BC-PUBLISHED TASK 1

BAND 9
i. BAR CHART
1. The bar chart below shows estimated world illiteracy rates by region and by gender for the last year.

The graphic shows global rates of illiteracy for last year broken down by both gender and area. It is evident
that there are great discrepancies in literacy rates according to both geographic location and sex.
What is most striking when looking at the data is the fact that the burden of illiteracy is disproportionately
borne by women, wherever they hail from. In almost every region on the planet, the number of women who
cannot read is significantly higher than the number of illiterate men; in East Asia and Oceania, as well as in
the developed countries, it is actually double. Only in Latin America and the Caribbean is there little disparity
between the genders in literacy rates.
The geographical distribution of education is also plain in this chart. Men everywhere are less likely to be
unable to read and write than women: however, in some parts of the world, extremely significant segments
of the whole population are illiterate. This is most marked in South Asia, the Arab states and Sub-Saharan
Africa where approximately half of all women do not possess literacy skills, a lack they share with a third of
all men. In East Asia, a fifth of women and 10% of men are uneducated in reading and writing.
This is in stark contrast with developed countries, where the proportion of illiterates is truly marginal, even
though the absolute number of women is nevertheless double that of men.
Overall, we can see that there are great differences in educational provision across the globe and that
(leaving aside Latin America and the Caribbean) the lion’s share of illiteracy is given to women.
2. The bar chart below shows current health expenditure totals as percentages of GDP* for various
European countries for the years 2002, 2007 and 2012.

The bar chart shows the percentage of GDP that is spent on healthcare in a number of different European
countries over a ten-year period. It is salient to note that there is great variation between the nation states
in terms of expenditure with high and low levels of spending, as well as increases and decreases over time.

Certain countries can be described as high-spending compared to their peers. Specifically, Switzerland and
Belgium spent the largest proportion over the period with 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. This is
compared to Lithuania and Estonia who the least (4-5 per cent and 3 per cent). This means Switzerland
almost spent 75 per cent more than Estonia as a percentage of their respective GDPs.

Over the period there was some variation in the percentage of healthcare investment, with increases or
decreases of between 1-2 per cent. For example, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia and Norway all saw
increases in spending. However, France, Netherlands and Luxemburg experienced a fall. The Netherlands
was the only country spending deviated significantly, dropping from 10 to 8 per cent. By contrast, certain
countries saw no change in the money they allocated to healthcare over the years in question. Spain (8 per
cent) and Estonia (3 per cent) and fall into this category.

Overall, the amount of money spent on healthcare differs dramatically between the different countries.
Furthermore, it appears that health care spending fluctuates year upon year in many of the countries
surveyed.
3. The bar chart below shows the number of employed persons by job type and sex for Australia last year

The bar chart gives demographic information for employment sectors and gender in Australia last year.
There were significantly more men than women in management, production - over 400,00 in each case and
800,000 more for tradesperson roles. When looking at management roles proportionally, they were three
times more likely to be filled by men. However, the gap was largest in trade occupations with men ten times
more likely to be doing this kind of work. There was a less sizeable difference for labourers and semi-
professionals but still considerably more men than women. The only sectors in which there were more
women than men were in those of professionals and clerical, with 50,000 and 100,00 more women in each
respectively. However, when looking at the figures you can see that there were still a high number of men
who were employed in these areas.
Overall, we can see that there are more men than women in nearly every sector and even those with a
female majority the figures were close. This means that men make up a disproportionate amount of the
Australian workforce.
4. The bar chart below shows average UK salaries, by city.

The bar chart shows the average salary for seven different UK cities. When looking at the chart it is clear that
your earning will vary depending on your geographical location.

On average, Londoners earn far more than residents of other cities. However, it is also interesting to note
that other cities in the South of England have disproportionately high remuneration with Cambridge at
£29,854 the second highest followed by Bristol at £27,828.

Next highest are the two Scottish cities and again with £27,592 and £26,150 respectively. Residents of the
cities of Manchester and Birmingham earn a fairly similar amount and at pounds this is the lowest on the
chart.

Overall, it is clear that in the UK your earning potential is dependent on your location with people living in
the south east and especially the capital earning considerably more.
5. The bar chart shows the percentage of adult male smokers in seven countries along with the world
average in 2000 and 2015.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

This bar chart displays information regarding the number of men who smoked in seven countries in 2000
and 2015. This is presented alongside the world mean.

Overall, the world average shows that smoking in men has reduced ten percent from about 45% to 35% over
the fifteen-year period and this is reflected in most, but not all, of the individual countries shown. Egypt and
Lebanon, for example, show a ten and fifteen percent increase respectively in male smoking between 2000
and 2015, making five of the seven countries presented as having a higher than average number of male
smokers in 2015, where only three of the seven; Armenia, Bangladesh and Cuba were higher in 2000. Despite
the noticeable increase in smoking rates in Egypt and Lebanon, they still do not have as high a proportion of
smokers as Armenia and Cuba, where over half the population smoke.

Most other countries show a decrease in smoking, with Bangladesh showing the greatest reduction, falling
from 65% to 40%, as nearly a quarter of the male population stopped smoking, and Cuba the lowest at
around 2%. Australia and Mexico showed drops in smoking of around a third, reflecting the worldwide
average decrease, although the proportion of men who smoked was around 15% less in Australia than the
world median in both 2000 and 2015.
ii. TABLE
1. The table below shows how the UK unemployed spent their time last year.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.

The table shows how men and women who were out of work last year spent their time. The information is
broken down into parts of the day and fourteen different activities.
First of all, it is interesting to note that the majority of both men and women who are unemployed are
engaged in productive activities in the morning with 61% of men and 91% of women either shopping, trying
to secure employment or doing housework, with women being twice as likely to do the latter in the
afternoon. However, figures for the afternoon show that the unemployed devote more time to leisure
activities such as watching television, visiting friends or reading.
When looking at differences between genders it seems that men were more likely to be engaged with home
improvement, gardening or active pursuits such as walking or taking part in sports. More sedentary activities
such as staying in bed or sitting around were similar for both sexes. Twice the number of men than women
spent their time drinking but this still only accounted for a very small proportion.
Overall, it appears that contrary to many stereotypical preconceptions of the unemployed both men and
women do spend a proportion of each day on productive tasks with their being some interesting differences
between genders.
2. The table below shows local catches and imports of fresh fish into Perth, Australia for the years 2004 -
2014.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.

The table gives a detailed breakdown in metric tons of how much fish was caught locally and how much was
imported over a ten-year period in Perth, Australia.

There was a locally caught fish than imported fish over the entire period. This of locally caught fish increased
dramatically in the first four years before peaking in 2008 at 8136.2 metric tons and then decreasing every
year after that, although it did recover slightly in the final year to 5031.9 tons.
With regards to levels of imported fish there was much more fluctuation than with , ranging from 231.6 tons
in 2005 to 1227.3 tons in 2012. However, the overall trend shows an increase over the period with
considerably more fish being supplied internationally.

Overall, we can see that Perth was not very reliant on imported fish and was able to provide a large amount.
When looking at total of fish, we can see that amounts increased until 2009 and then dropped off. However,
Perth seems to be more reliant on fish imports than in the past.
3. The table below shows the world's ten most expensive countries for petrol along with other financial
information.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.

The table shows the ten countries with the highest fuel costs and provides a breakdown of average monthly
earnings and expenditure on petrol.
Of the ten countries, those in northern Europe have the highest income with Norwegians and the Swedish
earning the most. In contrast, there are only two non-European countries on the table, Turkey and Eritrea,
and they have the lowest income with people in Eritrea earning on average approximately a tenth that of
those in Norway, the highest at $4329.07.
It is also interesting to note that there is very little variation in the amount of money spent on petrol and
that this does not seem to correlate to location or income. For example, expenditure in Norway and Turkey
is very similar ($319.85 and $315.96 respectively) and in Sweden and Eritrea it is identical at $275.
In summary, there is a huge disparity in income in the listed countries but very little difference in how much
of this is spent on petrol. This means that there is a huge discrepancy in the percentage of income spent on
petrol with Norway spending 7.4% of their income on fuel compared with over sixty percent in Eritrea.
4. The chart gives employment and education statistics for eight European countries in 2015.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

The table provides education and employment statistics for eight European nations in 2015. Included are
employment and higher education rates, as well as figures for average income.
First of all, it is interesting to note that the amount of income differs greatly across the continent, with
citizens of Norway earning more than twelve times as much as those of Bulgaria, with €41,483 and €3,332
respectively. There is a much less variation in the other categories.
What is most clear is that the eight nations can be split into two groups of four which share similar statistics.
Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia and Portugal are generally the lowest average earners, with the poorest employment
rates and the lowest numbers of university graduates. The other four countries - United Kingdom, Austria,
Luxembourg and Norway form a separate group which is generally on the opposite end of each scale.
The exceptions to this general observation are that Austria has a lower proportion of adults educated to
degree level (30.6%) than Latvia (31.6%), while Luxembourg has a lower employment rate (66.10%) than
Latvia (68.10%).
Overall, we can see that countries with the highest proportion of adults educated to degree level tend also
to both be the highest earners and to have the highest level of employment.
5. The table shows information about metro systems in six different cities.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

This table provides data on various aspects of six underground train systems around the world, including
network size, ticket price for passengers and number of passenger trips taken.
Overall, all the subways serve at least a billion people a year and have over ten lines. However, there is quite
a disparity in terms of ticket prices and the length of the subway system differs considerably over the six
cities
Tokyo and Beijing have the two most used networks, with double the amount of yearly journeys than most
of the others. They are also two of the cheapest, with only the Mexico City Metro offering a lower price
which, at 23 cents, is a tenth of the cost of a journey in Paris.
Interestingly, the Paris metro has the least amount of track, at only 127.4 miles, which is less than a quarter
of the 659-mile length of the New York system, yet its 16 lines are more than most of the others. The London
underground has the lowest number of lines and is used by fewer people (1.2 billion journeys per year) than
in any other city. Furthermore, it is by far the most expensive place to take a ride. With a ticket costing $7.30,
it is almost triple the cost of a journey in New York, the next most expensive metro system.
iii. Line graph
1. The two line graphs below show New Zealand import figures from Australia and Japan in the years 1994
- 2004.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.

The line graphs show the value of goods imported to New Zealand from two different countries, Japan and
Australia, over a ten-year period.
There appears to be two opposing trends displayed on the line graphs. The trend for Japan was downward
with the country exporting goods worth 3 billion NZ$ in 1994 and 2 billion in 2004. On the other hand,
Australia exhibited an upward trend, exporting 4 billion of goods at the beginning of the period and 8 billion
at the end.
However, there was considerable fluctuation for both countries. When looking at imports from Japan we
can see that the line graph is dominated by two large peaks in 1999 and 2000 and that between these years
New Zealand imported a higher value of goods from Japan than Australia. Imports from Australia also
fluctuated and they dipped twice. However, the strong recovery in the latter half of the period means they
ended up exporting goods worth four times the value of those from Japan.
Overall, we can see that imports were far from stable from both countries but that exports from Japan
decreased over time and those from Australia increased.
2. The line graphs below show the subscriptions to mobile and fixed phone lines in four different countries
between 2005 and 2015.

The two graphs give information on the number of mobile and landline phone contracts in four different
countries over a ten year period, from 2005 to 2015. Overall, there are huge differences in the number of
people subscribed to phone services in these countries, with citizens of the UK and Uruguay having the most
phone connections and India and Eritrea the least.
Throughout the period in the UK there were more subscriptions to mobile lines than there were people,
starting at 1.1 per capita rising to 1.2 in 2007 and remaining stable thereafter. The country also had the most
fixed phone services by some margin, though this dropped slightly from approximately 58 to 52 lines per
hundred people. Meanwhile, in Uruguay, subscriptions to mobile services increased dramatically, surpassing
the UK in 2009 before finishing the period at 1.5 while the proportion of fixed lines remained constantly at
around 0.3 per capita.
In India, there were similar numbers of subscriptions to both mobile and fixed line contracts in 2005.
However, the former rose from around 0.05 to 0.8 per person, while the latter dropped slightly over the
decade. Finally, despite a slight increase in mobile phone use, numbers for neither phone line type rose
above 0.05 per capita in Eritrea.
iv. PIE CHARTS
1. The two pie charts below show the marital status of the populations of Canada and Australia.

The pie charts give demographic information about marital status in both Australia and Canada.
It is immediately noticeable that the vast majority of people in both countries are technically married.
However, in Canada the majority of these marriages have ended but the people have not been divorced with
53% of the population being separated from their spouse. This is compared to only 41% in Australia where
there is a significantly higher proportion of people still in their marriage.
With regard to the other figures they are relatively similar for both countries with slightly more Canadians
never having been married or having lost their spouse and slightly more Australians being divorced.
However, another striking fact is that there are three percent of Canadians living in a same sex marriage but
there are no Australians in same sex marriage recorded.
Overall, we can see that the majority of people are either married or separated but not yet divorced in both
countries. However, Canadians were more likely to have ended their relationships.
2. The two pie charts below show total world energy consumption and electricity generation for last year.

The pie charts show the proportion of energy that is generated and consumed by a range of different
sources. It is noticeable that there are considerable differences between the two.
When looking at the consumed energy it is clear that the bulk of it came from fossil fuels with over 75%
coming from these traditional methods. The majority of which was from oil at 34.3%. Alternative energy
sources such as nuclear and hydro power made up a relatively small proportion at just 6.5 and 2.2 %
respectively.
These figures are very different when looking at generated energy. Again, the majority was from fossil fuels
at approximately 65%. However, oil made up a fairly small percentage at just 6.7%. This meant that we were
generating considerably more energy from alternative sources with nuclear and hydro being 15.7 and 16.1%
respectively.
Overall, we can see that there are similarities in the generation and the consumption of fuel. However,
despite an over reliance on fossil fuels, last year we generated significantly more energy from renewable
sources than from oil.
v. PROCESS
1. The diagram below shows how glass is recycled.

The diagram illustrates the process by which glass can be recycled. The process is circular and involves six
main stages.
Firstly, used glass bottles need to be separated from general household rubbish and placed in recycling bins.
These bins are collected by a refuse lorry, which takes them to a treatment plant.
At the treatment plant, the first step is to wash and sterilise the used glass in a special machine. Once this
has been done, the clean and sterile bottles are sent to a second machine where they are crushed and
melted. The resulting molten glass is then reshaped into new glass products in a moulding machine. These
new bottles can be filled and delivered to supermarkets for sale. The process may then be repeated all over
again.
Overall, we can see there is no limit to how many times glass can be recycled and reused as long as
consumers are prepared to take the initial step of separating glass rubbish from other household waste.
2. The diagram below shows how uranium is used in the production of nuclear power.

The diagram shows the procedure by which uranium can be used to produce nuclear power. There are six
stages in the process from extraction to disposal with some of the processed material being reused instead
of being buried underground in sealed containers.
In the first stage uranium needs to be mined from the ground before undergoing a process of enrichment
and conversion. The end result of this process is fuel pellets called U-235 which are then used to produce
energy in nuclear power plants. This process is fairly clean with the pellets producing a great deal of fuel and
lasting for four years before they are removed. Once they have been removed it is possible to reprocess
some of them so that they can be used again.
However, not all pellets are capable of being reused and need to be disposed of, so are put into special
containers and buried.
3. The diagram below shows the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly.

The diagram illustrates the reproduction and transformation of the Monarch butterfly. The process is
cyclical, comprising of four main stages from egg to adult.
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, and after approximately two weeks, the butterfly
larva hatches. The larva subsequently develops into a caterpillar by itself, feeding on the milkweed as it
grows. Once the caterpillar has reached a certain size, it attaches itself to part of the plant and hangs down,
before covering its body in a type of temporary shell called a chrysalis. This contains the larva while the 10-
day transformation into a butterfly takes place.
This pupal stage lasts until the fully-formed adult butterfly leaves the chrysalis. Following its emergence, the
butterfly is now capable of flight and so it migrates south, where it remains for a six-month period. Upon
returning north, the adult finds a partner and begins the mating process. When it is ready to lay its eggs, it
finds a suitable milkweed plant and the whole process begins again.
Overall, the butterfly undergoes dramatic metamorphosis, before embarking on an epic journey.
4. The diagram below shows the water cycle in both forested and urban areas.

The two diagrams illustrate the water cycle in a forest environment compared with a built-up human
settlement. In each diagram, there are six stages, starting with rainfall and culminating in runoff. Overall, the
rainfall in the two areas remains the same, yet city areas show significantly less water re-entering the
atmosphere and permeating the ground compared to areas of countryside.
Above ground, it can be seen that a greater proportion of the water evaporates from the ground and from
the foliage in wooded areas than it does in cities. By contrast, proportionally more water goes over the
surface in urban areas, becoming dirty or polluted as it flows through the settlement. While the level of
erosion is not displayed in the forested area diagram, this phenomenon increases in cities.
Below the ground in forests, a significant amount of water soaks through the topsoil and subsoil, whereas
less water infiltrates the subsoil in populated regions and this leads to a reduction in the baseflow. The water
table is noticeably higher beneath forested areas than it is beneath cities.
vi. TWO SETS
1. The line graph and pie chart below show information on crime in the UK for the last year.

The graphic shows a breakdown of crime statistics in the UK for last year. The line graph shows the
interrelation between criminal activity and age while the pie chart illustrates the proportion of four different
crime types.
When looking at the line graph it is immediately clear that young people accounted for a disproportionately
high level of crime last year and that the age at which people are involved in criminal activity peaks at twenty
with nearly a million crimes being committed by people of this age. The number of crimes then plummeted
before levelling off at 28. the likelihood of being involved in criminal activity continued to decline with age.
Of the crimes identified in the bar chart, violent crime was the most common at nearly half of the total, and
there were twice as many crimes involving violence as there were property or drug crime. Less serious anti-
social behaviour related crime was relatively low.
Overall, it is clear that young people were much more likely to be the perpetrators of crime and that the
majority of this crime was violence related.
2. The bar and line chart below shows average monthly temperatures and bathing suit sales in New York
for the first 6 months of 2012.

The graphic gives information about the average temperature in New York and also revenue generated from
sales of bathing suits. All of the information is from the first half of 2012.
Not surprisingly we can see that the coldest months were those in winter with the temperature rising steadily
throughout spring and into summer. However, the warmer weather does not seem to correlate with an
increase in bathing suit sales.
Revenue from bathing suit sales started fairly strong at the beginning of the period and rose steadily over
the first three months from ten to fifteen million dollars. After this sales shot up with revenue doubling in
April. Then sales decreased dramatically over May and June.
Overall, we can see that most people in New York seem to prefer buying a bathing suit in the winter and
spring months and, contrary perhaps to expectations, bathing suit sales were relatively poor in the summer.
3. The line graph shows how much money overseas visitors spent in the UK from 1980 - 2010 and the pie charts
show the reasons for their visits in 1980 and 2010.

The graphic gives information about visitors coming into the UK from other countries. The line graph totals
the money these visitors spent whilst in the UK over a thirty-year period and the pie charts illustrate why
people came to the country in 1980 and 2010.
When looking at the line graph, we can see that despite considerable fluctuation over the period, the trend
is upward with visitors spending over 2 billion more in 2010 compared with the start of the period. There
was a considerable peak in 1996 when visitors spending reached 12 billion pounds, being the largest amount
of the period.
Turning to why visitors came to the country, we can see that the reason for most visits to the UK was for a
holiday but this proportion fell by five percent from 44.1% to 39.1% when comparing the two years. Similarly,
visits for 'other' reasons also fell. On the other hand, the proportion of visitors coming for business or to visit
friends and family both rose with the latter increasing by nearly 10%.
Overall, we can see that visitors spend a large amount of money in the UK and this sum of money seems to
be increasing. Furthermore, the reasons for people coming to the country seem to be shifting.
4. The pie chart shows average monthly student expenditure in the UK in 2016. The bar chart shows sources of
student income in the same year.

The two diagrams give information about British student income and spending in 2016. The pie chart
illustrates the amount of money spent on six categories in one month, while the bar chart gives a breakdown
of how common different funding methods are.
The pie chart indicates that students spent the most on rent, which accounted for nearly half of all
expenditure at £385, while spending on travel made up the smallest proportion at £52. The second highest
monthly cost was food, which was nearly double that of socialising. Apart from rent and food, spending on
all other areas; socialising, bills and other expenses, was under £100.
With regards to income, a large majority of students obtained money from their student loans, at around
80%. However, the diagram clearly shows that the majority of students had more than one source of income,
with family and part-time jobs registering around 65% on each. The other three sources - savings, bank
overdraft and grants and funding - accounted for a significantly lower proportion of students, at roughly 40%
in each case.
Overall, students spend approximately half of their £800 budget on housing and the most common means
of financing studies is through student loans.
Upward trends vocab

Verbs Nouns

rise rise

increase increase

grow grow

improve improvement

jump jump

leap leap

boom boom

peak peak

escalate escalation

surge surge

double double

climax climax

triple

quadruple

soar

skyrocket

rocket

go up

climb climb

swell swell

recover recovery

upturn

Đối với các xu hương thay đổi tăng lên, chúng ta thường có các cụm từ như trong bảng để
mô tả
từ neutral nhất là: rise/increase; trung lập là chưa bao gồm mức độ gia tăng trong nghĩa của
từ

trong đây bao gồm các từ: rise/increase/grow/improve/jump

Các từ mang nghĩa mạnh: boom, swell, skyrocket,... thì không cần dùng adverb như
dramatically, significantly, ...

1 số ví dụ về cách dùng từ vựng trong bảng sẽ được ghi bên dưới, có thể thay thế gần như
hoàn hảo các từ với nhau

- Across New York in April, car thefts skyrocketed to a whopping a big figure 49 percent
compared to the previous April, Bloomberg noted, while burglaries jumped increased
26 percent

- Sales are booming, however, and we expect sales to rise as high as rise to the highest
figure of 28% in the current quarter

- If those were included, the number would swell to significantly more than 1,000, being
the record high the highest for more than 2 decades

- The escalated oil prices on Friday caused the U.S share prices to decline by a ratio of
30%

- The budget deficit this fiscal year is expected to nearly quadruple increase by four
times to $3.7 trillion, an all-time high the highest figure for over a century

- Industrial emissions saw the greatest leaps increased most in 2018, the report notes,
rising by about 55 million metric tonnes

- Last year, deforestation in the Brazilian amazon surged 85 percent, to more than 3,900
square miles, an area nearly the size of Lebanon, AFP reports.

- Contracts for June delivery of West Texas Intermediate fell from about $20 a barrel to
around $7, then recovered half of that.

- After the war there was a significant improvement in the overall standard of living

- Output of high-tech products such as mobile telephones and microcomputers rose by

a range of about 58.2 percent to 15.5 percent.

- In 2006, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the year was 20,940.7 billion yuan, up
by 10.7 percent over the previous year.
 - The number of inbound visitors to China totaled 124.94 million, a year-on-year rise of
3.9 percent.

- Between 1991 and 1992, the sales of ABC Electronics grew by only 0.1 million US
dollars.

- There was a substantial rise in sales from 11.2 million dollars in 1994 to 13.5 million
in 1995.

- Profits rose considerably by 0.3 million US dollars per year between 1994 and 1996.

- Then, in 1999, sales went up by 0.6 million dollars to 15.8 million, whilst profits
remained stable at 1.1 million.

- The figure for London begins at the same level as Liverpool's (6%), but afterwards
never exceeds is higher than Liverpool’s.

- The figure remains stable at this level in 1999, before doubling to 6% in 2000

- Remarkably, however, the price of steel shot up to between four and five hundred
dollars per ton in the mid nineteen eighties and early nineteen nineties.

- China's two most prestigious cities, Shanghai and Beijing, have undergone rapid
growth surges in population according to the graphs.

Downward trends vocab

Verbs Nouns

decrease decrease

decline decline

fall fall

drop drop

reduce reduction

slump slump

plunge plunge

dip dip

collapse collapse

slide slide
nosedive nosedive

dwindle dwindle

Deteriorate deterioration

Tail off

Plummet

Halve

Go down

Shrink

Dive

free-fall

downturn

- But it took a nosedive decreased following the tweets and was down as much as
decreased by 1.2% before ending the day 0.9% lower.

- Europe's largest economy shrank decreased by 2.2% in the three months to the end
of March, the biggest slump biggest decrease since the start of 2009 after the banking
system imploded a year earlier.

- The United States lost 20.5 million jobs in April, the steepest plunge the biggest
decrease since the Great Depression

- Jobless claims approached 3 million, retail sales plunged 16 percent, and factory
output cooled bu the most on record highest ever

- They predicted the economy would still be smaller at the end of 2019, with
unemployment dipping decreasing under 10 percent only near the end of 2021

- Commodity traders are hunting for extra space to store their crude as demand for oil
collapses by 29m barrels per day in April compared with last year, falling to lows not
seen since the lowest points ever since 1995

- Wholesale prices slid a record highest 1.3 percent in April, led by a 19 percent plunge
in the cost of energy, further signaling the potential threat of deflation in the United
States
- As recently as the 1990s, there were more than 900 drive-in screens, before the
number dwindled to the current 500 screens, at the 300 locations

- China said tariffs would halve decrease two times, reaching $75 billion of U.S. goods,
pressing forward on the first phase of its trade pact with Washington even as the
coronavirus outbreak continues to weigh on its economy

- In contrast, Greece's gross domestic product is forecast to shrink predicted to

decrease the most, by 9.7%, owing to the closure of its tourist industry

- The euro was holding at $1.1321, well up increasing a lot from the recent trough lowest
point of $1.1174 which was hit when the European Central Bank took a dovish turn of
its own

- The completed floor space of commercial buildings reached 530.19 million square
meters, down by 0.6 percent

- There was a substantial rise in sales from 11.2 million in 1994 to 13.5 million in 1995,
followed by a very slight drop of 0.1 million the next year

- The increase in sales of 0.3 million between 1997 and 1998 corresponded to a
dramatic fall equally seen with a big decrease in profits from 1.6 million dollars to 1.1
million

- Thereafter, there was a steady decline to 3% in 1988

- ... the number of smoking in female began to decline and continued on this downward
turn until 2004

- At the end of , China’s foreign exchange reserves reached 1,066.3 billion US dollars,
an increase of 247 billion US dollars as compared with that at the end of the previous
year

- In 2006, the output of crude steel stood at 420 million tons, up b 19.7 precent

- Of this total, the sales of the forward delivery housing was 1,436.6 billion yuan

- Mobile phone users numbered 461.08 million by the end of 2006, with 67.68 million
new subscribers in the year

- Foreign exchange earnings from international tourism topped 33.95 billion US dollars,
up 15.9 percent

- Of all the inbound tourists, overnight visitors counted 49.91 million

 - By the end of 2006, money supply of broad sense (M2) averaged at 34.6 trillion yuan,
reflecting a year-on-year increase of 16.9 percent

 Of this total, the sales of the forward delivery housing was 1,436.6 billion yuan

 Argentina has the lowest rate, at 3.6%

 ..the damage it did was estimated at US$ 4 billion but the benefits amounted to some
US$ 19 billion.

 Of this total, the sales of the forward delivery housing was 1,436.6 billion yuan,
accounting for 70.0 percent.

 ...yet the percentage of visitors to those counties rig hg USA was about the same,
80%.

 Basically, chicken has the largest proportion, which accounts for 40%; while others
has the smallest percentage, which is 2%.

CONSTANT/UNCHANGED TRENDS

(to) remain the same (to) level off

(to) remain consistent (to) remain constant

(to) remain steady (to) remain static

(to) stay the same (to) plateau

(to) remain relatively unchanged (to) stay a steady level

(to) hold steady (to) maintain the same level

(to) even out (to) reach a plateau

(to) level out The (trend/figure) was/is/will be flat

(to) remain (fairly) stable (to) experience a period of stability

Examples:

 From 1985 however, it leveled its growth at have an equal growth 65% and is predicted
to remain the same until 2010 but is expected to rise to about 10% in 2030.

 In the year 1960, an average of 6 million people travelled by car, being at a record
high highest while that figure almost remained steady/remained relatively
 unchanged/remained fairly stable until 1970, and had increased to about 6.5 million
by 2009.

 It found that Prince George’s unemployment rate edged downward the rate
decreased, from 5.1% to 4.9% and is forecast to hold steady at 5.1% in 2020.

 Compared with the previous year, the budget surplus remained constant as a share
of GDP and the debt ratio decreased substantially percentage decreased a lot by 6.9
percentage points %.

 In addition, the growth of Prime membership, which costs $119 a year, has plateaued.

 The incidence rate of lung cancer in men has slowly decreased since the late 1980s,
but has begun to reach a plateau in women only in 2000.

 For the quarter, operating costs as a percentage of revenue remained

consistent/static/was flat at 9.3%.

 Ontario soybeans are expected to stay the same/stay at a steady level as last year at
2.2 million acres.

 ER and doctor visits plummeted decreased by 80 percent for the medical center,
according to Scott, before levelling off/levelling out/evening out to a 60-percent decline
60% decrease.

FLUCTUATING TRENDS

(to) fluctuate (wildly) (to) experience a period of erratic

behavior

(to) rise and fall erratically (to) enter a period of fluctuation

(to) show some variation/fluctuation (to) fluctuate (mildly/slightly)

(to) go through an erratic period (to) experience a period of instability

Wild fluctuations in the rate of (to) witness considerable variation

(to) experience a period of volatility

(to) vary
(widely/considerably/enormously)

Examples:
 Over the next ten years, there was an uneven growth in sales.

 U.S. farm exports to China then entered a period of volatility/went through an erratic
period, fluctuating between about $20 billion to $25 billion a year before Trump's trade
war erupted in earnest last year.

 In the St. Lawrence Valley, where annual temperatures vary enormously/widely, from
as cold as -40° C in winter to as hot as +35°.

 Individual lanes rise and fall erratically. with China to Europe and China to US
diverging by with a difference of 16 cents.

 Despite wild fluctuations in commodity prices, Toronto's S&P/TSX increased by

14.5%, which was below the rate posted one year earlier.

 In the next four years, the trend for computer devices sold experienced a period of
erratic behavior and increased by 40000 in 1899.

 All the control signals experience a period of instability for a duration of for about
approximately 0.35 s from the beginning of the fault.

 This has led the stock to experience a period of volatility last week, with shares surging
increasing a lot 6.14% on May 30th, only to fall 4.46% the following day.
APPROXIMATION

Well over/ Just over A tiny fraction of…

Only a small minority of With over half a million

A significant minority of Roughly a quarter of

Almost two thirds A slightly more than a fifth

Just under/ Well under A slightly less than a third

Around/ Nearly/ Almost A mere fraction of

The majority of A great deal of…

More than A significant percentage of

The overwhelming majority of Few/ Very few/ Quite a few

Roughly/ Approximately Three quarters

A low quantity of The vast majority/ Most

Not much Almost all

Five out of ten A very small number of

Within a range of 60% Roughly one in five

More than one-third A mere/ modest 5%

Just below Over half

(to) be in the minority/ majority A small number of…

A considerable amount of… A small amount of…

 Labor Department, which showed just under 3 million new jobless claims last week,
pushing the seven-week tally well over 36 million.
 The product line's gross margin grew by more than 5 percentage points to settle at
reached a point of well under 13% through an improvement in manufacturing
efficiency.

 The overwhelming majority of Most Canadians 4919) believe that they have a
sufficient amount of choice when it comes to about making payments, and slightly
over half (53%) believe there is a good deal or great deal of choice.

 Television is the best example: before 2005, there was only one Kyrgyz-language
channel; now five out of ten devote 60% of air time to programs in Kyrgyz.

 Overall, it is evident that the number of counterfeits (594,000 in 2004) is a tiny fraction
of a small number of the average number of genuine banknotes in circulation (8.9
billion in 2004).

 In the United States, the general government sector accounts for somewhat quite
more than 34% of GDP in terms of expenditure and slightly less than 30% of GDP in
terms of revenue.

 Youth (under age 35) are in the minority low compared to the rest of the clientele; it is
nonetheless important to create meaningful links with them.

 Only a small minority of a small number of survey respondents (three percent or 28

clients) indicated that said that they were not able to get program information in their
preferred language.

 The top 10 U.S. banks collectively spend roughly $70 billion on technology annually,
according to public statements and executives.

 Labor market conditions have remained fairly stable over time, with the unemployment
rate fluctuating mostly within a range of about 6-7%.

 Previous G20 summits cost a mere fraction of a small figure of that, and they kept
everybody safe: $18 million in Pittsburgh; $30 million in London.

 Malaysia is encouraged by the fact that more than 38 million mines have been
destroyed, a considerable amount of land has been cleared of mines, and mine action
funding has been increasing significantly over the years.

 A significant minority of one-third say they follow these issues not very much (27%) or
not at all (5%).
  Non-energy commodities, following a marked increase after a big increase during the
second half of 2003, experienced further but relatively modest gains continued to
increase but increased a bit of about 16%.

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST LANGUAGE

(Just) like/ Equal Even though

…striking/strong/close resemblance The same as

On the other hand By comparison

Nevertheless While/ Whilst/ Conversely/ On the

contrary

Identical(ly)/ Similar(ly) (to) resemble As (adj)/(adv) as

Compared to/ In comparison with Whereas

In/ By contrast Although

Examples:

 If mankind continues with "business as usual", the annual loss of vital ecosystem
services provided for free by nature is estimated to equal be €50 billion, while by 2050
the accumulated welfare losses could amount to be 7% of GDP.
  While the program appeared to lower readmissions by nearly 40 percent, the same
kind of patients who received regular care saw a nearly identical quite similar decline
in hospital stays.

 America might resemble be the same as the 1970s again: with soaring increasing a
lot prices and interest rates, but free of its exorbitant burden.

 Admissions dropped by half in a roughly four-week period in April in comparison with

the same time a year ago.

 The U.S. carrier said it expects July capacity to fall 75% from a year earlier, compared
with/to an about 90% decline a decline of about 90% in May and June capacity.

 In contrast, only 13 percent of Americans earning over $100,000 lost a job in March.

 Spending at restaurants and bars fell by about half from a year ago, while clothing
store sales slumped 89 percent.

 The stock hit a record high of 522.40 euros on June 15, and nevertheless remains up
still increased by around 30 percent since the start of 2018.

 Conversely, for the 25-64-year-old age group, the proportion of fatalities is the same
as the proportion of drivers in the age group.

COMPARISON LANGUAGE

(to) be entirely/totally different from… (to) be in the second place while…

(to) be the same (size) as… (to) be ranked in descending order…

In marked contrast… (to) be exactly the same as…

(to) have roughly equal proportions (to) be precisely the same as…

(to) be as popular/ high as… (to) be ranked in ascending order…

(to) be completely dissimilar to… (to) be completely different from…

(to) be (over) twice as much/ high as… …differences are even greater when it
comes to

(to) resemble closely/greatly (to) far outstrip/exceed

(to) represent/account for… while… (to) be almost/nearly the same as…

(to) be closely followed by… (to) be quite a lot smaller than…

(to) be totally dominated by (to) be considerably higher/lower…

(to) be overwhelmingly greater than (to) be precisely the same as…

(to) be quite/rather similar to… (to) be just particularly the same as…

(to) have broadly similar patterns

(to) stand in total contrast to… (to) be remarkably similar

 Admission dropped by half in a roughly four-week period in April in comparison with

the same time a year ago

 The U.S carrier said it expects July capacity to fall 75% from a year earlier, compared
with/to anabout 90% decline a decline of about 90% in May and June capacity.

 In contrast, only 13 percent of earning over $100,000 lost a job in March.

 Spending at restaurants and bars fell by about half from a year ago, while clothing
store sales slumped 89 percent.

 The stock hit a record high of 522.40 euros on June 15, and nevertheless remains up
still increased by around 30 percent since the start of 2018.

 Conversely, for the 25-64-year-old age group, the proportion of fatalities is the same
as the proportion of drivers in the age group.

COMPARISON LANGUAGE
(to) be entirely/totally different from.. (to) be in the second place while…

(to) be the same (size) as… (to) be ranked in descending order…

In marked contrast… (to) be exactly the same as…

(to) have roughly equal proportions (to) be precisely the same as…

(to) be as popular/high as… (to) be ranked in ascending order…

(to) be completely dissimilar to… (to) be completely different from…

(to) be (over) twice as much/ high as… …differences are even greater when it comes

(to) resemble closely/greatly… to…

(to) represent/account for…while… (to) far outstrips/ exceed…

(to) be closely followed by… (to) be almost/nearly the same as…

(to) be totally dominated by… (to) be quite a lot smaller than…

(to) be overwhelmingly greater than… (to) be considerably higher/lower…

(to) be quite/ rather similar to… (to) be precisely the same as…

(to) have broadly similar patterns (to) be just /particularly the same as…

(to) stand in total contrast to… (to) be remarkably similar

(to) be a little smaller than…
(to) be more or less the same as…
(to) be proportionally similar
(to) be practically the same as…
(to) be different in evert aspect/way
(to) be virtually the same as…
(to) have many common
including…
(to) be considerably higher…/ranging (to) be nearly as many as…(to) be
from…to…
(to) be approximately the same as…
(to) be over three times as great as…
(to) have certain aspects in common
(to) be dissimilar in every respect
(to) be significantly more than…
(to) contrast sharply
(to) be marginally higher/more than…
(to) be three times as many/high as…
(to) be almost the same as…
(to) be comparatively high/low
The same number/ percentage of..can be
seen…
(to) be fractionally/ slightly more than…
features (to) be larger by a narrow margin
(to) differ widely
(to) be fractionally less popular than…
The largest proportion of…is clearly evident.
(to) be considerably/noticeably greater…
The (second) highest…whereas…
The widest/biggest difference can be seen…
(to) be by far the highest/lowest…
The wideest/largest difference can be seen There are certain/several similarities…
n… (to) stand at…while…and…respectively
to) be as opposed to… The highest figures…whilst…
The greatest proportion of… On the one hand…whereas…on the other…
to) be outnumbered by… (to) be remarkably similar to…
to) have more than doubled… (to) be outstripped by a narrow margin
to) vary greatly/widely/tremendously… (to) contrast markedly/vividly/strikingly
The highest/greatest/lowest proportion of…

to) show a sharp/stark/striking contrast to…

The second highest percentage…

…by/in comparison with…

to) make up…whereas…

 The picture in 2000 is entirely different from the education distribution in 1991, showing a
significant increase in the post-secondary (predominantly university) education.
 However, the majority of Canadians (54 percent) express initial opposition to the hunt with
roughly equal proportions quite the same percentages either somewhat quite (28 percent)
or strongly (26 percent) opposing it.

 Senegal and Ethiopia had the same rate of primary school enrolment (71%) in 2006 but
Senegal spent over twice as much per pupil as Ethiopia.

 They are closely followed by employees of a corporation (85 percent) and directors of a
corporation (80 percent)

 The year 2005 proceeded in a rather similar fashion to quite the same as 2004, i.e rather
normal developments in the first nine months of the year, and increasing prices in the fourth
quarter.

 The number of confirmed new cases this week, roughly 620,000, was almost precisely the
same as quite exactly the same as the previous week, with a difference of only 1,000 cases

 At 15 *C and 32 *C, these differences are even greater with only 40 and 48% of thrips reared
on capsicum which survive at these temperatures.

 If we take a close look at the exact decimals for core CPI’s monthly growth, the gain is
increase is only 0.06% (rounded up to about 0.1%), an advance that is quite a bit smaller
than the consensus forecast.

 In september 2004 Greece reported deficit and debt figures for the period from 2000 to 2003
which were considerably higher than the previously released figures.

 This drop in consumption is, however, not in line with the not the same as the decrease of
the total Community market value, which feel by 39% during the same period, i.e
substantially more than consumption

 According to mothers, three times as many children who spent more than a week in the
previous year with their fathers benefited from their financial support than did those who had
virtually lost contact with their fathers (more than 60 percent as against compared with 21.8
percent)

 It is evident that, in the 1995 and 1996 random sample program, about the same percentage
of selected samples were being reviewed as in 1992 and 1993.

 By far the largest proportion of television advertising (approximately 90% of all nationwide
advertising) involves annual agreements under which television channels grant annual
rebates.
 Aside from the main protagonist turning up the heat a fair few degrees, the biggest difference
can be seen in the sharp reduction in economic growth.

 The employment rate for women with young children was 62.4% as opposed to compared
with 91.4% for men, a difference of 29 points.

 By 2007, spending had more than doubled, reaching $160 billion.

 This showed a striking correlation/contrast between the proportion of the population defined
as “middle class” and the stage of democracy.

 In real tems, that amount is greater than the highest figures reached during the cold war and
15 times greater than international development aid.

 While this employment creation was initially outstripped by increases was surpassed by
increases in labour supply, in the last one or two years job growth has led to a slight fall in
the unemployment rate, notably in 2000.

 Though technically not as reliable as the urban grid, the pace of expansion was as high as
18% per year.

 As a result, revenue estimates for 2009 closely resemble actual revenues generated in 2004,
or about $1.16 billion.

 Since 80% of the country’s exports are shipped through Toamasina, southbound traffic is
dominated by trucks destined for the port.

 Global bond markets were characterised by pronounced yield fluctuations clear fluctuations
in 2003, with bond yields in the major economies following broadly similar patterns. Ecb

 The value proposed is the top 10% of all substances on the DSL ranked in descending order
on the basis of each of these parameters.

 Member States are ranked in ascending order according to the total amount of State aid
expressed as a percentage of GDP for the period 2005-2007.

 At a value of USD 53 billion in 2002, China has far outstripped the United States in the race
for foreign investment.

 Inuit clothing was remarkably similar in construction throughout the approximately 6,000
kilometres of the circumpolar region.

 All these estimates contrasted sharply with the parties’ own estimates, based on revenue,
of a market share of around 20%.
 Over the past 50 years, nearly as many women have migrated as men.

 This was noticeably greater than the 42.9% share the carrier secured a year earlier.

 Although this represents a 14 percent reduction since 1990, it remains by far the highest
rate of underfive mortality in the world.

 Batches vary tremendously (100 1 million) but are generally in the region of about 5000 to
10000 off.

 Almost 20% of the riding is engaged in manufacturing, the second highest percentage for
the entire country.

 On the other hand, the figure for industrialised countries rose from nearly 9 years of
schooling to nearly 11 years in 1990.

 In marked contrast, the March 2008 budget projection is of a 2009/10 deficit of 2.8% of GDP

 Among this group, the adjusted wage premium was not that dissimilar between the two
countries in 1980 (identical for women, 30% higher for men in the U.S)
 Some 7,000 marine animals live in over 39 aquariums - in a spectacular building which
stands in total contrast to the surrounding historical storehouses.

 a doubletrack railway uses 30% less space than a two-lane motorway, but its capacity
is three times as great.

 Even if the final figure were to be marginally higher than 1.7% we are on a downward
trend decreasing.

 In the UK, for example, people aged 16 have recently been outnumbered by people
aged 60.
PREDICTION

It is predicted/anticipated that... will…by…

It is estimated that... in/for the foreseeable future

It is forecast(ed) / projected that

It is expected that.../ The future implications of...

Another prediction/projection/forecast /anticipation...

Predictably, the rate will …

Examples:

 It is predicted that future flu pandemics may affect more than 30% of the population.

 It is forecast/forecasted that the new company will garner 10% of the market during
its first year and 15% during the second.

 It is estimated that 33% of girls and 25.8% of boys in Germany aged between 10 and
13 are too fat.

 It is expected that the number of separated children coming into Germany illegally will
grow.
REPHRASING THE TASK LANGUAGE

The graph shows the trends... between ... and...

The graph provides information about the changes...

The graph gives/ provides/ presents information about/on...

The graph shows/reveals/concerns how...differed

The graph shows the results of a survey carried out to determine...

The graph depicts how… has/have changed

The graph shows/ demonstrates/ reveals the differences …

The graph shows the changes (that took place)...

The accompanying graph gives a breakdown of...

The graph provides an overview of…namely…

The graph gives data about… and is divided into three categories

The graph clearly displays and compares...

The graph shows/ highlights the proportion of...

The graph shows the changing patterns...

The graph shows the degree and direction of change...

The illustration presents data / information on...

Examples:
 The graph shows trends in music buying habits between 2011 and 2018.

 The graph gives information about drinking habits of the US population by age.

 The graph shows the results of a survey carried out to determine Brazilian consumers'
attitudes towards environment protection in 2016.

 The graph demonstrates the differences in concentration dependency for response

rates and oscillatory tendency.

 The accompanying graph gives the breakdown of these operations by line of activity.

 The graph gives data about the amount of question which was sent to the Tourist
Information Office in one city in half-year period in 2011.

 The graph shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940
and 2040 in three different countries.

 The graph reveals how many students graduated from universities in Canada between
1992 and 2007

 The graph depicts how a constant actual weight is affected by a change in volume.

 The graph provides an overview of the proportion of radio listeners and TV viewers
aged over 4 in a typical day from October to December in the UK in 1992.

 The graph clearly illustrates the different relative importance of underground gas
storage in the different Member States and the absence in some Member States of
storage.
  The graph shows the changing patterns in commuting by train, car, tube or

bus for commuters in London in the years 1960, 1980 and 2000

 The table shows the total number of visitors to seven countries around the world and
details the number of those visitors who came from the UK and the USA. Certain
patterns are evident from these figures.

 The pie charts show the world divided into seven regions and the amount of oil
produced and consumed in those regions in MB/D in 2001.

 In this graph, we can see that purchases of television went up in 1996 and

continued to rise steadily until 1998 when they dropped again slightly.

 The tables describe the average percentage scores achieved in the school subjects
of Maths, Science, Geography, Language and Sports by children aged 7, 10, 13 and
15 based on different genders.

WRITING AN OVERALL SENTENCE BY REFERRING TO THE DIAGRAM

From figure 1 it is clear that…

As transparent from the data,

As the graph shows...

As indicated/illustrated in the graph…

Reportedly

At first glance...

According to the graph/ data shown…

At first sight, it can be clearly seen that…

As can be observed/seen/viewed...
COMMENTING ON THE FEATURES OF THE GRAPH

The most striking/ outstanding /notable feature...

It should be underlined/stressed that…

Another (considerable/key) feature...

Another (significant) feature/aspect/point…

It should be emphasized that...

It is interesting to note.../ Interestingly...

The initial impression from the chart is...

One unusual feature of the graph is .../surprisingly

Another interesting point...

The most obvious point/ change…

It is noticeable that...reflecting…

Predictably..., it indicates/implies/suggests…

... perhaps a reflection of...

It is notable/noteworthy/remarkable that…

It should be noted that…

Another distinguishing feature...

It is important to note that…

CÁC VÍ DỤ HƯỚNG DẪN CÁCH NÂNG CẤP TỪ VỰNG TASK 1 TRONG TỪNG CÂU CÓ
BỐI CẢNH CỤ THỂ

The accompanying the next bar chart shows...

Khi trong bài có hơn 1 graph thì trong body thứ 2 ta có thể signal cái graph thứ hai bằng
cụm này, đặc biệt là trong dạng mixed khi 2 cái graphs nó không giống dạng nhau.

The rates of students learning online and attending direct courses witnessed converse
trends show opposite trends: upward and downward, respectively, with the former learning
online exhibiting the most notable surge. having the biggest increase.

Từ witness sẽ dùng thay thế cho từ see trong writing task 1, từ converse trong đây nghĩa là
trái ngược; khi dùng the former (ám chỉ cái nói thứ nhất trong 2 cái), và the latter (cái nói thứ
2 trong 2 cái); từ exhibit nên dùng với nghĩa là từ show cho ad; notable tức là đáng chú ý.
Từ surge trong đây là tăng mạnh cho nên ta cũng không cần dùng thêm các từ như
significant/substantial gì nữa.

There were comparatively wild fluctuations in there were quite a lot of fluctuations

the number of students who refused to go to school for their learning, with the

figures averaging / ranging from x to y the average figure being approximately 20

thousand.

Từ comparatively có nghĩa là khá là thay cho quite để làm formal hơn; wild là adj làm nhấn
mạnh mức độ fluctuations (dao động); trong đây thì average là verb nghĩa là có giá trị trung
bình là bao nhiêu đó. Nếu muốn lấy một khoảng từ X tới Y thì dùng cụm range từ X tới Y
trong đó X là điểm đầu, Y là điểm cuối của khoảng giá trị.
Urban population exhibits a trend of marked expansion shows a big increase during the
researched timescale over the period, with the exception of the US population which,
conversely, in contrast witnessed an appreciable decline decreased a lot.

Từ marked (nổi bật) làm bổ nghĩa cho expansion (sự bành trướng/ tăng lên); timescale thay
thành từ period dùng nhàm lắm rồi; còn từ researched ở đây dùng dạng verb 3 nghĩa là được
nghiên cứu/ khảo sát là một từ khá hay để học, có nghĩa là trái lại, giống kiểu By contrast.
Rồi tính từ appreciable ở đây nghĩa là “đáng kể”, và decline ta hãy thay cho từ decrease và
lưu ý là decline cũng là một từ neural (trung tính) có thể dùng thoải mái adj để làm rõ nghĩa
tăng giảm mức độ ra sao.

Further inspection reveals that when looking more, we can see that the price of petrol has
plummeted decrease a bit over the last seven years and that the value of petrol today has
reached an all-time low is the lowest.

Thay vì nói a detailed look at the graph do nhiều người dùng rồi thì mình dùng cụm further
inspection reveals that (và nên nhớ là inspections sau đây nên dùng dạng uncountable), từ
plummet nghĩa là giảm suddenly and quickly nên mình không cần dùng mức độ nữa. Cuối
cùng, reached an all-time low thì mình dùng khi thấy biểu đồ xuống điểm thấp nhất ở năm
nào đó nhé.

The categories exhibit two diverging trends show two different trends: upswing increasing
for color TVs and downswing for black and white TVs, though at relatively varying degrees,
with some ups and downs.

Từ diverging nghĩa là khác nhau dùng thay cho different; trong Task 1 từ upswing=upward
và downswing= downward (Mấy từ này mình dùng khi viết phần overall sentence thôi, không
nên dùng trong phần bodies). Cụm cuối cùng có từ relative “khá là” và varying “thay
đổi”, degrees “mức độ”, nghĩa là mình đang muốn nói các mức độ thay đổi của các giá trị
trong bài của mình là khá nhiều và không đồng đều.

A fourfold soar an increase of 4 times was recorded in the price of color TV, hitting a peak
of a marked reaching a highest point of a big figure of $2000 USD per TV set.

Một sự gia tăng lớn mình dùng soar, nếu muốn thêm số liệu gấp mấy lần tăng thì có thể
dùng adj là twofold/ threefold/fourfold vân vân để mô tả, nếu nói nó có điểm cao nhất là bao
nhiêu ta hay dùng reach/hit a peak of và nhớ là nếu là verb thì mình phải ghi là peak at. Với
một số liệu tương đối lớn ta dùng adj marked/ dramatic/overwhelming ở phía trước để diễn
tả con số đó thì khá lớn.
The graphs above reflect growth rates in shew some increases in urban population from four
major cities around the world in 1990 and in 2004. It is evident it is clear when comparing
these graphs that pronounced increments comparing these graphs that big increases in
urban population have indeed occurred.

Thay vì nói show thì ta dùng reflex, increase thì dùng grow rates in, khi bài là số liệu trên
phần trăm có tỉ lệ. Clear trong task 1 ta thường thay bằng transparent/ evident; trong đây
pronounced nghĩa là nổi bật giống notable/remarkable/ marked; và increments cũng là một
từ cao cấp, nó có nghĩa là increase in something.

The line graph exhibits some intriguing trends related to shows some interesting trends
about the changes in international student enrollment in UK higher education. The two
groups reflected in shown this graph are other EU students, and overseas students.

Từ exhibit là show, intriguing thay cho interesting, related to là liên quan tới, thay cho about.
Tương tự reflect thay cho từ show nghĩa là được phản ánh trong bài.

By closely examining looking carefully at this line graph, it is apparent that there were major
shifts in big changes in employment patterns how employment changed in the UK between
the years 1960 and 2000.

Closely examine tức là kiểm tra xem xét cẩn thận, major là lớn, shifts là thay đổi dùng làm
noun trong bối cảnh này, từ pattern nghĩa là cái cách cái gì đó hoạt động/ thay đổi, ta có thể
xem nó như là the way something changes cho dễ hiểu.

According to the information presented shown in the graph, crown court cases typically fall
into the following three categories can be put in three groups: committals for trail, committals
for sentence and appeals from magistrates against conviction or sentence.

Khi muốn phân chia cái gì đó rơi vào mấy categories, đặc biệt khi đề bài có quá nhiều
categories thì ta dùng từ fall into x categories.

A. have rocketed increased a lot over the twenty-year period.

B. rise dramatically increase a lot from around 45% to approximately 65%

C. shot (shoot) up to increase a lot between four and five hundred dollars (shoot up
from…to…)
D. Students from 80,000 and goes all the way up to increases up to 280,000.

Các cụm từ phía trên đều có nghĩa là tăng mạnh, ta có thể dùng một từ đã làm mức độ tăng
như rocket, hoặc thêm adverb vào bộ nghĩa mức độ gia tăng như rise dramatically.

E. At this point, EU student numbers from Europe and all other countries commenced to
climb in numbers started to increase from 120,000 to 190,000 in 2002-2003 in the case of
non-EU students.

Từ commence ta dùng thay thế cho từ start/ begin nghĩa là bắt đầu làm gì đó, climb là gia
tăng thay cho increase, và từ in numbers là cụm ý nói về số lượng.

F. The IT industry was slower to take off increase slowly and made up merely accounted for
only 15% of employment in 1980. However, the situation was reversed by contrast from
1980 onwards afterwards with sizeable climbs big increases in 1990 at 50% and 70% in
2000.

Cụm slower to take off hơi kén bối cảnh, phía trước nên là một ngành công nghiệp, lĩnh vực
nào đó có sự phát triển; make up tức là chiếm bao nhiêu; merely dùng trước một số liệu bé;
cụm the situation is reversed nghĩa là tình hình bị đảo ngược, có thể thay cho by contrast
luôn để làm cho đoạn văn thêm dài. Từ onwards có nghĩa là kể từ điểm đó trở đi, sizeable
tức là lớn, và climbs thì thay cho increases là neutral meaning words.

A. Indeed, staggering 75% increase a big increase of in the total number of students enrolling
for higher learning was recorded was seen between the years 1990 and 2004.

Với số liệu lớn ta dùng staggering để bổ nghĩa cho nó, recorded rất hay dùng trong writing
task 1, nó cũng có nghĩa như register, tức là ghi nhận một số liệu nào đó.

B. a slow and steady increase

C. from that moment on, significant jumps averaged at 5% a rise of 5% each between the
year 1997 to 1999 and to 2005, respectively.

D. a sharp upturn a big increase in student number from 15% to 70%

E. Countries on the “increasing” pathway show steady gains in rise steadily in women’s
numeric representation in the 1960s, with more steep climbs beginning big increases starting
in the 1980s.

F. The most staggering jump the biggest increase in Australia was with mobile between the
years 2002 and 2004, which rose substantially rose a lot from 70 to 97%.
G. Their sales picked up sales increased suddenly between 2001 and 2003 from 28 to 42%,
however, figures dwindled dramatically decreased a lot in 2007 to 10%.

Đối với các ví dụ trên là cách diễn đạt sự gia tăng nhiều mức độ khác nhau, climb hay jump
đều có thể làm nouns và verbs được, từ upturn nghĩa là increase, tương tự từ gains cũng là
noun ở dạng số nhiều, các mức độ lớn thì ta có các từ như là steep/staggering/dramatic,
trong đây có từ bị không liên quan là dwindle có nghĩa là decrease mình xem bên dưới.

B. A significant drop in figures a decrease was also recorded in 2000 for the number of
fireworks accidents at pub celebrations coming in at only 5%, which was a third of those
reported in 1995.

C. There was a notably massive drop in a big decrease in the decade from 1990 to 2000

behind/make somewhat less contributions to have lower figures

Đối với sự giảm thì cũng tương tự, mình có suggest các cụm trên phần trên rồi, trong đây
mình có thể xem thêm một số các cách dùng nữa trong bài IELTS, từ massive nghĩa là lớn,
somewhat nghĩa là hơi/ sương sương

Consistent with the data the same as the information in the first pie chart, the entire body of
the world’s water sources is predominantly made up of is from fresh water with only a small
quantity of little salt water constituting the remainder accounting for the remaining categories.

Consistent with là nhất quán với số liệu trên bảng; predominantly là trạng từ hay cùng nghĩa
với overwhelmingly nghĩa là chiếm áp đảo; made up of là cấu thành; số lượng nhỏ gì đó thì
dùng a small/negligible/insignificant quantity of sth; còn constitute cũng là “chiếm bao nhiêu”,
remainder tức là những cái còn lại.

China, by a stark contrast, in contrast far outweighs is far greater than the other two countries
in its use of water for industry with 95% being the figure recorded at 95%.

By contrast mà có thêm từ stark nghĩa là đang nhấn mạnh mức độ của sự tương phản, mình
dùng khi số liệu có phần lớn bé rõ rệt, far chỉ mức độ lớn hơn nhiều khi so sánh.

According to the graphic data the information in the graph, we can discern see that land
used for industry sectors is quite evenly spread in quite equal the four regions surveyed.

According to the information in the graph khá phổ biến nên mình có thể thay thế bằng
According to the graphic data nó sẽ tạo ra sự khác biệt với các thí sinh khác. Discern trong
đây nghĩa là kiểu notice gì đó, và cuối cùng quite evenly spread nghĩa là nó phân bố đồng
đều, có thể thay từ spread bằng distributed.
Remarkably, however, it is remarkable to see that the price shot up increased to between
four and five hundred dollars, plummeted decrease a lot again in 2000 to 2 hundred dollars,
before making regain to rising again roughly about 4 hundred dollars at the end of the
surveyed period.

Có thể dùng however ở giữa câu và đặt lên đầu câu như là remarkably, however để thay đổi
cấu trúc câu chủ từ giả hay dùng nhiều, từ shot up trái nghĩa plummet cả hai đều chỉ mức
độ cao, make regains tức là kiểu tăng lại lấy lại giá trị lại; roughly thì cơ bản thấy nhiều rồi
nó thay thế cho about ngon lành.

China’s two most prestigious cities, Shanghai and Beijing underwent accelerating growth
surge increased in population, hovering around the five million mark, with the number of
Shanghai's inhabitants slightly surpassing that of quite higher than that of Beijing, standing
at a staggering a big figure of twenty nine million almost ten million.

Cụm gia increase có thể thay nguyên một cụm như là undergo accelerating growth surge
khi mô tả tăng trưởng của cái gì đó; hover around nghĩa là nó lơ lửng ở một giá trị nào đó,
ta dùng khi số liệu nó có phần giống nhau; cuối cùng surpass có nghĩa là vượt qua một giá
trị nào của một category nào đó.

What is notable, however, is that we can see that the ratio of the percentages of accidents
occurring in the different places has shifted quite dramatically changed a lot in some
instances.

Cấu trúc áp dụng tương tự để thay chủ ngữ giả it is hoặc We can see that; the ratio thay cho
the percentage of nếu mình dùng nhiều quá; còn shift ở đây dùng nghĩa verb tức là change;
chỉ thêm mức độ quite dramatically là khá là lớn.

If we compare the ratios between if we compare the percentages between the two industrial
sectors, found in the four pie charts presented given here, the eastern and southern charts
exhibit the most substantial differences show the biggest differences.
 IDIOMS AND IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
FOR TASK 1
Describing trends
Take a nosedive:
Meaning: To experience a sudden and significant decline.
Example: "The stock prices took a nosedive after the negative earnings report."
Shoot up:
Meaning: To increase rapidly and dramatically.
Example: "The sales figures shot up after the new product launch."
Level off:
Meaning: To stabilize or reach a plateau after a period of growth or decline.
Example: "After months of growth, the website traffic has leveled off."
Go through the roof:
Meaning: To increase to a very high level.
Example: "The demand for the new smartphone went through the roof during the holiday season."
Hit rock bottom:
Meaning: To reach the lowest point.
Example: "The company's profits hit rock bottom due to poor management."
Plateau at:
Meaning: To reach a stable level after a period of growth.
Example: "The housing prices have plateaued at a more sustainable level."
Experience a dip:
Meaning: To undergo a temporary decrease.
Example: "The attendance at the event experienced a dip compared to last year."
Stabilize at a new normal:
Meaning: To reach a balanced and consistent level after a period of change.
Example: "After the restructuring, the company's performance stabilized at a new normal."
Go south:
Meaning: To decline or deteriorate.
Example: "The project's progress started well, but things went south due to unforeseen challenges."
Slide downhill:
Meaning: To experience a gradual decline or deterioration.
Example: "Without proper management, the project started to slide downhill."
Drop like a stone:
Meaning: To fall rapidly or plummet.
Example: "The temperature dropped like a stone as winter set in."
Creep up:
Meaning: To increase slowly and steadily.
Example: "Interest rates are starting to creep up, affecting the cost of borrowing."
Tumble down:
Meaning: To fall or decline rapidly.
Example: "The company's stock prices tumbled down following the negative financial report."
Bounce back:
Meaning: To recover after a setback or decline.
Example: "Despite the economic challenges, the business managed to bounce back stronger than ever."
Rocket upwards:
Meaning: To increase rapidly and with great force.
Example: "The demand for the new product is rocketing upwards in the market."
Spiral downward:
Meaning: To decline in a continuous and uncontrollable manner.
Example: "The company's financial situation began to spiral downward after the scandal."
Cruise at a high level:
Meaning: To maintain a consistently high level, often in performance or production.
Example: "The team has been cruising at a high level of productivity for several months."
Phrases for  In contrast to
Comparing  Conversely
Data  On the contrary
 In comparison with
 By way of comparison
 Conversely, data for [category]
reveals
 When compared to
 In sharp contrast to
Overview  Phrases for Specific Data Points:
 The apex of the chart shows...
 The data point that stands out
is...
 Of particular note is...
 A noteworthy aspect is...
 The chart highlights...
Tallest  The highest bar in the chart
Column represents..."
 "The most prominent column
on the graph corresponds to..."
 "The peak of the data is
illustrated by..."
 "The tallest column signifies..."
 "The most substantial data
point is found in the form of..."
 "Dominating the chart, the
tallest column..."
 "Clearly stands out as the
highest point..."
 "Eclipsing all other data points,
it..."
 "Takes center stage as the most
significant feature..."
 "Undoubtedly attracts
attention due to its remarkable
height..."
Describing  At its zenith
Peaks and  At its nadir
Troughs  Reaching its apex
 Plummeting to the lowest point
 Climbing to its highest point
 Reaching a pinnacle
 Hitting rock bottom
Describing  In an ascending order
Patterns:  In a descending sequence
 In a sawtooth pattern
 Following an irregular trajectory
 Demonstrating cyclical behavior
 Exhibiting a recurring trend
 Displaying a consistent tendency
Lowest Noun Phrases
column  "The smallest bar in the chart
represents..."
 "The most diminutive column on
the graph corresponds to..."
 "The nadir of the data is illustrated
by..."
 "The shortest column signifies..."
 "The least substantial data point is
found in the form of..."
Adjectives
 "The diminutive column..."
 "The meager bar..."
 "The minuscule figure..."
 "The inconspicuous height of the
column..."
 "The least substantial vertical
line..."
Verbs
 "Clearly stands out as the smallest
point..."
 "It pales in comparison to other
data points..."
 "It occupies the position of the
least significance..."
 "Attracts minimal attention due to
its low height..."
Expressions
 "It represents the nadir of..."
 "This column signifies the
minimum value in the chart..."
  "It accounts for the lowest
percentage of..."
 "The most remarkable aspect of
the chart is the value depicted by
this column..."
 "This column clearly illustrates the
least dominant category or
variable in the data."
Bar Chart  Column Graph Show Illustrate
 Bar Graph Display
 Vertical Chart Depict
 Columnar Representation Reveal
 Vertical Bar Plot Exhibit
 Column Diagram Manifest
 Bar Diagram Portray
Present
REPHRASING  The graph shows the trends... between ... and...
THE TASK  The graph provides information about the changes...
LANGUAGE  The graph gives/ provides/ presents information about/on...
 The graph shows/reveals/concerns how...differed
 The graph shows the results of a survey carried out to determine...
 The graph depicts how… has/have changed
 The graph shows/ demonstrates/ reveals the differences …
 The graph shows the changes (that took place)...
 The accompanying graph gives a breakdown of...
 The graph provides an overview of…namely…
 The graph gives data about… and is divided into three categories
 The graph clearly displays and compares...
 The graph shows/ highlights the proportion of...
 The graph shows the changing patterns...
 The graph shows the degree and direction of change...
The illustration presents data / information on...
 BC-PUBLISHED TASK 2
BAND 9
i. OPINION ESSAYS

1. There is a lot of pressure on young people today to succeed academically. As a result, some people
believe that non-academic subjects, such as physical education and cookery, should be removed from the
school syllabus so that children can concentrate on academic work.

Students nowadays are under increasing pressure to achieve academic success in order to get into a good
university or secure a well-paid job. For this reason, some people argue that schools need to focus on
academic subjects and non-academic subjects should therefore not be taught. I would argue that while
academic skills are important, schools need to teach a wide range of both academic and more skills-based
subjects.

Firstly, not only should school be about teaching academic skills but also a wider range of life skills so that
students can take an active part in society upon leaving school. Practical subjects can help to teach these
skills to students. For example, physical education teaches students both how to work as part of a team and
also the importance of being healthy. Furthermore, if cookery is taught then students will learn a great deal
about health and nutrition.

Secondly, academic subjects are not equally important for all students. There is the possibility of including
more vocational non-academic subjects on the syllabus like woodwork, textile design and computing skills.
By studying these subjects, students will increase their employment prospects and be better placed to secure
employment when leaving school. It is important to remember that not all students will continue to higher
education and school needs to enable these students to find work.

Finally, too much pressure should not be placed on students. Taking part in non-academic subjects like art,
music or drama gives students the opportunity to be creative. This could help them to manage stress levels
and be more productive in other areas.

In conclusion I would argue that although academic subjects are very important, this should not be the sole
focus of a school syllabus. There are a number of benefits to teaching students non-academic subjects.
2. As the internet becomes more popular, newspapers are becoming a thing of the past. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It has become increasingly common for people to access the news electronically rather than with traditional
print media with many commentators suggesting that this could spell the end for newspapers. I would agree
with this and think that in the future newspapers will disappear.

First of all, news accessed online has much more interactivity than in a newspaper. Readers are given the
option of commenting on stories, and discussing items on message boards. Furthermore, there is no limit to
the number of photographs that could be included with a story with many sites even giving readers the
opportunity to upload their own photos and videos.

Another point to note is that news read on the internet is much more current than in a newspaper. It is
possible for readers to read about breaking stories and watch these stories develop, such as the emergence
of a war or hostage negotiation. This is compared with newspapers which only report on the previous day’s
events. As a result, they seem increasingly dated even before they hit the newsstands.

Finally, online news offers readers much more choice and a wider range of information. It is possible to read
the same story from a range of different sources on the internet. For example, a news article with a left-wing
stance compared to one with a more right-wing agenda. Some people suggest that this allows for a more
balanced view than only reading the story in one newspaper as you can compare different viewpoints and
the way stories are presented. This is compared with traditional newspapers which have much more editorial
bias.

In conclusion, I would argue that in the future it will become increasingly difficult to sell newspapers. The
fact that online news offers more interaction and choice and is more up to date means that traditional
printed news will not be able to compete and will disappear.
3. Many people in poor countries die from diseases that are curable because they cannot afford the
medication required. Do you believe that drug companies should make their products available at reduced
prices in these countries?

The high cost of modern pharmaceuticals means people in poorer countries are unable to benefit from them.
I would argue that drug companies have a moral obligation to make their products available to these people
and that there are other agencies that can help.

Over the last few decades there has been a dramatic improvement in medicine that has radically changed
the treatment of many life threatening diseases. While drug companies profit from treating these diseases,
the fact that people in poor countries are unable to pay for these treatments has created an unacceptable
degree of inequality in global access to health care.

I would argue that drug companies have a responsibility to be more ethical and to address this inequality by
offering cheaper generic versions of their medicines in countries that cannot afford to pay the full price. This
has recently been implemented with the treatment of HIV and AIDS in some African countries, saving the
lives of millions of people.

However, I also believe that there are others who have a role to play in giving poor people access to drugs.
For example, rich people could be encouraged to donate to charities to help developing countries. An
example of this was seen recently when Bill Gates spent vast sums of money to set up immunisation projects
in Africa. In addition to wealthy individuals, governments could also donate aid and medical supplies.

In conclusion I would argue that it is immoral for people to be dying as a result of inequality. The value of
human life should be universal and it should be the responsibility of the richer companies, individuals and
governments to ensure that access to encompasses everyone.
4. Money spent on space exploration is a complete waste. Governments could better spend this money on
other things to benefit the nation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Space exploration offers us the chance to learn a great deal of new things. However, as it costs an exorbitant
amount, we need to decide the best way to allocate our resources. I would argue that there are more
pressing problems that need addressing but that there may be other ways for us to continue funding space
exploration.

There are a number of problems which are still affecting the world today. Despite incredible advancements
in science and technology there are still billions of people who struggle with health, education, food and
water, shelter and security. Many people suggest that we lack the resources to resolve these problems and
therefore should not waste billions of dollars on exploring space.

On the other hand, there is much to be learnt from the exploration of space. There is the possibility of
discovering new materials and energy sources. Some scientists even suggest that we may be able to colonize
other planets or make contact with other life forms. Given that the universe is so vast, it does not make
sense to only focus on our planet.

One possibility of continuing to explore the universe while improving the quality of life on earth is through
greater cooperation between countries. For example, a global space agency could be founded which allows
for countries to share their resources. This would enable countries to allocate funds more effectively and
would avoid the duplication of research.

In conclusion although it seems immoral to spend money to explore space instead of addressing global
problems, it would be ignorant to turn our back on space. One solution would be to better share our
resources in order to benefit mankind.
5. Many countries have compulsory military service for young men after they leave school. It would be a
good idea for all countries to adopt this system for men, and possibly for women too. Do you agree or
disagree with this statement?

Many countries oblige young men to serve in the military for a period of time; and some people suggest that
such ‘national service’ should be extended to all countries and possibly for both genders. I would argue that
although military service is beneficial to some it may not be suitable for everybody- and so should not be
obligatory. However, I see no reason why anyone who wishes to serve should be prevented from doing so,
regardless of whether man or woman.

The argument most often advanced in favour of universal military service is that it increases the skill set of
young people, who are forced to face challenges and see the benefits of discipline and training. Some people
even go further in favour, and argue that obligatory military service would help to tackle the youth disorder
which is a growing problem in many Western countries. They also say that if young people were to serve
some time in the military in different parts of the country to their home town, and with others who are also
from different regions, then this camaraderie would add to a sense of national unity and cohesion, and prove
beneficial to society as a whole.

On the other hand, critics argue that these ‘benefits’ are illusory. They say there is no real advantage in
merely wasting time which could be more usefully spent otherwise, that it leads to the militarization of
youth, and that not all countries need a large and expensive military presence anyway. Finally, they question
how appropriate it would be to force otherwise peaceful people into the military.

There are alternatives to military service, though they are less common internationally. Instead young people
could take part in community service programmes after leaving school. This would still help to develop
various skills in the same manner as military service does, while making the young people involved feel that
they have an investment in their country and in improving the community in which they live. I would argue
that this kind of service would be far more suitable for both men and women, as well as beneficial to society
at large.

To conclude, while military service does have clear benefits there are also some negative aspects related to
how ethical it is to force people to serve in the armed forces. For this reason, I would argue that there are
other ways of developing young people’s skills.
6. Both government investment in public transport systems and reductions in public transport ticket prices
will help to reduce transport pollution greatly. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Pollution is a serious global problem although that which is caused by traffic is one which can be tackled. I
would agree that the primary way of doing this would be to invest in the public transport infrastructure.
However, there are also other ways.

People need to commute in order to travel to work; and many people choose to travel to work in private
cars which cause gridlock in many cities twice a day, and which also give rise to more serious problems. The
fumes from these cars cause air pollution, resulting in poor quality, harmful air in our cities. These fumes are
also a major contributor to global warming. If people used public transport instead of driving, then this
problem would be dramatically reduced.

Cost and convenience are big factors in people’s choice of transport. For this reason, governments need to
invest money to ensure that they have a transport system which is more effective than private car
ownership. This means that the system is reliable and is capable of transporting large numbers of people
around the city cheaply and quickly. An example of a well-developed system is in Tokyo where millions of
people rely on public transport rather than driving themselves.

An alternative solution to the problem is to encourage the use of electric cars. We already have the
technology to produce electric cars which do not produce any fumes so do not result in air pollution.
However, these cars are not as popular at present. The government could change this by subsidizing car
ownership through perhaps offering tax deductions when purchasing the cars. They could also offer free
parking in city centres for electric cars.

In conclusion, public investment in subsidized public transport infrastructure is certainly vital in order to
tackle pollution. However, there are also some other alternatives with regards to cleaner technology.
7. The US film industry has too much influence on the film industry around the world. Governments have
a duty to invest money in their own film industries to protect and develop their cultures. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The dominance of the American film industry is a problem for many people. American films are shown in
nearly every country on the planet and some people see that this has a negative effect on local culture and
traditions. I would agree that local governments should subsidize domestic film-makers but I also see some
benefit to American films.

Modern films that are made by American studios cost a huge amount of money. This makes them spectacular
to watch, offering the audience a degree of escapism from their daily lives. Because of this, going to the
cinema becomes a highly engaging experience for many people. It is primarily for this reason that American
films are so popular around the world.

However, some commentators view this as a form of cultural imperialism. Most American films promote
American culture and values which may be at odds with those of the country in which the film is being shown.
The audience may then model their behaviour on the characters in the film -for example in how they act, in
their clothes or even in the food they eat. This results in traditional values and cultures being lost.

One solution to this problem would be for the government to promote and subsidize the domestic film
industry. If more films were made domestically then there would be more positive role models from the
viewers’ own country to relate to. This would result in the preservation of local culture and traditions- as
long as the films are actually seen and appreciated by people!

To conclude, American films with a huge budget are amazing to watch. However, entertainment should not
be the only objective for films. Since they can and do also promote cultural norms, whether directly or
indirectly, governments have a responsibility to protect culture by subsidizing their film industries.
8. Today our communications, medicine and transport systems all depend on computer technology. Our
reliance on computer technology in these fields has created a dangerous situation. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?

Information technology has revolutionised the way in which the world operates. Critics argue that this has
resulted in a dependence on computers which may be dangerous. I would argue that any danger can be
addressed if adequate safety measures are implemented.

There is no doubt that recent technological developments have caused a reliance on computers. Our
transport, medicine and communications systems are all now completely computer-based - and have
become more efficient, more flexible and less costly as a direct result. These are massive advantages.
However, there is a downside: our infrastructure has become so complex that it can now only be operated
with the aid of IT and (if the computers which manage it either break down or are attacked) then our society
itself is potentially at risk.

There have been rising levels of cyber attacks in recent years. Cyber criminals try to become rich at our
expense. Hackers and computer activists seek to acquire information about individuals, companies or
governments for political reasons. Experts worry that cyber terrorists or foreign powers may even seek to
destabilize a whole country by attacking its computer systems. Finally, there is an ever-growing number of
viruses that can make IT devices and networks function in unpredictable ways.

Governments and companies need to take these threats seriously. They can do this by spending money on
making our systems secure in order to reduce the risk of such cyber attacks. Not only is it important that our
systems are secure from these threats, but also that there is some means of backup in the event of any
equipment malfunctioning. Machines can and do break.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that we are reliant on computers and that these computer systems are at
risk, whether from open attack or breakdown. However, I would argue that the improvements to our quality
of life brought by these systems outweigh any dangers and that we therefore need to focus on the security
and reliability of our technology.
9. There is no doubt that globalisation has benefited the world by bringing together people, business and
nations. People who criticise it stand in the way of progress. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Globalisation has changed the face or our world in many ways. The most significant of these is how business
is carried out, and this has had a far reaching impact in many countries. For some this has been chiefly
positive. However, I believe there are two sides to this transformation.

Nowadays it is much easier for international trade to take place. This has resulted in a wider range of services
and products being available in nearly every country, with many countries benefiting a great deal. For
example, in China, where many goods are produced, the economy has improved enormously with a
consequent rise in living standards.

However, there are also problems with this growth in international business. Possibly the biggest is that it is
now much easier for companies to relocate. In other words, a company can now move its production base
to another country in which it will be cheaper to produce its goods. This is a big problem for manufacturing
workers in countries with high labour costs and has resulted in decreased job security and widespread
redundancies.

Another drawback is the extent to which countries can now develop. Some countries find themselves caught
in a cycle of providing cheap labour. Even in countries that have improved, like China, workers find
themselves struggling to move from manufacturing roles to better paid service-based industries.

To conclude, it is clear that the modern globalised world looks very different to that of the past. Many people
have benefited from the corresponding rise in living standards. However, others have lost, or risk losing,
their jobs while their counterparts in other countries are trapped in repetitive, underpaid jobs.
10. A lot of money is spent nowadays searching for oil. As the world's oil resources will eventually run out,
it would be more logical to spend some of this money on developing new sources of power, such as wind
and solar. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Because oil is such a precious fuel a great deal of money is spent looking for it. Some people believe that this
is counterproductive as oil is finite so therefore we should spend some of this money advancing new power
sources. I agree with this point and think that we should stop focussing on oil supplies as it is both
unsustainable a harmful to the environment.

Oil is not only very expensive but it is also one of the most commonly sold commodities on the planet. For
this reason, many people invest great sums of money in locating and extracting it. Furthermore, countries
that have been able to find oil supplies have seen a huge rise in their GDP and a corresponding rise in their
population’s living standards.

However, oil is not a renewable energy sources and one day the earth’s supplies will be depleted. For this
reason, it is not logical for us to continue being dependent on oil and should instead devote time and money
on the development of sustainable alternatives. These alternatives already exist in the form of wind, hydro
and solar power but need to be invested in to meet the global demand for energy.

Another issue with our reliance on oil is the effect that it has on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels
like oil is one of the key causes of climate change. For this reason, many people argue that, rather than
looking for new ways of extracting oil, its use should be greatly limited. They argue that, if we do not address
the problem now, many parts of the world will be uninhabitable in the future.

In conclusion, despite the financial benefit for those that find supplies of oil, I would argue that we need to
end our reliance on it. The environmental problems that it causes are too great to be ignored and, given that
it will one day be depleted anyway, we need to start using alternatives now.
ii. DISCUSSION ESSAY + ADS/ DIS ESSAY

1. Many believe that modern technology has brought people together, but others say that it has driven us
apart. Discuss both viewpoints and give your own opinion.

In modern life, technology has transformed the way that we form and maintain relationships. For some,
these changes have been overwhelmingly positive but others believe that they have made us more isolated
than before. I think that both of these views are valid but that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Thanks to technology we are now able to communicate instantly with people all over the world. This
communication is also possible with a wide range of applications and devices for example, through phone
calls, video calls, emails messages and sharing photos. Additionally, there are now a number of dating sites
and apps that allow us to start new relationships.

These changes are predominantly positive for many people. They argue that they allow us to stay in touch
with people all over the world and that our relationships are no longer governed by geographical location.
The fact that we can also share information quickly and easily means that we are able to know a lot more
about the people that we communicate with.

However, despite these benefits there are also some negative aspects. For example, some people spend
much less time interacting face to face than they did before. As a result, it can be argued that the
relationships that we form are shallower due to the fact that we can create a false, online personality rather
than getting to know someone on a deeper, more personal level. It is certainly true that young people today
have a tendency to spend their time glued to their screens rather than meeting people in the flesh.

In conclusion, it is clear that modern communication is largely different than it used to do be. I would argue
that these impacts are generally positive but that we still need to ensure that we spend time nurturing
relationships with people that we know in person.
2. In some countries there are more young people choosing to enrol in work-based training instead of
attending university. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

In our modern world, the choices made by young people in relation to beginning a career are changing with
many university-age people opting to undertake training in the workplace. While this has numerous benefits
for both society and the young, some drawbacks can also be observed.

Tertiary education opens a number of doors to graduates, who tend to have more opportunities as life
develops, leading to them potentially feeling more fulfilled by their profession, earning higher salaries and
the possibility to further their education through Master’s degrees or Doctorates in the future. Not only can
the benefits be felt in increased earning power but also in terms of personal development, with graduates
having been proved to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives.

However, a huge advantage for youngsters making the decision to enter the workplace nowadays lies in the
diverse range of apprenticeships and vocational training opportunities available. These allow young workers
to earn a modest living and receive on-the-job training while attending college courses and earning
recognised qualifications. In countries in which such apprenticeships are not available, young people may be
able to fund their own part-time studies by earning a salary. For example, the huge increase in the number
of call centres in up-and-coming countries could provide a youngster with a stable job while undertaking
training in other areas, or within the field of technology or marketing.

Furthermore, organisations which can impart working knowledge to their young workers, moulding and
preparing them for future careers, greatly benefit firms and individuals, who will not need to gain practical
skills after graduating. Having received this on-the-job training, they are then in a position to further their
education if they choose, or begin to earn a salary as a professional in their field.

In conclusion, although the merits of a traditional university education are numerous, I believe the benefits
of more modern options outweigh them, as they are open to all and enable young people to gain both the
theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to earn a good salary from their chosen profession.
 OTHER SAMPLES
Some people think that mobile phones should be banned in public places like libraries, shops and on public
transport. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Opinions are divided on whether phones should be strictly prohibited in public spaces such as libraries, shops
or public transport. I believe that such a ban is unnecessary and is problematic and that there are conferred
benefits from allowing people to use their phones in these settings.

Granted, one might argue that phones should not be allowed in public areas because the use of this device
could annoy other people. A good example is that the sound of someone talking on the phone or their
notifications could distract people who are trying to study in a library. However, this problem can be resolved
without prohibiting the use of phones completely in public spaces. A straightforward measure is to ask
people to switch off the ringtones, turn on the vibration mode and answer their phone call elsewhere to
avoid annoying other people. Furthermore, it would also be difficult to enforce a ban on phones in public
places, as it would require an unimaginable amount of manpower to make it work: it is unthinkable to have
a police officer on each bus journey to enforce the said law.

In my opinion, allowing people to use phones in public is beneficial in many ways. For example, those reading
a book in a library and encountering a theory that they are unsure of can use their phone to do a search on
the Internet to find related material to confirm or invalidate it; those doing the shopping can make a payment
easily by using certain digital wallets; and those using phones on a bus can make better use of their travel
time by reading something on their phone or watching movies on streaming services like Netflix. Perhaps
the most frequently cited reason for using phones in public is that phone users can quickly contact their
friends or family or the police in emergency cases.

In conclusion, banning phones in public areas is neither necessary nor plausible. Instead, people should pay
attention to their use so that they can benefit from it without disturbing others. (340 words)
Some people think that governments should ban dangerous sports, while others think people should have
freedom to do any sports or activity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Opinions are divided on whether extreme sports should be banned. I believe that people should be allowed
to play any activities they like, and I will explain why.

Granted, one might argue that there should be a ban on dangerous sports. This is predicated on the
assumption that any errors are likely to cause the death of the player, for example when he or she is sky
diving. However, this line of reasoning is not sound because it is impossible to decide which sport should be
prohibited. This is because protective equipment and training can significantly reduce the likelihood of
accidents, and it is not uncommon to see people who play seemingly danger-free sports like soccer to be
seriously injured or even die. The plausibility of enforcing such a ban should also be factored in: no police
officer would be willing to risk their lives trying to prevent or arrest people who parachute off a mountain
cliff or free-fall from an air plane.

In addition to the impossibility of enforcing the brought forth ban, I am convinced that people should be
permitted to do any sports as long as they understand the risks involved and receive sufficient training. For
example, those who attempt to try extreme sports like deep ocean diving, sky diving or bungee jumping
need to register with a club, and beginners must be accompanied by an expert. They also need to be taught
about what to do when an accident occurs. With proper training and precautions, it is relatively safe for
people to play sports with a high degree of risk.

In conclusion, each sport always has an element of risk, and it is tricky to decide which sport is too dangerous
and should be prohibited as a result. I strongly feel that people should be given the autonomy to participate
in any sports or activities, provided that they are aware of the danger involved and take appropriate
precautions. (322 words)
Some people think that newly built houses should follow the style of old houses in local areas. Others
think that people should have freedom to build houses of their own style. Discuss both these views and
give your own opinion.

Opinions are divided on whether new houses should be built in the style of existing ones. I believe that this
should only be adopted in areas that boast culturally or architecturally interesting old houses. House owners
in other areas should have freedom to construct houses according to their own choices.

It is understandable why some people argue that newly-built houses should conform to old ones in terms of
styles. This is believed to create uniformity, hence the aesthetic look of the entire area and its potential
concomitant economic benefits from increased tourism. To look for a supporting example, one need look no
further than Hoi An, which is a magnet for tourists in Vietnam. Most houses in this town represent the
architecture of the Trinh - Nguyen dynasty, so failing to preserve the look of this tourist destination could
result in huge economic and cultural losses. This example sheds light on why it makes sense to force residents
to build houses in a certain style in some areas.

However, in most areas, old houses are simply old: they do not have any architectural or aesthetic values.
This means that forcing new houses to follow their styles is of little pragmatic utility. In addition, people
would arguably feel more satisfied to live in a house that meets their needs and suits their personal
architectural taste. It naturally follows that allowing them to build their houses in whatever way they want
can lead to higher levels of contentment among residents in the local area. This is in and of itself a clear
benefit, provided that those houses meet all safety regulations.

In conclusion, while I agree that houses in areas of cultural or architectural significance should look uniform,
the style of houses in other areas should be based on the owner’s preference.
While people in developing countries are happier than in the past, people in developed countries are less
happy. Why? What can be learnt from this?

It is observed that due to higher levels of living standards, inhabitants in third-world countries report higher
levels of happiness, compared to the past. However, those living in developed parts of the world perversely
experience a decline in their overall happiness level, which can be attributed to the prevalence of
consumerism. There are indeed lessons to be learned from this development for people in both developing
and developed countries.

People in developing nations feel increasingly happier because they are becoming more materialistically
prosperous. In the past, they may have struggled to meet basic human needs such as shelter, food and
education, but tremendous economic progress made in those countries has relieved people of the constant
stress of trying to survive, significantly facilitating their life satisfaction. Those living in developed countries,
on the other hand, have enjoyed high levels of living standards for a long time, and many of them are taking
this privilege for granted. To make matters worse, consumerism, coupled with the ubiquity of adverts,
nudges people to strive for more material possessions to boost their self-worth and consequently feel happy.
However, after successfully purchasing something, people tend to feel satisfied for a short amount of time
because there are always more expensive things to buy and wealthier people to impress. In other words,
buying more is like chasing an asymptote, naturally leading to discontentment.

There are different lessons people in both rich and less well-off countries can learn from this development.
Residents in wealthy nations need to understand that owning more things does not equate happiness. As
they are already able to subsist their lives almost effortlessly, they should find healthier sources of happiness
(sports, passions and relationships, for example). Those living in developing countries also need to
understand that there is a strong correlation between wealth and happiness, but this link tends to disappear
when they could reach a certain level of riches. In order for them to prolong their happiness, they should
learn to manage their money wisely and not fall victim to finding happiness in consumerism, the nature of
which is glaringly short-lived.

In conclusion, the consumerist mentality, which has been woven into every fabric of societies in developed
countries, has encouraged people to associate their happiness with materialistic possessions, and this has
caused them to feel less happy. These people need to understand that they cannot buy their way to
happiness and that they should find other ways to be happy. People in developing countries are getting
richer, enabling them to enjoy a significantly higher quality of life. For these people, they should try to earn
more, but then they need to learn to manage their spending habits to avoid consumerism. (447 words)
In some countries, parents are choosing to teach children themselves at home instead of sending them to
school. Do the advantages of home-schooling outweigh the disadvantages?

Opinions are divided on whether home-schooling is beneficial or harmful. I believe that this educational
route, albeit having some benefits, is not suitable for most families due to its drawbacks.

Admittedly, the benefits of home-schooling are evident. The most commonly cited advantage of this choice
is that it allows parents to save money because no school fees are required. Home-school advocates also say
that home-educated children are less likely to experience bullying and peer pressure, both of which can
cause emotional and mental problems. They also point to the fact that parents teaching their children at
home by themselves can tailor their curriculum and pedagogical approaches to best suit their young ones.
This is often not the case in traditional schooling because of the large class size. Finally, homeschooling
focuses on mastering concepts rather than memorizing facts to pass exams, thereby piquing children’s
curiosity and developing their critical acumen.

However, the problems involved in parents self-teaching their children at home are more significant. First,
this educational approach does not actually save money. This is because parents need to pay a large amount
of money for lab equipment and tutors, and one parent needs to be cut off to cater for their child’s needs,
be these academic or personal. Furthermore, most parents are not well-versed in all school subjects, hence
difficulties in properly explaining concepts for children and ultimately academic problems. Even social
problems that children might be faced with at school, such as bullying and having romantic feelings for
others, can prepare them for social and workplace situations in the future.

In conclusion, homeschooling can theoretically confer certain benefits, for example in the form of savings in
money, the absence of bullying, suitable approaches and a focus on actually understanding concepts rather
than preparing children for tests. Nevertheless, these benefits are often exaggerated or can only be brought
about by a scarce few parents who are extremely intelligent and can afford to stay at home. The
aforementioned drawbacks of this choice - especially the lack of interaction with other children- are much
more significant. (350 words)
Today, there are more men’s than women’s sports on TV. Why? Should TV channels give equal time for
women's and men's sports?

It is true that media companies tend to broadcast men’s sports rather than women’s ones given viewers’
preferences. I believe that they should keep their current practice; otherwise, their viewership may be
negatively affected, leading to financial losses.

Men’s sports tend to be more exciting than those of women because men are generally more physically
capable, which means that they can achieve feats that women cannot. To look for a supporting example,
one need look no further than sprinting. A professional male sprinter can finish a 100-meter sprint faster
than his female counterpart by a large margin. Similarly, hardly ever do we see a female footballer who can
dribble past several of her opponents in a counter attack and score a goal afterwards due to physical
limitations. Such a spectacular achievement is not a rarity when one watches a male football match. These
examples bear witness to the sheer amount of time dedicated to men’s sports.

Although increasing broadcast time for women’s sports may approximate a sense of equality for women, it
is an unwise course of action for the media industry. For example, a football fan may only choose to watch
matches in which men play regardless of how much broadcast time is given to women’s matches. As a result,
this may affect viewership and ultimately their revenue because media companies can only earn money by
attracting and retaining viewers on their channels and platforms so that they can monetize them by allowing
businesses to run commercials. Therefore, not until they can compete with men’s sports should they be
given more broadcast time.

In conclusion, men’s sports are screened more frequently than women’s ones because men are innately
physically stronger than women, allowing them to do things that are otherwise unachievable by women.
Forcefully giving equal time for women’s and men’s sports is simply unsound due to viewers’ preferences.
(334 words)
Scientists believe that computers will become more intelligent than human beings. Some people find it is
a positive trend while others think it is a negative development. Discuss both points and give your own
opinion.

Opinions are divided on the impact of the increased intelligence of computers. I believe that this
development can pose significant threats to mankind.

The scenario where computers become smarter than humans is already on the horizon, and a number of
benefits can certainly be predicted. Chief of these is that robots will free a lot of people from time-consuming
chores and could help address serious problems like hunger and poverty. For example, AI caregivers will
allow parents to work without having to sacrifice their career for childcare and chores. Similarly, old people
can be taken care of without the participation of relatives if robots are intelligent enough to cater for those
people’s needs. Finally, it is even projected that robots’ productivity will be so high that there will be enough
capital to provide free education, and health care and that poverty and starvation will be completely
eradicated.

However, if computers are smarter than humans, unprecedented problems are foreseeable. First, most
people will lose their jobs due to robots’ ability to work tirelessly 24/7. In fact, it is already predicted that a
large proportion of human drivers will be replaced by AI drivers by 2030. Even those working in creative
industries such as music and video production are also at risk of losing their jobs since there are already
machines that can compose songs that are almost indistinguishable from those of human artists. Thus, given
that there will not be much that should be done by humans, our race will almost definitely evolve into
helpless, purposeless, physically and mentally lazy creatures. To make matters worse, if robots were smart
enough to make decisions for themselves without any regard for human lives, this would pose an existential
threat to humankind. These problems negate any of the possible benefits mentioned above.

In conclusion, while there are certainly reasons to be excited about the introduction of artificial intelligence,
I share the reservations of people who find this development dreadful. (329 words)
It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural environment, such as the South
pole. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Given the availability of modern means of transport such as planes and cruise ships, traveling to remote
parts of the world is no longer an impossible task. I believe that this possibility benefits both tourists and
scientists.

Exploring far-flung natural places can be beneficial to travellers. No matter how many tourist attractions
there are in the world, a number of globe-trotters still crave novelty, for example in the form of new activities
or untouched destinations. By traveling to an island that is unknown to the vast majority of people, for
instance, travellers may have a chance to participate in exotic religious practices of indigenous people, feast
their eyes on rarely seen plants and animals and try new food and experience a whole new way of life.
Although it is true that such a trip could be potentially dangerous (e.g. climatic differences, animal attacks
or conflicts with local people), these risks can be reduced by careful preparation.

Scientists can also benefit from visiting untouched parts of the world. Regardless of how much we already
know about the world, there is still much that is unknown in the world of science, and so visiting such places
could give scientists answers to many existing and future problems. We can see this in how little scientists
now about why novel viruses break out every once in a while, and how global warming is affecting lives and
habitats of elusive animals living in heavily wooded areas or deep under the sea. Granted, it is reasonable to
worry about the potential harm done to these animals and their habitats by these trips, but with pertinent
regulations in place, the authorities can eliminate such a possibility.

In conclusion, visiting remote areas of the world can impart otherwise unachievable lessons and experience
in tourists and people in the scientific world. (302 words)
It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science subjects. What
are the causes? What are the effects on society?

It is true that there is a lack of students majoring in science-related fields. This could be attributed to a
number of factors, and it could affect humans’ quality of life and the economy of a country.

Reasons for the shift away from science subjects among students vary from country to country. In developed
nations, science has already been prioritized over decades, which has produced an abundance of people
working in this field. This surplus renders this domain fiercely competitive, discouraging youngsters from
choosing to study it.

On the other hand, in underdeveloped and developing nations, it is wiser for governments to invest in the
tourism industry, which yields immediate results. The proliferation of lucrative jobs created to cater for
increasing demands for tourist activities has attracted a large proportion of young people in these countries,
which explains the dearth of students majoring in science. The lack of science students may not pose any
imminent drawbacks, but in the long run, it could have stultifying effects on the economy of a nation and
human health. Research has shown that productivity can only be improved if innovations are made or new
technologies are invented. It naturally follows that the corollary of the dearth of science majors would
perhaps hinder the economic progress of a society.

Furthermore, humans are still suffering from countless debilitating health problems that are presently
incurable, and we can only hope that scientific breakthroughs can be made to solve them. The move away
from science education would prolong the suffering of ill people and increase the number of deaths resulting
from those health issues.

In conclusion, the tendency among young people to choose other areas of knowledge rather than science
can be ascribed to the high level of competition within the field in developed countries and more attractive
job opportunities in third-world countries. This development is deeply troubling as it would fail to enhance
people’s well-being and retard economic growth in the long run. (329 words)
Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or
negative development?

Our fascination for unusual talents or behaviors has yet to wane. Talented singers, actors and sportspeople
often have a large following, and so do politicians due to their influence on normal people’s lives. However,
the glaringly enormous income gap between these cohorts is troubling and indeed warrants serious
discussion.

At root of the income disparity between celebrities and politicians is the nature of their jobs. Famous
individuals focus almost entirely on satisfying their fans, and the better they do this, the more money they
receive. Naturally, they enjoy untrammelled streams of income from their main profession, and from
endorsing certain products on their platforms. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo charges 2 million dollars for
an endorsement post on his Facebook account, which has over a hundred million followers. Renowned
politicians like Barrack Obama also have tens of millions of followers, but people would be appalled if he
started selling merchandises on his Twitter account.

This yearning chasm between famous people and politicians in terms of earnings may have indelible negative
impact on society. It promotes the idea that politics is not worth pursuing. To illustrate, a fitness influencer
may make millions of dollars yearly, drive fancy cars, and lead a luxurious lifestyle. By contrast, a senator’s
salary is meagre relative to what celebrities earn and may only allow him or her an austere lifestyle. This may
lead to a dearth of people pursuing a career in politics and may nudge people to admire celebrities’
glamorous lifestyles. While the former consequence can cause the government to be less effective, the latter
will exacerbate materialism.

In conclusion, what lies at the core of the huge difference between famous individuals and politicians is the
social stigmatization imposed on the latter regarding their riches and the way they make money. This
phenomenon may attenuate people’s interest in having a career in politics and promote a materialistic
mentality. (319 words)
Scientists predict in the near future cars will be driven by computers, not people. Why? Do you think it is
a positive or negative development?

With many breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence, the scenario where cars can drive themselves
is no longer something out of a science-fiction novel. I believe that this is a positive development overall,
and I will explain why. There are an array of factors leading scientists to believe that self-driving cars will
soon become a reality.

Firstly, a range of similar AI technologies such as robot vacuums and autopilot modes in planes have already
been introduced, and infrastructure facilitating the use of driverless cars is already underway in major cities
such as Los Angeles and New York. More importantly, leading AI technology companies in the US have
already received the government go-ahead, as seen in recent tax cuts for this sector. Finally, ride-hailing
companies like Uber have announced that by 2025 they will have had half of their cars replaced by
autonomous ones. Although driverless cars may terminate a large number of driving jobs, this technology
will benefit people, the environment and society as a whole.

On an environmental level, self-driving cars tend to run on clean energy such as solar power, so the
replacement of fossil-based vehicles would curb air pollution. Furthermore, it is true that most people
choose to live in city centers so that they do not have to drive a long distance to their workplace or school.
Therefore, the introduction of self-driving cars would allow them to reside in suburban areas because they
could catch up on their sleep or relax in their cars. This would reduce real estate prices, which confers
substantive benefits for individuals and also alleviate the housing problem in urban areas.

In conclusion, the advent of autonomous cars would be greatly beneficial, on personal, environmental and
societal levels. Granted, it would cause job losses, but the government could provide drivers who lost their
job with unemployment benefits or opportunities to reinvent themselves, for example in the form of
vocational courses. (320 words)
Do you agree or disagree with the statement that the government should invest more money in science
education rather than other subjects to develop the country?

There is an opinion that the government should heavily subsidize science education to foster faster
development rather than other subjects. I believe that this capital allocation is only fruitful in
underdeveloped and developing countries because what developed countries need to advance is beyond
the purview of science.

Admittedly, allocating more funds for science subjects is optimal to enhance the overall productivity of less
technologically advanced countries. This is because if schools have the financial support to have laboratories
with modern equipment and organize frequent scientific competitions, more students may feel interest in
and choose to study science subjects. Perhaps, an influx of skilled workers who can adopt certain existing
advanced technologies to improve the productivity of different sectors will allow those countries to advance
economically. This can be seen in developing countries like Vietnam, where the adoption of modern
technologies in various fields has resulted in unprecedented levels of economic growth. This feat would not
have been achieved without increased state subsidies for science education since the early 1990s.

Unlike less economically advantaged countries, which primarily aim to adopt existing technologies,
developed countries depend on innovations to boost economic development. This forces schools to provide
children with a range of different subjects to boost their creativity levels. This can be seen in Finland, where
children are allowed to choose subjects of their interest and are encouraged to take singing and painting
lessons to facilitate their creativity and imagination. As a result, this country has been one of a few countries
in the world that consistently boasts the most scientific breakthroughs and innovations. Had this country
allotted more financial resources to science education, it would have succumbed to the dearth of creativity,
grinding its economy to a halt.

In conclusion, while it is justifiable for underdeveloped and developing countries to direct more capital to
science education, providing more funds for other creative subjects is a wiser course of action for developed
countries. (321 words)
In schools and universities, girls tend to choose arts while boys like science. What are the reasons for this
trend and do you think this tendency should be changed?

It is observed that female students often major in arts, while their male counterparts are more inclined to
choose science disciplines. This trend probably stems from the fact that each gender, by nature, cares about
different aspects, and it is wrong to change this pattern because they opt for a certain major out of their
own volition and their decision should be respected.

There is a preponderance of empirical evidence suggesting that girls tend to be more interested in people
and feelings rather than things around them. For example, young girls often play with dolls, which have
human characteristics, and often engage in dancing or singing activities, which are common means to
showcase human feelings. Most young boys, on the other hand, are naturally curious about objects and the
nature of phenomena around them rather than how someone feels. This predisposition manifests itself in
how boys tend to play with toy cars, guns and trains and in how they enjoy solving Sudoku puzzles or playing
chess. Thus, differences in choices of academic pursuit can be attributed to human nature.

The fact that males tend to dominate science domains, while females do so in arts majors should not be
changed for several reasons. Firstly, children often choose their major of study based on their passions or
strengths, so their choice most certainly matches their personality and innate talent. Trying to meddle with
someone’s choice because of their gender is fundamentally sexist, and utterly pointless: there is absolutely
no benefit whatsoever if a boy, who is naturally keen on the scientific side of things, is persuaded to pursue
a singing or acting career.

In conclusion, each gender seems to naturally take interests in different aspects of life, and they should be
allowed to do so. (295 words)
The range of technology available to people is increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. Others
think it has an opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinions.

Opinions are divided on whether the increasing range of technological devices available is widening or
narrowing the gap between rich and poor. I believe that thanks to the availability of modern technologies,
the less well-off population now can enjoy most of what used be the prerogative of the wealthy only.

Admittedly, due to technological advancements, a large number of products are only made for the wealthy.
For example, the latest model of an iPhone, which often boasts innovative features and a stylish design,
costs shy of $2000, which is possibly equivalent to a yearly income of a large section of society. Similarly,
advancements in space technology have allowed people to travel into space, but such a trip would cost over
$200.000. This is surely unaffordable for the vast majority of the human population. These examples bear
witness to how many items are specifically not created to serve people in low-income brackets.

However, for every item mentioned above, there are always a range of items that have similar functions and
are affordable for people from other economic classes. One can easily purchase a smartphone with $100,
and it has an almost identical range of functions. Similarly, although rich people can enjoy a trip into space,
the advent of virtual reality allows less well-off people to experience what it is like to be in a weightless
environment and admire the vastness of the universe. Furthermore, the introduction of modern means of
transportation and refrigeration technologies has allowed food companies to export their products to other
regions, reducing prices of food and consequently allowing more people to enjoy the same range of food.

In conclusion, the increasing availability of technology has certainly helped in bridging the chasm between
rich and poor, as clearly shown in the examples in the preceding paragraphs. (298 words)
Research into new medicines and treatments is essential. Should this research be paid for by private
companies or by the government?

Humans are now still faced with many presently incurable health problems, so investing in discovering new
medicines and effective treatments is of paramount importance. However, opinions are divided on whether
such investment should come from the private sector or the government. I believe that both private medical
companies and the state should pay for healthcare research because they both benefit from it.

Firstly, private businesses benefit from their subsidies for medical research, in financial terms. For example,
if they find an effective treatment to curb debilitating effects of, say, drug withdrawal, or new contraception
methods that do not have side effects, they can make billions of dollars. The potential financial gain
intrinsically encourages medical companies to expend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on
laboratory equipment and leading medical scientists. We see this in the way pharmaceutical companies
around the world are racing to find vaccine for COVID-19 in the hope that they could make a name for
themselves and reap the concomitant financial rewards.

The government, on the other hand, has the obligation to ensure public health, and subsidizing research in
the healthcare sector is a way to fulfil it. Furthermore, a healthy population is self-evidently more productive,
which is a clear precursor to economic growth and an a priori justification for the call for an increase in state
spending on healthcare research. Not only this, if there are fewer people suffering from debilitating health
problems, the government can cut back on subsidies for their treatments. Such savings could be reallocated
to other much needed areas such as education and infrastructure.

In conclusion, both the private sector and the government should invest in medical studies because they
benefit a great deal from such investment. (286 words)
Some people say history is one the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s
world, subjects like science and technology are more important than history. Discuss both these views and
give your own opinion.

Opinions are divided on how important history is, compared to other subjects like science and technology. I
believe that it is not possible to draw a definitive line between the importance of each subject because they
benefit students and the country in their own ways.

Teaching children about past events instils in them a sense of patriotism, which cannot be achieved by
learning science subjects like maths or physics. For example, by reading thoroughly about the battle of Dien
Bien Phu, Vietnamese students understand how much blood was shed, and how many lives were lost so that
the sovereignty of their country could be ensured. Given the ever-globalized world we are living in, without
such lessons, young people may have no attachment to their home country. The lack of patriotism can
destabilize society, and this dreadful problem can only be pre-emptively addressed by the teaching of history
rather than subjects such as science and technology.

However, science and technology subjects enhance children’s employability skills in ways that history
cannot. To illustrate, with the ability to work well with numbers, modern gadgets and software, one is
suitable to work in many different jobs, such as accountant, shop assistant, or librarian, among countless
others. Similarly, being adept in mathematics and physics as well as chemistry allows one to choose a wide
range of career paths, as seen in the way most majors in higher education require applicants to have
performed well in these subjects at high school. History, on the other hand, is only relevant for people who
aspire to become philosophers, history teachers or historians.

In conclusion, while history helps foster a sense of patriotism in students, subjects such as computer skills,
as well as science and technology allow youngsters to have more choices in terms of higher education and
employment. These benefits cannot be compared, so reaching a firm conclusion on which area of knowledge
is more important is impossible. (322 words)
These days, more and more schools focus on science and social science subjects and choose not to teach
children to sing, paint, sculpt, write creatively or dance. Should school-children study the arts?

It is true that science and technology have permeated almost every aspect of our life, and the demand for
workers in these two sectors is undoubtedly increasing. Schools, one of whose primary roles is to provide a
sufficient supply of manpower for industries, either are pressured into or are deliberately focusing on science
subjects to cater for such an increase. I believe that this development is largely justifiable, but schoolchildren
should also be given the opportunity to dabble in the arts because it not only benefits them socially and
emotionally, but also helps them think creatively and become more patient.

Firstly, children who take lessons in painting, sculpting or writing tend to be more creative and patient. This
is because they need to tap into their imagination to create or portray something. Obviously, their enhanced
creativity greatly benefits them in the modern workplace, where the ability to think creatively will help them
thrive in the face of the encroachment of automation. In addition, it often takes much time to make a
painting or a sculpture or write a poem or prose. This fosters patience, which allows them to persist and see
their goals to the end instead of succumbing to hardship along the way to success.

Enrolling in arts lessons confer further emotional and social benefits. Children who study the arts learn to
express their feelings through different means, and this benefits them emotionally. The reason for this is
that not everyone is capable of or willing to talk to someone about their pain or suffering, and singing and
writing can help children freely illustrate their emotions. Not only this, those taking lessons in the arts out of
their own volition tend to take great pleasure in doing it, and therefore the arts can be a means of relaxation
after stressful school hours. Finally, they can make friends with people who share their interests and
passions, which surely benefits them socially.

In conclusion, teaching children about the arts can help them to foster important virtues, such as patience
and creativity, and provide them with different ways to express themselves, relax and widen their social
circle. (357 words)
In today’s world of advanced science and technology, we still greatly value our artists such as musicians,
painters and writers. What can arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot?

It is true that science can explain the nature of many phenomena happening around us, ranging from the
impact of alcohol on our health to the response of our brain to pain and even the formation of clouds.
However, other aspects of human life including human feelings are better illustrated in the form of arts.

Firstly, human feelings still leave scientists a large number of questions to be answered. For example, the
response of our body and brain to nervousness and excitedness is exactly the same. The manifestations of
these feelings include heavy perspiration in the palms and armpits, faster heart beats, and a dose of
adrenaline released in a certain region in our brain. Thus, even an MRI scanner, which could detail how our
brain responds to external and internal cues, will show the same results for those two feelings, thereby
failing to tell what a person is viscerally going through.

A song, on the other hand, could deliver the unique feelings of the composer to the extent that there are
now over 2billion songs written about love, but they tell very different stories and shades of feelings.
Similarly, psychoanalysts, philosophers, and scientists alike are still struggling to provide possible answers to
metaphysical questions like what constitutes happiness. In scientific terms, there are certainly some
preconditions to happiness, for example in the form of personal achievements, material possessions and
relationships.

However, there are highly respected people who have risen to the position of power, possessed an
imaginable amount of wealth and had a good marriage life, but still feel miserable to the point of suicide.
This, scientifically, does not make much sense, but many writers, composers and painters have successfully
portrayed such people’s misery by means of a poem, song or painting. This can be seen in how Billy Eillish
described her loneliness underneath her glamour and success in her song “When the party is over”.

In conclusion, even the most erudite scientists are still baffled by questions pertaining to human feelings,
which could be reasonably depicted in many different forms of arts. (350 words)
Some people think that introducing new technology can improve people’s quality of life in developing
countries. However, others believe that free education should be offered. Discuss both views and give
your opinion?

Opinions are divided on whether modern technologies or free education should be provided for people in
developing nations so that their life could be improved. I believe that both approaches should be adopted
at the same time because the former would yield immediate results, while the latter could have a long-
lasting effect.

On the one hand, the provision of new technology could surely enhance people’s quality of life in poor
countries. For example, with the adoption of advanced farming techniques, crop yields would significantly
increase. This can be seen in southern parts of Vietnam, where farmers used to harvest crops by hand, and
suffer from droughts and pests. After the adoption of more advanced technologies like pesticides, effective
irrigation systems and machinery, they were liberated and began to enjoy the abundance of food supplies.
Certainly, had it not been for new technologies, Vietnamese farmers would have struggled to improve their
quality of life.

On the other hand, offering education for citizens in economically disadvantaged parts of the world would
have long-term benefits. Chief of these is that this measure allows more people to be properly educated,
which would result in a better educated and consequently more productive workforce. This naturally acts as
a precursor to economic growth, which is accompanied by increased living standard for everyone.
Furthermore, better educated parents are repeatedly proven to be better at raising children, for example by
adopting more salubrious diets or fruitful child-rearing practices. In other words, the aforementioned
economic and individual benefits can be perpetuated.

In conclusion, while the introduction of new technologies could beget immediate benefits, the impact of the
provision of free education could reverberate through generations. Therefore, both initiatives should be
taken in order to help inhabitants of less well-off countries. (293 words)
Increase the cost of fuel is the best way to solve world’s environmental problem is to increase the cost of
fuel. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that increasing the cost of gasoline is the best way to address environmental problems.
In this essay, however, I will challenge this school of thought.

Firstly, we need to factor in the futility of raising the cost of fuel in the cause of environmental protection.
Of course, one might argue that such a measure could force some people, especially money-conscious ones,
to give up their private vehicles for public transport. This is believed to result in less fuel being consumed
and lower levels of toxic gases being released into the air. However, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted
by personal vehicles is negligible, compared to that of industrial plants or even cow farts. This very fact
renders the effects of increasing the price of petrol on the environment insignificant.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the root cause of most serious environmental issues: our
energy-hungry lifestyles. For example, the accelerated depletion of natural resources that are used to
produce electricity and power machines can be attributed to the insatiable thirst for energy of mankind. By
the very same token, global warming and pollution, arguably the two most severe environmental problems,
are the knock-on effects stemming from humans consuming energy excessively. As such, the key to solving
the world’s environmental problems is to find alternative sources of energy. This could be done by exploiting
solar, wind and tidal power, all of which are unlimited and clean sources of energy that are largely
underdeveloped.

In conclusion, I believe that increasing the price of fuel is futile in alleviating problems posed to the
environment and that the key to solving these issues is to develop renewable energy.

(282 words)
It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct. There is no reason why people should try to
prevent this from happening. Do you agree or disagree?

Many people point to natural selection where the extinction of certain animals is unavoidable as the reason
why trying to prevent this from happening is largely pointless. In this essay, however, I will challenge this
school of thought.

Firstly, allowing animals to go extinct is tantamount to paving the way for our own extinction. This is because
the interconnected nature of the ecosystem, which governs and affects all lives on earth, could easily be
disrupted by the disappearance of certain keystone animals. For example, Australian bees have disappeared
in the North of this country due to unregulated harmful farming activities, leading to a large number of other
plants and animals disappearing along with them. Farmers in these places can no longer grow crops because
of sudden climatic changes caused by this unfortunate incident. Were we to turn a blind eye to such events,
we would soon face the demise of our own race.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the cost-effectiveness of protecting wildlife. In my view, if
some keystone animals such as bees died out, causing mass extinctions, the amount of money and
manpower needed to address the resulting changes to our own habitat would far outweigh the costs of
animal protection. To make matters worse, there is no guarantee that we would be able to develop our
technologies to cope with such dramatic changes. In fact, no existing technologies are making any discernible
contributions to the battle against climate change, let alone the looming end of our own kind.

In conclusion, it is a mistake to assume that there is no point in trying to save wild animals from dying out.
This is because preserving other animals is a cost-effective measure that could give us a fighting chance to
ensure the very existence of mankind.

(300 words)
Some people say that too much attention and too many resources are given in the protection of wild
animals and birds. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that we are paying too much attention to and spending too much money on protecting
wild animals. In this essay, however, I will challenge this school of thought.

Firstly, the amount of attention that we are paying to wildlife is far from enough. In my view, only a tiny
proportion of the human population reads or watches news about how much damage humankind has done
to the environment. This is because knowing about what is trendy rather than serious environmental
problems makes people become ‘relevant’ when they discuss with their friends and colleagues.
Furthermore, people now are occupied by a huge amount of workload when they are at school or at the
workplace and an abundance of entertainment choices when they come home. This leaves little time for
learning about what is going on in the natural world. Hence, it is sensible to conclude that even more
attention should be directed to preserving wild animals.

It is also unreasonable to say that too much money is being spent on the protection of wildlife as it also
ensures the survival of our own kind. If some keystone animals, such as bees, died out, causing mass
extinctions, and threatening our very own existence, the amount of money and manpower needed to
address the resulting changes to our own habitat would far outweigh the amount spent on animal
protection. To make matters worse, there is no certainty that we would be able to develop our technologies
to cope with such dramatic changes since no existing technologies are making any discernible contributions
to the battle against climate change, let alone the looming end of our own kind.

In conclusion, it is a mistake to assume that the amount of attention, manpower andmoney being directed
towards the protection of wildlife is too much.

(304 words)
Climate change is a phenomenon that affects countries all over the world. Many people strongly believe
that it is the responsibility of individuals, rather than corporations and governments, to deal with this
problem. To what extent do you agree?

It is true that climate change presents a challenge to us all. However, I strongly disagree that the
responsibility to mitigate it falls only on individuals’ shoulders, as I will explain now.

Firstly, private citizens cannot effect large-scale changes in the way that the government in conjunction with
corporations do. Any environmental project is likely to require a monumental amount of money and
manpower that no individual alone can provide. For example, under the aegis of the Indian government, a
nationwide environmental campaign in this country was launched. Thanks to this effort, over 66 million trees
were planted to battle climate change, but it involved over 1.5 million people and thousands of
environmentalists. The sheer number of trees or people needed for this to work is indeed so overwhelming
that no one would think that it could ever be done by any individual alone.

Of course, people can try to become more energy-efficient, reuse plastic bags and recycle more. However,
these actions cannot bring about any discernible changes to the environment, if not done on a collective
level - which is highly unlikely due to people’s hesitance to change their lifestyles. The government, on the
other hand, can enact laws requiring both individuals and large corporations to abide by certain restrictions.
Large companies, in addition, can proactively reduce the amount of packaging they put on their products, or
use recycled materials instead of virgin ones in their course of production. These actions would bring about
immediate large-scale changes.

In conclusion, governments, corporations and individuals all need to shoulder their fair share of
responsibility in the fight against climate change.

(272 words)
The amount of rubbish in our world is increasing at a rapid rate. Why is this happening? What can be done
to reduce it?

It is true that countries around the world are rife with bags, plastic bottles and rubbish. This state of affairs
can be attributed to several reasons, and some viable solutions that can be adopted to alleviate the situation
will be outlined in this essay. Three main factors are to blame for the increasing waste production worldwide.

Firstly, the pervasive presence of advertising can create a growing demand for consumer goods, and as a
result, greater amounts of waste will be produced through production and consumption of goods. To make
matters worse, more plastic bags and containers are being used more than ever because of the arrival of
food delivery services. Finally, the low rates of recycling are the next possible contributor to our planet being
strewn with waste. In most countries, many manufacturers gravitate towards virgin materials, which are
often cheaper than recyclable ones, in the course of production.

To address the piling up of waste, it should be, first and foremost, brought to the fore and then it can be
tackled by education. With regard to making the problem known to the public, this can be done by mounting
an international awareness campaign about the dangers of over-consumption and the environmental
problems posed by waste, and celebrities who are trusted by the public can also help spread the message.
As for education, schoolchildren should be educated about how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Since these
young people will grow up and act as role models to their children, the impact of such an initiative will
reverberate through generations to come.

In conclusion, the unimaginable amount of waste produced worldwide can be ascribed to advertising, food
shipping services and low rates of recycling, and the solutions would lie in awareness-raising campaigns, the
participation of high-profile public figures and education.

(299 words)
The natural resources such as oil, forests and fresh water are being consumed at an alarming rate. What
problems does it cause? How can we solve these problems?

It is true that the planet’s resources are being depleted at a staggering rate. This can lead to several
problems, and this essay will suggest some viable measures to remedy the situation.

Two main problems can arise from the acceleration of the depletion of natural resources. Firstly, the
environment will be adversely affected. Take, for example, forests, which can absorb carbon dioxide,
produce oxygen and stabilize the earth. Deforestation is disrupting this vital system, and this, coupled with
the increasing levels of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels is compounding the problem of climate
change. As well as this, drinking water is steadily lost due to the fact that most companies do not treat their
waste properly before discharging it into rivers and the ocean, contaminating water sources. This spells
disaster for lives of all plants and animals on earth and humans alike.

To address the aforementioned problems, they should be, first and foremost, brought to the fore. This can
be done by mounting a global awareness campaign about the dangers of consuming the planet’s resources
in a reckless manner, and celebrities who are trusted by the public can also help spread the message.
Perhaps, a long-term solution is to educate young people about how to be more energy- efficient so that the
next generation will not take drinking water, forests and fossil fuels for granted. Since these young people
will grow up and act as role models to their children, the impact of such an initiative will reverberate through
generations to come.

In conclusion, the planet being depleted at an alarming pace can exacerbate the problem of climate change
and the loss of drinking water, and the solutions would lie in awareness-raising campaigns, the participation
of celebrities and education.

(300 words)
As artificial intelligence advances and becomes a common part of everyday life, some people worry that
computerized systems will make many jobs obsolete. Some even worry that AI will eventually do this to
teachers and take over their children’s and grandchildren’s classrooms. Do you think a computer can
replace a human teacher?

Given recent ground breaking breakthroughs in AI technology, some people believe that AI will even
permeate future classrooms where the presence of teachers will no longer be needed. Personally, I disagree
with this school of thought for several reasons.

One might argue that the role of a teacher in traditional classrooms is fundamentally about transferring
knowledge to learners, which could totally be done by AI teachers. In fact, AI teachers’ knowledge would be
invariably superior to that of their human counterparts, and this would render AI teachers capable of
delivering lessons better than human ones normally do. However, this line of reasoning fails to factor in the
fact that lessons given by AI teachers would be boring and clinical, causing young people to lose interest in
learning. Human teachers, on the other hand, have the ability to recognize how their students feel towards
their lessons and make quick adjustments to their teaching plans to keep learners engaged.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the frightening scenario where AI teachers could take over
classrooms successfully. This would mean that they would have the ability to recognize children’s emotions,
appeal to their feelings and deal with children’s unpredictable behaviors, all of which are integral in the
teaching job. This would mean that AI teachers could make decisions by themselves regarding what course
of action should be taken to deal with a misbehaved child. Some punishments that are thought to be
necessary and suitable by AI teachers might turn out to be morally wrong or even dangerous.

In conclusion, human teachers would never be replaced by robots because lessons delivered by AI teachers
would not arouse students’ interest, and it would be dangerous to let AI teachers take complete control of
the classroom.

(298 words)
Developments in technology have brought various environmental problems. Some believe that people
need to live simpler lives to solve such problems. Others, however, believe technology is the way to solve
these problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There is a preponderance of evidence suggesting that technological advances, such as plastic bags, fossil-
based vehicles and hydroelectricity have posed certain dangers to the environment. In order to address such
problems and preserve the Earth as we know it, some people suggest that we should lead simpler lives and
consume less energy. However, I agree with people saying that only technological advancements could
holistically solve those problems.

Admittedly, one might argue that by changing our lifestyles, we could affect positive changes to the
environment. This is predicated on the assumption that we could all cut back on the use of plastic bags,
straws and packaging, and avoid making extraneous trips to reduce our carbon footprint. However, this line
of reasoning is not sound because alternatives to plastic bags could do more harm than good, as seen in the
way alternative products made of wood or wool could lead to deforestation or severely contaminate drinking
water respectively. Similarly, asking people to travel less is decidedly difficult, nay, impossible because it may
violate their freedom of choice, and deciding which trip is unnecessary is also entirely problematic.

Only by developing new technologies could we deal with the aforementioned conundrums, and there is now
a large body of empirical evidence undergirding this viewpoint. For example, many leading scientists in the
field of energy predicted that by the year 2030, solar energy will have become even cheaper than non-
renewable sources. This makes it possible for us to sustain our current lifestyles, while reducing our carbon
footprint. Also, plastic bags, though rife with problems, are currently our optimal choice, so not until an
invention comes along to replace them could we hope to terminate the use of such an item.

In conclusion, although there are reasons to say that we should lead a simpler lifestyle for the sake of the
environment, it is wiser to develop more advanced technologies to resolve existing environmental problems.
(319 words)
There are more workers who work from home and more students who study from home. This is because
computer technology is more and more easily accessible and cheaper. Do you think it is a positive or
negative development?

The increasing affordability of modern technologies such as computers and smartphones has facilitated
teleworking and virtual learning. As such, there has been a progressive increase in the number of remote
workers and learners in many parts of the world. While the shift towards working and studying from home
may cause some problems, the overall impact has been tremendously positive.

Admittedly, the drawbacks of remote working and learning are evident. As for the former, teleworkers are
more susceptible to psychological problems such as boredom and depression, due to the lack of face-to-face
interaction. Related to this is the fact that adults who opt for working from home for childcare or eldercare
reasons tend to find it hard to concentrate on their work, hence lower productivity. Similar challenges are
also found in internet-based learning. Online lessons lack the element of competition that traditional classes
offer, and there is inevitably less direct interaction between students and teachers. These factors may
negatively affect students’ motivation to study, leading to lower academic results.

Despite the negatives mentioned above, the trend towards learning and working remotely is a welcome
development for a variety of reasons. On an individual level, while distant learners can study whenever and
wherever is convenient, teleworkers can still take care of their children or elderly members and earn money
at the same time. They also have complete freedom to design their learning and working environment to
best suit their personal preferences and needs, thereby enhancing their productivity and creativity. On a
business level, institutions and companies allowing distant learning and remote working can reduce
operating costs in the form of fewer classrooms and offices, and lower electricity bills.

In conclusion, although the decision to study or work from home may have a negative impact on people’s
work and educational outcomes, this development is a positive one overall. This is provided that virtual
learners and teleworkers eliminate possible distractions at home and socialize with their friends and family
so that their productivity and mental health are not affected. (327 words)
Space travel has been possible for some time and some people believe that space tourism could be
developed in the future. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

It is true that traveling into space is no longer something out of a science fiction novel, and the development
of space tourism is still in its infant stages. While I acknowledge the potential benefits of this form of tourism,
I believe it to be an unwelcome development.

One might argue that while going deep into space, space travelers have the opportunity to experience
weightlessness, admire the vastness of the universe and watch the Earth from afar. However, these
experiences are achievable without having to make a trip into space. For example, by spending a fraction of
the price of a ticket into space, one can experience what it is like to be in a weightless environment in some
advanced entertainment facilities. Similarly, given the development of virtual reality technologies, one is
now allowed to ‘venture’ into space, and ‘see’ the surface of the moon or Mars without actually having to
travel there.

Another negative ramification of space tourism is related to space garbage in the form of used-up fuel tanks
and discarded parts of spaceships. The failure to comprehend the seriousness of this problem would result
in countless chunks of metal space debris flying around the Earth, preventing further exploration into space.
Also, there is no guarantee that discarded parts of spaceships would not hit vital satellites or fall back into
the earth. While the former would disrupt communication, the latter would be as cataclysmic as a small
meteor shower. As these risks are too big for humans to afford, the benefits of developing space tourism are
simply not justified.

In conclusion, although the benefits of space travel on an individual level are clear, theypale in comparison
with its problems, rendering this trend negative.

(290 words)
In the future, it seems more difficult to live on the Earth. Some people think more money should be spent
on researching other planet to live, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

As the nightmare scenario where the Earth will become completely uninhabitable for humans is already on
the horizon, some believe that more resources should be allocated to space exploration in order to find an
alternative planet for mankind. However, in this essay I will challenge this school of thought.

One might argue that it is necessary to spend more money on research into making other planets inhabitable.
This is predicated on the assumption that the process of global warming has passed the point where it could
ever be reversed, spelling disaster for all lives on Earth. According to this theory, colonizing another planet
such as Mars is the key to the survival of the human race. However, this line of reasoning is not sound as it
does not factor the impracticality of such a venture into the equation. As a rocket that could send three
astronauts into space costs around 200 million dollars, building enough spaceships to move a part of the
human population to live on another planet is simply impossible.

It is also unnecessary to invest in space exploration. Consider Bill Gates, who has funded many projects
addressing the energy predicament, which is the root cause of global warming. Recently, he and his team
have reported substantial progress in exploiting nuclear power, a clean but previously perceived unstable
source of electricity. They have also introduced a device that could concentrate solar energy to melt most
commonly used metals, which can help reduce the amount of CO2 emitted from this process. Thus, if more
money were used to subsidize innovative ideas, we could still make the Earth inhabitable for generations to
come.

In conclusion, it is a mistake to assume that more money should be directed to research into space
colonization. This is because it is unrealistic to colonize other planets and many ideas that can change our
habitat for the better are regrettably underfunded.

(312 words)
Nowadays because of digital technology it is possible for not only studios but also individuals to produce
their own films. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

It is true that technological advances have enabled individuals to make their own films. I believe that this
trend is a very positive one.

Firstly, we need to factor in the viewing options that the brought forth development offers viewers. When
making films was a reserve for only film companies, film- lovers were restricted to a small pool of films on
TV or in the cinema. Nowadays, the proliferation of sitcoms, short films and parodies made by amateur film
producers on social media sites like Facebook and Youtube allows internet users to watch as much as they
wish. In addition, the increasing popularity of these works can certainly be monetized in the form of
advertising for certain products. This possibility encourages lots of people to dabble in acting and movie-
directing, which is in and of itself a benefit for the movie-making industry.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the fact that being allowed to make their own films, film
creators can now express their creativity and ideas beyond conventional limits. As arts are largely subjective,
this will be a step forward in the filmmaking industry. For example, with only an iPad and a simple movie
editing software, 1977 Vlog, a group of young creative producers, made parodies of famous Vietnamese
pieces of literature to voice their opinion about existing problems in their community. Despite being ridiculed
based on the standards contemporarily applied in the film industry, their works have quickly gained
popularity, challenged the status quo and revolutionalized the way films are generally perceived and made.

In conclusion, the fact that individuals can now produce their own films is a welcome development because
it benefits movie-lovers, movie creators and the movie industry as a whole.

(289 words)
Scientific research should be carried out and controlled by governments rather than private companies.
Do you agree or disagree?

Although our life has been revolutionized by countless inventions and innovations that have been made by
private companies or individuals, some people maintain that scientific research should only be conducted
by governmental entities. In this essay, I will challenge this school of thought.

Firstly, we need to factor in the government’s decisions regarding what types of research should take
priority. In my view, if weaponry research is prioritized over healthcare or education-related programs, its
citizens may suffer from preventable diseases or woefully die of hunger. This can be seen in North Korea,
whose military budget accounts for a majority of taxpayers’ money. As a result of the government allocating
funds from healthcare and education to the military sector, citizens in this country are poorly educated and
receive poor healthcare. This example sheds light on why overcontrol of governments on scientific research
would be very risky and counterproductive.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the profound impact of non- governmental research on our
lives over recent centuries. An example that aptly illustrates my view is that of electricity, arguably the most
important invention throughout the history of mankind. Electricity was discovered by Benjamin Franklin,
who was working as an independent researcher at the time. Undoubtedly, if he had not been allowed to
carry out research on this type of energy, there would be no guarantee that it would have ever been found
and humans would ever achieve this level of development.

In conclusion, it would be wrong to assume that governments should have total control over whether certain
scientific projects should be carried out or not. This is because governmental interference in the world of
science is fraught with peril, and lots of life-changing inventions were made by either individuals or private
firms rather than state-run ones.

(302 words)
LATIN PHRASES

1. Ad hoc - For this purpose; improvised.

2. Ergo - Therefore; as a result.

3. Et cetera (etc.) - And so forth; and other things.

4. Ipso facto - By the fact itself; as a result of the fact.

5. Vice versa - The other way around; conversely.

Examples of sentences using the provided Latin phrases:

1. Ad hoc: The committee was formed ad hoc to address the unexpected challenges.

2. Ergo: The evidence presented was compelling; ergo, the conclusion was hard to dispute.

3. Et cetera (etc.): The shopping list included fruits, vegetables, dairy products, etc.

4. Ipso facto: By refusing to comply with the rules, he was ipso facto disqualified from the competition.

5. Vice versa: Teachers learn from students, and vice versa; it's a reciprocal process.

UNCOMMON VOCAB

1. Obfuscate: To deliberately make something unclear or difficult to understand.

2. Pernicious: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

3. Quixotic: Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

4. Sycophant: A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage;
a flatterer.

5. Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time; fleeting.

6. Ubiquitous: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

7. Ineffable: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

8. Nefarious: Wicked, villainous, or infamous.

9. Sagacious: Having keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise.

10. Disparate: Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.

UNCOMMON VERBS

1. Exacerbate: To make a situation, condition, or problem more severe or intense.

2. Ameliorate: To make a situation or condition better; to improve.

3. Eschew: To deliberately avoid or abstain from.

4. Mollify: To soothe or appease someone's anger or anxiety.

5. Exhort: To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.

6. Impugn: To challenge the truth or integrity of a statement or motive; to criticize or attack verbally.

7. Delineate: To describe or portray something precisely; to outline or define.

8. Elucidate: To make something clear or explain it in a detailed and clear manner.

9. Expatiate: To speak or write at length in a detailed and elaborate manner.

10. Vitiate: To spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of something.