(xué)生過重的作業(yè)負(fù)擔(dān)和校外培訓(xùn)負(fù)擔(dān)。假設(shè)你是Andy， 你的英國筆友Joseph對“雙減”政策背景下你的學(xué)習(xí)生活很感興趣，發(fā)來郵件。請你根據(jù)郵件中的提問進(jìn)行回復(fù)，用英文寫一封電子郵件。

Dear Andy，

How are you doing these days？ I’ve heard the policy of “double-lightening the burden” is conducted. Have you been used to it？ Then how much homework do you have every day？ And how do you spend your free time？ What do you think of the policy？

Best wishes and I am looking forward to your reply.

Yours，

Joseph

Dear Joseph，

Thanks for your letter. Everything is fine.

The policy of “double-lightening the burden” has become one of the hottest topics in China now. I’ve been used to it. I had to do a lot of endless homework in the past. But now I have less homework every day. I can finish it all at school. Since I have more non-school time， I can spend my free time on something I like， such as playing table tennis and listening to music. I like the policy very much because it makes me feel relaxed. I think it will have a good influence on my grades.

Best wishes！

Yours，

Andy

郵件的主體部分可以分段呈現(xiàn)，增加條理性。文章的句式結(jié)構(gòu)也可以再多樣化，如運(yùn)用復(fù)合結(jié)構(gòu)、被動語態(tài)等。

郵件結(jié)尾部分可以增加與筆友的互動表達(dá)，如“How is your school life？”等。

Dear Joseph，

Thanks for your letter. Everything is fine. I am glad to hear that you’re interested in the" policy of “double-lightening the burden”.

I have been used to the policy. It has greatly reduced the amount of my daily homework. Now， I have about two hours of homework every day. I am able to complete it all at school.

As a result， I am provided with more time， which I usually spend on reading， doing sports， or communicating with my family members.

Personally， I believe that this policy will have a positive influence on my grades. With a better balance between my schoolwork and hobbies， I can study and live more actively.

How is your school life？ I am looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Best wishes！

Yours，

Andy

本文是書信，語言表達(dá)符合書信的寫作格式，首尾都能體現(xiàn)與筆友的互動交流。文章結(jié)構(gòu)清晰，小作者基于“雙減”政策本身、對學(xué)習(xí)生活產(chǎn)生的具體影響以及個人觀點(diǎn)看法三個方面回應(yīng)了筆友的全部提問。升格作文有理有據(jù)、有感而發(fā)，表達(dá)了小作者對“雙減”政策的認(rèn)可以及對待筆友的真誠。