Credit: IELTS Podcast

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled.
They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to
make it a legal requirement.
To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more
of their waste?

It is true that we do not recycle enough of our household waste. Although I accept
that new legislation to force people to recycle could help this situation, I do not agree
that a recycling law is the only measure that governments should take.

In my view, a new recycling law would be just one possible way to tackle the waste
problem. Governments could make it a legal obligation for householders to separate
all waste into different bins. There could be punishments for people who fail to adhere
to this law, ranging from a small fine to community service, or even perhaps prison
sentences for repeat offenders. These measures would act as a deterrent and
encourage people to obey the recycling law. As a result, the improved behaviour of
homeowners could lead to a clean, waste-free environment for everyone.

However, I believe that governments should do more than simply introduce a

recycling law. It might be more effective if politicians put education, rather than
punishment, at the centre of a recycling campaign. For example, children could be
taught about recycling in schools, and homeowners could be informed about the
environmental impact of household waste. Another tactic that governments could use
would be to create stricter regulations for the companies that produce the packaging
for household products. Finally, money could also be spent to improve recycling
facilities and systems, so that waste is processed more effectively, regardless of
whether or not people separate it correctly in the home.

In conclusion, perhaps we do need to make recycling a legal requirement, but this

would certainly not be the only way to encourage people to dispose of their waste
more responsibly.

(279 words, band 9) Simon

 household waste

 new legislation

 just one possible way to tackle the problem

 a legal obligation

 householders

 fail to adhere to this law

 prison sentences for repeat offenders

Page 1 of 63
 act as a deterrent

 encourage people to obey

 improved behaviour of homeowners

 a clean, waste-free environment

 put education at the centre of a recycling campaign

 the environmental impact of household waste

 Another tactic that governments could use

 create stricter regulations

 packaging for household products

 recycling facilities and systems

 waste is processed more effectively

 dispose of their waste more responsibly

Page 2 of 63
In many cities, the use of video cameras in public places is being increased
in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures
restrict our individual freedom.
Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent
years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe
that the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks.

There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras
in public places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the
sense that we are constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security
firms. Many people find this intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements
is a form of state control that curtails their individual freedom. The second argument
against the proliferation of CCTV cameras is that they are being used as an alternative
to police officers patrolling the streets. If this is indeed happening, then it is unlikely
that members of the public will feel safer.

In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, I believe that the use of video cameras
to monitor public areas is a positive measure. The key objective of video surveillance
is to deter criminals and to prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters
and pickpockets are less likely to operate in parts of cities where they know that they
are being watched. At the same time, when crimes are committed, the police can use
video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders. Therefore, in my view, video
cameras offer valuable support to police officers, and they make cities safer for
inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.

In conclusion, it seems to me that we gain more than we lose from the enhanced
security that CCTV cameras bring to our cities.

(275 words)

 video surveillance

 has become commonplace

 an invasion of privacy

 reasons why people might disapprove of

 The first objection is that

 we are constantly being watched by the authorities

 private security firms

 intrusive

 a form of state control

Page 3 of 63
 curtails their individual freedom

 the proliferation of CCTV cameras

 police officers patrolling the streets

 to monitor public areas

 to deter criminals

 petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets

 less likely to operate in parts of cities

 video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders

 offer valuable support to police officers

 make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike

 we gain more than we lose

 the enhanced security that CCTV cameras bring

Page 4 of 63
Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their
children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children?
What consequences could this style of parenting have for children, as they
get older?

It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In
my opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative
long-term consequences.

If parents want to raise respectful and well-behaved children, I believe that a certain
amount of discipline is necessary. Having worked with children myself, I have learnt
that clear expectations and boundaries are necessary, and it is important to be able
to say ‘no’ to children when they misbehave or try to push against these boundaries.
This is the only way to help young people to regulate their desires and develop self-
control. In my view, parents who do the opposite and constantly give in to their
children’s demands are actually doing more harm than good. They are failing their
children rather than being kind to them.

The children of indulgent or lenient parents are likely to grow up with several negative
personality traits. The first and most obvious danger is that these children will
become self-centered adults who show little consideration for the feelings or needs
of others. One consequence of such an attitude could be that these adults are unable
to work successfully in teams with other colleagues. A second negative trait in such
people could be impulsiveness. A person who has never lived with any boundaries is
likely to lack the patience to carefully consider options before making decisions. This
may lead, for example, to compulsive shopping, unwise financial decisions, or even
criminal activity.

In conclusion, parents should help their children to develop self-control and respect
for others, and I do not believe that the permissive parenting style supports this
objective.

(283 words, band 9)

 overly permissive

 tend to spoil their children

 parenting style

 a range of negative long-term consequences

 to raise respectful and well-behaved children

 a certain amount of discipline

 Having worked with children myself,.....

 clear expectations and boundaries

 to push against these boundaries

Page 5 of 63
 to regulate their desires

 develop self-control

 constantly give in to their children’s demands

 doing more harm than good

 failing their children

 indulgent or lenient parents

 negative personality traits

 The first and most obvious danger

 self-centered adults

 show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others

 One consequence of such an attitude

 unable to work successfully in teams

 impulsiveness

 lack the patience

 to carefully consider options

 compulsive shopping

 unwise financial decisions

 criminal activity

 I do not believe that..... supports this objective

Page 6 of 63
Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by
their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important
role in the education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your
own opinion.

People’s opinions differ as to whether or not schoolchildren should be given

homework. While there are some strong arguments against the setting of homework,
I still believe that it is a necessary aspect of education.

There are several reasons why people might argue that homework is an unnecessary
burden on children. Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does
nothing to improve educational outcomes. Countries such as Finland, where
schoolchildren are not given homework, regularly top international educational
league tables and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly,
many parents would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves
their children too tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is
recognized that play time is just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of
brain development.

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that homework has an important
role to play in the schooling of children. The main benefit of homework is that it
encourages independent learning and problem solving, as children are challenged to
work through tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must apply
the knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing
mathematics exercises at home, students consolidate their understanding of the
concepts taught by their teacher at school. In my view, it is important for children to
develop an independent study habit because this prepares them to work alone as
adults.

In conclusion, homework certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits
outweigh them in the long term.

(270 words, band 9)

 opinions differ as to whether or not

 the setting of homework

 a necessary aspect of

 an unnecessary burden on

 there is evidence to support the idea that

 improve educational outcomes

 regularly top international educational league tables

 countries where..... outperform nations where.....

 setting homework is the norm

Page 7 of 63
 is just as beneficial as

 from the perspective of

 brain development

 has an important role to play in

 the schooling of children

 encourages independent learning and problem solving

 are challenged to work through tasks

 at their own pace

 In doing so, .....

 apply the knowledge

 consolidate their understanding

 concepts taught by their teacher

 develop an independent study habit

 certainly has its drawbacks

 the benefits outweigh them in the long term

Page 8 of 63
It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops.
Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this view?

Some people believe that technological developments lead to the loss of traditional
cultures. I partly agree with this assertion; while it may be true in the case of some
societies, others seem to be unaffected by technology and the modern world.

On the one hand, the advances in technology that have driven industrialization in
developed countries have certainly contributed to the disappearance of traditional
ways of life. For example, in pre-industrial Britain, generations of families grew up in
the same small village communities. These communities had a strong sense of
identity, due to their shared customs and beliefs. However, developments in
transport, communications and manufacturing led to the dispersal of families and
village communities as people moved to the cities in search of work. Nowadays
commuters, many of whom do not know their closest neighbors, inhabit most British
villages.

On the other hand, in some parts of the world traditional cultures still thrive. There
are tribes in the Amazon Rainforest, for example, that have been completely
untouched by the technological developments of the developed world. These tribal
communities continue to hunt and gather food from the forest, and traditional skills
are passed on to children by parents and elders. Other traditional cultures, such as
farming communities in parts of Africa, are embracing communications technologies.
Mobile phones give farmers access to information, from weather predictions to
market prices, which helps them to prosper and therefore supports their culture.

In conclusion, many traditional ways of life have been lost because of advances in
technology, but other traditional communities have survived and even flourished.

(266 words, band 9)

 technological developments

 lead to the loss of

 this assertion

 it may be true in the case of

 seem to be unaffected by

 advances in technology that have driven industrialization

 contributed to the disappearance of

 in pre-industrial Britain

 generations of families grew up in small communities

 a strong sense of identity

Page 9 of 63
 shared customs and beliefs

 led to the dispersal of families

 villages are inhabited by commuters

 traditional cultures still thrive

 have been completely untouched by

 hunt and gather food

 traditional skills are passed on to children by parents and elders

 are embracing communications technologies

 access to information

 from weather predictions to market prices

 helps them to prosper

 have survived and even flourished

Page 10 of 63
Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to
find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue
that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this
opinion, because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the
human impact on the Earth's climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent,
or at least mitigate, climate change. Governments could introduce laws to limit the
carbon dioxide emissions that lead to global warming. They could impose “green
taxes” on drivers, airline companies and other polluters, and they could invest in
renewable energy production from solar, wind or waterpower. As individuals, we
should also try to limit our contribution to climate change, by becoming more energy
efficient, by flying less, and by using bicycles and public transport. Furthermore, the
public can affect the actions of governments by voting for politicians who propose to
tackle climate change, rather than for those who would prefer to ignore it.

If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate change, I
believe that the consequences will be disastrous. To give just one example, I am not
optimistic that we would be able to cope with even a small rise in sea levels. Millions
of people would be displaced by flooding, particularly in countries that do not have
the means to safeguard low-lying areas. These people would lose their homes and
their jobs, and they would be forced to migrate to nearby cities or perhaps to other
countries. The potential for human suffering would be huge, and it is likely that we
would see outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as increased homelessness and
poverty.

In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change,

and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.

(322 words, band 9)

 represents a major threat to

 tackle this issue

 reduce the human impact

 to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change

 limit the carbon dioxide emissions

 impose “green taxes” on drivers

 other polluters

 invest in renewable energy production

 energy efficient

Page 11 of 63
 voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change

 the consequences will be disastrous

 not optimistic that we would be able to cope

 rise in sea levels

 people would be displaced

 the means to safeguard low-lying areas

 forced to migrate to nearby cities

 the potential for human suffering would be huge

 outbreaks of disease and famine

 increased homelessness and poverty

Page 12 of 63
Many governments think that economic progress is their most important
goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally
important for a country.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’
progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who
believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for
countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of
employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures
that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public
services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country's
transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy
can help a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence
and trading power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant
as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area
of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself. For example, the
treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and
level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging
the progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural
environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability.
Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health,
well-being and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but

social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

(262 words, band 9)

 measure (verb) progress

 measures (noun) of progress

 just as important, equally significant

 a fundamental goal

 a healthy economy

 job creation, a high level of employment, better salaries

 money is available

 spend on infrastructure

 higher revenues

Page 13 of 63
 invest in the transport network

 a country’s standing on the global stage

 political influence, trading power

 social justice, human rights

 the treatment of minority groups

 seen as a reflection of

 moral standards

 another key consideration

 judging the progress

 moving towards environmental sustainability

 health, well-being and happiness

 a key marker of

 social, environmental and health criteria

Page 14 of 63
Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later and it is
often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the
dangers of committing a crime.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is true that ex-prisoners can become normal, productive members of society. I

completely agree with the idea that allowing such people to speak to teenagers about
their experiences is the best way to discourage them from breaking the law.

In my opinion, teenagers are more likely to accept advice from someone who can
speak from experience. Reformed offenders can tell young people about how they
became involved in crime, the dangers of a criminal lifestyle, and what life in prison
is really like. They can also dispel any ideas that teenagers may have about criminals
leading glamorous lives. While adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given
by older people, I imagine that most of them would be extremely keen to hear the
stories of an ex-offender. The vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories is
likely to have a powerful impact.

The alternatives to using reformed criminals to educate teenagers about crime would
be much less effective. One option would be for police officers to visit schools and
talk to young people. This could be useful in terms of informing teens about what
happens to lawbreakers when they are caught, but young people are often reluctant
to take advice from figures of authority. A second option would be for schoolteachers
to speak to their students about crime, but I doubt that students would see teachers
as credible sources of information about this topic. Finally, educational films might
be informative, but there would be no opportunity for young people to interact and
ask questions.

In conclusion, I fully support the view that people who have turned their lives around
after serving a prison sentence could help to deter teenagers from committing crimes.

(287 words, band 9)

 productive members of society

 discourage them from breaking the law

 accept advice from someone who can speak from experience

 reformed offenders

 dispel any ideas

 leading glamorous lives

 adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given by...

 the vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories

 have a powerful impact

Page 15 of 63
 informing teens about what happens to lawbreakers

 reluctant to take advice from figures of authority

 credible sources of information

 opportunity for young people to interact

 turned their lives around

 serving a prison sentence

 deter teenagers from committing crimes

Page 16 of 63
These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while
mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think
it is a positive or a negative development?

It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while
more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several
reasons for this, and I consider it a very positive trend.

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

In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress. We should be

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

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

(274 words, band 9)

 are increasingly likely to

 take on the role of househusband

 breadwinners

 equal rights movements

 made great progress

 gain qualifications

 pursue a career

 become socially acceptable

 the rising cost of living

 marriage partners

 starting a family

Page 17 of 63
 personal preference

 should be seen as progress

 equal opportunities

 put under pressure

 sacrifice their careers

 assume childcare responsibilities

 parental role

 their particular circumstances and needs

 wider changes in society

 these developments are desirable

Page 18 of 63
Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a
waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people argue that it is pointless to spend money on the protection of wild
animals because we humans have no need for them. I completely disagree with this
point of view.

In my opinion, it is absurd to argue that wild animals have no place in the 21st
century. I do not believe that planet Earth exists only for the benefit of humans, and
there is nothing special about this particular century that means that we suddenly
have the right to allow or encourage the extinction of any species. Furthermore, there
is no compelling reason why we should let animals die out. We do not need to exploit
or destroy every square meter of land in order to feed or accommodate the world’s
population. There is plenty of room for us to exist side by side with wild animals, and
this should be our aim.

I also disagree with the idea that protecting animals is a waste of resources. It is
usually the protection of natural habitats that ensures the survival of wild animals,
and most scientists agree that these habitats are also crucial for human survival. For
example, rainforests produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and stabilize the Earth’s
climate. If we destroyed these areas, the costs of managing the resulting changes to
our planet would far outweigh the costs of conservation. By protecting wild animals
and their habitats, we maintain the natural balance of all life on Earth.

In conclusion, we have no right to decide whether wild animals should exist, and I
believe that we should do everything we can to protect them.

(269 words, band 9)

 it is absurd to argue that...

 exists only for the benefit of humans

 allow or encourage the ______ of any species

 there is no ______ reason why...

 let animals die out (die out = become extinct)

 exploit or destroy every last square metre of land

 feed or accommodate the world’s population

 exist side by ______ with wild animals

 protection of natural ______

 ensures the survival of wild animals

 crucial for human survival

 rainforests produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide

Page 19 of 63
 and ______ the Earth’s climate

 maintain the natural ______ of all life on Earth

Page 20 of 63
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their lives.
While the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, there do seem
to be some common needs that we all share with regard to experiencing or achieving
happiness.

Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each

individual person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another person’s
feelings, and we all have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure.
Some people, for example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or
achieving success, whereas for others, health and family are much more important.
At the same time, a range of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may
be associated with the idea of happiness, and the same person may therefore feel
happy in a variety of different ways.

Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, most

people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it. Firstly, it
is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and
enough food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met before we can lead
a pleasant life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usually found in shared experiences
with family and friends, and it is rare to find a person who is content to live in
complete isolation. Other key factors could be individual freedom and a sense of
purpose in life.

In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each individual,

but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company need to be fulfilled
before we can experience it.

(292 words, band 9)

 Happiness means different things to different people.

 It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment.

 People enjoy spending time with family and friends.

 Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment.

 Some people see money as a source of happiness.

 Other people define happiness as something deeper.

 They need to feel that they are doing something useful with their lives.

 Some people get a sense of achievement from their work.

 Others find happiness in bringing up their children.

Page 21 of 63
Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay
taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need
to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with this
view.
For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay for private
education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct amount of tax reduction for
these families, and staff would be required to manage this complex process. Secondly,
we all pay a certain amount of tax for public services that we may not use. For example,
most people are fortunate enough not to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time
in their lives, but they would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families
were given a tax discount for sending their children to private schools, we might have a
situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the rich.
In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that supports public
schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high quality education system
with equal opportunities for all young people. This will result in a well-educated workforce,
and in turn a more productive and prosperous nation. Parents of children in private
schools may also see the advantages of this in their own lives. For example, a company
owner will need well-qualified and competent staff, and a well-funded education system
can provide such employees.
In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people
who choose private education.
(269 words, band 9)
 difficult to calculate the tax reduction

 more government staff would be required for this process

 we all pay for public services that we may not need e.g. police

 poorer people would pay more tax than wealthy people

 state schools benefit the whole of society

 high quality state education leads to equal opportunities for all

 a well-educated workforce is the key to a prosperous nation

 companies need educated staff

 we should all be happy to contribute to public services

Page 22 of 63
When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people choose their jobs based on the size of the salary offered. Personally, I
disagree with the idea that money is the key consideration when deciding on a career,
because I believe that other factors are equally important.

On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet their
basic needs. For example, we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills, health
care, and education. Most people consider it a priority to at least earn a salary that
allows them to cover these needs and have a reasonable quality of life. If people
chose their jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial factors, they might find
it difficult to support themselves. Artists and musicians, for instance, are known for
choosing a career path that they love, but that does not always provide them with
enough money to live comfortably and raise a family.

Nevertheless, I believe that other considerations are just as important as what we

earn in our jobs. Firstly, personal relationships and the atmosphere in a workplace
are extremely important when choosing a job. Having a good manager or friendly
colleagues, for example, can make a huge difference to workers’ levels of happiness
and general quality of life. Secondly, many people’s feelings of job satisfaction come
from their professional achievements, the skills they learn, and the position they
reach, rather than the money they earn. Finally, some people choose a career
because they want to help others and contribute something positive to society.

In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect people’s choice of profession, I do not

believe that money outweighs all other motivators.

(275 words, band 9)

Page 23 of 63
Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and
historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion?

It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than local
residents to visit important sites and monuments. I completely disagree with this
idea.

The argument in favor of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultural or
historical attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going, which
means that the resident population already pays money to these sites through the
tax system. However, I believe this to be a very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists
contribute to the economy of the host country with the money they spend on a wide
range of goods and services, including food, souvenirs, accommodation and travel.
The governments and inhabitants of every country should be happy to subsidize
important tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit them.

If travellers realized that they would have to pay more to visit historical and cultural
attractions in a particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go to that country
on holiday. To take the UK as an example, the tourism industry and many related
jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see places like Windsor Castle or Saint
Paul’s Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price regardless of nationality, and
this helps to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas tourists stopped
coming due to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the
maintenance of these important buildings.

In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists from
overseas, and it would be counterproductive to make them pay more than local
residents.

(269 words, band 9)

Page 24 of 63
Some people think that governments should give financial support to
creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that
creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.

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

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

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

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

Page 25 of 63
Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines
and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these
experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause
animals to suffer, while others are in favor of them because of their
benefits to humanity.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

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

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always
be available. Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a
certain amount of suffering on the part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives
are saved. They argue that opponents of such research might feel differently if a
member of their own families needed a medical treatment that had been developed
with animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing
for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new drugs
and medical procedures are concerned.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for

vital medical research until equally effective alternatives have been developed.

(270 words, band 9)

medicines are ______ tested on animals
cleared for ______ use
a limited ______ of animal experimentation
clear ______ arguments
a common ______ of this practice
the ______ of a drug can be measured
subject animals to ______
all creatures should be ______
the benefits do not ______ the suffering
alternative ______ of research
suffering on the ______ of mice and rats
may be a necessary ______

Page 26 of 63
In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What
problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some
measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

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

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

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

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

(265 words, band 9)

Page 27 of 63
Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful
educational tool. Others, however, believe that video games are having an
adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the
drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

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

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

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

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

(258 words, band 9)

Page 28 of 63
There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we
need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the
international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

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

Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children, we

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

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

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that

traditional music should be given more importance than international music.

(261 words, band 9)

Page 29 of 63
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work
in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would
benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?

Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both
the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should
therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.

Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without
being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as
demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework
and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do
have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to
spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work
ahead of them when they finish their studies.

At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging
young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values
of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will.
Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that
they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their
children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.

In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work free and help others, but in my opinion,
we should not make this compulsory.

(250 words, band 9)

Page 30 of 63
Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed
because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that
people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between

people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion,
there are both positive and negative effects.

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social

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

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation

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

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionized communication between

people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

(257 words, band 9)

Page 31 of 63
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only
be concerned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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

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

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

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion, national

boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.

(280 words, band 9)

Page 32 of 63
As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Businesses have always sought to make a profit, but it is becoming increasingly

common to hear people talk about the social obligations that companies have. I
completely agree with the idea that businesses should do more for society than
simply make money.

On the one hand, I accept that businesses must make money in order to survive in
a competitive world. It seems logical that the priority of any company should be to
cover its running costs, such as employees’ wages and payments for buildings and
utilities. On top of these costs, companies also need to invest in improvements and
innovations if they wish to remain successful. If a company is unable to pay its bills
or meet the changing needs of customers, any concerns about social responsibilities
become irrelevant. In other words, a company can only make a positive contribution
to society if it is in good financial health.

On the other hand, companies should not be run with the sole aim of maximizing
profit; they have a wider role to play in society. One social obligation that owners
and managers have is to treat their employees well, rather than exploiting them. For
example, they could pay a “living wage” to ensure that workers have a good quality
of life. I also like the idea that businesses could use a proportion of their profits to
support local charities, environmental projects or education initiatives. Finally,
instead of trying to minimize their tax payments by using accounting loopholes, I
believe that company bosses should be happy to contribute to society through the
tax system.

In conclusion, I believe that companies should place as much importance on their

social responsibilities as they do on their financial objectives.

(285 words, band 9)

Page 33 of 63
More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but
city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living
in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?

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

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

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

In conclusion, governments could certainly implement a range of measures to

enhance the quality of life for all city residents.

(273 words, band 9)

Page 34 of 63
In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays
than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

In recent years, it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly
in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both
positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and
broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone
may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family
members. A young adult, who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook,
clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an
increase in the number of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive
development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will
result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction
industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners
to buy their products or services.

However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from
the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence,
people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They
miss the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flat mates can
provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in
this sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from
the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property
prices and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population,
including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.

In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and
detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.

(band 9)

Page 35 of 63
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they
like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that
will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and
technology.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard
to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for
students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should
be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer
subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like
medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial
than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these
courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and
therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal
level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can
ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus
on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth,
and greater future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to

choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our
students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really
predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society in the future, and it
may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or
technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art,
history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the
most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the
right to study whatever they like.

(297 words, band 9)

Page 36 of 63
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people
should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these
ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem
incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional
ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.

On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming
less relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to
learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today is workers expect much
more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around
relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who
and when to marry. However, perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations
can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles. Younger people no longer accept
the traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, as
necessary or appropriate.

On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the
modern world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working
hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviour can surely
benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other
characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners.
In our globalized world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people
from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat
others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if
they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighborliness.

In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in
today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.

(299 words, band 9)

Page 37 of 63
Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced
films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

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

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

In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every

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

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

(294 words, band 9)

Page 38 of 63
Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key
to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures
would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views
and give your own opinion.

People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our roads
safer. In my view, both punishments and a range of other measures can be used
together to promote better driving habits.

On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people to drive
more safely. Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that
people avoid repeating the same offence. There are various types of driving penalty,
such as small fines, Licence suspension, driver awareness courses, and even prison
sentences. The aim of these punishments is to show dangerous drivers that their
actions have negative consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become
more disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.

On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different
ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people
properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part
of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid
to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps
and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter
people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce
road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer
people would need to travel by car.

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other
road safety measures should also be introduced.

(269 words, band 9)

Page 39 of 63
Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and
excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited
to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with
and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice

The question of women’s rights has always sparked heated controversy. While some
traditionalists claim that women should focus on the upkeep of their homes and
children, more liberal minded people have claimed that women should have the same
rights as men. In this essay, I shall refer to sociological studies that vindicate the
correctness of the liberal view.

To begin with, it is false to believe that a woman cannot have a job and raise her
children effectively. This is because part-time and online work obviously gives women
the time and space to care for their children. For example, the Organisation for Child
Care found that mothers who did part time or online work spent as much time with
their children (after school hours) as housewives. Therefore, it is incoherent to claim
– as traditionalists do – that having a career compromises a mother’s ability to care
for her children.

Secondly, mothers who work also gain the means to invest more in their children’s
education and personal development. This is because an additional source of revenue
enables parents to send their children to private schools and extra-mural classes. For
example, a Harvard study found that parents were 50% more likely to invest in these
goods if both parents had separate sources of financial income. It is therefore clear
that being a working mother can facilitate, rather than impede, good parenting.

In conclusion, there is strong evidence that women can have jobs and be good
mothers. Seen in this light, it is clear that the traditionalist view is largely baseless,
and that it will continue to decline in popularity.

Page 40 of 63
Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more
creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and
specific examples to explain your answer.

Parents throughout the world place spend time reading with their offspring to prepare
them for school where their literacy skills are further developed; however, recent
research suggests that focusing on reading at an early age can be detrimental, and
participating in fun activities would be far more beneficial. I am a strong advocate of
this approach, and the benefits of it will be covered in this essay.

A fundamental reason for this is that there is no biological age for reading, and
pushing infants to acquire this skill before they are ready could have repercussions.
For example, in the UK, many boys are reluctant readers, possibly because of being
forced to read, and this turned them off reading. By focusing on other activities and
developing other skills such as creativity and imagination, when they are ready to
read, they usually acquire this skill rapidly. In addition, the importance of
encouraging creativity and developing a child’s imagination must be acknowledged.
Through play, youngsters develop social and cognitive skills, for example, they are
more likely to learn vocabulary through context rather than learning it from a book.

Furthermore, play allows youngsters to mature emotionally, and gain self-confidence.

There is no scientific research, which suggests reading at a young age is essential for
a child’s development; moreover, evidence suggests the reverse is true. In Finland,
early years’ education focuses on playing. Reading is only encouraged if a child shows
and interest in developing this skill. This self-directed approach certainly does not
result in Finnish school leavers falling behind their foreign counterparts. In fact,
Finland was ranked the sixth best in the world in terms of reading.

Despite being a supporter of this non-reading approach, I strongly recommend

incorporating bedtime stories into a child’s daily routine. However, reading as a
regular daytime activity should be swapped for something, which allows the child to
develop other skills.

Page 41 of 63
Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing. Discuss the causes
and solutions.

The global phenomenon of urbanization from the beginning of industrialization to the

present day has brought opportunity and prosperity, albeit at a cost in the quality of
life. With an increasing city population, the complexity of the challenges also
increases, the causes and solutions for this are outlined below.

The causes for the decrease in the quality of life are paradoxically the prosperity
endowed on such metropolitan centers. Their growth is largely due to the increase of
opportunities on offer, which in turn increases their attractiveness; essentially, they
are trapped in a positive self-reinforcing cycle. However, this eventually leads to a
decrease in the quality of life as the city can experience overcrowding, exorbitant
property prices, and increased vulnerability to terrorist attacks. For example, the
density of London makes it a more efficient place to attack, when compared to a
smaller city such as Bradford. Therefore, due to continuous growth and prosperity,
urban citizens, especially the less well off, often experience a lower standard of living.

Considering the solutions, greater investment in public transport would ease traffic
congestion, as would bike lanes. In theory, this would reduce air pollution, and
possibly improve the wellbeing of the population if they did adopt a more active
lifestyle and cycle to work. To counter violent terrorist attacks, cities could embark
on CCTV installations, to closely monitor for threats. For example, it is said, the CCTV
in London has foiled many potential attacks, and therefore greatly increased the
security of its citizens.

To conclude, a wealthy city attracts a large population inflow, which then causes
pressure on existing infrastructure and security. Various solutions exist to mitigate
such drawbacks; nevertheless, an indefinite solution has yet to be found.

Page 42 of 63
Social media marketing can influence what consumers buy. Do you agree
or disagree? To what extent do you agree?

Since the introduction of social media applications in the early 2000’s the world has
become a much smaller place. Social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram
and Twitter have become information sources for a majority of the global market. As
such, I would agree that marketing, which happens to be a source of information
accessible on these platforms, could influence the consumers who use them. This
notion is further aided by the rise in online retail stores who conduct the bulk of their
transactions online. This makes it easier for the consumer to purchase from anywhere
in the world.

As a consumer on social media, you are constantly bombarded with advertisements

of various products that are specifically designed to catch your attention. This means
that most of the adverts on your news feeds are not random and will usually feature
something you have previously searched online or something currently popular or
trending. Given the fact that most social media users are young consumers who are
influenced by current trends and happenings, these adverts will almost always catch
their eye.

The habit of sharing, retweeting and liking ensures that these adverts get around,
quite fast. As such, when an advert does reach your news feed you have already
probably seen it on your friend’s news feed. The truth is, adverts are a form of
information and with the age of the internet, information spreads faster than a wild
fire. Therefore, it only makes sense that in the era and age of technology,
globalization and the need to be trendy, social media marketing can influence what
consumers buy.

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Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think
it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss
both options and give examples.

In recent times, pet related injuries and mortalities have sparked heated debates
about whether it is healthy for children to be around pets. In this essay, I shall argue
that such dangers are overemphasized and that children receive substantive
psychological benefits through having pets.

To begin with, although exotic pets (e.g. snakes, spiders, apes, etc.) have been
known to occasionally hurt and even kill children, such incidents are so statistically
rare as to be negligible. This is because the overwhelming majority of children have
non-lethal cats, dogs, fish, rodents and rabbits for pets. For example, The Child
Safety Institute found that over 90% of children owned the aforementioned pets, and
professed that they had never felt in the least bit endangered by them. Seen in this
light, it is clearly unfounded to claim that pets present any physical danger to
children.

Secondly, pets can affect positively upon child psychology. This is because young pet
owners frequently empathize with their pets and perform a diverse range of actions
to maintain their well-being (e.g. feeding, grooming, administering medicine, etc).
For example, the Cambridge Developmental Psychology Unit found that children who
had grown up with pets were 30% less likely to bully others and resolve conflicts
through aggression. Consequently, it is undeniable that a child’s pro-sociality and
mental health can be improved through exposure to pets.

In conclusion, the cited evidence provides strong support for the view that children
owning pets is a good thing. In the future, as more laws are introduced to ban the
ownership of illegally acquired exotic pets, this viewpoint will no doubt surge in
popularity.

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Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich countries.
Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

With the advent of urbanization and the rise in popularity of fast food, there have
been accompanying issues with rising obesity rates – especially in developed
countries like England and the USA. After providing a careful analysis of why obesity
has risen so sharply in these countries, I shall suggest a number of ways in which
the obesity epidemic can be ameliorated.

To begin with, it should be unsurprising that fast food is incredibly popular in wealthy
countries (like England and the USA). Due to the high levels of development in these
countries, consumers possess more money and can therefore consume vast amounts
of fast food without seriously diminishing their income. For example, the American
Dietary Association found that (compared to the average Indian household), the
average American household has a six times larger budget for food per month.
Consequently, it is to be expected that obesity rates are much higher in countries
with larger amounts of wealth.

However, despite the severity of the obesity problem, there are a number of ways in
which developed countries could battle it more effectively. Firstly, developed
governments could put far more pressure on fast food outlets to provide healthy
alternatives to hamburgers, French fries and soft drinks.

Secondly, public exercise initiatives could be advertised and promoted far more
vigorously. Lastly, modules that inform teenagers about healthy dietary requirements
could be taught at schools.

In conclusion, although obesity is a serious issue in the developed world, if the above
steps are taken, the situation will surely improve in the coming years

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Some people think that secondary school children should study
international news as one of the school subjects. Other people think that it
is a waste of valuable school time. What do you think? Give reasons for
your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience.

The potential for the global media to shape the views of today’s youth is considerable.
However, while some commentators think that, the media has no place within
secondary education; other analysts defend the idea that international news should
be studied at school. In this essay, I shall examine a number of studies, which show
that both viewpoints are, to some degree, justified.

To begin with, the global media undoubtedly enriches teenagers understanding of

contemporary affairs. This is because television reports provide concise summaries
of international affairs. For example, a study run by Oxford sociologists showed that
the media heavily influenced teenagers’ knowledge of contemporary affairs. Since
any secondary school education would be incomplete without an awareness of such
events, it is therefore clear that the media can play a vital role in assisting education.

On the other hand, many critics argue that teenagers are negatively affected by the
global media’s focus on wars and civil unrest. This is because exposure to violence
often leads to depression. For example, recent surveys have discovered that
depressed teenagers usually cite the dismal state of the world as a source of their
depression. Since mental health is an important objective of secondary education, it
is therefore questionable whether the study of international news would not be a
destructive and wasteful use of school resource.

In conclusion, it should be clear that there are reasons for and against the study of
news at school. Thus if media studies are to enter schools in the future, schools will
have to think about how negative aspects of the news can be decreased, and positive
aspects maximized.

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Some people like to travel outside their country. Others would rather travel
to tourist spots in their own country first, before travelling abroad. Which
do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to
support your choice.

Over the past few decades, the international tourism industry has gone through a
boom period. Cheap air travel, in particular, has allowed ordinary working class
people to travel to more international destinations than ever before. In this essay, I
shall refer to number of sociological studies to show why – contrary to popular opinion
– domestic travel should initially take precedence over international travel.

To begin with, people’s knowledge of their own countries and culture has grown
increasingly sketchy. This is largely because foreign brands, television shows and
cultural objects flood local markets. For example, The Asian Cultural Society found
that Japanese teenagers knew more about American television series than 19th
Century Japanese woodcuts. It should therefore be clear that citizens need to know
much more about their own countries, and that visits to local cultural centers should
occur before visits to remote countries.

Secondly, people reap high economic benefits if they are well travelled in their
country of birth. This is because local travel, in particular, opens up business
opportunities. For example, the Korean Society for Entrepreneurship found that 40%
of successful start-up companies were run by individuals who had travelled
extensively in Korea and sniffed out small openings in developmentally neglected
areas. Seen in this light, local travel can also be of vital economic significance

To conclude, although few would argue outright against foreign travel, there are
certainly reasons why domestic travel is initially preferable. In the future, as some of
the hype surrounding foreign travel dies down, these reasons will no doubt appear
more attractive and conspicuous.

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Some people believe that international sporting events are the ideal
opportunity to show the world the qualities of the hosting nation. Others
believe that these events are mainly a large unjustifiable expense. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Global athletic events such as the Olympics, the World Cup, the Extreme Games, and
even the American Super Bowl are incredible opportunities for countries. These iconic
spectacles can provide a country with an economic avalanche of benefits or expose
it to a public relations disaster. This essay will look at both points, using Russia and
the United Kingdom as examples.

Firstly, it is important to bear in mind that simply hosting the event and having the
world’s media attention cannot guarantee a positive promotion. This is because
although the country is receiving enormous amounts of publicity, the media will often
report controversial news as well as. Take the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, for
example. The media spotlight is shining bright on the athletes but also highlighting
the polemic legislation regarding homosexuality. Therefore, despite the international
recognition to be gained, the country can also face a possible backlash.

Secondly, the expense of building large infrastructures necessary to hold these

events can dwarf the benefits, unless they are fully amortized afterwards. This is
largely because stadiums, Olympic parks, ski runs etc. are expensive to construct
and undertake large capital expenditure, often by the public sector. In the
Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, the council commissioned a stadium
for athletic events, which was later adapted and sold to the local preeminent football
club, Manchester City. Therefore, with proper, fair, economic management of such
buildings and facilities the cost can be recuperated.

To conclude, a host city or nation has a lot to gain from these events but only if they
are economically administered correctly and the country has no controversial issues
for the media to pull out of the closet.

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Many governments in the world spend large amounts of money on art,
which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However,
governments should spend money on other things rather than art. Do you
agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

Societies with a heritage in the ‘arts’ have long been considered culturally
sophisticated and advanced. However, with the recent financial crisis this lavishness
and expense should be questioned. Taxpayers’ money has to be spent practically
rather than on cultural endeavors. Firstly, not everyone in society appreciates art,
and, secondly, employment should take precedence.

Art can bring quality into one’s life if you are interested. In society, art-lovers are
typically in the minority, and other activities, such as sports are more popular. Take
football, for example. Across the globe, it is obvious that there are more people
watching matches in stadiums than looking at sculptures or art. This fact makes it
impossible that art can bring quality into a community if the galleries hold little
interest for the region.

Secondly, the resources diverted to such projects come from the public and should
be spent in a way that benefits them. Commissioning or purchasing art is an insult
to taxpayers who endure high unemployment, such as, those in Newcastle, UK. This
city suffers from historically high unemployment, yet the council commissioned a
large sculpture called ‘The Angel of the North’. Financing a job creation project would
undoubtedly have been more practical for the local community.

To conclude, I believe that it is an unjust affirmation that art brings quality into one’s
life, and I agree that the money should be spent elsewhere. This is because art
expenditures only benefit a small minority and secondly the expense involved should
benefit the majority. Ideally, in the future, governments will recognize that quality in
a person’s life derives from a decent opportunity in life, not a sculpture.

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Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational;
otherwise, they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or
disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples
from your experience.

To derive a double benefit from anything is considered a bonus, and this is especially
the case when discussing leisure activities for children. The idea to fuse both
education and entertainment into one activity is a goal of many educators; some
would even believe that failure to do this makes the activity pointless. Drawing from
examples in Sweden and reviewing games, such as Pokémon, I firmly believe that all
activities should have an educational value.

Leisure activities are a perfect time to take advantage of the receptiveness in a child’s
mind, and some countries are adamant about this. Take Sweden, for example. For
many years, they have legally stipulated that all children’s toys sold in the country
should have some educational value. In addition, for such a rule to be passed it must
be upheld by scientific research. Therefore, the advantage of incorporating an
education element into toys is scientifically proven.

On the other hand, across the UK, children were wasting their time collecting and
learning the statistics of each creature on each Pokémon card. If, however, these
cards had been intertwined with more educational data the child could have
simultaneously gained a more practical education. Due to the child learning large
swathes of irrelevant and useless information, it can be argued that the time would
have been better spent with real data on the cards.

To conclude, scientific evidence from Sweden and fantasy games such as Pokémon
with little educational value are two clear reasons why children’s leisure activities
should have an element of learning involved.

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Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done
to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own
opinion.

Crime is unquestionably one of the most prevailing and worrying aspects in any
society, and its prevention should be taken seriously. Crime prevention can be
executed in various ways, firstly through a sustained honest presence in the
community and secondly through international cooperation.

A local presence by incorruptible law enforcement authorities may be costly;

however, the long-term investment would pay dividends in the future. A safer region
would encourage trade, investment and set an invaluable example for younger
generations. For example, crime has dramatically been reduced in the Favelas around
Rio de Janiero in Brazil. This was achieved largely through the government
committing large funds of money to stationing police headquarters in and around the
slums. These financial expenditures greatly benefited the community.

Secondly, due to the large-scale severity and the global impact that crime has in
some areas of the world, global cooperation is critical. Operating in a different way
would incur significant financial losses and render any expenditure futile. For
example, Somalian pirates in Africa have reigned terror amongst many ocean
transport companies in the area. Only through large-scale international cooperation
was policing the area possible. Therefore, crime reduction can be attributed to a joint
effort between countries.

To conclude, illegal activities are a costly and dangerous fact in the present global
economy; however, through large-scale government investment prevention is an
attainable goal. In addition, spreading the expense through international cooperation
the resources invested can be significantly more effective in reducing criminals’
effectiveness abroad.

Page 51 of 63
Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the
government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for
these services? Discuss the above and give your opinion using examples.

A healthy and educated society is the backbone of any successful society; however,
deciding who is to provide this is a sensitive topic. I strongly believe the government
should be held responsible to provide these services for two reasons. Firstly, the
entire society benefits, and secondly the whole population is currently paying for the
services. However, if one prefers extra services they should be prepared to pay for it
themselves.

Firstly, education is largely considered a basic right. A population unable to calculate,

read, write or even learn would be doomed in such a competitive global economy.
Globalization has increased competition and shifted the emphasis to knowledge,
information and science. A state education should, therefore, be freely available to
everybody. However, if people wish to purchase private education, this should also
be allowed or even encouraged. Private education reduces the strain on public
services and provides a source of tax revenue for the government, in effect,
subsidising state education.

Secondly, health services must undoubtedly be available to all because the entire
nation is paying taxes and, therefore, should not be excluded from any service. Take
the NHS in the UK, for example; this organisation caters for the entire population,
and no private medical insurance is needed. Unfortunately, waiting lists can be long
and service is occasionally slow; therefore, some purchase private medical insurance
for a faster service. This reduces the workload of the public sector.

To conclude, I believe both healthcare and education are basic fundamental rights,
necessary for any advanced society, and, therefore, the responsibility should lie with
the government. Nevertheless, if individuals require more than the standard level,
then they should be prepared to pay for it.

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Some people think that schools have to be more entertaining, while others
think that their sole purpose is to educate. Which do you agree with? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your opinion

While many people believe that schools should focus only on academic curricula, I
strongly advocate the inclusion of more enjoyable activities in order to maintain
student engagement and therefore improve learning outcomes, as many young
people struggle to remain focused on strictly educational tasks.

Learners who are required to absorb information via conventional academic methods
often experience problems with focus and attention. More specifically, repeatedly
performing the same memory-based task throughout one’s school career is likely to
cause boredom and ultimately result in student disengagement. In several schools in
the UK, to take an example, it has been shown via survey that a considerable number
of young people fail to remember crucial information simply because it was
uninteresting. Adhering strictly to rote learning is therefore harmful to those students
who require further assistance to remember key details.

However, this problem can be tackled by creating more engaging and entertaining
lesson plans. Incorporating interactive media and a variety of classroom formats into
the learning experience can improve overall attention and therefore increase the
quantity of information available for recall. This is borne out by a study completed at
the University of Melbourne, which demonstrated that overall academic performance
increased dramatically when students were properly and meaningfully engaged with
the subject matter. Teaching in this manner can benefit all students and ensure that
those learners who struggle to pay attention are not left behind.

To conclude, I strongly agree that schools should be at least somewhat entertaining

since a more holistic approach to teaching provides better academic performance
overall.

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Do copyright laws limit creativity or reward it? Would society function
better without such rules and regulations?

It is supposed by many that copyright laws may be counterproductive and could

hinder creative endeavor; however, personally, I disagree with this idea and opine
strongly that the protection of intellectual property is crucial to a well-functioning
society, and, in fact, encourages the production of further works by providing a
framework within which innovators may be adequately rewarded for their efforts.

Copyright regulations may prevent people from expanding on existing ideas, but a
key purpose of such rules is to ensure that new ideas are sufficiently original to
warrant financial reward. It is unlikely that members of the public could discern an
original piece from a fraud, and so the support of the courts is necessary in order to
uphold standards of originality. The US federal government states, for instance, those
such laws exist to stimulate artistic creativity for the general public good, and to
ensure reasonable return to authors and inventors. Through this process, the law
establishes incentives for producing new works, which in turn encourages learning,
progress, and development.

Without such regulations, individuals would be free to copy another’s work. As

mentioned above, the general public cannot reasonably be expected to defend
authenticity, and so would-be fraudsters may receive a financial reward comparable
to that of the originator. Resultantly, in countries with substandard protections for
artists, for example, creative output is consistently and considerably lower than that
of nations with strong intellectual property regulations since the genuine owner of
the work is afforded little protection or reward. If we accept that output that is more
creative is good for society, then copyright law can be taken as the same.

To conclude, copyright regulations are an essential tool for the promotion of

creativity, and society tends to function better with their enforcement.

Page 54 of 63
Should humans adapt to technology or should technology be adapted to
us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?

Whether the development of modern technology should be permitted to advance

unhindered, or improved only with specific regard to human need, is a contentious
issue. Since learning to use new technologies strengthens intellect, I believe that new
devices should be developed without limits in order to challenge people.

The achievements of humanity over the last century have only been made possible
by the development of modern technology. Driven by the need to discover, people
have created countless innovations in fields such as electronics, medicine and
engineering which have improved the lives of billions. Additionally, many key
discoveries throughout history were made while investigating something else
entirely, such as with penicillin or the microwave oven. Establishing controls over
what may or may not be investigated could therefore severely limit new discoveries.

This style of innovation also provides intellectual benefits for both the inventor and
the consumer, since both must work hard in order to either create or use the new
device. A constant flow of new discoveries maintains mental stimulation amongst
those who choose to make use of them. The computer, for example, has enabled
humans to achieve remarkable things, but only after, we adapted our behaviour and
learned to use it fully. In addition, those people who have maintained a good degree
of computer literacy are now able to seek the best professional opportunities, which
is further known to be intellectually beneficial.

In conclusion, I believe that technology should be allowed to develop freely and that
humans should adapt their behaviour to emerging discoveries. This will keep us
intellectually strong and ensure that the maximum good can come from scientific
endeavor.

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Traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s natural
talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are
there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing
more harm than good?

The conventional rote method of learning is often considered so dull as to discourage

full development of young people’s innate abilities. This essay agrees with the view
that the current pedagogy is outdated, and will consider an alternative to traditional
education.

While ordinarily, children are expected to retain pre-approved information dictated

by a teacher, a self-directed approach can be more beneficial. Holding all children to
the same standard will necessarily have a divisive result, with some children believing
themselves to be intellectually superior, and others feeling inadequate, perhaps for
life. In systems in which achievement is relative, such as in Finland for example,
young people graduate from education each feeling as if they have completed their
own unique path, and knowing deeply and without prejudice their own capabilities,
reducing or even eliminating the feelings of inequality that conventional education
creates.

Furthermore, under the current system, students who lack aptitude in core subjects
such as mathematics and the sciences are seen as having less intrinsic value to
society. These children spend their lives believing that they are inadequate, but many
may have valuable talents that were never explored. It is in this way that;
conventional education does the most harm, by ignoring niche abilities in favor of
skills with more mass appeal. Comparing traditional education with the Finnish
system of self-direction, we can see that the former is certainly causing harm to a
significant number of pupils.

To conclude, changes are urgently required in education systems around the world.
We should focus more on a child’s interests and innate abilities in order to maintain
their engagement, and allow them to direct their own learning to achieve the best
outcomes.

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Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the
development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer
nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in
such areas. To what extent do you agree?

Undoubtedly, governments of developed nations should share the responsibility of

helping less fortunate nations. Different measures exist, ranging from market access
to direct financial payments or even medical assistance. This essay will explain why
certain measures are inherently better than other methods.

Firstly, the most adequate manner to assist the lesser developed countries is not
through health or education ‘hand-outs’. This method is flawed and only offers
temporary relief from long-term challenges; also, this assistance can be cut at any
moment, leaving the country stranded. For example, economical help from the UK to
disadvantaged regions in Africa has gradually been reduced since the onset of the
financial crisis. Although some parts of the continent may be better educated or in
better health, the benefit was short lived, thus leaving the countries of Africa to look
for other donors.

Commerce is without doubt the most essential type of assistance that can be given.
If the lesser developed country has the opportunity to develop trade, then it will build
strong capabilities to serve it for the long term. These strengths can develop the local
economy and are more reliable than education or health. For example, while trading
with the richer country the government can search for other foreign markets to trade
with. This would offer more stability and diversification for the nation.

To conclude, assistance is definitely necessary for the poorer regions; however,

‘hand-outs’ are short-term solutions. The optimum solution is to offer market access
so the region can produce products and generate regular income.

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Nowadays most green energy is becoming ever more prevalent in both
developed and developing countries.

Nowadays most green energy is becoming ever more prevalent in both developed
and developing countries. Some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for
the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

The world today uses more renewable energy than ever before since it contributes to
the preservation of the environment and is economically sound; however, some
argue that green energy could undermine the reliability of the global supply because
of its dependency on climatic and meteorological phenomena. This essay will examine
both views, but personally, I strongly advocate the adoption of renewable sources of
energy.

On the one hand, opponents of renewables claim that the world could face disruptions
to the power supply should they be fully adopted. This is largely because many green
energy technologies currently in use depend on changeable and unpredictable
phenomena such as wind, rain and cloud cover. To take the fastest growing sector
as an example, solar panels can only be used in the presence of strong and direct
sunlight, and although the problem of directness has already been somewhat solved
with moving panel arrays, a cloudy few days could still result in a blackout if we
depended entirely on solar power; something that is unlikely to occur today given
current oil stockpiles.

However, fossil fuels are a larger threat to energy security since they are certainly
finite in quantity, whereas renewable energy is effectively infinite; once the Earth’s
oil is depleted, there will be no energy security without green energy technologies.
Furthermore, problems of unpredictability can be mitigated by improving battery
technologies (to create a larger buffer), building more renewable energy generators
(to increase supply during ideal conditions) and improving current technologies (to
increase efficiency), such as in the moving solar panel example. Proponents of
renewables therefore claim that they are the most economically sound option.

To conclude, while many may believe that green energy technologies are a threat to
energy security, the fossil fuels they frequently promote are a greater threat, and
renewables are in fact the only sound option, both economically and environmentally.

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Men fill most high-level positions in companies even though the workforce
in many developed countries is more than 50 percent female. Companies
should be required to allocate a certain percent of these positions to
women.

In many companies, men occupy most of the senior level positions. Since many of
these companies have an equal number of male and female employees, some people
feel that this is unfair. In their opinion, companies should reserve a certain number
of managerial positions for women. I both agree and disagree with this view.

There are many reasons why I believe that companies should reserve jobs for women.
First, women should have the same opportunities as men. Ensuring gender equality
in the workplace is the easiest way to avoid gender-based discrimination. In addition,
when an equal number of men and women work at senior levels, it will make the
work environment pleasant for both genders. What’s more, sometimes just knowing
that a certain percent of higher positions are reserved for women can actually be an
inspiration for female employees to work hard. Women also have certain qualities
that make them good managers. For example, they are better at communicating and
solving problems.

On the other side, reserving positions can have its fair share of disadvantages too.
Companies are driven by profits and they need employees who have the skills,
expertise and knowledge to take their business forward. If a certain number of senior
positions are reserved for women, then companies will be required to appoint only
women in those positions. This can actually pose a problem if there are not suitable
female candidates. If companies are forced to appoint less qualified candidates, it will
have a negative impact on their bottom line.

To conclude, companies should strive to achieve gender equality at the workplace.

However, I feel that reserving senior management positions for women is not very
practical.

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Information technology enables many people to do their work outside their
workplace. Do the benefits of this mobility outweigh the
disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Technology has significantly changed the way we live and work. For instance, it has
allowed many of us to have flexible work hours. When we can have our data available
in a cloud, we can work pretty much from anywhere in the world. Some people believe
that this flexibility improves the quality of our life and work. However, in my opinion,
working from home has both benefits and drawbacks.

One of the most important benefits of working from home is the ability to spend more
time with our loved ones. Some people argue that this will boost the morale of
employees and encourage them to give their best. Remote working also benefits
parents of very young children. Many women quit their jobs to take care of their
children. If companies allow them to work from their home, they can join the
workforce again. Companies also benefit when employees work from their home.
They can save money on office rentals and utility bills.

On the other side, remote working has its drawbacks too. Some people believe that
having a nice workplace where people can work together as a team and communicate
closely is more beneficial than working from outside. I have a personal example on
how distance can interfere with work outcomes. My boss travels a lot and sometimes
I have a hard time meeting him. Once he asked me to prepare a presentation for a
meeting, we were going to have. As I started to work on it, I found out that I had
some questions and I couldn´t reach him to clarify my doubts. I finished my work
and then weeks later, when he got back, I showed him my presentation and it was
not what he wanted. As a result, I had to do it again, which was a waste of time.

To conclude, there are both benefits and drawbacks to working from home. Flexible
hours or freelancing is not for everyone; however, there are many employees who
benefit from it.

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Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment.
Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this
problem?

It is true that some criminals commit crimes again after they have been punished.
While there are several reasons for this alarming trend, some effective measures can
be taken by governments to tackle this problem.

There are two main reasons for re-offenders. Firstly, the prison system can make the
situation worse. Criminals put together in prison and they make friends with other
offenders. While they are locked up in prison, they do not have much to do there,
and they would exchange information about what they have done before they came
to the prison or they may plan crimes with other inmates. Secondly, offenders often
do not have any other means of earning money. They are poor, uneducated and
lacking skills needed to maintain a job. In addition, a criminal record makes finding
a job difficult as people usually avoid hiring ex-convict.

To solve this problem, governments should focus on rehabilitation of criminals rather

than punishment. Above all, prisons need vocational training, which makes inmates
to prepare for life outside the prison. They can learn practical skills such as computer
programming, car maintenance and graphic design. In this way, they can be hired
for a position that requires this certain knowledge and skills. Community service is
another way to reform offenders. Rather than being locked up in prison with other
inmates, offenders can help society and become useful to their local community, and
these activities would eliminate the negative influence that prisons can have.

In conclusion, it is true the re-offenders are one of the problems in our community;
it can be solved by focusing rehabilitation rather than punishment itself.

Page 61 of 63
Some people think that schools should select students according to their
academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students
with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state
your own opinion.

Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for children’s
development than streaming them based on judgement about their academic
abilities. However, from my perspective, I disagree with this contention.

Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment for children’s all-round
development. In such classes, children with different abilities study together and in
turn, they can learn from one another. From example, a student, who is good at
academic study but weak in dancing or painting, can learn how to dance or
paint form his peers. In this sense, mixed ability classes allow students to develop
their abilities in different subjects instead of only academic abilities.

Despite the argument above, I believe streaming students brings more benefits to
teachers and students. As for teachers, separating children with better academic
abilities from others facilitates effective teaching. This practice helps teachers to
control their students more conveniently and easily. Compared with mixed ability in
which teacher should consider students’ differences when they are using teaching
methodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler. To be more specific, students
are at the same level of academic ability in a class, and in turn, teachers can use the
same methodologies for them all. In this way, the narrower the spread of ability in
the class, the more convenient the teaching can be.

On top of this, steaming enables students to learn in an effective way. According to

students’ different abilities, they are taught in different ways that are more suitable
for them. In the top streams, students use more difficult materials, therefore, they
can learn more. In sharp contrast, teachers can explain the material more slowly to
those in bottom streams. Under this circumstance, students with different academic
abilities can study effectively and efficiently.

In the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students’ versatile
development, but in my opinion, segregating students based on different academic
ability is better for both teachers and students.

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Some people think that spending a lot on holding wedding parties, birthday
parties and other celebrations is just a waste of money. Others, however,
think that these are necessary for individuals and the society. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Throwing parties can be expensive. While some people do not find these fancy parties
worth what they cost, others believe parties are important to both individuals and
the society.

People choose to throw parties for a number of reasons. For starters, parties can
make better teams. Project kick-off parties are good opportunities to break the ice
and help team members to know each other better. Victory parties create a sense of
success and belonging. Companies do not see parties as wastes of money and
allocate budget to support such events. Moreover, parties often leave good
memories. From our own experiences, we all have happy memories of our birthday
parties when we were little. Every family has great photos took on family parties in
their album. In addition, contrary to what some people believe that spending on
parties is a waste of social resources; parties actually create value, either by
employing people in the party planning business or by offering people better party
experiences.

The popularity of parties, however, causes some tension in the society. Parties are
hard on introverted people who find themselves uncomfortable in parties. This is a
clinic symptom which psychologists call it “social anxiety disorder”. There are other
ways to celebrate important events that may have greater value for their cost. For
instance, companies could send out gifts after successful projects and parents could
take their children on family trips to celebrate birthdays.

In my opinion, while a party is a form of social event that brings many benefits to
individuals and the society, other choices should also be considered, either to cut
spending or to relieve the stress of those who are not fond of parties.

Page 63 of 63