Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
It is more important to keep your old friends than it is to make new friends.
TEST TAKER'S RESPONSE.
Establishing friendship is a lifelong issue to deal with, and many people suggest that keeping old friends is of greater importance than making new acquaintances. However, I personally believe that we should spend more effort on making new friends. There are several reasons, which I will explore in the rest of the essay.
First of all, making new friends can broaden your horizon. By getting in touch with people from different backgrounds, you will be able to learn about various kinds of information and have a better understanding of your community. My personal experience just gives a compelling example. Before I entered college, I had never had any friends from northern China, and thus I had little understanding of what life is like in the north. Nevertheless, as soon as I met a few friends from northern provinces like Hei Longjiang and He bei, I learned about how different their foods and customs are, compared to my hometown. Since then, I perceived the civilization of China in a new way.
Secondly, new friends are sometimes helpful. If you run into a new environment or encounter an unfamiliar circumstance, new friends can always offer solid support. For instance, when I first joined the student orchestra, I knew nothing about how to practice or how to follow the conductor. But fortunately, the senior students in the orchestra helped me out, by patiently teaching me techniques and accompanying me during the practices. Eventually, I am accustomed to the pace and now I am a good player. So, making new friends is important to overcome tough times.
Admittedly, old friendships are treasurable and we should cherish them. A good old friend can give you mental support when life is difficult. But I believe, people should work hard on making new friends as well. As more friends are made, people can enhance their social status and therefore enjoy convenience when it comes to business, promotion, etcetera.
In summary, I am convinced that it is more beneficial to make new friends instead of maintaining old friendships since new friends provide you with a broader perspective and more concrete support.