Global Breaking News - Monday, May 13, 2024

 Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

While some countries have strong programs against illiteracy, others still do not care that much. But, illiteracy has become a big obstacle during the last century and is still problematic question now with quick development of technology and automation. From my everyday experience and observation I can state several factors which defend the statement that reading and writing now is more important than ever before.
* against = ~에 대비하여, 반대하여, 맞서 / illiteracy = 문맹, 무식 / obstacle = 장애물, 걸림돌 / problematic = 문제가 있는, 문제가 많은 / automation = 자동화 / observation = 관찰, 관측 / state = 말하다, 진술하다 / defend = 방어하다, 옹호하다

First of all, it is essential for a person to have at least basic knowledge of reading and writing to survive in our society. While in the past, some people could live in wilderness or even in cities without any knowledge of written language, now it is almost impossible. The way of living has change so much that it is impossible to be a part of nation, especially in developed countries, without ability to read and write your bills, to understand your mortgage documents or job applications. Moreover, you can go nowhere by yourself but in your own small town without reading the maps and signs on the roads and in cities.
* essential = 필수적인, 극히 중요한 / at least = 적어도, 최소한 / basic knowledge = 기초지식 / survive= 살아남다, 생존하다 / wilderness = 황야, 황무지 / the way of living = 생활양식 / developed countries = 선진국 / bill = 계산서, 청구서 / mortgage document = 담보, 대출, 융자 서류 / job application = 구직 / nowhere = 아무데도, 어디에도 ~않다, 없다 / by yourself = 혼자, 스스로 / map = 지도

Second, nowadays, most of jobs require reading and writing as necessary skills and tendency that these skills will be more and more important for future jobs increases. In fact, because of sharp development of technology, more of jobs on the labor market are for literate people and less of them are for people without any or slight reading or writing knowledge. For example, there are not needed so much people who can work on lands or select parts in auto-factories because the machines do that kinds of jobs now. On the other hand, factories and corporations need people who can read the instructions and control the machines. It is bare true that without jobs that need only physical abilities, illiterate people are forced to be constantly on unemployment lists.
* tendency = 경향, 동향, 추세 / labor market = 노동시장 / literate = 글을 읽고 쓸 줄 아는 / auto-factory = 자동차 공장 / instruction = 설명서, 지시 / physical ability = 신체적 기능 / be forced to = ~하도록 강요받다 / constantly = 끊임없이, 거듭 / unemployment = 실업, 실업률

In conclusion, the most scare part of living illiterate in our society is maybe living dependable of someone. A illiterate person will have difficulties not only to do simple tasks such as writing bills, withdrawing money from cash machines, or reading menu in a restaurant, but also to be a productive and useful individual of our society with job and normal life.
* dependable = 믿을 수 있는, 신뢰할 수 있는  cf) dependent = reliant = succorant = 의지하는, 의존하는 / difficulty = 어려움 / productive = 생산적인 / normal life = 평범한 삶