Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The initial impression from the graph is that age is a clear predictor for the decrease in
the proportion of people attending music concerts, as the attendance rate was highest
among the youngest group (16-24). The figures for the 25-to-44, 45-to-54, and 55-to-
64, despite each increasing and decreasing with varying degrees throughout the given
period, ranked second, third, and fourth respectively, and the oldest age group (70+)
always attended fewer concerts compared to the other given groups.
In 2010, roughly more than half of the people aged between 45 and 54 attended music
concerts. Fewer people aged between 16 and 24 participated in such events (40%), and
this was also the case for those aged 25 and 44. Only 25% of the people between 55 and
64 years old joined music concerts, and the proportion was even much lower for the 75+
(10%).
Over the next 5 years, the proportion of participants aged between 16 and 24
experienced steady rises, amounting to 70% in 2010. In the meantime, the figure for the
25 to 44 group, despite a dip of around 10%, regained its upward streak and eventually
reached 52% in 2015, and a similar pattern is evident for the 25-to-44 age bracket, with
a slump to 30% in 2012 and an upswing to nearly 50% in 2015. Participants in the last
two brackets namely 55 to 64 and 75+ were not many, with the former undergoing 3
years of stability before dropping to 23% in 2015, and the latter experiencing an
upswing to 20% in 2011, yet halving to only 10% in 2013, and rising again to around 21%
in 2015.
Task 2: Some people think that job satisfaction is more important than job security
while some people think that they cannot always expect job satisfaction, a
permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your own
1. Sample essay
Whether it is advisable to choose a satisfying job or to pursue a secured one has always
been an issue of great controversy for years now. As a city-dweller, I am more
supportive of the first option.
At first glance, it sounds sensible to believe in the benefits of finding a permanent job.
One of the major reasons is professional seniority is almost always a factor that plays a
crucial role in any occupation. The longer people work in a certain environment, the
more practical experience they can gain and the easier it is for them earn a decent
salary. This has been common sense for decades now.
3. Structure highlights
Cấu trúc noun clause sử dụng whether... or... làm chủ ngữ
Whether it is advisable to choose a satisfying job or to pursue a secured one has always
been an issue of great controversy for years now (Liệu chúng ta có nên chọn nghề khiến
ta hài lòng hay theo đuổi nghề ổn định vốn là một vấn đề gây tranh cãi kịch liệt nhiều năm
qua)
In 2000, around 37% of young people were undergraduates, and the rate experienced a
remarkable upswing to 48% in 2005, and 57% in 2010. A similar pattern is evident with
regard to Country D where its tertiary education rates rose from 45% in 2000 to 50% in
2005, and again to 60% in 2010. Country C, in the meantime, also had more
undergraduates, rising from 43% in 2000 to 48% in 2005, and plateaued at this point
until 2010. Contrary to the other three countries, Country B, starting off with 40%
young students in 2000, was the only nation to undergo a drop, albeit negligible, to
39% in 2005, and despite recovering back to 2000’s level at 40% in 2010, this country
still remained the one having the lowest higher education rates.
Task 2: Some people think news has no connection to people’s lives. So then it is a
waste of time to read the newspaper and watch television news programs. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?
1. Sample essay
It is claimed that spending time on reading or watching news is absolutely wasteful.
Truth be told, I find it hard to agree because having access to daily news is a must to
be well informed about what is going on in the world and to be equipped with
specialized knowledge for conducting further scientific research.
For the general public, it is advisable to be aware of the current state of affairs. This is
certainly directly related to individual life. A typical example for this close relationship is
what people should do in case of war. More specifically, after reading news about the
outbreak of a war near them, people may immediately prepare food for fear of the
possibility of food shortages.
Those who work as scientists are always in need of updated information from news
reports about various fields. These range from education to economics and healthcare.
For instance, news about the current coronavirus has pushed researchers all over the
world to compete 24/7 in inventing a vaccine against it. As a result, it can be argued
that news is closely related to the outside world whether common people or experts
in the scientific world are taken into consideration.
Summarizing, when it comes to the belief that reading news in newspapers or watching
news on television programs is a total waste of time, I am not convinced at all. This is
merely because all people need news no matter what job they are engaged in.
Depending on their occupation, people might obtain different useful pieces of
information when they are exposed to one and the same news item.
2. Vocab highlights
X is a waste of time = X is wasteful: X là lãng phí thời gian
having access to daily news is a must: Tiếp cận tin tức hàng ngày là điều phải
làm
the general public: Công chúng / đại chúng
the current state of affairs: Sự tình hiện đương
the outbreak of a war: Sự nổ ra của 1 cuộc chiến
for fear of the possibility of food shortages: Vì sợ lương thực có khả năng bị
khan hiếm
those who work as scientists: Những ai làm công tác khoa học
news reports = news items: Những mẩu tin
news is closely related to the outside world: Tin tức gắn liền mật thiết với thế
giới bên ngoài
when they are exposed to one and the same news item: Khi họ được tiếp cận
cùng 1 mẩu tin
3. Structure highlights
Cấu trúc passive
It is claimed/believed/viewed/said that...
Có ý kiến cho rằng
The process commences when raw materials are collected by the use of a digger, and
then they are delivered to a factory. At the factory, the raw clay is crushed twice to
become finer clay, after which it is sent to a cylindrical tank where it is mixed with
water. The moistened clay is thereafter pumped into moulds, and is left in those
moulds for 4 to 6 hours. Once dried, the clay pots begin to take shape.
The process continues when the assembled clay pots are heated in a kiln under 1000
degrees Celsius. At this stage of the process, colours are added, and the pots are
then fired for the second time in another kiln to become fully shaped, coloured ceramic
pots.
2. Vocab highlights
provide a breakdown of: cung cấp mô tả từng phần nhỏ
commence (v): bắt đầu
is sent to (v) được chuyển tới
cylindrical tank (n) một cái bồn hình trụ
moistened (adj) được làm ẩm
take shape: thành hình
kiln (n): lò nung
fire (v): nung
Task 2: Advertisements is becoming more and more common in our everyday lives.
Is it a positive or negative development?
1. Sample essay
Advertisements are growing increasingly popular in recent years, and whilst some
people are of the opinion that advertising greatly assists us in making purchase
decisions, we can also hear some others decrying ads for being annoying and
misleading. In my opinion, it has both positive and negative sides in equal measure.
In conclusion, my firm conviction is that advertising is detrimental for its intrusive and
manipulative natures, but it can be very informative and meaningful as well. Wise
consumers are those who demonstrate the ability to see through those pieces of
advertising and make sensible buying decisions.
2. Vocab highlights
inherent in: hiện hữu, là một phần của
with the advent of: với sự ra đời của
on an unprecedented scale: ở một quy mô chưa từng thấy
unwelcome intrusion: sự xâm phạm không được chào đón
tempt people into Ving: dụ dỗ người ta làm gì
alluring and provocative: hấp dẫn mời gọi (thường mang nghĩa xấu)
instrumental in: rất quan trọng
commodities: hàng hóa
thought-provoking: gợi nhiều suy nghĩ
Đề ngày 21/03/2020
Task 1: The diagram below shows how to recycle organic waste to produce fertiliser
(compost). Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparisons where relevant.
2. Vocab highlights
areate (v) cho phép không khí lưu thông
vent (n) lỗ thông hơi
circulation (n) sự lưu thông
subsequently (adv) sau đó
seal (v) niêm phong
moistened (adj) được làm ẩm
decomposition (n) sự phân hủy
vapour (n) hơi nước
convert into (v) biến đổi thành
ultimately (adv) cuối cùng thì
1. Sample essay
When it comes to leisure activities, attending a live show has recently been claimed
to be something worth doing because it is more exciting than watching it on TV. This
is a statement that I find it hard to totally agree with.
Truth be told, it is certainly true that watching an art display or a sports performance
on television is quite enjoyable to some extent. One of the reasons is one can lie down
on a sofa without getting decently dressed while watching them. This is normally
something impossible to do in public as we are supposed to behave well in this
modern life of civilization.
2. Vocab highlights
attending a live show has recently been claimed to be something worth
doing: Gần đây có ý kiến cho rằng đến dự 1 chương trình biểu diễn trực tiếp là
xứng đáng
Truth be told: Thành thật mà nói
One can lie down on a sofa without getting decently dressed: Người ta có thể
nằm dài trên 1 chiếc trường kỷ, không cần phải diện trang phục tươm tất
We are supposed to behave well in this modern life of civilization: Chúng ta
nên có hành vi đúng mực trong cuộc sống văn minh hiện nay
Watching it live is truly fascinating in a way that is indescribable: Xem trực
tiếp là hấp dẫn không thể tả
based on a real-time basis: Trên cơ sở giờ thực
it will boost levels of fascination twofold: Nó sẽ nâng mức thú vị lên gấp đôi
3. Structure highlights
Cấu trúc trạng ngữ chỉ thể cách
... is truly fascinating in a way that is indescribable (= is truly indescribably
fascinating): ... là thật sự thú vị không thể tả