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Ielts 230 Samples -
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BestPracticeBookforIELTSWriting:230
IELTSWritingSamples
IELTSWriting
Editedby
Dr.MdMunanShaik
@copyrighttoMdMunanShaik
TableofContents
IELTSWriting1
IELTSWriting9
IELTSWriting-Overview9
IELTSAcademicWriting10
IELTSACADEMICWRITING10
IELTSGeneralWriting11
IELTSWritingTaskGeneral(Task1)12
Sample112
Sample212
Sample313
Sample414
Sample515
Sample616
Sample716
Sample817
Sample918
Sample1019
Sample1120
Sample1221
Sample1322
Sample1422
Sample1523
Sample1624
Sample1724
Sample1825
Sample1825
Sample1926
Sample2027
Sample2127
Sample2229
Sample2329
Sample2430
Sample2530
Sample2631
Sample2731
Sample2832
Sample2932
Sample3033
Sample3134
Sample3234
Sample3335
Sample3436
Sample3536
Sample3637
Sample3738
Sample3838
Sample3939
Sample4039
Sample4140
Sample4241
Sample4341
Sample4442
Sample4542
Sample4643
Sample4743
Sample4844
Sample4944
Sample5045
Sample5146
Sample5246
Sample5347
Sample5447
Sample5548
Sample5649
Sample5749
Sample5850
Sample5950
Sample6051
GeneralIELTSWritingTask251
Sample152
Sample252
Sample454
Sample555
Sample656
Sample758
Sample859
Sample960
Sample1061
Sample1162
Sample1263
Sample1464
Sample1565
Sample1665
Sample1766
Sample1867
Sample1967
Sample2068
Sample2169
Sample2269
Sample2370
Sample2471
Sample2571
Sample2672
Sample2773
Sample2873
Sample2974
Sample3075
Sample3175
Sample3276
Sample3377
Sample3477
Sample3578
Sample3679
Sample3779
Sample3880
Sample3981
Sample4082
Sample4182
Sample4283
Sample4384
Sample4484
Sample4585
Sample4686
Sample4787
Sample4887
Sample4988
Sample5089
Sample5189
Sample5290
Sample5391
Sample5492
Sample5592
Sample5693
Sample5794
Sample5894
Sample5995
Sample6096
Sample6196
Sample6297
Sample6398
Sample6498
Sample6599
Sample6699
Sample67100
Sample68101
Sample69101
Sample70102
Sample71103
Sample72103
Sample73104
Sample74105
Sample75106
Sample76106
Sample77107
Sample78108
Sample79108
Sample80109
Sample81110
Sample82110
Sample83111
Sample84111
Sample85112
Sample86113
Sample87113
Sample88114
Sample89114
Sample90115
Sample91116
Sample92116
Sample93117
Sample94118
Sample95118
Sample96119
Sample97119
Sample98120
Sample99121
Sample100121
Sample101122
Sample102122
Sample103123
Sample104124
Sample105124
Sample106125
Sample107125
Sample108126
Sample109126
Sample110127
Sample111128
Sample112128
Sample113129
Sample114129
Sample115130
Sample116131
Sample117131
Sample118132
Sample119133
Sample120133
Sample121134
Sample122135
Sample123135
Sample125136
Sample126137
Sample127138
Sample128138
Sample129139
Sample130140
Sample131140
Sample132141
Sample133141
Sample134142
Sample135143
Sample136143
Sample137144
Sample138144
Sample139145
Sample140146
Sample141146
Sample142147
Sample143148
Sample144148
Sample145149
Sample146150
Sample147150
Sample148151
Sample149151
Sample150152
Sample151152
Sample152153
Sample153154
Sample154154
Sample155155
Sample156155
Sample157156
Sample158157
Sample159157
Sample160158
Sample161158
Sample162159
Sample163160
Sample164160
Sample165161
Sample166162
Sample167162
Sample168163
Sample169164
Sample170164
IELTSLetter165
MostCommonLetterTopics-(Formal)165
SampleLetter–Formal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1167
SampleLetter1167
SampleLetter2168
SampleLetter3168
IELTSLetterTopics-Semi-Formal169
SampleLetter–Semi-Formal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1171
SampleLetter1171
SampleLetter2172
SampleLetter3173
IELTSLetterTopics-Informal174
SampleLetter–Informal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1176
SampleLetter1176
SampleLetter2177
SampleLetter3177
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16. IELTSWriting
17. IELTSis a multi-level exam.Yougetascorebetween1and9for eachsection. Half scoressuch as 6.5 are possible.Universities oftendemand anIELTSscoreof6or7.Theymayalsodemandaminimumscoreineachofthe4sections.
1. IELTS Writingmarkingschemes
Thetwowritingquestionsaremarkedout
of9accordingtothefollowingcriteria:
TaskAchievement
CoherenceandCohesion
LexicalResource
GrammaticalRangeandAccuracy
2. IELTS Speakingmarkingschemes
Thespeaking test isalsomarkedoutof9accordingtothefollowingcriteria:
Fluencyandcoherence
Lexicalresource
Grammaticalrangeandaccuracy
Pronunciation
18. IELTS Writing -Overview
TheIELTSAcademicandGeneralWritingModules are similar in some ways anddifferentinothers.Whichevertestyoudo,youhaveonehour tocomplete two tasks.It is the nature of the tasks that makesthemdifferent.Youcanseethisclearlyinthechartbelow:
General
Task 1: Minimum 150 words: Writing aletterinresponsetoasituation–informal,semi-formal,orformal
Task 2: Minimum 250 words:Writing amore personal essay – possible informalstyle
Academic
Task1:Minimum150words:Interpreting,describing, or comparing informationpresentedingraphicform-adiagram,barchart,linegraph,piechartortable
Task2:Minimum250words:Writing anessay on a general academic topic –formalstyle.
Inbothcases,yourscoreisbasedonthreefundamentalcriteria:
Content:Howwell do you r present
yourarguments,ideasandevidence?
Quality: How effectively are youable to communicate your ideas andthoughts?
Technical Aspects: How correct isyour grammar? How rich is yourvocabulary?How varied are yoursentences?
Tocompleteanorganized,coherentpieceofwriting,youneedtotake2-5minutesto plan. During this time, you canconsiderwhatpositionyouwilladopt,howyou'regoingtoexpandonthetopicandinwhat order you will present your ideas.Youshouldskiptheplanningactivityonlyifyouhaveverylittle timeleft.Insuchacase, you can work directly on the task
itself.
Of course, grammar and vocabulary willalso be assessed. Make sure you checkyour writing forverb tense agreement,prepositions, word order, sentencepatterns, sentence structure, and rangeof vocabulary. Avoid using the sameverbs, nouns, or adjectives more thanonce.Do not use slang at all. In theacademic section of the IELTS, avoidcontractions,which are a clear symbol ofinformalwriting.
1. IELTS AcademicWriting
IELTSACADEMICWRITING
Th eIELTS Academic Writingmodulemeasures your ability to write in clear,formalEnglish, as is generally demandedin an academic context.You are assessedaccordingtothefollowingcriteria:
TaskResponse - how accurately toaddressthetask
Coherenceand Cohesion - howorganizedyourwritingis
LexicalResource - the rangeofyourvocabulary
GrammaticalRange and Accuracy -thecorrectnessofyourgrammar
Youhaveanhourtocompletetwowritingtasks.Youmustcompletebothtaskstoget
a score.Youneed toorganizeyour ideas,writeaccurately,anduse richvocabulary.It is recommended that you divide yourtimeinthisway:
Task1–150words–20minutes
Task2–250words–40minutes
1.
2. IELTS ACADEMICWRITING-TASK1
In the first task, youmust write a reportbasedonpictorialinformation.Thismeansyoumayneedtodescribeagraph,chart,ordiagram. Itmaybe abar chart, pie chart,line graph, or some other graphicrepresentation.Youmightalsobeaskedto
describe the process illustrated by thediagram.Thisinvolvesdescribingthedataaccurately, pointing out trends andrelevant information, and usingappropriatevocabulary.
To understand how best to answer thistype of task, read through the modelanswers provided in IELTS guidebooks.Examiners will score your answer basedon your ability to group relevantinformation, link ideas in complexsentences,anduseappropriatevocabularytodescribe trends.This isnot asdifficultas it sounds. By reading through severalsample answers, you can extract thevocabulary you need and also learn avariety of sentence structures, to present
your information in a formal, academicmanner. For the highest marks, also payclose attention to your spelling and copygivenwordsandphrasescorrectly.
3. IELTS ACADEMICWRITING-TASK2
Inthistask,youneedtowriteanacademicstyleessayonthesingle topicgiven.Youhave no choices here – you must writeonly about the one topic – so prepareyourself with strategies to write a well-organized essay on a variety of subjectareas.Youmayneedtoofferasolutiontoaproblem,expressanopinionorcommentonideasorargumentspresented.
Your essay should be about four or fiveparagraphsinlength,withanintroduction,
bodyandconclusion.Itshouldnotbealistof bullet points, but a properly organizedessay,written in full sentences.Youneedto state your thesis, provide evidence orreasons to support your argument andwrite a strong conclusion. Use topicsentences to clearly identify the maintheme in each paragraph. You could usetheguidebelowtostructureyouressay:
Paragraph 1: Introduction: Restate thetopic,indicateyourposition
Paragraph2:Body:Mainidea,supportingidea,examples
Paragraph3:Body:Mainidea,supporting
idea,examples
Paragraph 4: Conclusion: Summarizeideas,restateposition
2. IELTS GeneralWriting
T h eIELTS General Writingsectionmeasures your ability to communicateabout common, practical issues andexpandontopicsofpersonalinterest.Youmay be asked to provide factualinformation, make suggestions, expresslikes and dislikes, or present complaints,opinions,orviews.Thissectionlastsfor1hour and includes 2 tasks. Task 2 carriesmore marks than Task 1. Therefore, youmaywishtodivideyourtimeasfollows:
Task1–150words–20minutes
Task2–250words–40minutes
According to the makers of the IELTSexam, assessment of General Writingtasksisbasedonthefollowingcriteria:
TaskAchievement - how thoroughlyyoudowhatisasked
Coherenceand Cohesion - howorganizedyourletteris
LexicalResource - the range ofvocabularyyouuse
GrammaticalRange and Accuracy -howcorrectyourgrammaris
1. IELTS GENERAL
WRITING-TASK1
Youareaskedtowritealettertoafriend,governmentagencyor interestgroup.Thelevelofformalitydependsonwhoyouarewriting to and howwell you know them,sothestylemaybeformal,semi-formalorinformal.Youaregivenabriefdescriptionof a problem or situation, followed bybulletedinstructionsonwhattoincludeinyour letter. Make sure you write abouteach and every one of the pointsmentioned.Alsouseappropriategrammar,capitalization,andpunctuation.
It will also help to read through severalsample tests in order to both familiarizeyourself with the type of situationspresented,andtolearnhowtowritethese
types of letter answers easily, correctly,andquickly.SampleTask1tasksinclude:
writingto a college administrationofficer about problems with yourdormitory
wri t ingto a landlord to resolveproblemswiththeheatingsystem
writingto a friend to invite him/hertoasurpriseparty
2. IELTS GENERALWRITING-TASK2
You have to write a minimum 250-wordessay on a topic of general interest.Youmight have to solve a problem, present
your opinion, or compare differingviewpointsonagiventopic.
The usual rules of good essay writingapply. Plan before you write, use variedsentencestructure,utilizelinkingwordstoconnect ideas, use dynamic and richvocabularytoputyourthoughtsacross,becareful of your spelling, capitalization,and punctuation, and organize your essayinto about 4-5 paragraphs. A samplestructureisshownbelow:
Paragraph 1: Introduction: Restate thetopic,indicateyourposition
Paragraph2:Body:Mainidea,supportingidea,examples
Paragraph3:Body:Mainidea,supporting
idea,examples
Paragraph 4: Conclusion: Summarizeideas,restateposition
SampleTask2tasksinclude:
whetherit is possible to take avacationfromyourproblems
whetherfamilies today are closerthantheyusedtobe.
whethersmoking inpublicshouldbebanned
whetherold people should go tonursinghomes
Write as many practice essays aspossible,withinthe40-minutetimelimit,
soyoucandosowitheaseandconfidenceonthedayofyourexam.
IELTS Writing TaskGeneral(Task1)
Sample1
1. Youshould spendabout 20 minutesonthistask.
You are due to move into a rentedapartmentnextmonthbut youwill notbe able to because you have someproblems.Writealettertothelandlord.Inyourletter:
explainyoursituation
describeyourproblems
tellhim/herwhenyouthinkyoucanmovein
Write at least 150 words. You doNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
modelanswer:
Dear Miss Berry, As you know, I haverented 41 George Roche Road from youfor six months from 15th August.However, I am afraid Iwill no longer beable tomove inon thatdate,asmyplanshave had to change because of illness.During the summer vacation, I wasworking in a company as a ProjectManager. Towards the end ofmy shift, Islipped and fell on awet floor and broke
mywrist.Luckily,itwasacleanbreakanddidn't require surgery. However, it is myrightwrist,andsoIamunabletowriteforthetimebeing.Atpresent,IamathomeinKuala Lumpur until the plaster can betakenoff–Ithinkthisshouldbeinthelastweek of September. I will then return tomy course in Canterbury and take upresidenceat41GeorgeRocheRoad.Ihopethis will not cause you any difficulties.Yourssincerely,RachelYu
(164words)
Sample2
The sample letter contains 14 gaps.Complete it by putting apreposition ineachspace.
DearMr.Peter,Thankyouforyour letterof 20 September. I was very saddened.......... your account of what happened inour hotel lastmonth, and I amwriting toexpress my apologies.......... this. I canunderstand that you were shocked..........the way the receptionist behaved. Therecan be no excuse.......... such behaviourand I fully understand why you felt youneeded to complain.......... the situation. Icanprovidenoexplanation..........thewaytheemployeespoke toyou.Asamemberof Darius Hotels Group, we have areputation.......... being perfect..........lookingafterourcustomers,andIamverysorry that your experience.......... ourservice did not confirm this. I intend tode a l.......... staff member appropriatelyand I will ensure that he does not repeatthis behaviour.......... sending him on a
retraining course nextweek. Iwould liketo assure you that the behaviour youencounteredisnottypical..........ourstaff.As the guest service manager, I amresponsible..........allofouremployeessopleaseacceptmyapologiesagainandthisvoucherworth$100tospendinany..........ourhotels.Yours sincerely, JohnNormanGuestServiceManager
DearMr.Peter,
Thankyouforyourletterof20September.I was very saddenedby your account ofwhathappenedinourhotellastmonth,andI amwriting to expressmy apologiesforthis. I can understand that you wereshockedby the way the receptionistbehaved.Therecanbenoexcusefor such
behaviourandIfullyunderstandwhyyoufelt you needed to complainabout thesituation. I can provide no explanationfor/ofthewaytheemployeespoketoyou.
AsamemberofDariusHotelsGroup,wehave a reputationfor being perfectatlookingafterourcustomers,andIamverysorry that your experienceof our servicedidnotconfirmthis.I intendtodealwithstaff member appropriately and I willensure that he does not repeat thisbehaviourby sendinghimona retrainingcourse next week. I would like to assureyouthatthebehaviouryouencounteredisnottypicalofourstaff.
As the guest service manager, I am
responsiblefor all of our employees sopleaseacceptmyapologiesagainandthisvoucherworth$100tospendinanyofourhotels.
Yourssincerely,
JohnNorman
GuestServiceManager
Sample3
Marina has just started a new course atcollege and her tutor has asked her towrite him a letter telling him somethingaboutherself.
Shehasmadetenmistakesinverbtensesinherletter.Findandcorrectthem.
DearTutor,
I am coming to Brighton College fromSingapore, where I was a student for tenyears. I did already take examinations inSingapore in English, Biology, Computerand Maths. My highest score is forComputer:IgotgradeA.
When Iwasa student inSingapore I alsohave a part-time job in a shop.MyuncleownsasupermarketandsoIhelpedhiminthe evenings. I used toworked there fournights a week and I think this was verygoodexperienceforme.
At the weekends, I usually played
volleyballwithfriendsor,iftheweather'sbad,wehavebeentothetheatre,whichisverypopularinSingapore.Becauseofmypart-timejob,Ialsodidspendalotoftimestudyingattheweekend.
I didn’t go to many other places. Myfather took me to Thailand once. Threeweeksafterwehad returnedhealsowenttoMalaysiaandtookthewholefamily.
This is a brief description of mybackground.
Bestwishes,
Marina
DearTutor,
I have come to Brighton College fromSingapore, where I was a student for tenyears. Ihave already taken examinationsin Singapore in English, Biology,Computer and Maths. My highest scorewasforComputer:IgotgradeA.
When Iwasastudent inSingapore Ialsohad a part-time job in a shop. My uncleownsasupermarketandsoIhelpedhiminthe evenings. Iworked / used to workthere four nights a week and I think thiswasverygoodexperienceforme.
At the weekends, I usually playedvolleyball with friends or, if the weatherwas bad, wewent / used to go to thetheatre, which is very popular inSingapore.Becauseofmypart-time job, I
alsospent a lot of time studying at theweekend.
Ihaven't been to many other places.Myfather took me to Thailand once. Threeweeks after wereturned he also went toMalaysiaandtookthewholefamily.
This is a brief description of mybackground.
Bestwishes,
Marina
Sample4
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You are a student at an Englishlanguage school in Brighton and areliving in private accommodation withother flatmates.You have not had hotwater or heating for some time. Thelandlord’sworkmenhavetriedtofixtheproblembutwithoutsuccess.
Write a letter to the landlord. In yourletter:
stateyourreasonforwriting
describethe problems and explainhowyoufeel
proposea solution and risk thelandlordtotakeaction
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
modelanswer:
DearMr.Jones,
IamoneofthetenantsatyourpropertyinUpper Lewes Road, and am writing tocomplain about the fact that we do nothaveanyhotwaterorheatinginourhouse.
Asyouknow,wehavebeen living in thishouse since September and have alwayspaid our rent on time.However,we havehadnohotwater for last twoweeks.Thisis making our lives very difficult,especially as it is now the middle ofwinter.Lastweekyousaidyouwouldsend
aworkmantoourhousewithin3days,butno one came. After calling many times,the workman eventually arrived at thehouse5days later.Unfortunately,hesaidhe could not fix the problem because theboilerwastooold!Wearenowextremelyunhappyaboutthissolution.
We are prepared to continue to rent yourhouse but please arrange for emergencyrepairstobemade.Wealsorequesta40%discountonourrentfortheperiodwehavebeenwithoutanyhotwaterorheating.Welookforwardtohearingfromyou.
ShannonBrown
(188words)
Sample5
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You are going on a short course to atraining college abroad. It is a collegethatyouhavenotbeentobefore.
Write a letter to the accommodationofficer.Inyourletter
givedetailsofyourcourseandyourarrival/departuredate
explainyouraccommodationneeds
askforinformationaboutgettingtoandfromthecollege
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam,
I amwriting to informyou that Iwill beattending the Advanced Life Insurancecourse, being held from Tuesday 24thApriluntil27rdApril,attheUniversityofHartford.
I will be arriving on the afternoon ofMonday 23th and will be leaving on themorningofSaturdaythe28thofApril,soI
will requireasingle roomfor this time. Iwouldprefermyownbathroom, if this ispossible,butdonotmindsharingifIhaveto;however,asIamwheelchairbound,theroom will have to be disability friendly.Could you please tell me howmuch thiswill cost and how I should make apayment?DoyouacceptVISA?
AsIdonotknowthearea,Iwouldalsobegrateful if you could provide someinformationaboutgettingtoandfromtheUniversity. Will I need to take publictransport from the station or is there aUniversity bus service? Any informationon what to see and do in the area wouldalsobegreatlyappreciated.
Thankyouforyourassistance.
AlexJones
(184words)
Sample6
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youarelookingforapart-timejob.
Writealettertoanemploymentagency.Inyourletter
introduceyourself
explainwhat sortof jobyouwouldlike
andsaywhat experience and skills
youhave
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam,
I am aGerman national fromHeidelbergandatpresentIamstudyingforaMaster’sdegree in Commercial Law here, at theUniversityofBielefeld,whereIhavebeenforthelasttwomonths.I am looking for a part-time job and Iwonder if you can help me. Probably, I
wouldlikeanoffice job,perhapsworkingas a secretary, office administrator ortypist. I can only work during theafternoons and at weekends as myuniversitystudiesoccupymostoftheday.Iwouldbereadytostartimmediately.I am a competent typist and I amcomputer-literate. In addition, I speakPolish and German fluently and I havebeen learning English for the past threeyears. While I studied for my degree, Iworked as a part-time officemanager foran import-export firm in Heidelberg. Inrecent years, I have also had temporarysummer jobs as a hotel receptionist inMannheim,Germany.
Iamlookingforwardtohearingfromyou,
Yoursfaithfully,
HeinrichBukowski
(170words)
Sample7
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Write a letter to the accommodationofficeratthecollege.Inyourletter:
explainyoursituation.
describethe accommodation yourequire.
saywhenyouwillneedit.
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearMsRose,
Completethesampleletter
DearMsRose,
Iama26-year-oldfarmerandagronomist.................... Pakistan, and I have beenaccepted to.................... a one-monthtraining course at GreenmountAgriculturalCollegestartingnextJanuary.Iwouldbegrateful....................Youcouldeither find me accommodation for themonth or give me a list of addresses....................Icouldwriteto.Iwouldlike,if possible, to.................... a room in a
family house because I would like the.................... topracticemyEnglishat thesame time. Iwillneeda roomwithabedand a table.................... that I can studytherealso.If....................,Iwouldpreferaroom near the college since I will....................beinGreenmountforashorttimeandIwillnothavetimetolearnmywayaround.I will need the accommodation.................... five weeks from 28thDecember to the3rdFebruary as Iwouldliketoarriveafewdaysbeforethecoursebegins.Could you also.................... tell me howmuch accommodation of this kind willcost and whether the price....................meals.Ilookforwardto....................fromyou.
Yourssincerely,
Muhammad
Sample8
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
An English-speaking friend wants tospendatwo-weekholidayinyourregionand haswritten asking for informationandadvice.
Write a letter to your friend. In yourletter:
offertofindsomewheretostay
giveadviceaboutwhattodo
giveinformationaboutwhatclothestobring
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
Completethesampleletter
The sample letter contains eleven gaps.Complete it by putting a word or phrasefromtheboxbelowineachspace.
althoughand as because
but if since so
sothat that whenwhere
which who
DearAlbert,
I’mdelighted....................youarecomingtoSingaporenextmonth. I think itwouldbe great.................... you could staywithme andmy family,.................... sendyoutheirbestwishes.Otherwise,ifyouprefer,I can easily book you a cheap butcomfortable hotel near the beach....................youcanbemoreindependent.Therearelotsofthingstodoinmycity.IfI were you, I’d spend some days on thebeach relaxing.................... one or twodays sightseeing in the city. There areseveral interesting museums and temples.................... I’msureyouwillenjoy.One
place you really should visit is anexcellent theme park called Sentosa,.................... you’ll want to spend thewhole day.Also, you ought to go to ourexcellent night safari,.................... isaboutanhourawaybybus.You don’t need to bring a lot of clothes....................theweatherisnormallywarmandsunny,andofcourse,rainy.However,in the evening it’s a bit cooler,.................... youmayneeda jerseyandajacket.Please let me know exactly....................you'recoming....................Icanmeetyouat the airport. It’ll be great to see youagainsowecangetup-to-datewithallournews!
LoveMonica
DearAlbert,
I’m delightedthat you are coming toSingaporenextmonth.Ithinkitwouldbegreatif you could stay with me and myfamily,who send you their best wishes.Otherwise,ifyouprefer,Icaneasilybookyouacheapbutcomfortablehotelnearthebeachso/so that/where you can bemoreindependent.Therearelotsofthingstodoinmycity.IfI were you, I’d spend some days on thebeachrelaxingand/beforeoneortwodayssightseeing in the city. There are severalinteresting museums and templeswhich/that I’m sure youwill enjoy. Oneplace you really should visit is anexcellent theme park called Sentosa,
whereyou’llwanttospendthewholeday.Also, you ought to go to our excellentnight safari,which isaboutanhourawaybybus.
You don’t need to bring a lot of clothesas/because/since the weather is normallywarm and sunny, and of course, rainy.However, in the evening it’s a bit cooler,soyoumayneedajerseyandajacket.Please let me know exactlywhen you'recomingso/so that I can meet you at theairport. It’ll be great to see you again sowecangetup-to-datewithallournews!
LoveMonica
Sample9
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You eat at your college cafeteria everylunchtime.However, you think it needssomeimprovements.Write a letter to the college magazine.Inyouletter
explainwhat you like about thecafeteria
saywhatiswrongwithit
suggesthowitcouldbeimproved
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
Completethesampleletter
The sample letter contains eight gaps.Complete it by putting a word or phrasefromtheboxbelowineachspace.
annoyingputright could should
enough unfortunatelygoodidea toohot
DearSir/Madam,
I normally eat lunch at the collegecafeteria because it is reasonable priced,convenient and it has a friendlyatmosphere.There are, however, a number of
deficiencies which I think should be....................Firstly,although thestaff tryto keep the tables clean, there are not....................workersatpeaktimestocleartheir tables themselves then they havefinishedeating.
...................., some studentsdonotbotherto do this. Also, there are a number ofstudentswho do notwait in the queue tobe served, which is very.................... forthe majority of us. Finally, I think thecafeteriacouldhavebetterventilationasitg e t s...................., especially in thesummer.
I think itwouldbe a.................... ifmoresignswereputaroundthecafeteriaaskingstudents to put their dirty plates andcutlery on the trolleys provided and to
throw away their leftovers and rubbish.Also, I thinkwe.................... tell studentswhen they are being anti-social andjumping the queue. Finally,....................wepleasehaveafewwindowsopenwhenthingsgettoohot?
Yoursfaithfully
DearSir/Madam,
I normally eat lunch at the collegecafeteria because it is reasonable priced,convenient and it has a friendlyatmosphere.
There are, however, a number of
deficiencies which I think should beputrightFirstly,althoughthestafftrytokeepthe tables clean, there are notenoughworkersatpeaktimestocleartheirtablesthemselvesthentheyhavefinishedeating.
Unfortunately, some students do notbothertodothis.Also,thereareanumberofstudentswhodonotwaitinthequeuetobeserved,whichisveryannoying for themajority of us. Finally, I think thecafeteriacouldhavebetterventilationasitgetstoohot,especiallyinthesummer.
I think it would be agood idea if moresignswereputaroundthecafeteriaaskingstudents to put their dirty plates andcutlery on the trolleys provided and tothrow away their leftovers and rubbish.Also,Ithinkweshouldtellstudentswhen
theyarebeinganti-socialandjumpingthequeue.Finally,couldwepleasehaveafewwindowsopenwhenthingsgettoohot?
Yoursfaithfully
Sample10
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You have a full time job and are alsodoing a part time evening course.Younow find that you can not continue thecourse.
Write a letter to your tutor. In yourletter
describethesituation
explainwhyyoucannotcontinueatthistime
saywhat action you would like totake
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
modelanswer:
DearSirorMadam,
MynameisMuhamadAbdul.Iamtakingapart-timeeveningcourse.Iamhavinga
hard time keeping up with this course. IamafraidIcannotcontinuethecourse.My problem is, I have a full-time job,from9am–5pm.Sometimes, Iamaskedtostayextrahours,tofinishuptherestofthework.Thatisbecausetheholidaysarecoming up soon.Also I have to do someworkpreparationsforthenextday.
AtnightwhenIgethome,Iamtootiredtoeven prepare a dinner for myself.Also Ihavenotimetostudyforthiscourse.
Iwould likedrop thiscourse thisquarter.Then take it again the next quarter. So,pleaseacceptmysituation.Thankyouforyourcooperation
SincerelyM.Abdul
(135words)
This is an answer written by a candidatewho achieved aBand5 score.Here is theexaminer'scomment:
Thereasonforwritingisveryclearinthisletterbutitisnotclearwhotheletteristo.Thewriter gives information to cover allthree bullet points, but only one is wellextended, and the whole response isunderlenght at 135 words, so it losesmarksforthis.
Theinformationisorganisedanditiseasyto follow themessage.Arangeof linkersis used across the answer and they aregenerally accurate, but in some places,especially the first paragraph, sentencesarenotwell-linked.
The range of vocabulary is sufficient forthe task and there are some quite preciseexpressions. There are no errors in wordform,but someverybasic spelling errorsoccur. In terms of grammar, the range israther limited with many very shortsentences and few complex structures.Grammar is generally well-controlled,however,withonlyafewminorerrorsandoccasionalinappropriatepunctuation.
Sample11
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Your heighbours have recently writtentoyoutocomplainaboutthenoisefromyourhouselflat.Write a letter to your neighbours. In
yourletter
explainthereasonsforthenoise
apologise
describewhatactionyouwilltake
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddresses.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear.................,
modelanswer:
DearJames,
I was very shocked to get your letter
saying that the noise from my flat hasbeen spoiling your evenings and causingyousomedistress.Iamreally,reallysorryaboutthat.Ihadnoideathatyouwouldbeable to hear somuch, so I hope youwillacceptmyapologies.
Asyoumayhaveguessed, I am trying torefitmykitchenintheeveningswhenIgethome from work. Unfortunately it is allgetting longer than expected and I havebeen having problemswith getting thingsto fitproperly.Thishasmeant toa lotofbangingandhammering.
Asthekitchenisstillnotfinished,Ihavedecided to call in a professional builderwhowillfinishtheworkinthenextdayortwo. He’ll work only during daytimehours, so you won’t be disturbed in the
eveningsagain,Ipromis.
Sorrytohavecausedtheseproblems,
Bill.
(157words)
Sample12
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You will move to a new city for work.Youknowsomepeoplewholivethere.
A s kthem for help findingaccommodation
Tellthemwhere youwould like tolive
Tellthemthetypeofplaceyouarelookingfor
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
IwantedtoletyouknowthatIamcomingto live in(city)andIwould like toask ifyoucanhelpmewithafewthingsbeforeIarriveandstartmynewjob.
Do you think you could give me a hand
finding somewhere to live? Ideally Iwould like to live close to where I amgoing to beworking, or in the downtowndistrict.IfpossibleIwouldliketobenearsomeshops,likeasupermarketandaDVDrental place. As I really love sports itwouldbegreattobenearaparktoo.
I’mnottooworriedabouttheplaceitself.Obviously I will be looking for a flat,ratherthanahouse,asitisjustgoingtobemeandIwon’tbeabletoaffordtoomuch.So,aplacewithonebedroomisfine,butIwouldliketohaveaprivatebathroom(notshared),akitchenandsomekindoflivingroom. It doesn’t matter if the kitchen issmall, but it would nice to have one. Iwould prefer to live somewhere new, soanything in a modern apartment blockwouldbegreat.
Thanksforyourhelp
(206words)
Sample13
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Your car is hired from a company andwhile you are driving on holiday, youhavea small accident.Youwillhave towriteareporttothecompanytoexplainit.Youneedtoexplainthefollowing:
1. Whenandwhereyouhiredit?
2. D e s c r i b ehow the accidenthappened?
3. Whatkind of action did you takeaftertheaccident?
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
I am a recent customer of your rentalcompanyhaving I rented a car fromyourdowntownoutlet inDetroit.Thecarhiredwas an economy model vehicle which Irented fromMarch 21st to the present. Iwould like tocommendyourcompanyon
their professionalism and the serviceoffered, and as such I am sure you willhandlemyincidentwiththesequalities.
Unfortunately, I had an unavoidableaccident involving the aforementionedvehicle and another party. The accidentwascausedbytheothercarfailingtostopat the red light of the intersection I waspassing through, and as such the secondpartycollidedinto thedriver'ssideofmyautomobile. The police were informed insitu,whereupontheyrecordedinformationregarding the accident and the otherdriver’sinsurancedetails.
The police established the other driver'sresponsibility for the accident, and thesecond party's insurance company hasbeeninformed.Iwouldliketorequestthat
areplacementvehiclebeofferedwhilemycurrent vehicle is incapacitated. Onceagain, I would like to commend yourcompany'sprofessionalattitude.Yourssincerely
(184words)
Sample14
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youcannotgotoacompanywhereyougot an offer. Write a letter to the HRsupervisortoExplain the reasonwhyyoudecline theoffer
1. Expressyougratitude
2. Explainyou like your current jobverymuch.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
Iwas a potential employee towhom youmade a job offer. I would like to extendmythanksforsuchanoffer,especiallyatsuch a company as yours. It is, however,with deepest regret that I must declineyourgenerousinvitationandapologizefor
anyinconvenienceImayhavecaused.
I appreciate immensely the intervieworganized by your company and theextensive effort made by all the staffinvolved. Their attitude was impressiveandhighlycommendable.As such Imustpass my sincerest apologies for anydifficulties related to the extra work thatmust have been involved, and the timewastedonyourbehalf.Althoughtheofferwas substantial, it wasn’t enough toencouragemetosever thebondswithmycurrent employer. Duringmy time atmypresent company my superiors supportedmeand fosteredmycareer. In short, theymademetheemployeeIamtoday.
I would like to keep the lines ofcommunication open between our two
parties, and look forward to furthercorrespondence.
Yourssincerely
(174words)
Sample15
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You had a good meal in a localrestaurant with your family. Write aletter to the newspaper to tell themaboutit,describethemealyouhad,andwhy you think the restaurant is worthvisiting.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
TotheEditor,
Iamalongstandingmemberofourlocalcommunity and I am writing arecommendation to other citizens for oneof our fine neighbourhood diningestablishments;TheLoneStarCafé.There were many impressive attributeswhich struckme uponmy entrance, suchas the décor and ambience. I particularlyenjoyedthelaidbackattitudeoftheplace.But formymind itwas the servicealongwith the size and quality of the portions
thatwasmostmemorable.Theservicewasprofessionalyetintimate,and along with the sheer quantity of thedishesserved,motivatedmetopassonmyrecommendation. I enjoyed a steak ofmammoth proportions and a giant fresh,crispsaladaccompaniedbyaselectionofappropriatelyselectedseasonalvegetables.Thepiecederesistance,however,wastherichBlackForestgateauservedasdessert–andallforareasonableprice.I hope after reading this, potentialcustomers will frequent this diner – Bonappetite.
Yourstruly
(161words)
Sample16
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Write a letter to complain about asituation in which some adolescents lettheirdogsrunwildlycausingdangerous.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam,
I am writing to draw your attention to asituation that has been developing in myneighbourhood.
Recently, I havewitnessedmanydogsonthelooseintheneighbourhood.Thedogs,whicharefiercelookingandnotmuzzled, are given license to run aroundtheneighbourhood.Theyareintimidating,especiallytochildrenandtheelderly.Iamafraidthatit’sjustamatteroftimebeforesomeonegetsseriouslyinjured.
The owners of these dogs, a bunch ofadolescents, seem to be unaware of thedangers of letting their pets off the leashand have adopted a nonchalant attitude.The teenagers have been asked bynumerous locals to keep the dogs undercontrolbutallrequestshavebeenignoredand the situation has not improved. Itherefore believe that immediate actionmust be taken and I ask that youinvestigatethematterandtakeappropriate
action as soon as possible to prevent theoccurrence of injury and serious bodilyharm.
(162words)
Sample17
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You ordered a new cheque book fromyour bank twoweeks ago but you havereceivednothing.Write a letter to the managercomplaining about the bad service. Saywhen and how you ordered the chequebook. Ask how much longer you willhave towaitandask themanagerwhatactionhewilltakeoverthismatter.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
Iamwritingtocomplainabouttheservicethat I have received at your bank. Twoweeks ago I ordered a cheque book byfilling out the appropriate form when Ivisited thebankbut since then Ihavenotreceived the cheque book and I havereceivednoothercorrespondencefromthebank. It is quite urgent for me as I havequiteafewbillsthatIneedtopaythatcan
onlybepaidbycheque.PleasewritetomeassoonaspossibleandletmeknowhowmuchlongerIwillhaveto wait for my cheque book and pleaseexplainwhy Ihavehad towait so long. Iwould also like to knowwhat action youare going to take regarding this badservice.
IhavebeenacustomerofyourbanknowforfifteenyearsandthisisthefirsttimeIhave had to complain. It is verydisappointing.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Yourssincerely,
GrahamSwann
(172words)
Sample18
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You would like to buy some electricalgoodsatashopinanearbytown.
Writealettertotheshopandaskiftheyhave the things you want or whetherthey will be able to order them. Askwhat the prices are and how long theywillbeabletoholdthegoodsforyou.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
IamwritingtoenquireifyouhavevariouselectricalgoodsthatIwanttobuy.Ihavetriedshopsinmyowntownbuttheydon‛thaveexactlywhatIwant.
I want the new Sony DVD player, aTechnics turntable and a radio with longwavecapability.Doyouhave these itemsinstockor,ifnot,willyoubeabletoorderthemsoon?Ialsoneedtoknowwhatpriceyouchargefortheseitems.Ifyoudohavethese things, would you be able to holdthemformeand forhow long? Iamfreethisweekendand,ifyouhavethem,Ican
come over on Saturday morning to payyouandpickthemup.
Please write back to me as soon aspossibleattheaboveaddressorcallmeonmy mobile number (07364 957 143). Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Yourssincerely,
PeterJervis
(159words)
Sample18
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
You have been invited to attend an
interview for a place studying a courseinacollege.Unfortunatelybecauseofaprevious appointment you cannot comeatthetimetheywish.
Write a letter to the admissions tutorandexplainyourposition.Apologiseandoffertocomeonanotherdayorlaterthesame day. Ask also how long theinterviewwillbeandwhethertherewillbeanytestsduringit.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir,
modelanswer:
DearSir,
Thankyouverymuchforyourletterdated15thMay invitingme for an interview atyour college on Wednesday 2nd June at10am. I am extremely sorry but I amunabletocometoaninterviewatthattimebecause I have a maths exam thatmorning.ItreallycannotImissthisexambut of course I really wish to attend theinterview with you. Is it possible that Icouldcometotheinterviewthesamedaybutintheafternoon?Failingthat,Iwouldbe able to come the next day or any dayafter.Iwouldalsoliketoasksomethingsaboutthe interview. I would like to know howlongitwilllastandalsowhetherIwillberequiredtodoanytestsduringit.
Onceagain Iapologise fornotbeingabletoattendtheinterviewatthetimethatyouwanted and I hope Iwill be able tomeetwithyouatanothertime.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Yourssincerely,
JamesWalker
(179words)
Sample19
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
A friend of yours is going on holidaysoonandhasaskedyoutorecommenda
destination.
Write a letter to your friend andrecommend a good place for a holidaythatyouhavevisitedbefore.Saywhereyou went, where you stayed, what youcandothereandwhatthefoodwaslike.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSarah,
modelanswer:
DearSarah,
Thanks for your letter. I‛m glad you andthefamilyarewell.So,you‛rethinkingof
going on holiday in the UK. Well I cancertainly recommend one destination foryou. I went one year to a place calledLochinver in the north west of Scotland.It‛s quite a long trip to get there as it‛sonly about thirty miles from the northcoastbutit‛sworthit.
Thereareonlyafewplacestostay.Therearetwohotels,theKirkaigandtheAssyntin thecentreof town,andacampsite justoutside town. We stayed at the KirkaigHotelbutIknowyouandyourfamilyarekeen campers so you might prefer thecampingoption.
Thereisalottodobutit‛sabitdependentontheweather.There‛sabeautifulbeach,agolf course, the fishing is excellent andtherearefantastichillsnearbyforwalking
in amazing scenery. If it‛s wet there‛s asmallcinemaintownbutthat‛saboutall.Takesomeboardgames!
ThefoodistypicalBritishinthehotelsbutsome of the Scottish specialities arefantastic. If you‛re camping though, foodwillbeuptoyou!
Anyway, I‛vegot togooutnowandpickup the kids.Write again if you need anymoreinformation.Regards,Mary
(222words)
Sample20
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthis
task.
You have just spent a weekend at afriend’s house. When you returnedhome, you discovered you have left acoat containing some belongings in hishouse.
Writealettertoyourfriendtellinghimthatyouleftthecoat.Tellhimwhatthecoatlookslike,whereyouthinkyouleftit and what was inside it. Make somesuggestionsabouthowtogetitback.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your ownaddress.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearJohn,
modelanswer:
DearJohn,
I‛m back at home now after that greatweekendatyourhouse.Thanksverymuchforputtingmeup.Ihopeyou‛llbeabletocomeandstaywithmesometimesoonaswell.
Unfortunately I leftmy new coat at yourhouse. Do you remember the dark brownonethatIworewhenwewentwalkingonSaturdayafternoon?ItisaNewLookcoatthatgoesdowntomid-thighlevel.Ithasablackcollar,darkbrownbuttonsandlargepockets on both sides. I think I left it onthehooksbehindyour frontdoor.Doyouremember we hung up our coats therewhenwegotbackfromourwalk?
It‛s quite important forme as I havemywallet in the insidebreast pocket andmydiary in therightoutsidepocket. Ihaveafriend who is driving through your townonThursdayandhewillbequitenearyouroffice. Could he please collect it fromthere?Ihavegivenhimyourofficephonenumber andhewill call youonThursdaymorning. Give me a call if this is notpossible.
Anyway,thanksagainforagreatweekendandIhopetoseeyousoon.
Regards,
Phillip
(208words)
Sample21
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youliveinaroomincollegewhichyousharewith another student.You find itvery difficult to work there because heorshealwayshas friendsvisiting.Theyhavepartiesintheroomandsometimesborrowyourthingswithoutaskingyou.
Write a letter to the AccommodationOfficeratthecollegeandaskforanewroom next term. You would prefer asingleroom.Explainyourreasons.
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
You doNOT need to write your own
address.Beginyourletterasfollows:
DearSir/Madam,
modelanswer1:
DearSir/Madam,
Iamwritingtoexpressmydissatisfactionwith my room-mate. As your know weshare one room, I can not study in theroomatallanymoreifIstillstaythere.
She always has friend visiting and hasparties in the room. They make lots ofnoiseandswitchontheradioveryloudly,formethisenvironmentisverydifficulttostudy and I need a quiet room. Evenborrows my things without asking, it isveryimpolite.
Irequestyoucangivemeanewroomnextterm because I have been asked her haspartiesinotherplacemanytimestheystillhaveparties in the room. I really cannotstayinthesameroomwithher.Iwouldbegratefulifyoucouldchangemeasingleroom.
EXAMINERCOMMENT:(Band5)
The answer is below the word limit andthereissomerepetitionofthetaskrubric.(Length is a commonproblem inGeneralTraining scripts). Answers that are shortlose marks because there is insufficientmaterialintheanswerfortheexaminertogive credit for accuracy and coherence.
Despite these problems, the introductiontotheletterisappropriateandthepurposeof the writer is clear. The points are notalways linked together well andpunctuation is sometimes faulty. Thesentences are kept quite simple andmistakes occur as soon asmore complexstructuresareattempted.
modelanswer2:
DearSir/Madam,
I am writing you to express mydissatisfaction with my roommate andrequest for another accommodation nextterm.
MymainproblemisthatIcannotstudyinmy room because my roommate always
has friends visiting. He also has partieswhich usually end early in the morning,several times a week. Furthermore, heoften borrows my things without askingme.
I cannot accept this situation any longer.Especially because I have very importantexams next term and I reallymust studyhard.ThisiswhyIwouldbeverygratefulifIcouldhaveanotherroomnextterm.Itwould be most convenient for me nothaving to share my room with someoneelse.
Iamlookingforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Yourfaithfully,
IvanSidorov
EXAMINERCOMMENT:(Band7)
The answer is also short.Although ideasare often provided in the task rubric,candidates are at liberty to include someoftheirownideasintheiranswers.Inthiscase, the candidate has attempted toincorporate some original material. Theanswer reads quite fluently, is wellorganised and there is good use ofconjunctions to link points. There aresomegrammaticalerrorsbut thesedonotaffect the reader greatly and there isevidenceof somemorecomplexsentencestructures
Sample22
You have just spent a weekend stayingattheLiloHotelinAdelaide.Whenyouget home you find that you have left abagatthehotel.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearMr.Simpson,
Istayedinyourhotelonthe23rdand24thof October. I was in Room 603.When Iarrivedhome, I discovered that I had left
one of my bags at the hotel. Could youplease check your Lost and FoundDepartmentandseeifmybagisthere?
Thebagisasmallblackleather,documentcase with a narrow strap. Inside the bag,you will find several business cards, afountain pen, a small address book, threecopiesofabusinessproposalandasilverpocket calculator. These things are notvery valuable in money terms, but theyhavealotofpersonalvalue.
Iwouldappreciate it ifyoucouldcontactmeassoonaspossible,particularlysinceIneed the proposals for a presentation thisweek.Ifyoucouldsendthebagtomebycourierservice,Iwouldbemostgrateful.Ihavearrangedtopayfortheservice.
Thankyouforyourhelp.
Yourssincerely,
MichaelJohnson
Sample23
Youarewritingyourfirstlettertoapenpal.Describeyourprevious studiesandworkexperience,yourcurrentactivities,hobbiesandinterests.Tell your pen pal that you will bevisitinghim/her.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearMonica,
Hi! My name is Jane Zhang, and IobtainedyournameandaddressfromPenPals International. Iamveryglad tohavethis chance to write to you and becomepenpals.
Let me first introduce myself. I’mcurrently working as a computerprogrammer in a large multi-nationalcompany. I graduated from TsinghuaUniversity with a Bachelor’s degree incomputer science in July 1996. While Ienjoy my current job, I’m interested inpursuing a Master’s degree, and hope tobegin graduate studies next September.Myhobbiesincludelisteningtopopmusic
(especially U2), playing the piano anderhu (aChinese instrument), andplayingtennis. I’m also very interested intravelling,andhavevisitedeveryprovinceinChineseatleastonce.
Thissummer,IwillbetravellingwithmymothertoCalifornia.Shewillbeattendinga history conference at the University ofCalifornia-Berkeley, and I have justreceived permission to go with her. Wewill stay in California for a total of 2weeks–fromAugust2ndto16th,1999.Ifyou are free, I would be very happy tomeet you in person. Perhaps we couldspendadayortwotogether.
Well, let me finish here. I am alreadyeagerly awaiting your reply to this firstletter.Pleasetellmeallaboutyourselfand
your interests. Ihopethatwecanbecomegoodfriends.Yourstruly,
Michael
Sample24
Oneofyourfriendswantstoapplyforajob involving working with foreignteenagers.Write a letter of recommendation forhim/her.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearSirorMadam,
I have learned from your newspaperadvertisement that your center isorganizing an international summer campfor overseas teenagers, and you arelooking for a bilingual assistant tutor towork with the children. I am writing toyoutorecommendoneofmybestfriends,HelenWang,forthispost.Helenused tobemyclassmateatBeijingNormalUniversity,whereshewasalreadya very active organizer and participant inextracurricular activities. With heroutstanding leadership skills and cheerfulpersonality,shewaselectedchairpersonoftheStudentUnionseveraltimes.Busy as she was, she passed the College
EnglishTestBandSixandcompletedhermajor – teenage psychology – with anexcellent school record. Upon graduationshe was assigned to be a teacher in aninternationalhighschoolinBeijing,whereshehasbeenteachingbilinguallessonsforfiveyears.What’smore,shelovesherjobandenjoysworkingwithchildren.Thishaswon her great popularity among herstudents.
Therefore,Idonothesitatetorecommendherasan idealcandidate for thepostyouadvertised.Iamsureyouwillmakeawisedecisioninhiringher.
Sincerelyyours,
VictorLi
Sample25
Youwanttoapplyforthefollowingjob.Write a letter toMr.Mooredescribingyourpreviousexperienceandexplainingwhyyouwouldbesuitableforthejob.
Waiter/waitress required for eveningwork.Someexperiencenecessary.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearMr.Moore,
Re:Waitressposition
Iamwritingtoexpressmyinterestinyourrecentlyadvertisedpositionforawaitress.Enclosed with this letter is my resume,which further details of my previousexperienceandqualifications.Not only do my qualifications and workexperience make me a perfect candidatefor the job,my personality iswell suitedto working as a waitress. I am a veryfriendlypersonwhocanquicklyestablishrapportwithpeopleofallages.Inmylastwaitress job, I had over a dozen repeatcustomers each day. And, the fast-pacedenvironmentofwaitingontablessuitsmewell, because I thrive on working underpressure. In fact, my former boss wassurprised at both my incredible staminaandefficiency indealingwith customers’
orders.
I would like to meet with you at yourearliest convenience, to discuss thepossibilityofworkingatyourrestaurant.Ican be reached at 463-9234 during thedaysand924-6868after6pm.
Thank you for your consideration of myapplication.Ilookforwardtomeetingyouinthenearfuture.Yourssincerely,
MarthaScott
Sample26
Youhaveafriendwhoisabouttoenteruniversity, and he wants you to advisehim onwhich subject to specialize in –
history, in which he is very interested,orcomputerscience,whichoffersbetterjobprospects.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearJohn,
You have asked me for my adviceconcerning whether you should studyhistoryor computer science at university,and I will try to make some usefulsuggestions.
You must keep in mind that, above all,
your university training is a preparationfor your future career. Therefore, yourfirst consideration should be to study asubjectwhichwillbestequipyoutoearnaliving.There isnodoubt that the fieldofcomputers offers far wider jobopportunitiesthanhistory.Besides,wearenowintheageofthehigh-technologyrevolution.Fortheforeseeablefuture, not only will it be necessary foreveryone to be computer-literate, it willalsobenecessaryforthemtobeequippedwith computer skills merely to earn aliving! History, I’m afraid, howeverfascinating it may be, offers few careerprospects.
Of course, you don’t have to devote allyour time at university to studyingcomputers and nothing else. On the
contrary, I would recommend that youkeepyourreadingofhistoryinyoursparetime. That way, you will find that yourleisure hours are enriched while youprepareyourselfforaworthwhilecareerincomputers.
Yourssincerely,
James
Sample27
Afterbeinginvolvedinanaccident,youwere looked after by another person.Write a special letter to express yourthanks.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearJohn,
I am writing to express my heartfeltgratitude. I am referring to thatunfortunateaccidenttheotherday,whenIwas knocked off my bike by a taxi. If ithadnotbeenforyourtimelyassistanceingiving me first aid and taking me to anearby hospital, I fear that theconsequencesmighthavebeenmuchmoreserious.The doctor says that my broken leg ishealing well, and the bruises and cuts Isufferedwillsoonbecompletelybetter.Inaddition, the taxi company has agreed to
pay my hospital bills. Everyone agreesthat it was your quick-witted response inthat emergency that has lead to thissatisfactoryoutcome.Although nowadays many people talkabouttheneedtobeunselfishandtohelpothers,we seevery fewpeoplepracticingwhattheypreach.Butyoushowedbyyourselflessactionthatyouareanexception.Ifthere were more people like you, thisworldwouldbeamuchnicerplace.Yourssincerely,
Ted
Sample28
One of your pen pals will shortly bevisitingyourcity.Forsomereasons,youcan not manage to meet him at the
airportontime.
Writealetteraskinghimtowaitforyouat the airport and tell him how toidentifyyou.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearMary,
I am verymuch looking forward to yourvisit tomycity.Just think:afterall theseyears to writing to each other, we willfinallyhavethechancetomeet!However,I regret to inform you that I will not be
able tomeetyouat theairportassoonasyouarrive.
The reason is that your flight will arriveearlyinthemorning,andthequickesttimeI can get to the airport will be about anhourafteryouland.Pleasewaitformeinthe arrival lounge.You should be able tohavebreakfasttherewhileyouwait.
By theway,aswehavenevermet Imusttell you how to recognize me: I am ofmedium height and have a smallmustache.Inaddition,Iwillbecarryingacopy of the morning newspaper tuckedundermyleftarm.
Lookingforwardtoourfirstmeeting.
Yourssincerely,
Harry
Sample29
Your find that your study load is tooheavy. Write a letter to your collegeteacher explaining why you need towithdraw from twocourses.Ask if it ispossibletoobtainarefund.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearProf.James,
I am writing to formally request towithdraw from two courses: Introductionto Elementary Education (EDU602) andTeachingMethods(EDU619)
The main reason for reducing my courseload is that I am finding it extremelydifficult to manage six courses. In thebeginning of the term, I was perhapsoverly optimistic about juggling bothmyfulltimestudiesandmyparttimejob(20hours/week). Because I really must workpart time, I have no other choice but todecreasemycourseload.Iamplanningontakingthetwocoursesduringthesummersemester, if they are available, so that Iwillbeabletocompleteallthecoursesforthedegreeprogrambythefollowingyear.
I would also like to request a tuition
refund, and hope I am not too late toreceivethefullreimbursement.Iamsorryfor any inconveniences I have caused bythischangeinplans.Thisdecisionwasnottakenlightly,andIdoappreciatethekindconsiderationyouhaveshowntome.Thank you for your attention to theserequests.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetocontactmeat277-9144.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Sincerelyyours,
JaneCarter
Sample30
As part of a student social surveyproject, you are organizing a group tovisit a historical exhibition in a small
town. Write a letter asking forinformation regarding such things asthe contents of the exhibition, and thedates of its opening and closing, and ifthereareanydiscountsavailable.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
Iamorganizingagroupofstudentstopayavisit to thehistorical exhibition inyourtown. This visit will be part of ourschool’s activities to encourage the
students to take part in social surveys.Therefore,Iwouldbegratefulifyoucouldsupplymewiththefollowinginformation.
First of all, what are the dates betweenwhich the exhibition will be held, andwhat the daily opening hours? Secondly,what is thesizeof theexhibition,what isitsthemeandwhatobjectsareondisplay?Thirdly, are there any other activitiesbeing held in connection with theexhibition?
Imustpointout that Ihope tobringoverstudentstotheexhibition.SoIwouldliketoinquireifthereisanydiscountavailableonentranceticketsforstudents.Ifso,howmuch is the discount and what is theminimumnumberofstudentsnecessarytoqualityforit?
Ilookforwardtoyourreply.
Yourssincerely,
GeorgeMoore
Sample31
You live in a room in a college whereyou share with another student. Youfind it very difficult to work therebecause your roommate always hasfriends visiting. He/She has parties inthe room and sometimes borrows yourthingswithoutaskingyou.
Write a letter to the AccommodationOfficeratthecollegeandaskforanewroom next term. You would prefer asingleroom.
Explainyourreasons.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
DearSirorMadam,
Iamwriting to informyou that Iwish tomoveintoanewroomnextterm.Iwouldpreferasingleroom,asIfindthepresentsharingarrangementinconvenient.
I must explain that the reason for mydissatisfaction is my roommate’sinconsideratebehavior.Forone thing,hisfriends are constantly visiting him, for
another, he regularly holds noisy parties.In addition, he sometimes borrows mythings without asking me. In thesecircumstances, I find it difficult toconcentrate on my studies, and I amfallingbehindinmyassignments.
I am sure you will agree that the onlysolutionisformetomoveintoaroomofmy own, where I will be free from suchdistractions.Therefore,Iwouldbegratefulif you could find a single room for me,preferablynotinthesamebuildingbutasneartothecollegecampusaspossible.
Yourssincerely,
JaniceKennedy
Sample32
You went to the local hospital’sEmergency Department with youryoung child who had severe stomachpains.You had towait for almost fourhoursbeforeyourdaughterwastreatedbyadoctorand,whileyouwerewaiting,you were constantly ignored by theotherstaff.Write a letter to the Registrar,complaining about the service youreceived.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 20 minutes for thistask.
Youdonotneedtowriteyourownaddress.
Beginyour letter as follows: DearSirorMadam...,
modelanswer:
DearSirorMadam
I am writing to complain about thetreatment my daughter and I receivedwhen we visited the casualty departmentinyourhospitallastweekend.
During the afternoon, my daughterdeveloped severe pains in the stomach.BecauseitwasSunday,mynormaldoctorwasnot inhis surgery, sowewent to thehospital casualty department. When wereached the Enquiry counter, it wasobvious that my daughter was unwell asshe was screaming with pain. However,
the Receptionist just told us to sit downandwait.
Over the next four hours, I constantlyaskedhowlongitwouldtakeforadoctorto see my daughter, but the Receptionistwas quite rude and didn’t seem to careverymuch.Eventually,wedidseeadoctorandmy little girl had to undergo tests toseeifshehadappendicitis.However,Iwasreallyangrybecausethedoctorsaidhehadnot seen anyone for over an hour, so theReceptionist wasn’t doing her jobproperly.I would be grateful if you couldinvestigate this terrible service to makesureitdoesn’thappenagain.Yoursfaithfully
Comment:
ThisletterwaswrittenbyanativeEnglishspeaker, and it is occasionally good forstudents to seewhat a native speaker canachieveinthegivenwritingtime.
Sample33
Youhavebeenofferedajob,askingyouto start next week. You want the jobvery much but, because of a previouscommitment,youwanttodelaythestartforanothertwoweeks.WritetotheManager,acceptingthejob,butexplainingyoursituationandaskingforthechangetoyourstartdate.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 20 minutes for this
task.
Youdonotneedtowriteyourownaddress.
Beginyour letter as follows: DearSirorMadam...,
modelanswer
DearSirorMadam
Iamwritingtorequestputtingoffthejobwhichyouhaveoffered. I reallywant thejob but I have a important previouscommitment. So, I cannot start to worknextweek.
I was offered the job yesterday, whichwantedme to start nextweek.Thankyousomuchforofferingthejob.Ireallywant
to work at your company. However, Icannot start next week because I have apreviouscommitmentwhichismysister'swedding. It isnextweekend,besides.ShelivesinKoreaandshewantmetoprepareherweddingwithmyparents.SoIhavetogo to Korea next Monday. After thewedding Iwill travela fewdayswithmyparentswhowantedmetotravelbecauseIhavelivedfor4yearsfarfromhome.ThatiswhyIcannotstarttheworknextweek.IwillcomebacktoSydneytwoweekslater.Iwould like todelay thestart foranothertwoweeks.Couldyoudelaythestartdateforme?Once again, thank you very much forofferingit.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouassoonaspossible.Yoursfaithfully
Comment:
This letter shows fluency, and includessome variety in vocabulary andexpressions. However, there is also somerepetition and some errors in grammar,suchasthefollowing:
1. Choiceofthetypeofarticlewhenthefollowing word begins with a vowelsound(line1)
2. Verbtense(line2)
3. Incorrectlinkage (replace relativeclause)(line3)
4. Incorrectuseofvocabulary(line5)
5. Missingpreposition(line7)
6. Wordorder(line7)
7. Incorrectvocabulary(line8)
8. Incorrecttimeexpressions(line8)
9. Agreement:linking of ‘it’ to relatedsingularnoun(line1)
Sample34
A friend you met last year has invitedyoutovisitthemintheircountry.You have never been there before andneedsomeinformationbeforeyouleave.Write a letter to your friend. In yourletter
requestadvice about a gift forhis/herfamily
askaboutactivitiesandclothing
findoutaboutthefood
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearRobert,
Hi there, I hope you're enjoying yourcollegeyear.ThanksverymuchforaskingmetocomeandvisityouinSingapore.Asyou know, I haven't travelled to Asia
before,soIthoughI'dwriteandaskyouafewquestions.
I want to bring a present with me and Iwondered what would be appropriate.Perhapsyoucouldletmeknowwhatyourmum'shobbiesareandthenIcouldcomeupwithanideabasedononeofthem.
Also,whatsortofclothesshouldIbring?Iknow it's prettywarmwhereyou livebutdoIneed jumpersoracoat?whatsortofactivities are we likely to do while I'mthere and should I bring things likeswimminggearortrainers.
Lastly,IhatetobenuisancebutIhopeyourememberthatI'mvegetarian.Idoeatfishand eggs but I don't eat red meat andchicken at all. Is that going to be a
problem?
Lookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Barnaby
Sample35
You have received a letter from yourbank,askingyoutoacknowledgereceiptof a newbank card.However, the cardwasmissingfromtheenvelope.
Writealettertothebank'sheadoffice.Inyourletter
explainwhyyouarewriting
expressconcern about the missingcard
askthemwhattheyintendtodo
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
IamwritingtoinformyouthatIreceiveda letter from my bank today, which wassupposed to contain my new bank card.Unfortunately there was no bank cardenclosedintheenvelopewhenIopenedit.
I telephoned the bank to explain theproblem,butIcouldnotgetthroughtotherightdepartment,eventhoughIwaitedonthe line for over half an hour,whichwasextremelyannoying.
Intheletter,youaskedmetoacknowledgethe receipt of the card, but obviousely Icannotdo thisas Ihavenot received it. Iam now very worried because it is apossibility that my card has gone toanother customer or got lost. What willhappen if somebody has already used thecard and and spent my money?Will thebankrepayme?
Is it possible for the bank to cancel thiscardsonobodyelsecanuseit?Couldyoualsosendmeanewcardbysecuremeans?
Ihopetohearfromyousoon.
Sample36
You borrowed an important textbookfromaclassmatelastterm.You now realise your classmate hasreturned home overseas and you stillhavethebook.Writealettertohim/her.Inyourletter
apologisefrothemistake
findouthowimportantthebook istohim/her
saywhatyouwilldo
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearYuki,
I hope you had a safe journey back toJapan,andthatyourfamilyareallwell.
I amwriting to say that I'm sorry fornotgiving you back the book 'EnglishGrammar inUse'which I borrowed fromyoulastterm.Youlentittomejustbeforethe exams to help me prepare for them,andyesterdayIfounditundermybed.
Please let me know straight away if youneedthisbookforyourstudiesrightnow,orwhetheryoucanmanagewithoutit.
Ifyoureallyneedit, Icanpost it foryouby airmail immediately. If not, do youmind if I send it by ordinary mail as itquiteheavy?Or, ifyouprefer, Icansendseme money insead. Please let me knowwhatyouwantmetodo.
Ihopeyouenjoytheholiday.
Sample37
You have seen an advertisement forpart-time work in a hotel forthreemonthsoverthesummer.WritealettertotheManager.
Inyourletter
saywhatexperienceyouhave
askwhattheworkinvolves
enquireaboutconditions
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
Iamwritingtoenquireaboutthepart-timeposition as a waiter advertised in 'TheEveningEcho'on24thJune.
I am looking for work in the months ofJuly and August because my universityvacation is then. I have quite a lot ofexperience in thehotelbusiness, as Iwasworkinginaguesthouselastyear.Thejobinvolved dealing with geusts, and I verymuch enjoyed it. I can supply referencesof my previous employer if you requirethem.
Could you please let me know what thisposition involves? At the guesthouse, Iworked as a porter and also I did somework as a waiter in the restaurant, so Iwouldbeinterestedineitherofthesejobs.Couldyougivemeanideaoftheworking
hours? I am available at theweekends aswell as during the week, and I can workany hours. However, I would preferdaytime to shifts, if possible. Could youalso tell me about accommodation foremployeesandhowmuchyoupay.
Iwouldappreciatehearingfromyou.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample38
Youhave recently been to staywith anold friend for a few days. You hadn'tseeneachotherforalongtime.
sayhowyoufeltaboutthevisit
referto something enjoyable that
youdidwhilestayingwithhim/her
inviteyourfriendtovisityou
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearXX,
I'm writing to thank you for a reallyenjoyable visit. It was good to see youaftersolong,andtobeabletospendsometime with you, talking about old
schoolfriendsandteachers.
Now that I'mbackhome, I keep thinkingabout how good it was to be somewherequiet and peaceful. I particularly enjoyedour trip to the wildlife sanctuary andappreciatedtheopportunitytoseesomanyrarebirdsandanimals.It'smademethinkthat I should try and do more to protectthem,soI'mhavingalookontheinternettoseewhatsortoforganisationthereare.
Perhaps next time we get together youcouldcomeandvisitme.Thereareplentyofplaceswecangoandmybrotherwouldreally like toseeyou.Letmeknowwhenyoumightbefreetocomehereandwecanfixsomethingup.
Lookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Sample39
For the past year you have been amemberofalocalclub.Nowyouwanttodiscontinueyourmembership.Writealettertotheclubsecretary.
Inyourletter
statewhattypeofmembershipyouhaveandhowyouhavepaidforthis
g i v edetails of how you havebenefitedfromtheclub
explainwhyyouwanttoleave
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for this
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
In September 2003, I joined your Sportsand Social club as a full-time studentmember. Since then I have paid themonthlymembership fees by direct debitfrom my bank: Nationwide in SandersonAvenue,Kinghill.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my clubmembership as it has provided me withusefulopportunitiestomeetupwithotheryoung people and to participate in a
number of social activities. I have alsobeen fortunate enough toplay in someoftheinter-clubtennistournamentsandhavetaken advantage of the various classesavailablesuchasYogaandT'aichi.
However, my studies are now coming toanendandasIwillshortlybereturningtomy home country, possibly for good, IregretthatInolongerwishtocontinuemymembership.Iwouldbegrateful,therefore,ifyoucouldconfirm in writing that the monthly feewillno longerbedeductedfrommybankaccount.
Sample40
Yourecentlystayedinahotelinalargecity.Theweatherwas very unusual for
thetimeofyearandtheheating/coolingsystem in the hotel was quiteinadequate.Write a letter to the manager of thehotel.
Inyourletter
givedetailsofwhatwaswrong
explainwhat you had to do toovercometheproblematthetime
saywhat actionyouwould like themanagertotake
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
youdoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
I have just returned home after spendingthree nights at your hotel in Paddington.The staff were very friendly and thelocation was extremely convenient.However, I feel I must express mydisappointmentabouttheroom.
Asweallknow,Londonisexperiencingavery warm summer this year, withtemperatures around 30 °C last week,whichisquiteunusual.Asaresult,itwasveryhotinmyroomonthesixthfloor.
Becauseoftheextremeheatintheroom,Ihad to leave the windows open all nightandsoitwasverynoisy,asthehotelisonamainroadand the trafficneverstops inLondon. Consequently, I got very littlesleepoverthethreenights.
Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatoinstallanairconditioning system in the hotel. Thiscouldalsobeusedasaheatingsystem inthe winter and would certainly make therooms more comfortable. Perhaps youwould consider givingme a discount if Icometoyourhotelagain.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample41
Youhaverecentlyheardthatafriendofyourshashadsomeproblemsasaresultofsomeunusualweather.Writealettertoyourfriend.
Inyourletter
expressconcern (i.e. say you aresorrytohearwhathashappened)
tellthemaboutasimilarexperiencethatyouoncehad
givesomeadviceorofferhelp
Youshouldwriteatleast80words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
modelanswer:
DearAnnaandLeo,
WewereshockedtohearfromLaraaboutthe storm that hit your city recently andthe damage done to your house. Howawfultocomehomefromyourholidaytofindtheroofblownoffthehouse!
Iunderstandhowyoumustfeel,aswehadasimilarexperienceafewyearsagowhentherewasasuddenelectricalstormhereinSydney. I came home from work to findthat a tree had fallen on top of the houseand all the windows were broken.Fortunatelytheinsurancecoveredthecostof the repairs, but it was still veryupsetting.
I suppose you have to think positively insituations like this and look at the
opportunity you have to improve yourhouse - give it a new look. If we can doanything for you in the holidays,we'd behappytohelp.
Dropusalineandletusknow.
Bestwishes
Sample42
You recently visited a place that had astrongimpactonyou.Write a letter to a friend about theplace.Inyourletter
explainwhere the place was andhowyougotthere
describewhatyousaw
offertotakeyourfriendthere
modelanswer:
DearSam,
I have just returned frommy holidays inFrance and while we were there weclimbed a mountain called 'Parleman' inthe French Alps. We were able to drivehalfwayupthemountainbutthentheroadstopped.Soweparked,putonourwalkingbootsandbeganthelonguphillstruggle.Despiteoftheroadatthebegining,itstilltookusawhiletocompletetheclimbbutitwaswellworththeeffort.Whenwegotto the top of themountain, the viewwasincredible. I could see right across thetownand the lake toone side, andon theothersidewerethesnow-coveredpeaksof
MontBlanc.Itwassimplybreathtaking.
Asyouknow,weoftengotoFranceonourholidaysandnext timeweplana trip, I'dreally like to takeyouthere. I'msureyouwould love the scenery and as you enjoyexercise, you would be able to takeadvantageofallthemountainwalks.
Ihopetohearfromyousoon.
Sample43
You recently took a part-time jobworking for a local company. After afewweeks,yourealisedthereweresomeproblemswiththejob.
Write a letter to the manager of thecompany.Inyourletter
explainwhyyoutookthejob
describethe problems that youexperienced
suggestwhat could be done aboutthem
modelanswer:
DearSir,
I have been a part-time fitness instructorin your gym for four months. I waspleased to be offered the job, not onlybecause Ineed toearn someextramoneyto cover my living expenses but alsobecauseIneedsomeexperienseinfitnesstraining.
Ithasbeenobvioustomethatpeopleoften
need help in using the gymequipment.However, it seems that theother trainers havenot been encourage tooffer assistance to clubmembers. I offerasmuchasIcan,butthismeansthatIamconstantly in demand and therefore,working harder than anyone else in thegym.Thissituationseemsratherunfair.
While I realise that members receiveinitialgyminstruction,Ifeelthattheyalsoneed ongoing help with the equipment.Could I suggest that a letter is sent totrainerspromotingthis?Afterall,personalattention of this kind makes people feelvalued and may result in increasedmembership.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample44
A friend has asked you to babysit onSaturdayandwants toknowhowmuchyou charge per hour for this.Unfortunately, you already have acommitment this weekend and cannothelp. However, you free the followingweekend.
Write a letter to your friend exlainingthat you are not able to help this time,but could help later. Explain alsowhatyourfeefortheserviceis.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdonotneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearXX(nameofcolleague)
Thank you for asking me to babysit foryou. As you know I enjoy looking afterAnthonyandwouldbehappy tohelpyouout. However, this weekend I have acommitmentwhichIcannotbreak.
My parents are coming to visit and I amgoingto take themdownto thecoastasIhave always promised to do. They aregetting older so I like to spend as muchtimewiththemaspossible.Also,itismyfather's birthday and I want to celebratewiththem.IamreallysorrythatIamnot
able to help this time, but I am free nextweekendandIwouldbegladtobabysitforyou then, if you should choose to go outfortheevening.
Mychargeisfifteendollarsperhouruntilmidnightandtwentydollarsperhourafterthat. You would need to give me anyspecialinstructionsyoumighthaveand,ofcourse, leave a phone number in case ofemergency.
Yourssincerely
Sample45
Youhavejustrentedanunfurnishedflatand a friend has told you that theOpportunityShopintheshopingcentrehascheapsecond-handfurniture.
Writetotheshopownerdescribingwhatyouneedandaskingwhether theyhavetheseitemsandwhattheycost.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdonotneedtowriteyourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam
Ihavejustarrivedfromoverseasandneedtohavesomefurnitureformyunfurnishedflat.A friend has told me that you havesomecheapsecond-handfurnitureforsale.
Perhaps you can helpme. I would like akitchen table, some chairs, a double bed,as well as a single bed for a visitor, acupboard forourclothes,andabookcase.Ifyousellhomeappliances,Iwouldlikeamicrowave oven, a fridge, TV set and aCDplayertoo.Thesemustallbecleanandthe electrical items must be in goodworking condition with a guarantee of atleastthreemonths.
Iwould be grateful if you could givemesomepricesfortheseitems.Ifyoudonotsupply electrical goods, can yourecommend another shop which does?Also, could you let me know what youwould charge to deliver goods to HighStreet.
Thankyouforyourhelp.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample46
You are an international student andhave borrowed a book from the localpubliclibrary.Youleftthebookonabusandwhenyoucontacted the bus company, they couldnotfindit.Writealettertothelibrarianexplainingthe situation and asking what youshoulddo.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutes
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
LastweekIborrowedanEnglishgrammarbook, "EnglishGrammarExercises" fromyour library to help me improve myknowledge of English. It was extremelyuseful, sowhen Iwent to visit a friend Itook the book with me to show her howgooditwas.
Unfortunately, when I was on the busgoing home, I fell asleep andmissedmybus stop. I woke up at the next stop andrushedforwardtothedrivertoaskhimtostop but forgot to bring the book. As aresult,thebookwasleftonthebus.WhenIrangthebuscompanythenextday,they
could not find it and suggested thatsomebodymusthavepickeditup.
CouldyoupleaseletmeknowwhatIhaveto do now? As I am an internationalstudent I do not have very muchmoney,butofcourseIwillpayforanewcopyofthebookifthisisnecessary.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample47
Youcelebratedyourbirthdaywithsomefriendslastweekinarestaurant.Itwasagreatsuccessandyouandyourfriendsenjoyedtheeveningverymuch.
Writealettertotherestauranttothankthem.Mentionthefood,serviceandthe
atmosphere. Also suggest anyimprovementstomakethingsbetter.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
LastweekonSaturdaynightsomefriendsand I had dinner in your restaurant tocelebrate my birthday. I am writing tothank you for the great evening that wehad.
Allmyfriendsremarkedafterwardsonthestandard of the food and service that wereceived.All the foodwas very tasty andwell presented. Our waiter, whose namewas James,was fast and friendly and putwith well with our bad jokes! Therestaurant itself was warm and friendlyand the atmosphere showed that all thedinerstherewereenjoyingtheirevening.
I would like though to suggest oneimprovement. One of my friends is avegetarian and he felt that the choice forvegetarianswas little small. If you coulddevelopthat,itwouldbeagreatadvantagetoyourrestaurant.
Once again Iwould like to thank you formyhighlyenjoyablebirthdaydinner.Yoursfaithfully,
RebeccaAhlinder
Sample48
YouaregoingtostudyinacollegeintheUKnextyear.YouwouldliketostayinacollegeHallofResidence.Writealettertothecollegegivingyouraccommodation requirements. Youshouldoutlinewhatyourroomandfoodneedsareandalsoaskwhatalternativesare available if they cannot providewhatyouwant.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write your
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
RespectedSir,
Ihave just recentlybeenawardedaplaceatyouresteemedcollegeand Inowwritewith respect to my accommodationrequirementsformyfirstinitialyear.
AsIwillnotknowanyoneattheCollege,IwouldliketospendmyfirstyearinaHallofResidenceso that Icanmeetpeople inthisplace. Iwouldprefer theHall tobeasingle sex female only hall andwith fullboardso that Iwon'thave toworryaboutcooking for myself. In addition I alsorequire a vegetarian choice as I amvegetarian. If there are no halls offering
the above then I would be satisfied in ahall with kitchens so I can cook. InadditionIwouldnotliketosharemyroomandIwouldpreferensuitefacilitiesifyouhavehallsofferingthis.
Thanking you for your assistance inadvance, I look forward to hearing fromyousoon.
Yourssincerely,
AnnadaSilva
Sample49
Last week you were on a flight toLondon. Unfortunately, when you leftthe plane, you left a bag. You did notrememberaboutthebaguntilyougotto
yourhotel.Write a letter to the airline. Explainwhat has happened, describe the baganditscontentsandsaywhatyouwouldlikethemtodoaboutit.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
IamwritinginconnectionwithabagthatIleftononeofyourplanes.Lastweekon
Tuesday 4th May I came to London onflight ABC from New York. My seatnumberwasR5.Theplanearrived late atnight and Iwas tired.As a resultwhen Igothome,IrememberedthatIhadleftmybagontheplaneundertheseatinfrontofme.
Mybagissmallandmadeofblackleatherwithazipopeningthe top.Inside thebagthere isapen,apaperbackIwasreading,somecarkeysandmydiary.
Therefore would your lost propertydepartment please check and see if theyhave my bag and contact me as soon aspossibletoletmeknowwhethertheyhavefounditornot?
You can contact me on my mobile
telephone number which is: 01753 853736.Thankingyou in advance for your help, Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.
Yourssincerely,
JohnSmith
Sample50
You have just returned home afterliving with a family in an English-speakingcountryforsixmonths.
Younowrealisethatyouleftasmallbagofpersonalpossessionsinyourroom.Write to the family describing thethingsyouleftbehind.Askthemtosendsome ar all of them to you. Offer to
coverthecosts.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearMr.andMrs.Hooper,
I hope you are all well. The flight homeseemedverylongbutmyfamilyallcameto meet me at the airpoint, which wasfantastic. Thank you so much for havingme-Ienjoymytimewithyouverymuch.
Ihaveafavourtoask.WhenIgothome,Irealised that I had left a small blackhandbag inmy bedroom.Youmay recallthatIboughtmyselfanewbagwhileIwasinSydneyandI'mprettysureIputtheoldoneunderthebed.
Idon'treallyneedthebagbutsomeofthethingsinsideareofsentimentalvalueandIwouldbeverygratefulifyoucouldsendthemtome.Thereisaredaddressbook,asmallleatherwalletwithsomephotosandasilvernecklace.Noneoftheotherthingsare important sopleasedon'tworryaboutthem.Couldyouplease letmeknowhowmuch the postage is and I will send youthemoneytocoverthecost.
Looking forward to hearing from yousoon.Thankyouonceagainforyourhelp.
Lovetoallthefamily.
Maria
Sample51
Youareunhappyaboutaplan tomakeyour local airport bigger and increasethenumberofflights.Youliveneartheairport.
Write a letter to your local newspaper.Inyourletter:
•explainwhereyoulive
•describetheproblem
•givereasonswhyyoudonotwantthisdevelopment.
Yo ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam,
I amwritingwith regard to the article inyournewspaperdated7thSeptember.Myhouse is situatedwithin 20minutes walkoftheairport.Pleaseallowmetopointoutthe problems which have caused seriousdamageontheresidentialarea.Iamfullysurethattheproblemsmustbeaggravated
if the plan is carried out to expand theairportandIncreasethenumberofflights.
First of all, the low-flying aeroplanes areutterly distractive. Theymake such a bignoise that I cannot concentrate onhousework at all. What is worse, I amwoken up by the late hour flights atmidnight;IwasdiagnosedasInsomniatheotherday.Ishouldcallthissituationnoisepollution.
Secondly,Iamafraidthattheexpansionoftheairportmayreducetheplotoflandforthe playground which is underconstruction near the airport at themoment. To sum up, I strongly disagreewith the plan. I would appreciate if youcould possiblywrite the article about theproblems and disagreement as I said
above.
Yoursfaithfully
Sample52
Youareduetostartanewjobnextweekbutyouwillnotbeable tobecauseyouhavesomeproblems.Writealettertoyournewemployer.Inyourletter:
•explainyoursituation
•describeyourproblems
• tell him/her when you think you canstart.
Y o ushould write at least 150
words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearMsBarnes,
I am writing concerning the position ofAssistantOfficeManagerthatIamduetobegin nextMonday. However, a problemhasarisen.
As you know, I currently work for myuncle’s food-packing business, and youwill remember from my interview that Ihavegainedvaluableexperiencethere.
Unfortunately, he has had to go intohospitalforanoperation,leavingmyauntin charge of both the home and thebusiness. She has asked me, as this is aparticularlybusytimeofyear,tostayonandhelpherwiththerunningoftheoffice.
I realise thiswill be inconvenient toyou,but very much hope that, given thecircumstances, you would be prepared toallowmetotakeupmypositionwithyoutwoweekslaterthanplanned.
I would like to emphasise that I remainverykeentoworkwithyou,andthatIwillbe gaining further useful experienceduringthistime.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Yourssincerely,
JohnForbes
Sample53
You travelled by plane last week andyoursuitcasewaslost.
You have still heard nothing from theairlinecompany.
Write to the airline and explain whathappened. Describe your suitcase andtell themwhatwas in it.Findoutwhattheyaregoingtodoaboutit.
Y o ushould write at least 150
words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSirs,
Iwasoneof thepassengerswho took theflight from Narita (Tokyo) to Heathrow(London)on5August.Unfortunately,mysuitcasedidnotcomeoutafter the flight.Although I have explained this Mr.McDonald who was in charge at theLuggage Claim Office I have not heardfromhimasofnow.
MysuitcaseisgreySamsonitewhosesizeis10x95cm.Thereare3steckersononeside and 1 heart shaped stecker on theother side. My initials "AR" are alsowrittenonbothsides.There are a few books and a copy ofmythesisinthatsuitcasewhichIneedfortheconferenceon19August.So I would deeply appreciate it if youcouldgivemeapromptreplyatyourmostconvenient. My flight number, luggageclaim number and address are writtenbelow.FlightNo:NH101
LuggageClaimNo:00026
Address:6HSilverStreet
London.NWI65AL
YoursFaithfully.
Sample54
You borrowed some books from yourschool or college library.Unfortunatelyyou have to go away to visit a sickrelativeandcannotreturn thebooks intime.Write a letter to the library. Explainwhat has happened and tell themwhatyouwanttodoaboutit.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write your
ownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSirorMadam,
I am writing this letter to explain why Ihavebeenunabletoreturnthethreebookshaveoutonthree-dayloan,whicharenowoverdue.
Aftertakingthebooksouton16thMarch,Ihadanurgentphonecallfrommyelderlyaunt's neighbour to say thatmy aunt hadhadafallandhadbeentakenintohospital.I am her only surviving relative in thiscountry, so I felt I had to go and see herimmediately. I travelled down to Surreythe following morning, thinking I wouldstayforonlytwoorthreedays.
Unfortunately, my aunt's condition hasonly improvedveryslowly,soIhavehadto stay here longer than expected.However,thehospitalsaysthatifallgoeswell,sheshouldbeabletogohomeintwoorthreedays'time,inwhichcaseIwillbebackatthebeginningofnextweek.Dealing inmind thecircumstances I trustyouwill kindlywaive any fines thatmayhaveaccumulated.Yourssincerely
Sample55
Youhavehadabankaccount fora fewyears. Recently you received a letterfromthehankstatingthatyouraccountis$240overdrawnandthatyou will he charged $70 which will he
taken directly from your account.Youknowthatthisinformationisincorrect.
Writealettertothebank.Explainwhathas happened and say what you wouldlikethemtodoaboutit.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearSir,
IamwritinginreplytoaletterIreceived
from you a few days ago. In your letteryou state that I am $240 overdrawn andthatyouwillbechargingme$70.
Iwould like topointout that thereasonIam overdrawn is because of a mistakemade by your bank. If you look throughyour records you will see that I wroteseveralweeksagoexplainingthesituation.For the last twelve months, I have beenpaying $300 a month for a car I boughtlastsummer.Themonthlypaymentsweretaken directly from my bank account.However, two months ago I sold the carandIwrotetoyouinstructingyoutostoppayingthemonthlyinstalments.Ireceiveda letter from you acknowledging myrequest,but,forsomereason,nothingwasdoneaboutit.Another$300instalmenthasbeenpaidthismonthandthisisthereason
whyIamoverdrawn.
I would like you to contact the garagewhere I bought the car explaining yourerror.Iwouldalsolikeyoutoaskthemtoreturnthemoney.
Yoursfaithfully,
PStoft
Sample56
You have a friend who lives in a cityabroad. You have decided that youwouldliketoapplytodoacourseatoneofthecollegesinthiscity.
Write to your friend explaining whatyouwouldliketodo.Tellhim/herwhat
type of work or studies you have beendoingforthepastfewyearsandaskforassistance in contacting an appropriateinstitution.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
DearAnita
SorryIhaven'twrittenforages. I'vebeensobusyoverthelastyearandIneverseemtohaveaminutetomyself.
I'd like to study electrical engineering atuniversity in Australia next year and Ihopeyoucangivemesomeadvice.IthinkIwouldpreferMelbournebecauseIknowafewpeoplefrommyvisitlastyear.
Thisyear I'mdoingmaths andphysics atschoolandIhopetodowellinmyexams.However, I really don't know whichuniversity to apply to, so could you sendme some information about differentcolleges? Also can you find out whatqualifications I need? For intance, as anoversease student, do I have to take anEnglishtest?
Ihopeyoudon'tminddoingthisforme.Itismuchbettertogetthisinformationfromsomeone who lives in the country, so Ihopetohearfromyousoon.
Manythanks,
Rosanna
Sample57
Yourecentlyboughtanitemofclothingfromashop.Youdiscoveredthatithada fault and returned it to the shop forreplacement or refund. However, theassistant told you that this was againstthestore'spolicy.
Write a letter to the store manager,explaining the problems you have had.Ask for a refund or exchange on theitem.
Y o ushould write at least 150words.
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youdo NOT need to write yourownaddress.
modelanswer:
10thJanuary,2004
DearSirorMadam
Re:faultyjumperandrefundrefusal
On Wednesday 2nd January, I bought agreen long-sleeved jumper from yourstore. The jumperwasmedium-sized andmadefomcotton.Itcost$59.95anditwasnotonspecial.
When I gothome, I discovered that therewasasmallholeintheleftsleeve.Itlookslike a rip of some kind and the stitchinghasunravelled.Ireturnedtoyourshopthenext day to ask for an identicalreplacement jumper. Unfortunately therewerenoneinstock.ThereforeIaskedforarefund. However, the shop assintantrefusedtogivemearefundbecauseitwasnotthepolicyofthestore.
Iamwritingtodemandarefundor,atthevery least, a replacement jumper. Thejumperisunwearableasit isandIdonotwanttobuyanythingelse.Ihopethatyoucanassistmeinthismatter.IfIdonotgetsatisfaction, Iwillbe forced toseek legaladvice.
Yourssincerely
SusanMilne.
Sample58
Youare organisinga trip to theSnowyMountains in New South Wales for agroup of students from Perth inWesternAustralia.
WritetothemanagerofStudentHostelServices and explainwhen youwant tovisit the Snowy Mountains, how longyouwillstay,howmanystudentsareinyour party, and what accommodationyouwillreuire.
modelanswer:
DearManagerofStudentHostelServices,
IamwritingtoseekaccommodationintheSnowyMountains for agroupof studentsfromPerth.
Weexpect tobe in theSnowyMountainsbetween June 1 and June 12. There arefourteen people in our group, five men,seven women and a married couple. Thefive men will accept dormitoryaccommodation,andthewomenarehappyto share rooms, but the married couplewould like a double room. We hope tokeepourexpensesaslowaspossible.
Please tellme about recreational servicesinthearea.Thegroupwillbringtheirownboots forbushwalking,butwearehopingto hire equipment for other sports, likeskiing. Some of our group will want tohiregeologicalpicksandotherequipment,
if possible. We also need to know aboutaccess to caves and other interestinggeologicalfeaturesinthearea.
I am looking forward to receivinginformation about the Student HostelServicesandotherfacilities.Yourssincerely
AmandaChan
Sample59
You have a friend who lives in a cityabroad.
Youhavedecidedthatyouwouldliketoapply to do a course at one of thecollegesinthiscity.Write to your friend explaining what
youwouldliketodo.Tellhim/herwhattype of work or studies you have beendoingforthepastfewyearsandaskforassistance in contacting an appropriateinstitution.
modelanswer:
DearAnita,
SorryIhaven'twrittenforages. I'vebeensobusyoverthelastyearandIneverseemtohaveaminutetomyself.
I'd like to study electrical engineering atuniversity in Australia next year and Ihopeyoucangivemesomeadvice.IthinkIwouldpreferMelbournebecauseIknowafewpeoplefrommyvisitlastyear.
Thisyear I'mdoingmaths andphysics atschoolandIhopetodowellinmyexams.However, I really don't know whichuniversity to apply to, so could you sendme some information about differentcolleges? Also can you find out whatqualifications I need? For instance, as anoverseas student, do I have to take anEnglishtest?
Ihopeyoudon'tminddoingthisforme.Itismuchbettertogetthisinformationfromsomeone who lives in the country, so Ihopetohearfromyousoon.
Manythanks,
Rosanna
Sample60
Write a letter to the InformationOfficerattheTAPEInformationOfficeasking for information about theTertiaryPreparationCertificate.
Describe your educational backgroundandyour reasons forwanting todo thecourse.
Youshouldwriteatleast80words.
Allowyourself 15 minutes for thistask.
modelanswer:
DearSir/Madam,
I would like some information about theTertiary Preparation Certificate. Ifpossible I would like to enroll in this
courseasapart-timestudentin1992.
I left school eight years ago aftercompleting the 1ISC. Since then I haveworked as a sales assistant in bothGraceBrosandDavidJones.Fromthebeginningof this year I have been in charge of theChildren's Wear Department in GraceBros,Lilyfield.
However, in order to advance any furtherinmycareer intoamanagerialposition,Iwillneedtodosomefurtherstudy,suchasaMarketingorBusinessCourse.BecauseIhavenotstudiedformanyyears,Ibelievethat I should complete the TPC beforeenrollinginaBusinesscourse.Couldyoupleasesendmetheinformationas soonaspossible, and tellme thedatesfor enrolling in the Tertiary Preparation
Certificate.
Yoursfaithfully.
19. General IELTSWritingTask2
Sample1
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Some people think women should beallowed to join the army, the navy andtheairforcejustlikemen.To what extent do you agree ordisagree?
Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Whether women should be allowed toserveinthemilitaryhastriggeredspiriteddebate. Some assert that the status quoshould be changed andwomen should beentitled to join the armed forces.Personally, I fundamentally agree withtheirassertion-forthreereasons.
History has shown that women are fullycapableofperformingwellinthemilitary.Historically, there were a host of valiantwomen soldiers whose achievementsreally put their male counterparts toshame.One need only look at the classic
examplesofJoanofArcandMulantoseehow exceptionally women could performonthebattlefield.Inmyobservation,theirdetermination,courageanddignity,tothisday, are still being admired by malesoldiersandciviliansalikethroughouttheworld.
Moreover,fromanenlightenedstandpoint,femalepatriotsshouldbegrantedtherightto go to the front line when theirmotherland is involved in a war.Admittedly, gender inequality was ahighlycontroversialissueinthetwentiethcentury. However, now twelve years intothenewmillennium,womencanlearnandteach,workandsupervise,voteandvotedinmostcountriesjustlikemen.Inlightofthissweepingprogressingenderequality,thereisnosenseindenyingthemtheright
todefend their homecountrywhenawarbreaksout.
In sum, keeping military services out ofboundsofwomenintheinformationageisunwarranted.Ihavebeenconvincedthatitisinthebestinterestofanationifwomenare also granted equal rights in thisparticulararena.
(254words)
Sample2
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Machinetranslation(MT)isslowerand
less accurate than human translationand there is no immediate orpredictable likelihood of machinestakingoverthisrolefromhumans.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
Readthefollowingsampleanswer.
Complete the answer by filling the gapswithawordorphrasefromtheboxbelow.
o nthecontrary
forinstance especially because
f o rthesereasons inorderto itistrue ofcourse
similarly however i tseems tome
forexample
It is true that there have been greatadvancesintechnologyoverthelastfortyyear s ..................... the use of mobilephones and e-mail communication arecommon these days.....................,machinesthattranslatefromonelanguagetoanotherarestillintheirearlystages.
....................thatamachinecouldneverdoas good a job as a human,....................whenitcomestointerpretingwhatpeopleare saying....................., machines cantranslatestatementssuchas“Whereisthebank?”butevensimplestatementsarenotalways straightforward.................... themeaningdependsonmorethanjustwords..................... the word “bank” has a
number of differentmeanings inEnglish.How does a translating machine knowwhichmeaningtotake?
.................... understand what people aresaying, you need to take into account therelationship between the speakers andtheir situation.Amachine cannot tell thedifferencebetweentheEnglishexpression“Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and“Look out!” meaning “Put your head outof thewindow”.Youneedahumanbeingtointerpretthesituation..................... with written language, it isdifficult for a machine to know how totranslateaccurately....................werarelytranslate every word....................., we tryto take into consideration how the ideawouldbeexpressedintheotherlanguage.This is hard to do.................... every
language has its own way of doing andsayingthings..................... I feel that it ismostunlikelythat machines will take the place ofhumans in the field of translating andinterpreting. If machines ever learn tothink, perhaps then they will be in apositiontotakeonthisrole.
ModelAnswer:
It is true that there have been greatadvancesintechnologyoverthelastfortyyears.Forexample/Forinstancetheuseof mobile phones and e-mailcommunication are common these days.However, machines that translate fromone language to another are still in theirearlystages.Itseemstomethatamachinecouldnever
do as good a job as a human,especiallywhenitcomestointerpretingwhatpeopleare saying.Of course, machines cantranslatestatementssuchas“Whereisthebank?”butevensimplestatementsarenotalways straightforwardbecause themeaningdependsonmorethanjustwords.For instance / For example the word“bank” has a number of differentmeanings in English. How does atranslatingmachine knowwhichmeaningtotake?In order to understand what people aresaying, you need to take into account therelationship between the speakers andtheir situation.Amachine cannot tell thedifferencebetweentheEnglishexpression“Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and“Look out!” meaning “Put your head outof thewindow”.Youneedahumanbeing
tointerpretthesituation.
Similarly with written language, it isdifficult for a machine to know how totranslate accuratelybecause we rarelytranslateeveryword.Onthecontrary,wetrytotakeintoconsiderationhowtheideawouldbeexpressedintheotherlanguage.Thisishardtodobecauseeverylanguagehas its own way of doing and sayingthings.
For these reasons I feel that it is mostunlikelythatmachineswill taketheplaceof humans in the field of translating andinterpreting. If machines ever learn tothink, perhaps then they will be in apositiontotakeonthisrole
Sample3
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Many newspapers and magazinesfeaturestoriesabouttheprivatelivesoffamouspeople.Weknowwhattheyeat,where they buy their clothes and whothey love.Wealso often seepictures oftheminprivatesituations.
Is it appropriate for a magazine ornewspaper to give this kind of privateinformationaboutpeople?
Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Generally,peoplereadnewspaperstofindout about world current affairs and theyread magazines to be entertained.Therefore, one would expect to findarticles that feature the private lives offamous people in magazines rather thannewspapers. However, nowadays, moreandmore newspapers include stories likethese which are neither informative noruseful.
In my opinion, this type of gossip aboutpeople's private lives should not be innewspapersforseveralreasons.Firstly,forexample, the fact that Princess Diana isgoing out with a sportsman is notimportant news. Secondly, if newspaperswant to publish articles about famouspeople they should focus on their publicevents and achievements. In otherwords,
if there isanarticleaboutPrincessDianait should be about her works of charity,which will increase public awareness ofimportant problems. In addition,journalists should make sure that theywrite about the facts only, not rumours.Oneshouldbeable torelyonnewspapersfortheactualtruth.
Magazines, on the other hand, focus onsocial news. But I feel it is moreacceptable for them to contain somefeatures about famous personalities. Inaddition to being popular reading, thesestories often benefit the stars by givingfree publicity to them, thereby helpingtheircareers.However,Ialsobelievethatmagazine stories should not mentionthingsthataretooembarrassingoruntruejusttoattractpeopletobuythemagazine.
Sensational stories, such as these, causegreatunhappinesstothepeopleconcerned.
In conclusion, I think newspapers shouldconcentrate on real news but magazinescan feature some articles on people'sprivatelives.
(268words)
Sample4
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Some people feel that certain workerslike nurses, doctors and teachers areundervalued and should be paid more,
especially when other people like filmactorsorcompanybossesarepaidhugesums of money that are out ofproportion to the importance of theworkthattheydo.
-Howfardoyouagree?
-Whatcriteriashouldbeusedtodecidehowmuchpeoplearepaid?
You should use your own ideas,knowledge and experience and supportyour arguments with examples andrelevantevidence.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Nobody can deny that there are certainprofessionals like nurses, doctors andteacherswhoareessential tothefabricofsociety, and who should therefore berewarded accordingly. However, this isseldom the case. When we look at thesalaries and fees commanded by certainfilm stars and actresses and people whorun large companies, this does not seemfair.
First of all, not all film stars earn hugesumsofmoney.Infact,atanyonetimeintheUK, for example, roughly80per centofactorsareoutofworkandontopofthatthe number who are paid so-called‘telephone number fees’ is even smaller.Onemustalsorememberthatthecareerofmany actors is very short and thattherefore the money they earn has to be
spreadovermanyyears.Thesameappliestocompanybosses.
Stating a set of criteria as to how muchpeopleshouldbepaidisnoteasy.Theideaof performance-related pay is very muchinvogueatthemoment.Rewardingpeopleaccording to qualifications has long beenusedasayardstickforpayingpeople,butit is not a consistently good measure.Another is years of relevant experience,buttherearemanycaseswhereayoungerperson can perform a task better thansomeonewithlotsofexperience.
Whatever criteria are used to assesssalaries, an on-going cycle will develop.This will create pressure in other areas.This considered, generally I feel thatcertainkeyprofessionalsshouldhavetheir
salaries assessed by independent reviewbodiesonanon-goingbasissothattheydonotfallbehind.
(269words)
Sample5
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Some people consider computers to bemoreofahindrancethanahelp.Othersbelievethat theyhavegreatly increasedhumanpotential.
How could computers be considered ahindrance?
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
Lookatthewordsorphrasesincapitals.Correctyourversionwherenecessary.
It is easy tounderstandwhysomepeopleTHINKcomputersaremoreofahindrancethanahelp.THINGSLIKEGETTINGMYMONEY BACK FROM BANK orchanging a ticketAREEASYWITHOUTUSING COMPUTER, yet once one isinvolved, the process can become time-consuming, complex and prone to errors.INALLTHEOFFICESI'VESEEN,itcansometimesseemthatforeveryhoursavedby computers, at least set of problems
caused by THE COMPUTERSBREAKING DOWN. THIS WASTES ALOTOFTIME.
ALSO,over-enthusiasticuseofcomputersin the home has the potential to divertlarge amounts of free time away fromTHINGS LIKE socialising, taskingexercise or having dinner with yourfamily. Spending a lot of leisure timelooking at a computer monitor screenHINDERS achieving other goals in life,LIKE being healthy and sociallyintegrated.
However, it would be simplistic to SAYthat computersARE BAD. THEY HAVECAUSED ENORMOUSIMPROVEMENTS in communications,medicine,design,educationandLOTSOF
OTHER THINGS. THESE DAYS,virtuallyEVERYTHINGWEKNOWisasfar away as the nearest internet point.Computershavebroughtaboutaprofoundchange in the way most people in RICHCOUNTRIESlive.(Althoughitshouldnotbe forgotten that the majority of theinhabitants of this planet have neverEVENUSEDACOMPUTERONCE.)
THEREAREDEFINITELYMOREGOODTHINGS THAN BAD THINGS ABOUTCOMPUTERS. The question is not DOcomputers help or hinder, but DO WEalways use THEM in a sensible andresponsibleway?
ModelAnswer:
It is easy tounderstandwhysomepeople
believe thatcomputers are more of ahindrance than a help.Operations such asobtaining a refund or changing a tickettend to be fairly straightforward withoutthe aid of a computer, yet once one isinvolved, the process can become time-consuming, complex and prone to errors.Inanofficeenvironment,itcansometimesseem that for every hour saved bycomputers,atleastsetofproblemscausedbyasystemmalfunction.Another consideration is that, over-enthusiasticuseofcomputersinthehomehasthepotentialtodivertlargeamountsoffree time away fromactivities such associalising, tasking exercise or havingdinnerwithyourfamily.Spendingalotofleisuretimelookingatacomputermonitorscreencouldperhapsachievingothergoalsin life,suchasbeinghealthyandsocially
integrated.However, it would be simplistic toassertthat computershave a generally negativeimpact. There have been enormousadvences in communications, medicine,design, education andnumerous fields ofhumanendeavour.Nowadays,virtuallytheentire sumof human knowledge is as faraway as the nearest internet point.Computershavebroughtaboutaprofoundchange in the way most people inthedevelopedworld live. (Although it shouldnot be forgotten that the majority of theinhabitants of this planet have neversomuchastouchedacomputerkeyboard.)The benefits of computers undoubtedlyoutweigh thedisadventages. The questionis notwhether computers help or hinder,butwhetherpeople always usetheir hugepotential in a sensible and responsible
way?
Sample6
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Modern lifestyles mean that manyparents have little time for theirchildren.Many children suffer becausetheydonotgetasmuchattention fromtheirparentsaschildrendidinthepast.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
1)Lookatthewordsorphrasesincapitals.
Choosethewordorphrasewhichsoundsmoreformal.
2)Rewritethefinalparagraphinamoreformalstyle.
People who SAY/ARGUE that nowadaysparentsgivelessattentiontotheirchildrenthan in the past areFREQUENTLY/OFTENlookingback toaSHORT/BRIEF period of time in thetwentieth century whenMOTHERS/MUMS in middle-classfamiliesREMAINED/STAYEDathometolook after their children. What thesepeopleareSUGGESTING/SAYINGisthatwomen nowadays should not go out towork.THE FACT OF THE MATTER ISTHAT/ACTUALLY in MOST/THE
MAJORITYOF families in the past bothparents worked MUCH LONGERHOURS/MORE than they do nowadays.What has changed is that now in mostcountries their childrenATTEND/GOTOschool rather than also workingthemselves. In that sense they may SEELESSOF/HAVELESSCONTACTWITHtheirparents.Nowadays,asaresultofACQUIRINGANEDUCATION/GOING TO SCHOOL,children come into contact with teacherswho NATURALLY/OF COURSE have toexplain why some of their students arefailing. What teachers come up with areLOTS OF/FREQUENT stories of parentswhoareSIMPLY/JUSTtoobusyfor theirCHILDREN/KIDS. And IF CHILDRENARE NOT SUPERVISED BY THEIRPARENTS/IF PARENTS DON’T KEEP
AN EYE ON THEIR CHILDREN, theywilloftenDOBADLY/UNDERPERFORMat school. However, FAILURE ATSCHOOL/ACADEMIC FAILURE isnothing new even when one or bothparents are at home. If children ARENEGLECTED/DON’T HAVEATTENTIONGIVENTOTHEMby theirparents,theywillsuffer.I guess children probably had moreproblems in the pastwhen they and theirparents had to work non-stop just to getby. These days, the law looks afterchildren and they can go to school, sochildrenhavelotsmorechancesthantheyeverhadbefore.
1. Lo o kat the words or phrases incapitals. Choose the word or phrasewhichsoundsmoreformal.
2. Rewritethefinalparagraphinamoreformalstyle.
People whoARGUE that nowadaysparentsgivelessattentiontotheirchildrenthan in the past areFREQUENTLYlookingbacktoaBRIEFperiodoftimeinthetwentiethcenturywhenMOTHERSinmiddle-class familiesREMAINED athome to look after their children. Whatthese people areSUGGESTING is thatwomen nowadays should not go out towork.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER ISTHAT inTHEMAJORITYOF familiesin the past both parents workedMUCHLONGER HOURS than they donowadays.What has changed is that nowinmostcountries theirchildrenATTEND
school rather than also workingthemselves.InthatsensetheymayHAVELESSCONTACTWITHtheirparents.
Nowadays, as a result ofACQUIRINGAN EDUCATION, children come intocontact with teachers whoNATURALLYhavetoexplainwhysomeoftheirstudentsare failing. What teachers come up witha r eFREQUENT stories of parents whoa r eSIMPLY too busy for theirCHILDREN. AndIF CHILDRENARENOT SUPERVISED BY THEIRPARENTS, they will oftenUNDERPERFORM at school. However,ACADEMIC FAILURE is nothing neweven when one or both parents are athome. If childrenARENEGLECTEDbytheirparents,theywillsuffer.
I guess children probably had moreproblems in the pastwhen they and theirparents had to work non-stop just to getby. These days, the law looks afterchildren and they can go to school, sochildrenhavelotsmorechancesthantheyeverhadbefore.
Inmyopinion,childrenprobablysufferedmore in the past when the whole familywas obliged to work long hours just tosurvive. Nowadays children are protectedby the law.Moreover access to educationmeansthattheyhavegreateropportunitiesthaneverbefore.
Sample7
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
In most countries multinationalcompanies and their products arebecomingmoreandmoreimportant.This trend is seriously damaging ourqualityoflife.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
Thewriterhas tried to avoid repeatingthesamewordstoooftenintheanswer.Read the sample again and findsynonymsorphraseslaterintheanswerwithsimilarmeaningstotheunderlinedwords.
modelanswer:
Multinationalcompaniesnowadaysfinditeasybothtomarkettheirproductsalloverthe world and set upfactories wherevertheyfinditconvenient.Inmyopinionthishas hadaharmfuleffectonourqualityoflifeinthreemainareas.
Thefirstareaistheirproducts.Supportersof globalization would argue thatmultinational companies make high-quality goods available to more people.While thismaybe true to someextent, italso means that we have less choice ofproducts tobuy. When powerfulmultinational companies invade localmarketswiththeirgoods, theyoftenforcelocal companies with fewer resources togooutofbusiness.Inconsequence,weareobliged to buy multinational productswhetherwelikethemornot.
This bringsme tomy second point. It issometimes said that multinationalcompanies and globalisation are makingsocieties more open. This may be true.However,Iwouldarguethatasaresultthehumanraceislosingitsculturaldiversity.If we consumeddifferent products,societiesallovertheworldwouldbemorevaried.Thiscanbeseenbythefactthatweall shop insimilar multinationalsupermarkets and buy identical productswhereverwelive.
Thirdly, defenders of multinationalcompanies often point out that theyprovideemployment. Although this isundoubtedly true, it also means that wehave become moredependent on them,whichinturnmakesusmorevulnerabletotheir decisions. When, for example, a
multinational decides to move itsproduction facilities to another country,this has an adverse effect on its workerswholosetheirjobs.All in all, I believe that if we as voterspressured our governments to makemultinationalcompaniesmoreresponsibleand to protect local producers fromoutside competition, we could have thebenefits of globalisation without itsdisadvantages.
modelanswer:
Multinationalcompaniesnowadaysfinditconvenientboth tomarket theirgoodsallover the world and set upproductionfacilitieswherevertheyfinditconvenient.In my opinion this has hadan adverseeffectonourqualityof life in threemain
areas.
Thefirstareaistheirproducts.Supportersof globalization would argue thatmultinational companies make high-quality goods available to more people.While thismaybe true to someextent, italso means that we have less choice ofproducts toconsume. When powerfulmultinational companies invade localmarkets with their goods, they oftenareobliged local companies with fewerresources to go out of business. Inconsequence, we are obliged to buymultinational products whether we likethemornot.
This bringsme tomy second point. It issometimes said that multinationalcompanies and globalisation are making
societies more open. This may be true.However, I wouldpoint out that as aresultthehumanraceislosingitsculturaldiversity. If we consumedvariedproducts, societieswherever we livewouldbemorevaried.Thiscanbeseenbythe fact that we all shop inidenticalmultinational supermarkets and buyidenticalproductswhereverwelive.
Thirdly, defenders of multinationalcompanies often point out that theyprovidejobs.Althoughthisisundoubtedlytrue, it also means that we have becomemorevalnurable on them, which in turnmakes us more vulnerable to theirdecisions. When, for example, amultinational decides to move itsproduction facilities to another country,this has an adverse effect on its workers
wholosetheirjobs.
All in all, I believe that if we as voterspressured our governments to makemultinationalcompaniesmoreresponsibleand to protect local producers fromoutside competition, we could have thebenefits of globalisation without itsdisadvantages.
Sample8
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
More and more qualified people aremoving from poor to rich countries tofill vacancies in specialist areas like
engineering,computingandmedicine.
Somepeoplebelievethatbyencouragingthe movement of such people, richcountries are stealing from poorcountries. Others feel that this is onlypart of the natural movement ofworkersaroundtheworld.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
The so-called ‘brain drain’ from poor torich countries is now robbing poorercountries of essential personnel likedoctors,nurses,engineers,andthetrendissettocontinue,ifnottogetworse.
Somepeoplesaythismovementofpeoplearound the world is not a newphenomenon. Migrant workers havealwaysbeenattractedbythewiderchoiceofemploymentandgreateropportunityinmajor cities in their own countries andabroad.Recently,asthetechnologicalagehas advanced and as richer countries findthemselves with not enough workers tofeed their development, they have had toruntootherpartsof theworld tofind thenecessary manpower. Many richerEuropeancountries, forexample,arenowtrying to attract skilled IT workers frommyhomecountryIndiabyofferinghighersalaries than they could hope to earn athome.Withtheglobalisationoftheworldeconomy, many people feel that theprocesscannotbestopped.
Others,myselfincluded,areoftheopinionthatmeasures should be taken to addressthe problem, by compensating poorercountries financially for the loss ofinvestmentinthepeopletheyhavetrained,like doctors and nurses.Admittedly, thismaybecumbersometoadminister,butanattempt could be made to get it off theground. Another step, which in part hasalready begun to happen, is to use theforces of globalization itself. Westerncountries could encourage people to stayintheirowncountriesbydirectinvestmentin projects like computer factories or bysendingpatientsabroadfortreatment,asisalreadyhappening.
It is obviously difficult to restrict themovementofpeoplearoundtheworldandit isprobablyfoolish to try tostop it,but
attempts should be made to redress theimbalance.
(291words)
Sample9
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Computers and modems have made itpossible for office workers to domuchof their work from home instead ofworking in offices every day. Workingfromhomeshouldbeencouragedasitisgoodforworkersandemployers.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
Readthefollowingsampleanswer.
Completetheanswerbyfillingthegapswithawordorphrasefromtheboxbelow.
Also because T h efirst isthat
ForExample
Secondly Finally Inconclusion since
suchas while Ontheotherhand
A further point isthat
In recent years the vast expansion ofinformation and communications
technology has made teleworking muchmore practical. Although in many casesoffice workers could be madegeographically independent by usingmodems, faxes and cell phones, fewcompanies or employees take fulladvantageofthispossibility.
Thereareanumberofstrongargumentsinfavor of allowing workers to work fromhome. Firstly costs for employers wouldbe reduced.................... businesseswouldrequire less office space, which is oftensituated in the center of large cities....................., worker's lives would beimproved in a variety of ways.....................,theywouldnotneedtotravelto get to work, which would give themmorefreetime....................., they could combine their
work with their family life, which is amajor advantage if they are parents ofyoungchildrenortheyhaveoldpeopletolook after....................., traveling to acentralized workplace also has a numberof points in its favor..................... manyemployeeswouldmissthesocialaspectofwork.................... seeing colleagues andmeeting customers.....................employerswould need to be able to trusttheir workers to work at a high standardandfinishtheirworkontime,....................supervising teleworkers is even morecomplicated than supervising workers inthesameoffice.
...................., working from home mightinhibitteamworkandcreativeworkandsoperhaps soonly really suitable forpeopledoingroutineofficework.
...................., I believe that....................manyworkerswelcometheopportunitytogo out to work, others would find thechance to work from home veryconvenient. Where possible, I thinkworkers shouldbeoffered thechoice,butnotforcedtoworkfromhomeunlesstheywishto.
In recent years the vast expansion ofinformation and communicationstechnology has made teleworking muchmore practical. Although in many casesoffice workers could be madegeographically independent by usingmodems, faxes and cell phones, fewcompanies or employees take fulladvantageofthispossibility.
Thereareanumberofstrongargumentsin
favor of allowing workers to work fromhome. Firstly costs for employers wouldbe reducedbecause businesses wouldrequire less office space, which is oftensituated in the center of large cities.Secondly, worker's lives would beimproved in a variety of ways.Forexample,theywouldnotneedtotraveltogettowork,whichwouldgivethemmorefreetime.Also, theycouldcombine theirworkwiththeir family life, which is a majoradvantage if they are parents of youngchildren or they have old people to lookafter.On the other hand, traveling to acentralized workplace also has a numberof points in its favor.The first is thatmany employees would miss the socialaspect of worksuchas seeing colleaguesandmeetingcustomers.Afurtherpointis
that employers would need to be able totrust their workers to work at a highstandard and finish their work on time,since supervising teleworkers is evenmore complicated than supervisingworkersinthesameoffice.
Finally,workingfromhomemightinhibitteamwork and creative work and soperhaps soonly really suitable forpeopledoingroutineofficework.
Inconclusion, I believe thatwhilemanyworkerswelcometheopportunitytogooutto work, others would find the chance towork from home very convenient.Wherepossible,Ithinkworkersshouldbeofferedthe choice, but not forced to work fromhomeunlesstheywishto.
Sample10
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Nowadays many students have theopportunity to study for part or all oftheircoursesinforeigncountries.While studying abroad brings manybenefits to individual students, it alsohasanumberofdisadvantages.
Doyouagreeordisagree?
Writeatleast250words.
Whichof these thingsshouldyou includeinyouranswertothisquestion?
WriteYES,NOORMAYBEnexttoeachquestion.
1 What problems students may havestudyingabroadandwhatisgoodaboutit.....................2 What countries gain and lose frompeoplegoingabroadtostudy.....................3 Whether governments should subsidisestudents’studiesabroad.....................4 Your personal experience of studyingabroad, or the experience of people youknow.....................5 What is wrong with your country’seducationsystem.....................
Sample11
Readthefollowingsampleanswer.
Completetheanswerbyfillingthegapswithawordorphrasefromtheboxbelow.
although because finally firstly
i nmyopinion suchas for
example moreover
secondly furthermorew h a tismore therefore
incontrast dueto ontheotherhand
In recent years there has been a vastincrease in the number of studentschoosing to study abroad. This is partly....................peoplearemoreaffluentandpartly.................... the variety of grantsand scholarships which are available foroverseas students nowadays.....................
foreign study is not something whichevery student would choose, it is anattractiveoptionformanypeople.Studying overseas has a number ofadvantages....................., it may givestudentsaccesstoknowledgeandfacilities.................... laboratories and librarieswhich are not available in their homecountry....................., by looking abroadstudentsmayfindawiderrangeofcoursesthan those offered in their country’suniversities, and.................... one whichfits more closely to their particularrequirements....................., studying abroad has anumber of drawbacks. These may bedivided into personal and professional..................... students have to leave theirfamily and friends for a long period..................... studying abroad is almost
always more expensive that studying inone’s local university. ....................,students often have to study in a foreignlanguage, which may limit theirperformance andmean they do not attaintheirtruelevel....................., however, the disadvantagesof studying abroad are usually temporaryin nature. Students who study abroadgenerally become proficient in thelanguage quite soon and they are onlyaway from their family and friends for ayear or two....................., many of thebenefits last students all their lives andmakethemhighlydesirabletoprospectiveemployers.
Answer
In recent years there has been a vastincrease in the number of studentschoosing to study abroad. This is partlybecause people are more affluent andpartlydue to the variety of grants andscholarships which are available foroverseas students nowadays.Althoughforeign study is not something whichevery student would choose, it is anattractiveoptionformanypeople.
Studying overseas has a number ofadvantages.Firstly/For example, it maygive students access to knowledge andfacilitiessuchaslaboratoriesandlibrarieswhich are not available in their homecountry.Furthermore/Moreover/Whatismore/Secondly, by looking abroadstudentsmayfindawiderrangeofcoursesthan those offered in their country’s
universities, andtherefore onewhich fitsmore closely to their particularrequirements.
ontheotherhand,studyingabroadhasanumber of drawbacks. These may bedivided into personal and professional.Firstlystudentshavetoleavetheirfamilyand friends for a long period.Furthermore/Moreover/What ismore/Secondly studyingabroad isalmostalways more expensive that studying inone’s local university.Finally/Furthermore/Moreover/What ismore, students often have to study in aforeign language, which may limit theirperformance andmean they do not attaintheirtruelevel.
In my opinion/On the other hand,
however, the disadvantages of studyingabroad are usually temporary in nature.Students who study abroad generallybecome proficient in the language quitesoon and they are only away from theirfamily and friends for a year or two.Furthermore/Whatismore,manyofthebenefits last students all their lives andmakethemhighlydesirabletoprospectiveemployers.
Sample12
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
As mass communication and transportcontinuetogrow,societiesarebecomingmore and more alike leading to aphenomenon known as globalization.Somepeoplefearthatglobalizationwillinevitably lead to the total loss ofculturalidentity.
Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Globalizationmeansthatinsomewayspeoplearoundtheworldarebecoming
moreandmoresimilar.Weofteneatthesamefood,watchthesameTVprogrammes,listentothesamemusicandwewearthesameclothes.Someofthisatleastcanbeblamedonthespreadofmultinationalbrandsavailableallovertheworld.Onthesurface,itmayappearasiftheglobaldiversityofculturalidentitiesisbeinglost.If,theargumentgoes,peopleinTokyoandLondonlookanddressthesame,thenthatmustmeanthatculturaldifferencesaredisappearing.However,Iwouldarguethatthisisaverynarrowdefinitionofcultureandthatinfactculturaldifferencesareaspresentasever.CulturalIdentityisbuiltonfarmorethanjustthefilmswewatchorthejeanswewear.Thefoundationofculturalidentityissharedvalues.Whenyoulookindetailat
differentcultures,yourealizethatthethingsthatareimportanttooneculturecanbeverydifferentfromthethingsvaluedbyanotherculture.Takemyownculture,India,asanexampleandcompareittoaverydifferentculture,Japan.AlthoughIhavenevervisitedJapanpersonally,Ibelievethatitisaculturewhichplacesalotofvalueonhardworkandthatpeopleoftenworkverylonghours.TheIndianpeople,incontrast,greatlyvaluetheirleisuretimeandstrivetospendasmuchlimewiththeirfamilyastheypossiblycan.Evenifweconsumethesameproducts,Iwouldarguethattherearestillsomeverydeep-rooteddifferences.Tosummarize,Idonotacceptthatthattotallossofculturalidentityisinevitable,despitetheinfluenceoflargecompanies
andtheirproductsaroundtheglobe.
Sample13
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
In some countries young people havelittleleisuretimeandareunderalotofpressuretoworkhardintheirstudies.
What do you think are the causes ofthis?
Whatsolutionscanyousuggest?
Give reasons foryouranswerand include
any relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Some young people find themselveswithverylittleleisuretime.Ibelievetherearetwomaincausesofthissituation.Thefirstis parental pressure and the second iscompetitionforuniversityplaces.
Everyparentwantstoseehisorherchilddo well in school and go on to have asuccessful career. This means that theyexert pressure on their children to spendhours each day studying at home. Someeven arrange extra tuition for theirchildren. In my own country, it is not
uncommon for young people to spendanother three hours at small privateschoolsaftertheirusualdayatstaleschoolis over. As a consequence, their leisuretimeisextremelylimitedandthepressureonthemisconsiderable.
The second cause is related to the highereducation system. Each year, there aremany timesmore applicants touniversitythanthereareuniversityplaces.Theresultofthisisthatonlythosestudentswithveryhighgradesmanagetoobtainaplace.Thiscontributes to the pressure on teenagerssince theymust work long hours to haveanychanceofsuccess.
Onesolutiontotheproblemisforparentsto be made aware of the effects of thepressure they put on their children.
Schools should inform parents that toomuch pressure can lead to anxiety, stressand depression. They should be shownwaysinwhichtheycanhelptheirchildrenleadmorebalancedliveswithareasonableamountofleisuretime.
Another effective measure would be forthegovernmenttoinvestinthecreationofmoreuniversityplaces.Thiscouldbedoneby expanding existing universities or bybuilding new ones. This would have theeffect of easing competition for placesgiving teenagers some of their preciousfreelimeback.
(296words)
Sample14
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Scientists and the news media arepresenting ever more evidence ofclimatechange.Governmnetscannotbeexpectedtosolvethisproblem.It is theresponsibility of individuals to changetheir lifestyle to prevent furtherdamage.
Whatareyourviews?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Recently scientists worried about climatechange have urged governments tointroduce measures to reduce thegreenhousegasemissionsthatareseenasits main cause. Simoultaneouslty,politicians and environmentalists haveurgedindividualstomakechangestotheirlifestyle. I shall argue that governmentsand individuals should take joinresponsibilityforthisproblem.
Firstly, industry accounts for a largeproportion of the greenhouse gasemissions,andthiscanonlybecontrolledbygovernmentaction.Measurescouldbetaken to discourage pollution, such aslimiting or taxing the use of fossil fuels.Alternatively, subsidies could be offered
to industries to clean up their productionprocesses. If these ideas were adopted, Ibelieve that businesses would regardpollutionasafinancialissue.
Secondly, only discussion betweengovernmentscanensurethatsolutionsaresuccessful. The Kyoto agreement, forexample, tried to reach global agreementon how to address the problem. Withoutsuch co-operating, it seems to me thatefforts to reduce fuel consumption areunlikelytobeeffective.However, national and internationalpolicies will only secceed if individualsalso change their lifestyle. For example,people could think more carefully abouthow they use energy in their homes. Byusing less electricity, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and electrical
appliances, or investing in solar panels,individualscanmakearealdifference.
Inaddition, I think individualattitudes totransport need to change. Instead ofmaking short tips by car, people couldchoosetowalk,cycle,ortakeabus.Sincecars are a major source of the problem,changingourbehaviourinthisareawouldhaveamajorimpact.
Inconclusion,Iwouldmaintainthatonlyacombination of international agreement,national policies, and changes inindividual behaviour will succeed inpreventing further damage to theenvironment.
(291words)
Sample15
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Somepeoplesaythatadvertisingencouragesustobuythingsthatwereallydonotneed.Otherssaythatadvertisementstellusaboutnewproductsthatmayimproveourlives.
Whichviewpointdoyouagreewith?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
The purpose of advertising is to tell theconsumer about any new product orservice or any new promotion on theexistingproductandservice.Weneeditsowe canmakegooddecisionswhenwegoshopping. Advertising tells us when newand improved products become availableandletsusknowwhichoneshavethebestprice.
Through advertising we learn about newproducts. For example, many grocerystores now sell prepackaged lunches.These are very convenient for busyparents. They can give these lunches to
their children to take to school. Busyparents don’t have time to look at everyitem on the store shelf, so withoutadvertising they might not know aboutsuchaconvenientnewproduct.
Evenproductswearefamiliarwithmaybeimproved, and advertising lets us knowabout this. Most people use cell phones,but new types of cell phone servicebecome available all the time. There aredifferentplansthatgiveyoumorehourstotalk on the phone, you can send textmessages and photos, and next weekprobablysomeevennewertypeofservicewill be available. By watchingadvertisementsonTVitiseasytofindoutabout new improvements to all kinds ofproducts.
Advertisements keep us informed aboutprices. Prices change all the time, buteveryone can look at the ads in thenewspaper and see what the latest pricesare.Advertisements also inform us aboutsales. In fact, some people buy thenewspaper only in order to check thepricesandplantheirweeklyshopping.
Advertisements improve our lives bykeeping us informed about the latestproductsdevelopmentsandthebestprices.Advertisementsserveausefulpurpose.
(281words)
Sample16
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Successfulsportsprofessionalscanearnagreatdealmoremoneythanpeopleinotherimportantprofessions.Somepeoplethinkthisisfullyjustifiedwhileothersthinkitisunfair.
Discussboththeseviewsandgiveyourownopinion.
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
As a result of constant media attention,sports professionals in my country havebecomestarsandcelebrities,and thoseatthe top are paid huge salaries. Just likemovie stars, they live extravagantlifestyleswithhugehousesandcars.
Many people find their rewards unfair,especially when comparing these supersalaries with those of top surgeons orresearch scientists, or even leadingpoliticianswhohave the responsibility ofgoverning the country. However, sportssalariesarenotdeterminedbyconsideringthecontributiontosocietyapersonmakes,or the level of responsibility he or sheholds. Instead, they reflect the publicpopularityofsportingeneralandthelevelofpublicsupportthatsuccessfulstarscangenerate.Sothenotionof‘fairness’isnot
theissue.
Thosewho feel that sports stars’ salariesare justifiedmight argue that the numberof professionals with real talent are veryfew,andthemoneyisarecognitionoftheskillsanddedicationapersonneeds tobesuccessful.Competition is constant and aplayeristestedeverytimetheyperformintheir relatively short career. The pressurefromthemediaisintenseandthereislittleprivacyoutofthespotlight.Soallofthesefactorsmayjustifythehugeearnings.
Personally, I think that the amount ofmoney such sports stars make is morejustified than the huge earnings ofmoviestars,butatthesametime,itindicatesthatour society places more value on sportthan on more essential professions and
achievements.
(251words)
Sample17
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Schoolchildrenarebecomingfartoodependentoncomputers.Thisishavinganalarmingeffectonreadingandwritingskills.Teachersneedtoavoidusingcomputersintheclassroomatallcostsandgobacktoteachingbasicstudyskills.Doyouagreeordisagree?
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Nowadays modern technology has totallychanged our approach to study. In manycountries studentsno longerhave tocopynotes by hand from the blackboard;instead the teacher gives them aphotocopy.Ratherthanmessyinkandpen,students present a typed-up copy of theirassignments. Their computer even checkstheir spelling as they go. In fact, somepeople believe that modern technologydoesalotofourthinkingforusand,asaresult,we are going to loseour ability to
thinkforourselves.
In my opinion, spelling skills havedefinitely deteriorated in recent years. Somanyyoungpeopleusemobilephones tosend text messages where speed andconciseness are more important thanspelling or grammar. Some teacherscomplainthatthesestudentstakethesameattitudetowardtheirassignments.
On theother hand, typed assignments aremucheasier to read and aremuchneater.Frankly, I find somenotesor textswhicharehandwrittenalmostimpossibletoread.Doctors, for example, have a reputationforillegiblehandwriting,whichcouldleadtodisastrousmedicalmistakes.Perhapsitistimewefocusednotonhandwritingbutonpresentinginformationasaccuratelyas
possible.
OneadvantageofcomputersisthataccesstotheInternethasopenedupanewworldof learning for us.We no longer have towait for a book that has already beenborrowed from the library before we doour research. In fact, the Internet canclearlybeusedtoresearchinformationinthe same way as a library but moreconveniently.
Onthewhole,ratherthanholdingstudentsback, I believe modern technology hasactually improved standards of educationconsiderably.
(276words)
Sample18
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Governmentsshouldmakemoreefforttopromotealternativesourcesofenergy.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Give reasons foryouranswerand includeany relevant examples from your ownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ithasbeenknownforsometimenowthat
amove towards sources of energy whichare not carbon-based is urgently requiredto stop the effects of global warming. Inmy view, there are too few governmentswhoseemtobepromotingtheuseofothertypesofenergysuchaswind,wave,solarandnuclearsourcesofenergy.
Governmentsatpresentare too reliantoncoil, oil and gas. Although somegovernments are doing research into theuse of alternative energy sources, manyarenot.Energyfromthewind,theseaandthe sun does not pollute the environmentand is an everlasting source of power.Nuclearpower isclean,andalthoughit isnot totally unproblematic, it wouldprovide a large amount of energy anddramatically improve the environment.CountriessuchasFrancehavemadegood
useofnuclearpower.
Myfeelingisthatmoreusecouldbemadeof wind power. In some countries, therehasbeenareluctancetousewindturbines,even in areas which are not denselypopulated,assomepeoplebelievetheyareeyesores.Personally,Ibelievetheyarenotonly useful, but beautiful as well.Governmentsshouldspendmoretimeandeffort promoting the benefits of thissource of energy and trying to make thepublicunderstandthereasonforchange.
In conclusion, I believe that, ifgovernments forced everyone to have awind turbine and solar panels on thebuilding they live in, made more use ofwavepowerandbuiltmorenuclearpowerstations, then theywouldmanage toavert
the dangers that are seriously threateningtheEarth.
(268words)
Sample19
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
CountiessuchasChina,IndiaandJapanhaveunsustainablepopulationgrowths.Infactmanyexpertsareoftheopinionthatthepopulation‘explosion’whichisnowaveryworryingconcern,isthemostseriousthreattolifeonthisplanet.
Givesomesuggestionstoaddressthis
problem.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
It is true that the population ‘explosion’which has taken place over the lastcentury,isaveryseriousproblem.Oneofthe main reasons for this unacceptablepopulation growth is a lack ofunderstanding about the environment.Over-population is the major reason forwater, soil and air pollution. It is alsooften the cause of starvation and evenwars. Experts have put forward manysuggestions to address this problem. Thefollowingarejustafewofthese.
The most important weapon we have to
fightpopulationgrowthiseducation.Thisshouldstartataveryearlyagei.e.beforechildren even go to school. TV cartoonsand children’s programs can be used toeducate the very young. At high schoollevel, students can be taught about theproblemmoredirectly.Atuniversitylevel,scholarships should be made available tostudentswhowish tostudyfurther in thisfield. International exchange groups mayalsohelptoincreaseawareness.
Another important means of controllingpopulation growth is to disadvantagepeople who have more than one or twochildren. This can be done, as it is inChina,bymeansofahighertax.Althoughit is controversial, persons who comeforward to be sterilized could be given asumofmoney. Itmayalsobepossible to
make it advantageous for people to haveonly one child by giving such couples aspecialtaxdeduction.
It should also be possible to makecontraception devices free to the publicandeasilyobtainable.
This problem is a very difficult one toaddressbutweshouldmakeeveryefforttodo so. There are many other problemswhichare related toover-population suchas increasing crime, illiteracy andpollution. So by addressing one problemwewouldbeaddressingtheothersaswell.
(298words)
Sample20
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Inarecentsurveyconductedinthiscountry,itwasfoundthatupto20%oftwelveyear-oldsinsomeschoolswereshowingearlysignsofnicotineaddiction.Intheeighteentotwentyyearagebracketthepercentagewasashighas70%.AlargecontributingfactortothishighlevelofaddictionisattributedtotheuncensoredTVadvertisingofcigarettes.Forthisreasonallcigaretteadvertisingshouldbebanned.
Discuss.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Theissueofcigaretteadvertisingisanimportantone,especiallyinthiscountrywheresomanyyoungadolescentssmoke.Oneofthemaincausesofthisproblemispeerpressure.Anothercauseisadvertising,especiallyTVadvertising.Smoking,asweallknow,leadstoanumberofhealthproblemssuchascancerandheartdisease.Manypeoplethinkthatcigaretteadvertisingshouldnotbebannedsincethiswouldlimitourfreechoiceinthismatter.Howeverthereisgrowingevidencethatthisseriousproblemisgettingoutofcontrol.Letusexaminethefactsmoreclosely.
Themostimportantreasonwhycigaretteadvertisingshouldbebannedisthatcigaretteisbadforourhealth.Smokingcauseslungcancerandheartdisease.Manypeoplealsosufferfromslowandpainfuldeathfromadiseasecalledemphysema.Anotherimportantreasonwhycigaretteadvertisingshouldbebannedisthatitcoststhetaxpayermoney.Peoplewhobecomesickfromsmokinghavetobecaredforinexpensivehospitals.Inadditiontheirdeathsoftenresultsinfinancialproblemfortheirfamilies.Finallycigarettesmokingmayleadtoanotherproblemnamelydrugaddiction.Althoughthereisnotconclusiveevidencethatthisoftenhappens,manyexpertsinthisareafeelthatthereisaconnectionbetweenthetwo.
Perhapsasolutiontothisproblemistheeducationofyoungchildrenconcerningthedangersoftakingupthishabit.Alsoaheavytaxcouldbeplacedoncigarettessothatyoungsterswouldnotbeabletoaffordthem.Inanycase,itseemsbeyondanyreasonabledoubtthatcigaretteadvertisingshouldbebanned.
(267words)
Sample21
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Illiteracyhastraditionallybeenviewedaslargelyathirdworldproblem.Howeveritisbecomingapparentthatin
countriessuchastheUSAandAustralia,illiteracyisontheincrease.
Discusspossiblecausesforthisanditseffectonsociety.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Itistruethatilliteracyisbecomingaseriousprobleminindustrialisednations.Thisissurprisingasmostpeoplethinkthatthisisaproblemonlyinunder-developednationssuchasinpartsofAfricaandIndia.Illiteracyisrelatedtomanyotherproblemssuchaspoverty,over-populationandgovernmentalcorruption.Letustakeamoredetailed
lookatthecausesofthisgrowingprobleminmanyWesternnations.Oneofthemostobviousreasonsfortheincreaseinilliteracyistheadventoftelevision.Childrennolongerhavetoreadtoobtaininformation.Neitherdotheyhavetoreadtorelax.Todaychildrengethomefromschoolandgostraightto“thebox”towatchtheirfavoriteprogram.Watchingtelevisionismucheasierandmoreexcitingthanreading.Anotherreasonfortheincreaseinilliteracyisthefactthatsomanywomenwork.Thismeansthatchildrenareoftenaloneathomeandsotheyareunsupervised.Whenparentsgethometheyareoftentootiredtospendqualitytimewhittheirchildren.Itisalsotruethatmanypeopleblameschoolsforthedeclineinilliteracy.In
manycountriestherehasbeenamoveawayfromteachingbasicskillssuchasreadingandwriting.Therearemanyeffectsofthisgrowingilliteracyrate.Themostobviousisunemployment.Thismayinturnleadtoalcoholanddrugabuse.Ultimatelytheeconomyofthecountrybeginstosufferandthereisadropinlivingstandards.Toaddressthisproblem,parentsneedtobecomemoreawareoftheirresponsibilitiesandschoolsneedtoconsiderachangeintheirteachingmethods.Ifthisworseningtrendisnotreversed,theproblemofilliteracywillbecomeveryserious.
(286words)
Sample22
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Usingacomputereverydaycanhavemorenegativethanpositiveeffectsonyourchildren.Doyouagreeordisagree?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Itendtoagreethatyoungchildrencanbenegativelyaffectedbytoomuchtime
spentonthecomputereveryday.Thisispartlybecausesittinginfrontofascreenfortoolongcanbedamagingtoboththeeyesandthephysicalpostureofayoungchild,regardlessofwhattheyareusingthecomputerfor.However,themainconcernisaboutthetypeofcomputeractivitiesthatattractchildren.Theseareoftenelectronicgamesthattendtobeveryintenseandratherviolent.Theplayerisusuallythe‘hero’ofthegameandtoomuchexposurecanencouragechildrentobeself-centredandinsensitivetoothers.Evenwhenchildrenuseacomputerforotherpurposes,suchasgettinginformationoremailingfriends,itisnosubstituteforhumaninteraction.Spendingtimewithotherchildrenandsharingnonvirtualexperiencesisanimportantpart
ofachild'sdevelopmentthatcannotbeprovidedbyacomputer.Inspiteofthis,theobviousbenefitsofcomputerskillsforyoungchildrencannotbedenied.TheiradultworldwillbechangingconstantlyintermsoftechnologyandtheInternetisthekeytoalltheknowledgeandinformationavailableintheworldtoday.Thereforeitisimportantthatchildrenlearnatanearlyagetousetheequipmententhusiasticallyandwithconfidenceastheywillneedtheseskillsthroughouttheirstudiesandworkinglives.Ithinkthemainpointistomakesurethatyoungchildrendonotoverusecomputers.Parentsmustensurethattheirchildrenlearntoenjoyotherkindsofactivityandnotsimplysitathome,learningtoliveinavirtualworld.
(273words)
Sample23
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Intoday'scompetitiveworld,manyfamiliesfinditnecessaryforbothparentstogoouttowork.Whilesomesaythechildreninthesefamiliesbenefitfromtheadditionalincome,othersfeeltheylacksupportbecauseoftheirparents'absence.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Inthepastatypicalfamilyconsistedofafatherwhowentouttoworkandamotherwhostayedathomeandlookedafterthechildren.Nowadays,itisthenormforbothparentstowork.Thissituationcanaffectchildrenbothpositivelyandnegatively.Somepeoplethinkthatthechildrenofworkingparentsareinanadvantageouspositionwheretheirparentsareabletoaffordmereluxuriessuchasnewclothes,videogamesormobilephones.Proponentsofthisviewarguethatchildrenareabletoenjoyandexperiencemorefromlifeduetotheirparents'extrawealth,forexample,
bygoingonforeignholidays.Ontheotherhand,however,therearethosewhoclaimthatwhenbothparentswork,theirchildrendonotgetenoughsupportandattention,meaningthatthechildrenmightnotdoaswellatschoolbecausethereisnooneathousetoprovidesupportwithsuchthingsashomeworkorexamrevision.Theabsenceofaparentathomecouldmakeiteasierforchildrentogetinvolvedinsuchthingsasdrugsorundertakedrinking.WhenIwasgrowingup,bothmyparentsworkedandIwasalwayswellprovidedfor.Ontheotherhand,IthinkthatitwouldsometimeshavebeenbetterifIcouldhaveseenmoreofmyparents.Inconclusion,Ibelievethatwecannotchangethefactthatbothparentshavetoworknowadays.Itisnotanidealsituation,
butifparentsmaketimefortheirchildrenintheeveningsandattheweekends,thenthechildrenwillnotsufferinanyway.Itmustbestatedthattheextraincomegeneratedbybothparentsworking,makesforamuchhigherstandardoflivingwhichbenefitsthewholefamily.
(295words)
Sample24
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Ifyoucouldchangeoneimportantthingaboutyourhometown,whatwouldyouchange?Usereasonsandspecificexamplesto
supportyouranswer.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
IfIcouldchangeonethingaboutmyhometown,Ithinkitwouldbethefactthatthere’snosenseofcommunityhere.Peopledon’tfeelconnected,theydon’tlookoutforeachother,andtheydon’tgettoknowtheirneighbors.Peoplecomeandgoalothere.Theychangejobsfrequentlyandmoveon.Thismeansthattheydon’tputdownrootsin
thecommunity.Theydon’tjoincommunityorganizationsandthey’renotwillingtogetinvolvedintryingtoimprovethequalityoflife.Ifsomeonehasapetitiontoputinanewstreetlight,shehasaveryhardtimegettingalotofpeopletosign.Theydon’tfeelithasanythingtodowiththem.Theydon’tgetinvolvedinimprovingtheschoolsbecausetheydon’tthinkthequalityofeducationisimportanttotheirlives.Theydon’tseetheconnectionbetweenthemselvesandtherestoftheircommunity.Peopledon’ttrytosupportothersaroundthem.Theydon’tkeepafriendlyeyeontheirchildren,orcheckinonolderfolksiftheydon’tseethemforafewdays.They’renotawarewhenpeoplearoundthemmaybegoingthroughahardtime.Forexample,theymaynotknowifa
neighborlosesalovedone.There’snotalotofcommunitysupportforindividuals.Neighborsdon’tgettoknoweachother.Again,thisisbecausepeoplecomeandgowithinafewyears.Sowhenneighborsgoonvacation,nooneiskeepinganeyeontheirhouse.Nooneismakingsurenothingsuspiciousisgoingonthere,likelightsinthemiddleofthenight.Whenneighbors’childrenarecuttingacrosssomeone’slawnontheirbikes,there’snofriendlywayofcasuallymentioningtheproblem.Peopleimmediatelyactasifit’samajorpropertydisagreement.Myhometownisaniceplacetoliveinmanyways,butitwouldbemuchniceifwehadthatsenseofcommunity.
(331words)
Sample25
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Acompanyhasannouncedthatitwishestobuildalargefactorynearyourcommunity.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthisnewinfluenceonyourcommunity.Doyousupportoropposethefactory?Explainyourposition.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Newfactoriesoftenbringmanygoodthingstoacommunity,suchasjobsandincreasedprosperity.However,inmyopinion,thebenefitsofhavingafactoryareoutweighedbytherisks.ThatiswhyIopposetheplantobuildafactorynearmycommunity.Ibelievethatthiscitywouldbeharmedbyalargefactory.Inparticular,afactorywoulddestroythequalityoftheairandwaterintown.Factoriesbringsmogandpollution.Inthelongrun,theenvironmentwillbehurtandpeople’shealthwillbeaffected.Havingafactoryisnotworththatrise.Ofcourse,morejobswillbecreatedbythe
factory.Ourpopulationwillgrow.Toaccommodatemoreworkers,morehomesandstoreswillbeneeded.Dowereallywantthismuchgrowth,sofast?Ifourtownisgoingingrowth,Iwouldpreferslowgrowthwithgoodplanning.Idon’twanttoseerowsofcheaplyconstructedtownhouses.Ourqualityoflifemustbeconsidered.Ibelievethatthisgrowthwillchangeourcitytoomuch.Ilovemyhometownbecauseitisasafe,smalltown.Itisalsoeasytotravelhere.Ifwemustexpandtoholdnewcitizens,thesmall-townfeelwillbegone.Imouldmissthatgreatly.Afactorywouldbehelpfulinsomeways.However,Ifeelthatthedangersaregreaterthanthebenefits.Icannotsupportaplantobuildafactoryhere,andhopethatothersfeelthesameway.
(251words)
Sample26
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Ithasbeensaid,“Noteverythingthatislearnediscontainedinbooks.”Compareandcontrastknowledgegainedfromexperiencewithknowledgegainedfrombooks.Inyouropinion,whichsourceismoreimportant?Why?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
“Experienceisthebestteacher”isanoldcliché,butIagreewithit.Themostimportant,andsometimesthehardest,lessonswelearninlifecomefromourparticipationinsituations.Youcan’learneverythingfromabook.Ofcourse,learningfrombooksinaformaleducationalsettingisalsovaluable.It’sinschoolsthatwelearntheinformationweneedtofunctioninoursociety.Welearnhowtospeakandwriteandunderstandmathematicalequations.Thisisallinformationthatweneedtoliveinourcommunitiesandearnaliving.Nevertheless,Ithinkthatthemostimportantlessonscan’tbetaught;they
havetobeexperienced.Noonecanteachushowtogetalongwithothersorhowtohaveself-respect.Aswegrowfromchildrenintoteenagers,noonecanteachushowtodealwithpeerpressure.Asweleaveadolescencebehindandenteradultlife,noonecanteachushowtofallinloveandgetmarried.Thisshouldn’tstopusfromlookingforguidelinesalongtheway.Teachersandparentsarevaluablesourcesofadvicewhenwe’reyoung.Asweenterintonewstagesinourlives,theadvicewereceivefromthemisveryhelpfulbecausetheyhavealreadybadsimilarexperiences.Butexperiencingourowntriumphsanddisastersisreallytheonlywaytolearnhowtodealwithlife.
(232words)
Sample27
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Nowadays,foodhasbecomeeasiertoprepare.Hasthischangeimprovedthewaypeoplelive?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Thetwentiethcenturyhasbroughtwithitmanyadvances.Withthoseadvances,humanliveshavechangeddramatically.Insomewayslifeisworse,butmostlyitisbetter.Changesinfoodpreparationmethods,forexample,haveimprovedourlivesgreatly.Theconvenienceofpreparingfoodtodayisamazing.Evenstoveshavegottentooslowforus.Microwavecookingismucheasier.Wecanpressafewbuttonsandamealiscompletelycookedinjustashorttime.Peopleusedtospendhourspreparinganoven-cookedmeal,andnowtheycanusethattimeforother,betterthings.Plus,thereareallkindsofportable,prepackagedfoodswecanbuy.Heatthemintheofficemicrowave,andlunchatworkisquickandeasy.Foodpreparationtodayallowsformore
variety.Withrefrigeratorsandfreezers,wecanpreservealotofdifferentfoodsinourhomes.Sincetechnologymakescookingsomuchfaster,peoplearewillingtomakeseveraldishesforevenasmallmeal.Parentsaremorelikelytoletchildrenbepicky,nowthattheycaneasilyheatthemupsomeprepackagedmacaroniandcheeseontheside.Needlesstosay,adultslivinginthesamehousemayhaveverydifferenteatinghabitsaswell.Iftheydon’twanttocookalotofdifferentdishes,it’scommonnowtoeatoutatrestaurantsseveraltimesaweek.Healthfuleatingisalsoeasierthanevernow.Whenpeoplecook,theyusenewfatsubstitutesandcookingspraystocutfatandcalories.Thisreducestheriskofheartdiseaseandhighcholesterol.Additionally,
wecanbuyfruitsandvegetablefresh,frozenorcanned.Theyareeasytoprepare,somanyofuseatmoreofthosenutritiousitemsdaily.Ahundredyearsago,youcouldn’timaginetheprocessoftakingsomefrozenfruitandicefromthefreezer,addingsomelow-fatyogurtfromaplasticcupandsomejuicefromacanintherefrigerator,andwhippingupalow-fatsmoothieintheblender!Ourlifestyleisfast,butpeoplestilllikegoodfood.Whatnewfoodpreparationtechnologyhasgivenusismorechoices.Today,wecanpreparefoodthatismoreconvenient,healthier,andofgreatervarietythaneverbeforeinhistory.
(376words)
Sample28
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Parentsarethebestteachers.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Throughoutmylife,Ihavebeenlucky
enoughtohaveaverygoodrelationshipwithmyparents.Theyhavesupportedme,givenmenecessarycriticism,andtaughtmeagreatdealabouthowtolivemylife.Parentscanbeveryimportantteachersinourlives;however,theyarenotalwaysthebestteachers.Parentsmaybetooclosetotheirchildrenemotionally.Sometimestheycanonlyseetheirchildrenthoughtheeyesofaprotector.Forexample,theymaylimitachild’sfreedominthenameofsafety.Ateachermightseeatriptoabigcityasavaluablenewexperience.However,itmightseemtoodangeroustoaparent.Anotherproblemisthatparentsmayexpecttheirchildren’sintereststobesimilartotheirown.Theycan’tseemtoseparatefromtheirchildrenintheirmind.Iftheylovescience,theymaytrytoforce
theirchildtolovesciencetoo.Butwhatiftheirchild’strueloveisart,orwriting,orcarrepair?Parentsareusuallyeagertopassontheirvaluetotheirchildren.Butshouldchildrenalwaysbelievewhattheirparentsdo?Maybedifferentgenerationsneeddifferentwaysofthinking.Whenchildrenareyoung,theybelievethattheirparentsarealwaysrights.Butwhentheygetolder,theyrealizethereareotherviews.Sometimesparents,especiallyolderones,can’tkeepupwithrapidsocialortechnologychanges.Astudentwhohasfriendsofalldifferentracesandbackgroundsatschoolmayfindthatherparentsdon’treallyunderstandorvaluethedigitalrevolution.Sometimeskidshavetofindtheirownwaystowhattheybelievein.
Themostimportantthingtorealizeisthatweallhavemanyteachersinourlives.Ourparentsteachus,ourteachersteachus,andourpeersteachus.Booksandnewspapersandtelevisionalsoteachus.Allofthemarevaluable.
(316words)
Sample29
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Peopleattendcollegeoruniversityformanydifferentreasons(forexample,newexperiences,careerpreparation,increasedknowledge).Whydoyouthinkpeopleattendcollege
oruniversity?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Peopleattendcollegesoruniversitiesforalotofdifferentreasons.Ibelievethatthethreemostcommonreasonsaretoprepareforacareer,tohavenewexperiences,andtoincreasetheirknowledgeofthemselvesandtheworldaroundthem.Careerpreparationisbecomingmoreandmoreimportanttoyoungpeople.For
many,thisistheprimaryreasontogotocollege.Theyknowthatthejobmarketiscompetitive.Atcollege,theycanlearnnewskillforcareerswithalotofopportunities.Thismeanscareers,suchasinformationtechnology,thatareexpectedtoneedalargeworkforceinthecomingyears.Also,studentsgotocollegesanduniversitiestohavenewexperiences.Thisoftenmeanshavingtheopportunitytomeetpeopledifferentfromthoseintheirhometowns.Formoststudents,goingtocollegeisthefirsttimethey’vebeenawayfromhomebythemselves.Inadditions,thisisthefirsttimethey’vehadtomakedecisionsontheirown.Makingthesedecisionsincreasestheirknowledgeofthemselves.Besideslookingforself-knowledge,
peoplealsoattendauniversityorcollegetoexpandtheirknowledgeinsubjectstheyfindinteresting.Formany,thiswillbetheirlastchanceforalongtimetolearnaboutsomethingthatdoesn’trelatetotheircareer.Iwouldrecommendthatpeoplenotbesofocusedonacareer.Theyshouldgotocollegetohavenewexperiencesandlearnaboutthemselvesandtheworldtheylivein.
(243words)
Sample30
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Inmanycountriestoday,theeatinghabitsandlifestyleofchildrenaredifferentfromthoseofpreviousgenerations.Somepeoplesaythishashadanegativeeffectontheirhealth.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ithasrecentlybeensuggestedthatthewaychildreneatandlivenowadayshasledtoadeteriorationintheirhealth.Ientirely
agreewiththisview,andbelievethatthisalarmingsituationhascomeaboutforseveralreasons.Tobeginwith,thereistheworryingincreaseintheamountofprocessedfoodthatchildrenareeatingathome,withlittleornoneofthefreshfruitandvegetablesthatearliergenerationsateeveryday.Secondly,moreandmoreyoungpeoplearechoosingtoeatinfast-foodrestaurants,whichmaybeharmlessoccasionally,butnoteveryday.Whattheyeatthereisextremelyhighinfat,saltandsugar,allofwhichcanbedamagingtotheirhealth.Thereisalsoadisturbingdeclineintheamountofexercisetheyget.Schoolshavebecomeobsessedwithexams,withtheshockingresultthatsomepupilsnowdonosportsatall.Tomakemattersworse,
fewevengetanyexerciseonthewaytoandfromschool,asmostofthemgointheirparents’carsratherthanwalkorcycle.Finally,childrenarespendingfarmoretimeathome,playingcomputergames,watchingTVorsurfingtheInternet.Theynolongerplayoutsidewithfriendsortakepartinchallengingoutdooractivities.Tosumup,althoughnoneofthesechangescould,onitsown,havecausedwidespreadharmtochildren’shealth,therecanbelittledoubtthatallofthemtogetherhavehadadevastatingeffect.This,inmyopinion,canonlybereversedbyencouragingchildrentoreturntomovetraditionalwaysofeatingandliving.
(267words)
Sample31
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Thenumberofoverweightchildrenindevelopedcountriesisincreasing.Somepeoplethinkthisisduetoproblemssuchasthegrowingnumberoffastfoodoutlets.Othersbelievethatparentsaretoblamefornotlookingaftertheirchildren'shealth.Towhatextentdoyouagreewiththeseviews?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Thereisplentyofevidencetosuggestthatchildrenareoverweightandthesituationisgettingworse,accordingtothemedicalexperts.Ifeelthereareanumberofreasonsforthis.Somepeopleblamethefactthatwearesurroundedbyshopssellingunhealthy,fattyfoodssuchaschipsandfriedchicken,atlowprices.Thishascreatedawholegenerationofadultswhohavenevercookedamealforthemselves.Iftherewerefeweroftheserestaurants,thenchildrenwouldnotbetemptedtobuytake-awayfood.Thereisanotherargumentthatblamestheparentsforallowingtheirchildrento
becomeoverweight.Itendtoagreewiththisview,becausegoodeatinghabitsbeginearlyinlife,longbeforechildrenstarttovisitfastfoodoutlets.Ifchildrenaregivenchipsandchocolateratherthannourishingfood,orarealwaysallowedtochoosewhattheyeat,theywillgoforthesweetandsaltyfoodseverytime,andthiswillcarryonthroughouttheirlives.Thereisathirdfactor,however,whichcontributestothesituation.Childrenthesedaystakeverylittleexercise.Theydonotwalktoschool.Whentheygethome,theysitinfrontofthetelevisionortheircomputersandplayvideogames.Notonlyisthisanunhealthypastime,italsogivesthemtimetoeatmorejunkfood.Whattheyneedistogooutsideandplayactivegamesorsport.Thetwoviewsdiscussedplayanequal
roleincontributingtotheproblem,butIthinkwehavetoencourageyoungpeopletobemoreactive,aswellassteeringthemawayfromfastfoodoutletsandbadeatinghabits.Weneedtohaveabalancedapproach.
Position:Writerreferstoanumberofreasonsintheintroduction,andtotheneedforabalancedviewintheconclusion.Mainideas:Firstsentenceofthesecondparagraph;firstandsecondsentencesofthethirdparagraph;secondsentenceofthefourthparagraph.Linkers:and,accordingto,somepeople,suchas,if,then,thereisanotherargument,because,or,thereisathirdfactor,however,notonly,also,thetwoviews
discussed,but,aswellasReferencewords:the,this,who,themselves,these,thisview,they,their,themTopicvocabulary:medicalexperts,shops,unhealthy,fattyfoods,chips,cooked,take-awayfood,chocolate,sweetandsalty,exercise,walk,television,computers,videogames,unhealthypastime,junkfood,activegames,sport,fastfoodoutletsSentencetypes:Awiderangeofcomplexstructuresandsentencesisused.Length:286words
Sample32
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Nowadaysweareproducingmoreandmorerubbish.Whydoyouthinkthisishappening?Whatcangovernmentsdotohelpreducetheamountofrubbishproduced?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ithinkitistruethatinalmostevery
countrytodayeachhouseholdandfamilyproducesalargeamountofwasteeveryweek.Mostofthisrubbishcomesfromthepackagingfromthethingswebuy,suchasprocessedfood.Butevenifwebuyfreshfoodwithoutpackaging,westillproducerubbishfromtheplasticbagsusedeverywheretocarryshoppinghome.Thereasonwhywehavesomuchpackagingisthatweconsumesomuchmoreonadailybasisthanfamiliesdidinthepast.Convenienceisalsoveryimportantinmodernlife,sowebuypackagingorcannedfoodthatcanbetransportedfromlongdistancesandstoreduntillweneedit,firstinthesupermarket,andthenathome.However,Ithinktheamountofwasteproduceisalsoaresultofourtendencytousesomethingonceandthrowitaway.We
forgetthateventhecheapestplasticbaghasusedupvaluableresourcesandenergytoproduce.Wealsoforgetthatitisasourceofpollutionanddifficulttodisposeof.Ithink,therefore,thatgovernmentsneedtoraisethisawarenessinthegeneralpublic.Childrencanbeeducatedaboutenvironmentalissuesatschool,butadultsneedtotakeaction.Governmentscanencouragesuchactionbyputtingtaxesonpackaging,suchasplasticbags,byprovidingrecyclingservicesandbythinghouseholdsandshopsthatdonotattempttorecycletheirwaste.Withthepoliticalwill,suchmeasurescouldreallyreducetheamountofrubbishweproduce.Certainlynobodywantstoseeourresourcesusedupandourplanetpoisonedbywaste.
(270words)
Sample33
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Recentfiguresshowanincreaseinviolentcrimeamongyoungstersundertheageof18.Somepsychologistsclaimthatthebasicreasonforthisisthatchildrenthesedaysarenotgettingthesocialandemotionallearningtheyneedfromparentsandteachers.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandinclude
anyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Itdoesseemtobetruethatparentsfindteachershavelosttheauthoritytheyusedtohave,especiallyintheeyesofteenagers.Theyarenolongerseenasmodelsforbehavior:hardwork,politenessandotherpositivequalitiesareseenasoldfashioned.Manyyoungpeoplehavenorespectforthesequalitiesorthepeoplewhorepresentthem.Infact,Ithinkwhenyoungpeopletodayaresorebelliousthatit'spossiblethatbothparentsandteachersareafraidtoexercisetheirauthority.
However,Idonotagreethatthisisthebasicreasonfortheincreaseinteenageviolence.WhileIbelieveitistruethatalackofsocialandemotionallearningcontributestotheproblem.Otherfactorsaresurelyinvolved:economicfactors,forexample.Ifachildcomesfromapoorfamilyandtheyliveinlow-qualityhousinginallundesirablearea,thisissuretoaffectthechild,howeverlovingtheparentsare.Thereisalsothequestionofwhoyourfriendsare.Ibelievethatwhenyouareinyourteensyourfriendshavemoreinfluenceonyouthanyourparentsorteachers.Atthatage,youwanttobepartofagroup,orevenagang,andthismightleadtobreakingthelawinanumberofways.Inconclusion,whileIagreethatlackof
socialandemotionallearningfromparentsandteachersisafactorinthegrowthofteenageviolence,Idonotbelievethatitistheonlyormaincause.
(255words)
Sample34
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Presentawrittenargumentorcasetoaneducatedreaderwithnospecialistknowledgeofthefollowingtopic:
Accordingtothoseinthetravelbusiness,thenatureoftheaverage'holiday'ischanging.Ratherthanseekingarelaxingbreakinafar-awayplace,peoplenowwantexitementon
theirholidaysandarekeentoparticipateinunusualandchallengingactivities.Doyouagreeordisagree?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Useyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamplesandwithrelevantevidence.
modelanswer:
Holidaysareimportantbecausetheyprovideabreakfromournormaldailyroutineandfromtheworldofwork.Traditionally,holidayshavebeenseenasatimeforrelaxationandasanopportunitytovisitanothercountryinordertofindout
aboutitsgeographyandcustoms.Nowadays,however,itseemsthatothertypesofholidayarebecomingpopular.Somepeoplewanttheirholidaytobeakindofadventure,andfindthismoreexcitingthangoingtothebeachorvisitingmuseums.Onanadventureholiday,youmaystayinquitebasicaccommodation,ratherthanaluxurioushotel.Activitiesmayinvolvethingssuchasbushwalkingorcycling,ormayformpartofanaidprojectdesignedtohelpcommunitiesinremoteareas.Holidayssuchasthesearepopularwithpeopleofallagesandcanoftenhelptopromotetourisminruralenvironments.Theincreasingpopularityofdangeroussportshasalsoboostedthenumberofadventureholidays;forexample,watersports,mountainclimbingorparagliding.
Theseholidaysaremorepopularwiththeyoungergeneration,astheycanbebothphysicallyandmentallydemanding.Participantsareoftenseekingthesortofthrillsthattheycannotgetinordinarylife.Thereisnowgreaterawarenessofthedamagingeffectsofmasstourismandthismaybeonereasonforthechangingnatureofholidays.Thiscanonlybeagoodthing.Butperhapspeoplearealsodiscoveringthatitisjustasrefreshingtotakeanactiveholiday,asitistolieonabeach-thoughthatisstillaquestionofpersonalpreference.
(266words)
Sample35
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.Presentawrittenargumentorcasetoaneducatedreaderwithnospecialistknowledgeofthefollowingtopic:
Insomecountries,marriagesarearrangedbytheparentsbutinothercases,peoplechoosetheirownmarriagepartner.Discussbothsystems.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Useyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamplesandwithrelevantevidence.
modelanswer:
Theideathatamarriageshouldbearrangedbytheparentsofthecouple,orbyothermembers-ofthefamily,isquiteacceptabletosomesocieties,yetcompletelyoutofthequestionforothers.Italldependsonyourculturalexpectations.Inso-calledwesternsocieties,itisveryunusualformarriagestobearranged.Mostyoungpeoplewouldnotwelcometheideathattheirparentshavetherighttochoosetheirpartnerforlife.Theyfeelthatarrangedmarriagesdenythemtheirfundamentalrighttochoose,eveniftheymakeabaddecision.However,ifwearehonestaboutit,wemightacknowledgethatsomeparentsorganisetheirchildren'slivesinsuchawaythattheyarelikelytomeetandmarrypartnerstheparentsapproveo£Itcouldbe
saidthatthisis,tosomeextent,similartoanarrangedmarriage.Itisalwaysbetterwhenfamiliessupporttherelationshipandwelcomethegrandchildren.Peopleforwhomarrangedmarriagesaretheculturalnormoftenarguethatthelikelihoodofthemarriagelastingisgreaterwhenitissetupinthismanner.Parentscanbeassuredthattheirchildrenarejoiningafamilyofsimilarstandingandculturalbackground,andthis,inthelongrun,makesforamorestablesocietyifyourparents'marriagewasarranged,andhasworkedwell,thenwhyshouldyouquestionthecustom?Theimportantthingtoensureisthatpeopleareneverforcedintoamarriagewhichwillmakethemunhappyorleadtoanunequalrelationshipwhereonepartner
isexploitedbytheother.Thisappliesinallsocietiesandsituations.
(269words)
Sample36
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Presentawrittenargumentorcasetoaneducatedreaderwithnospecialistknowledgeofthefollowingtopic:
Peoplewhohaveoriginalideasareofmuchgreatervaluetosocietythanthosewhoaresimplyabletocopytheideasofotherswell.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Useyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamplesandwithrelevantevidence.
modelanswer:
Icertainlyagreethatpeoplewhocomeupwithnewideas;inotherwordsthosewho'invent'or'discover'thingsareterriblyimportanttosocietyasawhole.However,Ialsothinkthereisaroleinsocietyforgoodimitators.Noonewoulddenythatkeyindividualsmustbethankedforprovidinguswithcertainfacilitiesthatweuseeveryday.Where,wouldwebe,forexample,withoutbasicitemssuchasthewashingmachine,
thetelevisionand,morerecently,thecomputer?Theseitemsarenowusedsoregularlythatwetendtotakethemforgranted.Infact,thesocietyweliveintodayhasbecomeincreasinglyconsumer-oriented,andwhileitmaybepossibletoconstantlyupdateandimproveconsumergoods,noteveryonewhereIlivecanaffordthepricesoftheseinnovations.Furthermorenoteveryonelivesinanareathathasaccessibilitytothelatestmodelsonthemarket.Forthisreason,thereisavaluetobeplacedonbeingabletoprovidegoodcopiesofexpensiveitems.Havingsaidthat,certaininnovationshaveamoreseriousimpactonourlivesthanconsumergoodsandcannoteasilybereplicated.Vitalmedicineslikepenicillinandvaccinesagainstdangerousdiseases
alsoexistbecausepeoplemadecontinualeffortstodevelopthem.Scientificideassuchastheseenableustolivelongerandescapeillness.
(225words)
Sample37
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Presentawrittenargumentorcasetoaneducatedreaderwithnospecialistknowledgeofthefollowingtopic:
Somepeoplebelievethatcomputersaremoreahindrancethanahelpintoday'sworld.Othersfeelthattheyaresuchindispensabletoolsthattheywouldnotbeabletoliveorworkwithoutthem.
Inwhatwaysarecomputersahindrance?
Whatisyouropinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Useyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamplesandwithrelevantevidence.
modelanswer:
Theadvanced`Mindmachines'socalled`theComputers'arenodoubtthebestproductsoflatesttechnology.OnecannotimaginetheadvancementoflifeandScienceswithoutthesemachines.Butlikeotherachievements;theyhave
theirowngoodandbadeffectsasseenwithexperienceandpassageoftime.Inmyopiniontheyaregoodifusedforeducationalandbeneficialusesforhealthandlivingetc.BasicallytwentiethcenturyhadbeenfamousforitslatestComputertechniquesandtheirapplicationonourlives.DatasshownonComputershelpustoassesshowmucheducationisconductedthroughthismedia.Theassessmentwaysaswellasexaminationsareimproved.MoreoverpersonalskillsofreadingandwritingarefarmoreimprovedthroughComputers.MoreoverScienceandtechnologyprogressedimmenselywithcomputers.Researcherslikecloningandtransplantsareonlypossiblewithmoderncomputerizedskills.Goodquestioncomestoonesmind...
wherewillthisComputerwouldtakeusnext??Certainlynooneknows!Wemightexplorenewplanners.MaybewewillbuyhousesonMoon,MarsorJupitor.Orwemightlooseourownidentity.Onecannotforgettheendof2000millenniumwheneverybodywasinchaostothinkwhatwillhappenifthecomputerscrash?Theaeroplanesweregoingtocrashandthetrainswouldcolloid.ThatShowweareforcedtothinkthatoneshouldnotbedependentonthesemachineafterallwearehumans.Weareheretocommandcomputersnotthemtoorderus.
(249words)
Thisisananswerwrittenbyacandidate
whoachievedaBand5score.Hereistheexaminer'scomment:
Thecandidatehasattemptedtoorganizesomegoodargumentswithvalidexamplesandcomplexideas.Thereissomerelevantvocabulary(cloning)andsynonymsavoidrepetition(badeffectsvhindrance,goodeffectsvhelp).However,theargumentsinparagraph3arenotclearandthe'against'argumentsarecontainedinthefinalparagraph,withnoseparateconclusion.Therearefrequentgrammaticalinaccuracies(scienceandtechnologyprogressed,Researcherslikecloning,wherewillthiscomputerwouldtakeus,thatshowwe).Thisanswerhasalsolostmarksbecauseitistooshort(190words).
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Sample38
Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofhavingacar.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Nowadays,asroadsarebecomingmoreandmorecrowded,peopleareconsidering
boththeadvantagesanddisadvantagesofhavingacarbeforetheybuyone.Themainadvantageofthecaristhatitgivesthefreedomtotravelwhenandwhereyouwant,withoutbeinglimitedtofixedroutesandtimetables.Whatismore,youcancarryseveralpassengersandasmuchluggageasyoulike,atnoextracost.Inadditiontothis,youcantravelincomfortinacar,withaseattoyourselfandthepossibilityofcomfortssuchasamusicsystemandairconditioning.Ontheotherhand,owningacarisveryexpensive.Aswellasthepriceofthecar,thecostoftax,insurance,petrolandrepairsmustalsobeconsideredbeforebuying.Moreover,theincreaseintrafficmeansthatdriversarespendingmoreandmoretimestuckintrafficjams.Perhapsthemajordisadvantageofcarsingeneral
isthehugedamagethattheydotohumanlifeandtotheenvironment,andallmotoristsmuchacceptthattheyaremakingasmallcontributiontothis.Tosumup,providedyouhaveaccesstoanefficientpublictransportsystem,thenbuyingandrunningyourowncarcouldbeconsideredanexpensiveluxury.
(213words)
Sample39
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Comparetheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthreeofthefollowingasmediaforcommunicatinginformation.Statewhichyouconsiderto
bethemosteffective.
comics
books
radio
television
film
theatre
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Inourdailylife,wealwayscommunicateinformationthroughthemedia,suchastelevision,radio,film,Thesemediahavedifferentadvantagesanddisadvantagesforus.Now,Iamgoingtocomparetheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbooks,televisionandfilm.Booksbringusdifferentknowledge.ItbasesonwhatBookweread.AfamousChinesetraditionalversewhichdescribedbooksisatreasure.Wecanfindagoldenhouseinthere.Moreover,whenwewanttoreadit,wecanfinditeasily,suchasbookstore,library.Wecanalsolearnalotofwordsfrombooks.Anditcanimproveourreadingandwritingskills.However,booksalwaysarenotattractiveforchildrenoryoungster.Itisbecause
booksarequiteboring.Alotofwordsandlesspicturesinsidethebooks,comparetotelevision,televisionhaspicturesandsound,wedon'thavetoreadalotofwordsintelevision.Butsomeartistintelevisionprogrammeorfilm,bringabadimagetous.Thensomechildrenoryoungerswillimitatetheirbehaviour.Somefilmalsobringawrongmessagetous,Forexample,theyarealwayssmokinginfilms.Itseemsthatsmokingisgoodandsmart.Itcausedmanyyoungersimitatethemsmoking.Inconclusion,bookds,televisionandfilmhavemanyadvantagesanddisadvantages.Icannotwriteallinhere.Andwehavechoosethemediacarefully.
(231words)
ThisisananswerwrittenbyacandidatewhoachievedaBand4score.Hereistheexaminer'scomment:
Thisanswerdescribessomerelevantadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbooks,TVandfilms,althoughthesearesometimesunclearornotsufficientlydeveloped.Thescriptlosesmarks,however,becauseitdoesn'tanswerthequestionabout`whichmediumismosteffective'andalsobecauseitisundertheminimumlength(only230words).Thewriterhastriedtoorganiseideasandusesparagraphingtostructuretheresponse.However,themessageisconfusedattimesandtheanswerisincomplete.Someideasarelinkedappropriately,butthereisalotofrepetitionacrosssentences.
Thewriterusesalimitedrangeoflanguagequiterepetitivelyandthereareonlysimplesentences.However,theseareoftenquiteaccurate,althoughtherearemanyexamplesofbasicerrorsingrammarandpunctuation.
Sample40
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Itisbecomingmoreandmoredifficulttoescapetheinfluenceofthemediaonourlives.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoflivinginamediarichsociety.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
ThemediaisaboutcommunicationandIsupposemostofuswouldagreethat,ashumanbeingsweneedtocommunicate.Weneedtoknowwhatisgoingonintheworldgenerally;wewanttobeentertainedandtokeepintouchwithpeople.Oldermedia,suchasnewspapers,radioandTVhelpusdothis,butthenewermedia,particularlytheinternetandmobilephonesgofurther.Wehavemorechoiceintermsofwhatwewatchorwhowetalkto.
IhaveanI-Phonewhichallowsme-justbyusingonedevice-tomakephonecalls,usetheinternet,listentomusic,playgamesandwatchvideos.Andit'sallimmediate,andportable.Itmakesyoufeelincontrol,buttherearcdisadvantagestoo.Peoplearealwaystextingandemailingeachotherandiftheydon'thavetheirphoneorlaptoparound,theyfeelcutoff.Also,haveyouseenagroupofteenagersinacafewherethey'renottalkingtoeachother,butusingtheirphones?It'saverycommonsightthesedays,whichmanypeoplefeelisworrying,asweseemtopreferusingtechnologytoface-to-facecommunication.Wearealsospoiltforchoice-perhapstoomuchchoice.TherearesomanyTVchannels,butsomanyoftheprogrammesarepoorquality.There'salsosomuch
advertisingallaroundus,tryingtopersuadeustobuythingswedon'treallyneed.Tosurviveinsuchasociety,youhavetobeveryawareofthepowerthemediacanhaveoveryou,youractionsandyouropinions,andtrynottoletitcontrolyourlife.Tomymind,there'snodoubtweliveinamedia-richsociety,andthere'snothingwecandoaboutthat.Whatwecandoisusethemediaresponsiblyandnotletituseus.
(327words)
Sample41
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Childrenshouldneverbeeducatedat
homebytheirparents.Doyouagreeordisagree?Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesforyoungpeoplewhodecidetodothis.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Nobodycansaywithconfidencethatchildrenshouldbetaughtathomeoratanychildren'sinstitutions.Therearemanydifferentchildrenandeveryonedemandofeducationsuitableonlyforhim.Butformostofchildrenthebestwayoflearningthelifeisbeinginthechildren'sinstitutions.Nobodywouldarguethat
contactsbetweenchildrenofthesameageareveryimportantforbringingyourchildup.Suchacontactisveryimportantforplaying,entertainingandlearninglivingwithotherpeople.Theharmoniouslivingwithotherpeople,tomymind,isthefirsttaskforanyman.Lackofthisharmonysetsproblemsandtroubles.Thechildrenneedspacetorunandmakenoise,tojumpandcry.Doyouoryourneighboursallowtheseactionsforyourchild?Ifyouliveintown,itisdifficulttofindasafeplacetoplay.Kindergartensgivesuchapossibility.Theygivespace,alotoftoysandconstructionsforphysicalexercises.So,ifyouhavebadlivingconditions,thekindergartenisthebestwayforyou.Butifyouhavealargefamilywithmanychildrenandenoughspace,youmaykeepyourchildathome.
Youshouldbesurethatthechildfeels,dressedandcomfortable.Hisbrothersandsistersgivehimnecessarycontacts.It'snoticedlongagothatchildreninbigfamiliesaremuchmoreeasy-temperedandcalm.Theyarelocatedinmoreharmonicworldthanothers.Sometimesdifferencesinageputtroublesincontactsbetweenchildreninlargefamilies.Thenitisbetterforchildtobesenttothekindergarten(school).Butifquarrelsdon'tlastforalongtime,everythingisallright.Ingeneral,quarrelsdevelopabilitytocooperatewithpeople.Theydevelopapersonalinitiativeandforcesettingthebalance.Insuchawaythechildgetslessonsoflife.Addly,thequarrelsoftentakeplaceinkindergartensandschoolsandweshouldn'tfearit.Sidebysidewithquarrelsparentsoften
areafraidofcoldswhichhappeninkindergartensmorefrequently.Parentspreferkeepingthechildathome.Butforahealthychildoddcold(ifillnessoccurs,itgoesitsnormalcourse)can'tmakebigharmtothechild.Andifthechildisadaptabletotheconditionsofpublicplacesearlieritwouldbebetterforhiminfuture.Ingeneral,Iamafollowerofthetheoryofkeepingchildreninadaptedplacessuchasgoodkindergartens.Butkeepingchildreninsuchaplacecan'treplacefamilyandhome.Onlytogethertheymakeharmonicandbeautifulunion.(431words)
Sample42
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Researchindicatesthatthecharacteristicswearebornwithhavemuchmoreinfluenceonourpersonalityanddevelopmentthananyexperienceswemayhaveinourlife.Whichdoyouconsidertobethemajorinfluence?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Todaythewayweconsiderhumanpsychologyandmentaldevelopmentisheavilyinfluencedbythegeneticsciences.Wenowunderstandtheimportanceofinheritedcharacteristicsmorethaneverbefore.Yetwearestillunabletodecidewhetheranindividual’spersonalityanddevelopmentaremoreinfluencedbygeneticfactors(nature)orbytheenvironment(nurture).Research,relatingtoidenticaltwins,hashighlightedhowsignificantinheritedcharacteristicscanbeforanindividual'slife.Butwhetherthesecharacteristicsareabletodevelopwithinthepersonalityofanindividualsurelydependsonwhetherthecircumstancesallowsuchadevelopment.Itseemsthattheexperienceswehaveinlifearesounpredictableandsopowerful,thattheycanboostorover-ride
otherinfluences,andthereseemstobeplentyofresearchfindingstoconfirmthis.Myownviewisthatthereisnoonemajorinfluenceinaperson'slife.Instead,thetraitsweinheritfromourparentsandthesituationandexperiencesthatweencounterinlifeareconstantlyinteracting.Itistheinteractionofthetwothatshapesaperson'spersonalityanddictateshowthatpersonalitydevelops.Ifthiswerenottrue,wewouldbeabletopredictthebehaviorandcharacterofapersonfromthemomenttheywereborn.Inconclusion,Idonotthinkthateithernatureornurtureisthemajorinfluenceonaperson,butthatbothhavepowerfuleffects.Howthesefactorsinteractisstillunknowntodayandtheyremainlargelyunpredictableinaperson’slife.
(249words)
Sample43
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Manypeoplesaythattheonlywaytoguaranteegettingagoodjobistocompleteacourseofuniversityeducation.Othersclaimthatitisbettertostartworkafterschoolandgainexperienceintheworldofwork.Howfardoyouagreeordisagreewiththeaboveviews?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Itisprobablytruetosaythatmostpeoplebelievethatauniversitydegreeistheonlywaytogetagoodjob.Ithinkthisistrueincertainareas,whileinotherareas,adegreeisnotasuseful.Tobeginwith,manypeoplehaveambitionstobecomeaqualifiedprofessionalandthereisnodoubtthatbecomingadoctororalawyer,forexample,isonlypossiblewithadegree.Anotheradvantageofgraduatingfromuniversityisthatitgivesyoumorechoiceswhenitcomestochoosingajob.Mostemployerswillbemoreimpressedbya
candidatewhohasadegreethantheywouldbebyonewhoonlyhashighschoolqualificationsbecauseitshowsacertainlevelofintelligenceandeducation,aswellasthecommitmentandself-disciplinethatisneededInordertostudyadegreecourseforthreeorfouryears.Ontheotherhand,theremightbesomebenefittostartingyourcareerearly,especiallyifyourchosenfieldisonewhichdoesnottypicallyrequireauniversityeducation.Thiswouldapplytosomebodywhowantstobeacarmechanic,orafashiondesigner,forinstance,whowouldnotnecessarilygainanythingfromgoingtouniversity.Thehands-onexperienceyougaininyourjobwhileothersarestudyingforadegreecangiveyouadistinctadvantage.Ioncereadaboutamanwholeftschoolatsixteenand
wentontobecomeawealthyandsuccessfulinvestmentbroker.Heclaimedthathehadlearnedallheneededtoknowbyworkinginhischosenfieldandthathecouldnothavedoneanybetterbygettingadegree.So,toconclude,itispossibletogetagoodjobwithoutgoingtouniversity.Havingsaidthat,someprofessions,suchasthelaw,requireyoutohaveadegreeandasstatedaboveaUniversitydegreecouldpotentiallyopenmoredoorswhenlookingforajob.
(327words)
Sample44
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Bypunishingmurdererswiththedeathpenalty,societyisalsoguiltofcommittingmurder.Therefore,lifeinprisonisabetterpunishmentformurderers.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:(Disagree)
Istronglysupportthedeathpenaltyformurderers.Intoday'ssociety,lifeisveryviolent.Therearemanymentally-ill
peoplecommittingcrimesandalmostnothingwillstopthem.Wehaveinterviewedcapturedcriminalswhosay,"Iwasgoingtokillhim,butIknewthatIcouldgetthedeathpenaltyifIdid.SoIjustlefthimthere."Obviously,havingthedeathpenaltysaveslivesandthatmakesapositivedifferencetosociety.Ifacriminaldoesmurdersomeone,andthengetsthedeathpenalty,thatisn'tsociety'sfault.Everyoneknowsaboutthedeathpenaltyasapunishmentformurder.So,thepersonwhomurdersisreallykillinghimselfatthesametimeheiskillinghisvictim.Themurdererhasmadethechoicetodie.Itisimportanttorememberthatthedeathpenaltyisusedonlyforpeoplewhohavecommittedveryseriouscrimes.Forexample,awomanshotapoliceofficer
whenshewastryingtoescapefromjail.Shewasalreadyaconvictedcriminalwhenshecommittedmurder,andshedeservesthedeathpenalty.Peopleneedtoacceptresponsibilityfortheiractions.Punishingmurdererswiththedeathpenaltyisonewaythatsocietycanhelppeopletorealize/realisetheconsequencesoftheirdecisions.
(209words)
Sample45
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Bypunishingmurdererswiththedeathpenalty,societyisalsoguiltofcommittingmurder.Therefore,lifein
prisonisabetterpunishmentformurderers.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:(Agree)
"DoasIsay,notasIdo."Thisiswhatsocietytellsuswhenitpunishesmurdererswiththedeathpenalty.Societytellsusthatmurderiswrong,andinourlegalsystem,murderisagainstthelaw.Yetwestillseeoursocietykillmurderers,andthusweare
committingmurderourselves.Forthisreason,thedeathpenaltyshouldend,andinsteadmurderersshouldbepunishedwithlifeinprison.Societyneedstoshowapositivemodelofhowourlivesshouldbeandhowpeopleshouldact.Weshouldalwaysstrivetoimproveoursituation,tobeatpeaceandinharmonywithothers.However,whenwekillmurderers,wearenotworkingtoimproveoursociety.Instead,wearestoopingtothecriminals'level.Itmakesmethinkabouttherevengethatcamewhenplayinggameswithmybrothers.Whenwewerekids/children,mybrotherwouldtakemytoys,soIwouldhithimandtakemytoysback.Thenhewouldhitmeharderandtakethetoysagain.Thinkingofthedeathpenalty,Iimagineamurdererkillssomeone.Societytakes
revengebykillingthemurderer.Thisleavesbehindthemurderer'sfamilyandfriends,whohavetremendousangerinsideofthem,whichtheymayreleaseontosociety.Thecycleofkillinggoesonandon.Societyshouldnotcondemnpeoplewhoaretakingthesameactionthatsocietyistaking.Societytellsusnottokill,andyetsocietykillswhenitexercisesthedeathpenalty.Becauseofthiscontradiction,weshouldendthedeathpenaltyandinsteadpunishmurderersbysentencingthemtolifeinprison.
(273words)
Sample46
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Somepeoplethinkthatasenseofcompetitioninchildrenshouldbeencouraged.Othersbelievethatchildrenwhoaretaughtoco-operateratherthancompetebecomemoreusefuladults.Discussboththeseviewsandgiveyourownopinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Nowadays,purposeofeducationbeingchangedinKorea.TherearesomePeoplewhothinkthatcompetitioninchildrenshouldbemade,alsoothersbelievethatchildrenwhoaretaughttoco-operateaswellasbecomemoreusefwladults.Thereareadvantagesanddisadvantagesforbothofthearguments.Tobeginwith,whatisgoodifasenseofcompetitionmchildrenismade?Theycoulddevelopethemselvesmoreandmoreastheylearnandstudyalottowinfromthecompetitbn.Toprovethis,inKorea,itispopular-evencommonnow-tohaveatutorwhocometostudent'shousetoteachextrapiecesofstudywithpayingalotofmoney.Theylearnfasterthanwhattheylearnatschool.Furthermore,duringthevacations,studentsstudyabroadtolearnEnglishforamonthinsteadofrevise
schoolwork.Iftheyhaveexperimentssuchasstudyabroad,itisoneofthegreatestpluspointtogotothefamouswell-knownhigh-school.Moreover,therearefourbigschoolexamandtwonationalexaminationstoteststudents'levelofstudies.Generally,onlythehighest40%cangotothegoodquatrtyhighschoolsandcolleges.Childrenlearnasmuchastheycan,towimthecompetitiontoobtaingoodqualityschools.Ontheotherhand,astheyarebusytoentertheschoolsandstudyindividuallywiththeirowntutors,thereareproblems.Theybecomeselfish.Theybecomecarelessanddon'thelpothersalotifitisaboutstudies.Therewillbenoco-operationsforthem.Then,whyaretherecompaniesformanypeopletoworkin?
Eachofthemareclever,however,thereareweakpartsandstrongpartsforeachperson.Toco-operateistoimprovethispart.Peopletalkandlistentowhatothersthmkingofandlearn.Thatcouldalsobeagreatopportunitytolearninsteadoflearningalonewithoneteacher.Inconclusion,Istronglyagreewiththatchildrenshouldbetaughttoco-operateratherthancompete.Nobodyisperfect.Peoplelearntogether,worktogethertodevelopeachother.Therefore,Iwantparentsandteacherstoeducatechildrenconcentratingonco-operation,notcompeteandrankingthem.
(365words)
ThisisananswerwrittenbyacandidatewhoachievedaBand6score.Hereistheexaminer'scomment:
Althoughtheanswerconsidersthemainissuesinthequestion,itdealsmuchmorewiththeaspectof'competition'thanitdoeswith'co-operation'.Someofthesupportingexamplesareoverdevelopedanddivertthereaderawayfromtheargument.However,themainpointsarerelevantandthewriter'spointofviewisgenerallyclear.Theargumenthasalogicalprogressionandthereissomegooduseoflinkingexpressions,thoughtheuseofrhetoricalquestionstosignaltopicchangesisnotveryskilful.Therearealsoexamplesofoverusingmarkers,andoferrorsinreferencing.
Thecandidatetriestousearangeoflanguage,butthereareregularerrorsinwordchoiceandwordform,andthisoccasionallycausesproblemsforthereader.Similarly,arangeofstructuresisattempted,butnotalwayswithgoodcontrolofpunctuationorgrammar.However,themeaningisgenerallyclear.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Sample47
Familieswhodonotsendtheirchildrentogovernment-financedschoolsshouldnotberequiredtopaytaxesthatsupportuniversaleducation.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:(Disagree)
Familieswhodonotsendtheirchildrentopublicschoolshouldberequiredtopaytaxesthatsupportpubliceducation.Everychildinmycountryisrequiredtoattendschoolandeverychildiswelcometoenrollathis/herlocalpublicschool.Somefamilieschoosetosendtheirchildrentootherschools,anditistheirprerogativetodoso.However,thepublicschoolsareusedbythemajorityofourchildrenandmustremainopenfor
everyone.Forexample,myunclesenthistwochildrentoaprivateacademyforprimaryschool.Thenhelostahugeamountofmoneythroughsomepoorinvestmentsandhecouldnolongeraffordtheprivateschool'stuition.Thechildreneasilytransferredtotheirlocalpublicschoolandlikeditevenmorethantheiracademy.Thepublicschoolssupportedtheirfamilywhentheyhadnomoneytoeducatetheirchildren.Becausethepublicschoolseducatesomanycitizens,everyoneinmycountry-whetheraparentornot-shouldpaytaxestosupportoureducationalsystem.Weallbenefitfromtheeducationthatstudentsreceiveinpublicschool.Ourfuturedoctors,firefighters,andteacherspeoplewhomwerelyoneveryday-areeducatedinlocalpublicschools.Whenapersonisin
trouble,it'sreassuringtoknowthatthosewhowillhelpyou-suchasfirefighters-knowwhatthey'redoingbecausetheyreceivedgoodtraininginschoolandlater.Providinganexcellenteducationinthepublicschoolsystemisvitaltothestrengthofourcommunityandourcountry.Ourgovernmentmustofferthebesteducationavailable,butitcanonlydosowiththefinancialassistanceofallitscitizens.Therefore,everyone-includingfamilieswhodonotsendtheirchildrentopublicschool-shouldsupportpubliceducationbypayingtaxes.
(290words)
Sample48
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Familieswhodonotsendtheirchildrentogovernment-financedschoolsshouldnotberequiredtopaytaxesthatsupportuniversaleducation.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:(Agree)
Familieswhodonotsendtheirchildrentogovernment-financedschoolshouldnotberequiredtopaytaxesthatsupport
universaleducation.Whenfamiliessendtheirchildrentonon-public(thatis,parochialandprivate)schools,theymustpaytuitionandotherschoolexpenses.Spendingadditionalmoneytopaytaxescreatesanevengreaterfinancialhardshipforthesefamilies.Theymustmakesacrifices,tryingtohaveenoughmoneytopayforschoolinadditiontootherbills.Forexample,myfriendAmaliaisasinglemotherwithaneight-year-oldson,Andrew.Becausetheysurvivesolelyonherincome,moneyistight.Amaliaworksatleast10hoursofovertimeeachweektocoverAndrew'sschoolexpenses.ThisgivesAmaliaandAndrewlesstimetospendtogether,andsheisalwayssotiredthatsheisimpatientwithhimwhentheydohavefamilytime.Clearly,thisextraexpenseisanunfair
burdenforhard-workingparentslikeAmalia.Whilesomepeoplemayconsiderparochialorprivateschooltobealuxury,formanyfamiliesitisessentialbecausetheircommunity'spublicschoolsfailtomeettheirchildren'sneeds.Unfortunately,duetoshrinkingbudgets,manyschoolslackwell-qualified,experiencededucators.Childrenmaybetaughtbysomeonewhoisnotacertifiedteacherorwhoknowslittleaboutthesubjectmatter.Someproblemsareevenmoreserious.Forexample,thepublichighschoolinmyoldneighborhood/neighbourhoodhadserioussafetyproblems,duetostudentsbringingguns,drugs,andalcoholtoschool.Afteragang-relatedshootingoccurredatthehighschool,myparentsfeltthattheyhadnochoicebuttoenrollmeinaparochial
schoolthatwasknownforbeingverysafe.Unfortunately,evenwhenfamiliespreferpublicschools,sometimestheycan'tsendtheirchildrentoone.Thesefamiliesareburdenednotonlyforpayingexpensesatanotherschool,butalsobybeingforcedtopaytaxestosupportapublicschoolthattheydonotuse.
(323words)
Sample49
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Astheworldbecomestechnologicallyadvanced,computersarereplacingmoreandmorejobs.Describesomejobpositionsthatmaybe
lostbecauseofcomputers,anddiscussatleastoneproblemthatmayresult.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Whencomputersfirstmadetheirwayintothebusinesssector,everyonebelievedthattheywouldmakepeople'sjobseasier.Whatwasnotexpectedwasthatcomputerswouldeliminatejobs.Besidescontributingtounemployment,theseautomatedworkersoftenexhibitinadequatejobperformance.
Anumberofjobshavebeenlostasadirectresultofnewcomputertechnology.Ticketagentsinvarioustransportationfacilities,fromsubway/undergroundstationstoairportsarevirtuallynonexistentthesedays.Banktellershavebeengreatlyreducedduetoautomatedbankmachines.Inaddition,manycallcenters/centresthathavehelplinesarealmostentirelycomputerized/computerised.AfewyearsagoIworkedasahelperinourlocallibrary.Todaythispositiondoesnotexist,becausesixnewcomputershavebeeninstalled.Thenumberofpositionslosttocomputersgrowsexponentially,andunemploymentcontinuestogetworse.Whileacomputermayeasilyachievethemaintasksofthesejobs,mostcomputersfallshortwhencustomershaveaunique
requestorproblem.Apre-paidticketboothdoesnothaveinsightabouttheentertainmentdistrictandcannotofferfriendlydirectionstoatourist.Similarly,anautomatedbankmachinecannotprovideassistanceandreassurancetoacustomerwhohasjusthadhiscreditcardstolen.And,moreoftenthannot,automatedtelephoneoperatorscannotanswertheonequestionthatwehave,andweendupwaitingonthelinetospeakwithsomeoneanyway.EverytimeIgointothelibrarywhereIworkedInoticeelderlypeoplewhodon'tknowhowtousethecomputersandcan'tfindanyonetohelp.Inthefuture,Ibelieveanewbusinesstrendwillevolve.Ascomputerseliminatejobs,newpositionswillhavetobeinvented.Moreandmorepeoplewillgo
intobusinessforthemselves,andhopefullyputthepersonaltouchbackintobusiness.Ibelievethatthehumanworkforcewilldemonstratethatitismorevaluablethancomputers.
(315words)
Sample50
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Trafficandhousingproblemsinmajorcitiescouldbesolvedbymovinglargecompaniesandfactoriesandtheiremployeestothecountryside.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Thesedayswithincreasingurbanpopulations,therearemajorproblemswithcongestionandnotonlytheprice,butalsoavailabilityofaccommodationinlargecitiesoftheworld.Itseemsthatonepossiblesolutioncouldbetorelocatelargecompaniesandfactoriesaswellastheirrespectiveemployeesoutoftheseurbanareasandintomoreruralones.Inmyopinion,Istronglyagreethatthiswouldhaveadesiredeffectinmakingcities
morelivable.Tobeginwith,thetrafficproblemincitiesdoesn’tonlyexistfromcommutingemployees,butalsothegeneralpublictravellingaroundthecity.Whilethismaybeafact,ifthenumberofworker’svehiclesisreducedoncitystreets,alargepercentageoftrafficwillobviouslydeclineinrushhours.Forexample,peakhourtrafficisundoubtedlymadeuplargelyofstafffromcompaniesgoingtoandfromhome.Secondly,inregardstohousingproblems,populationswillalwayscontinuetogrowincitiesandthereforeinadvertentlydecreasethenumberofcheapandavailableapartments.Thisiscertainlyobvious,however,alargeproportionoftheseapartmentsareoccupiedbyemployeesfromlargefirmsandtheir
families.Ifthisworkforceisrelocatedtohousingestatesinthecountry,cityapartmentblockswillfallinpriceandcertainlyincreaseinavailability.Inconclusion,byrelocatingworkerstoruralareastoworkandreside,heavytrafficconditionsandlackofadequateaccommodationincitycentreswillobviouslychangeforthebetter.AsfarasI’mconcerned,Iagreethatthegovernmentshouldenforcesuchalawinordertoincreaseourstandardoflivinginourhecticcitylife.
(272words)
Sample51
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Companiesshouldencourageemployeeswhoworkinahighpositiontoleaveattheageof55inordertogiveopportunitiestothenewgeneration.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Itotallydisagreewiththeideaofhigh-levelemployeesleavingattheageof55tomakeroomfortheupcominggeneration.Whileitistruethattheenergyleveland
freshideasofyouthcanrejuvenateacompany,thesteadyhandofexperiencecanstillbestguideacompanyinmostcases.InEnglishthereisasaying,“Youcan’tteachanolddognewtricks.”Inthefast-pacedworldofbusiness,bolsteredbyevenfasterhi-techinnovations,ayoungermorepliantmindwouldseemtobeabletoadaptwithgreaterflexibility,whilesuchanenvironmentmightboggleanoldermoreset-in-its-waysmind.Take,forexample,Microsoft’sBillGates,whoseenergyandbrilliantinsightsasayouthhelpedhimtopioneernewterritoryinthecomputersoftwareworldandestablishadigitalempire.NowasamorematureCEO,thiskingofthe“computer”mountainisconstantlyonthevergeofbeingknockeddownbyupcomingdigerattientrepreneurs.
However,itisnowtheexperiencehehasaccumulatedasanoldermanwhichkeepshimontop.So,combiningthevigourandinnovationofyoungerworkerswiththeexperienceofolderworkerswouldseemtobethewinninghandintheworldofbusiness.Theassertionistogiveopportunitiestotheyoungergeneration.Ifeveryoneretiresat55,therewillbesmallerpoolofexperienceatthecompany.So,whowillshowthemtheropesofthetrade?Itwouldbeasifweloppedoffthelastfewchaptersofatextbook.Onthispointtheargumentwouldseemtobebuiltonfalsepresumptions.Andthinkofalltheotherproblemsretirementat55wouldcreate.Withlifeexpectancyinmanyadvancednationsat70-plusyears,howwouldthestatealong
withprivateenterprisesbeabletosupporttheirretirementpensions?Theeconomicrepercussionsofsuchanideacouldbegreat.Besides,theWesternformofcapitalismisbuiltoncompetitionandmeritandnotseniorityaccordingtoage,anddemocracyisbuiltonequalityforallregardlessofone’sage,sotheargumentclearlygoesagainstthesetwopillarsofWesternsociety.Granted,mycounter-argumentsareperhapsassimplisticastheoriginalassertionitself,butwithoutqualifyingtheassertionwithgreatersupportingevidenceorbackgroundinformation,bothsidescanbeargued.Nevertheless,evenafterthoroughlyconsideringtheargument,IbelieveIwouldstilladheretomy
viewpointthattheassertionlacksmeritfortheaforementionedreasons.Besides,whenIam55Idonotfancytheideaofbeingputouttopasture.IthinkIwillstillbefullofvitalityandhaveadesiretowork,soIhopemyworkplacewillviewmeasatreasurehouseofvaluableexperiencetopassalongtothenextgenerationandkeepmeonuntilIamatleast65ifnotolder.
(478words)
Sample52
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplesaythegovernmentshouldnotputmoneyintobuildingtheatresandsportsstadiums;theyshouldspend
moremoneyonmedicalcareandeducation.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
WhatwouldtheworldbelikewithoutShakespeareortheOlympics?Whilemedicalcareandeducationareperhapsthehighestcausestowhichmoneycanbecontributed,theartsandathleticsareinsomewaysjustasvaluable.So,toaskthe
governmenttonotextendsupporttothesetwoareascouldbejustasdetrimentaltothewelfareofsocietyasthelackofsufficienthealthcareandeducation.TheRomansbelievedin“menssanaincorporesano”.Inshort,thatthereisindeedacorrelationbetweenahealthybodyandhealthymind.Whenwearehealthy,wefeelbetterandsoaremorelikelytobeproductiveacademically.Plus,thepracticeofsportscanalsoteachustheverysamedisciplineweneedforourstudies.Whyevenabriskwalkorwatchinganexcitingathleticmatchcanrefreshthemindforgreaterwork.Moreover,sportscanservetocreatehealthierbodies,whichinturnwouldserveasaformof“preventivemedicine”therebycuttingdownonmedicalcosts.Inthesamevein,theartsareknownto
induceasenseofwell-beinginperformersandaudiencealike,reducingmentalproblemsandtheirassociatedphysicalmanifestationsandagain,medicalcosts.Assuch,buildingtheatresandstadiums,whichspurinterestintheartsandsportsrespectively,actuallywouldbepracticallyidenticaltospendingmoneyonmedicalcareandeducation!NowIrealizethequestionspecificallyaddressesthebuildingoftheatresandsportsstadiumsbygovernment.Somepeoplewouldcontendathleticsandtheartscanstillbeenjoyedandpracticedwithoutsuchconstructions.Iwouldhazardthatthesebuildingsstandasthealtarstothesportsandartsworlds,inspiringwould-beathletesandperformers.Withoutsuchvenueswherewouldsportsspectatorsandmusicaficionadosbeabletoenjoy
theseevents?Nowsomeotherpeoplewouldalsosaybusinesscouldsupporttheirconstruction,butweknowtheavariceofbusinesscouldverylikelyjeopardizetheloftyspiritofathleticsandtheartsjustaswell.Therefore,allowinggovernmenttoretainsomesayinthematteronbehalfofthepeoplewould,Ibelieve,beinthebestinterestofthepeople.Inshort,aslongasthegovernmentdoesnogooverboardinitsexpendituresforthesebuildingsandusessuchvenuesforthebenefitofall,then,asmentionedabove,peoplewillbenefitintermsofbothmedicalcareandeducationaswell.Thisisnottosaythegovernmentshouldneglectmedicalcareandeducation,butrathertothinkofthisnotasaneither-orchoicebut
asawin-winsituationforall.
(434words)
Sample53
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplethinkthatitisimportanttohaveasinglelanguageasaninternationalofficiallanguage.Othersthinkthatitwillmakeitdifficulttoidentifycountriesandcausealossofculture.Whatareyouropinionsonthis?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourown
knowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Withtheadventofglobalization,acommonlanguagetofacilitatetradeandcommunicationseemsinevitable.Someopposethedevelopmentofasinglelanguageonthegroundsthatitmayleadtoculturalerosionandalossoflocallinguisticknowledge.Yet,Iamoftheopinionthatitispossibletouseanofficialinternationallanguageandstillretainone’sownlanguageandculture.Firstly,manycountriesalreadyuseanofficiallanguageorlanguages.Forexample,inIndiatherearetwoofficiallanguages:HindiandEnglish.Inacountry
suchasIndiawherethereareinnumerablelanguagesspoken,thereisaneedforofficiallanguagestoensurecommunicationbetweendifferentsectionsofthepopulationandthedifferentstates.InChina,wheredifferentdialectsarespoken,Mandarin,theofficiallanguage,enablespeoplefromdifferentprovincestocomprehendeachother.Secondly,inanageoframpantglobalizationthereisnodoubtthataninternationallanguageisinevitability.HowisanAfricanbusinessmangoingtoconductbusinessinChinawhentherearesuchdifferencesbetweenlanguages?Inthissense,notonlyisaninternationallanguageinevitable,butalsoanecessityfortrade,commerceandeconomicexpansioninthe21stcentury.Thecriticsopposingtheadoptionofan
internationalofficiallanguagearguethatitwouldleadtoalossofculturalidentity.However,theuseofaninternationalofficiallanguagedoesn’tmeanthatlocallanguageswilldieout.Forexample,Englishalreadyfunctionsasakindofunofficialinternationallanguagebutthisdoesn’tmeanthatpeoplesolelyconverseinEnglishortheyneglecttheirownlanguage.Englishisusedinspecificcontexts(trade,business,etc)andnativelanguagesareusedforeverydayinstruction.Inbrief,astheworldbecomessmallertheneedforanofficialinternationallanguageseemsunavoidable.Englishhasalreadyassumedthisrolealthoughitsstatusisunofficial.Inmyview,theuseofeitheranofficialorunofficialinternationallanguageisnecessarytofacilitate
communicationinatimeofrapidglobalization.
(330words)
Sample54
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Fashiontrendsaredifficulttofollowthesedaysandit’swidelybelievedthattheyprimarilyexistjusttosellclothes.Somepeoplebelievethatweshouldn’tfollowthemandthatweshoulddressinwhatwelikeandfeelcomfortablein.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
It’swidelybelievedintoday’smaterialisticworldthatthelatestinnovativefashiontrendsholdgreatsignificance.Ontheotherhand,suchtrendsarebelievedtobesetonlyinthepursuitofprofitsforlargedesignercompanies.Itseemsthatinrecenttimes,peoplearenowchangingtheirmindsinregardstowearingclothesforcomfortandasapersonalchoice.PersonallyIagreethatweshouldpaymoreattentiontoindividualityandcomfortinthewaywe
dress.Firstly,fashiondesignsexistasaformofcreativeartisticexpressionofthedesigner.Althoughthismaybetrue,undoubtedlysuchdesignstakeawayindividualityonceatrendissetinplace.BythisImeanthatthereisnothinguniqueaboutwearingwhateverybodyelsedoes.Morespecifically,ifeveryonesportsthelatestcolouranddesigninsummerskirts,dowenotlookthesame?Secondly,Itispossiblethatfashiontrendscanlookextremelystylishtothegeneralpublic.However,itcanbearguedthatthemainpurposeofwearingclothesisformorefunctionalreasons.Thisisprimarilyduetothefactthatclothesweretraditionallyworntoprotectpeoplefromclimaticconditions.Forinstance,clothesarestillwornbasicallytokeeppeople
warmanddryinwinterandcoolinsummer.Finally,fashioncertainlygivesusasenseofconfidenceandprideinourappearance.Whilethisiscertainlyagoodpoint,italsomeansthatfollowingsuchchangeabletrendsprovestobeexpensive.Forexample,purchasingeverylatestseason’sfashionitemwillofcourseblowthebudgetofmanyyoungpeople.Inconclusion,therearevariousargumentstosupportthedismissaloffashiontrends,consistingofnotconforming,comfortandprice,whichIstronglyagreewith.
(290words)
Sample55
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Nowadays,educationoverseashasbecomemoreaccessibleandgrowingnumbersofpeoplesendtheiroffspringtostudyinothercountries.However,thistrendhasitsdetractors.Istronglybelievethattheprosfaroutweighthecons,andwillexaminebothbelow.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Oneofthegreatestadvantagesisthatthechildrenlearntobeindependent.Havingtocook,clean,andpaybillsinstillsthisinthem.Oftentheyhavetoworkpart-timetomakeendsmeet,andthisimpressesuponthemtheimportanceofworkandmoneymanagement.Anotherimportantfactoristhatthesechildrenwillbeexposedtodifferentculturesandwaysofthinking.Theywillbecomemoreopen-mindedandtolerantandarelikelytobecomemoreadaptableindividuals.Oneofthemainmotivesforsendingyoungpeopleabroadtostudyisthatitenhancestheiremploymentprospects.Inmyexperienceoflivinginforeigncountriesandspeakingtovariousyouths,itseemsthataforeigneducationisregardedassomethingdesirableand
helpfulingettingadecentjob.AdegreefromBritain,forexample,isseenasbeingofahigherstandardthanonefromadevelopingcountry.Furthermore,livinginaforeigncountrymayleadtofluencyinasecondlanguage,whichisanothersellingpointforprospectiveemployers.Inaddition,manycompaniesarekeentorecruitpeoplewithaglobaloutlook.Thereareafewdrawbackshowever.Forinstance,withoutparentalsupervision,thenewfoundfreedomchildrenexperiencemayleadtoharmfulpracticessuchasdrug-takinganddrinking.Reluctanceorinabilitytoreintegrateintotheirmothercountryisanother.Tosumup,itcanbeseenthattheadvantagesofstudyingabroadforchildrenaremorenumerousthanthedisadvantages.Ofcoursealot
dependsontheageofthechild,butIbelievethatformostteenagersitwouldbeapositiveexperience.
(266words)
Sample56
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Nowadays,internationaltourismisthebiggestindustryintheworld.Unfortunately,internationaltourismcreatestensionratherthanunderstandingbetweenpeoplefromdifferentcultures.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Thegrowthoftourismandthenumbersofpeopletravellingtoothercountriesfortheirvacationshasledtodebateastowhetherthisisbeneficial.Ibelievethattherearemanyproblemswhichariseoutofthetouristindustry,andwillexaminetheseindetail.Manypeoplearguethattravelbroadensthemind.However,thisstatementdoesnotfullyholdwater.Iwouldarguethatspendingafewweeksinanothercountryis
notlongenoughtogainaproperunderstandingofanalienculture.AforeignervisitingBritainmightbemetwiththetraditionalBritishreserve,andmistakenlyconcludethattheBritishareunfriendly.Furthermore,somepeopleareunwillingtoopentheirminds.AWesterntravellertoanArabcountryisunlikelytoconsiderthattheveilingofwomenisacceptable.Beingatouristinaforeigncountrybringswithitproblemsthatcanleadtodislikeofthenativepeople.Firstly,aforeignerisvulnerable,andisoftenrippedoffbylocals.Secondly,thelanguagebarriercanleadtomisunderstandings.Thirdly,touristsareoftenhassledtobuygoods,whichcanruinaholiday.WhenIwenttoBali,peopletriedtosellmesomethingeveryfiveminutes,andthistotallyspoilt
mysunbathing.Localpeoplealsooftenendupdislikingforeigners.Visitorsmaymistakenlyactcontrarytolocalnorms,ortheymayjustbeplainoffensive,asmanydrunkenBritishholidaymakersmustseemtotheSpanish.Globaltourismcanleadtohostilityfromthenativepeople,whomayfeeltheirtraditionalwayoflifeisunderthreat.Additionally,therelativewealthoftheforeignvisitorscancauseenvyandresentment.Inconclusion,IwouldsaythatIlargelyagreewiththeargumentthatglobaltourismcreatesmisunderstandingbetweenpeoplefromdifferentcultures,andthatthedifferencesareoftenacauseforconflictratherthancelebration.
(308words)
Sample57
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Peoplehavedifferentjobexpectationsforjobs.Somepeopleprefertodothesamejobforthesamecompany,whereasothersprefertochangejobsfrequently.Writeabouttheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeachviewpoint?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Inthemodernworkplacethereisnolongertheattitudethat‘ajobisforlife’.Nowadays,manypeopletaketheoptiontochangejobs,whileothersprefernotto.Inmyessay,Iwillexplorethegoodandbadpointsoftheaboveattitudes.Oneofthemainbenefitsofstayinginonejobissecurity.Changingemployeroftenmeansaperiodofinstability,whereonemayhavetothinkaboutmovinghouse,ortemporarilylosingasteadysourceofincome.Stayinginonejobmeanstheseproblemsareavoided.Anotherbenefitofnotchangingoccupationisthatoneisabletogainalotofexperienceandexpertiseinhisspecificprofession,thusenhancingjobsecurity.One’scompanymayrecognizetheir
loyaltyandrewardtheirservice.Ontheotherhand,thosewhooftenchangejobsmaybeseenasunreliable,lackinginexperienceandemployersmightbereluctanttohireandinvesttraininginthem.However,thereareargumentsinfavourofchangingjobfrequently.Oneisthataworkerimproveshisemployability.Workinginseveraldifferentjobsoftenmeansthattheindividualhasmoreskills.Suchpeopleareseenasmoredynamicandversatile.Anotherbenefitofchangingjobsfrequentlyisthatonenevergetsstuckinarut.Frommyownexperience,IgotboredwhenIspenttoolonginajob.Followingthis,thequalityofmyworkwouldsuffer.Ialsobelievethatemployersgenerallydon’ttendtogreatlyrewardloyaltyor
commitment.Increasedwagesandpromotionareofteneasiertoattainbychangingjobs.Overall,itcanbesaidthatthedisadvantagesofchangingjobsaretheadvantagesofstayingput,andviceversa...Inmyopinion,Ifeelthatchangingjobseveryonceinawhileisofmorebenefit.
(299words)
Sample58
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Itiswidelybelievedthatchildrenofdifferentlevelsofintelligenceshouldbetaughttogether,whileothersthinkthatmoreintelligentchildrenshouldbe
taughtseparately.Discussandpresentyourownopinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Inpasteducationalinstitutions,childrenhavebeentaughttogetherbasedonageregardlessofintellectualabilitydisplayedatschool.Alternatively,alargeproportionofthepopulationbelievesthereshouldbeastrongmovetowardstheseparationofchildrenofdifferentintellectualcapabilitiesincurrenteducational
institutions.Frommyowneducationalperspective,Ihonestlybelievethatyoungerstudentspossessinghigherintelligencelevelsthantheirpeersoughttobeseparatedintoalternativelevelsbasedontheirgift,foranumberofreasons.Admittedly,althoughyounglearnershavethechancetolearnalotfromassociatingwithclassmatestheirownage,itiswidelybelievedthatsuchaprocessisn’tconsideredtobevitalforahealthyeducationalupbringing.Theargumentforintellectualseparationholdssomestrongadvantages.Firstly,byallocatingstudentstoclassesbasedonlevelsofintelligence,highachievershavetheopportunitytoexcelinawaythattheycouldn’tinanormalclass.Owingtothefactthattheycanbeplacedintoanunrestricted
educationalenvironment,studentscanexcelwithintellectualfreedom.Secondly,thereisastrongargumentinregardstoinhibitingachild’sintellectualgrowthbyrestrictingthemfrommovingabovetheirpeersiftheirmentalcapabilitypermits.Whyshouldwelimittheintelligenceofourfuturegeneration?Forinstance,manyoftoday’shighlysuccessfulartistsandentrepreneursintheworldhavecomefromanunrestrictededucationalbackgroundandhavebeenallowedtoexploretheirmindandcareerstothefullestextent.Inconclusion,althoughIbelieveaneducationalenvironmentforyounglearnersshouldpromoteequalopportunity,Ihonestlythinkthatcreatingamoreliberalenvironmentwhichenhancesthelearningcapabilitiesof
intellectually-giftedchildrenwillnotonlybenefitindividual’scareersbutfuturesocietyasawhole.
(288words)
Sample59
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplethinkthatuniversitiesshouldnotprovidesomuchtheoreticalknowledgebutgivemorepracticaltrainingthroughouttheircourses.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandinclude
anyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Inthepast,amajorityofacademicshaveheldtheopinionthatuniversitiesshouldonlyofferatheoretically-basedapproachtoteachingthroughouttheircourses,asopposedtothemorerecenttrendtowardsempiricalacquisitionofknowledgeinvolvingmore“handson”experience.Isthisthemosteffectivewayforstudentstolearnvitalacademicinformationwhileundertakingtheirdegrees?Undoubtedly,advantagesanddisadvantagesofbothacademiclearningstyleshavetobeevaluated.
Firstly,ontheonehand,despitebeingthemoretraditionaleducationalapproach,learningfromtheoryinrelevantacademicdiscoursestoidentifyestablishedknowledgeallowsustogainaprofessionalinsight.Forexample,studentscaneasilyidentifyfactsandopinionsfrompastdiscourses.Inaddition,studentsacquireknowledgemoreeasilywhengivenrelativetheoreticalexamplestobuildupon.Forinstance,insubjectssuchashistoryorsociology,studyingtextbookexamplesallowsstudentstounravelcomplexacademictheorieswhichtheycouldexpandon.Alternatively,therearesomedisadvantagesforstudents.Ontheotherhand,thereisnodoubtthatstudentscouldfindthemselvesreadingtediousandmonotonousacademicpapers.Forinstance,universitydegreesinvolving
theevaluationofnumerous‘long-winded’academicdiscoursesprovidelittleinspirationforstudents,discouragingenthusiasm.Obviously,interestcanbestimulatedthroughempiricalresearchinclass.BythisImeanthat‘thehumanbrainlearnsbestbydoing’.Althoughtime-consuming,thereisnosubstituteforlearningfrommakingmistakes.Inconclusion,whilebothapproacheshavebenefitsanddrawbacksinourever-changingacademicworld,Ihonestlybelievethatamorepracticalapproachpromotesastrongeracquisitionofacademicknowledge.Inspiteofthecomprehensivenaturewhichtheoreticalteachingcanpossiblyprovide,practicallearningequalsmorepositivelearningforfuturegenerations.
(280words)
Sample60
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Thecostsofmedicalhealthcareareincreasingallthetime.Governmentsarefindingitdifficulttobalancethehealthcarebudget.Shouldcitizensbetotallyresponsiblefortheirownhealthcostsandtakeoutprivatehealthinsurance,orisitbettertohaveacomprehensivehealthcaresystemwhichprovidesfreehealthservicesforall?Discuss.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandinclude
anyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Amuchdebatedissuethesedaysiswhethercitizensshouldtakeoutprivatehealthinsuranceornot.Thecostofprovidingfreemedicalcareforboththewealthyandthepoorisfartoogreatforanygovernment,andmostpeopleagreethatifyoucanpayforinsurance,youshould.Inthisessay,Iwillarguethatallwhocanafforditshouldbeinsured,butfreemedicalcaremustbemadeavailableforthosetoopoortodoso.Themostimportantreasonforencouragingpeopletotakeoutprivate
healthinsuranceisthecosttothegovernmentofhealthcare.Freehealthcoverforpeoplewhoareabletopayforitisawasteofpublicmoney.Ofcourse,peoplewillonlypayhealthinsurancepremiumsiftheyknowthattheyaregettinggoodvaluefortheirmoney.Iftheygetsick,theyshouldpayverylittleornothingatall.Inaddition,theprivatelyinsuredareentitledtospecialbenefitssuchashavingthechoiceoftheirowndoctors,andbeingabletoavoidlongwaitinglistsforhospitalbeds.Ontheotherhand,thosewhoreallycannotaffordtopayprivateinsurancepremiums,whichareoftenveryhigh,arestillentitledascitizenstothebestmedicalcareavailable–theycannotbeexpectedtopaytheirownmedicalbills.However,iftheyareworking,theyshouldstillpaya
percentageoftheirwage(say1to2%)asataxwhichpaystowardsthecostofproviding"free"medicalservices.Inconclusion,mostpeopleshouldprivatelyinsuretheirhealth,butitisunreasonabletosupposethatallcitizenscanaffordit.Therefore,asafetynetintheformofabasicfreehealthcaresystemmustexistfortheverypoorandtheunemployed.
(300words)
Sample61
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplebelievethatacollegeoruniversityeducationshouldbeavailable
toallstudents.Othersbelievethathighereducationshouldbeavailableonlytogoodstudents.Discusstheseviews.Whichviewdoyouagreewith?Explainwhy.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Peoplelearnthroughtheirentirelives.Theyconstantlyimprovetheirknowledgeanddevelop.Ithinkthatacollegeoruniversityeducationshouldbeavailableto
allstudentsbecauseeverypersonhastherighttochoosethewaytoself-perfection.BellowIwillgivesomeofmyreasonstosupportmyposition.Firstofall,everypersonshouldhavethechancetogetahigherdegree,gainnewknowledgeandexperience.However,somepeoplebelievethathighereducationshouldbeavailableonlytogoodstudents.Ithinkitissilly.ItisliketomakeunavailabletravelingforonewhodoesnothaveIQhighenough.Secondofall,someyoungpeopledonotdowellatschoolbuttheyhavegreatpersonalityandabilitytolearn.Theyareself-confident,persistentandpatient.Withthesequalitiestheycangethighergradesthentheirclassmateswhoaretalentedbutlazy.Imagineforexamplesituationwhenateenagergetshighgradesbecausehisor
herparentsconstantlymakehimorherstudyandhelptodomostofthehomework.InthiscaseachilddoesverywellatschoolbutIthinkacollegecanshowtheoppositeresults.Finally,itisadiscriminationagainststudentstomakeavailablehighereducationonlyforgoodones.So,ifastudentdoespoorandgetslowgradeshe/sheshouldbesentdown.Butifapersonwasnevergivenachancetotryhimself/herselfatcollege,whattodointhiscase?Tosumup,Ithinkthatallyoungpeopleshouldhavethechancetogetahighereducation.Totakeornotthischancemustbeuptothem.
(277words)
Sample62
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleprefertoeatatfoodstandsorrestaurants.Otherpeopleprefertoprepareandeatfoodathome.Whichdoyouprefer?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Man,throughtheages,hasundergoneanychangesfromthetimewhenhehadtohauntforfoodtothesedayswhenhehastobuyit.Somepeopleprefertobuyfreshvegetables,meatandfruitsandpreparefoodathome.However,otherpeopleprefertoskipthatstepwithcookingandhavedinneratarestaurant.Ithinkthatbothofthesechoiceshavesomeadvantagesanddisadvantages.BellowIwillgivesomereasonstosupportmyanswer.Personally,Idonotlikefastfood.So,mychoiceisalwaysbetweenarestaurantandmyhome.Firstofall,Iwouldliketosaythatcookingisagreattradition.Ithelpspeopletorelax,reflectonsomepleasantmomentswhilepeelingorcuttingthe
vegetables.Itisameansofeliminatingone'sstressandtension.Secondofall,sometimesIdonotwanttohavesomethingtoocomplicatedformydinner.Ijustwanttohavelightfoodlikeasaladandaglassofmilk.So,oneofthereasonswhyIliketoeatathomeisbecauseIcanhavewhatIwantatthismoment.OnegreaterthingabouteatingathomeisthatIcansitinfrontoftheTVandwatchaninterestingprogramoramovie.Finally,havingdinnerathomeallowsafamilycommunicateswitheachother,becloserandsharesomegoodandbadmomentsthathappenedearlierthatday.Besides,eatingathomeisagreatwaytosavesomemoney.Asforrestaurants,Iseesomepositiveaspectsabouteatingtheretoo.Firstofall,Isometimesgettiredfrompeeling,
cutting,washing,frying,etc.ItdoesnotmeanIdoitalot.SometimesIjustusethemicrowaveandapreprocessedfoodthatIboughtearlier.IwanttohavesomethingmoredeliciousthanIhaveinmyrefrigerator,somethingthatistime-consumingtoprepareathome.So,formeitisagoodreasontogotoarestaurant.Thereonemaymeetoldfriendsorjusthasagreattimelisteningtomusicandtastingsomedeliciousmeats.Also,restaurantsareagoodplacetocelebratesomething.Onedoesnothavetopreparefoodforallfriendswhoarecoming,washdish,putinorderallthatmessaftertheparty,etc.Inconclusion,Ithinkthatitdoesnotimportantwhereonehasone'sdinner.Whatimportantisthatitmustbefullandnutritious.
(415words)
Sample63
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Whatdiscoveryinthelast100yearshasbeenmostbeneficialforpeopleinyourcountry?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
IamfromRussia.Frommyopinionthemostbeneficialdiscoveryforpeopleinourcountryhasbeenthediscoveryoftheouterspace.Russiaisthefirstcountrythatlaunchedaspacecraftwithamanontheboardintothespace.Thiseventwasabigsteptowardsthenewdiscoveriesandbroughtmanybenefitsnotonlyforpeopleinmycountry.BellowIwillgivemyreasonstosupportmyanswer.Firstofall,allhumankindmadeahugesteptowardsthemysteryofourcreation.Scientistshadtheopportunitytodothenewresearchandexperiments.Manynewdiscoveriesweremadeontheboardsofthespacecraftsintheouterspace.Peoplefromallovertheworldwatchedtheseevents.Manybookswithrealcolorful
photoswerewrittenaboutthebeginningofthespaceexploration.Nowadayswehaveabigstationcalled"Mir"intheouterspacecreatedonthebaseofcollaborationUSAandRussia.Manypeopleworktheredoingamazingexperiments.Secondofall,theworldbecame"smaller".Peoplelearnthowtoexchangeinformationveryquicklybyuseofsatellites.Televisionisbroad-castedallovertheworldbyuseofsatellites.HereinHoustonIcanwatchRussianprograms.Peoplegottheopportunitytoexchangenewsveryquickly.Tosumup,Ibelievethatspaceexplorationwillbringmuchmorebenefitsinthefutureandsomedaywewilllearnwhatisbeyondourcurrentgalaxy.
(240words)
Sample64
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Apersonshouldnevermakeanimportantdecisionalone.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIcanclaimthatdiscussionofanimportantdecisionwithotherpeoplebringmanybenefits.InthefollowingparagraphsIwillgivemyreasonstodefendthisstatement.Firstofall,differentpeoplehavedifferentopinions.Inordertomaketherightchoicepeopleshoulddiscusseverypossibledecisionanditsconsequences.Makinganimportantdecisionalonecanbringmanynegativeaspects.Forinstance,apersoncanrevealhisselfishnessorimpatienceandtheconsequencesofthatdecisioncanaffectmanypeopleinthefuture.Ithinkthatagoodandwisedecisioncanbebornonlyindiscussionbecausepeoplecansharetheirknowledgeandexperiencesalookattheproblemfromdifferentsidesandaspects.
Secondofall,Ithinkthatmakingdecisionaloneisunacceptableespeciallyforacompany.Imaginethatachiefmakesthedecisionaboutincreasingaproductionlinewithoutdiscussingitwithhisemployees.Inthiscaseapartofcompany'sprofitwillbespendingonextendedpurchaseofrawmaterials.So,shareholderswillbeleftwithoutdividends.Thisdecisionmayleadtogettingridofcompany'ssharesandasaresultofthisdecliningthevalueofacompanyasawhole.Tosumup,Ithinkthatapersonshouldalwaysconsulthisrelativesorcollegeswhenmakinganimportantdecisiontoavoidpossiblemistakes.
(230words)
Sample65
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Describeacustomfromyourcountrythatyouwouldlikepeoplefromothercountriestoadopt.Explainyourchoice,usingspecificreasonsandexamples.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Inourmodernstressfulworldweoftenforgetaboutourcustomsandtraditions.
However,Ithinkthatpeopleshouldkeeptheirtraditionsbecausetheyhelptorememberourforefathersandvaluethebeautifulmomentswehaveinourlives.Inmycountrywehaveagreatcustomcalled"Maslenica".Itisaholiday,whichiscelebratedattheendofthewinter.Manypeoplegatheronthebiggestsquareofthecityandseeofthewinter.Theysaytothewintergood-byeandaskthespringtochangethewinter.Theycelebratethebeginningofthelifewheneverythingstartstogrow.Peopleatthisholidaybakepancakesandtreateachotherwiththem.Also,manypeoplegatheredonthesquareplaydifferentgames.Forexample,themostwell-knowngame"pullingarope"subsistsinthattwoteamspullarope.Thewinneristheteam,witchhasalongerrope.Other
peopledrawontheicypole.Peoplehavefunatthisholidayeveniftheyjustobservethosegamesanddonotparticipate.Inconclusion,Iamsurethat"Maslenica"wouldbenefitmanycountriesallovertheworld.Peoplehavetheopportunitytorelax,leavetheirtroublesandworriesbehindandhavefun.Also,thisholidayhelpspeopletofindoutmoreabouteachother,communicateandmeetnewpeople.Inadditiontothosepracticalbenefits,"Maslenica"helpspeopletoslowdowntheirlifepaceandenjoythepresentmomentsthatareirreplaceableandbeautiful.
(248words)
Sample66
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Whenpeoplemovetoanothercountry,someofthemdecidetofollowthecustomsofthenewcountry.Othersprefertokeeptheirowncustoms.Comparethesetwochoices.Whichonedoyouprefer?Supportyouranswerwithspecificdetails.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Peoplemaychoosetokeeptheiroldtraditionsfromtheirnativecountryortoacceptnewones.Keepingtheoldcustomswillhelponetoovercometheculturalshockandthechangeoftheenvironment.Fromtheotherside,acceptingthenewtraditionswillhelponetoadaptandmakenewfriendswithresidents.InthisessayIwillgivedifferentreasonswhypeopledecidetofollowthecustomsofthenewcountryortokeeptheirowncustoms.Ifoneisfromthecountrywithstrongandoldtraditions,Ithinkitwillberatherdifficultforhimtoadapttothenewcustomsandmoreovertorejecthisown.Thatiswhysomepeoplefromthesamecountrytrytolivetogetherandtocreatetheirowncommunitywheretheoldtraditionsarekept.Theycannotbreakthecustomsthatwerecreatedbytheir
ancestors.Forexample,somenationsarerestrictedincertainkindsoffoodbytheirtraditions.So,theydonotgototherestaurantsunlesstheirtraditionalfoodisservedthere.Somenationsaccordingtotheircustomshavetowearcertaintypesofclothbecausetheirreligiontellsthemtodoso.Fromtheotherside,ifoneisfromthecountrywithtraditionssimilartoonesofthenewcountryitwillbeeasyforhimtoadoptandtofollowthecustomsofthenewplace.Hewillnotfeelmuchdifference.Probably,themostdifficultpartofhisrelocationwillbetoaccustomtothenewclimate.Ithinkthatpeopleofthenewcountryarefriendlierwhentheyseethatforeignerfollowstheircustoms.Ibeliefthat
traditionsofeverycountrydeserverespect,especially,whenonelivesthere.Insummary,Ithinkthateverycountryhasitsownbeautyandifonewantstofindoutmoreaboutithewillloveit.
(313words)
Sample67
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Moderntechnologyiscreatingasingleworldculture.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Man,throughtheages,hasundergonemanychangesfromthetimewhenhedepictedaherdofmammothsonthewallsofthecavetothesedayswhenhecanchartwithsomeoneontheothersideoftheglobe.Moderntechnologyisrapidlychangingtheworld'slivingstandardsthatresultsincreatingasingleworldculture.NewtechnologiesincludingInternet,television,electronicmedia,meansoftransportation,etchasagreatimpacton
creatingasimilarcultureallaroundtheglobe.BellowIwilllistmyreasonstosupportmyopinion.Firstofall,Internetande-mailhavechangedthewaypeoplecommunicatetoeachother.Internetbroughtmanybenefits.Itisanewmeansofcommunication,afastaccesstoinformationandnews.Peoplecommunicatewitheachother,sharetheirideas,happinessanddifficulties.Wehaveagreatopportunitytofindoutmoreaboutcountriesandtheirhistory.Secondofall,themodernmeansoftransportationallowspeopletomovefromoneplacetoanotherveryquickly.Afewcenturiesagoitwasimpossibletoimaginewakingupinonecountryandfallingasleepinanother.Finally,asaresultofallmentionedabove
theboundariesbetweencountries,theirtraditionsandcustomsareerased.Manypeoplemigrateduringtheirlives.Someofthemarelookingforabetterplacetolive,otherswanttogetnewexperienceandknowledgeorjustpleasure.So,manyfamiliesarecreatedbetweenpeoplefromdifferentcountries.Traditionsfuseandevolveintootheronesorjustvanish.Tosupup,moderntechnologyhasagreatimpactonthewaypeoplelivenow.Itiscreatinganewsingleworldculturewheretraditionsanddistancesarenolongerofthatimportance.
(286words)
Sample68
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Aforeignvisitorhasonlyonedaytospendinyourcountry.Whereshouldthisvisitorgoonthatday?Why?Usespecificreasonsanddetailstosupportyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Travelingisagoodwaytofindoutmoreaboutdifferentcountrieswithdifferent
traditionsandcustoms.Sometravelersprefertospendinonecountryjustafewdaysoronedayandthenleaveforanothercountry.Thiswayoftravelingallowspeopletovisitmorecountriesinfewerdays.Unfortunately,inthiscasesuchtravelershavetohurryinordertovisitmoreplaces.IamfromSaint-Petersburg,Russia.So,ifaforeignvisitorhasonlyonedaytospendinmycountryIthinkIwouldadvicehimtovisitthe"Hermitage"-themostwellknownandamazingmuseuminRussia.The"Hermitage"has3floorsandmorethen100halls.Itisreallyamazingtovisitthatplace.Manypeoplefromallovertheworldeverydayenteritswalls.Someoftheroomsdevotedtothehistoryofothercountries.Othersdevotedtotheartofafamouspainterandthehistoryofhislife.
However,mostofthehallsconcludemanythingssuchaspaintings,royalbelongings,sculpturesfromRussianhistory.Somepeoplesaythatitisimpossibletofeeldeeplyandseealltheseamazinghistoricalvaluesforonevisit.Ihavetocompletelyagreewiththisstatement.WhenIfirstvisitedthe"Hermitage"Iwas14yearsold.ItimpressedmesomuchthatIwasbacknextdaytoseewhatIhadnotbeenabletoseethedaybefore.The"Hermitage"isanimpressiveandbeautifulmuseum.IthinkitisworthtospendthereawholedayandIbelievethatafterthataforeignvisitorcanclaimwithaproudthatheorshesawRussia.
(280words)
Sample69
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youhavetheopportunitytovisitaforeigncountryfortwoweeks.Whichcountrywouldyouliketovisit?Usespecificreasonsanddetailstoexplainyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Iamapersonwholikestotravel.Ithinktravelingisagreatopportunitytomeet
newpeople,gainmoreknowledgeandexperience,andlearnnewcustomsandtraditions.Ididnottravelalotyet,butIamsureIwillhaveachancetodoit.So,ifIhadtheopportunitytovisitaforeigncountryIwouldvisitEgypt.Ithinkitisagreatandveryinterestingcountrywithmarvelloushistory.InthefollowingparagraphsIwillgivesomereasonstosupportmychoice.Firstofall,IalwaysdreamedtovisitEgyptpyramids.MyauntvisitedEgyptafewyearsago.Shewasveryexcitedafterthattripandsaidthatshewouldreturnthereonemoretimeatanycost.ShesaidthatEgypthadimpressedherverymuchwithitsgloriouspyramidsandancientbuildings.Secondofall,Ithinkthatinthatcountryonecantouchhistory,feelthehardbreathofworkersbuildingapyramid
undertheparchingsun,andseethechainofcamelswalkinginthedesertwiththehugetrunksfullofpresentsforCleopatraontheirhumps.Finally,Iwanttoseearealdessertandridethecamel.Allmyfriendswhorodethecamelsaythatitisanunforgettableexperience.
IbelievethatIwillhaveachancetovisitthisbeautifulcountrysomeday.Unfortunately,nowIhaveplentyofplansandthingstodo,so,IamafraidthatIwillnotbeabletotravelforthenexttwoyears.Iwanttofinishmyeducationandthenfindajob,andthesethingshavehigherprioritythentraveling.MyhusbandwantstovisitthiscountrytooandwemadeanagreementtomakeourtriptoEgyptonourfiveyearsanniversarywhichisintwoyears.
Inconclusion,IwanttoaddthataftermytriptoEgyptIwilldefinitelyvisitAustralia.Thiscountryisthesecondoneonmylistthemostwantedtosee.
(339words)
Sample70
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Itisgenerallyagreedthatsocietybenefitsfromtheworkofitsmembers.Comparethecontributionsofartiststosocietywiththecontributionsofscientiststosociety.Whichtypeofcontributiondoyouthinkisvaluedmorebyyoursociety?Givespecificreasonstosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIthinkthatartistsaswellasscientistsbringmanybenefitstosociety.Itisacontroversialquestionweatherthecontributionsofartistsaremoreorlessthenthecontributionsofscientiststothesociety.Forseveralreasons,whichIwillmentionbellow,Ithinkthatbothtypesarevaluable,pricelessandirreplaceableforeverysociety.Thecontributionsofartiststothesociety
areveryessential.Artcanformperson’sspiritualsense,theirviewsandpersonalities.Peoplelearnhistory,thetraditionsoftheircountrytroughtheart.Wealsowatchmoviesthatentertainandatthesametimeextendourrangeofinterests.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatartisanancientmeansofcommunication.Inoldtimespeopledepictedtheherdsofmammothsonthewallsoftheircaves.Theyperformeddifferentritualsaroundthefireplaceaskingtheirgodsforhealth,goodharvestandweather.Ourlanguageisaresultofpeople'sneedtocommunicate.Fromtheotherside,thecontributionofscientistsiscouldnotbeexaggerated.Allhumankindisindebtedtothescientistsbecauseoftheirworkandachievements.Scientistsmakeourlifeeasier.Wehave
carsandairplanestomovefastfromoneplacetoanother.Wehavemicrowavesandabunchofpreprocessedfoodtomakethecookingmucheasier.Wehavedifferentdevicesthatsimplifyallwedo.Finally,scientistsaremakinggreatachievementsinmedicinethatmakeourlifelongerandhappier.Nowadayspeoplehaveagreatopportunitytodomanythingsfasterbyuseofcomputers.Tosupup,Ibelievethatartistsnourishoursoulswhenscientistsandtechnologyfeedourminds.So,wecannoteliminateorunderestimateoneofthem.
(289words)
Sample71
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplesaythatcomputershavemadelifeeasierandmoreconvenient.Otherpeoplesaythatcomputershavemadelifemorecomplexandstressful.Whatisyouropinion?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplesaythattheinventionofcomputersisoneofthegreatesthumankind'sinventions.However,otherpeoplethinkthatcomputersmaketheirlifemorestressful.Iagreewiththosepeoplewhothinkthatcomputersbroughtmanybenefitsandplayaveryimportantroleinourmodernlife.Firstofall,everycompanynowadaysusesacomputertostoreitsdataandmakedifferentkindsofoperations.Itisverydifficulttoimaginelifewithoutcomputers.Acompanywouldhavetostoremillionsofpapersanddocuments.Moreover,acustomerwouldhavetowaithourstocheckhisbalanceorgetapieceofinformationabouthistransactionsathisbank,whileanemployeewaslookingtroughthosepapers.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatpeopleareableto
typealltheirinformation,makecorrections,printorsenddocumentsusingcomputers.Itmakeslifemucheasier.OnecanspendtherestofthetimewatchingTVwithhisfamilyorworkingonsomethingnew.Weusecomputerseverydaysometimesevennotknowingit.Whenwegotoastoreanduseourcreditcardsmanycomputersprocessourinformationandperformtransactions.Whenweneedtogetsomecashweusemoneyaccessmachinesthatarecomputerizedtoo.Secondofall,computersprovidedagreatmeansofcommunication-theInternet.Ithinkitistheeasiestandcheapestwaytogetintouchwithrelatives,friends,businesscolleagues,etc.Nowadaystheworldbecomessmallerandsmaller.When
Iwasalittlegirl,Icouldnotimaginethatitwouldbepossibletocommunicatewithpeoplefromallaroundtheworldinsoeasyway.Apersoncangetlatestnews,becomefriendswithsomeonefromanothercountry,findhisoldfriends,askforapieceofadvice,etc.Finally,inadditiontothesepracticalbenefitspeoplecanshopwithoutleavingtheirhouse.TheyjustuseanInternetaccess,acomputerandtheircardstomakeapayment.Itiskindofdifficulttoimaginethatafewyearsagopeoplehadtospendtheirtimeinlinesbuyingtickets.Now,apersoncanchooseadestination,company,dateandtimeandgetticketsdeliveredtohisdoor.Ithinkitisamazing.Tosumup,Ibelievethatcomputersmadeourliveseasier.Theychangeourattitudetowardslife.Ithinkwiththeinventionof
computerspeoplebecamecloserandfriendlier.
(404words)
Sample72
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Whenpeopleneedtocomplainaboutaproductorpoorservice,someprefertocomplaininwritingandothersprefertocomplaininperson.Whichwaydoyouprefer?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.Givereasonsforyouranswerandinclude
anyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
ItisratherdifficultformetoanswerthequestionhowIprefertocomplain:inwritingorinpersonbecausesometimesIjustdonothaveachoice.Forexample,ifIorderaproductusingtheInternetfromanotherstateorevencountry,Iwillmorelikelyhavetheopportunitytospeaktoarepresentativeofacompanyinperson.So,insomecasesIchoosetospeakinpersonandinothersIprefertocomplaininwriting.However,Ibelievethateveryoptionhasitsadvantages.Fromtheoneside,complaininginwriting
bringsmanybenefits.Firstofall,onedoesnothavetospendhisprecioustimedriving,waitingforhisturnandtalkingwitharepresentative.Hecanjustsendmailore-mailandgetallexplanationheneeds.Secondofall,Ithinkitisthebestwaytoavoidanunpleasantconversation.Personally,Idonotliketocomplainaboutanythingespecially,inperson.Finally,sometimesitisimpossibletohaveaface-to-faceconversationbecauseacompanywhichprovidedapoorproductorserviceistoofaraway.Fromtheotherside,complaininginpersonhassomebenefitstoo.First,thistypeofcomplainingprovidesanimmediatefeedback.So,ifIhavesomecomplainsaboutcompany'sproductsIwillreceiveallinformationandexplanationrightaway.However,sendingacompanya
letterandgettingafeedbackcantakemorethenamonth.Second,face-to-faceconversationisoftenmoreeffective.Peopletalktoeachother,seeeachotherfacialgesturesandbodymovements,whichcantellalotaboutaperson.Inadditiontothesepracticalbenefits,inthecaseifonecannotreceivecreditableexplanationfromonerepresentativehealwayscanrequiretotalktoanotherperson.Forinstance,myhusbandrecentlyhadsomeextrawithdrawsfromhisaccountbyhisbankandhewasnotawareofit.So,hewenttothebankandexplainedtothebank'srepresentativethesituationandtheytogetherfoundthesolutionandthatmoneywasgivenbacktomyhusband'saccount.Ithink,inthiscaseface-to-faceconversationisthebestwaytocomplainandgetfeedbackfast.
Inconclusion,IthinkthatifIhavetocomplainaboutaproductorpoorserviceIwilldoitinperson.However,ifface-to-faceconversationisimpossibleIthinkIhavenothingleftbuttosendaletterorwriteane-mailthere.
(409words)
Sample73
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleprefertoworkforalargecompany.Othersprefertoworkforasmallcompany.Whichwouldyouprefer?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Theissuewhetherworkingforalargecompanyisbetterthanworkingforasmallcompanyisacontroversialone.FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIthinkthateveryoptionhasitsadvantagesanddisadvantages.Ibasemyopiniononthefollowingpoints.Fromtheonesideworkingforalargecompanybringsmanybenefits.Firstofall,onehasbettermedicalinsurance,
highersalary.Oftenemployeesofalargecompanyhavelessresponsibility.Moreover,theyfeelmoresecurebecausetheircompanyhasmoreclientsandthismeansbetterchancetosurviveonthemodernmarket.However,oneworkingforalargecompanyhaslesschancetobepromotedbecauseone'smanagerdoesnotwanttolosehisorherjobunlesssheorheispromotedtoo.Also,frommyobservation,managersofalargecompanydonotpaymuchattentiontoone'ssolutionsandsuggestions.Fromtheothersideworkingforasmallcompanyhasmanyadvantagestoo.Firstly,onehasbetterchancetobepromoted.Secondly,onecantalktotheownerofthecompanyaboutanyimprovementsthatcanbedoneinordertogetmoreprofit.Anotherimportantaspect
ofworkingforasmallcompanyistheopportunitiestofindoutmoreabouthowcompanyworks.Asaresultofthisonecangainmoreexperienceandgetbetterrecommendations.However,thisalsohassomedisadvantages.Forinstance,onecangetlesssalary,worsemedicalbenefits,etc.Tosumup,Ithinkthateverypersonchoosesforhimselfwhatheorshewants.Ifonewantsbettercareerandmoreresponsibilitiesthenasmallcompanyisbetterchoice.Otherwise,workingforalargecompanymaybeagoodoptiontoo.
(286words)
Sample74
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Youhavedecidedtogiveseveralhoursofyourtimeeachmonthtoimprovethecommunitywhereyoulive.Whatisonethingyouwilldotoimproveyourcommunity?Why?Usespecificreasonsanddetailstoexplainyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
IthinkthequestionwhatwouldIdoifI
hadachancetoimprovemycommunityisdifficult.Ihaveinmymindmanythings,theimprovementofwhichwillmakeourcommunitybetterplacetolivebuttheyallrequiretheparticipationofmanypeopleand,moreover,theyrequireinvestments,whichIcannotprovide.Forexample,mycommunityisquitenoisy.Wehavethehugemalljustinfrontofourcommunity,sotrafficjamsareverycommonforthisplace.Ithinkthattheconstructionofafewpass-byroadswillbenefitallpeoplewholivehereaswellaspeoplewhodrivebyeveryday.Unfortunately,thequestioniswhatIcandoformycommunitygivingafewhoursofmytimeeverymonth.IthinkIcannotdomuch,butIstillcanhelpsomeoneinmycommunity.Forexample,Icanbaby-sit.Iknowacoupleoffamilieswithlittle
children,whocannotaffordtospendmuchmoneyonthebaby-sitter.Oneofthesefamiliesisasinglemomwithalittlegirl.Julia,thisishername,isawaitressinarestaurant.Sheisagreatpersonandwebecameclosefriends.So,sometimesIofferherhelpwithherchildwhenshehastoworkintheevenings.Anotherfamilyhastwofunnylittletwins.Onetimetheirparentsaskedmetobabysittheirchildrenbecausetheyhadtoattendanunexpectedpresentation.Ithinkthiskindofhelpbringsmanybenefitstomycommunity.Firstofall,peoplebecomefriendlier.Forexample,thosefamilies,whichImentionedabove,becamefriendsafterIintroducedthemtoeachother.Secondofall,peoplegettoknoweachotherandfeelmoresecurein
theirhousesandapartments.Finally,IamreadytohelpthosepeoplebecauseIamsurethattheywillhelpmetoo.OnetimeIlostthekeysfrommycarandJuliaofferedmehercarforawhile.Tosumup,Ibelievethatbaby-sittingisagreatwaytohelpmycommunityinmanyaspects.
(353words)
Sample75
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Televisionhasdestroyedcommunicationamongfriendsandfamily.
Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
modelanswer:
Theinventionoftelevisionisundoubtedlyoneofhumankind'sgreatestinventions.Itisawayofcommunicationamongpeopleofonecountryanddifferentcountriesandnations.PeoplewatchTVtofindoutaboutthelatestnews,weather,sports,etc.Itisagreatwaytolearnnewandextendone's
rangeofinterests.ScientistssaythatchildrenspendthesameamountofhoursinfrontofTVastheydoinschool.Ithinkthatthiscanbesaidaboutmanygrownpeopletoo.Also,televisionisagreatmeansofeliminatingstressandtension.Onecanrelaxandleaveone'stroublesbehindlyingonone'sfavoritesofaandwatchingacomedy.However,somepeoplebelievethattelevisionhasdestroyedcommunicationamongfriendsandfamily.Personally,Idonotagreewiththisstatement.Acouplecenturiesagopeoplespenttheirtimegambling,reading,gossipingorplayingchess.Idonotthinkthattelevisionisacauseofdestroyedcommunicationamongfamilymembersandfriends.Firstofall,ifmembersofafamilyhavecommoninterestsandthey
wanttomakeeachotherhappytheywillalwaysfindmanywaystospendtheirtimetogetherandbeclose.Otherwise,ifpeopleavoideachotherandtheydonothaveanythingtosharewitheachothertheywillfindtelevisionagreatwaytoescapefromthismiserableexistence.Ibelievethatmanypeoplechosefamilyandtheirfriendsoversomesoapoperasoramovie.Secondofall,Ithinkthattelevisioncanbeagreatresourceofsubjectstodiscuss.Manypeoplewatchdifferenteducationalprogramstofindoutmoreabouttheirenvironment,nature,wildlifeanimals,economicsituations,etc.So,whentheygatherwiththeirfriendstheydiscussimportantissuesandarquewitheachotherinlookingforthetruth.MyhusbandandIoftenwatchthenewschanneltokeepabreastofthelatestnews.
Afterthatwealwaysdiscusssomeissuesweconcernedabout.Also,weliketowatchaTVshow"thefunniestanimals".Welikethisprogrambecauseitmakesuslaugh.Icannotimaginehowtheseprogramscanpreventourcommunicationandbeharmfultoourrelations.Tosummarize,Iwouldliketoaddthatifpeoplewanttocommunicatewitheachothertheywillfindawaytodoit.Otherwise,iftelevisionwerenotexistent,peoplewouldfindotherescapesandreasonsnottobewitheachothersuchasdrugs,gambling,etc.
(413words)
Sample76
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Weallworkorwillworkinourjobswithmanydifferentkindsofpeople.Inyouropinion,whataresomeimportantcharacteristicsofaco-worker(someoneyouworkcloselywith)?Usereasonsandspecificexamplestoexplainwhythesecharacteristicsareimportant.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Alargenumberofpeoplespendmostoftheirtimeatwork.Ourlifeisdividedintothreeequalparts:8hours-sleep,8hours-
work,8hours-familytime.So,inthemostcases,one'sco-workerplaysanimportantroleinone'slife.Frommyopinion,theessentialcharacteristicsofaco-workerarethefollowing.Firstofall,apersonwhoworkscloselywithmemustlikehisjob.Ithinkitisveryimportantforapersontofeelsatisfactionwithhisjob.Myhusbandisasoftwaredeveloper.Heisfondofhisjobandpeopleenjoyworkingwithhimbecausetheyseehowmanyenergyheputsintohisjob.Secondofall,myco-workermustbepersistentandnevergiveup.Ilikewhenpeoplewhocameacrossaproblemtrytosolveit,findagooddecisioninsteadoflookingforanotherpersontohanditover.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatagoodworkershouldalwaysaskhimself"Whatcanbeimproved?"andsuggests
newsolutions.Inaddition,hemustbeagoodteamplayer.Inthemodernworldgoodcommunicationskillsandtheabilitytoworkinateamareamongthecommonpositionrequirements.Personally,Ithinkitisgreattohelpeachother,sharenewideas,developnewsolutions,etc.Ithelpstocreateateamspiritandimprovelaborproductivity.Finally,myco-workermustbepunctual.HeorsheshouldfinishthejobontimeIthinkthatItisunacceptabletomaketherestofateamwaitwhileapersonfinisheshisorherjob.Also,my"idealco-worker"shouldalwaysbereadytoofferhisorherhelpandbesupportive.Tosummarize,Ithinkifaco-workerpossessesallofthesequalitiesmentionedabovehecanmakeworkwithhimreally
enjoyableandproductive.
(314words)
Sample77
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Classmatesareamoreimportantinfluencethanparentsonachild’ssuccessinschool.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Icannotcompletelyagreewiththestatementthatclassmatesareamoreimportantinfluencethanparentsonachild'ssuccessinschool.InthisessayIwillfirstfocusonthereasonswhyIagreewiththisstatementandthenlistafewpointswhyfrommyopinioninsomecasesisnottrue.Fromtheoneside,classmateshaveasignificantinfluenceonchild'sbehaviorandhisorhersuccessinschool.Firstofall,childrenspendmuchtimeatschool.Classmateshavemanythingsincommonsuchasage,interests,homeworkandclassesafterall.So,theydiscusstheirimpressionsaboutanewteacher,solveproblemstogether,learntheirhomework,gainnewknowledgeandexperienceand
evenmaketheirowndiscoveries.Sharingallthesemakesthemcloser.Someofthembecomefriendsandtheyspendafter-schooltimetogether.Inadditionfriendstendtocopyeachother'shabitsandmanners.Forinstance,mylittlesisterbecamefriendswiththegirlwhodidnothavegoodgradesatschoolatthattime.Itdoesnotmeanshecouldnothavebettergrades;shejusthadmanyfriendswhodidnotcareabouttheirgrades.So,whentheystartedtospendtheirtimetogetherandsharetheirinterests,girl'sgradesimproved.Theydidtheirhomeworktogether,sharedtheirdreamsandexcitingmoments.FromthispointImustagreethatclassmatescanchangechild’sattitudetowardsschool.Fromtheotherside,parentshaveagreatinfluenceonchildren'successinschool
too.Forexampleifparentsshowaninterestintheirchild'sprogressandtalktohimorherabouttheimportanceoflearningIthinktheirchildwilllistentothemanddohisorherbest.Personally,Ibelievethatrelationshipsbetweenparentsandachildplayanessentialroleinchild'ssuccessinschool.IftheserelationshipsarecloseandwholeheartedIamsurethatparentsshouldnotbeafraidofbadinfluencefromtheoutside.
(328words)
Sample78
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Itisbetterforchildrentogrowupinthecountrysidethaninabigcity.Doyouagreeordisagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestodevelopyouressay.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplebelievethatitisbetterforchildrentogrowupinthecountrysidethaninabigcity.However,otherpeoplethinkthatabigcitygivesmoreopportunitiesanditisgoodforthelongrun.Personally,forseveralreasonsIthinkthatitisbetterforchildren'shealthtogrowupinthecountry.
Firstofall,itisveryimportantforachildtogrowupinahealthyenvironment.Childrenneedfreshair,notpollutedbythehugeamountofcarsandfactoriesofthemoderncity.Inthecountrytheycanspendmoretimeexercisingandwalkingwiththeirfriends.ScientistssaythatnowchildrenspendthesameamountoftimewatchingTVastheydoatschool.Probably,thepossibilitytojointheirfriendsforaplaywillchangethisproportion.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatparentswillhavemoretimetospendwiththeirchildrenasaresultofeliminatingtrafficjamsanddecreasingdrivingtimeasawhole.Fromtheotherside,childrenhavesomeadvantageslivinginabigcity.Forexample,theyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosefromwhattheywanttodo.They
canchoosetoattendballetschool,schoolofart,gymnastics,etc.Forthelongrun,itisgoodforthem.Theywillbebetterpreparedforaliveina"realworld"andtheywillhavemorechancestomakeagoodcareerandsucceed.Moreover,abigcityusuallyhasmanyentertainingcenterswithmovietheatresandplaystations.WhenIwasachildIlikedtogotothemovietheatrewithmyparentstowatchapremiere.Onemorereasontochooseabigcityforachildisthatacityprovidesbetterliveconditionsandservicessuchasmedical,dental,etc.Myfriendlivedinthecountryforawhileandonetimeheandhisfamilyhadtodriveacoupleofhourstothenearestmedicalcenterwhenhischildgotaheavycough.Tosummarize,Iagreewiththosepeople
whowanttoraisetheirchildreninacity.Theplentyofopportunitiesofferedbyacityhelpschildrentofindwhattheyreallylikeandbethebestatit.Moreover,despitetheairpollution,childrengetabettermedicalservicethatisgoodfortheirhealth.
(394words)
Sample79
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Apersonyouknowisplanningtomovetoyourtownorcity.Whatdoyouthinkthispersonwouldlikeanddislikeaboutlivinginyourtownorcity?Why?Usespecificreasonsanddetailsto
developyouressay.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
IamfromSaint-Petersburg,Russia.Itisaverybeautifulcitythatattractsmanypeopleeveryyear.Myclosefriendisgoingtomovehereafterhergraduation.Shealreadyfoundajobandsheaskedmetohelpherwithanapartment.KnowingherverywellIthinkIcanenumeratethemajorityofthingsshewilllikeanddislikeaboutmycity.Firstofall,Ibelieveshewilllikeahugeamountofmuseums,theatres,movietheatres,etc.Myfriendisfromasmall
town,so,shecannotenjoyallthesebenefitsathernativetown.Secondofall,itseemstomethatshewilllikethewaypeoplelivehere.Thepaceoflifeismuchfasterheretheninasmalltown.Peoplearealwaysinahurry,theytrytocatchabus,andthentheyruntothenearestsubwaystation,gotoanoffice,meetnewpeople,etc.Also,Ithinkmyfriendwilllikepeoplehere.Theyareveryfriendlyandreadytoofferahelptothoseinneed.Unfortunately,myfriendwillnotsurelylikesomethings.Asaresultofahugeamountofcarsandfactoriestheairispollutedhere.Onemorethingshewilldefinitelynotlikeistheweather.Itisquitehumidhere.However,Ithinkshewillalsolikethepublictransporthere.ThebusservicesarerunbytheGovernmentanditisquite
regular.Ifoneinahurryhecantakeataxi,whichalsoisquitecheapandprovideagoodtransport.
Inconclusion,Ibelievethatinspiteofallmentionedabovedisadvantagesshewilllikethiscity.
(283words)
Sample80
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplethinkthatchildrenshouldbegintheirformaleducationataveryearlyageandshouldspendmostoftheirtimeonschoolstudies.Othersbelievethatyoungchildren
shouldspendmostoftheirtimeplaying.Comparethesetwoviews.Whichviewdoyouagreewith?Why?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Peoplelearnthroughtheirentirelives.Curiositywasalwaysthebasiccharacteristicofahumanbeing.Wealwayswanttobreaklimitsandlearnmore.Atthispointsomepeoplethinkthatchildrenshouldbegintheirformaleducationataveryearlyageandspendmostoftheirtimeonschoolstudies.Thiswillhelpthemtosucceedinthefuture.However,forseveralreasons,whichIwill
explainbellow,Ithinkthatchildrenshouldnotstudyataveryearlyage.Ofcause,childrenwhobegintostudyataveryearlyagehavemorechancestosucceedinthefuture.Theygainmoreknowledgeandexperiencewhicharepricelessandvaluable.Inaddition,studyingmorenowtheywillgivethemtheopportunitytoperfecttheirknowledgeinthefutureandbecomebetterprofessionals.However,Ithinkthateverychildmusthavehisorherchildhood.Childrenshouldlearnthroughplayingandcommunicationwiththeirfriendsandparents.Ithinkthatsuchbasicqualitiesaskindness,self-confidenceandjustagoodsenseofhumorcannotbegainedfromstudying.Childrenshouldmoretimespendwiththeirfamily,playingandlearningwiththeirparents.
Imaginethatachildinsteadofplayingwithhisfriendsdoeshishomeworkandfeelexhaustedandtired.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatchildrenattheirearlyagesneedmoreexercisebecauseatthisagethedevelopmentoftheirbodyisaveryessentialaspect.Childrenfirstofallmustbehealthy.Tosumup,Ithinkthatchildrenshouldhavetheircarelesschildhoodwithnoresponsibilities.Moreover,Iamsurethatplayinghelpsthemdevelopnotonlytheirbonesandmusclesbuttheirabilitytomakedecisions,analyzethings,makeconclusions,whichisverygoodfortheirfuture.
(296words)
Sample81
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Watchingtelevisionisbadforchildren.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Someparentsbelievethatwatchingtelevisionisbadfortheirchildren.So,theytrytorestricttheirchildrenfromwatchingTV.However,otherparentsthinkthatthereisnothingbadinwatching
TV.Personally,IthinkthatwatchingTVbringschildrenonlybenefitsunlesstheyspendinfrontofTVsetlessthenacoupleofhoursdaily.Forthefollowingreasons,whichIwillmentionbellow,Ibelievethattelevisionplaysanessentialroleinchild'sdevelopment.Firstofall,televisionhelpsachildtoextenthisorherrangeofinterests.Childrencanfindoutmanynewthingsandmakemanyexitingdiscoveriesforthemselves.Inadditiontothesepracticalbenefitstelevisionimproveschildren'svocabulary,theirmemoryandgivesthemtheopportunitytogainmoreknowledge.Ithinkitisveryessentialforachild.Ofcause,someonecansaythatthereareplentyofdifferentrecoursesofinformationsuchasbooksandteachers.But,Ithink,inourmodernworldchildren
mustlearnfasteranduseallcontemporarytechnologyinordertosucceed.Secondofall,watchingcognitiveprogramshelpschildrentolearnmoreaboutwildlife,ourenvironmentandabouttheimportanceofpreservingourforestandwildanimalsthatlivethere.ScientistssaythatachildshouldnotwatchTVmorethen40minutessuccessively.Forexample,mymotheralwaysmadeushaveabreakafterwatchingTVmorethenhalfanhourandletoureyesrestforseveralminutesbeforeturningontheTVagain.Ithinkitisthebestsolution.Tosumup,Ibelievethattelevisiongiveschildrenandallpeopletheopportunitytolearnwhatcannotbelearnfrombooks.Televisionandmoviesinparticularallowpeopletofeeltherealityandseewhattheywillmostlikelynotbeabletoseeintheir
lives.Personally,whenIwasachildIlikedtowatchcognitiveprogramsaboutwildanimals.Unfortunately,myfamilyhadonlyoneTV,buttheseprogramsweretheonlyonesweallwantedtowatch.So,wegatheredinourlivingroomandwatchedthemincompletesilenceandIalwaysrememberthosemomentswithasmileonmyface.
(367words)
Sample82
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Childrenshouldbeginlearningaforeign
languageassoonastheystartschool.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Languageisthebestmeansofcommunication.Inthemodernglobalizationeraitisnotenoughtobeabletospeakonelanguagetocommunicatewiththeoutsideworld.Istronglysupporttheideathatchildrenshouldbeginlearningaforeignlanguageassoonastheystartschool.Theyfasterbecomefamiliarwithastrangelanguage,improvetheirhearingabilitytounderstand
newwordsastimegoesbyandlearnnewwords.InthefollowingparagraphsIwilllistsomereasonstosupportmyposition.Firstofall,ifonewantstoseeoutcomesoon,onemuststartsooner.So,theearlychildrenbegintolearnnewlanguagethebetterwillbetheresult.Scientistssaythatachilddoesnotconfusetwodifferentlanguagesbutlearnsthemmoreeffectively.Secondofall,adultsareoftenafraidtomakemistakeswhentheyarespeakinginanewlanguage.Thisfearisoneofthebiggestbarriersforapersoninhiseffortstospeakfreely.Otherwise,childrendonotafraidofmakinggrammaticalmistakesbecausebasicallytheyjustrepeatwordsandsentencesinthewaytheyhearthem.Also,childrenhaveabetterchancetogetridofanaccent.Theyfastergetusedto
therightpronunciationandbetterfeelthemelodyofalanguage.Tosumup,Ithinkthatitisveryessentialforchildrentobeginlearningaforeignlanguageintheirearlyages.Itisbringsmanybenefitssuchasgreatpronunciation.Also,ithelpsachilddevelopandgainmoreknowledgewhichisgoodforalongrun.
(264words)
Sample83
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Parentsorotheradultrelativesshould
makeimportantdecisionsfortheir(15to18year-old)teenagechildren.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Parentsareinmostcasesourfirstteachersandfriends.FrommyeverydayexperienceIhavetoagreewiththestatementthatimportantdecisionsshouldbemadebyourparentsoradultrelatives.InthefollowingparagraphsIwillgivemyreasonstosupportthisstatement.Firstofall,teenagechildrenhavethetendencytoliveintheirownfantasies.
Theydonotclearlyunderstandtherulesofareallife.WhenIwas18yearsoldIthoughtthattheworldwasperfectandeverythingseemedtobesimple.Teenagersarebasicallyinexperienced;theyaspireforindependenceandtrytomaketheirfirststepstowardsfreedom.Ithinkthatitislikestartingtowalkwhenababyneedsitsparentsforsupport.Anindependentlifeisabigandsignificantpartinaperson'slife.So,mypointisthatitisveryimportanttomakethisstepright.Secondofall,Ithinkthatparentshaverighttointerfereintheirchildren'slives.Theyneedtoknowwhatkindoffriendstheirchildrenhaveandhowchildrenspendtheirsparetime.ForexampleIhadaneighteenyearsoldfriendwhogotreallyangrywithhisparentswhentheyprohibitedhimtobefriendswithayoung
man.Somehowhisparentsfoundoutthatthatyoungmanwasoccasionallytakingdrugs.Thatmanwasdeadinayearbecauseofdrugabuse.Afterthataccidentmyfriendthankedhisparentsforthatinterference.Finally,Ithinkteenagechildrenshouldbemoreopen-mindedwiththeirparents.Itwillhelpthemtomaketherightchoiceandavoidmanymistakes.Tosumup,Ibelievethatyoungpeopleshouldtrusttheirparentsbecausetheywishtheirchildrenonlythebest.
(291words)
Sample84
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Itisbetterforchildrentogrowupinthecountrysidethaninabigcity.Doyouagreeordisagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestodevelopyouressay.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplebelievethatitisbetterforchildrentogrowupinthecountrysidethaninabigcity.However,otherpeoplethinkthatabigcitygivesmoreopportunitiesanditisgoodforthelongrun.Personally,forseveralreasonsIthinkthatitisbetterforchildren'shealthtogrowupinthecountry.
Firstofall,itisveryimportantforachildtogrowupinahealthyenvironment.Childrenneedfreshair,notpollutedbythehugeamountofcarsandfactoriesofthemoderncity.Inthecountrytheycanspendmoretimeexercisingandwalkingwiththeirfriends.ScientistssaythatnowchildrenspendthesameamountoftimewatchingTVastheydoatschool.Probably,thepossibilitytojointheirfriendsforaplaywillchangethisproportion.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatparentswillhavemoretimetospendwiththeirchildrenasaresultofeliminatingtrafficjamsanddecreasingdrivingtimeasawhole.Fromtheotherside,childrenhavesomeadvantageslivinginabigcity.Forexample,theyhavemoreopportunitiestochoosefromwhattheywanttodo.They
canchoosetoattendballetschool,schoolofart,gymnastics,etc.Forthelongrun,itisgoodforthem.Theywillbebetterpreparedforaliveina"realworld"andtheywillhavemorechancestomakeagoodcareerandsucceed.Moreover,abigcityusuallyhasmanyentertainingcenterswithmovietheatresandplaystations.WhenIwasachildIlikedtogotothemovietheatrewithmyparentstowatchapremiere.Onemorereasontochooseabigcityforachildisthatacityprovidesbetterliveconditionsandservicessuchasmedical,dental,etc.Myfriendlivedinthecountryforawhileandonetimeheandhisfamilyhadtodriveacoupleofhourstothenearestmedicalcenterwhenhischildgotaheavycough.Tosummarize,Iagreewiththosepeople
whowanttoraisetheirchildreninacity.Theplentyofopportunitiesofferedbyacityhelpschildrentofindwhattheyreallylikeandbethebestatit.Moreover,despitetheairpollution,childrengetabettermedicalservicethatisgoodfortheirhealth.
(394words)
Sample85
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Childrenshouldberequiredtohelpwithhouseholdtasksassoonastheyareabletodoso.
Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Theissueaboutwhetherchildrenshouldhelpwithhouseholdtasksassoonastheyareabletodosoisopenfordebate.Somepeoplesaythatchildrenshoulddevotemoretimeforplayingwiththeirfriends,watchingTVandstudying.However,otherpeoplebelievethatchildrenshouldhelptheirparentswithhouseholdtasks.Personally,forseveralreasons,whichIwillexplainbellow,Iadheretothelatterpointofview.
Firstofall,Ithinkthateverychildshouldhavehisorherownresponsibilities.WhenIwasachildmyparentstaughtmehowtomakebreakfastinthemorning.So,Iwokeup,wenttothekitchenandpreparedacoupleoftoastsforbreakfast.ItwaseasyandIenjoyeddoingitbecauseIlikedthewaymyparentsthankedmeandIfeltthattheywereproudofme.Also,mymomalwayswantedmetoknowhowtocook,cleanandironmycloth.Thankstothelearning,nowadays,whenmymaidcannotcometomyhouseIhandleallhouseholdtasksmyself.Secondofall,performinghouseholdtasksteacheschildrentovaluethejobofpeoplewhodidit.WhenIwasachildIdidnotimaginethatcleaninghousecouldbesotimeandenergyconsuming.So,whenIbegantodosomeofthehouseholdtasks
bymyselfIbegantorespectthejobofothersandtryedtocollectallmytoysaftermyplayingwiththem.Finally,doinghouseholdtasksteacheschildrentoarrangetheirtime.Inadditiontothosepracticalbenefits,helpfromchildrenallowsparentstohavemoresparetimefortheirpersonallivesandforthechildren.Afamilycanhavemoretimetospendwitheachothertalking,watchingmoviesorjustenjoyingthebeautifulmoments.Tosumup,Ithinkthatchildrenshouldhelptheirparentswithhouseholdtasks.Doinghouseholdtaskshelpsthemtogrowintoindependent,self-confident,andattentivepersonswhorespecttheirparents.
(334words)
Sample86
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Whataresomeimportantqualitiesofagoodsupervisor(boss)?Usespecificdetailsandexamplestoexplainwhythesequalitiesareimportant.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Manypeoplehavetoworkundersomebody'ssupervision.Inmostcasesanemployeedoesnotchoosehisorherboss,
unlessasupervisoriselected.InthefollowingparagraphsIwilllistthemostimportantqualitiesofmy"idealboss".Firstofall,hemustbeimpartial.Ibelievethatitisveryimportanttomakeatechnicaldecision,thinkaboutsomebody'spromotion,etc.impartially.Forinstance,myfriendisasupervisoronadairymill.Itishisfamily'sbusinesssoalotofhisrelativesworkthere.Butheneverpromotessomeonebecauseheorsheishisfamily.Ithinkitisagoodqualityforaboss.Secondofall,my"idealboss"mustbehonest,patientandattentive.Heshouldpayattentiontopeople'sfeelings,encouragethembyincreasingtheirsalary,listentotheirsuggestionsaboutimprovinglaborconditionsandproductivity.Forinstance,ifhedoesnotsatisfiedwiththe
resultheshouldunderstandtheoriginoftheproblemandexplainpeoplehowtofixit.Inaddition,hemustknowhowtosolveconflictsthatcanarisebetweenemployees.Anotherimportantqualityofabossistheabilitytochoosetherightdecisionsandtolearnonsomebody'smistakes.Finally,Ithinkagoodbossmustvaluehisorheremployeesbecausetheprofitdirectlydependsonthepeoplewhoworkthere.Inconclusion,Ithinkagoodbossshouldbeabletomakehispeopleenjoytheworktheyaredoingandencouragetheirdiligence.
(252words)
Sample87
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleenjoychange,andtheylookforwardtonewexperiences.Othersliketheirlivestostaythesame,andtheydonotchangetheirusualhabits.Comparethesetwoapproachestolife.Whichapproachdoyouprefer?Explainwhy.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Somepeopleliketoliveinthesamehouse,havethesamejobandhabitsall
theirlives.However,othersaspiretochangesandnewexperience.Personally,fortheseveralreasons,whichIwillexplainbellow,Ipreferthefirstapproachtolife.Firstofall,changesinone'slifebringmanybenefits.Onetriesnewthings,gainsnewknowledgeandexperience.Ithinkitisgreatbecausewithoutchangeslifebecomesboring.Ialwaystrytomakechangesinmylife.Moreover,whenIfeelthatmylifeisboringIdonotfeelwellaboutit.IfeellikeIspentthosedaysfornothing.Ididnotdoanythingexiting,IlearntnothinginterestingandIjustwaistedmytime.Secondofall,peopleneedchanges.Furthermore,weneedobstaclestoovercomeandreachourgoals.Ibelievethatchangesmakeusstronger,more
persistent,moreself-confident,andmorepatient.Also,Ifeelthatallpeoplewhosucceededinlifelikechangesandnewexperiencebecauseitisimpossibletobethebestatsomefieldwithoutperfectingthepresentknowledgeandgainnewexperience.Peoplecatcheveryopportunitytolearnmoreandchangetheirlifeforthebest.Fromtheotherside,peoplewholiketheirlivestostaythesameareverypermanent.Theyhavethesamejoballtheirlife,thesamehabits,thesameweek-endsandeventhesameyearsinyearsout.Ithinkitisboring.Whatwilltheytelltheirchildrenabouttheirlives?Whatkindofcontributionwilltheymakeforthesociety?Ithinksuchpeoplearejustafraidofchanges.Ithinkcuriosityandaspirationtothenew
experiencearetwoofthemainreasonsofhumanevolution.Peoplealwayswantedtobreaklimitsandgainmoreknowledgeandexperience.So,peoplewhoenjoychangearetheengineofhumandevelopment.
(314words)
Sample88
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Businessesshoulddoanythingtheycantomakeaprofit.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourposition.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Idonotagreewiththestatementthatbusinessesshoulddoanythingtheycantomakeaprofit.Istatemyopiniononthefollowingpoints.Firstofall,everycompanymusthaveitsmoralcode.Itmeansthatacompanyshouldtreatitsclientsproperlyandrespecttheirrights.Ofcauseacompanymayloseapartofitsprofitbutsecurityofitsclientsmustbeonthefirstplace.Otherwise,clientswillswitchtoanothercompanyandneverbeback.Forinstance,afewyearsago"Jonson&Jonson"producedanewtypeofpainkillers.
Unfortunately,thisproductwasnottestedproperly.Asaresultofthismanypeoplediedandreceivedinjures.Thepresidentofthecompanymadeacrucialdecisiontocallbackallpainkillersfromalldistributorsandpaytoallinjuredcustomersfortheirtreatment.Itcostalotofmoneyforthecompanybutitsaveditsimageandclients.Itwasaverydifficultdecision,butthepresidentofthecompanyunderstoodthatitwouldcosthimevenmoreinthefuturebecausehewouldnotbeabletoreturnclients'respect.Loosingcustomersmeansforacompanyloosingitsprofit.Secondofall,inordertosucceedinthemodernworldcompanieshavetocompetewitheachother.Manycompanieslosetheirprofitdecreasingpricesontheirproducts.Theydonotaspireforextra
profitbutforclients'satisfaction.Companiesdoitbecausetheywanttheirproductssoldandtheircustomerssatisfied.Theyofferdiscounts,freedelivery,freeservice,freeInternetaccess,goodreturnservice,etc.Allthesearedonetomaketheiroldcustomershappyandattractnewclients.Tosumup,Ithinkacompany,whichtheonlygoalisprofitwillnotsucceednowadays.Otherwise,companiesthatrespecttheirclientsandwanttoseethemsatisfiedwillmakeafortune.
(311words)
Sample89
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Businessesshouldhireemployeesfortheirentirelives.Doyouagreeordisagree?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Iwouldhavetocompletelydisagreewiththestatementabove.InthefollowingparagraphsIwilloutlinethebasicconceptsofmyposition.Firstofall,Iwillleastthemajordisadvantagesforemployers.Onthetoday'smarketacompanymustbeveryflexibleinordertocompetewithother
firms.So,imaginethesituationwhenacompanycannotfireitsemployeestostayonthemarket.Itwillleadtoloosingnotonlyaprofit,buttheclients,marketshareandcompetitiveability.Now,imaginethesituationwhenacompanyisgrowingfast,everythingisgoodandthenextfewyearsaregoingtobeexcellent.So,employersneedmorepeopletoextendtheproduction.However,nobodycantellwhatwillhappeninafewyears.Inthiscase,employerswillbeafraidtohirenewpeopleandextendtheirbusinessbecausetheywillnotbeabletofirethemifsomethinggoeswrong.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatacompanycannothavethebestemployees.Itcannothirethebetteronewithoutdismissinganotheremployee.Whatkindofdisadvantageswillhavean
employeeinexchangeforthiskindofjobsecurity?Firstofall,itwillbeverydifficulttofindajobifoneisnotthebest,becauseanemployerdoesnotwanttospendmoneyonone'seducation.Besides,employerwillnothaveachancetofireoneifhedoesnotdohisjobwell.Secondofall,employeeswiththiskindofsecuritytendnottoperfectthemselvesbecauseaftertheyarehiredtheycannotlosetheirjob.Inconclusion,Iwouldliketoaddthatthisstatementhassomepositiveaspectstoosuchasconstancy,astrongspiritofthecompany,etc.ThissystemtakesplaceinJapanandsomecompaniessucceededinit.ButIthinkthatthereasonofitsubsistsintheJapanesetraditions,theparticularculturalfeatures,habitsandcustoms.However,ontoday'smarkethereinthe
UnitedStatesacompanycannotaffordtohireemployeesfortheirentirelife.
(349words)
Sample90
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Shouldacitytrytopreserveitsold,historicbuildingsordestroythemandreplacethemwithmodernbuildings?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplethinkthatold,historicbuildingsarenoneedforthecityandtheyshouldbedestroyedandreplacedwithmodernones.However,otherpeoplebelievethathistoricbuildingsmustbepreservedinordertoknowandrememberourpast.ForseveralreasonsthatIwillmentionbellowIagreewiththosepeoplewhowanttopreserveold,historicalbuildings.Firstofall,bypreservinghistoricalbuildingswepassourhistorytoourfuturegenerations.Ithinkthatoutchildrenshouldknowtheirhistory,learnfromitandrespectit.Peopleneedtoknowtheirtraditionsandcustoms,whicharepricelessandirreplaceable.Ourhistoryisourknowledgeandpower.Frommyopinion
weneedtopreserveandrestorehistoricalbuildings.Bydestroyingthemweshowourdisrespecttoourforefathersandtheirtraditions.Secondofall,bypreservinghistoricalbuildingsacitycanattractmanytravelers.Welcomingtouristsacitycangetmanybenefitsincludingmoney,whichcanbespentonpreservinghistoricalbuildingsaswellasonimprovingroadsandfacilities.Also,manytouristsmeanalotofnewbusinessopportunities.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatbusinessmenwillbewillingtobuildnewrecreationalcenters,hotels,movietheaters,shoppingcenterstomakeacitymoreattractivefortravelers.Inadditiontothosepracticalbenefits,manypeoplewillhavetheopportunitytogetajob.Allthisisgoodfortheeconomyofthecity.
Tosumup,Ibelievethatpreservingold,historicalbuildingscanbringonlybenefitstoacityandallhumankind.
(259words)
Sample91
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Thegovernmenthasannouncedthatitplanstobuildanewuniversity.Somepeoplethinkthatyourcommunitywouldbeagoodplacetolocatetheuniversity.Comparetheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofestablishinganewuniversityinyourcommunity.Usespecificdetailsinyourdiscussion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ithinkitisagreatideatobuildanewuniversityinmycommunity.However,Ithinkitisacontroversialquestionwhetherthebuildingofanewuniversitywillbringonlybenefitstoourcommunity.InthisessayIwillanalyzeadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthisissueandpresentmyviewinfavorofestablishinganewuniversityinmycommunity.Fromtheoneside,establishinganewuniversityinmycommunitybringsmanybenefits.Firstofall,anewconstructionmeansmorejobopportunities.Ithinkitwouldbegoodformycommunitybecause
manypeoplehavetospendmuchtimedrivingtotheirworkdayinanddayoutbecausetheycouldnotfindajobinourneighborhood.Secondofall,anewuniversityisagoodchancetomeetnewpeopleandIlikethisopportunity.Manystudentswillliveinourcommunity.Finally,ifanewuniversityisbuiltinmycommunitythereisabigchancethatIwillbewillingtoenrollinit.IthinkitisgreatbecauseitisnotfarfrommyplaceandIdonothavetomovetoanotherpartofthecity.Anotherimportantaspectofthisisthatpeoplefrommycommunitywillhaveachancetousenewlibrariesandfacilitiesofanewuniversity.Forexamplesomepeoplecantakecoursesandclassesthere.Fromtheotherside,buildinganewuniversitycanbringsomedisadvantages.Anewconstructionmeansnoise,traffic
jamsanddifferentkindsofpollution.Inadditiontothesedisadvantages,manyyoungpeopleinourcommunitycancausemorenoiseespeciallyintheevenings.Tosumup,IthinkthatIwouldsupportthedecisionofthegovernmentofestablishinganewuniversityinmycommunitydespiteafewdisadvantagesthatcouldfollowthisconstruction.Ibelievethatanewuniversitywillincreaseachanceofmanyyoungpeopletogetahighereducation,gainmoreknowledgeandexperience,whichwillhelpthemtosucceedintoday’sworld.
(341words)
Sample92
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Acompanyhasannouncedthatitwishestobuildalargefactorynearyourcommunity.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthisnewinfluenceonyourcommunity.Doyousupportoropposethefactory?Explainyourposition.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
IamfromSaint-Petersburg,Russia.Ibelievethatbuildingalargefactorynearmycommunityhasadvantagesaswellas
disadvantages.InthefollowingparagraphsIwilllistbasicbenefitsandlossesthatwillbebroughtbyanewfactory.Forseveralreasons,Ithinkthatanewfactorywillnotbeagoodadditiontomyneighborhood.Firstofall,factoriesoftenbringpollution.Theyarepronetocontaminatingthelocalairandwater.Secondofall,factoriesmakenoise.Anotherimportantaspectofbuildinganewfactorynearbyisthatitwillmakethelocaltrafficheavy.Asaresultofthis,theamountoftrafficcongestionswillincrease,aswellascontaminationoftheair.So,alltheseobviouslywillnotmakeone'slifehappierandhealthierinmycommunity.Fromtheotherside,Ibelievethatanewfactorywillbringsomeadvantagestomycommunity.Firstofall,itwillbringnew
jobopportunities.Manyspecialistswillberequiredtoworkthere.Secondofall,Ithinkmanylocalcommunityfacilitieswillhavetoberenovatedtoobtainreliablesupplyofwaterandelectricity.So,someoldpipesmaybechanged.Anotherimportantbenefitofthisisthatthelocalroadsinordertomanagetheincreasingtrafficwillberebuiltandwidened.However,Idonotthinkthatlistedabovebenefitsareworthallthesetroublesincludingwatercontaminationandtheconstantpollutionofair.Frommypointofviewallfactoriesmustbebuiltfarfromthepeoplecommunitiesbecausetheycanbereallyharmfulforpeople'shealth.
(266words)
Sample93
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Ithasrecentlybeenannouncedthatanewmovietheatermaybebuiltinyourneighborhood.Doyousupportoropposethisplan?Why?Usespecificreasonsanddetailstosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Iliveinasmallcommunity.FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIcansaythattheideaaboutbuildinganew
theatreinmyneighborhoodhassomeadvantagesaswellasdisadvantages.InthisessayIwillfirstfocusonthereasonswhyIsupportthisideaandthenmoveontoanalyzingwhyIopposeit.Firstofall,IlikemoviesandmyhusbandandIsometimesgotothemovietheatretowatchpremieres.Unfortunately,itistime-consumingforus.Wehavetodriveabout50minutestothenearestmoviestheatre.So,theideaofhavingamovietheatreinourneighborhoodseemsveryattractive.Itwouldsaveusanhourjusttogetthereandanotherhourtogetbackhome.Anotherimportantaspectofitisthatinthiscasewewillbeabletogettothemovietheatrebyfoot.Imusttoconfessthatwealwayshaveparkingtroublesintheparkingspacenearthemovietheatre.Secondofall,newmovietheatreisavery
goodplaceforstudentswhowanttoearnsomemoney.MyhusbandandIlivenearastudentcommunity,soIthinkitwouldbeagreatnewsforthem.Inadditiontothispracticalbenefitstudentswillbeabletowatchallmoviesfreeofcharge.Isupposeitisagreatwaytosavesomemoney.Finally,thereareusuallymanyrestaurantsandentertainingcentersaroundamovietheatre.Therepeoplecanhavedinnerorplaygamemachines.Incontrast,Ithinkthatthebuildingofanewmovietheatrewilldestroythesilenceandbeautyofoutcommunity.Suchentertainingcentersareoftennoisy.Moreover,trafficjamswillprobablybetheresultofit.Inconclusion,IthinkthatifthequestionwasaboutbuildinganewmovietheatreinthenextneighborhoodIwouldcompletely
agree.
(316words)
Sample94
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Peopleshouldreadonlythosebooksthatareaboutrealevents,realpeople,andestablishedfacts.Usespecificreasonsanddetailstosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplethinkthatfictionbookshavenouseatall.Theyclaimthatpeopleshouldreadaboutrealeventsthattookplace,realpeople,andestablishedfacts.Ihavetototallydisagreewiththisstatement.FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIcanstandthatfiction,miraclesandfairytailsarerequiredinourlife.Forseveralreasons,whichIwillmentionbelow,Ibelievethatfictionbooksplayanessentialroleinourlife.Firstofall,itiskindofdifficulttoimagineasixyearoldchildreadingaboutpoliticsorhistorywiththerealfactsthatarenotalwayspleasant.IthinkthatchildrenneedmiraclesandSantaClausbecausetherealworldistoocomplicatedforthem.Theyaretooinnocentand
inexperiencedtoknowtherealfactsandunderstandwhatareallifeisabout.Inaddition,Iamsurethatmakingachildreadonlynon-fictionbookscanresultinshock.Secondofall,followingthisstatementaboutrefusingfromreadingbooksaboutfictioneventswealsoshouldrefusefromfestivals,parades,andcelebrationsuchholidaysasHalloweenbecausemostofthecharacterstherearefictional.Moreover,comicbookswilldisappearaswellasanimatedfilmsandfictionmovies.Thedisadvantageofnon-fictionliesinthefactsthatnothinghappenstoexcitethemindandspirit.Fromtheotherside,fictionprovidesagreatslopeforamindtothinkcreatively.Inconclusion,Ithinkthatpeopleneedmiracles.Wecannotbesatisfiedwith
onlynakedtruth.Humankindmustbelieveinsomethingandthisbeliefhelpspeoplebreaklimitsandmakenewinventions.
(273words)
Sample95
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Ithasbeensaid,“Noteverythingthatislearnediscontainedinbooks.”Compareandcontrastknowledgegainedfromexperiencewithknowledgegainedfrombooks.Inyouropinion,whichsourceismoreimportant?Why?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Peoplearelearningandpracticingthroughtheirentirelife.Ibelievethatlifeexperienceandpracticearethebasicreasonsofthehumankind'sevolution.However,inmyopinion,knowledgegainedfrombooksplaysaveryimportantroleinthemodernlife.Themostobviouslyimportantadvantageofbooksisthattheyholdallknowledgegainedbypreviousgenerations.Peoplewritebooksabouttheirdiscoveriesandinventions,whicharegainedthroughpracticeandexperience.Thisknowledgeisaccumulatedinbooksthatarepassedfrom
generationtogeneration.So,basically,peoplegetallknowledgeaboutthepreviousachievementsfrombooks,analyzeitandthan,accordingtotheirexperienceandnewdata,writenewbooks.Inthiscase,booksaretheholdersofhumankind'sexperience.Forexample,atoldtimespeoplethoughtthattheEarthwasflat.Itwasconcludedfromobservationsandstuddying.However,thenextgenerations,usingtheexperienceoftheirancestors,provedthattheEarthwasround.Personally,Ithinkthatbooksareveryimportantbecausetheyareabletogivepeoplethebasicandfundamentalknowledge.Booksstorehistory,theimportanteventsanddiscoveries.Withoutthemitisdifficultandsometimesimpossibletomoveforward,makenew
discoveriesandinventions.Tosummarize,Ithinkapersonshouldtakebasicknowledgefrombooksbecauseitwillhelphimtomakehisowninventions,conclusionsanddiscoveries.Onlyusingbothbooksandone’sexperienceonecanmoveforward.
(237words)
Sample96
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Manypartsoftheworldarelosingimportantnaturalresources,suchasforests,animals,orcleanwater.Chooseoneresourcethatisdisappearingandexplainwhyitneedsto
besaved.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouropinion.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ashuman'spopulationisdramaticallyrisingeveryyear,people'srequirementsareincreasingtoo.Weneedmorefood,morefreshwater,moreplacestolive.Asaresultofthismanypartsoftheworldarelosingessentialandsometimesirreplaceableresources,suchasforest,animals,orfreshwater.InthisessayIwillfocusonthethreatofdisappearingmanywildanimals.
ThereasonwhyIthinkthatanimalsshouldbepreservedisthatalllivingcreaturesonthisplanetareconnectedwitheachother.So,thedisappearanceofonlyonespeciescancausedramaticchangesintheplanetandevendeathofmanyotherlivingcreatures.Forexample,thedisappearanceofbatswillcausethehugeincreasingofinsectpopulationandthiswillreflectonallanimalsandplants.Anotherexampleisthatifthepopulationofbatsincreases,thepopulationofinsectswilldecreasesignificantly,andthiswillcausethedisappearanceofmanyplantsbecauseinsectsarethemainpollinators.So,Ithinkitisveryimportanttopreserveallspeciesonourplanetandliveinharmonywithourenvironment.AnotherimportantreasonwhyIthinkthatanimalsshouldbesavedisthatI,
personally,donotwantmychildtolearnaboutdifferentanimalsfrombooksandnotbeabletoseethemalive.Ithinkitisshamefulforhumankindtoexplainourchildrenthatwearethereasonwhythoseanimalsdisappeared.Inconclusion,Iwouldliketosaythattheissueaboutlosingimportantnaturalresourcesistopicalandopenfordebatenowadays.Ibelievethattogetherpeoplecanmakeadifference.Frommypointofview,thefirstproblemweshouldfindasolutionforishuman'soverpopulation.AsImentionedabovepeople'sdemandsaregrowingandthismeansweconsumemoreandmorenaturalresources.Thesecondquestion,whichisonthelistofmostimportantissues,ispollutionincludingtheairpollution,waterpollution,etc.
(325words)
Sample97
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplethinkthathumanneedsforfarmland,housing,andindustryaremoreimportantthansavinglandforendangeredanimals.Doyouagreeordisagreewiththispointofview?Whyorwhynot?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ashumanpopulationissignificantlyrisingeveryyear,people'srequirementsareincreasingtoo.Weneedmorefood,moremachines,moreplacetolive.Asaresultofthispeopleneedmorelandtosatisfytheirrequirements.Wecultivateandirrigatemoreandmorelandtoplantvegetables,buildnewbuildings,airports,roads,etc.Ithinksometimesweforgetthatwearenotaloneonthisplanet.Ihavetodisagreewiththosepeoplewhothinkthathumanneedsaremoreimportantthansavinglandforendangeredanimals.Ibasemyopiniononthefollowingpoints.Firstofall,asIalreadymentioned,wearenotaloneonthisplanet.Afewcenturiesagowewerethepartofwildnature.Ithinkweneedtorememberthisfactand
respectallcreaturesaroundus.Secondofall,Ibelievethatweallneedtothinkoftheproblemofoverpopulation.Thehumanpopulationisdramaticallyincreasingandwehavetodosomethingaboutit.Frommyopinion,everyfamilyshouldhavenomorethantwochildren.Itwillhelptostopthegrowthofpopulation,decreasehumanneedsforfarmland,housingandindustry.Inconclusion,Ithinkitisaverytopicalquestionnowadays.Mypointisthatallpeopleshouldanswerthisquestionandfindthesolution.
(218words)
Sample98
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Somepeoplebelievethatthebestwayoflearningaboutlifeisbylisteningtotheadviceoffamilyandfriends.Otherpeoplebelievethatthebestwayoflearningaboutlifeisthroughpersonalexperience.Comparetheadvantagesofthesetwodifferentwaysoflearningaboutlife.Whichdoyouthinkispreferable?Usespecificexamplestosupportyourpreference.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
FrommyeverydayexperienceandobservationIcanstandthatthebestwayoflearningaboutlifeisthroughpersonalexperience.However,somepeoplethinkthatitiswisertolearnaboutlifethroughlisteningtotheadviceoffamilyandfriends.ItdoesnotmeanItotallydisagreewiththiswayoflearning.Moreover,Ithinkthatitiswiseforapersontotakeanintermediatepositionbecauseeachofthesewayshasitsownadvantages.BellowIwillgivemyreasonstosupportmypointofview.Fromtheoneside,learningthroughone'spersonalexperiencebringsmanybenefits.Firstofall,scientistssaythatpersonalexperiencehasgreaterimpactonaperson.Ihavetoagreewiththis.Takeforexamplechildren.Theywillnotbelievetheirparentsthatsomethingcanhurtthemuntil
theytryitandmakesureinit.Furthermore,mostlikelytheywillrememberthisexperiencelonger.Secondofall,peoplelearnhowtoanalyzetheirmistakes,makeconclusionsandnexttimetrytoavoidthem.So,Ithinkitisagreatexperiencethatmakespeoplestronger,moreself-confidentandpersistent.Theygainmoreknowledgeandexperiencethatwillbeveryhelpfulandvaluableinthefuture.Fromtheotherside,listeningtotheadviceoffamilyandfriendsbringsmanybenefitstoo.Parentswithgreatpatiencepassdowntheirknowledgeandexperiencetotheirchildren.Theyteachthemalltheyknowandtheywanttheirchildrendonotmakethesamemistakes.Inadditiontothosepracticalbenefits,learningfrom
someone'sadviceispainless.Forexample,parentsnowadaysveryoftentalktotheirchildrenaboutdrugs.Ithinkitisagreatexamplewhenoneshouldnottrydrugsinordertogainnewexperience.Ithinkitisacasewhenchildrenmusttrusttheirparents.Tosumup,Ithinkitiswisetocombinebothofthesewaystolearnandtrytoanalyzepersonalmistakesaswellasnotpersonal.Ithinktogethertheycangreatlysimplifyone'slifeandmakethewaytosuccessshorter.
(350words)
Sample99
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleliketodoonlywhattheyalreadydowell.Otherpeopleprefertotrynewthingsandtakerisks.Whichdoyouprefer?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
FormmyeverydayexperienceandobservationIthinkthatallpeoplewhosucceededinlifehadtoworkhardandgainmoreknowledgeandexperienceinordertoreachtheirgoals.Fromtheotherhand,peoplewhoalltheirlifedothingstheyalreadydowellanddonotimprove
theirknowledgedonotmoveforward.Ibasemystatementonthefollowingpoints.Firstofall,peoplewhowanttosucceedmustconstantlyimprovetheirknowledgeandgainmoreexperience.Moreover,theymustbethebestattheirprofession.So,theyneedtotrynewthings,takeriskssometimesandworkhard.Secondofall,itisimpossibletolivewithouttryingnewthings.Imagineonewantstolearnhowtodrive.Hewillneverbeabletodoitwithoutlearningnewthingssuchasdrivingrules.Personally,Ithinkthatitisveryinterestingtolearnnew,togainmoreexperience,tomakenewgoalsandreachthem.Lifeistooshorttostayononeplace.Peopleneedchangesbecausetheymakeourlivesmorebeautifulandexiting.Wefindoutnewthings,learnnewthings
anddreamtoknowotherthings.Peopleneedchallengesbecausewhileovercomingobstacleswemakenewdiscoveries,becomestronger,perfectourselvesandmoveforward.Tosumup,Ibelievethatpeople'saspirationforlearningnewthingsisthemainreasonthewaywelivenow.Peoplemakemanydiscoveriesandinventionsthatmakeourliveseasier,happierandlonger.
(249words)
Sample100
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplesaythatadvertising
encouragesustobuythingswereallydonotneed.Otherssaythatadvertisementstellusaboutnewproductsthatmayimproveourlives.Whichviewpointdoyouagreewith?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ithinkthateveryonecandividealladvertisingproductsandservicesintouselessonesandusefulones.Itislikelookingthroughaninformationdeskwhenyoupayattentiontothosemessagesthatinterestyou.Takemeforexample.
Idonotlikejewelry.ItdoesnotmeanIdonothaveitatall,Ihaveacoupleofinexpensiveringsasgiftsfrommyparents.Ijustthink,peoplepaytoomuchattentiontothisstuff.Ibelieveitistheresultofmassadvertising.EverydaywhenIamwatchingTV,listeningtotheradioorreadingthepaperInoticemanyadsaboutgettinganexpensivering,chain,necklaceorear-rings.Frommypointofviewthesekindsofadvertisingcontaminatepeople'sminds.Inthiscaseyouareencouragedtobuythingsyoudonotreallyneed.Theymakeyoubelieveyouneedsuchproductsinordertosucceedorbehappy.Fromtheotherside,Ithinkthatadvertisementsofthenewdetergentswithup-to-dateformulastohelpyoumaintainyourclothinperfectconditions,thenewcarswithsomeextrafuturesthatmake
yourtravelingmorecomfortableandsportsgoodsthatmakeyourlifehealthiermayhelpyoutoimproveyourlife.RecentlymyhusbandandIsawanadontheInternetaboutaveryinterestingandinexpensivevocationtoJapanforaweek.Isnotitawesome?Weliketraveling.Sonowweareplanningtofindoutmoreaboutitand,maybe,makereservations.Ibelievethatwithoutadvertisementswewouldbeunawareaboutplentyofoppotunitiesthatmaymakeyourlifehappier,easierandlessstressful.Mypointisthateverypersonhashisownscaleofvalues.Soifheisvegetarianhewillconsideranadaboutmeatproductsuselessforhim.
(305words)
Sample101
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Advertisingcantellyoualotaboutacountry.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Everycountryhasitsowncultureandtraditions.Thereisnodoubtthatan
advertisingcampaignconductedinRussiawillnothavethesameaffecthereintheUnitedStates.Letustakeforexampleadvertisementoffoodandrestaurants.Ahugeamountoffastfoodstandssuggesttheirservicesforbreakfast,lunch,dinnerandsupperhereinHouston.Thecompetitionisverystrong.Everyweekyougetinyourmail-boxanenvelopewithdifferenttypesofdiscountsinexchangeforvisitingthemororderingpizza.WatchingTVyouarealsofromtimetotimeinvitedtovisitarestaurantinordertotastesomedeliciousfood.Itisnotbecauseitiseasytomakemoneycookingbutbecausethedemandforsuchserviceishigh.Firstofall,peopleliketogooutsometimestohavedinnerwithfriends.Secondofall,itisoftenimpossibletodrivehomeforlunch.Itcanbetime
consuming.AsforRussia,itisagreattraditiontohavedinnerathomewiththefamilyandgototherestaurantforbigholidays.AdditionallyfastfoodisnotpopularinRussia.Soyouwillseeadvertisementsofyogurts,coffee,dairyproductsandjuiceinsteadofrestaurantsandfastfoodstands.InconclusionIwouldliketoaddthatinordertosucceedinadvertisingcampaignespeciallyontheinternationalmarketcompanymustknowtraditions,languageandhistoryofthecountry.
(239words)
Sample102
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleprefertoplanactivitiesfortheirfreetimeverycarefully.Otherschoosenottomakeanyplansatallfortheirfreetime.Comparethebenefitsofplanningfree-timeactivitieswiththebenefitsofnotmakingplans.Whichdoyouprefer-planningornotplanningforyourleisuretime?Usespecificreasonsandexamplestoexplainyourchoice.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Nowadayspeoplehavesomanythingstodothattheyalmostalwaysdonothaveenoughtimeforit.Whenwegotobedwe
carefullythinkandplanournextdayanditcontinuesdayinanddayout.Wewakeup,recollectourchecklistwiththingstodoandinafewminuteswearealreadyinacaronourwaytotheoffice.Oftenpeopledonothavetimeforthemselves.So,whenpeoplehavesomesparetimetheywanttouseitwisely.Somepeopleprefertoplanactivitiesfortheirfreetimeverycarefully.However,othersprefernottomakeanyplans.InthisessayIwillanalyzebothcasesandpresentmyviewinfavorofplanningfree-timeactivities.Fromtheoneside,notmakinganyplansandjustlettingthetimepassbyforsometimehavesomebenefits.Firstofall,apersoncanjustrelax,enjoythebeautifulmoments,spendhisorhertimewithlovedones,watchamovie,listentorelaxingmusic,observetheflowersinbloomfrom
thewindow,contemplateabouthisorherlifeandjustslowdownthepaceoflife.Ithinkitisaverygoodwaytoeliminateone'sstressandtensionandjustleavealltroublesandworriesbehind.Fromtheotherside,carefulplanningcanbringmanybenefitstoo.Firstofall,onecantravel.However,travelingrequiressomeplanningtobemade.Forexample,onemostlikelywillneedahotelroom.So,thereservationshouldbemadebeforehand.Also,itiswisetocheckone'scartoavoidbreakdownsandhaveanuninterruptedworry-freetrip.Secondofall,planningone'sactivitiesallowstospendone'sfreetimethewayhe/shelikes.Forinstance,ifIwanttoplaytennisonincomingweek-endIwillcertainlymakeareservationforacourtbecauseinthiscaseIwillnotbedisappointedwiththewaste
ofmytime.Personally,Iprefertomakeplansformyfreetimebecauseitallowsmetospendmyvacationorweek-endsthewayIwantit.Tosumup,Ithinkcarefulplanningallowspeopletoderivemaximumbenefitsfromtheirfreetime.However,ImustconfesssometimesIallowmyselfjusttostayathomewithmyfriendsandfamilyandnotmakeanyplans.
(394words)
Sample103
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
The21stcenturyhasbegun.Whatchangesdoyouthinkthisnewcentury
willbring?Useexamplesanddetailsinyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Man,throughtheages,hasundergonemanychangesfromthetimewhenhedepictedaherdofmammothsonthewallsofhiscavetothesedayswhenhecancreatebeautifulpicturesandevenmakecoffeebyuseofcomputertechnologieswithoutleavinghisfavoritechair.The20thcenturymadehugestepsindevelopingcomputertechnologiesandreachedmanygoalsthatmadeourlife
mucheasier.Whatshouldweexpectinthe21stcentury?Firstofall,Ithinkthatthepaceofourlifewillspeedup:wewillmovefasterfromoneplacetoanother,fromonecontinenttoanotherusinghighspeedjetairplanes.Secondofall,Ibelievethatwewillbeabletodomanythingsthattakemuchtimenowwithoutleavingourhouse.Computerswillbeeverywhereincludingoutclothes.Manypeoplewillhavechipsandminicomputersinsertedintheirheadstoholdhugeamountofinformationandhaveaquickaccesstoit.Butwhatwillbethemostamazingthinginthe21stcenturyistheflightstotheouterspaceandMarsthatwillbeavailabletoallpeople.ScientistssaythatMarshasmanythingssimilartotheEarth's.Moreover,theysaythatwiththehelpof
moderntechnologypeoplecanartificiallycreateconditionsthatwillallowpeopletolivethereontheconstantbasis.Tosumup,Iamsurethatmanyamazingchangeswillbebroughtbythe21stcentury.Furthermore,Ithinkthatwiththehelpofthecontemporarytechnologiespeoplecandomanythingsthatwereevendifficulttoimagineacenturyago.So,nowadaysitisratherdifficultandevenimpossibletoimagineallchangesthatwillhappeninthenextdecades.
(290words)
Sample104
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Alleducation,primary,secondaryandfurthereducation,shouldbefreetoallpeopleandpaidforbythegovernment.Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Differentcountrieshavedifferenteducationsystems.Idon‛tknowalltheeducationsystemsintheworldbutalltheonesIdoknowabouthavefreeschooleducationatprimaryandsecondarylevel.Icertainlyagreewiththestatementthatthisshouldbethecase.Ibelieveuniversityeducationisdifferent.
Nomatterwhatstandardofincomesomeonehasorwhatsocietysomeonecomesfrom,everyoneshouldhavetheopportunitytohaveagoodstandardofeducation.Thisisnotalwayswhathappensbutitiswhatshouldhappen.Privateschoolscanbeavailableforthosewhowantandcanafforditbutthefreeschoolsshouldalwaysbethere.Thisiscertainlyoneofthebestattributesofwesterndemocracyandallcountriesitseemsstrivetoattainsituationalthoughsomehaveproblemsduetotheeconomicandpoliticalsituationsintheircountries.Governmentsshouldmakesurethatalltheircitizenshaveaccesstoagoodstandardoffreeeducationatprimaryandsecondarylevel.Furthereducationisdifferent.Inanidealworldthisshouldbefreebutgovernments
havealotofdemandsontheirmoney.Ithinkthatstudentsshouldhavetopay,maybenotall,butatleastacontributiontowardstheirtuitionfees.Theywillbeabletoearnitbackoncetheyhavegraduated.TheUKhasthissystemwhereasintheUSstudentshavetopayalltheirhightuitionfeeswhichcanrunintothetensofthousandsofdollarsoverafullcourse.IamnotsureifIagreewiththisbutitcertainlywouldmakesurethatstudentsmakethebestofeffortstopassoralltheirmoneywouldbewasted.ThereforeIconcludethatprimaryandsecondaryeducationshouldbefreelyavailableforallifpossiblebutthatfurthereducationshouldnotnecessarilybewhollyfree.
(309words)
Sample105
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Tradeandtravelwouldbealoteasierwithasingle,globalcurrencythatwealluse.Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Wouldasinglecurrencycauseanyproblems?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Itiscleartomethattheideaofasingleglobalcurrencyisanexcellentidealto
worktowards.Therecanbenodoubtthattradeandtravelwouldbevastlyeasier.OntheotherhandIbelievethatitwouldcauseproblemstoday.ThebenefitsofasinglecurrencycanbeseenwiththeuseinEuropeoftheEuro.WheneveryouaretravellingbetweencountriesusingtheEuro,theproblemsofcurrencychangingandexchangeratesarehistory.SimilarlybusinessbetweencountriesusingtheEurosissomucheasier;nomoreworryingaboutexchangerateriskandpricing.Everyone‛smoneyisthesame.ThesamethingistruewiththeUSdollar.MostcountriesdonotusetheUSdollarbutitisacceptedinmanyplaces.TherearemanycountriesthatyoucantraveltoandjusttakeUSdollarstouse.Atpresentthoughaglobalcurrencywould
beimpossible.Firstlymostcountrieswouldnotaccepttheidea.Secondlyallcountriesareindifferenteconomicstates.Someareeconomicallyverystrongandsomeareinastateofcollapsewithinflationruiningtheeconomy.Suchcountriescouldnotbebroughtintoaworldcurrencyasitwouldcausemassivefinancialinstabilityworldwide.Soitisclearthataglobalcurrencywouldindeedcausesomeseriousproblems.So,inconclusionIseeaglobalcurrencyasafutureidealbutitwillnothappeninmylifetime.Itwouldmaketradeandtravelmucheasierbuttheproblemsitwouldcausenowadayswouldbeinsurmountable.
(259words)
Sample106
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Thewealthgapbetween1stworldcountriesand3rdworldcountriesseemstobeincreasing.Howcanwereducethisgap?Doyouthinkthatdevelopedcountrieshaveadutytoassistdevelopingcountriesineveryway?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Everydaytherichcountriesintheworld
getricherandthepoorcountriesgetpoorer.Canwereducethisgap?Ofcoursewecan.Thequestioniswhetherthepeopleinpowerwanttodoit?Reducingthewealthgapcanbeachievedbycancellingthirdworlddebt,cancellingtradeandfarmingsubsidiessothatthirdworldcountriescancompete,gettingridofthirdworldcorruptionandinvestingandbuildinginthirdworldcountriesusinglocalpeopleandskillsandallowingthemownershipofbusinesses.Thereareotherthingsaswell.Unfortunatelythereisnoprofitinbusinessforfirstworldcountriestodothesethings.Somewilldothembutmostwillnot.Theordinarymanonthestreetwantsthingstobebetterforpoorercountriesandthepoliticianssaythattheywillhelpbutthepoliticianswillintheenddowhatbusinesstellsthemtodo.
Politiciansalsorightlyfeeltheyhaveadutytoprotecttheirowncountriesandkeepingeconomicallydominantispartofthisduty.Creatingeffectivecompetitionfortheirowncountry‛sbusinessesisnotpartofwhattheyareexpectedtodo.ThisthenleadsontowhetherIbelievethatdevelopedcountrieshaveadutytohelpthedevelopingcountries.Yes,Ido.AsanindividualIbelievethatwehaveadutytoassistthepoorercountrieswiththeirdevelopmentinallaspects.WecanprovideteachersandeducationanddoctorsonthesmallscaleandonthelargerscalethethingsthatIhavetalkedaboutinthepreviousparagraph.Canwedothis?Yes.Willwedothis?Seethepreviousparagraphagain.InconclusionyoucanseethatIbelievethatthereisasplitbetweenwhatwould
happeninaperfectworldandwhatactuallyhappens.Wehaveadutytoreducethewealthgapbetweendevelopedanddevelopingcountriesandwecandoit,butitisunlikelythatthiswillhappenquickly.
(329words)
Sample107
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Everydaytrafficseemstogetworseonourroads.Howcanwereducethenumberofcarsonourroadstoday?Whatalternativescanweoffercardrivers?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Themorepeoplethatthereareintheworld,themorecarsthereareontheroad.Peoplearerichertooandoftenfamilieshavemorethanonecar.Ithasbeenprovedthatbuildingmoreroadsdoesnotwork;itjustencourafesmoretraffic.So,whatcanwedo?Peopleliketheircarsandthefreedomandindependencethatcarsgivethem.Onepossibilitywouldbetoraisecartaxesandfueltaxessothatpeopledonotwanttospendtheextramoney.Taxesonnewcarsalesaswellcouldbeincreasedinordertodiscouragepeoplefrombuying.Perhapsausedcar
salestaxcouldbeintroducedtoo.Inthesamewaymotorwayscouldhavetollschargedforusingthemalthoughthismayjustincreasecongestiononsmallerroadsaspeopletryandavoidthemotorways.Thegovernmentthatintroducessuchideaswillnotbepopularthoughandwouldprobablylosepower.Governmentswouldthereforebeunlikelytosetupsuchnewmeasures.Ithinkitwouldbebettertotryandchangepeople‛sattitudesandofferthemalternatives.Educatethemmoreaboutthepollutionandwastethattheyarecausing.Persuadethemtocarshare,usepublictransportorevencycleifthedistancesarenottoolong.CountriessuchasHollandandDenmarkarewellknownforhowtheircitizensarepassionateaboutgreenissuesandhowtheyusebicycleswhentheycan.
Reducingtrafficisadifficulttask.Idon‛tthinkitispossiblerealisticallytoreducecarnumbersbutIdothinkthatwecanchangepeople‛sattitudesandgetthemtousedifferentwaysoftravelling.
(275words)
Sample108
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
AlotofpeoplebelievethattheamountofviolenceshownonTVandinthecinemaaffectstheactionsofouryoungpeopleandthereforeincreasestheamountofviolenceinoursocietytoday.
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththis
statement?Whatcanbedonetoreduceviolenceinoursocietytoday?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
ThequestionofwhethertheamountofviolenceonTVandcinemahasaffectedyoungpeopleinoursocietyissomethingwhichcannotbequantifiedorproved.Myopinionisthoughthattheansweris“yes,ithas”.TVandcinematodaydoshowalargeamountofviolenceand,althoughwetryandshieldouryoungpeoplefromseeingtoomuch,theystillgettowatchit.Attheageofeighteeninmycountrytheycansee
everythinganyway.Violenceonthestreetshasincreased.Thathasbeenproved.TheconnectionbetweenTV‛sandthecinema‛sobsessionwithviolenceandtoday‛sstreetviolencecannotbeprovedbutitislogicalthatthetwoareconnected.Youngpeopleimitatewhattheyseeanditislogicalthattheyseeglamourinwhattheydowhentheycommitviolence.Howcanwelessenviolence?ReducingtheamountofviolenceonTVandinthecinemawouldcertainlybeagoodstart.Beingmorevigilantaboutwhatagechildrenarewhentheyseeviolenceinthesemedia,andraisingtheagelimitswouldalsohelp.Anothergoodideawouldbetochanneltheviolenceofyoungpeople.Idon‛tthinkthatnationalserviceshouldbere-establishedinthiscountrybut,ifpeopleareconvictedofviolence
andsenttoprison,thenwhynotgivethemtheoptionofservinginthearmy.Theirviolencewillbecontrolledandtheywillbesubjectedtodisciplinesothattheywillbebetterabletocontrolthemselveswhentheyleave.ThusIagreewiththestatementthatcinemaandTVviolenceaffectstheyoungpeopleinoursociety.TherearesomethingsthatcanbedonetobetterthesituationbutIdoubtwhetheranythingwillbedone.
(294words)
Sample109
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Withthepressuresontoday’syoungpeopletosucceedacademically,somepeoplebelievethatnon-academicsubjectsatschool(eg:physicaleducationandcookery)shouldberemovedfromthesyllabussothatchildrencanconcentratewhollyonacademicsubjects.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagree?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Whatyoungpeopleshouldstudyatschoolhaslongbeenthesubjectofintensedebateandthisisaquestionthatcertainlydoes
nothaveonecorrectanswer.Weneedtoprovideyoungpeoplethebestpossiblechanceofdoingwellatschool.Intraditionalcurriculumthereisawidevarietyofsubjectswithamixofacademicandnon-academicsubjects.Inthiswayayoungpersonisformedwitharoundededucation.Non-academicsubjectswouldincludesports,cooking,woodworkandmetalwork.Ibelievethisisthebestformofeducation.Ayoungpersonshouldlearnthingsotherthanacademicsubjects.Sportisparticularlyimportant.Youngpeoplehavetolearntolovesportsothattheycanbefitandhealthylaterinlife.Ifnotwewillberaisinganobeseandunfitgeneration.Itotallyunderstandthepointofviewthateducationissoimportantthatstudentsmustbepushedashardaspossibleto
achievetheirbest.Itsoundsagoodideatoonlyexposethestudentstoacademicsubjectsasthentheycanspendalloftheirschoolhoursonstudyingareasthatwillgetthemintouniversityandgoodjobslaterinlife.Ijustfeelamoreroundededucationwouldproduceabetterindividual.Wemustremembertoothatalotofpeople,maybeevenmostpeople,aren‛tacademicallymindedandwouldbenefitmorefromamorevocationallybasededucation.Forcingacademicstudiesontothemwouldleadtofailureandthestudentleavingschooltooearly.ThereforeIagreethatalthoughawhollyacademiccurriculumwouldsuitandbenefitsomeyoungpeople,Ibelievethatformoststudentsnon-academicsubjectsareimportantinclusionsstillintoday‛ssyllabuses.
(283words)
Sample110
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Children'slivesthesedaysarequitedifferentfromourgeneration's.Describewhatarethebiggestchangesinyoungergenerationandexplainsomefactorsofthisphenomenon.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Overthepastfewdecades,theworldhassignificantlychanged.Nowadays,manyhavebeguntowonderwhatthereasonsbehind[=for]thesechangesare.Twomajorfactorscontributingtothisphenomenonareadvancesinmediaandchangefamilydynamics[=organization].First,advancesinmedia,suchastheInternetandTV,havemeantthatchildrenspendalargeportionoftheirleisuretimeinfrontofascreen.Consequently,theyarenotgettingproperamountsofexercise,whichresultsinanincreaseinthenumberofchildrenwhoareoverweightandobese.Inaddition,fastfoodrestaurantshavebecomeincreasinglypopular,whichhasalsocontributedtochildren'shealthproblemsMoreover,anotherleadingforceofthistrendischangesinthefamilyunit.
Comparedwithahalfcenturyago,nuclearfamilieshavebecomewaymorecommoninmodernsociety.Peopletendtohaveonlyonechild,whichhascausedpersonalitydisorderssuchasdepression,loneliness,andselfishness.Thisismainlybecauseparentswithonechildhavetendencytoputalltheirfocusandmoneyintotheironlysonordaughter.Studieshaveindicatedthatover65%ofchildrenwhoarebroughtupwithoutsiblingsshowself-centeredbehaviorfinditdifficultcooperatingwiththeirpeers.Insummary,therearemanyfactorsthathavecausedchildrentoliveverydifferentlyfromthegenerationbeforethem.Therearehighhopesthatparentsexercise(s)wisdomintreatingtheirchildren.
(270words)
Sample111
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Inmanycountries,sportsandexerciseclassesarereplacedwiththeacademicsubjects.Discusstheeffectsofthistrend.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Overthepastfewdecades,academicsubjectshavebecomeincreasingly
importantinthisfast-changinginformation-basedsociety.Nowadays,therehasbeenagrowingdebateastowhetheritwouldbemoreeffectivetoreplacephysicaleducationclasseswithacademicsubjects.Despitetheimportanceofsports,Ihighlybelievethatitisinevitableandmoreefficienttofocusmoreonacademicsubjectsforseveralreasons.Thosewhoarguethatsportsandexerciseclassesareneededinschoolbasetheircaseonthefollowingarguments.Firstofall,sportsareagoodwaytobuildcharacteranddeveloppersonality.Thatis,therearenecessaryforlearningaboutcompetition,cooperation,andgoodsportsmanship.Inaddition,asamajorityofchildrenthesedaysareaddictedtotheInternet,theyfindithardtoleavetheir
computer.Consequently,agrowingnumberofchildrenarebecomingoverweightorobeseduetoalackofexercise.So,ifschoolsfosteranenvironmentthatdeprivesstudentsofgettingaproperphysicaleducation,itwillhavealong-termnegativeeffectonchildrenbothmentallyandphysically.Nevertheless,peopleshouldnotignorethefactthatdevotingmoretimeandenergytoacademicsubjectswillbenefitstudentsmoreinthelongrun.ThetimedevotedtophysicaleducationnowwouldbebetterspentteachingstudentsEnglish.ThisisbecausespeakingfluentEnglishwillgiveyoungpeopleanadvantageoverothercollegeapplicantsandjobseekersinthenearfuture.Besides,sciencewillundoubtedlybenefityouthmorethanphysicaleducationaswell.Theprinciples
learnedinsciencewillprovidethenecessaryfoundationforsolvinganddifficultproblemsthataresuretoariseinstudents'futures.Insummary,therearehighhopesthateducatorsandparentsexercisewisdominteachingyounggenerations.(300words)
Sample112
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeopleinsistthatseniorworkers65orovershouldretirebutothersbelievethattheyshouldcontinueworking.Whatisyouopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Overthepastfewdecades[Inthepast],therehavebeenmanyadvancesinmedicaltechnology.Becauseofthis,seniorcitizensarehealthierandmoreactivethanbeforeandmaychoosetoworkbeyondtheageof65.Nowadays,however,therehasbeenagrowingdebateastowhetherornotthesepeopleshouldretireinordertocreatejobsfortheyoungergeneration.Despitetheadvantagesofearlyretirement,Istronglybelievethatitisbetterforseniorworkerstocontinueworkingaslongastheyarephysicallyandmentallycapable.Thosewhobelievethatseniorworkersneedtoretireforyoungergenerationbase
theircaseonthefollowingarguments.First,theunemploymentrate,especiallyforcollegegraduates,hasneverbeensohighsoitistoday.Thisislargelyduetothesloweconomy.Therefore,firingsomeelderlyworkerswhoarewell-paidwouldallowthoseunemployedyoungpeopletohavegoodopportunitiestogetajob.Inaddition,replacingolderworkerswithyoungpeoplewouldbringgreaterbenefitstocompanies[=employers].Thisisbecauseyoungstersarebetteratadaptingthemselvestofastchanginginformationbasedsociety.Theyaregenerallybetteratcomputersandspeakingforeignlanguagesthantheiroldercounterparts.Nevertheless,peopleshouldnotignorethefactthatseniorcitizenshavebeenplayingvitalrolesbothathomeandatworkfortheirentirelives.Tobeginwith,ayoung
person'sneedforajobisnomoreimportantthananolderperson's.Bothhavearesponsibilitytosupporttheirfamilies.Sadly,fewseniorscanaffordearlyretirement.Besides,seniorworkersprovidethewisdomandexperiencethatyoungemployeescannotoffer.Thereisstrong[=acute]possibilityofsituationsarisingthatrequiretheknowledgeofskilledsenioremployees.Insummary,theadvantagesofkeepingseasonedworkersfaroutweighitsdisadvantages.Therearehighhopesthatemployersexercisewisdom[=caution]indealingwiththisissue.(310words)
Sample113
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Somepeoplethinkhighschoolgraduatesshouldtravelorworkforaperiodoftimeinsteadofgoingdirectlytostudyatuniversity.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbothapproaches.Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Highschoolstudentsfacemanydecisions
astheypreparetograduate,includingwhattheyaregoingtodoaftergraduation.Somehighschoolstudentsgodirectlytocollegeoruniversityaftergraduation.Othersprefertotravelorworkforsometimebeforegoingtouniversity.Forthosewhochoosetogocollegeoruniversityaftergraduation,thereareadvantagesanddisadvantages.Oneofthebigadvantagesofgoingdirectlyfromhighschooltocollegeisthatyouarestillinthehabitofstudying.Bygoingtocollegeaftergraduation,youdonotlosethestudyskillsthatyoudevelopedduringhighschool.Thebigdisadvantages,however,isthatyoumaynotbereadyforcollege.Youmaynotknowexactlywhatyouwanttostudy,oryoumaybemoreinterestedinfreedomandpartiesthaninyourcourses.Atthatage,itisoftendifficultforstudents
totakeontheresponsibilitiesofcollege.Therearealsoadvantagesanddisadvantagestoworkingortravelingbeforstartingcollege.Workingortravelingallowsyouabetterideaofwhatyouwanttodowithyourlife.Yougainpracticalexperiencethathelpsyoudefinewhatyouwanttostudy.Youalsoarewellpreparedfortheresponsibilitiesofcollegeoruniversitystudies.Ontheotherhand,bythetimeyoustartcollege,youwillprobablyhaveobligations,likeajoborspouse,whichkeepyoufromfocusingonstudies.Inaddition,travellingorworkingbeforecollegemaycauseyoutospendenoughtimeoutofschoolthatyouforgethowtostudy.Thedesicionofwhattodoafterhichschoolgraduationcanbeadifficultone.Decidingwhethertogostraightinto
collegeoruniversityortaketimetoworkortravelissomethingthatfaceseveryhighschoolstudent.Afterthinkingabouttheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbothoptions,thedecisionshouldbebasedonwhatisbestforyou.
Sample114
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Childrenwhoarebroughtupinthefamilythatdonothavealotofmoneyarebetterpreparedtodealwithproblemswhentheybecomeadultsthanchildrenwhoarebroughtupbywealthyparent.Doyouagreeordisagreewiththis
statement?
Givesreasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Overthepastfewdecades,alongwithgrowinginterestinchildeducation,people'sattentiontothefamilyenvironmentwhereachildisbroughtuphasalsosignificantlyincreased.Somepeoplehavebeguntofeelthatachildwhohasgrownupinapoorfamilytendtobebetterpreparedtodealwithproblems.Inmyopinion,however,familyenvironment
alonedoesnotmuchinfluenceachild'sabilitytosolveproblems.Achildwhowasbornintoapoorfamilywouldhavehadmoresituationswheretheyhadtosolveaproblemormakeadecisionontheirown.Thisisbecauseinmostunfortunatefamilies,bothparentsareusuallyworkingandchildrenareputintosituationswheretheyhavetotakecareofthemselves.Bycontrast,duetotheirwealth,richchildrencanexperienceandlearnthingsthatunfortunatechildrencannot.Forexample,theyusuallygotothebestschoolsandreceiveahighereducationthere,whichpreparesthembetterforsolvingproblemsintheirlife.However,fewwoulddisagreewiththefactthateachindividualisdifferent.Thatis,problemsolvingskillscomemorefromlifeexperience.Thatis,themoreaperson
experiencesinlife,themoretheycanusetheseexperiencestoadjust,toadaptandtosolveproblemstheyencounter.Personalityalsocanbeafactorindealingwithproblems.Apersonwhoisoptimistic,outgoing,confidentandopen-mindedcanlookatandsolveproblemsmoreeffectively.Asdiscussedabove,natureandnurturehaveanequalinfluenceonachild'sabilitytofacechallenges.Parentsshouldsparenoefforttofigureouthowtheycanhelptheirchildrentobeindependent.Ihopethatinthefuturethenextgenerationwillgrowupasmaturecitizens.
(291words)
Sample115
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Theearthisbeingfilledwithwastematerialsuchasplasticbagsandotherrubbish.Isthisreallyhappening?Whataresomesolutionstothisproblem?
Givesreasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Overthepastfewdecades,theincreasingamountofindustrialwastesandhousehold
garbagehasbecomeamajorprobleminmanycountries.Peoplehavequestionedwhatcausedthisproblemandwhatcanbedonetoimprovethesituation.Inmyopinion,twoofthemostcriticalcausesofthiswastematerialproblemaretheincreasedconsumptionandashortageofspaceforlandfill.Tobeginwith,modernlifestylehascontributedgreatlytotheincreasingamountofwasteandgarbageweproduceeveryday.Inotherwords,wehaveturnedintoamaterialisticandmass-consumptionsocietywhereweusemoreandthrowawaymorethaneverbefore.Moreover,countriesarerunningoutofspacetostoregarbageandwastematerial.Infact,securinglandforwastedisposalraisescontroversiesinmanycountries.Tosolvethisintractableproblem,every
citizenneedstoparticipateinproducinglessgarbage.Forexample,wecanbringourownpersonalshoppingbagsinsteadofusingplasticbagsprovidedbystoresandshops.Besides,thegovernmentcanenforcestricterlawsoncompaniestousebiodegradablepackagingoruserecycledmaterial.Indeed,thisalonecaneliminatemuchofthewastewhichissenttoatlandfills.Companiescanalsocontributebydevelopingnewrawmaterialwhichisrecyclableandwillultimatelyleadtolessgarbage.Onegoodexampleofthisisthattirecompaniesdevelopnewtiresforcarswhicharenotmadeofrubberbutofnewbiodegradablematerial.Asdiscussedabove,individuals,businessandthegovernmentcansharetheresponsibilitytoreducetheamountofwastematerialandtosavetheearth.I
hopethatinthefutureouroffspringwillbebetteroffwiththewell-preservedenvironment.
(282words)
Sample116
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
InBritain,whensomeonegetsoldtheyoftengotoliveinahomewithotheroldpeopleswherestherearenursestolookafterthem.Sometimesthegovernmenthastopayforthiscare.Whoshouldberesponsibleforouroldpeople?
Givesreasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
ManyoldpeopleinBritain,afteralifetimeofhardworkandthetoilofbringingupchildren,areputintohomesfortheelderlybytheirfamilies.There,theyarelookedafterbyprofessionalnurses,andthisissometimesattheexpenseofthegovernment.However,thissituationhasraisedcontroversyaboutwhetherweextendtooureldersthecareandrespecttheydeserve.Thecriticsofthissystemsaythatitisthe
dutyofthefamilytolookafteritsseniormembersintheyearswhentheyarenolongerabletowork.Theypointoutthatinretirementhomesoldpeopletendtofeeluselessandunwantedbytheirfamilymembers,whoseldomcometoseethem.Inaddition,thereisevidencethatyoungerpeoplebenefitfromtheexperienceandwisdomofolderpeoplewholivewiththemonadailybasis.Ontheotherhad,thosewhosupportthesystemsaythatretiredparentscanbeaburdentoyoungfamilies.Notonlyisitexpensivetosupportoldpeoplewhohavelittleornoincome,butthefactthatoldpeopleareoftenillandneedagreatdealoflookingaftercanbetoomuchfortheirbusychildren.Inmyopinion,neithersideiscompletelyright.Oldpeopleingoodhealthandwith
enoughfinancestosupportthemselvescanbeagreathelptotheirchildren.Forinstance,theycanlookaftertheirgrandchildrenwhilechildrenareoutatwork.Ontheotherhad,sickandpenniless
Sample117
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Actionmovieswithspectacularcarchasesareverypopularwithyoungpeople.itisoftensaidthatthesesortsofmoviesleadtoanincreaseincaraccidentsamongyoungdriversastheytrytocopywhattheyhaveseeninthefilms.Doyouagreethatsuchmoviesincrease
theamountofbaddriving?Whatcanbedonetoencourageyoungpeopletodrivemoresafely?
Givesreasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Moviestendtohaveaverylargeinfluenceonyoungpeoplewhoareinfluencedbothbywhattheyseeandhear.Becausethisisthecase,itistruethatcarchasesinactionmoviestendtoleadtoanincreaseinthenumberofcaraccidentsamongyoungdriversbecausetheytrytocopywhatthey
haveseeninthefilms.Theydrivetoofastandtakeunnecessaryrisksandthedifficultyisthatmostyoungpeoplelacktheskillsandexperiencetodothis.Thereareavarietyofwaysinwhichyoungpeoplecanbeencouragedtopractisesaferdrivinghabits.Firstly,theGovernmentshouldlaunchasafedrivingcampaigntoconveythefactthatdrivingsafelyisnotuncool.Ineffect,itshouldbecooltostayaliveandhealthy!Secondly,everymovieshouldmakeitclearthatdangerouscarchasesareundertakenonlyinstrictsafetyconditionswithexperienceddrivers,andoftenspecialmovie-makingtricksareusedtoenhancetheaction.Thirdly,youngpeopleshouldbeforcedtotakesafedrivingcourseseveryyearforthefirstfiveyearsthattheyhavetheirdriver'slicence.Inthisway,
theyareforcedtoperfecttheirdrivingskillsortheirlicencewillbetakenaway.Finally,aspartofthiscourse,youngdriversshouldgotohospitalsandwitnesstheeffectsofpoorordangerousdrivingonotherpeople.Whentheyseehospitalisedpeoplewhoseliveshavebeendestroyedduetostupidrisk-taking,theywillsurelychangetheirmindsaboutwhetheritiscooltocopyactionheroesanddrivefast.
264words
Sample118
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.Writeaboutthefollowingtopic:
Shouldanimalsbeusedintestingnew
drugsandprocedures?
Givesreasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.Writeatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Everyyear,millionsofanimalsundergopainfulsufferingordeathasaresultofscientificresearchintotheeffectsofdrugs,foodadditives,cosmeticsandotherchemicalproducts.Whilemostpeoplethinkanimaltestingisnecessary,othersareupsetbywhattheyseeasneedlesssuffering.Thisessaylooksatsomeofthepositiveandnegativeaspectsofanimal
testing.Manymedicaltreatmentsandprocedureshavebeendevelopedfromexperimentsonanimals.Sinceanimalssharemanyfeatureswithhumans,scientistsuseanimalstotestthesafetyandeffectivenessofnewlydevelopeddrugsbeforepilottestingonsmallgroupsofpatients.Medicalteamspracticenewoperatingtechniquessuchastransplantsonanimals.Withoutanimaltesting,manyproceduresornewdrugswouldbeextremelyunsafe.However,manypeopleareconcernedthatanimalsaresufferingunnecessarilyandcruelly.Theydonotbelievethateverynewdrugneedstobetestedonanimals,especiallywiththehugedatabaseofknowledgeandmoderncomputermodels.Theyalsoareworriedthatmanyanimaltestsareineffective,pointingoutthatany
drugshavehadtobewithdrawnfromthemarketdespiteextensivetesting.Theyparticularlyfeelthatanimaltestingshouldnotbeusedfornon-essentialproductssuchascosmetics,shampoos,soaps,andcleaningproducts.Furthermore,somecampaignerswouldliketoseecertaintestsreplacedandmorehumanemethodsused.Weneedtomakesurethatthemillionsofanimalswhoareusedfortestingnewproductsaretreatedwiththeminimumofsuffering.Althoughsomeanimaltestingmaybeunavoidableatpresent,treatingourfellowcreaturesasmercifullyaspossiblewilldemonstrateourhumanity.
267words
Sample119
Inthepast,buildingsoftenreflectedthecultureofasocietybuttodayallmodernbuildingslookalikeandcitiesthroughouttheworldarebecomingmoreandmoresimilar.Whatdoyouthinkisthereasonforthis,andisitagoodthinkorabadthink?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
Youshoulduseyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamples.
modelanswer:
cityhasitsarchitecturalcharacter,butthesimilaritiesbetweencitiesaremoreobviousthesedaysthaninthepast.Inmyopinion,onereasonforthisisthehighpriceofland.Inmostlargecities,landisscarceandconsequentlyitisveryvaluable.Thishasledtotheconstructionoftallbuildingswhichoccupyonlyasmallareaoflandwhileprovidinglotsoffloorspacewherepeoplecanliveorwork.Buildingsofthistypearemadeofconcreteandsteelandcanbebuiltcomparativelyquicklyusingprefabricatedmaterials.Theydonotuselocalmaterials,suchasstone,timberorbrick,whichusedtogivecitiestheirindividualcharacter.Inconsequencemanycities.nowlookverymuchthesameand
youmightnotknowwhetheryouwereinBrisbane,BangkokorBerlinwhenyouareonthestreet.WhileIrealisethatwecannotstandinthewayofprogress,Ibelievethatcitiesshouldtrytokeepsomeindividuality.Forexample,inParisitisprohibitedtobuildverytallbuildingsinthecentreofthecity,asthiswouldspoiltheoverallappearanceoftheskyline.Othercitieshavechosentodesignuniquebuildingstoensuretheylookdifferent.ThetwintowersinKualaLumpurortheOperaHouseinSydneyareexamplesofthisapproach,andIagreewiththiskindofinitiative.Allinall,althoughitisregrettablethatmoderncitieslooksimilar,Itendtofeelthatthisisunavoidable.However,itcanbearguedthat,evenifthebuildingsare
similar,citieswillmaintaintheirowncharacterasaresultofculturaldiversity,theterrainandtheclimate,whichultimatelydeterminehowpeoplelive.
Sample120
Inmanymajorcitiesoftheworld,youwillfindlargepublicbuildings,bothnewandold.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofsuchbuildings.Howimportantisitforacountrytoconstructimpressivepublicbuildingswhenhousesarewantisreallyrequired?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthis
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
Youshoulduseyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamples.
modelanswer:
(Introduction:mentionthatpublicbuildingsexistinallcitiesandtowns,largeandsmall,e.g.postoffice,courtpause,placesofworship,theatre)Apublicbuildingisabuildingthatbelongsinsomewayothestate.Thenumberofpublicbuildingsinanytownorvillagewilldependonthesizeofthat
communityanditsneeds.Forexample,youwillusuallyfindatownhallofsomesort,aschoolandaplaceofworshipatheleast.Inangercommunitiestherewillbeapolicestation,lawcourts,alibraryandmaybeatheatrefundedbyhestate.(Pros:citypride,beautifultolookat,useful/necessarybuildings,createacitycentre.)Thedesiretobuildimpressivebuildingsisnotnew.TheancientcitiesoftheMiddleEastandSouthAmericaweredesignedwithlargepublicbuildingstoimpressvisitorsandenemiesandgiveasenseofpride.Inmoderntimes,outstandingpublicbuildingsstill.createagreatsenseoflocalandnationalpride.Theyarewhatgivesacityitscharacterandtheyformasocialcentre,aplacewherepeopleliketomeet.(Cons:wasteofpublicmoney,
intimidating,nationalistic.Giveopiniononwhethertheystopusfrombuildinghousesorwhethertheycanbecompatible.)However,somepeoplearguethatgovernmentshaveconstructedunnecessary,andsometimesugly,buildingssimplytomakethemselvesfeelimportant.ItendtofeelthatsuchbuildingsmaybeawasteofpublicmoneybutIamnotsurewecanclaimthattheypreventhousesfrombeingbuilt,becausethesegovernmentshaveoftenensuredthatadequatehousingwasalsoavailable.Housesandpublicbuildingscanexistsidebyside.(Conclusion-sumupthetwopartstotheanswer.Leavethereaderthinking.)Theanswerliesinfindingaperightbalance.Wewantofeelprideinourtown,
butwealsowantourcitizenstohavecomfortablehomes.Itishardtopleaseeveryone.
Sample121
Learningaforeignlanguageoffersaninsightintohowpeoplefromotherculturesthinkandseetheworld.Theteachingofaforeignlanguageshouldbecompulsoryatallprimaryschools.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisview?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
Youshoulduseyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamples.
modelanswer:
(Clearstatementfollowedbyaquestionbasedonthepremise.)Languageislinkedtotheidentityofanation,andspeakersofacommonlanguagesharemanythings,butdoesthisgivegovernmentstherighttorestrictthewayalanguageisusedortaught?(Concessionmodetothe"For"case,butfollowedbytheAgainst'pointofview.Anexampleisgivenwhichcommentsonthelikelyeffectivenessofsuchapolicy.)
Itcanbearguedthatanationmaintainsitsculturethroughitslanguage,andsothereisaneedtorestricttheuseofforeignwordsandchangesinpronunciation.However,inrealitythisapproachisfruitless,becauselanguageisalivingthinganditisimpossibletostopitfromchanging.Thispolicyhasbeentriedinsomecountries,butitneverworks.People,especiallyyoungpeople,willusethelanguagethattheyheararoundthem,andwhichseparatesthemfromothers;stoppingtheuseofcertainwordswillonlymakethemappearmoreattractive.(PutsthecaseAgainst'governmentspreventingspellingreform,butconcedesitmaybeuseful.)Asforspelling,weallknowthattheEnglishsystemisirregularand,Ibelieve,itwouldbenefitfromsimplificationso
thatchildrenandotherlearnersdonotwastetimelearningtoreadandwrite.Ontheotherhand,somepeoplemayfeel,perhapsrightly,thatitisimportanttokeeptheoriginalspellingofwordsasalinkwiththepastandthisviewisalsoheldbyspeakersoflanguageswhichdonotusetheRomanalphabet.(Putsbothsidesoftheargumentaboutwhichlanguagetouseinschools.)Whileitisimportantforpeoplewhospeakaminoritylanguagetobeabletolearnandusethatlanguage,itispracticalforeducationtobeinacommonlanguage.Thiscreatesnationalprideandlinkspeoplewithinthesociety.Realistically,schoolsarethebestplaceforthistostart.(Endswithaclearstatement.)Ultimately,thereisaroleforgovernmentstoplayintheareaoflanguageplanning,
particularlyineducation,butatnotimeshouldgovernmentsimposeregulationswhichrestrictpeople'slinguisticfreedom.
Sample122
Withtheincreasingpopularityofcomputersandcalculators,studentliteracyisdecreasingdramatically.Whatarethepositiveandnegativeeffectstheprogressofscienceandtechnologyhasbroughtabout?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Ithasbeenwidelynotedthat,withthegrowinguseofcomputersandcalculatorsbothintheclassroomandinthehome,thelevelofliteracyandmathematicalabilityofstudentsisdropping.Thisraisesseriousdoubtsaboutthevalueoftheprogressofscienceandtechnology.HereIwilldiscusstheprosandconsofthisquestion.Firstofall,advancesinscienceandtechnologyhavecertainlybroughtaboutmanybenefitsformankind.Theyhavemadeourlivesmorecomfortableandhealthier.Inaddition,theyhaveeasedtheburdenofworkformostpeopleandprovidedthemwithmoreleisureopportunities,whileatthesametimeincreasingproductivitydramatically.Nevertheless,itcannotbedeniedthat
technologyhassomenegativeside-effects.Asmentionedabove,withcomputerswhichcheckspelling,grammarandcalculationforthem,studentshavelittleincentivetolearnhowtodothesethingsforthemselves.Also,theavailabilityofTVprogramsandvideosencouragesanunhealthy,sedentarylifestyle.Anotheraspectofthisissueisthattechnologymaybegoodorbad,dependingonhowweuseit.Forinstance,dynamitemaybeusedtomakeroadconstructioneasier,oritmaybeusedtokillpeople.Again,nuclearreactorscansupplyhugeamountsofcheapelectricity,butiftheyarecarelesslyhandledtheycancausedevastatingpollution.Wecanconcludethattheprogressofscienceandtechnologyhasbothpositiveandnegativeeffects.Whatwemustdois
tomakesurethatthepositiveonesareencouragedandthenegativeonesareeliminatedasfaraspossible.Amongotherthings,thismeansthatstudentsarewarnednottoletcomputersandcalculatorsdoalltheirworkforthem.
Sample123
Itisoftensaidthatthesubjectstaughtinschoolsaretooacademicinorientationandthatitwouldbemoreusefulforchildrentolearnaboutpracticalmatterssuchashomemanagement,workandinterpersonalskills.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagree?
Youshouldwriteatleast250
words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Acriticismoftenheardthesedaysisthatthesubjectstaughtinschoolstendtobetooacademic,andcontributelittletopreparingayoungpersonforthereal-lifetasksheorshewillhavetoperformaftergraduation.Theysaythatacademicsubjectsarerootedinthepast,andarenotusefulforsolvingmodernproblems.Idisagreewiththispointofviewforthreereasons.Myfirstreasonisthatitisthedutyof
parents,notteachers,topreparetheirchildrentodealwiththepracticalaffairsoflife.Thehome,nottheclassroom,istheidealplacetolearnabouthomemanagementandinterpersonalskills.Asforworkabilitiesandattitudes,theyarebestlearned“onthejob”andunderthesupervisionofanexperiencedolderworker.Mysecondreasonisthatacademicsubjectshavewithstoodthetestoftime.Theyrepresenttheaccumulatedwisdomofourancestorsdownthroughtheages,and,farfrombeingimpractical,theyequipuswiththeknowledgeandconfidencetomakesoundjudgementsaboutanyproblemswhichmaycropup.Inaddition,academicsubjectsaregoodfortrainingusinmentaldiscipline,whilepracticalsubjectsareweakinthisregard.
Mythirdreasonisbasedonthesaying“Mandoesnotlivebybreadalone.”Schooldaysdevotedsolelytoinstructionindown-to-earthpracticalmatterswouldbedullindeed!Lessonsinthebestliteratureoftheworld,andtheepoch-makingscientificandgeographicaldiscoveriesofthepastenrichourlivesandmakeusfeelthatwearepartofthegreatfamilyofmankind.Allinall,theteachingofacademicsubjectsinschoolsisentirelyappropriate.Itismyfirmlyheldviewthatpracticalsubjectshavenoplaceintheclassroom.Onthecontrary,thecurriculumshouldbemoreacademic!
Sample124
Manypeoplethinkthatnowadayspeoplearebeingsubjectedtomoreandmorepressureintheirwork,andthusarehavinglessandlesstimetorelax.Whatisyouropinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Inmodernsociety,especiallyinbigcities,undoubtedlyhardworkhasbecomeaveryimportantfeatureofordinarypeople’severydaylife.Itseemsthatmanypeople
areundertheimpressionthattheirworkisbecomingmorepressingandurgent,andthustheysacrificemoreandmoreleisuretime.Inthefirstplace,withtherapiddevelopmentofscienceandtechnology,worktodayismoredemandingthanitusedtobe.Forexample,collegegraduatesnowadayshavetomasterEnglish,computerscienceanddrivingskillsbeforetheycanfinddecentjobs.Peoplehavetospendmoretimeacquiringnewtechniquesandskills.Andtheirsparetimetendstobefullyoccupied,notwithleisurepursuit,butwithwork-relatedpursuits.Inthesecondplace,competitionisbecomingmoreintense.Manypeoplefeelanxiousthattheymaybe“laid-off”iftheycan’tworkashardasothers.Andtheyalsofeelatadisadvantagebeforenew
graduates.Therefore,itisunderstandablethatpeoplekeepthemselvesinvolvedinintenselyhardworkinordertopreservetheirpositions.Inmyopinion,theworstaspectofthisphenomenonisthatthehugepressureofworkwillgraduallyaffectpeople’smentalhealth.Excessivelyhardworkmeansthatpeoplecannevergetridofthefatigueoftheirwork,evenintheirleisuretime.Thismeansthattheycannotenjoyanormallife.Inaword,inmodernsocietyoverworkisstealingourleisuretime.however,Ibelievethisproblemwillbesettledeventuallywiththedevelopmentofscienceandtechnology.
Sample125
Itisgenerallyacknowledgedthatfamiliesarenownotascloseastheyusedtobe.Givepossiblereasonsandyourrecommendations.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Thereismuchdiscussionnowadaysastowhetherornottherelation-shipbetweenfamilymembersisascloseasbefore.Diversecontributingfactorscanbe
identified.Inthefollowing,Iwouldliketopresentmypointofview.Greatchangeshavetakenplaceinfamilylifealongwiththedevelopmentofsociety.Oneofthemisthattheonce-extendedfamilytendstobecomesmallerandsmaller.Manychildrenhavetoleavetheirparentsatanearlyagetostudyorworkelsewhere.Astimepasses,childrenbecomeemotionallyestrangedfromtheirparents.Comparedwiththepast,socialcompetitionisbecomingincreasinglyfierce.Peopleareurgedtoconcentratetheireffortsuponwork,sothattheycanachievesuccess,oratleastagoodstandardofliving.Asaresult,theycan’taffordtospendtheirleisurehourswiththeirfamilies.Theimportanceofbondsofkinshipisgraduallyfadingfromtheir
minds.Inaddition,theavailabilityofvariouskindsofrecreationalfacilitiesalsodivertspeoplefromenjoyingchatswiththemembersoftheirfamilies.TheirfreetimeismostlyoccupiedbywatchingTV,surfingtheInternetorplayingvideogames.Theycometoloseinterestincommunicatingwiththeothermembersoftheirfamilies.Inviewofsuchalienationwithinfamilies,urgentstepsmustbetaken,inmyopinion.Formembersoffamilieswholiveawayfromoneanother,regularcontactonthephonecanbringthemthecarethattheyneed.Familyreunionsonholidaysorotherimportantoccasionscanmakeadifferenceaswell.Forthoselivingtogether,itisagoodideatotakesometimeoffworkorrecreationperiodstospendmoretimewith
eachother.Inthefinalanalysis,aclosefamilyrelationshipcansurelybemaintainedaslongaswerealizethesignificantroleitplaysinourlivesandattachimportancetoit.
Sample126
Ithasbeenmorethan30yearssincemanfirstlandedonthemoon.Somepeoplethinkthatspaceresearchisawasteofmoney.Discuss.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Foroverfiftyyears,anumberofnationshavebeeninvolvedintheexplorationofouterspace.Thisresearchhasbeenverycostly,ofcourse.Hasthismoneybeenwell-spentorwasted?Somepeoplebelievethatallormostspaceresearchshouldbeeliminatedbecauseofitsincredibleexpense,notonlyintermsofmoney,butalsointermsofscientificandhumanresources.Thesepeoplepointoutthefactthatitcostbillionsofdollarstosendastronautstothemoon,butalltheybroughtbackweresomeworthlessrocks.Thesepeoplesaythatthemoneyandeffortnowbeingwastedinouterspacecouldbespentforhomelesspeople,improvingthe
educationsystem,savingtheenvironment,andfindingcuresfordiseases.However,otherpeoplebelievethatspaceresearchhasprovidedmanybenefitstomankind.Theypointoutthathundredsofusefulproducts,frompersonalcomputerstoheartpacemakerstofreeze-driedfoods,arethedirectorindirectresultsofspaceresearch.Theysaythatweatherandcommunicationsatellites,whicharealsoproductsofspaceprograms,havebenefitedpeopleallovertheglobe.Inadditiontothesepracticalbenefits,supportersofthespaceprogrampointtothescientificknowledgethathasbeenacquiredaboutthesun,themoon,theplanetsandevenourownearthasaresultofspaceresearch.Iagreewiththosepeoplewhosupportspaceresearchandwantittocontinue.
Spaceresearch,asshown,hasalreadybroughtmanybenefitstohumanity.Perhapsitwillbringevenmorebenefitsinthefuture,onesthatwecannotevenimaginenow.Moreover,justasindividualpeopleneedchallengestomaketheirlivesmoreinteresting,Ibelievethehumanraceitselfneedsachallenge,andIthinkthatthepeacefulexplorationofouterspaceprovidesjustsuchachallenge.
Sample127
Somepeoplebelievethatchildrensleisureactivitiesmustbeeducational,otherwisetheyareacompletewasteoftime.Doyouagreeordisagree?Givereasonsforyouranswerand
includeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourexperience.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Today,educationhasbecomeapriorityformanyparentsseekingtosecureagoodfuturefortheirchildreninthisrapidlychangingworld.Theybelievethatiftheirchildrenapplythemselvesandworkhardatschool,thentheywillincreasetheiropportunitiesforgoingtohighereducation
andeventuallygettingagoodjob.Ofcoursetheyareright,andasaccesstothebesteducationandbestjobsisbecomingmorecompetitive,thenitistruethatchildrenhavetomakethebestoftheirstudytimewhentheyareyoung.However,theparentswhodonotallowtheirchildrensufficientfreetimeforleisureactivitiesoutsideschoolhours,aremisguided.Suchactivitiesarefarfrombeingawasteoftimeforthechildrensimplybecausetheyarenotacademic.Itisimportanttorememberthatchildrenneedtodevelopskillsotherthanintellectualones,andthebestwaytodothisisthroughactivitiessuchassports,gamesandplayingwithotherkids.Iftheycannotplaymake-believegames,howcantheydeveloptheirimagination?Howcantheylearnphysicalco-ordinationorlearn
importantsociallessonsaboutwinningandlosingiftheydonotpractiseanysports?Manychildrenformstrong,personalrelationshipswiththefriendstheyplaywith,andwithouttheopportunitytodothis,theycouldgrowupemotionallyimmatureorunformed.Finally,Ithinkitisalsoimportanttorememberthatchildrenneedtorelaxaswellaswork.Ifeverythingtheydomusthavesomeeducationaloracademicrelevance,thentheywillsoongettiredofstudyingaltogether,whichisthelastthingparentswouldwant.
Sample128
Newseditorsdecidewhattobroadcastontelevisionandwhattoprintin
newspapers.Whatfactorsdoyouthinkinfluencethesedecisions?Dowebecomeusedtobadnews?Wouldithebetterifmoregoodnewswasreported?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Ithasoftenbeensaidthat.Goodnewsisbadnews.becauseitdoesnotsellnewspapers.Aradiostationthatonce
decidedtopresentonlygoodnewssoonfoundthatithadgoneoutofbusinessforlackoflisteners.Badnewsontheotherhandissocommonthatinordertocopewithit,weoftensimplyignoreit.Wehavebecomeimmunetobadnewsandthenewspapersandradiostationsareawareofthis.WhilenewspapersandTVstationsmayaimtoreportworldeventsaccurately,betheynaturalorhumandisasters,politicaleventsorthehorrorsofwar,itisalsotruethattheirmainobjectiveistosellnewspapersandattractlistenersandviewerstotheirstations.ForthisreasonTVandradiostationsattempttoreflecttheflavouroftheirstationbyprovidingnewsbroadcaststailor-madetosuittheirlisteners.preferences.ProgrammesspecialisinginpopmusicorTVsoap
operasfocusmoreonlocalnews,homeissuesandup-to-datetrafficreports.Themoreseriousstationsandnewspapersliketoprovide.socalled.objectivenewsreportswitheditorialcommentaimedatanalysingthesituation.Ifitistrue,then,thatnewspapersandTVstationsaretailoringtheirnewstotheirreaders.andviewers.requirements,howcantheypossiblybereportingrealworldeventsinanhonestandobjectivelight?ManyradioandTVstationsdo,infact,reportitemsofgoodnewsbuttheynolongercallthisnews.Theyrefertotheseashumanintereststoriesandpackagetheminprogrammesspecialising,forinstance,inconsumeraffairsorlocalissues.Goodnewsnowcomestousintheformofdocumentariesthefightagainstchildren.scancerorAIDS,orthelatest
developmentsinthefighttosavetheplanetfromenvironmentalpollution.
Sample129
Manypeoplebelievethattelevisionprogramsareofnovalueforchildren.Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?Providereasonsandexamplestosupportyourresponse.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
modelanswer:
Televisualmediahasbecomeapervasiveforceinthelivesoffamiliesaroundtheworldtoday.Yet,acentralquestionremainsregardingwhetherwatchingtelevisionisharmfulorbeneficialforchildren.Ananalysisofthisquestionrevealsthattelevisionprogramspresentthreemajorconcernsinthecaseofchildren,includingdepictionsofviolence,theuseofprofanelanguage,andtherepresentationofpoormoralrolemodels.Televisionprogramsthatportrayviolenceareaparamountconcernforparentsnowadays.Recentresearchhasshownthatchildrenmaycommitactsofviolencebecausetheywishtoemulatethebehaviorthattheyseeontelevision.Thisisespeciallytruewhenviolentactsarecommittedbywell-knownaction“heroes.”Inaddition,televisionprogramsshow
cartoonfigures,aswellasactors,committingviolentacts.Usingcomicsituationstodepictviolentthemescausesfurtherproblemswiththewayinwhichyoungpeopleviewviolence.Televisionprogramsthatcontainprofaneordisrespectfullanguagealsoworryparentswithyoungchildren.Becausecensorshiplawshaverelaxedoverthepastfewdecades,ithasbecomeverycommonfortelevisionprogramsofeachandeverykindtoshowcharactersexpressingimpolite,rude,andinsultingutterancestooneanother.Bearingresemblancetothecaseofportrayalsofviolence,childrenunfortunatelyoftentrytoimitatetheseactionstheywatchontheirtelevisionscreens.Finally,someparentsareupsetaboutthe
moralbehaviordepictedontelevision.Astheystruggletoteachtheirchildrenmoralandethicalvalues,parentsmightdespairaboutthelackofmoralsandethicsrepresentedinsomeoftheso-calledrolemodelsontelevision.Forinstance,certaincharactersnotonlyhavenoremorsefortheirimmoralactions,butalsofrequentlygounpunishedbylargersociety.Becauseofthesefactors,manyparentsbelievethattelevisionprogramssendtheiryouththewrongkindsofmessages.Theemulationofthispoorbehaviorbytheirchildrenissomethingtheywishtoavoidatallcosts,andtheyhaveaccordinglydecidedtobantelevisionintheirhouseholdsforthesereasons.
Sample130
Televisionhashadasignificantinfluenceonthecultureofmanysocieties.Towhatextentwouldyousaythattelevisionhaspositivelyornegativelyaffectedtheculturaldevelopmentofyoursociety?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
modelanswer:
IthasbeenaroundfortyyearssincetelevisionwasfirstintroducedintoAustralianhouseholdsandpeopletoday
stillhavemixedviewsonwhetherithasapositiveoranegativeinfluenceonthesociety.Manypeoplebelievethattelevisiondamagesculture.ItpromotesthestrongerculturesofcountriessuchasBritainandNorthAmericaandweakenstheculturesoflesswealthycountries.Thisisbecausethestronger,wealthiercountriesareabletoasserttheirownculturebyproducingmoreprogramsthatareshownwidelyaroundtheworld.Theseprogramstheninfluencepeople,particularlyyoungpeople,inthecountrieswheretheyareshown.Also,becausetelevisionnetworksneedtoattractlargeaudiencestosecuretheirfinancialsurvival,theymustproduceprogramswhichareinterestingtoabroadrangeofpeople.InAustraliathisrangeis
verybroadbecauseweareamulticulturalsocietyandpeopleofallagesliketowatchtelevision.Tointerestallthesedifferentpeople,mosttelevisionprogramsareshortinlength,fullofactionandexcitement,donotrequiremuchintelligenceorknowledgetounderstand,andfollowuniversalthemescommontoallcultures,suchasloveandcrime.Televisionprogramswhichconcentrateonordevelopthemespertinenttooneparticularculturearenotsosuccessfulbecausetheyinterestasmalleraudience.Neverthelesswemuchacknowledgethattelevisiondoeshavesomepositiveeffectsonthecultureswithinasocietyaswell.Peoplewhodonotlivewithintheirownculturecan,inalimitedway,accessitthroughthemulticulturalstationonthetelevision.Forexample,Aboriginal
childrenwhohavegrownupinwhitefamilies,ormigrantsandinternationalstudentslivinginAustralia,canwatchprogramsfromtheirowncultureonthetelevision.Inconclusion,Iholdtheviewthattelevisionpromotesandstrengthensthoseculturesthatarewealthyandinfluentialwhileitweakenstheculturesthatarealreadyinaweakenedposition
Sample131
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Withoutcapitalpunishment(thedeathpenalty)ourlivesarelesssecureandcrimesofviolenceincrease.Capitalpunishmentinessentialtocontrol
violenceinsociety.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Beforetalkingabouttheessentialroleofdeathpenalty,youhavetothinkaboutthemeaning,andthepurpose,ofanykindofpunishment.Ifyouconsiderthatthepurposeistopreventtheguiltyfrombeingnastyagain,youcanbeseducedbyanargumentationinfavourofthesuppressionofcapitalpunishment.Butyouhavetothinkaboutanotheraspectoftheproblem:apunishmentisalsousefultoimpress
people,tomakethemfearthelaw.Infact,let'staketheexampleofayoungmisfit,whichhasgrowninaviolentatmosphere,influencedbyolderdelinquents,etc...Helivesinthestreets,he'sgotnoaimbuttosurvive.Thisisthekindofpersonwhocouldpossiblykillsomeoneformoney,orevenforfun...Whywouldhefearprison?Lifewouldbeeasierforhimthere.Inaddition,inmanycases,whenyoubehavenormally,youcanbenefitfrompenaltyreductions.Thisyoungmisfitneedstobeimpressed,heneedstoknowthatthelawisafrontier.Whenyoucrossit,youcanloseyourlife.Thatiswhycapitalpunishmenthelpskeepingadistancebetweenrobberyandmurder.Ifyouabolishit,yousuppressthedifferencebetweenthesetwotypesofcrime,whicharecompletelydifferent.
Butthereisalsoalimittodefine:evenifdeathpenaltyisunavoidable,itwouldbeacrimetoapplyittoinadequatecases.Ifthereisnopremeditationorpastfactswhichcanjustifysuchapunishment,itisfartoostricttoapplydeathpenalty.Thatiswhythelawmakershavetoestablishpreciselythecontextinwhichcapitalpunishmentcarbepronounced.Thatisthepricetopaytolimitviolencewithoutusingexcessiveviolence.
Comment:
ThisisananswerwrittenbyacandidatewhoachievedaBand8score.Hereistheexaminer'scomment:Thisresponseisveryfluentandwellexpressedinanappropriateregister.Arangeofrelevantissuesisskilfully
presentedanddiscussed.Theargumentislogicallydevelopedandwellorganised.Awiderangeofstructuresandvocabularyareusedappropriatelyandaccuratelywithonlyminorflaws.
Sample132
"Fatherhoodoughttobeemphasisedasmuchasmotherhood.Theideathatwomenaresolelyresponsiblefordecidingwhetherornottohavebabiesleadsontotheideathattheyarealsoresponsibleforbringingthechildrenup."Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagree?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
modelanswer:
Ibelievethatchild-rearingshouldbetheresponsibilityofbothparentsandthat,whilsttheroleswithinthatpartnershipmaybedifferent,theyareneverthelessequalinimportance.Insomesocieties,ithasbeenmadeeasierovertheyearsforsingleparentstoraisechildrenontheirown.However,thisdoesnotmeanthatthetraditionalfamily,withbothparentsprovidingemotionalsupportandrole-modelsfortheirchildren,isnotthemostsatisfactorywayofbringingupchildren.Ofcrucialimportance,inmyopinion,is
howwedefine'responsibleforbringingthechildrenup'.Atitssimplest,itcouldmeangivingthefinancialsupportnecessarytoprovideahome,foodandclothesandmakingsurethechildissafeandreceivesanadequateeducation.Thiswouldbethebasicdefinition.Thereis,however,anotherpossiblewayofdefiningthatpartofthequotation.Thatwouldsayitisnotjustthefathersresponsibilitytoprovidethebasicsforhischildren,whilehiswifeinvolvesherselfintheeverydayactivityofbringingthemup.Rather,heshouldsharethosedailyduties,spendasmuchtimeashisjoballowswithhischildren,playwiththem,readtothem,helpdirectlywiththeireducation,participateveryfullyintheirlivesandencouragethemtosharehis.Itisthissecond,fuller,conceptof
'fatherhood'thatIaminfavourof,althoughIalsorealisehowdifficultitistoachievesometimes.Theeconomicandemploymentsituationinmanycountriesmeansthatjobsaregettingmore,notless,stressful,requiringlonghoursandperhapslongjourneystoworkaswell.Thereforeitmayremainformanyadesirableidealratherthananachievablereality.
Sample133
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
MillionsofpeopleeveryyearmovetoEnglish-speakingcountriessuchasAustralia,BritainorAmerica,inordertostudyatschool,collegeoruniversity.Whydosomanypeoplewanttostudyin
English?WhyisEnglishsuchanimportantinternationallanguage?Givereasonsforyouranswer..
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
IamnotsurprisewhenIreadinthenewspapersthatmanypeoplemovetoEnglishspeakingcountries.IamanengineerinaprocesscontrolsincetenyearsandIunderstandthenecessityofEnglishlanguage.Forexample,whenIreadtechnicalEnglishspecifications,whenImeetJapaneseIndustrialstobuildtogethersomeelectronicmaterialsor
whenIgoonholidaysinItalywherethebestway(forme)tocommunicateistospeakEnglish.Therefore,today,it'snecessarytolearnEnglishandthebestwayistostudyinEnglishassoonaspossiblewhenweareatschoolbutalsowhenwehaveajob.It'ssoImportanttocommunicatewithforeigners,becauseofwork.Forexample:toseafoodsinUSA,tobuildelectroniccardswiththeJapanese,toobtainacertificationwithFDA(Americanorganization)inordertosellsomepharmaceuticalproducts.Infact,jt'sImportantforeverybody,theworkers,thevisitors,thescientists,etc...ThesearethemainreasonwhichexplainwhysomanypeoplegotoEnglishspeakingcountries(thebestwaytolearn)andwhyEnglishissuchanImportantInternationallanguage(the
communicationbetweenmanythepeopleovertheworld).
Comment:
ThisisananswerwrittenbyacandidatewhoachievedaBand6score.Hereistheexaminer'scomment:Thisresponseisunderlengthandismarkeddownbecauseofthis.Onlyafewrelevantideasarepresentedandtheseareusedratherrepetitivelyandareinsufficientlydevelopedorsupported.However,thewritingcommunicatesfluentlyandasatisfactoryrangeofstructuresandvocabularyareused.
Sample134
Somegovernmentssayhowmany
childrenafamilycanhareintheircountry.Theymaycontrolthenumberofchildrensomeonehasthroughtaxes.Itissometimesnecessaryandrightforagovernmenttocontrolthepopulationinthisway.Doyouagreeordisagree?Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
modelanswer:
Itiscertainlyveryunderstandablethat
somegovernmentsshouldstartlookingatwaysoflimitingtheirpopulationstoasustainablefigure.Inthepast,populationswerepartlyregulatedbyfrequentwarandwidespreaddisease,butinrecentyearstheeffectsofthosefactorshavebeendiminished.Countriescanbefacedwithapopulationthatisgrowingmuchfasterthanshenation'sfoodresourcesoremploymentopportunitiesandwhosememberscanbecondemnedtopovertybytheneedtofeedextramouths.Theyidentifypopulationcontrolasa'meanstoraisinglivingstandards.Buthowshoulditbeachieved?Clearly,thiswholeareaisaverydelicatepersonalandculturalissue.Manypeoplefeelthatthisisnotamatterforthestate.Theyfeelthisisoneareaoflifewheretheyhavetherighttomakedecisionsforthemselves.
Forthatreason,itwouldseemthatthebest.approachwouldbetoworkbypersuasionratherthancompulsionThiscouldbedonebyaprocessofeducationthatpointsoutthewayasmallerfamilycanmeananimprovedqualityoflifeforthefamilymembers,aswellaslessstrainonthecountry'sperhapsverylimited,resources.Thisisthepreferredway.Ofcourseifthisdocsnotsucceedwithinareasonabletimescale,itmaybenecessarytoconsiderothermeasures.suchastaxincentivesorchild-benefitpaymentsforsmallfamiliesonly.Thesearemidwaybetweenpersuasionandcompulsion.So.yes.itissometimesnecessary,butgovernmentsshouldtryveryhardtopersuadefirst.Theyshouldalsorememberthatthisisaverydelicateareaindeed,and
thatsocialengineeringcancreateasmanyproblemsasitsolves?
Sample135
Themassmedia,includingtelevision,radioandnewspapers,havegreatinfluenceinshapingpeople'sideas.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Themassmediahaveapowerfulinfluenceinshapingourlives.Wehavecometodependonthemforinformationandentertainment,andindoingsoweletthemaffectimportantaspectsofourlives.Theundeniableusefulnessofthemediainalmostinstantlyprovidinginformationabouteventsaroundtheworldislargelytakenforgranted.Butinourdependenceonthemediawehaveallowedthemtomouldournotionsandopinionsofevents,placesandpeople.Thoughfewofusprobablythinkaboutit,ourconceptionsof,say,ourelectedofficialsspringfromtelevisionimagesandnewspaperstories.Mostofuswillnevermeetprimeministersorpresidents,butanyonewhoisregularlyexposedtothemediawillhave
anopinionofthem.Whenitistimetocastourvote,wewillmakeourdecisionbasedonhowthemediaportraythecandidates.Wearesimilarlyswayedbycoverageofwars.Themedia,representingthevaluesoftheirowners,societiesandgovernments,tendtoreportwarswithabias;whichisthe'good'sideandwhichthe'bad'isdeterminedforusbyreporters,editorsandcommentators,andsureenoughthepublicbeginstoformopinionsthatreflectthecoveragetheysee,hearandreadinthemajormedia.Themediaarealsoinfluentialinthewaytheyfacilitatethespreadofcultureandlifestyle.Theso-called'globalyouthculture',inwhichonefindsyoungpeoplearoundtheworlddisplayingacommoninterestinmusic,clothingstylesandfilms,isanexampleofthemedia's
enormousswayinthisregard.ApopularfiguresuchasMichaelJacksonwouldneverbesowellknownwereitnotforthemedia'sextensivereachintoeverysocietyontheglobe.ThusIwouldarguethatthemassmedia'sinfluenceiscertainlygreat.Indeed,withtechnologicaladvancementssuchastheInternetbringingevenmoreformsofelectronicmediatoourhomesandworkplaces,itislikelythemedia'sinfluencewillgrowevenstronger.
Sample136
Therisinglevelsofcongestionandairpollutionfoundinmostoftheworld'scitiescanbeattributeddirectlytotherapidlyincreasingnumberofprivate
carsinuse.Inordertoreversethisdeclineinthequalityoflifeincities,attemptsmustbemadetoencouragepeopletousetheircarslessandpublictransportmore.Discusspossiblewaystoencouragetheuseofpublictransport.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Anyonewholivesinacityisawareoftheincreasingnumberofcarsontheroadand
thekindsofproblemsthiscreates:trafficjams,airpollutionandlongercommutingperiods.Aseconomiesgrowandaccesstocarsspreadstoincreasingnumbersofpeople,thistrendislikelytoworsen.Thesolution,itwouldseem,isforgovernrnmenttoencouragetheuseofpublictransportinurbanareas,thusdecreasingdependenceonthecar.Onewaytostimulatepublictransportuseistomakeprivatecarusemoreexpensiveandinconvenient.Theintroductionoftollsalongurbanmotorwayshasbeensuccessfullyemployedinmanycities.Othersuchmeasuresarehigh-pricedpermitsforparkinginurbanareasandtherestrictionofparkingtoalimitednumberofcars.Facedwithhighcostsornoplacetopark,commuterswouldperhapsbemorewillingtoabandontheircarsin
favourofbusesortrains.Therearealsolesspunishingwaysofspurringpublictransportuse.Theconstructionoffreecarparksatsuburbantrainstationshasprovensuccessfulinquiteanumberofcountries.Thisallowscommuterstodrivepartoftheway,buttakepublictransportintothecentral,mostcongested,urbanareas.Indeed,makingpublictransportmorecomfortableandconvenientshouldworktoattractmorecommutersanddecreasetrafficcongestion.Publictransportthatisconvenientandcomfortableretainsitspassengers,muchlikeanybusinessthatsatisfiesitscustomers.Themorecommuterscommittedtotakingpublictransport,thelesscongestiononcitystreets.
Sample137
'Telecommuting'referstoworkersdoingtheirjobsfromhomeforpartofeachweekandcommunicatingwiththeirofficeusingcomputertechnology.Telecommutingisgrowinginmanycountriesandisexpectedtobecommonformostofficeworkersinthecomingdecades.Howdoyouthinksocietywillbeaffectedbythegrowthoftelecommuting?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Allowyourself40minutesforthistask.
modelanswer:
Thespreadoftelecommutingissuretohavefar-reachingeffectsonsociety.Byitself,telecommutingreferstooffiiceworkersspendingmuchoftheirtimeworkingfromhomeandusingelectronictechnologiestocommunicatewiththeiremployers.Thebroaderimplicationsoftelecommuting,however,mayinvolvechangestocorporatestructure,workers'lifestylesandevenurbanplanning.Themostobviouschangesmaybeapparentinthe`normal'officesofcompanies,governmentsandotherorganisations.Ifevenhalftheworkingweekisspenttelecommutingfromhome,thenwewouldinitiallyexpectmany
emptydesksintheoffiice.Asofficesgrowsmaller,workerscominginforthedaywouldbeexpectedtosharedeskswiththeirabsentcolleagues.This,inturn,mayaffectthesocialatmosphereofanorganisation,however,aslesssocialcontactwithone'scolleaguescouldharmmoraleandloyalty.Fortheindividualofficeworker,telecommutingwouldmeanspendingmoretimeathome.Foraparentwithyoungchildren,thismaybeablessing.Moreover,manytelecommuterswouldbeabletoworkthehourstheywished:havinganapintheafternrnoon,forexample,butworkingsomehoursintheevening.Onesubstantialbenefitforalltelecommutingworkersisthattherewillbenoneedtotraveltowork,allowingmorefreetime.Thestructureofurbanlifeisalsolikelyto
beaffectedbytelecommuting.Wewouldexpecttoseefewercarsontheroadduringpeakhoursand,eventually,asmallerconcentrationofoffiicesincities'centralbusinessdistricts.Inshort,peoplewillhavelessreasontotraveltocitycentresfromoutlyingareas.Asmorepeopleworkandliveinthesamelocation,shopsandculturaleventswilllikelyrelocatethemselvesoutofthecitycentre.Insum,telecommutingwillservenotonlytochangethewayweworkbutalsothewaywelive.
Sample138
Manypeoplebelievethatwomenmakebetterparentsthanmenandthatthisiswhytheyhavethegreaterroleinraising
childreninmostsocieties.Othersclaimthatmenarejustasgoodaswomenatparenting.Writeanessayexpresingyourpointofview.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Theviewthatwomenarebetterparentsthanmenhasshownitselftobetruethroughouthistory.Thisisnottosaythatmenarenotofimportanceinchild-
rearingindeed,theyaremostnecessaryifchildrenaretoappreciatefullytherolesofbothsexes.Butwomenhaveproventhemselvessuperiorparentsasaresultoftheirconditioning,theirlessaggressivenaturesandtheirgenerallybettercommunicationskills.Fromthetimetheyarelittlegirls,femaleslearnaboutnurturing.Firstwithdollsandlaterperhapswithyoungerbrothersandsisters,girlsaregiventheroleofcarer.Girlsseetheirmothersinthesamerolesandsoitisnaturalthattheyidentifythisasafemaleactivity.Boys,incontrast,learncompetitiverolesfarremovedfromwhatitmeanstonurture.Whileboysmaydreamofadventures,girls'conditioningmeanstheytendtoseethefutureintermsofraisingfamilies.Girlsalsoappeartobelessaggressivethan
boys.Inadulthood,itismen,notwomen,whoprovetobetheaggressorsincrimeandinwar.Obviously,inraisingchildren,amorepatient,gentlemannerispreferabletoamoreaggressiveone.Althoughtherecertainlyexistgentlemenandaggressivewomen,byandlarge,femalesarelesslikelytoresorttoviolenceinattemptingtosolveproblems.Finally,womentendtobebettercommunicatorsthanmen.Thisisshownisintelligencetests,wherefemales,onaverage,dobetterinverbalcommunicationthanmales.Ofcourse,communicationisofutmostimportanceinrearingchildren,aschildrentendtolearnfromandadoptthecommunicationstylesoftheirparents.Thus,whileitisallverywelltosuggestagreaterroleformeninraisingchildren,let
usnotforgetthatwomenaregenerallybettersuitedtotheparentingrole.
Sample139
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Insomecountriestheaverageworkerisobligedtoretireattheageof50,whileinotherspeoplecanworkuntiltheyare65or70.Meanwhile,weseesomepoliticiansenjoyingpowerwellintotheireighties.Clearly,thereislittleagreementonanappropriateretirementage.Untilwhatagedoyouthinkpeopleshouldbeencouragedtoremaininpaidemployment?Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Mandatoryretirementagevariesfromsocietytosociety,perhapsareflectionofeconomics,populationpressuresorsimplyvaluesystems.Indeed,retirementat50canprobablybeaseasilyjustifiedasthatat70.Itismybelief,however,thatthelongeranablepersonisallowedtowork,thebetterforboththeindividualworkerandtheemployer.Chronologicalageisnotalwaysatrueindicatorofability.Whilesome65¬year-oldsmaynotperformaswellastheydidintheirpast,manyworkersatthisagedojustaswellorbetterthantheyusedto.
People'ssuitabilityforapositionshouldbeareflectionoftheirperformanceinthejob,ratherthanthenumberofwrinklesorgreyhairstheyhave.Employersconcernedabouttheincreasingageoftheiremployeesneedonlyobservetheirworkrecords.Thosedoingpoorlymaybeaskedtoretire,butthoseasyetunaffectedbyageshouldstayon.Indeed,itwouldappeareconomicalforanorganisationtoretainitsolderemployeeswhenpossibleratherthanspendtimeandmoneyontrainingnewworkers.Remaininginone'sjobforaslongasoneisablemakessenseaslifeexpectanciesincreasearoundtheworld.Aspeoplelivelonger,theyarelongerabletocontributetosocietyintheformofmeaningfulwork.Buttheyarealsoinneedofincomeforalongerperiod,soamandatoryretirement
ageof55forsomeonewhoisstatisticallylikelytoliveto77becomesincreasinglydifficulttojustify.Atatimewhenpopulationsareageing,governmentsarelessabletoprovidefortheirseniorcitizens,sobykeepingableworkersinpaidemploymentforaslongasispracticable,publicexpendituresarelessstrained.Thus,workerswhocanstilldemonstratetheircapacitytocarryouttheirworkshouldnotbeaskedtoretiresimplybecausetheyhavereachedacertainage.Societiesthatinsistonearlyretirementmaydowelltolookagainattheirpolicies.
Sample140
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthis
task.
Goingoverseasforuniversitystudyisanexcitingprospectformanypeople.Butwhileitmayoffersomeadvantages,itisprobablybettertostayhomebecauseofthedifficultiesastudentinevitablyencounterslivingandstudyinginadifferentculture.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Thereisnodoubtthatgoingtostudyina
foreigncountry,withitsdifferentlanguageandculture,canbeafrustratingandsometimespainfulexperience.Butwhileoverseasstudyhasitsdrawbacks,thedifficultiesarefaroutweighedbytheadvantages.Indeed,peoplewhogoabroadforstudyopenthemselvesuptoexperiencesthatthosewhostayathomewillneverhave.Themostobviousadvantagetooverseasuniversitystudyisreal-lifeuseofadifferentlanguage.Whileapersoncanstudyaforeignlanguageinhisorherowncountry,itcannotcomparewithconstantuseofthelanguageinacademicandeverydaylife.Thereisnobetteropportunitytoimprovesecond-languageskillsthanlivinginthecountryinwhichitisspoken.Moreover,havingusedthelanguageduringone'sstudiesoffersa
distinctadvantagewhenoneisapplyingforjobsbackhomethatrequirethelanguage.Onauniversitycampus,theforeignstudentisnotaloneinhavingcomefromfaraway.Heorshewilllikelyencountermanyothersfromoverseasanditispossibletomakefriendsfromallaroundtheworld.Thisisnotonlyexcitingonasociallevel,butcouldleadtoimportantoverseascontactsinlaterprofessionallife.Finally,livingandstudyingabroadoffersoneanewanddifferentperspectiveoftheworldand,perhapsmostimportant,ofone'sowncountry.Oncebeyondtheinitialshockofbeinginanewculture,thestudentslowlybeginstogetameaningfulunderstandingofthehostsociety.Onreturninghome,oneinevitablyseesone'sowncountryinanew,oftenmore
appreciative,light.Inconclusion,whileanyanxietyaboutgoingoverseasforuniversitystudyiscertainlyunderstandable,itisimportanttorememberthatthebenefitsofferedbytheexperiencemakeitwellworthwhile.
(301words)
Sample141
Inthepast,buildingsoftenreflectedthecultureofasocietybuttodayallmodernbuildingslookalikeandcitiesthroughouttheworldarebecomingmoreandmoresimilar.Whatdoyouthinkisthereasonforthis,andisitagoodthingorabadthing?
Youshouldwriteatleast250
words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshoulduseyourownideas,knowledgeandexperienceandsupportyourargumentswithexamplesandrelevantevidence.
modelanswer:
Everycityhasitsarchitecturalcharacter,butthesimilaritiesbetweencitiesaremoreobviousthesedaysthaninthepast.Inmyopinion,onereasonforthisisthehighpriceofland.Inmostlargecities,landisscarceand
consequentlyitisveryvaluable.Thishasledtotheconstructionoftallbuildingswhichoccupyonlyasmallareaoflandwhileprovidinglotsoffloorspacewherepeoplecanliveorwork.Buildingsofthistypearemadeofconcreteandsteelandcanbebuiltcomparativelyquicklyusingprefabricatedmaterials.Theydonotuselocalmaterials,suchasstone,timberorbrick,whichusedtogivecitiestheirindividualcharacter.Inconsequencemanycities.nowlookverymuchthesameandyoumightnotknowwhetheryouwereinBrisbane,BangkokorBerlinwhenyouareonthestreet.WhileIrealisethatwecannotstandinthewayofprogress,Ibelievethatcitiesshouldtrytokeepsomeindividuality.Forexample,inParisitisprohibitedtobuildverytallbuildingsinthecentreofthecity,
asthiswouldspoiltheoverallappearanceoftheskyline.Othercitieshavechosentodesignuniquebuildingstoensuretheylookdifferent.ThetwintowersinKualaLumpurortheOperaHouseinSydneyareexamplesofthisapproach,andIagreewiththiskindofinitiative.Allinall,althoughitisregrettablethatmodemcitieslooksimilar,Itendtofeelthatthisisunavoidable.However,itcanbearguedthat,evenifthebuildingsaresimilar,citieswillmaintaintheirowncharacterasaresultofculturaldiversity,theterrainandtheclimate,whichultimatelydeterminehowpeoplelive.
Sample142
PopulareventslikethefootballWorld
Cupandotherinternationalsportingoccasionsareessentialineasinginternationaltensionsandreleasingpatrioticemotionsinasafeway.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Everyfouryears,thewholeworldstopstowatchinternationalsportingeventssuchas
theOlympicsandtheFootballWorldCupinwhichathletesshowtheirbestperformancetomaketheircountryproudofthem.Thesesportingoccasionshaveprovedtobehelpfulineasinginternationaltensionsindifficulttimeswhenpowerfulleadersweretryingtocontroltheworld'seconomyandothergovernmentswerefightingoverland.TheOlympicGamesareoneofthebestexampleswhichprovehowsportingeventscanbringnationstogether,atleasttemporarily.FromancientHistory,whenGreeksandRomanswouldinterruptbattlestoparticipateinthegames,tothemorerecentinternationaldisputes,whenathletesfromPalestineandIsraelwouldforgettheirdifferences,competepacificallyandevenembraceeachotherafteranevent.Moreover,thesepopular
eventshavecalledtheworld'sattentiontotheterribleconsequencesofwars;thussomeleadershavetriedtoacceptagreementstoendtheirdisputeandlivepeacefully.Similarly,internationalsportingeventsshowbenefitsinsomedevelopingcountrieswhichliveinadailyinternalcivilwar.Forexample,Brazilhasahighrateofunemployment,lackofeducation,hunger,crime,povertyandcorruptionwhichleadstoanimmenseembarrassmentofbeingBrazilianandalowself-esteem.However,whentheFootballWorldCupstarts,theBraziliansquad,whichisconsideredthebestteamintheworld,provokesanamazingfeelingofprideintheircountry.Mostpeopleseemtoforgetalltheirproblemsandeventhecriminal
activitydecreases.Theypaintroadswiththenationalcolors,useweartheBrazilianteamshirtandbuynationalflags.Moreover,thecompetitionbringsfamiliesandneighborstogetherandevenrivalgangswatchthegamesandcelebratepeacefully.Inconclusion,popularsportingeventsplayanimportantroleindecreasinginternationaltensionsandliberatingpatrioticfeelingsasHistoryhasshown.
Sample143
Ascomputersarebeingusedmoreandmoreineducation,therewillbesoonnoroleforteachersintheclassroom.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Therehavebeenimmenseadvancesintechnologyinmostaspectsofpeople'slives,especiallyinthefieldofeducation.Nowadays,anincreasingnumberofstudentsrelyoncomputerstoresearchforinformationandtoproduceaperfectpaperforschoolpurposes.Othershavedecidedtoleavetheoriginalwayoflearningtogetknowledgethroughonlineschools.These
changesinthelearningprocesshavebroughtaspecialconcernregardingthepossibledecreaseofimportanceofteachersintheclassroom.Somepeoplebelievetheroleofteachersstartedtofadebecausecomputershavebeenhelpingsomestudentstoprogressintheirstudiesquickerthanwhencomparedwithanoriginalclassroom.Forexample,inthesameclassroom,studentshavedifferentintellectualcapacities,thussomewouldbetiedtoaslowadvanceintheirstudiesbecauseofothers’incapacityofunderstanding.Inthisway,pupilscouldprogressintheiracquisitionofknowledgeattheirownpaceusingcomputersinsteadoflearningfromteachers.However,thepresenceofateacherisessentialforstudentsbecausethehumancontactinfluencestheminpositiveways.
Firstly,studentsrealizethattheyarenotdealingwithamachinebutwithahumanbeingwhodeservesattentionandrespect.Theyalsolearntheimportanceofstudyingingroupandrespectotherstudents,whichhelpsthemtoimprovetheirsocialskills.Moreover,teachersarerequiredinthelearningprocessbecausetheyacknowledgesomestudent'sdeficienciesandhelpthemtosolvetheirproblemsbyrepeatingthesameexplanation,givingextraexercisesorevensuggestingaprivatetutor.Hence,studentscanhaveabiggerchancenottofailinasubject.Inconclusion,theroleforteachersinthelearningprocessisstillveryimportantanditwillcontinuetobeinthefuturebecausenomachinecanreplacethehumaninteractionanditsconsequences.
Sample144
Ithasbeensaid,"Noteverythingthatislearnediscontainedinbooks."Compareandcontrastknowledgegainedfromexperiencewithknowledgegainedfrombooks.Inyouropinion,whichsourceismoreimportant?Why?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience
modelanswer:
"Experienceisthebestteacher"isanoldcliché,butIagreewithit.Wecanlearnalotofimportantthingsfrombooks,butthemostimportantlessonsinlifecomefromourownexperiences.Throughoutthedifferentstagesoflife,fromprimaryschooltouniversitytoadulthood,experienceteachesusmanyskillsweneedforlife.Aschildreninprimaryschool,welearnfactsandinformationfrombooks,butthatisnotallwelearninschool.Ontheplaygroundwelearnhowtomakefriends.Inourclasswork,welearnhowitfeelstosucceedandwhatwedowhenwefail.Westarttolearnaboutthethingsweliketodo
andthethingswedon't.Wedon'tlearnthesethingsfrombooks,butfromourexperienceswithourfriendsandclassmates.Inouruniversityclasses,welearnalotofinformationandskillswewillneedforourfuturecareers,butwealsolearnalotthatisnotinourtextbooks.Inourdailylivesbothinclassandoutofclass,welearntomakedecisionsforourselves.Welearntotakeonresponsibilities.Welearntogetalongwithourclassmates,ourroommates,andourworkmates.Oursuccessesandfailureshelpusdevelopskillswewillneedinouradultlives.Theyareskillsthatnobookcanteachus.Throughoutouradulthood,experienceremainsaconstantteacher.Wemaycontinuetoreadortakeclassesforprofessionaldevelopment.However,our
experiencesatwork,athome,andwithourfriendsteachusmore.Thetriumphsanddisastersofourlivesteachushowtoimproveourcareersandalsohowtoimproveourrelationshipsandhowtobethepersoneachoneofuswantstobe.Booksteachusalot,butthereisalimittowhattheyteach.Theycangiveusinformationorshowusanotherperson'sexperiences.Thesearevaluablethings,butthelessonswelearnfromourownexperiences,fromchildhoodthroughadulthood,arethemostimportantoneswelearn.
Sample145
Nowadaysfoodhasbecomeeasiertoprepare.Hasthischangeimprovedthe
waypeoplelive?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Foodisabasicpartoflife,soitfollowsthatimprovedmethodsoffoodpreparationhavemadeourlivesbetter.Nowadayswecanpreparemealsmuchfasterthanwecouldinthepast.Wecanalsoenjoya
greatervarietyoffoodandeatmorehealthfully,allbecauseofmodernmethodsoffoodpreparation.Microwaveovenshavemadeitpossibletopreparedeliciousfoodquickly.Peoplethesedaysrarelyhavetimetoshopandpreparemealstheold-fashionedway.Weliveveryfastlives.Wearebusyworking,caringforourfamiliestravelling,playingsports,andmanyotherthings.Becauseofmicrowaveovens,wehavetimetoenjoyagoodmealwithourfamilyandthenplaysoccer,gotoamovie,study,ordoanythingelsewewanttoafterwards.Modernmethodsofpreservingfoodhavemadeitpossibletoenjoyawidevarietyoffood.Becauseofrefrigerators,freezers,canning,andfreeze-drying,wecaneatfruitsandvegetablesthatcomefromfarawayplaces.Wecanprepareamealone
dayandsavetheleftoversintherefrigeratororfreezertoeatatanothertime.Wecankeepdifferentkindsoffoodintherefrigeratororontheshelf.Itseasytoalwayshavefoodavailableandtobeabletoeatcompletelydifferentmealseveryday.Healthfuleatingiseasiernowthaniteverwas.Becauseofmoderntransportationmethods,freshfruitsandvegetablesareavailableallyearround.Modernkitchenappliancesmakeiteasytopreparefruitsandvegetablesfrocooking.Breadmachinesmakeitpossibletoenjoyhealthful,home-bakedbreadwheneverwelike.Wecaneatfreshandhealthfulfoodeverydaybecausemodernmethodshavemadepreparationeasy.Ourlifestyleisfast,butpeoplestilllike
goodfood.Newfoodpreparationmethodshavegivenusismorechoices.Todaywecanpreparefoodthatismoreconvenienthealthier,andofgreatervarietythaneverbeforeinhistory.
Sample146
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatement?Parentsarethebestteachers.Usespecificreasonsandexamplestosupportyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyour
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Parentsshapetheirchildrenfromthebeginningoftheirchildren'slives.Theyteachtheirchildrenvalues.Theysharetheirinterestswiththem.Theydevelopcloseemotionaltieswiththem.Parentscanbeveryimportantteachersintheirchildren'slives;however,theyarenotalwaysthebestteachers.Parentsmaybetooclosetotheirchildrenemotionally.Forexample,theymaylimitachild'sfreedominthenameofsafety.Ateachermayorganizeaneducationaltrip
toabigcity,butaparentmaythinkthistripistoodangerous.Aschoolmaywanttotakethechildrencamping,butaparentmaybeafraidofthechildgettinghurt.Anotherproblemisthatparentssometimesexpecttheirchildren'sintereststobesimilartotheirown.Iftheparentslovescience,theymaytrytoforcetheirchildtolovesciencetoo.Butwhatifthechildprefersart?Iftheparentsenjoysports,theymayexpecttheirchildtoparticipateondifferentteams.Butwhatifthechildpreferstoread?Parentswanttopassontheirvaluestotheirchildren.However,thingschange.Thechildrenoftodayaregrowingupinaworlddifferentfromtheirparents'world.Sometimesparents,especiallyolderones,can'tkeepupwithrapidsocialortechnologicalchanges.Astudentwhohas
friendsofdifferentracesatschoolmayfindthathisparentshavenarrowerviews.Astudentwholovescomputersmayfindthatherparentsdon'tunderstandorvaluethedigitalrevolution.Parentsareimportantteachersinourlives,buttheyaren'talwaysthebestteachers.Fortunately,wehavemanyteachersinourlives.Ourparentsteachus,ourteachersteachus,andwelearnfromourpeers.Booksandnewspapersalsoteachus.Allofthemarevaluable.
Sample147
Peopleattendcollegeoruniversityformanydefferentreasons(forexample,newexperiences,careerpreparation,increasedknowledge).
Whydoyouthinkpeopleattendcollegeoruniversity?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Peopleattendcollegeforalotofdifferentreasons.Ibelievethatthethreemostcommonreasonsaretoprepareforacareer,tohavenewexperiences,andto
increasetheirknowledgeofthemselvesandoftheworldaroundthem.Careerpreparationisprobablytheprimaryreasonthatpeopleattendcollege.Thesedays,thejobmarketisverycompetitive.Careerssuchasinformationtechnologywillneedmanynewworkersinthenearfuture.Atcollege,studentscanlearnnewskillsforthesecareersandincreasetheiropportunitiesforthefuture.Studentsalsogotocollegetohavenewexperiences.Formany,itistheirfirsttimeawayfromhome.Atcollege,theycanmeetnewpeoplefrommanydifferentplaces.Theycanseewhatlifeislikeinadifferentcity.Theycanlearntoliveontheirownandtakecareofthemselveswithouthavingtheirfamilyalwaysnearby.Atcollege,studentshavetheopportunitytoincreasetheirknowledge.Asthey
decidewhattheywanttostudy,pursuetheirstudies,andinteractwiththeirclassmates,theylearnalotaboutthemselves.Theyalso,ofcourse,havetheopportunitytolearnaboutmanysubjectsintheirclasses.Inadditiontotheskillsandknowledgerelatedtotheircareer,collegestudentsalsohavethechancetotakeclassesinotherareas.Formany,thiswillbetheirlastchancetostudydifferentsubjects.Collegesoffermuchmorethancareerpreparation.Theyoffertheopportunitytohavenewexperiencesandtolearnmanykindsofthings.Ithinkallofthesearereasonswhypeopleattendcollege.
Sample148
Thepositionofwomeninsocietyhaschangedmarkedlyinthelasttwentyyears.Manyoftheproblemsyoungpeoplenowexperience,suchasjuveniledelinquency,arisefromthefactthatmanymarriedwomennowworkandarenotathometocarefortheirchildren.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisopinion?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
ItiscertainlytruethatthepositionofwomeninsocietyhasundergoneadramaticchangeinthepasttwentyyearsbutIdonotfeelthatthisisadirectcauseoftheindisputableincreaseinjuvenile-relatedproblemsduringthisperiod.Itisnowacceptedthatyoungwomenshouldfindworkonleavingschool;indeedtorelytotallyontheirparents'financialsupportisnolongeranoptioninmanyfamilies.Likewise,oncetheygetmarried,themajorityofwomencontinueworkingsincethefinancialpressuresofsettingupahouseandestablishingareasonablestandardoflivingoftenrequiretwoincomes.
Twentyyearsagoitwascommonforwomentogiveupworkoncetheyhadchildrenanddevotetheirtimetocaringfortheirchildren.Thisisnolongerthegeneralruleandtheprovisionofprofessionally-runchildcarefacilitiesanddaynurserieshaveremovedmuchoftheresponsibilityforchildrearingthatusedtofalltomothers.However,thesefacilitiescomeatacostandoftenrequiretwosalariescomingintoafamilytobeafforded.Idonotbelievethattheincreaseinthenumberofworkingmothershasresultedinchildrenbeingbroughtuplesswellthanpreviously.Indeeditcouldbearguedthatbygivingmotherstheopportunitytoworkandearnextramoneychildrencanbebetterprovidedforthanpreviously.Thereismoremoneyforluxuriesandholidays
andamoresecurefamilylifeispossible.Ofcoursetherearelimitsastotheamountoftimethatideallyshouldbespentawayfromhomeandtheidealscenariowouldbeforoneoftheparents(oftenthewife)tohaveapart-timejobandthusbeavailablefortheirchildrenbeforeandafterschool.Itisimportanttoestablishthecorrectbalancebetweenfamilylifeandworkinglife.
Sample149
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
"Preventionisbetterthancure."Outofacountry'shealthbudget,alargeproportionshouldbedivertedfromtreatmenttospendingonhealth
educationandpreventativemeasures.Towhatextentdoyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
modelanswer:
Ofcourseitgoeswithoutsayingthatpreventionisbetterthancure.Thatiswhy,inrecentyears,therehasbeenagrowingbodyofopinioninfavourofputtingmoreresourcesintohealtheducationandpreventivemeasures.Theargumentisthatignoranceof,forexample,basichygieneorthedangersofanunhealthydietorlifestyleneedstobecombattedbyspecialnationwidepublicitycampaigns,aswellas
longer-termhealtheducation.Obviously,thereisastronghumanargumentforcatchinganymedicalconditionasearlyaspossible.Thereisalsoaneconomicargumentfordoingso.Statisticsdemonstratethecost-effectivenessoftreatingaconditionintheearlystages,ratherthandelayinguntilmoreexpensiveandprolongedtreatmentisnecessary.Thentherearesocialoreconomiccosts,perhapsintermsoflossofearningsforthefamilyconcernedorunemployedbenefitpaidbythestate.Sofarsogood,butthedifficultiesstartwhenwetrytodefinewhatthe'proportion'ofthebudgetshouldbe,particularlyifthefundswillbe'divertedfromtreatment'.Decisionsonexactlyhowmuchofthetotalhealthbudgetshouldbespentinthiswayarenotamatterforthenon-specialist,
butshouldbemadeonthebasisofanacceptedhealthservicemodel.Thisisthepointatwhichrealproblemsoccur-theformulationofthemodel.Howdoweaccuratelymeasurewhichhealtheducationcampaignsareeffectiveinbothmedicalandfinancialterms?Howdoweagreeaboutthemedicalefficacyofvariousscreeningprogrammes,forexample,whenthemedicalestablishmentitselfdoesnotagree?Averyrigorousprocessofevaluationiscalledfor,sothatwecanmakeinformeddecisions.
Sample150
Mostwritersoffictiondonotearnenoughmoneytolivefromtheirwriting.Doyouthinkthegovernmentshould
givethemfinancialassistancetohelpencouragegoodliterature?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Therearesomeconditionsunderwhichanovelistcouldreasonablyexpectsomegovernmentsuport.Ingeneralterms,ifthewriterhasalreadyprovedthatheorshe
canwritewell,andifthestoriesproducedarestimulatingandinteresting,thenIconsiderthatsomefinancialhelpmightbegiven.
Languagequalityisdifficulttodefine,butifthewritingshows,forexample,goodgrammar,awidevocabulary,andeleganceandimagination,thenIcanseeavalidreasonforassistinganauthortospendsometimefreefrommoneyproblems.Suchawritingneedstobeencouraged.theentertainmentvalueofabookwouldbealsoafactorindecidingwhethertoprovideassistancetoanauthor.Furtherconsiderationwouldincludesocialandeducationalvaluesexpressedintheauthor'swork.
However,iftheideasweresocially
irresponsible,orifthestoriescontainunnecessaryviolenceorpornographyforitsownsake,thenIwouldnotwanttoseetheauthorsponsoredtowritestorieswhichdonotbenefitsociety.Otherexceptionsarethemanywritersofgoodbookswhodonotrequirefinancialhelp.Bookswhichprovedtobeextremelypopular,suchastheHarryPotterstories,clearlyneednosubsidyatallbecausetheauthorshavebecomerichthroughtheirwriting.
Viewsonwhatgoodqualitywritingmeanswillvarywidely,andsoifanyauthoristobegivenmoneyforwriting,thenthedecisionwouldhavetobemadebyacommitteeorpanelofjudge.Anindividualopinionwouldcertainlycausedisagreementamongthereadingpublic.
Sample151
Internationalentertainers,includingsportspersonalities,oftengetpaidmillionsofdollarsinoneyear.Inyourview,withwidespreadpvertyintheworld,arethesehugeearningsjustified?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
Youshouldgivereasonsforyouranswerusingyourownideasandexperience.
modelanswer:
Thesalariesofmanysingers,dancersandsportspeoplehaveincreasedoutofallproportioninrecentyears,whileinplaceslikeSudanpeoplearestarvingtodeath.Idonotbeleivethatanyoneshouldbeabletoearnsuchenormoussalarieswhansomanypeopleintheworldarelivinginpoverty.
Oneafthefactorswhichshouldaffectwhatapersoncanearnoughttobethebenefitofperson'sworktosociety.Itisunreasonableforafamoussingertobeabletoearnfarmorefromanevening'sentertainmentthan,forinstance,amedicalscientistwhodevelopsanewdrugwhichproducesatreatmentforacommondisease.Thepopstarcertainlyhasavalue
insociety,butthevalueinnowayexceeds,orevenmatches,thevaluegainedfromasuccessfulmedication.
Secondly.workdoneshouldbepaidaccordingtotheamountofeffortandskillthatgoesintoit.Nobodywoulddenythatafamouspersonworkshardandisskillful,yetsuchpeopledonotworkanyharderthanthousandofotherworkerswhohavenoclaimtofame.Yetmarketforcearesuchthatthesesuperstartscanobtainmillionsofdolorwhileotherunknownpeoplesometimesearnlessthantheyneedtosurvive.
Finally,itshouldbepossibleforgovernmentstoworktogethertoensurethattheamountofmoneyincirculationshouldbemoremoreequallyandfairly
distributed.Thisseemsonlyfairgiventhattherearesomanysuffering.
Toconclude,itisclearthatworldpovertyisaseriousproblemandyettheproblemcouldbeeasedifgovernmentsandcompeniesgavemorethoughttopayingsalariesonamoreequitablebasisandiftheystartedtocontributemoremoneytothoseinneed.
Sample152
Smokerscancausethemselvesserioushealthproblems.Thechoicetosmokeismadefreelyandwithknowledgeofdangers.Smokersshouldthereforeexpecttopaymoreformedicaltreatmentthannon-smokers.
Towhatextentdoyouagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Everyonehasthechoiceofbeingasmokerornot.Thepeoplewhochoosetosmokedosoknowingthereisariskofcausingharmfuldamagetothemselves.However,Idonotentirelyagreethatthesepeopleshouldhavetopaymoretoreceiveallthemedicaltreatmenttheyneed.
Ithinktherearemanysituationsinwhichamedicalproblemhasnothingtodowithwhetherapersonsmokesornot.Inthesecases,whereanillnesshasnorelationtosmoking,thenIbelievethatsmokersshouldnotberequiredtopaymorethanotherpeoplefortheirmedicaltreatment.Mostcaraccidents,forexample,havenoconnectionwithsmoking,andthepeoplewhoareinjuredoughttohavethesamemedicalhelp,regardlessofthecost.Andwhataboutthecommonflu-itdoesnotseemjustifiabletomethatasmokershouldhavetopaymoretoseeadoctorforanillnesswecanallcontract.
Ontheotherhand,Iagreethatasmokershouldpaymorethananon-smokerforthenecessarytreatmentofanyconditionwhichhasbeencausedbysmoking.The
principlethatpeopleshouldtakeresponsibilityfortheirownactionsisagoodone.Consequently,ifapersonchoosestosmokeknowingthatthishabitcancauseserioushealthproblems,thenthereisnoreasonwhythecommunityoraninsurancecompanyshouldhavetopayformedicaltreatmentforanillnesswhichcouldhavebeenavoided.Inmanycountries,cigarettepacketshaveaclearwarningthatsmokingcancausehealthproblemsandsonosmokercanclaimnottoknowthedanger.Lungcancerissometimesafataldiseaseandthetreatmentisbothlengthyandexpensive,anditisunfairforthesmokertoexpectthehospitalorthecommunitytocarrythecost.Infact,itcouldalsobearguedthatthosewhosmokeinpublicshouldbeaskedtopayextrabecauseoftheillness
causedtopassivesmokers.
Inconclusion,Ifeelthatsmokersshouldpaymoreincasesrelatedtosmoking,butforanyotherillnesstheyshouldpaythesameasanyoneelse.
Sample153
Wearebecomingincreasinglydependentoncomputers.Theyareusedinbusinesses,hospitals,crimedetectionandeventoflyplanes.Whatthingswilltheybeusedforinthefuture?Isthisdependenceoncomputersagoodthingorshouldwehemoreauspiciousoftheirbenefits?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Computersarearelativelynewinvention.Thefirstcomputerswerebuiltfiftyyearsagoanditisonlyinthelastthirtyorsoyearsthattheirinfluencehasaffectedoureverydaylife.Personalcomputerswereintroducedasrecentlyastheearlyeighties.Inthisshorttimetheyhavemadeatremendousimpactonourlives.Wearenowsodependentoncomputersthatitishardtoimaginewhatthingswouldbeliketodaywithoutthem.Youhaveonlygottogointoabankwhentheirmaincomputerisbrokentoappreciatethechaosthat
wouldoccurifcomputersweresuddenlyremovedworld-wide.Inthefuturecomputerswillbeusedtocreatebiggerandevenmoresophisticatedcomputers.Theprospectsforthisarequitealarming.Theywillbesocomplexthatnoindividualcouldhopetounderstandhowtheywork.Theywillbringalotofbenefitsbuttheywillalsoincreasethepotentialforunimaginablechaos.Theywill,forexample,beabletoflyplanesandtheywillbeabletocoordinatethemovementsofseveralplanesinthevicinityofanairport.Providingallthecomputersareworkingcorrectlynothingcangowrong.Ifonesmallprogramfailsdisaster.Thereisacertaininevitabilitythattechnologywillprogressandbecomeincreasinglycomplex.Weshould,however,ensurethatwearestillina
positionwhereweareabletocontroltechnology.Itwillbealltooeasytosuddenlydiscoverthattechnologyiscontrollingus.BythenitmightbetoolateIbelievethatitisveryimportanttobesuspiciousofthebenefitsthatcomputerswillbringandtomakesurethatweneverbecometotallydependentonacompletelytechnologicalworld.
Sample154
ShouldparentsbeobligedtoimmunisetheirchildrenagainstcommonBand9answerchildhooddiseases?Ordoindividualshavetherighttochoosenottoimmunisetheirchildren?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Theissueofwhetherweshouldforceparentstoimmunisetheirchildrenagainstcommondiseasesis,inmyopinion,asocialratherthanamedicalquestion.Sincewearefreetochoosewhatweexposeourbodiestointhewayoffood,drink,orreligionforthatmatter,whyshouldthequestionofmedical'treatment'beanydifferent?
Medicalresearchersandgovernmentsareprimarilyinterestedinoverallstatisticsandtrendsandinmoney-savingschemes
whichfailtotakeintoconsiderationtheindividual'sconcernsandrights.Whileimmunisationagainstdiseasessuchastetanusandwhoopingcoughmaybeeffective,littleinformationisreleasedabouttheharmfuleffectsofvaccinationswhichcansometimesresultinstuntedgrowthorevendeath.Thebodyisdesignedtoresistdiseaseandtocreateitsownnaturalimmunitythroughcontactwiththatdisease.Sowhenchildrenaregivenartificialimmunity,wecreateavulnerablesocietywhichisentirelydependentonimmunisation.Intheeventthatmassimmunisationprogrammesweretocease,thesocietyasawholewouldbemoreatriskthaneverbefore.Inadditionthereistheissueoftherightsoftheindividual.Asmembersofa
society,whyshouldwebeobligedtosubjectourchildrentothispotentiallyharmfulpractice?Somepeoplemayalsobeagainstimmunisationonreligiousgroundsandtheirneedsmustalsobeconsidered.ForthesereasonsIfeelstronglythatimmunisationprogrammesshouldnotbeobligatoryandthattheindividualshouldhavetherighttochoosewhetherornottoparticipate.
Sample155
Shouldparentsbeobligedtoimmunisetheirchildrenagainstchildhooddiseases?Ordoindividualshavetherighttochoosenottoimmunisetheirchildren?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Somepeoplearguethatthestatedoesnothavetherighttomakeparentsimmunisetheirchildren.However,Ifeelthequestionisnotwhethertheyshouldimmunisebutwhether,asmembersofsociety,theyhavetherightnotto.Preventativemedicinehasprovedtobethemosteffectivewayofreducingtheincidenceoffatalchildhooddiseases.Asaresultofthewidespreadpracticeof
immunisingyoungchildreninoursociety,manyliveshavebeensavedandthediseaseshavebeenreducedtoalmostzero.Inpreviouscenturieschildrendiedfromordinaryillnessessuchasinfluenzaandtuberculosisandbecausefewpeoplehadimmunity,thediseasesspreadeasily.Diseasessuchasdysenteryweretheresultofpoorhygienebutthesehavelongbeeneradicatedsincethearrivalofgoodsanitationandcleanwater.Nobodywouldsuggestthatweshouldreversethisgoodpracticenowbecausedysenteryhasbeenwipedout.Seriousdiseasessuchaspolioandsmallpoxhavealsobeeneradicatedthroughnationalimmunisationprogrammes.Inconsequence,childrennotimmunisedarefarlessatriskinthisdisease-freesocietythantheywould
otherwisebe.Parentschoosingnottoimmunisearerelyingonthefactthatthediseaseshavealreadybeeneradicated.Ifthenumberofparentschoosingnottoimmuniseincreased,therewouldbeasimilarincreaseintheriskofthediseasesreturning.Immunisationisnotanissuelikeseatbeltswhichaffectsonlytheindividual.Adecisionnottoimmunisewillhavewidespreadrepercussionsforthewholeofsocietyandforthisreason,Idonotbelievethatindividualshavetherighttostandaside.Inmyopinionimmunisationshouldbeobligatory.
Sample156
Disruptiveschoolstudentshavea
negativeinfluenceonothers.Studentswhoarenoisyanddisobedientshouldbegroupedtogetherandtaughtseparately.Doyouagreeordisagree?Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Thereisnodoubtthatsomestudentsinschoolsbehavebadlyandtheirbehaviourcausesdifficultyforotherseitherbecause
ithasanegativeeffectonthegrouporbecauseordinarystudentsfinditdifficulttostudywiththem.Onesolutionistotakethesestudentsawayandteachthemontheirown.However,ifwesimplyhavethemremovedafteroneortwowarnings,wearelimitingtheireducationalopportunitiesbecauseitseemstomethataschoolwhichcatersfordifficultstudentsisasortof"prison"whatevernameyougiveitandthepeoplewhogotheremayneverrecoverfromtheexperience.Thiscanthencauseproblemsforthewidersociety.Perhapsweneedtolookatwhythedisruptivestudentsbehavebadlybeforeweseparatethem.Disruptivestudentsmaybeveryintelligentandfindtheclassesboringbecausetheworkistooeasy.Perhapsthesestudentsneedextralessons
ratherthanseparatelessons.Orperhapstheteachersareuninspiringandthisresultsinbehaviouralproblemssoweneedbetterteachers.Ontheotherhand,moststudentsputupwiththissituationratherthancausetrouble,andsomepeoplearguethatwehavetolearntosufferbadteachersandboringsituationsandthatstudentswhocan'tlearnthislessonneedtobetaughtseparately.Sobeforewecondemnthestudentstoaspecialschool,weshouldlookatfactorssuchastheteaching,becauseoncethechildrenhavebeenseparated,itisveryunlikelythattheywillbebroughtback.
Sample157
"Althoughabuseofthesystemare
inevitable,socialwelfarepaymentsareessentialtoprotecttherightscitizenshavetoaguaranteedminimumincomeinademocraticsociety"Discuss.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Socialwelfareisanessentialelementofanadvancedsociety.Goodsystemsarealwaysabused,butthatdoesnotmeantheyarefaulty.Inmyopinion,thetwo
mainreasonswhywelfarepaymentsarenecessaryareasfollows:Firstofall,criticsforgetthattherearemanyformsofwelfarebesidespaymentstotheunemployed.Theirnegativeopinionsharmthosewhoarenotcapableofearningawage,suchassingle-parentmothers,thedisabled,andthesick.Moreover,theunemployedhavetherighttoanincome,too.Theyarenotalwaysatfaultfornothavingajob,andinmostcasesthetaxtheyhavepaidinthepastentitlesthemtoassistance.Thesecondreasonisthatcrimeincreaseswhenpeoplehavenomeansofsupport.Thedesperatelypoorinevitablyturntocrime,whichisnotonlydangerousbutcostly.Policingthestreetsismoreexpensivethanprovidingwelfare.Apoliceman'swageisfourorfivetimes
higherthana"dole"payment.Certainmembersofsocietybelievethatpeopleshouldlookafterthemselves.Theypointoutthatwelfareincreasesdependencyonothersanddestroysdignity.Thismaybetrue,butinthecaseoftheunemployed,thereliefpaymentsareusuallytemporary.Itissurelythefaultofthegovernmentiftherearelong-termunemployed.Welfarecriticsalsobelievethatitistheresponsibilityofavictim'sfamilytoprovidefinancialassistance.However,itistooexpensivetoprovidecompletehelpforaseverelydisabledperson.Toconclude,itisvitaltounderstandtheneedforwelfareinamoderndemocraticsociety.Withoutwelfarepaymentsthepooraredestinedtobecomepoorer.Thefirstdutyofagovernmentistoprovidea
financialsafetynetforalldisadvantagedpersons,andthatincludesthosewithoutwork.
Sample158
StudyingtheEnglishlanguageinanEnglish-speakingcountryisthebestbutnottheonlywaytolearnlanguage.Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Studyingalanguageinacountrywhereitiswidelyspokenhasmanyadvantages.Itis,therefore,agoodideatostudyEnglishinacountrysuchasBritain.However,Ibelieveitisnottheonlywaytolearnthelanguage.Inthefirstplace,moststudentsinnon-English-speakingcountrieslearnEnglishatsecondaryschool,andsometimesatuniversitynowadays.AlthoughtheirspokenEnglishisnotusuallyofaveryhighstandard,theirknowledgeofgrammarisoftenquiteadvanced.ThisiscertainlyusefulwhenstudentscometoanEnglish-speakingcountrytoperfectthelanguage.Secondly,studyingthebasicsofEnglishatsecondaryschoolislessstressfulthan
learningthelanguagewhileoverseas.Thisisbecausestudentslivingathomedonothavetoworryaboutproblemssuchasfindingaccommodation,payingfortheirstudyandlivingcosts,andtryingtosurviveinaforeigncountrywheredaytodaylivingcausesmuchstress.However,thereareobviousadvantagesoflearningEnglishinBritain.EverydaythereareopportunitiestopractiselisteningtoandspeakingwithBritishpeople.Also,studentscanexperiencetheculturefirsthand,whichisagreathelpwhentryingtounderstandthelanguage.ThisisespeciallytrueiftheychoosetolivewithaBritishfamily,asexchangestudentsforexample.Furthermore,ifstudentsattendalanguageschoolfull-time,theteacherswillbenativespeakers.Inthiscase,notonlywillstudents'speakingandlistening
skillsimprove,butattentioncanbegiventodevelopingreadingandwritingskillsaswell.Ingeneral,eventhoughitispreferabletostudyEnglishinanEnglish-speakingcountry,areasonablelevelofEnglishcanbeachievedinone'sowncountry,ifastudentisgiftedanddedicatedtostudy.
Sample159
Theworldisexperiencingadramaticincreaseinpopulation,Thisiscausingproblemsnotonlyforpoor,undevelopedcountries,butalsoforindustrialisedanddevelopingnations.Describesomeoftheproblemsthatoverpopulationcauses,andsuggestatleastonepossiblesolution.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Inmostcountriesoftheworldthepopulationisincreasingalarmingly.Thisisespeciallytrueinpoor,undevelopedcountries.Overpopulationcausesaconsiderablenumberofproblems.Inpoorcountriesitisdifficulttoprovideenoughfoodtofeedeventhepresentnumberofpeople.Inaddition,educationtolimitthenumberofchildrenperfamilyisnotalwayssuccessful.Poorercountries
usuallyhavealotofunemploymenttoo,andanincreaseinpopulationsimplymakesthesituationworse.Theenvironmentalsosufferswhentherearetoomanypeoplelivingontheland.Inrich,industrialisedanddevelopingcountriesitisverydifficultforgovernmentstoprovideeffectivepublicservicesinovercrowdedcities.Moreover,thereisusuallyagreatdealmorecrime,whichisoftenduetohighratesofunemployment.Furtherlargeincreasesinpopulationonlycausemoreovercrowding,unemploymentandcrime.Therearetwomainsolutionstotheoverpopulationproblem.Firstly,everywomanwhoispregnant,butwhodoesnotwanttogivebirth,shouldbeallowedbylawtohaveanabortion.Secondly,governmentsmusteducatepeopletolimit
thesizeofthefamily.InChina,couplesarepenalisedfinanciallyiftheyhavemorethanonechild.Thismayseemcruel,butthe"one-childpolicy"isbeginningtohaveaneffectintheworld'smostpopulousnation.Eventually,similarpoliciesmightalsobenecessaryinothercrowdednationssuchasIndia,forexample.Tosumup,ifthepopulationexplosioncontinues,manymorepeoplewilldieofstarvationinpoorcountries,andlifeinthecities,eveninaffluentnations,willbecomeincreasinglydifficult.
Sample160
Peopleinallmodernsocietiesusedrugs,buttoday'syouthareexpertimentingwithbothlegalandillegaldrugs,andat
anincreasinglyearlyage.Somesociologistsclaimthatparentsandothermembersofsocietyoftensetabadexample.Discussthecausesandsomeeffectsofwidespreaddrugusebyyoungpeopleinmoderndaysociety.Makeanyrecommendationsyoufeelarenecessarytohelpfightyouthdrugabuse.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Youthdrugabuseisaseriousproblemnowadaysinmanycultures.Notonlyisillegaldruguseontherise,butchildrenasyoungas10yearsoldareexperimentingwithalcoholandtobacco.Thereasonsforthisbehaviourareunclear,butcertainsociologistsblametheexamplessetbytheirelders.Parentswhodrinkandsmoketoexcessare,ineffect,tellingtheirchildrenthatitisacceptabletoabusetheirbodieswithdrugs.Consequently,childrenmayhaveasimilarviewtowardsillegaldrugs,eveniftheirparentsareagainsttheiruse.Inaddition,druguseshownontelevisionandinfilmscanonlyconfusechildrenwhoarealsotaughtatschoolthatdrugabuseiswrong.Thepressureonyoungpeopletoperformwellatschoolinordertocompeteforjobs
isapossiblecauseoftheproblem.Manybelievetheycannotliveuptotheirparents'expectations,andfeelasenseofhopelessness.Also,thewidespreadavailabilityofdrugsmeansteenagersarefacedwiththetemptationtoexperiment.Drugsareusedasameansofexpressingdissatisfactionwiththepressurestheyfaceinsociety.Theeffectsofdrugabusearewellknown.Manyyoungpeople'stalentsarewasted,andaddictiontoharddrugscancostauserhisorherlife.Furthermore,thosewhodrinkanddrivemaybeinvolvedinfatalroadaccidents.Thecosttosocietyisgreat,andenormousamountsofmoneyarespentonconvictingdrugdealersandoneducationprogrammes.Toconclude,Irecommendthattheonly
sensiblewaytosolvethisproblemistoeducateyoungpeopleaboutthedangersofdruguse,andtotakestepstoreducethepressureofcompetitionplaceduponthem.
Sample161
Wehavebeenlivinginthenuelearagenowforoverhalfacentury.Sincethefirstatomicbombsweredeveloped,nucleartechnologyhasprovidedgovernmentswiththeabilitytototallydestroytheplanet.Yetthetechnologyhasbeenputtopositiveuseasanenergysourceandincertainareasofmedicine.TowhatextentisnucleartechnologyadangertolifeonEarth?Whatarethebenefitsandrisksassociatedwithitsuse?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Thesedays,manypeopleareafraidofnucleartechnologybecauseofthedangersassociatedwithitsuse.Inmyopinion,althoughitistruethatnuclearweaponsposethegreatestthreattolife,theuseofnucleartechnologyforpeacefulpurposesalsocarriessomeseriousrisks.Nuclearpowerstationsprovideanimportantsourceofcheappowerformanyindustrialisednationsandsomedevelopingcountries.However,thereisalwaysthedangerofradiationleaking
fromtheseplants.Eventhoughsafetyprecautionsaretaken,therehavebeennumerousdisasterssuchastheexplosionofanuclearplantinRussianotlongago.Nucleartechnologyisevenusedtohelpcuresomediseasessuchascancer.Radiationcanbeappliedtothebodytoburnawaycancerouscells.Thisis,however,adangerousprocedure,andtheapplicationofradiationisalmostalwayspainfulandnotalwayssuccessful.Themostworryingaspectofnucleartechnology,though,isitsuseformilitarypurposes.Enoughatomicbombshavealreadybeenbuilttocompletelydestroytheplanet,andtherealdangeristhatonedaysomecountrywillstartawarwiththeseweapons.Toomanycountriesnowhavethetechnologyrequiredtomakesuchbombs,andthereiscurrentlymuchdebate
abouthowtocontrolthesituation.Inconclusion,nucleartechnologycertainlyhaspositiveuses,butis,nonetheless,dangerous.However,itwouldhavebeenbetterifithadneverbeenusedtocreatenuclearweapons.IflifeonEarthistocontinue.
Sample162
Somepeoplethinkthatitisimportanttouseleisuretimeforactivitiesthatimprovethemind,suchasreadinganddoingwordpuzzles.Otherpeoplefeelthatitisimportanttorestthemindduringleisuretime.
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Youshouldspendabout40minutes
Youshouldspendabout40minutesonthistask.
modelanswer:
Itisgenerallyacceptedthatweallneedleisuretimetorecoverfromthestressesofworkandeverydaylife.Personally,Iprefertobeactiveduringthistime,asIthinkthissuitsmebetter.However,whatwedowithourleisuretimeisuptousandnoonecansaythatanyparticularactivityisthebest.
Somepeoplerelaxbywatchingmovies,readingorsurfingtheinternet.Peoplewhohavephysicallydemandingjobsmaychoosethesetypesofactivities.Ifyouare
anurseorbuilder,youmayfeelthatyoudon'twanttodoafive-kilometrerunafterwork,becauseyouarealreadyphysicallytired.
Otherpeopledoverysedentaryjobs.Computeranalysts,forexample,mayspendalldaysittinginfrontofacomputerscreen.Attheendoftheworkingday,theymaybekeentostretchtheirlimbsandimprovetheirhealthbyswimmingorgoingtothegym.
Anotherfactorthatinfluencesourchoiceofleisurepursuitiswherewework.Peoplewhoworkindoorsoftenpreferoutdoorhobbies,whereasforpeoplewhoworkoutdoors,thereversemaybetrue.Iamastudentmyselfandthisinvolvesalotofsittinginlectures,soIneedtogetout
intothefreshairafterwards.
Inanysituation,theimportantthingisthatpeopleneedtostayhealthybychoosingwhatisbestforthem.Theonlywrongwaytospendfreetime,inmyview,istohaveasedentaryjobandthengohomeandwatchtelevision.
Sample163
Usingacomputereverydaycanhavemorenegativethanpositiveeffectsonchildren.Doyouagreeordisagree?
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience
Intoday'smodernworld,computersarean
essentialpartofeverydaylife.Aroundtheglobe,childrenoftenusecomputersfromaveryyoungage.Althoughitisimportantforchildrentoparticipateinvariouswell-balancedactivities,inmyopinion,childrenwhousethecomputerdailyareactuallydevelopingacriticalskillforfuturesuccess.Thebasesformyviewsarepersonal,academic,andprofessional.
Fromapersonalpointofview,computersareaninvaluableresourcetohelpyoungpeopleexploretheworldaroundthem.Forexample,childrenwhouseInternettosatisfytheircuriosityaboutdiversetopicsarealreadybecomingindependentlearners.Nochildwithacomputeriseverbored!Bystartingearlyintheirlives,childrenfeeltotallyateasearoundcomputers;theyarealsoabletotake
advantageofthewiderangeofservicescomputersprovide.
Fromanacademicviewpoint,childrenhavenochoicebuttomasterthistechnologicalinvention.Forinstance,whenIwasinuniversity,studentsbroughttheirlaptopstoclasstotakenotes,doresearchandexchangeinformation.Theywroteassignments,createdpresentationsanddevelopeddatabases.Childrenwhobuildearlyconfidenceandexperienceintheseabilitiesareatadistinctadvantageoverthosewhohavenot.
Fromaprofessionalperspective,thecomputerhasfoundapermanentplaceintheworkplace.Today,employersstillpaytoprovidecomputertrainingtotheiremployees.Tomorrow,corporationswill
expectprospectivejobapplicantstoalreadypossessthesecriticaljobskills.Consequently,parentswhoencouragetheirchildtousethecomputerforareasonableperiodoftimedailyareinfactinvestinginthechild'sfuturecareer.
Inconclusion,thereisnodoubtthatthecomputerasatechnologicaltoolisheretostay.Thesoonerchildrenbecomecomputer-literate,thebetterformanyaspectsoftheirfuturelives.
(299words)
Sample164
Successfulsportsprofessionalscanearnagreatdealmoremoneythanpeopleinotherimportantprofessions.Some
peoplethinkthisisfullyjustifiedwhileothersthinkitisunfair.Discussboththeseviewsandgiveyouropinion.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
Theworldofsportsisamultimilliondollarindustry.Aroundtheglobe,peopleflocktosportingeventsorwatchtheirfavouriteteamsfaithfullyeachweekontelevision.Asaresult,professionalsportsathletesreceivehugesalaries–wellabove,forexample,thoseofdoctors,lawyers,teachersorsocialworkers.Thereissomedebateaboutwhethersuchoutrageouslyhighsalariesarejustified.
Ontheonehand,sportisviewedasaprofessionalcareer,inwhichthetopplayersshouldrightlyearnhighsalaries.Athletestrainrigorouslyfromanearlyagetobecomepeakperformersintheirfield.Theyfacetremendouspressureineachandeverygame,matchorcompetition.Theirpersonallivesarecompromisedandtheyloseallprivacy.Atthesametime,theirstrongachievementsbringhonourandattention,notonlytothemselves,butalsototheirteams,schools,citiesorcountries.
Ontheotherhand,variousprofessionscontributetomakingourworldrunsmoothly.Doctorsputinatleasttenyearsofgruelingstudyandinternship;theirworksaveslives.Teacherseducateandinspireyoungpeopletoberesponsiblecitizens:theireffortsproducethecitizens
oftomorrow.Socialworkersrescueindividualsfacingphysical,mentalandpsychologicalchallenges:theirinterventioncreatessafersocieties.
Yet,professionalsinthefieldsaboveusuallystruggletogetby,despitetheirmeaningfulandcriticalcontributiontotheworld.
Inmyview,payingenormoussalariestosportspeopleisunnecessary.Weneedtoreconsideroursocialprioritiesandeliminatethegreatdisparityinincomereceivedbydiverseprofessionals.Bydoingso,wecanbuildsocietiesinwhicheachonefeelsvalued,appreciatedandappropriatelycompensatedfortheirownvocationorspecialization.
(273words)
Sample165
Insomecountries,youngpeopleareencouragedtoworkortravelforayearbetweenfinishinghighschoolandstartinguniversitystudies.Discusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesforyoungpeoplewhodecidetodothis.
Givereasonsforyouranswerandincludeanyrelevantexamplesfromyourownknowledgeorexperience.
Writeatleast250words.
Takinga“gapyear”offbetweenhighschoolanduniversityhasbecomeapopularoptionamongmanyyoungpeople.
Thistimeoffprovidesabreakaftermanyyearsofformalstudy.Somestudentsusethistimetotravelaroundtheworld,othersvolunteerandstillothersbeginworking.Theideabehindeachoftheseactivitiesistodosomethinghands-onandrefreshing,whichenablesyoungpeopletolearnmoreaboutthemselvesandtheirplaceintheworldaroundthem.
Thebenefitsoftakingayearoffareplentiful.Onapersonallevel,studentswhotravelawayfromhomedeveloptheirindependenceandself-confidence.Onaculturallevel,theylearnaboutviewpoints,traditionsandperspectivesdifferentfromtheirown.Professionally,studentsgetatasteofdiverseworkplaces,whichmightinspireapossiblecareerinterest.Intellectually,theyexaminetheirown
beliefsandideasinrelationtothoseofothersinanewenvironment.Alltheseadvantagescombinetomakeastrongcasefortakingtheone-yearbreak.
Nevertheless,therearealsodangersinvolvedintakingsuchalongbreak.Academically,themaindrawbackisthatstudentscangetsidetrackedfromtheirstudies.Ayearisalongtimeandstudentscouldlosethegoodstudyhabitsandsenseofdisciplinetheyhadwhentheywereinaformalacademicstructure.Iftheybeginworking,theycouldalsobedeludedintothinkingthatthey’remakingalotofmoney.Theycouldlosethebenefitofcollegeoruniversityeducationandthechancetoearnahigherincomealltheirlives.
Inconclusion,whethertotakeayear-longbreakornotisanindividualdecision.Eachyoungpersonshouldconsiderhisorhermotivationscarefullyanddecideonwhat’smostdesirable.Timeisapreciousresourceandpeopleofallages,includingyoungpeople,shouldtreatitwithrespect.
(305words)
Sample166
Universitiesshouldacceptequalnumbersofmenandwomenineverysubject.
Towhatextentdoyouagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Genderissueshavebeenincreasinginimportancethroughthecenturies.Inalmosteverysphereofhumanactivity,therehasbeenamovementtowardsgreaterequalitybetweenmenandwomen.AlthoughIagreethatuniversitiesshouldopentheirdoorstoallstudentsalike,inmyview,theyneednotsetafixedlimitonthenumberofmenandwomentheyacceptineachsubject.Thebasesformyviewsarepsychologicalandpersonal.
Psychologically-speaking,menandwomenaresimplydifferent,thoughtheyhavethesamepotentialforgreatness.Forexample,womentendtobemoreintuitive,sensitivetoothersandcaring.Thismeanstheymayfeeldrawn,onthebasisoftheirpersonalities,tocertainkindsofprofessionssuchasteaching,nursing,or
psychology,evenifallfieldsareopentothem.Insuchacontext,itisbestforuniversitiestochoosethebestapplicants,regardlessofgender.
Personally,studentsneedtodiscovertheirtruecalling.Thisisanindividualmatterandisnotinfluencedbytheuniversitiesreservingseatsformenorwomen.Forexample,ifthemajorityofwomenshyawayfrommathorengineering,perhapsithastodowiththeirupbringing,whichhasinfluencedtheirinterests.Theuniversitieswillnotbeabletoreversethistrend,thoughtheyshouldalwayslookoutforthemostqualifiedcandidates.
Inconclusion,equalitycannotbeforceduponpeople–notintheareaofeducation,employmentorfamilylife.Equalityis
abouthavingchoicesandthosewhoprovethemselvescapablewillqualifyforuniversity,regardlessofgender.Itisonlyrightthatuniversitiesreflectandrespectthesefreeandnaturalchoicesbeingexercisedbytheirstudents.
(277words)
Sample167
Therisinglevelsofcongestionandairpollutionfoundinmostoftheworldcitiescanbeattributeddirectlytotherapidlyincreasingnumberofprivatecarsinuse.Inordertoreversethisdeclineinthequalityoflifeincities,attemptsmustbemadetoencouragepeopletousetheircarslessandpublictransportmore.Discusspossiblewaysto
encouragetheuseofpublictransport.
Towhatextentdoyouagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Inaworldofincreasingenvironmentalawarenessimprovedpublictransportrepresentsthewayofthefuture.Althoughpeopledoenjoytheconvenienceandprivacyoftravelingintheirownprivatevehicles,inmyopiniontheymaychoosepublictransportifitfulfillscertainconditions.Theseconditionsfallintothreebroadcategories:attitudinal,financialandlogistical.
Fromanattitudinalperspective,peoplemustfirstbeconvincedofthebenefitsof
publictransportation.Aneducationalorpublicrelationscampaignmustbelaunchedtosensitizethosewhomighthavedisregardedthispossibilitybefore.Peopleshouldbefamiliarizedwiththeenvironmental,socialandpersonalbenefitsforpresentandfuturegenerations.Thisisonestep.
Fromafinancialperspective,publictransportationmustbeaclearandviablebenefittoconsumers.Inotherwords,itmustbemoreaffordablethandrivingtoworkeveryday.Forexample,ifpeopleknowthatbyusingbusandsubway,theycansaveenoughmoneytotakeafreeholidayeachyear,manymoreindividualswouldbepersuadedtotravelinthisway.Thisisanothercriticalstep.
Fromalogisticalperspective,publictransportationshouldbeconvenientforcommuters.Cityplannersandtransportofficialsmustensurethatfrequentandreliablepublictransportationisavailableforeachcitizen.Forpeopletomakethehabitoftravelingbybusorsubway,theymustknowthattheywillbeabletogettovariousplacesontime.Transportvehiclesmustbewellmaintained,subwayandbusdriversshouldbecustomer-orientedandservicemustbepunctualandefficient.Thisisanadditionalimportantstep.
Inconclusion,throughamulti-prongedapproach,itispossibletoincreasetheuseofpublictransportation.Cityofficialsandpoliticianscanleadthewaybyutilizingtheseformsoftransportthemselvesandbringingaboutchangethroughpersonal
example.Then,morecitizenswillfollowsuitandwemayallhopetoliveinacleaner,lesspollutedenvironment.
(316words)
Sample168
Manypeoplebelievethatwomenmakebetterparentsthanmenandthatthisiswhytheyhaveagreaterroleinraisingchildreninmostsocieties.Othersclaimthatmenarejustasgoodaswomenatparenting.Writeanessayexpressingyourpointofview.Givereasonsforyouranswer.
Towhatextentdoyouagreewiththisstatement?
Youshouldwriteatleast250words.
Achildisborntotwoparents–amanandawoman.Bothsexesplayacrucialroleinraisingthechild.Althoughfatherscanmakeexcellentparents,inmyopinion,mothersareinrealitybetterparentsbasedontheirnaturalintuitionandcompassionatetendencies.
Firstly,forawidevarietyofsocio-culturalreasons,womentendtohavemoreintuitiveintelligencethanmen.Itisthisintuitionthatenablesthemothertoknowwhenherchildneedsher.Inaddition,womenoftenknowhowtoreadnon-verbalsignalsinhumanbehavior,whichcanalertthemtoissuesandproblemsinthechild’slife.Allofthese“perceptiveskills”playamajorrolein
makingthemotheraclose,responsibleandresponsiveparent.
Secondly,mostmothersshareainimitablebondwiththeirchildren.Perhapsthisbondarisesduringtheninemonthsofpregnancy;perhapsitisreinforcedthroughtheactofbreastfeeding.Whateverthecause,thereoftenappearstobealifelongsilverchordorpsychicconnectionbetweenmotherandchild.Asaresult,themotherisabletoevaluatethechild’sactionsfromtheviewpointofhis/herintentions,andnotjustresults.Thisempathyispricelessandcannoteasilybereplicated.Althoughfathersmayformdeeplovingbondswiththeirchildren,theymaynotbeabletomatchthedepthofclosenesssharedbymotherandchild.
Inconclusion,althoughbothparentsarecertainlycapableofcaringforthechild,themotheroftenmakesabetterparent.Anyonewhohasexperiencedtheunconditionalacceptanceofamother’slovecanbearwitnesstothisreality.
(260words)
Sample169
Whatfactorsarerelatedtoacademicsuccessinhighschoolstudents?
Writeatleast250words.
Highschoolisacriticaltimeinthelifeofyoungpeople.Ontheonehand,teenagersareeagertoenjoytheirfreedomandindependence.Ontheotherhand,they
mustbedisciplinedenoughtokeeptheirprioritiesstraight.Inmyopinion,threesocialinstitutionsimpacthighschoolstudentsthemostatthisvulnerabletime–thefamily,peergroupandschool.
First,thefamilyplaysthecentralrolebyprovidingthebackdropinayoungperson’slife.Apositivefamilyenvironmentprovideslove,supportandencouragementforthestudenttodohis/herbest.Simultaneously,thefamilyaimstoinstilldisciplineandambitioninthechild.Theinfluenceandexpectationsoffamilymembersremainparamountatthistimeandthroughoutayoungperson'slife.
Second,asachildturnsintoateenager,thepeergroupbeginstoplayan
increasinglyimportantroleinhis/herlife.Thefriendshipsonedevelopsatthishighlysensitivestagecanaffectonesattitudetostudies,authority,societyandtheworld.Intherightcompany,youngpeoplecangetinvolvedinpositiveactivitiesthatsupporttheiracademicperformance.Withthewrongcrowd,teenagerscoulddevelopahostofunhealthyanddangeroushabitswhichimpactnotonlytheirgradesbutallaspectsoftheirlives.
Lastly,theschoolitselfisadecidingfactorinthestudent'sacademicsuccess.Avarietyofelementsdeterminehowthestudentsfeelaboutschool:theteachers,thestaff,thefacilities,thesubjects,thetextbooks,themethodofinstructionandmore.Allofthesehaveasignificantimpactontheyoungperson’smotivation
toexcel.
Inconclusion,highschoolsuccessistheproductofvariousinfluences.Weareallfortunatethat,asidefromafewunfortunateexceptions,themajorityofstudentsworldwideaspiretodowellandgrowuptobecomeactiveandhealthyparticipantsintheworldaroundthem.
(309words)
Sample170
Foreignlanguageinstructionshouldbegininkindergarten.Discuss.
Writeatleast250words.
Accordingtoafamoussaying,“Thelimits
ofmylanguagearethelimitsofmyworld.”Indeed,theabilitytospeakseverallanguagesisconsideredoneofthehallmarksofaculturedperson.Fromthisperspective,foreignlanguageinstructionshouldbeginasearlyaspossibleinordertoachievenear-nativefluency.Thereasonsbehindthisapproachareintellectual,socialandprofessional.
Intellectually,learningaforeignlanguageatayoungageenableschildrentodeveloptheirbrain.Atthisage,children’smindsarelikespongesandtheircapacitiesarelimitless.Theyhavelessinhibitionorbiasesagainstlearningdifferentsubjects.Theycanlearnone,twoorthreelanguageswithoutconfusion;itwouldonlyservetoexpandtheirminds.Therefore,itisidealtostartteachingaforeignlanguagein
kindergarten.
Socially,learningaforeignlanguageenablestheyoungchildtoenterawiderculturalworld.Bylearningtospeak,thinkandunderstandadifferentlanguage,thechilddevelopsgreatercross-culturalawareness.Thiscriticalabilityenablesthechildtomakefriendswith,identifywithandempathizewithotherswhospeaktheadditionallanguage.
Professionally,bylearningaforeignlanguageinkindergarten,thechildexpandshis/herfuturecareerhorizons.Intoday’sincreasinglyglobalizedworld,bilingualandmultilingualindividualsareinhighdemand.Thechildwhoachievesthisfluencynaturallyandeasilyatayoungagealreadyhasanedgeoverothersinthe
jobmarket.
Insummary,numerousbenefitsflowfromteachingaforeignlanguagefromkindergarten.Thechildwillmostlikelygrowuptothankthosewhomadesuchalearningexperiencepossible.
IELTSLetter
MostCommonLetterTopics-(Formal)
1.AskingforInformationYouliveinanEnglishspeakingcountryandyouwanttodosomevoluntary,unpaidworkinadevelopingcountry.Writea
lettertoacompanycalledCulturalExpeditions,whichorganizessuchtrips.Inyourletter:
Explainwhyyouwanttodothevoluntarywork.
Statewhatyourskillsandexperienceare.
Indicatewhereyouwouldliketovolunteerandforhowlong.
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
2.ApplyingforaJob
YouhavedecidedtoapplyforajobasaSpanishinstructorthatwasadvertisedintheAprileditionofthemagazineTeachingProfessional.ThisadwaspostedbyMrJohnSullivan,directoroftheSpanishdepartmentatTheLanguageInstituteofGreatBritaininLondon,England.InyourlettertoMrSullivan:
explainwhyyouarewriting
describeyourqualificationsandexperience
explainhowtheycancontactyou
Writeatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
3.MakingSuggestionsYoueatatyourcollegecafeteriaeverylunchtime.However,youthinkitneedssomeimprovements.Writealettertothecollegemagazine.Inyourletter:
explainwhatyoulikeboutthecafeteria
saywhatiswrong
suggesthowitcouldbeimproved
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
4.ApplyingforaJobYouarelookingforapart-timejob.Writealettertoanemploymentagency.Inyourletter:
introduceyourself
explainwhatsortofjobyouwouldlike
saywhatexperienceandskillsyouhave
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
5.ComplainingtoaBankYouhavereceivedaletterfromyourbank,askingyoutoacknowledgereceiptofanewbankcard.However,thecardwasmissingfromtheenvelope.Writealettertothebank'sheadoffice.Inyourletter:
explainwhyyouarewriting
expressconcernaboutthemissingcard
askthemwhattheyintendtodo
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
6.InforminganAirlineLastTuesdayyouflewfromNewYorktoParis.Whenyouarrivedhome,youdiscoveredthatyouhadleftyourcabinbagontheplane.Writealettertotheairline.Inyourletter,youshouldexplain:
whereandwhenyoulostyourbag
whatyourbaglookslike
whatitscontentswere
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
7.ApplyingforaJobYouhaveseenanadvertisementforpart-timeworkinahotelforthreemonthsoverthesummer.Writealettertothemanager.Inyourletter:
saywhatexperienceyouhave
askwhattheworkinvolves
enquireaboutconditions
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
8.MakingRecommendationsYounormallygoshoppingintheareawhereyoulive.However,youthinksomeofthefacilitiesforshopperscouldbeimproved.Writealettertoyourlocalnewspaper.Inyourletter:
sayingeneralwhatyoulikeaboutshoppinginyourarea
saywhatiswrongwiththefacilities
suggesthowtheycanbeimproved
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthis
task.
9.ApplyingforaJobYouwouldlikeatemporaryjobworkinginthesummercampwhichrunssportsandoutdooractivitiesforchildrenandyoungpeoplenextsummer.Writealettertotheorganizersofthesummercamp.Inyourletter:
explainwhatsortofjobyouwouldliketodo
describeyourpersonality
saywhatexperienceandskillsyouhave
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearSir/
Madam
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
10.ComplainingaboutaProductYouliveinasmalluniversitytown.Lastweek,youdrovetoabigcityabouttwohoursawaytobuyanewlaptopatagoodprice.Youworkedonthelaptopallweekandfinishedwritingalongassignmentthatisdueshortly.However,thisweek,thelaptopdoesn'tevenswitchon.Writetothestore.Inyourletter:
tellthestorewhereyoulive&whathappened
explaintheproblemwiththelaptop
explaintheproblemwiththelaptop
statewhatactionyouwouldlikethestoretotake
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask
SampleLetter–Formal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1
SampleLetter1
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Yourecentlystayedinahotelinalargecity.Theweatherwasveryunusualforthe
timeofyearandtheheating/coolingsysteminthehotelwasquiteinadequate.
Writealettertothemanagerofthehotel.Inyourletter:
givedetailsofwhatwentwrong
explainwhatyouhadtodotoovercometheproblematthetime
saywhatactionyouwouldlikethemanagertotake
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteyourownaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearSir/Madam
IamwritinginconnectionwithmyrecentstayattheFourSeasonsinLondon,England.Unfortunately,duetoamalfunctioningheaterinmyroom,IspentthreemiserablenightsatyourhotelfromApril26–29,2010.
WhenIarrivedinLondon,therewasanunexpectedsnowstorm.IunderstanditdoesnotusuallysnowinApril;however,whenIgottomyroom,therewasnoheat.Aftercomplaining,atechnicianwassentup,whoinformedmetheyhadtoinstallanewheatingunit.WhenIaskedtobemovedtoanotherroom,Iwastoldthehotelwascompletelybooked.
Unfortunately,eachnightafterworkIreturnedtodiscovertheproblemhadnotbeenrectified.Eventually,Ispentthreehorriblyuncomfortablenights,wearingmycoattobed,wearingsocksaroundtheroomandendingupwithabadcoldfromtheunheatedroom.IhadnotimetocomplainasIhadtocatchaflighthomerightaftermyconference.
Iamshockedbythisterribleservice.Thisisnotwhatanyoneexpectsfor$400anight!Tocompensatemeforthistremendousinconvenience,Iaskthatyourefundmymoneyrightawayandoffermeafree,morecomfortablestayinoneofyourfinersuitesinthefuture.Ifnot,Iampreparedtotakemycomplainttoahigherauthority.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouattheearliest,
Yoursfaithfully,
MrJohnMcFee
(236words)
SampleLetter2
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youhavereceivedaletterfromyourbank,askingyoutoacknowledgereceiptofanewbankcard.However,thecardwasmissingfromtheenvelope.
Writealettertothebank'sheadoffice.In
yourletter:
explainwhyyouarewriting
expressconcernaboutthemissingcard
askthemwhattheyintendtodo
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearSir/Madam
Iamwritinginconnectionwithamissingorstolendebitcardfromyourbank.This
isanurgentmatterasthebankcardcouldprovedangerousinthehandsofthewrongperson.
Justyesterday,Ireceivedaletterfromyourbank'sheadoffice.Itstatedthatmynewbankcardwasenclosedandaskedmetoacknowledgereceipt.However,whentheenvelopearrivedinmymailbox,itwasinatatteredstate.Moreimportantly,thedebitcardwhichwassupposedtobeincluded,wasmissing.Icheckedandrecheckedaroundthemailbox,butfoundnothing.Iamconcernedthatsomeonehasgonethroughmymailandpossiblystolenthecard.
ForthisreasonIrequestthatyoucanceltheexistingdebitcardimmediately.Thedebitcardinquestionisrelatedtomy
accountnumber64729401atyourBayandBloorbranch.Afterithasbeencancelled,pleasearrangetosendmeanewone,asIneedtotraveloverseasnextweekandwillneedtocarrythenewbankcardwithme.
Thankyoukindlyinadvance,
Yoursfaithfully,
MsBrendaHolster
(172words)
SampleLetter3
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youeatatyourcollegecafeteriaatlunch
timeeveryday..However,youthinkitneedssomeimprovements.Writealettertothecollegemagazine.Inyourletter:
explainwhatyoulikeaboutthecafeteria
saywhatiswrongwithit
suggesthowitcouldbeimproved
Writeatleast150words.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearSir/Madam
Iamwritinginconnectionwithourcollegecafeteria.Sincealmostevery
studentspendssometimehereeveryday,Ibelieveitisineveryone'sbestinteresttofindwaystoimprovethequalityofthiscentraleatery.
Thecafeteriaitselfismodern,spaciousandattractive.Thenewlypaintedmuralsoftheseasidegivetheseatingareaanopen,airy,outdoorfeelingwhichmakesitverypleasanttoeatmealsthere.Thisisfurtherenhancedbythelargegreenplantsandflowingwaterfountains.
Themainproblemwiththecafeteriaisinthefoodserved!Firstofall,thereisaverylimitedselectionavailable.EachdayoffersuponlystandardNorthAmericanfareofhamburgers,hotdogs,chickennuggetsandfrenchfries.Notonlyisthisselectionunhealthy,butalsouninteresting
dayinanddayout.Wehavesomanyinternationalstudentsoncampus,itwouldbewonderfultohavesomecurries,burritosandfalafeladdedtothemenu.Secondly,sincethisisastudentcafeteria,pricesneedtostaylow.Wehaveunfortunatelyseentwopricehikesinthelasttwoyears.
Iamsureifweofferawiderrangeoffoods,atbetterprices,thecafeteriawillcontinuetorunprofitablyasmorestudentschoosetoeatthere.
Yoursfaithfully,
DanielBernard
IELTSLetterTopics-Semi-Formal
1.ArrangingAccommodationYouarebeingsentonaonemonthworkassignmentinSanFrancisco,California.Youneedaplacetostaywhileyouarethere.WritealettertotheMaurySamsonRealEstateAgency.Inyourletter:
explainthesituation
describethekindofaccommodationyouwouldlike
providethedatesyouwillneedit
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMrSamson,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
2.AskingforPermissionYouarestudyingoverseas.Youneedtoreturntoyourcountrybeforetheendofthesemesterforafamilyevent.Writealettertoyoursupervisor.Inyourletter:
Requesttimeoff
Explainwhyyouneedtoleaveearly
Reassurehim/herthatyourstudieswillnotsuffer
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMr/Ms_______
3.ComplainingtoaLandlordYouhavebeenlivinginarentalapartmentforthepastyear.Recentlyanewneighbourmovedinwhohasloudpartiesseveraltimesaweek.Writealettercomplainingaboutthistothelandlord.Inyourletter:
explainthesituation
describewhyitbothersyou
suggestasolution
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMr/Ms_____________,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthis
task.
4.MakingaSuggestionYouexerciseregularlyandhavebeenamemberofmanydifferentgyms.Recently,youmovedintoanewneighborhoodandjoinedanewgym.Youhavenoticedthatpeopleatthisgymdonotbothertowipedownthemachinesafteruseandoftenleavedirtytowelsonthebenchesinthechangerooms.WritetoMrKoto,themanager.Inyourletter:
explainwhoyouare
describetheproblemexactly
makesuggestionstoimprovethegym
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMr
Koto,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
5.BookingAccommodationYouaregoingtotakeashortholidayinSingaporeandyouwanttorentaholidayapartmentwhileyouarethere.Writetothetouristinformationoffice.Inyourletter:
explainwhatyouneed
saywhenyouplantobethere
askforinformationaboutprices
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMr/Ms__________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
6.ExplainingtoaNeighbourYouarehavingagraduationpartynextSaturdaynight.Youhaveinvited50peopletocelebrateatanoutdoorbarbecueevening,whichmaycontinueintolateintothenight.Writealettertoyourelderlyneighbour.Inyourletter:
explainwhatwillbehappening
offeryourapologiesinadvance
invitehertojointhecelebration
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMr/Ms_________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
7.AskingforpermissionYouaresupposedtohandinamid-termprojectforyourpsychologyclassbyNovember1st.However,yourbrotherisgettingmarriedinHawaiiatthesametimeandtheentirefamilyistravelingtherefortheoccasion.Youwouldlikeanextensionontheduedateforsubmittingtheproject.Writetoyourprofessor.Inyourletter:
explainthesituation
remindtheprofessorofyourfineacademicrecordtodate
askforanextensionoftheduedate
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
8.MakingaSuggestionYouliveinahigh-risebuilding,whichhasacommunallaundryroom.Therearemanywashersanddryersthere,butevenmoreresidents.Sometimespeopledon'tcomeintimetoemptythemachinesandotherresidentshavetowaitforawasherordryer.Youthinkthebuildingmanagementshouldpurchase10extralaundrybasketsandmakethemavailableforsuchtimes,sothemachinescanbefreedup.WritetothePropertyManager,MrsWilliams.Inyourletter:
explainhowlongyouhavebeenaresident
describetheproblem
proposeyoursolution
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMrsWilliams
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
9.AskingforPermissionYouhavereceivedajobofferforapositionyouhavewantedforalongtime.YouareexpectedtostartonJuly1st.However,youcanonlystartaweeklaterduetopersonalreasons.Writealetterto
MrJackson,yournewboss.Inyourletter:
showyourenthusiasmforthejoboffer
explaintheproblem
suggestwhatyoucando
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearMrJackson,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
SampleLetter–Semi-Formal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1
SampleLetter1
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youareapplyingforajobandneedaletterofreferencefromsomeonewhoknewyouwhenyouwereatschool.
Writealettertooneofyouroldteachersaskingforareference.Inyourletter:
saywhatjobyouhaveappliedfor
explainwhyyouwantthisjob
suggestwhatinformationtheteachershouldinclude
Writeatleast150words.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearMrsSweeney
Howareyou?Ihopeeverythingisfineattheschoolandthatyouhavebeenwell.IstillrememberthedynamicwayinwhichyoutaughtgrammartomeandalloftheteachertraineesinyourEnglishclass.Thanksagainforthoseimportantlessons.
IamwritinginconnectionwithaletterofreferencethatIneedforajobthatIhaveappliedforrecently.AsIamduetograduatenextmonth,IhaveappliedforapositionasanESLteacherataprivatelanguageschoolinTokyo,Japan.YoumightremembermytellingyouhowverymuchIlookedforwardtoteachingandtravelingaroundtheworld.NowIhavethe
chance.IamconfidentthatIcanmakeadifferenceinthelivesofstudentswhoneedtolearnEnglish.
Intheletterofreference,Iwouldappreciateitifyoucouldincludeinformationrelatedtomytrustworthiness,myenthusiasmandmycross-culturalawarenesswhileinteachertrainingcollege.AsthejobisinJapan,theydonothavethechancetointerviewmeandwillbasetheirdecisionlargelyonmylettersofreference.Iwouldneedtohavetheletterintwoweeks,byJuly1st.
Thankyoukindlyinadvance,
Yourssincerely,
GraceSmith
SampleLetter2
YouaregoingonashorttrainingcourseatacollegeinSydney,Australia.Youneedsomewheretolivewhileyouarethere.
Writealettertotheaccommodationofficeratthecollege.Inyourletter:
Writealettertotheaccommodationofficeratthecollege.Inyourletter:
explainyoursituation
describetheaccommodationyourequire
saywhenyouwillneedit
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearMrsWalker
IamwritinginconnectionwithmyupcomingtrainingcourseatyourcollegeinSydney,Australia.IwillbetheretoattendtheBrain-BasedLearningprogramatVictoriaCollegeforaperiodofthreeweeksfromJuly2sttoJuly22st,2010.Iamhopingthatyouwillbeabletoassistmewithmyaccommodationarrangements.
AsIamslightlyolderthanmostoftheotherparticipants,Iwouldappreciateitif
youcouldfindaprivatestudioapartmentforme,closetothecollege.ItwouldbeidealifIcouldwalktoschooleachday,butifnot,Iwouldneedaccesstopublictransportation.IunderstandsomeoftheeventsoncampusfinishquitelatesoIwouldprefernottowalkinanunfamiliarneighbourhoodafterdark.Intermsoftheapartment,allIrequireisabed,adesk,aTV,anInternetconnection,akitchenandabathroom.MybudgetisaroundUS$1000for3weeks.
AsIwillbearrivingonJuly1st,Iwouldneedtheapartmenttobeavailablefromthatnightuntilthedayofmydeparture,whichisJuly23rd.MylastnightintheapartmentwouldbeJuly22nd.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouareabletofind
suchanapartmentandifnot,pleasesuggestothersuitablearrangements.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou,
Yourssincerely,
JaneGoodwin
(236words)
SampleLetter3
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youhavebeenlivinginarentalapartmentforthepastyear.Recentlyanewneighbourmovedinandhasbeenmakingalotofnoise,whichdisturbsyou.
Writealettertothelandlord.Inyourletter:
explainthesituation
describewhyitbothersyou
suggestasolution
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearMrShah
Ihopeyouandyourfamilyareallwell.IamwritinginconnectionwithaproblemI
havewiththenewtenant,Jack,whohasmovedindownstairs.Unfortunately,hishabitsandneedsappeartobequitedifferentfrommyown.
TheissueisthatJackisaprofessionalmusicianwhoplayshiselectricguitarlateintothenight.Iunderstandheisinabandandneedstopractice;however,Ithinkhecannotdosoinaresidentialbuildingsuchasours.AsImentionedtoyouwhenIsignedtheleasetotheapartment,Iamafull-timewriterwhoworksfromhome.Forme,itisessentialtohavesilencesoIcanconcentrateonmywork.WithJackplayingatallhours,Ihavebeenunabletogetanyofmywritingdone,exceptwhenheisout.Insomecases,Ihaveevenbeenforcedtoleavetheapartmentandworkatanearbycoffeeshoporlibraryasthe
guitarplayingwascausingsuchadisturbance.
IwouldappreciateitifyoucouldspeaktoJackandaskhimtoturndownthevolumeonhisguitarorelsetouseheadphones.Ihavespokentohimaboutit,buttonoavail.Iwillletyouknowassoonasthesituationimproves.
Thankyoukindlyinadvanceandpleasegivemybestregardstoyourfamily,
Yourssincerely,
MegSnyder
(234words)
IELTSLetterTopics-Informal
1.InvitingafriendYouarestudyingEnglishataprivatelanguageschoolattendedbymanyinternationalstudents.Youareplanningasurprisebirthdaypartyforafriendwhohasbeenfeelingparticularlysadandhomesick.Writetoanotherclassmateandinvitehim/hertotheparty.Inyourletter:
explainthereasonfortheparty
givethedateandtimeoftheparty
suggestwhattheclassmatecouldbringtotheparty
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
2.AdvisingafriendaboutaholidayAnEnglish-speakingfriendwantstospendatwo-weekholidayinyourregionandhaswrittenaskingforinformationandadvice.Writealettertoyourfriend.Inyourletter:
offertofindsomewheretostay
giveadviceaboutwhattodo
giveinformationaboutwhatclothestobring
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear_______
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.You
shouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
3.ApologizingtoafriendYouborrowedanimportanttextbookfromaclassmatelastterm.Younowrealizeyourclassmatehadreturnedhomeoverseasandyoustillhavethebook.Writealettertotohim/her.Inyourletter:
apologizeforthemistake
findouthowimportantthebookistohim/her
saywhatyouwilldo
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear_____________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
4.ThankingafriendforaholidayYouhaverecentlybeentostaywithanoldfriendforafewdays.Youhadn'tseeneachotherforalongtime.Writealettertothefriend.Inyourletter:
sayhowyoufeltaboutthevisit
refertosomethingenjoyablethatyoudidwhilestayingwithhim/her
inviteyourfriendtovisityou
inviteyourfriendtovisityou
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
5.AdvisingafriendaboutworkAnEnglish-speakingfriendiscomingtostudyinyourtownnextyearandhaswrittenaskingforinformationandadvice.Writealettertoyourfriend.Inyourletter:
Offertofindaplaceforhim/hertolive
Giveadviceabouthowtofindapart-
timejob
Giveinformationonwherehe/shecanlearnyourlanguage
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear__________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
6.Forgettingsomethingatafriend'sYoustayedatyourfriend'shousewhenyouparticipatedinaconferenceinAustralia.Youleftabriefcasewithimportantdocumentsinyourroom.Writealettertoyourfriend.Intheletter:
thankyourfriendforthestay
describethebriefcase
askhim/hertoreturnittoyoubypost
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear_________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
7.RemindingaFriendAyearago,youlentyourfavoritebooktoafriendwhoyouthoughtwouldenjoyit.Unfortunately,yourfriendhasforgottentoreturnit.Thebookhassentimentalvaluetoyouasithadbeenpresentedbyyourgrandmother.Writealettertoyourfriend.
Intheletter:
askhowheorsheisdoing
remindhim/heraboutthebook
explainwhyyouneeditback
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
8.CongratulatingaFriendYourbestfriendjusthadherfirstbaby.Youarecurrentlyoverseasbutwillbereturningtoyourhometowninaweek.Writetoyourfriend.Inyourletter:
congratulateyourfriend
tellherwhenyouwillbereturninghome
askwhenyoucoulddropintomeetherandthebaby
Beginyourletterasfollows:Dear_________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
9.RequestingHelpYourparentswillbecelebratingtheir40thanniversarynextmonth.Youareplanningabigcelebration,butyouarenotsurehowtomaketheoccasionreallymemorable.
Writetoyourbestfriend,Joan,whoisaprofessionaleventplanner.Inyourletter:
explainwhytheoccasionisspecial
askforherassistance
setupatimetomeetatyourfriend'sconveniencetodiscussyourplans
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearJoan,
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
10.AdmittingaMistakeYouattendedanoldfriend'sweddinginanothercity,about3hoursaway,aweekago.Itwasanoutdoorweddingheldonarainydayandyouhadtakenalongarather
expensive,elegantumbrella.Whenyoureturned,youweretiredandwentstraighttobed.Youhadaverybusyweek.Thisweekend,whenitstartedtorain,yourealizedyouhadthewrongumbrella.Youmusthavetakensomeoneelse'sumbrella,whichwasverysimilartoyourown,whenleavingtheweddingreception.Writetoyourfriendwhogotmarried.Inyourletter:
congratulatehim/heronthebeautifulwedding
explainthesituation
askhowyoucanreturnthisumbrellaandlocateyourown
Beginyourletterasfollows:DearJoan
__________
Youshouldwriteatleast150words.Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
SampleLetter–Informal(ComplainingtoaHotel)-Task1
SampleLetter1
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Lastmonthyouhadaholidayoverseaswhereyoustayedwithsomefriends.Theyhavejustsentyousomephotosofyour
holiday.
Writealettertoyourfriends.Inyourletter:
thankthemforthephotosandfortheholiday
explainwhyyoudidn'twriteearlier
invitethemtocomeandstaywithyou
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________
DearAjayandSunita,
ThankssomuchforyourkindletterandthelovelyphotosofmyholidayinMumbai.Sorryforthedelayinacknowledgingyourmail,butyourpackagearrivedjustasIwasabouttoleavetownonabusinesstrip.I'vejustreturnedtoTorontotoday.
Lookingatthephotosbringsbacksomanyhappymemoriesofthetimeswespenttogetherandthewonderfulhospitalityyouextendedtome.Ifeltcompletelypamperedbybothofyou!Yousurroundedmewithwarmfriends,goodfood,amazingsights,greatshopping,unforgettableculturaleventsandlaughter-filledevenings.Iwouldhavebeenlostwithoutyou.Ican'tthankyouenough.
Thesegoodmemoriesgavemeanidea.Iknowyou'vealwayswantedtovisitCanada.Whydon'tyouplanaholidayandstaywithmethissummer?Theweatherisgreatatthattimeofyear,alltouristsitesareopenandIcouldtaketwoweeksofffromwork.AsidefromseeingToronto,wecoulddrivetoNiagaraFalls,ThousandIslands,Montreal,OttawaandQuebecCity.Iwouldbethrilledifyoucouldmakeit.
Thankyoubothagainforthebeautifulholidayandthephotoswhicharealreadyuponmywall.Now,I'mlookingforwardtohearingfromyou.
Warmwishes,
Carol
(216words)
SampleLetter2
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
Youhaverecentlystartedworkinanewcompany.
WritealettertoanEnglish-speakingfriend.Inyourletter,
explainwhyyouchangedjobs
describeyournewjob
tellhim/heryourothernews
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________,
DearEva,
Howareyou?Ihopeyou'vebeenwell.Sorryforhavingbeenoutoftouchforashortwhile.TherehavebeensomechangesinmylifeandIwantedtoletyouknowthelatestfrommyside.
ThebignewsisthatIhavefinallychangedmyjob!Doyourememberwhenyouwerehereonholiday,IalwaystalkedabouthowIhatedmyboringbankjob?Well,itwasclearIneededachange.So,finally,Itookapart-timeTESLcourseandtrainedtobe
anESLteacher.NowI'mworkingfull-timeinaprivatelanguageschool.IteachGeneralEnglish,BusinessEnglishandIELTS.Eachday,Ilookforwardtogoingtowork.MystudentscomefromallovertheworldandIloveteachingthemaswellaslearningfromthem.
Asidefromthat,IalsomovedtoanewapartmentneartheschoolwhereIwork.It'ssmall,butdowntown,soIamrightintheheartofthecity,insteadofwayoutinthesuburbs.Suddenly,there'ssomanyfunthingstodo,intheeveningstoo.Iamamuchhappierpersontodaybecauseoftheserecentchanges.
So,howaboutyou?Ihopeyou'llhaveachancetovisitCanadaagainsoon.Inthemeantime,pleasewriteandletmeknow
what'snewwithyou.
Warmwishes
Kim
(226words)
SampleLetter3
Youshouldspendabout20minutesonthistask.
AnEnglish-speakingfriendwantstospendatwo-weekholidayinyourregionandhaswrittenaskingforinformationandadvice.Writealettertoyourfriend.Inyourletter,
offertofindsomewheretostay
giveadviceaboutwhattodo
giveadviceaboutwhattodo
giveinformationaboutwhatclothestobring
Writeatleast150words.
YoudoNOTneedtowriteanyaddress.
Beginyourletterasfollows:
Dear__________,
DearJulie
Thankssomuchforyourlatestletter.I'mreallyexcitedtohearthatyou'replanningtovisitToronto.Itwillgivemeachancetotakeyouaround,asyoudidsokindlyformewhenIwasinAmsterdamlastyear.
Regardingyourvisit,Iwouldbehappyto
helpinanywaypossible.First,unlessyoureallylikefreezingweather,IsuggestyoucomeinthesummermonthsofJulyorAugust.Thoughmosthotelsareexpensiveatthattime,wehavesomewonderfulguestsuitesavailableinourhigh-risebuilding,foronlyabout$50pernight.Theyarefullyfurnishedstudioapartments,withakitchen,soyoucanhavetheoptionofeatingin.JustletmeknowyourdatesandIcanmakeareservationforyou.
Summerisalsothetimewhenallthetouristsitesareopen.WecanvisitCentreIsland,Canada'sWonderland,NiagaraFalls,theCNTower,theRoyalOntarioMuseum,theScienceCentreandThousandIslands.Theweathershouldbewarmandcomfortable,around25–30
degreesCelsius,sobringyourinformalsummerclothes,aswinsuitandanumbrellatoo.Wedogetsummershowersquiteoften.
Ican'twaitforyoutocome!Writesoonwithmoredetails,
Warmwishes
Irene
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