WRITING TASK 1

The diagram shows the different stages in the production of woollen goods

The diagram illustrates how wool is produced for

both personal and industrial use. Generally, it is
clear that there are various steps involved,
beginning with the sheep being sheared and
ending with the woolen yarns being knitted
or woven into commercially made jackets and
carpets.
The process commences when the sheep are
sheared for their fleece. Once the collective
amount of fleece is cleaned with water and
chemicals to get rid of contaminants such
as grease, twigs, dried sweat, and other debris, it is
taken to a drying machine. Following this, the
fleece is carded, which results in tufts of wool and
pieces of string as byproducts, with the latter being reintroduced into the process to maximize
productivity. 
Then, woolen tufts are sent to a warehouse for storage before being spun into balls of yarn. In the last
stage, these yarn balls are sold for either individual pastimes, like knitting, or the commercial
purpose of making jackets or carpets.

WRITING TASK 2
Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading.
To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.
Parents throughout the world place spend time reading with their offspring to prepare them for school
where their literacy skills are further developed; however, recent research suggests that focusing on
reading at an early age can be detrimental, and participating in fun activities would be far more
beneficial. I am a strong advocate of this approach, and the benefits of it will be covered in this essay.
A fundamental reason for this is that there is no biological age for reading, and pushing infants to
acquire this skill before they are ready could have repercussions. For example, in the UK, many boys
are reluctant readers, possibly because of being forced to read, and this turned them off reading. By
focusing on other activities and developing other skills such as creativity and imagination, when they
are ready to read, they usually acquire this skill rapidly.
In addition, the importance of encouraging creativity and developing a child's imagination must be
acknowledged. Through play, youngsters develop social and cognitive skills, for example, they are
more likely to learn vocabulary through context rather than learning it from a book.
Furthermore, play allows youngsters to mature emotionally, and gain self-confidence. There is no
scientific research which suggests reading at a young age is essential for a child's development,
moreover, evidence suggests the reverse is true. In Finland, early years' education focuses on playing.
Reading is only encouraged if a child shows an interest in developing this skill. This self-directed
approach certainly does not result in Finnish school leavers falling behind their foreign counterparts. In
fact, Finland was ranked the sixth-best in the world in terms of reading.
Despite being a supporter of this non-reading approach, I strongly recommend incorporating bedtime
stories into a child's daily routine. However, reading as a regular daytime activity should be swapped
for something which allows the child to develop other skills.

WRITING TASK 1
The table below shows the consumption of three basic foods, rice, wheat and maize, by people in
four different countries
The table provides details about the amount of
calories that people from four different
countries consume on a daily basis from different
foods.
Overall, people in Egypt consume the highest
amount of calories per day out of all four countries.
Additionally, the biggest single source of caloric
intake was from the consumption of rice in
Cambodia.
At over 2,000 calories per day, Egyptians have the highest intake of calories of all four countries, along
with the highest consumption of wheat (1095 calories/day). Their consumption of both rice (501
calories/day) and maize (578 calories/day) are around half that of their wheat intake. Meanwhile, the
people of Poland have the lowest caloric intake of all four countries, with a daily wheat consumption
of 865 calories and rice consumption of 19 calories.
Caloric consumption trends in Mexico and Cambodia are quite different, with Mexicans getting most
of their calories from maize (1083 calories/day), while Camodians consume the majority of their
calories from rice (1445 calories).

WRITING TASK 2
Social media marketing can influence what consumers buy. Do you agree or disagree? To what
extent do you agree?
Since the introduction of social media applications in the early 2000's the world has become a much
smaller place. Social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become
information sources for a majority of the global market.
As such, it could be argued that marketing, which happens to be a source of information accessible on
these platforms can influence the consumers who use them. This notion is further aided by the rise in
online retail stores that conduct the bulk of their transactions online. This makes it easier for the
consumer to purchase from anywhere in the world.
As a consumer on social media, you are constantly bombarded with advertisements of various products
that are specifically designed to catch your attention. This means that most of the adverts on your news
feeds aren't random and will almost always feature something you have previously searched online or
something currently popular or trending. Given the fact that most social media users are young
consumers who are influenced by current trends and happenings, these adverts will almost always
catch their eye.
The habit of sharing, retweeting and liking also ensure that these adverts get around, quite fast. As
such, when an advert does reach your news feed you have already probably seen it on your friend's
news feed. The truth is, adverts are a form of information and with the age of the internet, information
spreads faster than a wildfire. 
Therefore, it only makes sense that in the era and age of technology, globalization and the need to be
trendy, social media marketing can influence what consumers buy.

WRITING TASK 1
The diagram below shows a school now and the plan for the school in 2025

The maps describe the current layout of a school as well as some proposals to its structure for a
future year, 2025.
Overall, though school facilities such as the main school, sports building and the football court are
expected to remain unchanged, more sports areas like basketball and tennis courts are set to be built at
the expense of the school playground in 2025. Of a particular note is the addition of new parking lots to
the school campus.
At present, the school is accessible from the main road to its east, from a parking lot in the north, which
accommodates 200 cars. The main school building is sited at the center, flanked by two basketball and
four tennis courts to its east and a small canteen and a sports building to its west. There is also a large
playground in the southern part of the school campus, with a football field to its south-west. Finally, a
row of residential blocks are located across the street from the school.
The school campus is expected to see a complete makeover in 2025. While there is only one access
point to the school area now, a south entrance leading to a new parking space will be available. A
roundabout will be constructed in the north, which will connect the old parking area and a new one
holding 20 spaces for staff. Tennis courts in the east are set to be replaced by a new canteen, while the
old one will have been converted into a science building. The playground will shrink by a third, giving
way to new basketball and tennis courts.

WRITING TASK 2
In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of
eating too much fast food. It is, therefore, necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this
kind of food. Do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that governments should levy a tariff on junk food because the number of health risks
associated with consuming this kind of food is on the rise. This essay agrees that a higher rate of tax
should be paid by fast-food companies. Firstly, alcohol and tobacco companies already pay higher
taxes and secondly, higher taxes could raise prices and lower consumption.

Higher excise on liqueur and cigarettes has proven to be successful at curbing the harm caused by these
substances. This revenue has been used to treat health problems associated with these products and has
proven useful in advertising campaigns warning people about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco
abuse. Tax from fast food could be used in the same way. The United Kingdom is a prime example,
where money from smokers is used to treat lung cancer and heart disease.
Increasing taxes would raise prices and lower consumption. Fast food companies would pass on these
taxes to consumers in the form of higher prices and this would lead to people not being able to afford
junk food because it is too expensive. Junk food would soon become a luxury item and it would only
be consumed occasionally, which would be less harmful to the general public’s health. For instance,
the cost of organic food has proven prohibitively expensive for most people and that is why only a
small percentage of the population buy it regularly.

In conclusion, junk food should be taxed at a higher rate because of the good precedent set by alcohol
and tobacco and the fact that the increased cost should reduce the amount of fast-food people buy.

WRITING TASK 1
The diagram shows how electricity is generated by a hydroelectric dam.

The diagram illustrates the production of
power through the use of a hydroelectric dam.
The process begins with water in a reservoir
and ends with the transmission of power via
long-distance power lines.
In order to generate hydroelectricity, the first
step is to collect water in a reservoir. When
power generations begins the water passes
through an intake in the bottom of the dam
and then enters a long tunnel called a
penstock. On the other hand, when power is
not being produced the intake is blocked by a large gate that prevents the flow of
water. However, when the intake is opened, the water flows down the penstock and the pressure it
creates is used to spin a turbine, which is connected to a generator in a place referred to as the
powerhouse. At the same time, the water that has gone through the turbine flows out into the river
below the dam. Finally, the generator in the powerhouse is connected to power lines which are used to
transport the electricity over long distances. 

Sample Answer 2
The diagram illustrates the production of power through the use of a hydroelectric dam.
Overall, the process is a rather complicated one, beginning with water being accumulated in a reservoir
and ending with the transmission of power into the power grid via long-distance power lines.
Accumulating water in a reservoir is the first stage in generating hydroelectricity. When power
generation occurs, water enters a lengthy tunnel known as a penstock after passing through an intake at
the base of the dam. The intake is blocked by a massive gate that stops the flow of water whilst power
is not being produced. The water runs down the penstock when the intake is opened, and the pressure it
generates is utilised to spin a turbine that is connected to a generator in a location known as the
powerhouse. The water that has passed through the turbine simultaneously empties into the river below
the dam. Ultimately, the generators in the powerhouse are linked to transmission lines, which are used
to transfer electrical energy over long distances.

WRITING TASK 2
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend,
while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often
argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse
ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before.
Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is
therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime
example, where students can simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge
quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human
interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human
interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees technology should be dismissed
for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that
were never before possible.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap in to
limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon
and not allow it to curb face to face interaction. However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the
importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

WRITING TASK 1
The figures below compare the number of internet users in several European nations as well as the
prevalence of online shopping in these countries

Given are two figures providing a comparison of internet

use in five European countries (namely Switzerland,
Germany, France, Spain and the UK) in 1995, 2000 and
2004, as well as the popularity of internet shopping in
these countries.
It is evident from the information provided that Britain had
by far the highest number of internet users in all three
years. From 16 million in 1995, the number of British user
climbed steadily to 22 million in 2000, before soaring to a
staggering 41 million in 2004. Second in terms of internet
use was Germany. This country saw a threefold increase
during the period in question, from 15 million people in 1995 to 14 million in 2000 and 15 million in
2004. A similar increase took place in France. The two nations with the fewest internet users,
meanwhile, were Switzerland and Spain.
It is also interesting to note that internet shopping was far more common in the UK than in any other
country listed. In fact, the prevalence of internet shopping in Britain was double that of Germany and
triple that of Switzerland. France and Spain, meanwhile, had moderate levels of online shopping.

WRITING TASK 2
Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century, and sea levels are
continuing to rise at alarming rates. 
What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions.

Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century, and ocean levels are
increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problems caused by this
phenomenon are the loss of land and the flooding of homes and then argue that pollution reduction and
building flood protection are the most viable solutions.

The foremost problems caused by climbing sea levels are that land is being lost and peoples’ residences
are often flooded. As water levels rise, low-lying land is submerged and many countries become
smaller. Furthermore, millions of people all over the world live in coastal areas, and if the sea rises by
even a few feet, they are inundated with water and lose their property. The devastation brought about
by this was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were
displaced.

Possible solutions to these problems would be to reduce the amount of pollution being created and to
build flood barriers. If each person reduces their carbon footprint, the negative effects on the
environment will be reduced and this will mean that the water level will stop rising. Furthermore, flood
defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby
stopping the water reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the
world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various
flood defence systems.

To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost
challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to some countries losing landmass and many of the
worlds’ cities being left underwater, but possible solutions could be to protect our environment and to
utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland.

WRITING TASK 1
The two figures below show the rate of criminal convictions among men and women of different
ages in the UK and the proportion of male and female prison inmates in the British prison system.

Given are two figure concerning criminality in

Britain. The first provides data on the rates of
conviction among men and women of various ages,
while the second indicates the gender balance of
the UK prison population.
It is apparent from the information supplied that the rate of conviction among Brits of both sexes
increases exponentially during adolescence and peaks at the age of about 20. Also evident is the fact
that men are far more likely to offend than women. From a negligible 2 percent among 10-year-old
boys, the male conviction rate soars to approximately 16 percent among 20-year-olds. The percentage
of female offenders, meanwhile, climbs from 0 percent among girls of 10 to some 5 percent for 20-
year-olds. The subsequent decades, however, see dramatic decreases in criminality among both sexes.
A mere 2 percent of crimes are committed by 60-year-old men and 0 percent by women of the same
age.
As for the proportion of male and female prison inmates, men outnumber women 24 to 1. Some 96
percent of all prisoners are men, while the remainder are female.

WRITING TASK 2
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high
school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling may be
a good option. This essay will suggest that experience gained and money saved are the biggest
advantages of this, but delaying careers and reducing motivation to study are the primary
disadvantages.

The main advantages of a gap year are learning more about the world and earning money. For students
who have just finished secondary school, working or travelling for a year will allow them to learn what
life is like outside of the education system. Also, third level education is very expensive and a lot of
students decide to work for 12 months and save up money before they begin their studies. The Times
recently reported that the average student at a UK university requires over $12,000 per annum just to
survive and many drop out because they cannot afford to stay.

Despite these advantages, students lose a year that could have been used to advance their future careers
and they often get used to working or travelling and don’t want to return to a life of study. As job
markets are very competitive, an extra year of experience can make a massive difference when
applying for jobs, and those who took a gap year are at a disadvantage. Moreover, some decide to
bypass university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer
the same prospects their future career might have done. For instance, a recent survey by the British
Government found that 26% of students who take a gap-year never enter tertiary education.
In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to accumulate
savings or learn more about the world. However, they should also be careful that it does not delay the
start of their careers and lead to disillusionment with education.

WRITING TASK 1
The graph below compares changes in the birth rates of China and the USA between 1920 and
2000.
A glance at the graph provided reveals some striking
similarities between the Chinese and US birth rates during
the period from 1920 to 2000. It is evident that both
nations saw considerable fluctuations in fertility, with
lows during the 1940s and highs during the 1950s.
Increasing from approximately 10 percent in 1920 to 15 percent in 1935, China’s birth rate then
plunged to a low of just 5 percent in the 1940s. This was followed by a period of exponential growth,
with fertility in the country reaching a peak of 20 percent in 1950. The latter half of the century,
however, brought a sustained decline in this figure.
The US birth rate, meanwhile, fluctuated at somewhere between 11 and 13 percent prior to 1940,
before dropping sharply to less than 5 percent in 1945. The following 5 years saw a rapid climb in this
rate, to somewhere in the vicinity of 15 percent in 1950, followed by a steady fall. It is interesting to
note that while the birth rates of both countries were comparable until 1950, the gap between the two
widened after this time as fertility in China slid away.

WRITING TASK 2
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary
schools rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Some authorities think that it is more favourable for pupils to begin studying languages at primary
school instead of secondary school. This essay will argue that the advantages of this outweigh the
drawbacks. The essay will first demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an additional language the
more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive benefits, followed by an analysis of
how the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with their native tongue, is not valid.

The main reason to start kids off with foreign languages early is that this increases the likelihood they
will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say that they will have far more years to perfect their skills
and it will seem perfectly normal to speak bilingually. For example, in countries such as Holland and
Norway where English is taught from a very young age, more than 95% of adults speak it at an
advanced level. Learning a second language also helps to improve overall cognitive abilities. In other
words, it benefits the overall development of a child’s brain. A recent survey by Cambridge University
found that children who studied a new language before the age of 5 were significantly more likely to
score higher in Mathematics and Science.

Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother tongue and
the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view and children from
bilingual families do just as well in both languages. My own son was brought up speaking both
Vietnamese and English and outperforms most of his classmates in both.
On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and improved brain
function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs uptake of native languages.

WRITING TASK 1
The chart below gives information about global sales of games software, CDs and DVD or video.

The chart shows the changes in the sales of video

material / DVDs, games software and CDs around
the world in billions of dollars over a three-year
period. It can be seen that the sales of videos / DVDs
and games software have increased, while the sales
of CDs have gone down slightly.
Between 2000 and 2003, the sale of videos and
DVDs rose by approximately 13 billion dollars. In
2000, just under 20 billion dollars worth of these items were sold, but in 2003, this figure had risen to a
little over 30 billion dollars.
The sales of games software also rose during this period, but less sharply. Sales increased from about
13 billion dollars in 2000 to just under 20 billion dollars three years later. By contrast, during the same
time period, the sale of CDs fell from 35 billion dollars in 2000 to about 32.5 billion dollars in 2003.

WRITING TASK 2
Physical appearance may play an important role in many spheres of life: in the person’s success in
school, in relationships with people, in the choice of a career path.
Say whether you agree or disagree with it, and if you see it as a positive or negative factor.

It is argued that the way a person looks has a crucial role in how successful they are in education, their
job and even their personal life. This essay totally disagrees with that notion because most people
achieve success through hard work and talent and it will also argue that thinking that outward
appearance is a determining success factor is a very negative thing.

The most successful people in the modern world got there because of their drive, determination,
intellect and raw talent. That is to say that it is what is inside that counts, not how one looks, and these
inner traits are much more important than how attractive a person is. Larry Page, Mark Zuckerberg,
Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are some of the most successful people, in all aspects of their lives, but
none of them reached the top because they were well groomed, know much about fashion or were born
with striking good looks.

Believing that it is the outside, rather than the inside, that counts is a very dangerous idea because it
often leads to a very vacuous and shallow person. That means that if you believe that beauty is the most
important thing, you will often have nothing to show inside and also judge other people on their looks,
rather than their talents. For example, my son is very handsome, but I discourage people from telling
him that because I do not want him to grow up thinking that being good looking is more important than
hard work or developing his intellect and morals.

In conclusion, how a person looks to others has no bearing on their success, in comparison to their
character and to think otherwise is a huge drawback for a person because relying on your looks will
only get a person so far in life, but never to the top.

WRITING TASK 1
Eating sweet foods produces acid in the mouth, which can cause tooth decay. (High acid levels are
measured by low pH values).Describe the information below and discuss the implications for dental
health.
Anyone who has visited a dentist has been told
that eating excessive amounts of sweets risks
harming the teeth. This is because sweets
lower pH levels in the mouth to dangerous
levels.

When the pH level in the mouth is kept above

5.5, acidity is such that teeth are unlikely to be
in danger of decay. Sweet foods, however, cause pH in the mouth to drop for a time, and the longer pH
levels remain below 5.5, the greater the opportunity for decay to occur.

By comparing fruit sugar, cane sugar and honey, which are all common ingredients of sweet foods, we
find that cane sugar lowers pH levels for the longest period, thus producing the greatest risk of the
three. Approximately five minutes aftfter consuming cane sugar, pH levels drop to as little as pH 3.5.
They then begin to rise slowly, but do not rise above pH 5.5 until at least 30 minutes have elapsed. By
contrast, fruit sugar, which causes the mouth’s acidity to fall to just above pH 4, poses a danger for a
shorter period: tooth decay is unlikely 20 minutes after consumption. Honey appears an even less risky
substance. Though acidity falls to about pH 4.75 within five minutes of consumption, it returns to
above pH 5.5 in under fifteen minutes.

The implications, then, are that people who insist on eating sweet foods should be aware of the
ingredients, and that fruit sugar or honey appear preferable to cane sugar.

WRITING TASK 2
Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some
governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.

Most of the firms, organization and companies as well as Government make restrictions to smoke in
work places and public amenities respectively. It has become fashionable in the world today to blame
smoking. However, although I feel that smoking can be harmful, but I don’t think it should be
forbidden completely. I would also argue that people should have the right whether they smoke or not.
Let me deal with the three positive sides of smoking. Firstly, smoking certainly helps many people to
relax. For some, it even improves concentration. If someone is upset owing to debt or they have exam,
like to smoke to reduce the pressure or tension. Most of the people like to smoke when they are
relaxing with friends. Secondly, governments throughout the world make huge profits from taxes on
cigarettes. The income obtained from taxes provide funds which are used for building school, hospital
and public places such as parks, gardens, sports ground and foot paths. Thirdly, tobacco industry
also employs tens of thousands of people all over the world, particularly in poorer countries  like
Zimbabwe or India. Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs.
Despite these positive effects there are lots of negative effects of smoking too. Initially, smoking has
been proven to be too dangerous for health. As one cigarette contain more then 4000 chemical
substances, therefore, it causes for many injurious diseases like heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, lung
cancer and cough. According to the current report, in Britain about 3,500 people are killed each year in
road accidents and 120,000 are killed by smoking. Furthermore, smoking costs government millions of
dollars because of the large number of people who need treatment in hospitals for smoking-related
problems. Moreover, there is also concern today about passive smoking. Recent research shows that
non-smokers can suffer health problems if they spend long period of time among people who do
smoke. In UK children whose parents are smoke are three times as likely to start smoking themselves.
In short, I think the world would be a better place without cigarettes. However, the decision as to
whether – smoke or not should be for each individual to make. I suggest people should not smoke in a
room or place where there are non smokers but surely they should be free to smoke elsewhere.

WRITING TASK 1
The diagram below shows the typical stages of consumer goods manufacturing, including the
process by which information is fed back to earlier stages to enable adjustment.
Most consumer goods go through a series of
stages before they emerge as finished products
ready for sale.

Raw materials and manufactured components

comprise the initial physical input in the
manufacturing process. Once obtained, these
are stored for later assembly. But assembly
first depends upon the production planning
stage, where it is decided how and in what
quantities the stored materials will be
processed to create sufficient quantities of
finished goods. The production planning stage
itself follows the requirements of the goods’
design stage that proceeds from extensive
research. After assembly, the products are
inspected and tested to maintain quality control
l Those units that pass the inspection and
testing stages are then packaged, despatched
and offered for sale in retail outlets. The level
of sales, which is the end point of the
manufacturing process, helps determine
production planning.

A product’s design is not only the result of

product research, but is also influenced by testing and market research. If the testing stage (after
assembly and inspection) reveals unacceptable problems in the finished product, then adjustments will
have to be made to the product’s design. Similarly, market research, which examines the extent and
nature of the demand for products, has the role of guiding product design to suit consumer demands
which may change with time. Market research, while influenced by product sales, also serves to foster
future sales by devising suitable advertising for the goods.

Thus the reality of consumer goods manufacturing goes well beyond a simple linear production
process.

WRITING TASK 2
People in all modern societies use drugs, but today’s youth are experimenting with both legal and
illegal drugs, and at an increasingly early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other
members of society often set a bad example.
Discuss the causes and some effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern day society.
Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse. 

Youth drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many cultures. Not only is illegal drug use on the
rise, but children as young as 10 years old are experimenting with alcohol and tobacco. The reasons for
this behaviour are unclear, but certain sociologists blame the examples set by their elders.
Parents who drink and smoke to excess are, in effect, telling their children that it is  acceptable to abuse
their bodies with drugs. Consequently, children may have a similar view towards illegal drugs, even if
their parents are against their use. In addition, drug use shown on television and in films can only
confuse children who are also taught at school that drug abuse is wrong.The pressure on young people
to perform well at school in order to compete for jobs is a possible cause of the problem. Many believe
they cannot live up to their parents’ expectations, and feel a sense of hopelessness. Also, the
widespread availability of drugs means teenagers are faced with the temptation to experiment. Drugs
are used as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with the pressures they face in society.
The effects of drug abuse are well known. Many young people’s talents are wasted, and addiction to
hard drugs can cost a user his or her life. Furthermore, those who drink and drive may be involved in
fatal road accidents. The cost to society is great, and enormous amounts of money are spent on
convicting drug dealers and on education programmes.
To conclude, I recommend that the only sensible way to solve this problem is to educate  young people
about the dangers of drug use, and to take steps to reduce the pressure of competition placed upon
them.

WRITING TASK 1
The flowchart below shows the process involved in completing the work experience requirement for
university students.

Gaining work experience prior to graduation helps university students to succeed in getting their first
job. For this reason, some universities insist that all students must complete a Work Experience
Requirement. Completing the following six stages results in the requirements’ fulfillment.

The process begins with the Application stage. A student reviews an approved list of workplaces and
submits applications to places where he would like to work. Next is the Approval stage. When a
student receives an acceptance letter, he gives it to the professor for approval. The third stage,
Schedule, requires a student to arrange his work schedule. The student should work at least 10
hours/week over 20 weeks. Reports are next. The student must complete a Weekly Report Form and
turn it in to the professor every Friday.

The fifth stage, Evaluation, takes place during the final work week. A student participates in an
evaluation meeting with his work supervisor, who submits an Evaluation Form. The last stage requires
that a student submit a Final Report before the last week of spring semester.

By following these stages and subsequently submitting the final report, the student receives credit from
the university.

WRITING TASK 2
Drug abuse is becoming a problem in our society. What are the causes of this and what are some
solutions?

Drug abuse is rife in many countries. Billions of dollars are spent internationally  preventing drug use,
treating addicts, and fighting drug-related crime. Although drugs threaten many societies, their effects
can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the effects of drug use on society, and
suggests some solutions to the problem.
Drug abuse causes multiple problems for countries and communities. The medical and psychological
effects are very obvious. Addicts cannot function as normal members of society. They neglect or abuse
their families, and eventually require expensive treatment or hospitalization. The second effect is on
crime. Huge police resources are needed to fight smuggling and dealing. Criminal gangs and mafia
underworlds develop with the money from drugs.
However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the first battle. Children need to be told at
home and in school about drugs. People need to be aware of the effects so that they can make avoid
this problem. A second approach is to increase police manpower and powers to stop dealers and to
enforce the law. However the main target should be the user. Families and counselors need to talk to
children and people at risk. Parents need to look at their children and help them to Jobs are needed to
give people a role in society.
In conclusion, although the problem of drugs may seem impossible to eliminate, there  are concrete
steps that can be taken to weaken the hold of drugs on society. The danger from drugs is too great to
ignore.

WRITING TASK 1
The take below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.
Underground Railways Systems

The table shows the details regarding the

underground railway systems in six cities.

London has the oldest underground

railway systems among the six cities. It
was opened in the year 1863, and it is
already lye years old. Paris is the second
oldest, in which it was opened in the year
1900. This was then followed by the
opening of the railway systems in Tokyo, Washington DC and Kyoto. Los Angeles has the newest
underground railway system, and was only opened in the year 2001. In terms of the size of the railway
systems, London, For certain, has the largest underground railway systems. It has 394 kilometres of
route in total, which is nearly twice as large as the system in Paris. Kyoto, in contrast, has the smallest
system. It only has 11 kilometres of route, which is more than 30 times less than that of London.

Interestingly, Tokyo, which only has 155 kilometres of route, serves the greatest number of passengers
per year, at 1927 millions passengers. The system in Paris has the second greatest number of
passengers, at 1191 millions passengers per year. The smallest underground railway system, Kyoto,
serves the smallest number of passengers per year as predicted.

In conclusion, the underground railway systems in different cities vary a lot in the site of the system,
the number of passengers served per year and in the age of the system.

WRITING TASK 2
Should Smoking be Banned?  

It has become fashionable in the world today to condemn smoking. However, although I feel that
smoking can be harmful, I do not think it should be banned completely.
Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking. First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to
relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when
they are relaxing with friends.
A further point is that governments throughout the world make huge profits from levying taxes on
cigarettes. This provides funds which are used for building schools, hospitals and other public
amenities.
The tobacco industry also employs tens of thousands of people throughout the world, particularly in
poorer countries like Zimbabwe or India. Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs.
I would also argue that people should have the right to choose whether they smoke or not. People
should not smoke in a room where there are non-smokers but surely they should be free to smoke
elsewhere.
The arguments against smoking are well known. Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health.
Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked.
A further issue is that smoking costs governments millions of pounds because of the large number of
people who need treatment in hospitals for smoking related problems.
There is also concern today about passive smoking. Recent research has shown that non-smokers can
suffer health problems if they spend long periods of time among people who do smoke.
In general, I think the world would be a better place without cigarettes. However, the decision as to
whether to smoke or not should be for each individual to make.

WRITING TASK 1
The diagram shows the design of a modern landfill for household waste.
The given diagrams provide an
illustration of a modern landfill for
household wastes. Overall, a
typical landfill is a man-made hole
dug on a solid, two-layer base in
which household refuse is kept
and toxic liquids are removed
from the landfill by the use of a
system of pipes.
The construction of a
landfill commences when a large
hole is dug out of a site with
natural rock underneath. The bottom of the hole is thereafter covered with a layer of clay and
another layer of unspecified synthetic substance. A drainage tank which is a box-
shaped compartment dug through the two aforementioned layers and a set of drainage pipes are also
installed.
When used, the landfill is filled up with household waste, with the leachate being extracted and
eventually flowing out of the site in liners. Once the rubbish has been converted into a mud-like
compound, the landfill is sealed with clay, and gases that are emitted as a result of the conversion is
eventually pumped out to an unspecified zone
Sample Answer 2:
The diagram shows the life cycle of a modern landfill used for the disposal of household waste. There
are three main stages in the life of a landfill; the construction, the use of, and the closure.
Firstly, a giant hole is dug in the earth above a bed of natural rock. Once the hole has been dug, it is
then lined with a thick layer of clay, followed by a layer of synthetic material which helps to stop
toxic waste substances from leaching into the surrounding earth. Drainage pipes and a drainage tank
are also installed in order to remove the toxic waste liquids from the bottom of the landfill.
Once the landfill has been built, it is ready to be filled with household waste. During the usage stage
of the landfill, waste liquids will sink to the bottom where they will be held in the drainage tank and
removed via the drainage pipes in order to minimise a build-up of gas. Once the landfill is full, it is
covered with a thick layer of clay. As the waste degrades over time , waste gases are emitted from the
landfill.

WRITING TASK 2
More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be
extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make
urban life better for everyone?

Cities are often seen as places of opportunity, but there are also some major drawbacks of living in a
large metropolis. In my opinion, governments could do much more to improve city life for the
average inhabitant.

The main problem for anyone who hopes to migrate to a large city is that the cost of living is likely to
be much higher than it is in a small town or village. Inhabitants of cities have to pay higher prices for
housing, transport, and even food. Another issue is that urban areas tend to suffer from social
problems such as high crime and poverty rates in comparison with rural areas. Furthermore, the air
quality in cities is often poor, due to pollution from traffic, and the streets and public transport
systems are usually overcrowded. As a result, city life can be unhealthy and stressful.

However, there are various steps that governments could take to tackle these problems. Firstly, they
could invest money in the building of affordable or social housing to reduce the cost of living.
Secondly, politicians have the power to ban vehicles from city centres and promote the use of cleaner
public transport, which would help to reduce both air pollution and traffic congestion. In London, for
example, the introduction of a congestion charge for drivers has helped to curb the traffic problem. A
third option would be to develop provincial towns and rural areas, by moving industry and jobs to
those regions, in order to reduce the pressure on major cities.

In conclusion, governments could certainly implement a range of measures to enhance the quality of
life for all city residents.