Band Score

https://ielts.idp.com/vietnam/results/scores/writing/en-gb

Samples
Agree/Disagree

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes
that support the state education system. To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?

Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need to
contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with this view.

-> paraphrase the statement. Give your opinion immediately

For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay for private
education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct amount of tax reduction for these
families, and staff would be required to manage this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a
certain amount of tax for public services that we may not use. For example, most people are
fortunate enough not to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they
would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were given a tax discount for
sending their children to private schools, we might have a situation where poorer people pay
higher taxes than the rich.

-> Provide a variety of reasons with examples. Subjunctive

In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that supports public
schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high quality education system with
equal opportunities for all young people. This will result in a well-educated workforce, and in turn
a more productive and prosperous nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see
the advantages of this in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well-qualified
and competent staff, and a well-funded education system can provide such employees.

-> Provide the second opinion and explain while giving examples.

In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people who
choose private education.
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned
with our own communities and countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?

Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as there are
problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to
help as many people as possible.

-> Provide opinion immediately with explanation or not (if the explanation is short)

On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbors and fellow citizens. In most
communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is
possible to find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those
who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give
money to support these people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating
clothing to serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there
are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritize local
charity.

-> explain the reasons for the statement (the statement that you disagree with): the reality that
aligns with the statement; the existing solutions for this problem with examples; sentences of
agreement.

At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our
national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than
those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when children
are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer
countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an
international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area.

-> “On the one hand” can go with “At the same time”
-> explain your reasons of disagreeing, real-life situation and examples; Reasons why you
prefer your opinion

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries
should not stop us from helping those who are in need.

-> admit the party truth of the statement while repeating your view.
Details of politicians’ private lives should not be published in newspapers. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

It is argued that newspapers ought not to publish the details of private lives of politicians. This
essay strongly disagrees with this view because politicians build a public image through such
news and they could be held accountable for any wrongdoings.

On the one hand, politicians can gain public trust by building a positive image through
newspapers. Being the focus of media, sometimes details of their personal interests end up on
the front pages of newspapers, which allows them to gain popularity among masses, especially
when their interests match with the general public. Recently, the pictures of a famous politician
of Milan, while playing football with local school children were published in many newspapers,
and he instantly became famous among school and college students. Hence, it helps them gain
popularity by depicting themselves in a positive way.

On the other hand, publishing details of private affairs disclose the corruption of politicians and
make them accountable. Many politicians usually hold a public office and are entrusted with
managing public funds. If they do not spend the money on the wellbeing of people and are
involved in corruption, newspapers expose their private life and put them under accountability.
For example, when details of the lavish spending of the Mayor of London, while on a vacation,
were revealed in the SUN, it prompted questions from many sections of the society, eventually
exposing his corruption with the public money. Therefore, it is important that newspapers
publish these details.

In conclusion, private matters of politicians should be published in newspapers because it

allows them to gain popularity and expose their corrupt affairs.

Some say that music, art and drama are as important as other school subjects, especially
at the primary level. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that arts education is as significant as the study of other subjects,
especially for primary students. I completely agree with this viewpoint because some
educational content could be better illustrated in the forms of arts, and the study of arts is one
key consideration which fosters all-rounded growth of young students.

The arts could deliver information to students, especially to those attending primary schools, in
a way that words in textbooks sometimes cannot. Children may become bored and tired if they
have to read or listen to too much educational content in textbooks. A colorful painting or a
catchy song, on the other hand, can be much more appealing and thus more effective in
conveying information to these children. For example, the Ghen Covy song has been taught at
most schools in Vietnam and has become one of children’s favorite songs. This song has
effectively highlighted the importance of hand washing as a means of disease prevention, and
has made it easier for many children to remember every step of hand sanitization for its catchy
melody and appealing dancing moves.
Furthermore, the study of arts is one factor that contributes to a comprehensive development of
young students. While academic subjects focus on children’s cognitive development, arts
education helps children to develop their social-emotional skills. By singing a song or drawing a
picture, these children are likely to express their feelings and nurture their sense of community.
For example, thousands of Vietnamese children, who were encouraged by their teaching staff,
drew pictures of sunflowers to deliver messages of love and support for pediatric cancer
patients.

In conclusion, the arts can sometimes be better at transmitting knowledge than textbooks, and
the provision of both academic and arts education is necessary for an all-rounded growth of
young students. I firmly believe that the study of arts should never be underestimated in any
child educational institution.

Advantages/Disadvantages
Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool.
Others, however, believe that video games are having an adverse effect on the people
who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Many people, and children in particular, enjoy playing computer games. While I accept that
these games can sometimes have a positive effect on the user, I believe that they are more
likely to have a harmful impact.

-> repeat the statement, admit the opposed opinion while declaring your opinion

On the one hand, video games can be both entertaining and educational. Users, or gamers, are
transported into virtual worlds which are often more exciting and engaging than real-life
pastimes. From an educational perspective, these games encourage imagination and creativity,
as well as concentration, logical thinking and problem solving, all of which are useful skills
outside the gaming context. Furthermore, it has been shown that computer simulation games
can improve users’ motor skills and help to prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a
plane.

-> benefits of the instance

However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. Gaming can be
highly addictive because users are constantly given scores, new targets and frequent rewards
to keep them playing. Many children now spend hours each day trying to progress through the
levels of a game or to get a higher score than their friends. This type of addiction can have
effects ranging from lack of sleep to problems at school, when homework is sacrificed for a few
more hours on the computer or console. The rise in obesity in recent years has also been linked
in part to the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that often accompany gaming addiction.
-> Explain how this instance harms people, and the following consequences

In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of video games are more significant
than the possible benefits.

In some countries, it is becoming increasingly common for people to follow a vegetarian

diet. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In a number of countries, following a vegetarian diet has become very popular. Although being a
vegetarian can limit the options when eating, I believe the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages because it allows the body to work properly.

For vegetarian people it is difficult to find varied options to eat. Since the majority of the
worldwide population have a diet that includes animal products, these type of food is the one
that is normally available at food businesses. Therefore, people with a vegetarian diet have to
choose between a limited number of plates or products when buying food or eating out. For
example, in many popular restaurants in Colombia, the menu has only a short vegetarian
section which includes only two or three plates that are completely vegetarian. However, I
believe that those options that are offered are healthier than plates that are sold in large
quantities.

Following a vegetarian diet allows the body to work better. This is because science has shown
that when our human system digests animal products, such as meat, it has to work harder to
process the food that it is not designed to receive. Thus, people that have a diet based on plants
and seeds are more prone to have a healthier life because they allow their bodies to focus their
energy in its normal processes. For instance, people who become vegetarian are less prone to
get sick because their immune system has all the energy focused on fighting bacteria and not
causing chronic inflammation because of the food. That is why I consider that following a
vegetarian diet can have more benefits in the long term.

In conclusion, although vegetarian people have fewer options when buying products without
animal ingredients, it is my belief that following a vegetarian diet has a positive impact in the
body functions.

Some companies have uniforms for their staff which must be worn at all times. Discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of this.

Employees of some companies must wear their uniforms all the time. The main advantages of
this are that wearing uniforms can be a source for advertising their products and helps to bring a
sense of belonging, while the disadvantages are that wearing inappropriate clothing for work
and hampering employee’s performance.

Employees who wear uniforms can be a source of marketing for their own products. This is
because when employees step out from their company, then people will notice their logos and
make a good impression of them, as a result, they might end up buying their items. Moreover,
staff wearing uniforms can also help to grow a sense of belonging. That is to say that if staff
wear the same clothes every time, this would lead to a feeling of team spirit and better
production in the company. To illustrate this, the workers of Lux company always dress up in the
same uniforms; thus, they become an inevitable part of the marketing team of Lux in
Bangladesh.

On the other hand, employees who always wear uniforms might end up wearing inappropriate
clothes for their work. This is because they do not have any idea of the specific material or right
sizes of the clothes that they should wear at the workplace. Wearing uniforms by employees
can also hamper their better performance. This is mainly because of making poorly designed
work clothes and, this might cause difficulties in work since they find the uniforms constricting
their work output. For instance, flight stewardesses wearing pencil skirts and high heels may
look good, but at the same time, it also causes discomfort to them and the passengers.

To conclude, the main advantages of wearing uniforms are that it can be a key element of
marketing and helps to grow a sense of belonging; however, the disadvantages are the
inappropriacy of wearing uniforms and restricted performance.

Many people are now opting to provide technology companies with their personal data in
exchange for access to software. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

These days many individuals are choosing to give tech companies their personal information to
gain access to software. Although using this software makes people’s life easier, I believe that
the benefits do not outweigh the drawbacks because companies are able to constantly influence
consumers’ choices.

The main advantage of sharing your private data with tech companies is that the software they
provide you makes your life simpler. This is because this software offers users personalized
help in their daily matters so that they can avoid wasting time and energy doing things that they
can easily do with the aid of technology. For example, Google Drive offers you a free cloud-
based storage where all your documents and pictures are automatically saved and you can
access them from any device at any time, without worrying about saving them on a pen drive
that you might lose. However, I believe that this argument is weaker because people should
prioritize their privacy.

One of the disadvantages is that once they have access to your data, tech corporations can use
them to control your choices at all times. This is to say that tech companies harvest the data you
agreed to share with them, and through an in-depth analysis performed by artificial intelligence
and through complex algorithms, they create profiles based on your interests, likes and dislikes.
These profiles are then sold to third-party companies for advertising purposes. For example,
Google records all your google searches and all the videos you watch on YouTube and then
decides what type of advertisement you would be more susceptible to. This targeted marketing
has proven extremely successful. I believe this argument is stronger because people are
deceived by these companies to generate revenues.

In conclusion, although providing confidential information to tech firms in order to use software
simplifies your life, I believe that being continuously influenced in your decisions is a major
drawback. For these reasons, I think that the negatives far outweigh the positives.

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to
living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a
house compared with living in an apartment?

Some people feel that it is better to live in a house, while it is the view of others that living in an
apartment is more advantageous. Although it is more expensive to live in a house, I believe that
there are more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house because houses are bigger
in size.

Living in a house is less cost-effective in comparison to living in an apartment. This is because

houses are usually bigger in size and offer more privacy to its inhabitants, as a result, the cost
of owning or renting and maintaining a house is usually higher than for an apartment. For
example, in Nigeria, people who live in houses spend on average three times more money than
those who live in apartments because of the higher cost of mortgages and maintenance, such
as utility bills, involved in living in houses. However, I believe that with appropriate planning and
financial discipline, this extra expense can easily be paid off.

An advantage of living in a house is that houses are more spacious. Houses are usually built to
be more accommodating than apartments, and this is an important factor to consider, especially
for large families who require playgrounds and gardens for their children. To illustrate, in
Nairobi, the average size of a house measures around 700 square meters, which is large
enough to accommodate a private car park, a garden and children’s playground, as compared
to an apartment, which does not have enough space for these amenities. Therefore, I believe
that there are more advantages than there are disadvantages of residing in a house than in an
apartment.

In conclusion, even though it costs more to live in houses than in apartments, I believe that
there are more benefits than drawbacks to living in a house because houses are more
accommodating.

In many countries, the government prioritizes economic growth above all other
concerns. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
Economic growth is prioritized above all other concerns by the state, in many nations. The
advantages of this are, improved quality of life of people and good infrastructure. The
disadvantages of prioritizing economic growth above all other concerns are unaffordable cost of
living and more environmental damage.

The main advantage of giving importance to economic growth is, it improves the quality of life of
people. This is because with economic progress, states generate lots of revenue which can be
used to provide high quality services such as free education, good public transportation and
sophisticated health care systems. Another advantage is developing good infrastructure. When
a government prioritizes economic growth, they would build a good infrastructure to attract both
domestic and foreign investments. So infrastructure in a nation is usually developed when
economic growth is prioritized. For example, in India many highways and an international airport
are built in the National Capital Region which attracted thousands of companies to establish a
branch in that region.

One of the main disadvantages of prioritizing economic growth is unaffordable cost of living.
That is to say, with economic growth, prices of consumer products and real estate increases
rapidly making it difficult for low-income families to afford the cost of living. Another
disadvantage is more environmental damage. This is because, to develop the industries and to
get maximum profits, nations tend to use the most accessible and locally available sources of
energy. This leads to more and more use of fossil fuels and thus causing more environmental
damage. For example, coal is widely used in China to supply energy to its industries because it
is cheap and can be mined within the country.

In conclusion, the advantages of prioritizing economic growth above all other concerns are
improved quality of life of people and good infrastructure. The disadvantages are unaffordable
cost of living and more environmental damage.

In some countries, it is becoming increasingly common for people to follow a vegetarian

diet. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In many places around the world, people are choosing to follow a vegetarian diet. The
disadvantages are that meat related businesses are being badly impacted and it causes protein
deficiency in people. The advantages are that fewer animals are being butchered and it protects
people from meat related diseases. This essay argues that the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages.

On the one hand, meat related businesses are badly impacted. When people follow a
vegetarian diet, it decreases the demand of meat, which forces the businesses to lower the
meat prices. Another disadvantage is that vegetarian people develop protein deficiency. That is
to say that meat has significantly more protein than vegetables, and it is difficult to consume a
sufficient amount of protein just from vegetables. For example, in Mumbai, people eat only
vegetarian food and consume less protein, and this is the primary reason for their lethargy.
However, this essay believes that people can fulfill their daily protein needs from vegetables if
they consume more nutritious vegetables everyday.
On the other hand, fewer animals are being killed. When people decide not to consume meat, it
plummets the demand, which results in a lesser number of animals killed. Another advantage is
that vegetarian people are less prone to meat related diseases. A vegetarian diet prevents
people from any meat related virus going inside the body and developing any sickness. For
example, in Sudan, people don’t consume meat and the country has the lowest number of
people with medical conditions. In my opinion, a vegetarian diet should be preferred because it
prevents a person from many diseases in the long run.

In conclusion, while a vegetarian diet is not good for meat related businesses and people tend
to develop protein deficiency, fewer animals are being killed and prevents people from meat
related diseases. This essay believes that advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Today people are travelling more than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the
benefits of travelling for the traveller?

Nowadays, people are travelling more than at any time in the past. The main reason for this is
that it is cheaper to travel now, and the main benefits of travelling for the traveller are that they
can expose to different cultures and expand their social network.

One of the main reasons people are travelling more now is that it is not as expensive as before.
That is to say that there are many new travel transportation companies exist now, such as flight
and bus companies, while there were only a few of them in the past. As a result, there is a big
competition between these companies to attract more customers, which results in massive price
reduction. For example, Ryanair, a famous flight company in Europe, sells tickets starting from
$15 during the sale, from London to European countries.

One of the main benefits of travelling for the traveller is that they can understand different
cultures better. This is because when people travel to a new country, they have a chance to
spend time with locals and experience their traditions. Also, museums and monuments are
mainly visited by tourists to learn more about the country’s culture. Furthermore, being able to
enlarge their social circle is another benefit of travelling. Visitors can meet a plethora of people
from different nations while travelling. For instance, people who are using Couchsurfing app,
which allows people to stay at locals’ houses when travelling, are making friends from all around
the globe.

In conclusion, the principal reason why people are travelling more than ever before is that it is
less costly now, and the main advantages of this are that travellers can learn about different
cultures and can meet with people from all around the world.
Multi-part essay

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is
the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is
heard everywhere nowadays?

It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be found around the world. Music is a vital part
of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more
important than modern, international music.

Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children, we are taught
songs by our parents and teachers as a means of learning language, or simply as a form of
enjoyment. Children delight in singing with others, and it would appear that the act of singing in
a group creates a connection between participants, regardless of their age. Later in life,
people’s musical preferences develop, and we come to see our favorite songs as part of our life
stories. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In short,
it is difficult to imagine life without it.

-> cringe af (answer the first question)

In my opinion, traditional music should be valued over the international music that has become
so popular. International pop music is often catchy and fun, but it is essentially a commercial
product that is marketed and sold by business people. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses
the culture, customs and history of a country. Traditional styles, such as ...(example)..., connect
us to the past and form part of our cultural identity. It would be a real pity if pop music became
so predominant that these national styles disappeared.

-> The popularity of modern music genres and the values of traditional music, explain why we
should embrace the later

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that traditional music
should be given more importance than international music.

-> Repeat in turn the 2 answers

Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can
governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do?

Humans are responsible for a variety of environmental problems, but we can also take steps to
reduce the damage that we are causing to the planet. This essay will discuss environmental
problems and the measures that governments and individuals can take to address these
problems.
Two of the biggest threats to the environment are air pollution and waste. Gas emissions from
factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to global warming, which may have a
devastating effect on the planet in the future. As the human population increases, we are also
producing ever greater quantities of waste, which contaminates the earth and pollutes rivers and
oceans.

-> Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment, shortly and
effectively with classic examples

Governments could certainly make more effort to reduce air pollution. They could introduce laws
to limit emissions from factories or to force companies to use renewable energy from solar, wind
or water power. They could also impose ‘green taxes’ on drivers and airline companies. In this
way, people would be encouraged to use public transport and to take fewer flights abroad,
therefore reducing emissions. Individuals should also take responsibility for the impact they
have on the environment. They can take public transport rather than driving, choose products
with less packaging, and recycle as much as possible. Most supermarkets now provide reusable
bags for shoppers as well as ‘banks’ for recycling glass, plastic and paper in their car parks. By
reusing and recycling, we can help to reduce waste.

-> Describe in turn what governments and individuals can do

In conclusion, both national governments and individuals must play their part in looking after the
environment.

-> Conclude the statements that you perceive the bullet points

Cause/Solution

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this
cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to
reduce the impact of aging populations.

It is true that people in industrialized nations can expect to live longer than ever before.
Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend, societies can
take steps to mitigate these potential problems (because this is an anticipating question)

->Paraphrasing the whole question

As people live longer and the populations of developed countries grow older, several related
problems can be anticipated. The main issue is that there will obviously be more people of
retirement age who will be eligible to receive a pension. The proportion of younger, working
adults will be smaller, and governments will therefore receive less money in taxes in relation to
the size of the population. In other words, an aging population will mean a greater tax burden for
working adults. Further pressures will include a rise in the demand for healthcare, and the fact
young adults will increasingly have to look after their elderly relatives.

-> declare the problem and then the cause and give some explanations

There are several actions that governments could take to solve the problems described above.
Firstly, a simple solution would be to increase the retirement age for working adults, perhaps
from 65 to 70. Nowadays, people of this age tend to be healthy enough to continue a productive
working life. A second measure would be for governments to encourage immigration in order to
increase the number of working adults who pay taxes. Finally, money from national budgets will
need to be taken from other areas and spent on vital healthcare, accommodation and transport
facilities for the rising numbers of older citizens.

-> Declare the part where you introduce solutions and provide them logically

In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are certain to arise as
the populations of countries grow older.

-> Conclude the solutions (again)

In some countries, even though the rates of serious crimes are decreasing, people feel
less safe than ever before. What do you think are the causes of this problem and what
measures could be taken to solve it?

During the course of history, crime term is viewed as a negative blow on both society and each
individual. Although a reducing crime statistic in some particular countries has been publicly
recognized in recent decades, other kinds of crime might cause local residents a sense of less
safety than previous times, especially juvenile crime, so some policies need to be implemented
to ensure tackle this phenomenon.

There is several compelling evidence that crime under the age of 18 has been a contributor to
unsafe feelings. With the aid of technological advancement, teenagers nowadays are frequently
exposed to violence in the media and mimic violent acts whose brains are not fully developed
and can not tell the difference between right and wrong. Violent scenes on Youtube, for
example, are usually starred by adults who are likely to become negative role models, leading to
the growth of juvenile crime after watching those videos, especially turning to bullies in school.
Thus, parents will have a fear of their offspring not only befriending these bullies but also
becoming a potential crime if they can not control the information absorbed by their children due
to hectic working schedules.

With regard to the responsibility of the government to assure residents do not feel unsafe,
banning violence-related contents on the Internet should be adopted. This policy required
producer companies to minimize scenes containing violence before publicizing final products. In
addition, adults also are in charge by teaching their infants to identify wrongdoings to avoid. By
spending time with those, parents could either diminish unsafe feelings or intervene at the right
time whether friends of their youngsters are good or not.

In conclusion, juvenile crime is a major indicator of increasing fearness of society despite a drop
in serious crime rate. Government must take immediate action by passing violence- content
restriction on stakeholders on a national scale and parents should dedicate more time to their
children to help authorities to address these issues.

Nowadays more and more people have to compete with young people for the same jobs.
What problems does this cause? What are some possible solutions?

These days the competition for the same job has increased, as more young people apply for it.
The main problems this causes are high competition for one job and an increased
unemployment rate. The most viable solutions are creating special programs for young people
and expanding the job market by introducing special positions for others.

Having a high number of people applying for the same job creates high competition for one
position, among younger and older people. As a result, for one position apply hundreds of
people, and only one, mainly young people, is hired. Additionally, this leads to unemployment,
as there are not many positions available to people and not everyone finds a job. In Ukraine, for
example, every year many people in their forties or fifties file for unemployment insurance, as
they were not able to find a job due to the companies prefer hiring younger candidates rather
them.

One way for governments to overcome this difficulty is to create special positions for the elder
and senior people, like to be trainers. In such a way, they will not lose their jobs and will be able
to pass their knowledge to the younger generations. Another solution is for organizations to
introduce more internships or traineeships. Creating such opportunities will assist people in
having at least temporary jobs. For example, every year a well-known Ukrainian mobile
company Life hires the younger for one year program with a future potential full-time
employment, as they want to retain their current employees and provide future job opportunities
for younger generations.

In conclusion, having more young people applying for the same job creates high competition
and unemployment. In order to overcome this, the government should introduce more positions,
like trainers for elderly and current employees, and offer more internships for the younger
generation.

In some countries, younger people are neglecting their right to vote. What problems does
this cause and what are some of the possible solutions?

It is argued that in certain nations youth are not using their right to vote. This would hinder the
political change, and it would also result in policies made that are not beneficial for these young
people. The most viable solutions would be to create awareness among the younger generation
and promote them to participate in politics.
Not participating in elections would mean that it would be difficult to change the government
which is necessary for some countries across the globe. This is because, in any functional
democracy, the only way to change the ruling party is by casting votes in the electoral process.
Furthermore, if young individuals forge their right to vote, it would result in policies made that do
not benefit them. As a result, they would feel that the state is not addressing their concerns and
end up leaving the country. For instance, every year thousands of young adults from developing
countries immigrate to Europe and North America because they are unhappy with their
government’s performance.

One way to tackle these issues is to inform these people about the power of vote. Campaigns
should be held in universities, and colleges to educate youth about their political rights. Another
solution is to promote these young people to come into politics. Doing this it would ensure their
representation and their voices being heard. For example, Nelson Mandela was a young
political activist who successfully fought against racism and became the first black President of
South Africa.

In conclusion, neglecting to vote by the young generation would delay the necessary
government change, and laws made that are not in their favor. However, encouraging youth
participation in politics and awareness campaigns can be possible solutions to tackle these
problems.

In some countries, even though the rates of serious crimes are decreasing, people feel
less safe than ever before. What do you think are the causes of this problem and what
measures could be taken to solve it?

Although grievous offenses are reducing, some people feel more insecure than they used to.
The main reason behind this is the increase of cyber bullying and hate-crimes, and the solution
would be to raise the general awareness among the masses and by promulgating new laws.

The primary cause of people not feeling safe than they used to is because the arena of crime
has changed. More people are interacting virtually over the internet, which is mostly
unregulated. Therefore, people are easily subject to harassment and bullying on social medias.
Moreover, people are also subject to hate-crimes which is a consequence of constant portrayal
of a certain group of people as evil by the media. For example, labeling the activities of
criminals, who professes the Islamic faith, as terrorists has resulted in an increase in hate-
crimes against Muslims across America.

The solution to such problems would be in educating the general people so that they are more
aware. This will allow them to act more responsibly. Also, the government can play their part by
enacting new laws that addresses the needs of time. This will make their citizens feel more
secure because they can have their problems redressed. For instance, the government of
Bangladesh recently enacted Digital Security Act, 2018 and Digital Security Rules, 2020 in order
to penalize offenses that take place in the cyberspace, as crimes like online harassment and
cyber bullying was not previously defined as an offense.
In conclusion, insecurity among some section of the population is still prevailing due to the
change in the nature of crimes that are being committed nowadays. However, this can easily be
addressed by making people aware and also by making new laws.

Discuss both sides

Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists
such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by
alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some people disagree
with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come
from both governments and other sources.

-> Declare your opinion in the introduction

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in
public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centers. In Liverpool, for example, there are
several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped
recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people
about the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and
local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their
funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

-> Good side of the instance: provide some real-life examples and their functions, explain why
the state funding would be helpful

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The
main reason for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example,
state budgets need to be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among
other areas. These public services are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work
of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists
do a job like any other professional, and they should therefore earn their own money by selling
their work.

-> Express your understanding of the other side, provide bullet points with realistic reasons and
explanation

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sources of financial
support, but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.

-> Declare your opinion once again in the conclusion

Positive/negative essay

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of
technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people
make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people.
Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive
and negative effects.

-> You can say it has both positive and negative effects, paraphrase the whole question

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly,
telephones and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever
meeting each other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships
between students and teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a
teacher in a different city or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to
make new friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through their
computers rather than face to face.

-> The influences of using technology in human interaction in comparison between the past and
the present in the most basic aspects of life.

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people
in different countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters
or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-
face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts.
On the other hand, the availability of new communication technologies can also have the result
of isolating people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose
to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’
relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.

-> Divide the paragraph into 2 parts where you talk about the positives and negatives of the
development. Notice the order if you want to low key emphasize one of the two ideas, this
would help shorten the conclusion and create matching effect

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionized communication between people, but not
all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

-> sum up your (pros&cons) opinion with how the instance affects life

These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go
out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a
negative development?
It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more
women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this,
and I consider it to be a very positive trend.

-> You can have a strong opinion and stick to one side

In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies. Equal rights
movements have made great progress, and it has become normal for women to gain
qualifications and pursue a career. It has also become socially acceptable for men to stay at
home and look after their children. At the same time, the rising cost of living has meant that both
marriage partners usually need to work and save money before starting a family. Therefore,
when couples have children, they may decide who works and who stays at home depending on
the personal preference of each partner, or based on which partner earns the most money.

-> The reasons

In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress. We should be happy to
live in a society in which men and women have equal opportunities, and in which women are not
put under pressure to sacrifice their careers. Equally, it seems only fair that men should be free
to leave their jobs in order to assume childcare responsibilities if this is what they wish to do.
Couples should be left to make their own decisions about which parental role each partner
takes, according to their particular circumstances and needs.

-> Explain why you view it as positive

In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes
in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.

-> Your conclusion of the cause and your belief on your chosen aspect

In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of second-hand clothing amongst
the younger generation. Why is this happening? Do you think it’s a positive or negative
development?

In recent years, buying used clothes has become popular among youngsters. This is because
many adolescents try to be like famous people, and I think it is a positive development because
teenagers can save money for other useful things.

Many adolescents buy used clothes because they want to be like famous people. That is to say
that they need different outfits for any occasion and that is expensive. That is because they
cannot cope with the financial burden of buying new clothes from stores, such as Prada or
Gucci. As a result, many youngsters buy second-hand clothes. For example, in the United
States, many teenagers buy used Gucci products in order to wear them and be like their idols.
I think it is a positive development because teenagers who buy used shirts or pants can save
money for other useful things, such as a computer or a car. That is to say that, if these
adolescents have a computer, they could use it for the school or even to work in computer
related jobs. For example, many teenagers can work as a freelancer in many jobs that do not
require high skills to do it, such as making presentations or translating works from other
language and as a result earn money and save it.

In conclusion, many adolescents are buying used clothes because they want to be like their
idols, and I think it is a positive development because they can use the money they do not
spend in useful things.

Multi-part and opinion essay

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could
this be? Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically produced films.
There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that governments should
promote local filmmaking by subsidizing the industry.

There are various reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films
produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have
huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood
blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their
global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is
that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most
accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low budget filmmaking in many
countries suffers in comparison.

-> The reason why foreign films are more appealing to the mass, boiling down to why local films
are flopped

In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every country, there
may be talented amateur film-makers who just need to be given the opportunity to prove
themselves. To compete with big-budget productions from overseas, these people need money
to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other costs related to producing high quality films. If
governments did help with these costs, they would see an increase in employment in the film
industry, income from film sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. New Zealand, for
example, has seen an increase in tourism related to the 'Lord of the Rings' films, which were
partly funded by government subsidies.

-> provide example/explanation on why you think it should or shouldn’t

In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality of locally
made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that currently dominate the
market.

-> Conclude the should question but make it include the reasons.

Discuss both views and opinion

Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the
safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned
because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favor of them
because of their benefits to humanity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they are
cleared for human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I
would have to support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of
medicines.

->

On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal experimentation. To use a
common example of this practice, laboratory mice may be given an illness so that the
effectiveness of a new drug can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans
have no right to subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures should
be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not justify the suffering caused, and
that scientists should use alternative methods of research.

-> The opinion that you support

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always be available.
Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering
on the part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents
of such research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a medical
treatment that had been developed through the use of animal experimentation. Personally, I
agree with the banning of animal testing for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a
necessary evil where new drugs and medical procedures are concerned.
-> The opposed opinion that you partly agree with, spend a little space to explain why you partly
support this idea. This layout happens because you strongly support one side of the aspect
instead of equally supporting both sides.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for vital medical
research until equally effective alternatives have been developed.

-> sum up final opinion, paraphrasing your opinion in the introduction

Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while
others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.

People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums
can and should be both entertaining and educational.

On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are
tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people
will want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too
much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather
than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have
interactive activities or even games as part of its exhibitions.

On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The aim of
any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually
this means that the history behind the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be
done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors, while
other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the
exhibition. In this way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history,
culture, science and many other aspects of life.

-> You don’t mention your opinion towards one side on the body because your equally support
both

In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an interesting,

enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and learn something at the
same time.

-> conclude your mentioned ideas

Some people think that parents should teach their children how to be good members of
society. Others, however, believe that school is the best place to learn this. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.
Some would say that parents should teach their offspring how to be good members of society,
while others are of the opinion that school is the best in this regard. This essay agrees with the
latter point and will show that, despite the practical experiences that parents give their children,
school lessons can give deep insights into what it takes to be good citizens.

Some believe that parents can educate their children about being good members of society
based on their life experiences. This is because the life experiences that parents can give their
children are straightforward, down-to-earth, and so they can easily apply what their parents
teach them in reality. For example, many children in Thailand become more polite, honest, and
caring to everyone as a direct result of the practical lessons that their parents give them at
home. However, I believe that parents now are so busy and do not spend much time with their
children teaching them.

Lessons at school can provide children with valuable insights into being good members of
society. In class, students can receive lessons about different traits of a truly good person that
society needs, and then they put what they learn into practice by creating real-life problems and
solving them together. For instance, after receiving lessons in civic education at school, many
Vietnamese students are more willing to help their neighbors and even strangers, and they feel
extremely happy after doing something good for others. For this reason, I believe that school
lessons are more influential to young children.

In conclusion, despite the practical experiences that parents can give their children at home, this
essay believes that school lessons can help students deepen their understanding of being good
members of society.

Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number
of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health
and that other measures are required. Discuss both these views and give your own
opinion.

It is argued that the sports facilities should be increased in number to improve citizens’ health,
while others claim that other initiatives are more essential to be conducted. While I support the
idea that installing more sports facilities would help ordinary people to enhance their general
health, I am more convinced that other effective measures should be taken.

On the one hand, people’s general health status could have been improved greatly via
exercising. It is proven that working out fastens the amount of oxygen to the brain, helping
people be more conservative and optimistic. Therefore, lack of physical exercise or insufficient
physical movements one’s working performance may be impacted and less productive. For
example, Hanoi citizens are reported to be healthier than they were because of the availability
of exercise equipment right at the local parts. However, I believe that this measure just improves
partially not whole the public’s health.
On the other hand, there is a wide range of conducts to prevent poor health conditions.
Improving diet quality is one of the effective measures that should not be neglected. A good
physical health is indeed contributed by many elements, and a full nutrient meal makes
consumers stronger and strongly resistant to some diseases. In Vietnam, there used to be a
program of introducing milk into daily meals to deter malnutrition for children. After 2 years of
conducting this campaign, the number of underweight children was minimized noticeably.
Therefore, I completely advocate other solutions to implement to warrant the public’s general
health.

In conclusion, although launching more sports facilities would benefit the overall health of
citizens, I think that this matter could be addressed better by other methods.

Practice
Agree/Disagree
(Cambridge 10 - Test 1)
It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early
age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good
behavior to children?

Some people believe that several kinds of unpleasant responses should be included in the
process of teaching children to distinguish good and bad in their early upbringing state. While I
tend towards the idea that applying punishments in teaching is wrong, I would have to admit that
small and effective discipline should be considered and there would be some suitable methods.

On the one hand, punishing children in their personality formative state could have several
drawbacks. The most harmful effect is that children would believe that they have reached the
end of the road when making mistakes and facing the punishments (sanctions). Those
immature minds would think that making minor faults is an extremely serious deal and would be
terrified of failures when they grow up or end up thinking that they are the worst human ever.
Additionally, children might develop dishonesty to avoid letting others see their mistakes. Last
but not least, children might think that bigger humans have the right to judge and impose
punishments on the younger ones, this could result in the child bullying younger beings as they
grow older.

On the other hand, I think that it is vital for children to learn about the consequences of behaving
badly by applying some discipline accompanied with adults’ guidance to fix and move on from
the situation. There are some useful ways to respond to children's bad actions. We should show
them the social outcomes they might meet, such as peers or teachers, parents or siblings would
be sad and wouldn’t like them if they act out. This would make the child develop some sense of
redemption. Moreover, we can take away some privileges of a child such as a portion of time-
out or detention.

In conclusion, I think that abusing sanctions wouldn’t be helpful to a child’s conscience

development but some harmless and strict discipline should be required to make the child
become more responsible and mature.

Sample:

One important stage in a child's growth is certainly the development of a conscience, which is
linked to the ability to tell right from wrong. This skill comes with time and good parenting, and
my firm conviction is that punishment does not have much of a role to play in this. Therefore I
have to disagree almost entirely with the given statement.

To some extent the question depends on the age of the child. To punish a very young child is
both wrong and foolish, as an infant will not understand what is happening or why he or she is
being punished. Once the age of reason is reached however, a child can be rewarded for good
behavior and discouraged from bad. This kind but firm approach will achieve more than harsh
punishments, which might entail many negative consequences unintended by the parents.

To help a child learn the difference between right and wrong, teachers and parents should firstly
provide good role modeling in their own behavior. After that, if sanctions are needed, the
punishment should not be of a physical nature, as that merely sends the message that it is
acceptable for larger people to hit smaller ones, an outcome which may well result in the child
starting to bully others. Nor should the punishment be in any way cruel.

Rather, teachers and parents can use a variety of methods to discipline their young charges,
such as detention, withdrawal of privileges, and time-out. Making the punishment fit the crime is
a useful notion, which would see children being made to pick up rubbish they have dropped,
clean up graffiti they have drawn, or apologize to someone they have hurt. In these ways
responsibility is developed in the child, which leads to much better future behavior than does
punishment.
Advantages/Disadvantages

Multi-part essay

Cause/Solution

Discuss both sides

Positive/negative essay

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same
products anywhere in the world.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Multi-part and opinion essay

Discuss both views and opinion

Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others
believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the
future, such as those related to science and technology
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion

There are many perspectives on the subjects that undergraduates should study. Some say that
students should be given the opportunities to dive into whatever majors they might like, while
others prefer emphasizing on subjects that are perceived as useful such as science and
technology in higher education. While I would agree that we should give a huge attention to
bullet fields that help the world grow, other majors are also undeniably important and shouldn’t
be ignored.

It is extremely beneficial for university students to major in the bullet fields such as science,
technology or engineering, because they take huge credits for the development of human lives.
Thus, governments and businesses have been heavily investing in those aspects and would
need a large qualified workforce. Having a huge amount of students who major in these
subjects would benefit both the society and the students themselves. Increasing attention
means increasing competition in finding new inventions, this would push the chance of creating
a higher quality life. Additionally, focusing on these majors helps widen undergraduates’ job
opportunities with good income

On the other hand,

In conclusion, it is understandable that abc are widely embraced by the majority of the people,
but it is vital that we also invest more in other kinds of fields

Sample: