WRITING TOPICS – VSTEP WRITING (PART 2)

WRITING TEST 1
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about smoking.
Medical studies have shown that smoking not only leads to health problems for the smoker, but also
for people close by. For this reason, smoking should not be allowed in public places. Opponents
argue that the forbiddance of smoking would possibly affect the freedom of choice or lead to the
closure of many bars and pubs. However, supporters of this ban place people’s health problems at
the top of the scale.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about whether public smoking
should be banned or not. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You
should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about television addiction.
If you watch more than 30 hours of television a week, some psychologists would consider you to be a
television addict. Television addict may show some of the following symptoms. They may not be
selective in what they watch; in other words, they will watch anything. They may feel a loss of
control when viewing. They may feel angry with themselves for watching so much, but are not able to
stop watching, and they may feel miserable when they are stopped from watching.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about consequences of television
addiction. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

WRITING TEST 3
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from an article.
Using public transport has become familiar to everyone in Vietnam. Millions of people today are
travelling by lots of kinds of public transport. Some people think that using public transport brings a
lot of advantages to the society in general and to themselves in particular; others argue that they
have to face disadvantages when using public transport.
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using public
transport. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at
least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 4
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about famous people.
Famous people of various kinds, including movie stars and royalty, are often closely followed by the
press. There have been stories of journalists digging through garbage bins to find little bits of
information on the private lives of the rich and famous. Some press photographers try to take
photographs of famous people in their most private moments to sell to the world’s media.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about challenges of being
famous. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least
250 words.

WRITING TEST 5
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from an article:
Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in England, accounting for more than 80,000
deaths each year. One in two smokers will die from a smoking-related disease. It can also cause fatal
diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer. It causes 84% of deaths from lung cancer
and 83% of deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease, including bronchitis. As a result, some
people agree that world governments should conduct serious campaigns against smoking.
Write an essay to an educated reader to show you opinion about the consequences of smoking and
possible solutions. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should
write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 6
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an education magazine.
While compulsory education in some countries such as England begins at the age of five (with many
children actually starting at four), in countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Finland, school does
not begin until the age of seven. There are two different points of view regarding this. Some people
think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of
their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time
playing.
Write an essay to an educated reader to tell which point of view you agree with. Include specific
reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 7
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from a book chapter.
Young people have the highest rates of arrest for reported crime. Almost half of all people arrested
are under the age of 25. Young people are more likely to be involved in crime because they have
fewer relationships that encourage them to follow conventional behavior.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the reasons for violent
crime among youngsters. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You
should write at least 250 words
WRITING TEST 8
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about mass media.
While most of us make use of some form of the media on a daily basis, we may not think about the
functions or purposes the media serves in our society. One important function is entertainment. On
television, in particular, the variety of entertainment programs is extensive, ranging from soap
operas, to comedy, to talk shows, to sports.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the purposes of mass
media. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least
250 words.

WRITING TEST 9
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an educational magazine.
Compulsory attendance in university has always been a highly debated subject. Professors view
class attendance as an individual student responsibility. However, many students want to be given
the freedom to decide which classes to attend. Due to the difficulty of regulating a school-wide
attendance policy, most colleges and universities give professors the authority to set their own
attendance rules. Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes.
Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students.
Write an essay to an educated reader to tell which point of view you agree with. Include specific
reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 10
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about the Internet.
It is evident that the Internet has increasingly brought about significant changes to our life.
According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real
human beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a way of opening up new
communication possibilities worldwide, we should be concerned about the effect it is having on
social interactions.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the effects of the Internet
on human interactions. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You
should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 11
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about university education.
Some people think that young people should be required to work for a year before they go to
university. Such work gives young people valuable knowledge of the world, which in turns helps
them to appreciate their studies and decide what they want to do in life. However, there are those
who argue that going to university immediately after school is a much better option.
Now, write an essay to discuss what choice in your opinion is better for young people in preparing
them for the future career. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 12
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about fashion.
In modern society, fashion is becoming more highly valued in people’s choice of clothes. Nowadays,
it is not uncommon to see people walking around in brand-name clothes and sunglasses like
celebrities. While some people think it is a positive development, others blame for negative aspects of
fashion obsession.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about fashion consciousness.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 13
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about space exploration.
Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for
example travelling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments
should spend this money for our basic needs on the Earth.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss what extent you agree with space exploration.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 14
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from a book about education.
Being able to speak a foreign language is an advantage these days. Some people think that children
should start learning a foreign language at primary school while others think children should begin
at secondary school.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss what ages in your opinion are more suitable to
begin learning a foreign language. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples
from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 15
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about technology in education.
Thanks to the ever-increasing use of technology, computers are being used more and more in
education. Some people say that this is a positive trend because technology can benefit both teachers
and students at the touch of a button. There are others, however, who argue that it may deprive
people of real human interaction.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the effects of technology in the classroom.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 16
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about the Internet.
The Internet is an amazing information resource. Students, teachers, and researchers use it as an
investigating tool. Journalists use it to find information for stories. Doctors use it to learn more
about unfamiliar diseases and the latest medical developments. Ordinary people use it for shopping,
banking, bill-paying, and communicating with family and friends. However, while there are many
positive developments associated with the Internet, there are also certain fears and concerns.
(Academic Encounters- Life in Society, chapter 6, page 129)
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the negative effects of the Internet. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task fulfillment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 17
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about staying single.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a huge increase in the number of people who remain
single. Most people who live alone are young adults who postpone marriage into their late twenties,
but some are in their thirties and forties. One reason they often give for staying single is that they
have not met the right person. Others say that marriage involves too much commitment and
responsibility, or that they prefer the single lifestyle. (Academic Encounters- Life in Society, chapter
1, page 11)
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the benefits of staying single. Include reasons and any
relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task fulfillment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 18
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from an article about media.
The media has become one of the most important means of social interactions. Television,
newspapers and other forms of media have a strong effect on the way we think and act. However,
people hold different views about what the effect it has on society. Even though access to media
allows us to be better informed and gives us an increased understanding of the world, it is also
argued that some forms of media may make us more passive, violent, or too materialistic.

Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the effects of media on society. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 19
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about peer group.
As children grow older, they become increasingly involved with their peer group, a group whose
members are about the same age and have similar interests. The peer group- along with the family
and the school- is one of the three main socializing agents. The peer group is both a positive and
negative influence in our lives. (Academic Encounters- Life in Society, chapter 2, page 35)
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the effects of peer group on children. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task fulfillment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

WRITING TEST 20
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book about advertizing.
Advertizing is a very common feature of all our daily media. In fact, in most daily newspapers,
advertizing makes up the majority of the content. Very large amounts of money are spent on
advertizing. A television commercial can easily cost many thousands of dollars per second.
(Academic Encounters- Life in Society, chapter 5, page 117)
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss both advantages and disadvantages of advertizing.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

WRITING TEST 21
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a health magazine.
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. Pressure becomes stress
when you feel unable to cope. Stress can affect how you feel, think, and behave and even how your
body functions. It is worth taking the time to learn different strategies and techniques for managing
your stress before there are serious consequences for your mental and physical well-being. People
have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise;
others work in their gardens.
Write an essay to an educated reader to tell what you think is the best way of reducing stress. Include
specific reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250
words.

WRITING TEST 22
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a business magazine.
Success is the most aspired by everyone. Success comes in all shapes and colors. You can be
successful in your job and career but you can equally be successful in your marriage, at sports or a
hobby. However, success is not easy to achieve. The road leading to the achievement has obstacles
that are to be crossed over. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or
chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning.
Write an essay to an educated reader to tell what you think success comes from. Include specific
reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 23
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about the Internet
In some countries, people are increasingly doing their shopping on the Internet instead of going to
stores. Some people, especially those with a limited time budget, regard online shopping as a
positive development since they can buy products at home or office without having to go to stores or
shopping malls. However, there are those who argue that making online transactions can be
advantageous to them in several ways.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the positive and negative
aspects of online shopping. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You
should write at least 250 words.
WRITING TEST 24
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about computer games
Access to computers has increased significantly over the past decades and the number of children
playing games on computers has been correspondingly on the rise. As regards to positive effects,
playing computers provides children with various skills that may not be taught at school. However,
concerns have been raised about negative sides of computer games by children, much of this related
to the violence.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the effects of computer games on children’s
behaviour and what can be done to minimize the bad effects. Include reasons and any relevant
examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 25
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about rumors on the Internet.
The Internet is the source of many rumors, or unverified stories. Rumors are generally spread from
one person to another by word of mouth, and the story evolves or changes in the process. But the
Internet has allowed rumors to spread much further and faster than ever before.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the consequences of rumors
on the Internet and what can be done to solve this problem. Include reasons and any relevant
examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 26
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from an article about Internet addiction.
One of the growing areas of concern is that of Internet addiction. An Internet addict is someone who
is unable to control his or her own use of the Internet and whose behaviours threatens to overwhelm
his or her normal life. Internet addiction can result in many problems including a lack of sleep,
lateness for appointments, neglect of work responsibilities, and the disintegration of marriages and
families.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about solutions to Internet
addiction. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at
least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 27
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from a book chapter.
Many American believe that the death penalty is effective in deterring people from committing
murder. However, others disagree, and many sociologists argue that the evidence does not support
this view.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to tell which point of view you agree with. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 28
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from a book chapter.
Over the last few decades, the drug problem in the United States and in many other industrialized
countries has become considerably worse. In 1981, there were about 3 million drug addicts in the
United States; today there are around 6 million. The number of drug overdose deaths and drug-
related homicides has also increased.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss your opinions about the solutions to drug
addiction. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at
least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 29
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Read an extract from a medical journal.
Obesity is a serious global problem in today's society, especially among young people. More than
one-third of adults and 17% of youth in the United States are obese, although the prevalence
remained stable between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. Obesity causes a lot of conditions including
heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of
preventable death.
Write an essay to an educated reader on the causes of obesity and possible solutions. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.

WRITING TEST 30
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following extract from a book chapter.
Some people argue that male and female brains are different and that this causes differences in
behavior. However, some other believe that most of the differences are the result of the way in which
people bring up children at home and at school.
(Adapted from Solutions pre-intermediate workbook – Writing bank, Page 103)
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to tell which point of view you agree with. Include reasons
and any relevant examples to support your answer. You should write at least 250 words.