In about 140 words, write a paragraph about the following topic.

“Should mobile
phones be banned among students?” Use examples and reasons to support your
answer.
Suggested writing
Thanks to the development of technology, more and more devices have been invented
to serve human beings’ need like cell phones, computer, or television, etc. In my point
of view, students should not be allowed to have cell phones in secondary and high
schools for some reasons. Firstly, that children use mobile phones will influence on
their studies. Students do not follow what the teacher has just said while they are
typing message or going out class to make a phone call. These make students’ study
quality lower. In addition, the abuse of using cell phone will affect the overall health
of students, especially their brains. A mobile phone is designed to transmit radio
waves in order to find a signal, this is likely to increase the risk of brain cancer. As far
as I am concerned, mobile phones have a lot negative effects on youngsters, parents
should help their kids with how to use a cell phone in the right way.

Write a paragraph of about 140 words about the advantages and disadvantages
of social networks such as Facebook, Zalo, Google Plus ...
Suggested writing
In modern society, with the indispensable role of the Internet, social networks like
Facebook, Zalo, Google Plus, and so on are becoming increasingly popular. However,
besides the advantages, they also have many disadvantages. Regarding the benefits,
they are means of connecting people, sharing information and advertising. By making
it possible to communicate regardless of distance, social networking can considerably
bring people closer to one another. Moreover, it is obvious that these networks are
useful for people to share what they know and collect the information they need from
others. Social networks also help brands to spread their images and introduce their
products to customers through social marketing. When it comes to disadvantages,
social networking is probably not only time consuming but also violating humans’
privacy. Because of their attraction, social networks are addictive and can make
people waste a lot of time on them. Besides, as people’s personal information is
shared on these networks, it is accessible by everyone and can lead to violation of
privacy. In conclusion, it is advisable for users to consider both pros and cons of
social networks to optimally exploit them.

The use of mobile phones is as antisocial as smoking. Smoking is banned in

certain places, so mobile phones should be banned like smoking.
 To what extent do you agree or disagree?

ĐỀ BÀI: You should spend about 40 minutes on this task

Write about the following topic: Smoking not only harms the
smoker, but also those who are nearby. Therefore, smoking
should be banned in public places.
To what extent, do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own experience or knowledge

We cannot deny that smoking seriously affects people's health. Some

people say that it should be banned in public places. Personally, I agree
with this idea.
Firstly, smoking not only badly affects smokers but also the
surrounding people. It is the main cause of many dangerous diseases,
especially cancer. Every year, many people die of these diseases. In each
cigarette, there are thousands of toxic chemicals that harm our body. If
we want to improve our health, then give up smoking.
Secondly, smoking wastes a lot of money and time. Every day,
smokers have to spend a lot of money buying cigarette and treating
diseases related to smoking.
Finally, smoking pollutes the air. And smokers smoke in the open air,
they may breathe out smoke that can contaminate the air. And non-
smokers may breathe in this air.
To sum up, smoking not only harms our health, wastes money, but
also pollutes the air. It is high time we should ban smoking in public
places.

Some people say that the Internet is making the world smaller
by bringing people together. To what extent do you agree that
the internet is making it easier for people to communicate with
one another?
Nowadays, due to the advancement of technology new inventions are coming into
existence. It is a certainty that necessity is a mother of invention? Internet is just like a
wonder box, which contains every type of information. Besides it has also proved as a
very important tool to connect people with each other.
In today's modernized era nobody has sufficient time to write letters to their loved
ones. Moreover it also takes longer to send or receive any information. But through
an internet it is an easiest way to send massages to our loved ones. Either it can be
in the form of an e- mail or by text messages from internet to cell phones. We can
send and receive messages straight way.
In other hand today's youth generation mostly prefer to do chatting on the Internet.
Through this chatting we can write messages and straight way can get their reply.
Moreover, “voice chatting” is going to be very popular day-by-day.
As it is a reality that advantages and disadvantages are like both sides of a coin,
which usually runs parallel. So like other things internet also have some
downsides, like people are facing some health problems for example, poor eye-
sight, back ache, migrane. Today's teenagers usually prefer to spend their time on
internet rather than to participating in other physical activities, so that's why they
are going to be weaker in their physical health.
To conclude, I would like to say that internet is one of the most modernized and
most successful tools, not only for communication, even to get most relevant
information regarding every field in a very short period of time.
(277 words)

Today‘s children are living under more pressure from the

society than children in the past. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this opinion?
Despite a continuing improvement in standard of living, many people believe that
young people suffer more stress than older generations. I definitely agree with the
statement and shall put forth my arguments to support my views in the following
paragraphs.
Firstly, teenagers are exposed to more products than earlier generations as they are
living in a modern consumerist society. Through films and the media they see
celebrities with expensive jewelry, clothes and cars. Moreover, youth oriented
advertising gives them an awareness of the latest technology such as digital music
formats and mobile phones. As a result, teenagers are under pressured to acquire
these items. Such stresses were not so strong during earlier times.
Secondly, pressures at school are stronger than before. Competition is very tough.
Today‘s children have to compete with children from all over the globe. Teenagers
must succeed in their studies so that they can compete for the best jobs. Parental
pressure, examinations and homework are all reported as causing increased levels
of strain. Such stress was not that severe in earlier times.
Finally, today‘s children are faced with a new type of stress. They are faced with a
choice of two cultures. One culture, the global culture, is the one they want to
adopt and the other is the traditional culture which they are forced to adopt by their
parents.
They are in a dilemma and this causes stress that has never been experienced by
the earlier generations.
To sum up, consumerism and academic pressures are powerful causes of stress on
today‘s teenagers. To add to it there is the pressure of sticking to the traditional
culture. So, definitely today‘s children are under greater pressure than that faced by
earlier generations.
(284 words)

Computers are being used more and more in education

and so there will soon be no role for the teacher in
education.

It is argued that IT is playing an ever increasing role in schools and universities

and one day teachers will be obsolete. It is disagreed that technology will one day
replace educators. This essay will discuss, firstly the limitations of technology in
education and secondly, the essential role teachers play in maintaining discipline in
the classroom, followed by a reasoned conclusion.
Technology may be able to help students with some things but it has many
limitations. I.T. can not educate people as effectively as real human beings because
computers can not detect things such as context, emotions and how an individual
learns. A prime example is language learning, in which teachers need to explain
not only individual words but how these words work in different situations.
However, there may come a time in the very distant future when computers are
able to carry out these tasks.
Computers are also unable to ensure good classroom management. A computer
may be able to provide a student with lots of information, but it will not be able to
motivate or discipline students when they display unacceptable behaviour. For
instance, unruly students could simply switch the device off and do nothing for the
rest of the class. Nevertheless, this may not be a problem for highly motivated
adult students.
In conclusion, it is not likely that electronic devices will replace teachers in the
future because of current limitations in technology and the requirement for teachers
to maintain good behaviour in the classroom. It is predicted that computers will
play an ever increasing role in the classroom but will never fully replace humans.
(268 words)

Using a computer every day can have more negative

than positive effects on children.

Do you agree or disagree?

In today's modern world, computers are an essential part of everyday life. Around
the globe, children often use computers from a very young age. Although it is
important for children to participate in various well-balanced activities, in my
opinion, children who use the computer daily are actually developing a critical skill
for future success. The bases for my views are personal, academic, and
professional.
From a personal point of view, computers are an invaluable resource to help young
people explore the world around them. For example, children who use Internet to
satisfy their curiosity about diverse topics are already becoming independent
learners. No child with a computer is ever bored! By starting early in their lives,
children feel totally at ease around computers; they are also able to take advantage
of the wide range of services computers provide.
From an academic viewpoint, children have no choice but to master this
technological invention. For instance, when I was in university, students brought
their laptops to class to take notes, do research and exchange information. They
wrote assignments, created presentations and developed databases. Children who
build early confidence and experience in these abilities are at a distinct advantage
over those who have not.
From a professional perspective, the computer has found a permanent place in the
workplace. Today, employers still pay to provide computer training to their
employees. Tomorrow, corporations will expect prospective job applicants to
already possess these critical job skills. Consequently, parents who encourage their
child to use the computer for a reasonable period of time daily are in fact investing
in the child's future career.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that the computer as a technological tool is here to
stay. The sooner children become computer-literate, the better for many aspects of
their future lives.
(299 words)

People attend colleges or universities for many different

reasons (for example: new experiences, career
preparation, increased knowledge etc.). Why do you
think people attend colleges or universities?

College education is a highly revered benchmark around the world. In many

countries, without a college level degree, a citizen is not considered eligible for
state jobs. People attend colleges for many reasons but career preparation is the
most important goal among them.
Most students enroll in colleges for bright career prospects and they study
professional and job oriented courses. If achieved successfully with threshold
scores, these courses increase industrial employability of learners by training them
with the skills industries need. For example, many companies organize direct
campus selection programs in colleges, offering professional courses, to hire ready
to utilize resources with rewarding salary packages. To add to this, in many cases,
based on education, employees get different remuneration for the exact same job,
and college education degrees play pivotal roles in accelerating promotion
processes too.
On the other hand, in addition to scintillating future career opportunities, university
education also offers many new experiences. These experiences include migration
to new countries, befriending new people, working while studying, and, most
importantly, learning to adjust with people. If we take a look at foreign students’
data across Europe, it is eminent that around 20 % students in Universities are from
Asian countries. These experiences burgeon adaptability skills to pursuers and help
in turning future paradigm citizens.
Some people also attend higher university courses to enhance knowledge. Students
under this section mostly pursue challenging master and doctorate degrees in their
fields. Most of these learners turn researchers and help the progress of the world.
Some governments offer enticing whooping packages to the best minds to
convince latter to select this study stream.
Finally, considering all reasons to attend colleges or universities, it is clear that the
paramount reason is career growth. However, 'gaining new experiences' and
'enhancing knowledge' are also prodigious reasons.

There is no denying the fact that money plays a crucial

role in our lives. Children are too young to fully
understand the value of money or its significance in our
lives.

However, it still makes sense for parents to make them

money wise from an early age.

Habits learned during childhood will stay with them for the rest of their lives. So, if
parents can teach children how important it is for them to use their money wisely,
they will become responsible spenders as they grow up.
Money may or may not be the root cause of all evil, but the truth is that we can’t
live without money. Little children ask for just about everything they see. They
 don’t understand the financial difficulties involved in obtaining the objects of their
fancy. They don’t understand the hard work their parents put in to earn the money
necessary to provide them a comfortable living. By teaching children about the
importance of money, parents can foster a sense of appreciation in them.
Parents can teach the importance of money in several ways. They can take the
children along when they go shopping. This simple act teaches them that if they
need something, they have to pay for it. Parents can cultivate saving habits in their
children by gifting them a piggy bank where they can deposit their pocket money.
Giving children monetary rewards for doing simple tasks around the house is
another way of making them money wise. For example, if the children help dad in
the garage
or mom in the garden, parents can reward their time and effort by giving them a
few pennies. This helps children learn many valuable lessons. They learn that to
earn they have to work hard. This also helps them appreciate the value of labor.
I wasn’t raised by rich parents, but they were responsible people who knew how to
live within their means. When we were kids, we didn’t have many luxuries. My
parents, nonetheless, worked hard and made sure that we led a comfortable life and
received the best education. It was the wise spending habits that I learned from my
parents during my childhood that stood by me when I started living on my own.
To conclude, parents should teach children about money. This helps them acquire
many life skills which will stand them in good stead when they start living on their
own. Children who are involved in the financial matters of the family from an early
age learn to appreciate their parents’ hard work. They also recognize the
importance of spending money wisely.
(434 words)

Our grandparents think that the way they lived their lives was
simpler and better than the way we live our lives. Do you agree
or disagree? Support your arguments with examples.

Modern life is more comfortable, but it is also equally stressful. We invented several
devices in the last few decades to make our lives better and more comfortable.
However, a vast majority of these inventions also make our life stressful. Take, for
instance, the case of cellphones and internet. They allow us to stay connected all the
time. Unfortunately, the same connectivity prevents us from taking a break.
Organizations now expect their employees to be accessible round the clock despite
knowing that this could stress them out.
A few decades ago, however, people led simpler lives. They spent less time at work
and had more time for themselves. They had fewer worries and were healthier both
mentally and physically. Our grandmothers didn’t have washing machines,
refrigerators or vacuum cleaners. So they had to cook, clean and wash with their
hands. It made them physically active. In those days, there were fewer vehicles on the
road and people often walked to walk. The air was cleaner. Consequently our
grandparents enjoyed better health than us. Today we have more effective medicines
and treatment options, but unfortunately our stressful and sedentary lifestyles make us
more prone to developing many health problems.
On the other hand, our grandparents didn’t lead a simple life because they enjoyed it.
They had no other choice. If they had access to the amenities that we enjoy today,
they, too, would embrace them gladly. What’s more, if somebody really wants to lead
a simple life, it is still possible. One can cut off oneself from the world and live in
blissful tranquility. So it is essentially a matter of preference.
In conclusion, it is true that our grandparents led simpler lives and in many ways their
lives were better than ours. However, not many of us want to lead that sort of lives
today. Today, we are addicted to technology and comfort and very few people will
willingly forsake them and adopt simplicity.
(324 words)

Some people believe that cooking food at home is a

complete waste of time. According to them, restaurants
are better and make modern living easier and a whole lot
less stressful.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Restaurants serve ready to eat meals for a price. They are a boon for busy
professionals who do not have enough time to cook a proper meal. It is true that
restaurant food makes modern living easier, still it cannot be considered better than
home-made food because of health concerns.
People who eat at restaurants on a regular basis develop many health problems.

Restaurants might claim that they take all measures to ensure that food is cooked and
served in a hygienic environment. However, this is not always true. Routines
inspections by food inspectors often reveal an ugly picture. In the recent past, food
authorities shut down many restaurants in Kerala, India because they did not score
well in the cleanliness department.
Another questionable and equally harmful practice is the use of preservatives and
other chemicals. In a bid to enhance the texture and flavour of food items restaurants
often use chemicals that are harmful for health. Preservatives are used in large
quantities to prolong the shelf life of food items. When consumed on a regular basis,
these chemicals will ruin a person’s health.
Home-made food, on the other hand, is healthier. Of course, cooking food at home is
not always easy and may consume a lot of time. Still, it is better. Home-made food is
unlikely to contain preservatives and harmful chemicals. What’s more food cooked at
home is cheaper. A restaurant meal usually costs much more than a typical meal
cooked at home. People who do not have the time to cook their own food can employ
a cook. And the money they save on their restaurant bills can be used to pay their
cook.
In conclusion, cooking food at home is not a waste of time. In fact it is absolutely
essential for good health. Restaurants are good for eating out once in a while but they
can’t replace traditional home cooking.
(315 words)
 Some people believe that men and women possess different
skills. According to them certain jobs are more suitable for men
than women. There are also some jobs where women perform
better. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Women now compete and cooperate with men in almost all walks of life and they
have proved their mettle, too. However, men and women are not built alike. They may
have the same intellectual capabilities, but physically and emotionally men and
women are different and that probably explains why certain jobs are considered
suitable for men and certain other jobs suitable for women.
Until a few decades ago many people used to believe that women are not suitable for a
career in science or finance. Such wrong notions no longer exist because many women
have proved that they make equally brilliant engineers and number crunchers. Still,
certain sectors prefer men over women. There are also some sectors where women
outperform men.
Thanks to their stronger physique, men are more suitable for physically demanding
jobs than women. For example, jobs in mining and mechanics are laborious and
involve handling heavy machinery. A few women have proved that they are capable
of handling such jobs, but the majority of workers employed in these sectors are men.
The armed forces also recruit more men than women.
Though women lack physical prowess, they score better than men in some other areas.
For example, women are more caring and patient. These qualities make them
excellent teachers and nurses. Women also possess better people skills and are
considered more suitable for careers in hospitality and public relations.
Of course, several women have proved that they are capable of doing just about
anything that men can. Take for instance, the case of Madam Curie, the first woman to
win the Nobel Prize for Physics. She proved her mettle at a time when science and
technology were largely dominated by men. Women have also conquered the seas, the
mountains and the skies. The fact that they lacked muscle power didn’t deter them
from pursuing their goals. Still, these are exceptions rather than the rules.
In conclusion, certain jobs are more suitable for men. There are also certain jobs
where women perform better than men. Personally I believe that a person’s physical
and intellectual capabilities, rather than gender, should determine his or her career
choice. If a woman possesses sufficient physical strength and is determined enough to
pursue a career in a male dominated sector, her gender should not come in the way of
her goal. The same theory applies to men as well.
(395 words)
 The clothing and fashion industry have a big influence on
people. Is this a good or bad thing?

There is no denying the fact that the clothing and fashion industry dictate the way we
dress ourselves. Youngsters, in particular, are easily influenced by the latest
fashion trends. Now fashion shows are being organized even in smaller towns and
children as young as three years want to wear the latest model clothes. All of these are
signs of the growing influence of fashion industry. Unfortunately, this trend has both
positive and negative aspects.
Fashion helps people dress well. Fashionable clothes make us more presentable. When
people dress fashionably they feel good about themselves. This boosts their level of
confidence and makes them perform well in the workplace. It is now a known fact that
people who dress and look well have better chances of getting a job. Even if a person
is not blessed with naturally good looks, they can make themselves more presentable
by dressing well. That is where fashion helps.
On the flip side, fashion can blind people. Fashion trends are often launched by films
and rich people. What celebrities wear on and off screen soon become a craze with the
general public. In a bid to become the most fashionable among their peers, youngsters
often spend insane amounts of money on clothes and other accessories. This could
make their poorer friends and colleagues feel inferior. What’s more, fashionable
clothes are not always the best. Fashion trends that originate in the US or Europe may
not suit the climate or the culture of Asian countries. This often leads to a conflict of
interest.
In conclusion, clothing and fashion industry have a big influence on people. However,
this trend has both advantages and disadvantages. Fashion is good as long as it helps
people feel good by themselves. When it becomes an obsession it does more harm
than good. (300 words)

More people are traveling today than ever before. Why is

this?
In recent years, there has been a massive increase in the number of people who engage
in international travel. Many factors are responsible for this phenomenon. For
example, with the advent of low cost airlines, the cost of air traveling has come down.
This has encouraged more and more people to spend their vacations in exotic foreign
destinations. The growth in international trade opportunities is also prompting more
and more people to travel.
As competition heats up among airlines, air tickets become more and more affordable.
And when air tickets become more affordable, more and more people are going to
travel. Another equally important reason is the rise in the number of households with
disposable incomes. Many families now earn a lot more than they need. People with
high income are exploring newer ways to spend that money. It is quite common for
them to travel to foreigncountries. Families with surplus income are also more likely
to send their children abroad for higher studies.
In addition to this, the world as a whole is becoming one big global village. Growing
trade opportunities in the developing world have encouraged multinational
corporations to open offices in them. People who work for MNCs have to engage in
international travel very frequently. This was a relatively unknown phenomenon until
the world economy opened up one or two decades ago.
After analyzing the situation, it is easy to see that tourism and trade are the main
factors that contribute towards the increase in international travel. If the world
economy continues to grow at this pace, this trend is going to continue.
(267 words)

SAMPLE 20

Modern technology is changing our world. This has

advantages such as bringing people closer together
through communication. It also has disadvantages such
as destroying the differences between cultures. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Modern technology with its advantages and disadvantages has changed today’s world
enormously. Communication allows people all over the world to stay in contact with
each other. For instance, I can easily exchange e-mails with a good friend of mine who
recently had to move back to her mother country, Malaysia. Furthermore, if I have to
make a really important decision or something is bothering me, I simply have to press
the buttons on my mobile phone in order to ask my parents or a good friend for
advice.
Additionally, technology remarkably contributes towards making everyday procedures
more convenient as well as helping to transmit messages rapidly. For example, an
appointment that cannot be met due to an unexpected incident can quickly be
cancelled by writing a text message or, in terms of business, employees can send an e-
mail cancelling or postponing ameeting which will be received within seconds by their
business partners.
While improvements in technology are, to a large extent, helpful, they do have a
disadvantageous side to them. The most significant disadvantage is the westernisation
of traditional cultures, which we can see in the growing number of fast food outlets for
example. We can also see this in the way that foreign words are being incorporated
into local languages.
On the whole, I agree to a great extent that technology is bringing people closer
together and this can only be a good thing, but the disadvantage is that people may
take ideas from other cultures and forget their own traditions.
(254 words)

SAMPLE 21

Television dominates the free-time for too many people. It

can make people lazy and prevent them from socialising
with others. Do you agree or disagree?
Television plays a major part in the majority of peoples’ lives; soap operas, sports

programmes, music programmes, everyone has their favourites. However, watching

television can take up a lot of spare time which could be used for social or leisure
activities. In my opinion, if we limit the amount of television we watch, we can also
enjoy our free time.
Television in some ways is a device that allows the viewer to relate to what is
happening on the screen. We choose our favourite music from videos, get news, watch
our preferred football teams, connect to the characters in the family drama and watch
educational documentaries. We discuss our preferences with friends and co-workers
when we talk to them so it can be said that TV enriches our emotional and cultural
selves.
On the other hand, television has negative effects on the body, as well as social
interaction. Doctors tell us that too much time sat down can lead to weight gain and
heart disease and if we are sitting in front of the TV all the time it means we are not
going out to meet our friends. I believe, if we watch television in moderation, we can
enjoy our favourite programmes as well as have an active social life.
As a child, my parents insisted that I only watched one or two programmes a night.
Today I captain my local football team and enjoy talking about the previous week’s
programming after a match on Saturday. It is my opinion that, if we sit at home all the
time watching television and do not go out, then it will have an unhealthy effect on
our bodies, minds and friendships. However, if we regulate how much we watch and
get on with other things, then TV can be a important part of our social lives.
(305 words)
SAMPLE 22

In many countries it is now illegal to smoke in public

places. It is only fair that people who wish to smoke
should have to leave the building. Do you agree or
disagree?
The issue of smoking and smoking bans is an emotive one because smokers and non-
smokers both tend to hold strong views about their rights. Many countries have now
chosen to ban smoking altogether from indoor areas and public places, which is a
radical change from the way things used to be until quite recently.
Non-smokers have been complaining for years that they should not have to breathe in
other people’s smoke in places such as the workplace, restaurants and cafes and on
buses, trains and planes. It is hard to argue that non-smokers do not have a right to be
protected from this. Smoking also causes problems for the owners and workers in such
places who have to clean up after smokers or redecorate more often.
Generally speaking, therefore, I am in favour of smoke-free workplaces, transport and
buildings. Non-smokers should not have other people’s smoke imposed on them. We
have to accept, however, that there are a large number of people who smoke and will
continue to smoke. Many of them enjoy the company of other smokers and feel it is
unfair that they should always be made to stand in doorways when they want to
smoke.
In a consumer age that seems to put choice above everything else, shouldn’t they have
the right to meet and socialise with other smokers if they want to? A more
balanced policy than the one now in place in many countries would be to allow certain
cafes and restaurants to apply for a smoking licence. These places would then have to
advertise themselves as smoking places.
Certain areas of buildings such as workplaces could also be made into smoking rooms
or areas but only if the company wished to. Such measures would still give the
majority their smoke-free environment but protect the wishes of the minority that
smoke.
(306 words)

Disruptive school students have a negative influence on

others. Students who are noisy and disobedient should be
grouped together and taught separately.

Do you agree or disagree with this view? Give reasons for

your answer and include any relevant examples from your
experience.
There is no doubt that some students in schools behave badly and their behavior
causes difficulty for others either because it has a negative effect on the group or
because ordinary students find it difficult to study with them.
One solution is to take these students away and teach them on their own. However,
if we simply have them removed after one or two warnings, we are limiting their
educational opportunities because it seems to me that a school which caters for
difficult students is a sort of “prison” whatever name you give it and the people
who go there may never recover from the experience. This can then cause
problems for the wider society.
Perhaps we need to look at why the disruptive students behave badly before we
separate them. Disruptive students may be very intelligent and find the classes
boring because the work is too easy. Perhaps these students need extra lessons
rather than separate lessons. Or perhaps the teachers are uninspiring and this results
in behavioral problems so we need better teachers. On the other hand, most
students put up with this situation rather than cause trouble, and some people argue
that we
have to learn to suffer bad teachers and boring situations and that students who
can’t learn this lesson need to be taught separately.
So before we condemn the students to a special school, we should look at factors
such as the teaching, because once the children have been separated, it is very
unlikely that they will be brought back.
(255 words)

Beside a lot of advantages, some people believe that the

Internet creates many problems. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?

In the current society, it is universally believed that the internet has been gaining its
popularity at an amazing rate. Some people assert that the internet bring us a lot of
benefits while many others argue that its drawbacks should not be ignored. It is
quite understandable that people from different backgrounds put different
interpretations on the same issue.
Those who favor that the internet has many advantages give their reasons as
follows. In the first place, it is obvious that the internet brings us great convenience
and efficiency. For example, we can send Emails to our friends in other countries
in a few minutes while sending a traditional letter takes us at least a week and costs
much. In the second place, it is a well-known fact that we can make friends with
people from all parts of world. Apparently, It overcomes the geographical barriers
and makes the world smaller. Furthermore, it is true that the internet accelerates the
flow of information and spreads education to all corners of the globe. In other
words, we can have easy and quick access to the latest information worldwide.
On the other hand, some other people hold different attitudes argue that the internet
has many weaknesses. For one thing, it seems that it can easily lead to
psychological problems. For instance, an internet-addicted person tends to be
isolated, self- centered and unsociable. For another, it is obvious that there is a
sharp rise in the
number of cyber-crimes. More and more financial crimes such as money
laundering are committed via the internet. In addition, it also has negative impacts
on young people because there are a lot of obscene and violent contents on line.
There is probably a little bit of truth in both arguments. For my part, I completely
agree with the latter view that the internet has more disadvantages than advantages.
It gives rise to people’s mental problem. It results in various computer crimes. It is
harmful to the growth of the youth. Therefore, something should be done as soon
as possible to protect people from negative effects of the internet.
(352 words)

Many students decide to further their study abroad what

are the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
Nowadays, along the rapid development of economy, some students think that
study abroad brings many benefits, while others are of the opinion that they should
finish university education in their motherland. It is quite natural that people from
different backgrounds may have divergent attitudes towards it.
Students, who advocate that study abroad has a lot of disadvantage, have their
sound reasons. First of all, living far away from home, students will suffer from
loneliness and homesickness. Overseas students often fell disoriented and
depressed for lack
of adequate knowledge and understanding of the local customs and lifestyle.
Secondly, many students do not want to return to their country after graduation
because most of them want to seek a more comfortable life and brighter future
overseas. This may result in a serious brain-drain and our country will inevitably
incur a huge loss of talents.
To this issue, some other students hold a different attitude, arguing that students
should go abroad to study. To begin with, it can broaden the student’s horizons.
For instance, they get a chance to experience a totally different culture. The
knowledge of social customs acquired in the other countries helps them to become
more open- minded. Next, there are academic advantages. Students can lean
advanced science and technology. They received a different education. The book
resources are more up-to-date. The professors are aware of all the latest
development in their fields. Therefore, the standard of teaching is much higher.
Moreover, when they finish their
study abroad, they will have more choices for their future career. All the above
merits contribute to their self-betterment and self-realization.
It is quite understandable that people from different backgrounds put different
interpretations on the same issue. For my part, I stand on the latter opinion that
while overseas study has its drawbacks, the advantages are more obvious. It can
broaden one’s vision. Students have easy access to the first-rate facilities and the
latest development in science and technology. In addition, when they finish their
study, they have more job opportunities. Therefore, as long as it is financially
feasible, an overseas education may do a person better than harm. (354 words)

Is freedom of speech necessary in a free society?

In the last decade, there has been considerable debate over the role of free speech
in a free society. Some object to absolute freedom of speech. Others advocate free
speech, arguing that the freedom of speech is the single most important political
right of citizens in a civilized society. Whilst I believe that there are strong
arguments on both sides, I would suggest that freedom of speech should be
protected in all but extreme circumstances.
The freedom of speech is important at all levels in a society. Yet it is most
important for government. A government which does not know what the people
feel and think is in a dangerous position. This is how the communist regimes of
Eastern Europe were toppled in the 1980s. The same is happening again in other
regions of the world today. The governments that muzzle free speech run a risk of
pushing their people to behave destructively or to rebel.
Furthermore, without free speech no political action is possible and no resistance to
injustice and oppression is possible. Without free speech elections would have no
meaning at all. Policies of contestants become known to the public and become
responsive to public opinion only by virtue of free speech. Between elections the
freely expressed opinions of citizens help restrain oppressive rule. Without this
freedom it is futile to expect political freedom or consequently economic freedom.
In conclusion, I believe that the importance of free speech as a basic and valuable
characteristic of a free society cannot be underestimated. It may be challenging for
society to allow differences of opinion out into the open; however, the
consequences of restricting free speech are likely to be more damaging in the
longer term.
(285 words)

Some people think that the increasing use of computers

and mobile phones has negative effect on young people’s
reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree
or disagree with this?
Some people think that by being highly dependent on digital devices, young people
are losing their reading and writing skills. I beg to differ! In my opinion, people get
to read and write more by using these devices and “practice makes perfect!”
The digital world has made people to become more interconnected. Within
minutes, one is able to send a handful of messages. This encourages people to write
more to avoid wasting time on phone calls or face-to-face meetings. In fact, the
diverse types of writing that we make can improve different aspects of our writing.
For example, when we text our friends, we use informal language such as using
contractions. However, we use a more formal tone when messaging our manager.
Similarly, digitized data enhances our reading skills. Day in and day out, we are
bombarded by multitude of information in text form. Thanks to social media,
people would share anything interesting with everyone they know, and it would
cost them almost nothing. Hence, most people prefer to read their cluttered inboxes
or social media messages during any waiting time such as commuting or standing
in a queue. Although they may not realize it, this time is actually being invested by
strengthening many soft skills such as reading.
In short, contrary to the belief that interacting through screens harms our literary
skills, I believe that by doing so we are effectively improving our reading and
writing skills.
(238 words)

Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones has
had a negative effect on young people’s reading and writing skills. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this?
It is widely accepted that a teenager’s personality is more related to that of his
peers than to his parents or teachers. In my opinion, this is an accurate proposition
because at this age people spend more time and develop more intimate
relationships with their friends.
At a young age people tend to spend most of their time with friends and colleagues
– for leisure, academic or work related activities. Therefore, they are constantly
exposed to certain modes of thinking adopted by people they are surrounded by.
According to neuroscientists, this helps in creating neuro-associations with regards
to certain beliefs that teenagers then accept as their own. In fact, life coaches, like
Tony Robins, has stressed the fact that in order for us to change we need to change
the people we hang out with. In addition, the time spent with friends creates peer
pressure, which encourages people to adjust their beliefs to “fit-in” in their social
groups.
Furthermore, teenagers often develop a closer relationship with others of similar age
or status. First, they are able to relate to these people who are under similar
circumstances. They do not feel intimidated by then and hence they are willing to
accept their views. Second, they feel the need to maintain close bonds with those in
their social realm. Therefore, they exert additional effort to understand their friends’
mentality, which strengthens their friendship and hence their influence towards one
another.
In short, on grounds of the time spent with friends and the close relationship
developed I can confidently say that teenagers are more influenced by their friends
than by their parents and teachers.

SAMPLE 33

Some people believe that media should be allowed to publish information about
the private lives of famous people. Others say that everybody has a right to
privacy and this practice must be controlled or even stopped. Discuss both views.

We are living in a celebrity obsessed world where everything that famous people do
or say makes headlines. If media publishes stories about the private lives of the rich
and the famous, that is because there is an audience for them. People want to know
what celebrities do, say, wear, eat and drink. Media merely satisfies this need
because it makes sound business sense for them.
Public personalities also have a private life that they want to shield from others. Just
because they are famous, the media doesn’t have the right to publish all sorts of
personal information about them. It has now become fashionable to publish photos
and stories that are demeaning to famous people. This trend must be condemned.
Everybody has flaws; however, when a celebrity exhibits them it becomes news.
People get some weird pleasure from knowing that these famous men and women
that they admire are not perfect.
On the flip side, there is a symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the media.
One depends on the other for their existence. Celebrities need media exposure to
remain celebrities. They are desperate to stay in the news. They need media
attention
to build their career. They become conscious of their right to privacy only after they
have established themselves in the industry. At that stage, however, they can’t
expect the media, which fuelled their growth, to stop writing about them.
To conclude, as long as people want to know about the private lives of famous
personalities, media will oblige them with photos and stories. However, I believe
that public personalities also have a right to privacy. Although I wouldn’t say that
media should stop writing about famous people, I do believe that they should draw a
line. Media must resist the temptation to publish stories that can destroy lives and
careers.
(303 words)

In many countries, sports and exercise classes are

replaced with the academic subjects. Discuss the effects
of this trend.
Over the past few decades, academic subjects have become increasingly important
in this fast-changing information-based society. Nowadays, there has been a
growing debate as to whether it would be more effective to replace physical
education classes with academic subjects. Despite the importance of sports, I highly
believe that it is inevitable and more efficient to focus more on academic subjects
for several reasons.
Those who argue that sports and exercise classes are needed in school base their
case on the following arguments. First of all, sports are a good way to build
character and
develop personality. That is, there are necessary for learning about competition,
cooperation, and good sportsmanship. In addition, as a majority of children these
days are addicted to the Internet, they find it hard to leave their computer.
Consequently, a growing number of children are becoming overweight or obese due
to a lack of exercise. So, if schools foster an environment that deprives students of
getting a proper physical education, it will have a long-term negative effect
onchildren both mentally and physically.
Nevertheless, people should not ignore the fact that devoting more time and energy
to academic subjects will benefit students more in the long run. The time devoted to
physical education now would be better spent teaching students English. This is
because speaking fluent English will give young people an advantage over other
college applicants and job seekers in the
near future. Besides, science will undoubtedly benefit youth more than physical
education as well. The principles learned in science will provide the necessary
foundation for solving difficult problems that are sure to arise in students' futures.
In summary, there are high hopes that educators and parents exercise wisdom in
teaching young generations.
(288 words)

SAMPLE 37

Some people think children‘s spending time on TV, video and PC games is good,
while others think it is bad. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

While it may be disliked by many, the modern game industry is a part of our world.
From its humble beginnings in the 80s, the video game industry has exploded into a
10-billion dollar empire. It is a debatable issue whether these games are good or
bad. In this essay, I intend to delve into the pros and cons of these games and finally
give my opinion.
There are many advantages of video, PC and TV games. To begin with, video game
playing introduces children to computer technology. Secondly, some games provide
practice in problem solving and logic e.g. Age Of Empires. Video games have
proved to improve visual skills. They also improve motor and spatial skills.
Children who play video games have better reflexes.
What is more, these modern games make learning fun. The cost of failure is lower.
This encourages risk taking and exploration. If the kid gets the answer wrong or
their character dies, they just start the game over and try again. Finally, some games
have therapeutic applications. Watching TV also is very educative for children.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of these technological inventions.
Firstly, overdependence on these games leads to social isolation as these are usually
played alone. Secondly, some games have violent characters and seeing their violent
acts leads to aggressive behavior in children. Moreover, these games can confuse
reality and fantasy. For example, when children play car racing games then they
may race their own vehicles in real life which can lead to accidents. Finally, many
games do not require action that requires independence and creativity.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that on the whole these games are very
good and certainly their advantages outweigh their disadvantages but these should
be played in moderation. Parents should limit the game playing time and see to it
that homework and chores are done before playing.
(320 words)

Some people believe that money brings happiness; others

are of the opinion that having too much money is a
problem. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Almost all of us are motivated by money. The only reason that most of us spend 8 to
10 hours at the workplace is to earn money. Money probably doesn’t bring
happiness, but not having enough money to take care of our basic needs will
seriously limit our happiness. No one wants to live in poverty and no one will lend
to the poor.
Money helps us lead a comfortable life. It helps us provide the best possible
education for our children. It ensures that our near and dear ones have access to
medical attention wheneverthey need it. Having more money than you need is
unlikely to increase your levels of happiness, but not having enough will definitely
destroy your peace of mind.
There is a limit to the amount of money that we can spend on ourselves. Still, the
richest among us have amassed wealth they or their progeny will never use in their
lifetime. Still, they aren’t satisfied. They want more. That is the lure of money. It
never makes people content. Those who don’t have it want to have it. Those who
have it want to have even more of it.
Unfortunately, in our pursuit of riches, we often forget to live. We forget to
appreciate the little joys that make our lives worth living.
Having a lot of money is definitely a problem. It even threatens our safety and
security and makes us the target of thieves. Look at the richest people. They can’t
move around freely like you or I. They are always surrounded by their personal
security guards and often live their entire lives in constant fear of getting attacked.
To conclude, money is unlikely to make us happy, but we must still earn enough.
However, in our pursuit of riches, we must not lose our souls. True happiness comes
from spiritual awakening. Money has hardly anything to do with it.
(317 words)

In some countries in Europe, some children from the age

of 11 or 13 go to schools to learn more practical skills
that will help them get a job. Other children stay in
schools which provide a more general academic
education.
We live in a changing world, one that needs adaptable students who are ready to deal

with the challenges of the communications age. However, we must not overlook the
fact that students need to have some practical skills which will also help them in the
future. It is, therefore, the responsibility of schools to provide a balance between the
two.

By the age of 11 or 13, some children have a vague idea of what they may want to
do as a career; on the other hand, many do not. In my opinion, it is unfair to expect
children to decide whether or not they want to specialise in vocational or academic
training at such a young age. Schools should offer a wide variety of subjects for
children to choose from and not force them onto a path they may later regret.
The majority of occupations today require an understanding of the basic academic
skills. Therefore, even if a child does know that they want to follow a career in a
particular trade, institutions that offer practical subjects must include core subjects
such as literacy and arithmetic, as well as computer literacy, as a part of their
curriculum.
In my country, children do not have to specialise until they reach the age of 76. This
means they have been taught several subjects and can decide what they want to do
when they complete their schooling.
Today there are many career options for children and they are no longer restricted in
their choice of work. It is the duty of the school to give young learners the chance to
choose their own career options or, at least provide them with the right tools to truly
make it in the modern world.
(290 words)

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work

or travel for a year between finishing high school and
starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.
Taking a “gap year” off between high school and university has become a popular
option among many young people. This time off provides a break after many years
of formal study. Some students use this time to travel around the world, others
volunteer and still others begin working. The idea behind each of these activities is
to do something hands-on and refreshing, which enables young people to learn more
about themselves and their place in the world around them.
The benefits of taking a year off are plentiful. On a personal level, students who
travel away from home develop their independence and self-confidence. On a
cultural level, they learn about viewpoints, traditions and perspectives different from
their own. Professionally, students get a taste of diverse workplaces, which might
inspire a possible career interest. Intellectually, they examine their own beliefs and
ideas in relation to those of others in a new environment. All these advantages
combine to make a strong case for taking the one-year break.
Nevertheless, there are also dangers involved in taking such a long break.
Academically, the main drawback is that students can get sidetracked from their
studies. A year is a long time and students could lose the good study habits and
sense of discipline they had when they were in a formal academic structure. If they
begin working, they could also be deluded into thinking that they’re making a lot of
money. They could lose the benefit of college or university education and the
chance to earn a higher income all their lives.
In conclusion, whether to take a year-long break or not is an individual decision.
Each young person should consider his or her motivations carefully and decide on
what’s most desirable. Time is a precious resource and people of all ages, including
young people, should treat it with respect.
(305 words)