SAMPLE ESSAYS

1. Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler
life without technology. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Version 1:
The way we live today is significantly different from the way our forefathers lived fifty or
sixty years ago. Thanks to modern technology, today we have got just about every amenity we need
to live a comfortable life. Some people believe that modern technology has made our lives more
complicated. They are of the opinion that we should learn to do away with it. I disagree with this
viewpoint
It is undeniable that technology has improved our lives in several other ways. For example,
cars and buses have made commuting easier. Electricity has literally brightened our lives. Air
conditioning has made summer months tolerable. Cell phones and internet make it possible to stay
connected wherever we are. Home appliances are a boon for homemakers. Technology has also
considerably improved our productivity.
On the flip side, technology has made our lives complicated too. There is no escaping from the
always-on connectivity. Before the advent of cellphones and internet, taking a break was far easier.
People just had to pack their bags and go to the place they like to unwind. Now that cellphone
terminals are available in virtually every part of the world, people can never escape from their work
or problems. Even when they are on a family vacation, few people can resist the temptation to check
their work email. This need to stay constantly connected has only made our lives more stressful.
Modern technology has also made us physically inactive and prone to develop several lifestyle
diseases.
After analyzing the situation, it is felt that though modern technology has made our lives more
complicated, it is not something that we can do without. What we need to do is to use it responsibly.
Version 2:
Many are of the opinion that technology has done more harm than good and we ought to
simplify in order to lead more fulfilling lives. I agree that technology has its drawbacks but I
think turning away from technology is impractical.
The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has made
people perpetually available. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come home to spend time
with their family, have dinner and enjoy their private life. That simplicity is largely no longer the
case. Once work ends, you can still get email notifications and phone calls from managers or co-
workers. The end result is that you can never be fully present in the moment because work always
threatens to pull you back.
Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development, shutting
yourself off from technology would only serve to isolate people from the world. If you want to stay
in touch with friends and know about events in your area, it is essential to have a phone. You can use
Facebook Messenger to cheaply chat with individuals or make group plans. Email is
an indispensable element of nearly every job. Without it, you are filtering out quality jobs
and predetermining manual work as your vocation.
In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not feasible today
without making drastic sacrifices. Instead, people ought to seek ways to compartmentalise
technology in order to live happier, more satisfying lives.

2. Some people believe that developments in the field of artificial intelligence will have a positive
impact on our lives in the near future. Others, by contrast, are worried that we are not
prepared for a world in which computers are more intelligent than humans. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion.
It is argued that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) will bring a range of benefits in the
foreseeable future. Others, however, fear that we are not equipped with the skills and experience
needed to deal with computers or other technological devices that are becoming smarter than us. I
personally agree with the first group.
On the one hand, the main reason why some people think that AI might become a threat to
human survival is that intelligent machines may become so smart that they could take control of
humans one day in the future. Robots and machines might be able to make their own decisions
without being given the permission of humans. Without the necessary knowledge, skills and
experience, we might become their slaves. This could also lead to a war between humans and
intelligent machines, posing a serious threat to the entire world.
On the other hand, I would agree with those who think that developments in the field of AI
will have beneficial effects on our lives in the not so distant future. For example, thanks to
breakthroughs in satellite and spacecraft technologies, scientists will be able to make more precise
predictions about extreme events, such as asteroid collisions or violent storms, which might threaten
life on earth. Another example is that advances in automobile technology would help curb traffic
congestion and improve road safety. Driverless cars and surveillance cameras would greatly
contribute to minimising traffic accidents and traffic offences.
In conclusion, although some people are worried about the threats that AI will cause to the
world, I personally believe that developments in this technology will bring huge benefits to our lives.

3. 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, either in 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 revolutionised communication between people, but not
all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

4. "Maintaining public libraries is a waste of money since computer technology can replace their
functions. Do you agree or disagree?"
Today, computer technology is becoming more and more advanced. Many people think that it is
wasteful to spend money on maintaining public libraries because most of their functions can be replaced
with computer technology. However, I firmly believe that library should never be disregarded by our society.
On one hand, the development of computer science has brought about lots of benefits to our lives.
Anyone could obtain and store a great amount of information online easily instead of going to public libraries
to search for them. People can also read books on the move with their mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads,
and so on. Furthermore, people do not have to remember the deadline to return the books.
On the other hand, public libraries still have several advantages over the Internet. First, a library
always plays an important role as a reliable learning resource. Individuals could get access to sufficient data
for their studies when they use public libraries. Second, individuals have more chances to make new friends
and exchange learning experience when studying in a library. This opportunity can rarely be found on
studying in front of a computer. Compared with only studying via the Internet, students could study in a
quieter and professional environment for academic purposes such as doing researches or graduate thesis.
In conclusion, I believe that both public libraries and computer technology are necessary for people to
expand their knowledge. Therefore, public libraries will not disappear or be replaced by computer science in
the near future because of their unique features and benefits.
5. Some people think that the range of technology available to people is increasing the gap
between the rich and the poor. Others think it has an opposite effect. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.
It is true that the advent of technology has brought tremendous benefits to human life. While
technology can narrow the gap between social classes to some extent, I believe that some
technological products have set affluent individuals apart from others, as will now be discussed.
On the one hand, it is true that technology has transformed our lives and reduced the
gap between individuals. The availability of technological products has allowed massive numbers of
people to live a comfortable life in almost the same way. For example, today, nearly every
household has at least a television, a fridge, or an air-conditioner, all of which help increase the
overall standard of living and narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots in society.
The spectacular growth of low-cost airlines also means that more people can take a flight to the
place they want to go to.
Looking at the argument in this light, some feel that technology has bridged the
gap between the rich and the poor. On the other hand, I side with those who argue that some
technology has separated wealthy individuals from poorer ones. Many technological
products are prohibitively expensive, and only the rich are able to afford them. Luxury cars and
private jets, for instance, have created a shining image for the owners, giving them an aura of
confidence when they appear in public. Those who live on a meager income, in contrast, could
merely enjoy a frugal life with mediocre but necessary consumer products. The idea of possessing
the latest technology in the home might be far-fetched to bourgeois individuals.
In conclusion, although some technological products are produced for the masses, I believe
that some others contribute to the difference in lifestyles between rich people and poor ones.

6. With the rapid advancement of communication technology, eg smart phones, tablets and
other mobile devices, some people believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
Recently, the advent and popularity of cutting-edge communication technology has unfolded
the possibility of connecting people from different places around the world, which engenders public
opposing ideas of whether the drawbacks of such devices would eclipse the benefits. In my opinion, I
completely agree with that statement.
Still, there are certainly several values that new lines of mobile phones and tablets bring to
users. Firstly, those are considered a powerful facilitator of communication. In fact, many
breakthroughs in the industry of technology, such as the introduction of I-phone, have empowered
people to conveniently keep in touch with friends and relatives regardless of geographic
adversities. Secondly, such technological development is a threshold of a new world where people are
connected in a global network, which provides them with opportunities to meet people of diverse
backgrounds and personalities. Compared to the past, modern people now could easily get to know
people, even transcontinentally, with only a small device such as a cell phone.
However, I suppose that the repercussions of this advancement should be paid more attention
to. As people rely too much on tablets or mobile phones, there would be a high chance of them
losing the ability to effectively interact with each other in real life. More dangerously, addiction
and aggression might be the price that people had to pay if they did not refrain from using new
appealing applications and games. Unfortunately, many incidents resulting in a few casualties have
been reported when players are too engrossed in their games, especially after the release of
Pokemon-Go. This might be a strong basis for the belief that those devices would do more harm than
good.
In conclusion, I believe that the downsides of contemporary technological development might
be more significant than the benefits.

7. As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role
for teachers in the classroom. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
There is no doubt that education and the learning process has changed since the introduction of
computers: The search for information has become easier and amusing, and connectivity has
expedited the data availability. Though expert systems have made computers more intelligent, they
have not yet become a substitute of the human interaction in the learning process. In my opinion;
what can be expected, is a change of the teachers? role but not their disappearance from the
classroom.
Nobody can argue that the acquisition of knowledge is more fun and easier with computers.
The mere activity of touching and exploring this device constitutes an enjoyable task for a kid. This,
accompanied with the relaxing attitude and software interactivity, usually conduce to a better
grasping of new knowledge. At a higher educational level; the availability of digital books, simulator
and other academic materials, provide the student with an ever accessible source of information, that
otherwise would not be at hand.
On the other hand, besides the increasing complexity and behavior of intelligent software,
which is usually embedded in the academic digital material, the need of human interaction in the
learning process will always be present, at least in the foreseeable future. There is the necessity for a
human being to be able to determine what the specific needs of each individual are. The expertise of a
teacher in how to explain and adapt complex concepts to different individuals can hardly be
mimicked by a computer, no matter how sophisticated its software is..
To summarize, in my personal view, teachers play and will play an important role in the
classroom, especially at the primary level. No matter how complex computers become, there will be
no replacement for the human interaction, but in the way this interaction takes place.