Tài Liệu Tăng ý Tưởng Từ Vựng Theo Chủ Đề by Ngocbach

GIẢI ĐỀ IELTS WRITING QUÝ 4_2019 THEO CHỦ ĐỀ BY NGOCBACH
A. THE ART ....................................................................................................... 6

1. (14/02/2019) Some people claim that museums and art galleries are not
needed today, because everyone can see historical objects or art works by
computer. Do you agree or disagree? ....................................................................6
B. BUSINESS AND MONEY ............................................................................ 7
1. (24/03/2019): Some people think that hard work and determination bring
success. Others think other factors such as money and good appearance are more
important. Discuss both views and give your opinion? ..........................................7
2. (01/08/2019): In many countries the cost of living is rising. What are the
effects on individuals and society? What measures can be taken to deal with this
problem? .................................................................................................................9
C. COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY ............................................ 11
1. (15/01/2019): Nowadays, many people cannot read or write. What problems
does this cause? What measures can governments take to solve these problems?
11
2. (19/03/2019): In many countries not enough students are choosing to study
science subjects. What are the causes? And what will be the effects on society?
14
3. (11/05/2019): Some businesses find that their new employees lack basic
interpersonal skills, such as cooperative skills. What are the causes and suggest
some possible solutions. .......................................................................................16
4. (18/07/2019): It has been said that people who read for pleasure have more
developed imaginations and language skill than people who prefer to watch TV.
Do you agree or disagree? ....................................................................................17
5. (12/09/2019): Entertainment such as electronic games on portal devices is
harmful for individuals and the society they live in. Do you agree or disagree? .19
D. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT .................................................................... 20
1. (07/03/2019): Research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent
to prison commit crimes when set free. What are the reasons? What can be done
to solve the problem? ............................................................................................21
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2. (27/06/2019): Science finds that by studying the behavior of three-year-old
children they can predict if they will grow up to be criminals. To what extent is
criminality related to human nature? Is it possible to stop children from being a
criminal when they grow up?................................................................................23
E. EDUCATION ............................................................................................... 24
1. (27/07/2019): Schools should focus on academic success and passing
examinations. Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodwork should not be
taught at school as it is better to learn these from family and friends. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? ..........................................................................25
2. (13/08/2019): Students should pay the full cost for their own study, because
university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? ..........................................................................................26
F. THE ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 28
1. (24/02/2019): Some people believe that all wild animals should be protected.
Others say that only a few wild animals should be protected. Discuss both views
and give your opinion. ..........................................................................................28
2. (15/03/2019): Nowadays, many animal species are becoming extinct. Some
people believe that countries and individuals must solve this problem, others
believe that human beings are more important. Discuss both views and give your
own opinion. .........................................................................................................30
3. (06/07/2019): Many foods are shipped from far away. Some people think that
eating local food is better environmentally and economically. Do you think the
advantages outweigh its disadvantages? ...............................................................32
4. (10/08/2019): Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed
down. Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.
Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion. ..............................................34
5. (24/08/2019): The responsibility for preventing and reducing global
environmental damage lies with politicians and there is a little that individuals
can do about the problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree? .................36
6. (07/09/2019): Increases in the production of consumer goods results in
damage to the natural environment. Why is this the case? What can be done to
solve this problem? ...............................................................................................38
7. (14/10/2019): Human activity has had a negative impact on plants and
animals around the world. Some people say that it is too late to do something,
while others think that actions can be taken to improve the situation. .................40
G. FAMILY AND CHILDREN .................................................................... 42
1. (25/04/2019): In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in
small family units, rather than in large family groups. Is this a positive or
negative trend? ......................................................................................................43
university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? ..........................................................................................45
3. (20/10/2019): People nowadays tend to take their family to another country
when they work abroad. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
46
H. HEALTH ................................................................................................... 48
1. (04/05/2019): Today, many children spend a lot of time playing computer
games and little time on sports. What are the reasons for this and is it a positive
or negative development? .....................................................................................48
2. (07/06/2019): “More and more people are becoming seriously overweight.
Some people think a solution can be to increase the price of fattening foods. To
what extent do you agree or disagree? ..................................................................50
I. TOURISM .................................................................................................... 52
1. (22/06/2019): Many museums and historical sites are mainly visited by
tourists but not local people. Why is this the case and what can be done to attract
more local people to visit these places? ................................................................52
2. (24/07/2019): International travel is becoming cheaper and cheaper, and
more countries are now opening their doors to foreign visitors. Do you think that
the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? ...................................53
3. (14/09/2019): Some people think that cultural traditions will be destroyed if
they are used as money-making attractions aimed at tourists. Others, however,
believe that is the only way to save these traditions. Discuss both these views and
give your own opinion. .........................................................................................55
J. GOVERNMENT .......................................................................................... 57
1. (23/05/2019): In many cities there is little control on the design and
construction of new homes and office buildings, and people can build houses in
their own style. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a situation?
57
2. (20/06/2019): Government should invest in teaching science subjects rather
than other subjects in order for a country to develop and progress. To what extent
do you agree or disagree? .....................................................................................59
K. SOCIETY .................................................................................................. 60
1. (23/03/2019): It is expected that there will be a higher proportion of older
people than that of young people in many countries in the future? Do you think
it is a positive or negative development? ..............................................................60
2. (06/04/2019): People have little understanding of the importance of the
natural world. What are the reasons for this, and how can people learn more
about the natural world? .......................................................................................63
3. (18/06/2019): Many people disagree with a school policy which forces
children to learn new languages. To what extent do you agree or disagree? ......64
4. (19/10/2019): Many people are now spending more and more time travelling
to work or school. Some people believe that this is a negative development
while others think there are some benefits. Discuss both views and give your
opinion. .................................................................................................................66
5. (23/10/2019): Charities and organizations always give special names to
particular days such as 'National Children's Day' and 'National Non-smoking
Day'. What are the reasons for these particular days? How effective are they?...67
L. MEDIA AND ADVERTISING ................................................................... 69
1. (02/02/2019): More and more people want to buy famous brands of clothes,
cars and other items. What are the reasons? Do you think it is a positive or
negative development? .........................................................................................69
2. (09/03/2019): Some people believe that the only purpose of films is to
entertain. But others say films should have educational value. Discuss both views
and give your opinion. ..........................................................................................71
3. (28/03/2019): In some countries, advertisers increase the amount of
advertising which tries to persuade children to buy snacks, toys and other goods.
Parents object to such pressure on children. But some advertisers claim that there
is useful information in these advertisements. Discuss both views and give your
opinion. .................................................................................................................73
4. (18/05/2019): Advertising is all around us; it is an unavoidable part of
everyone's life. Some people say that advertising is a positive part of our lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? ............................................................75
5. (26/10/2019): Although more and more people read the news on the internet,
newspapers will remain an important sources of news for the majority of people.
Do you agree or disagree? ....................................................................................77
M. TRANSPORTATION............................................................................... 78
1. (14/03/2019): In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of
business because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result,
people without cars have limited access to out-of town stores, and this may result
in an increase in the use of cars. ...........................................................................78
2. (30/06/2019): Air travel is causing some problems for the environment,
therefore we should increase the price to discourage people. Others disagree that
this is the solution. Discuss both views and give your opinions. ........................80
N. ENERGY ...................................................................................................... 82
1. (28/09/2019): Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are the main
energy source for many countries. However, some nations are using alternative
energy such as solar power, or wind power. To what extent do you think this is a
positive or negative development? .......................................................................82
O. WORK....................................................................................................... 83
1. (10/02/2019): In most successful organisations, some people believe that
communication between managers and workers is important, while other people
said that other factors are more significant. What is your opinion? .....................84
A. THE ART
1. (14/02/2019) Some people claim that museums and art galleries are not
needed today, because everyone can see historical objects or art works by
computer. Do you agree or disagree?
It is true that technology gives most
people a chance to see historical objects
and works of art on a computer screen.
I partly agree with the view, therefore,
that museums and art galleries are no
longer necessary.
It is very expensive to maintain a to provide funding for: to give money

museum or art gallery, and governments to enable something to be done
often have to provide funding for these
institutions. If national or local national or local authorities:
authorities have to allocate resources to government organizations acting at a
keep these cultural facilities open, then national level or within a smaller, local
less money is available to spend on area
health, education and social services.
Faced with such a choice, some to allocate resources to: to make
countries opt for a mixed funding model money and materials available to do
for the arts in order to reduce costs. something
Therefore, I believe that it is an
unaffordable luxury to retain these social services: a system that is
wonderful public collections. Their organized by the government to help
artefacts and paintings can all be people who have financial or family
accessed freely and almost instantly at problems; the department or the people
the touch of a key on a computer who provide this help
keyboard.
a mixed funding model for the arts: a
While I agree that museums and art model in which some money to support
galleries are not essential in this the arts is given by the government and
computer age, I would be sad to see their some money is provided by private
disappearance. Firstly, the buildings
which house their collections are individuals or commercial
themselves part of our tangible cultural organizations.
heritage. For example, the National
Gallery in London is a striking and tangible cultural heritage: refers to
impressive historic building. Secondly, physical artifacts produced, maintained
the feeling of awe on seeing the size of and transmitted intergenerationally in a
the great dinosaur skeletons in the society
Natural History Museum in New York
would be impossible to experience by
simply looking at an image on a laptop
or cell phone. It would be an immense
loss if such places were to close their
doors to the public.
In conclusion, although these cultural

facilities have unique aesthetic
qualities, now that people can access
their treasures thanks to the digital
revolution, the expense of keeping them
open cannot be justified. The aesthetic qualities of something:
The qualities related to beauty and
284 words understanding the beauty of something.
the digital revolution: the

advancement of technology to the
digital technology available today
B. BUSINESS AND MONEY

1. (24/03/2019): Some people think that hard work and determination bring
success. Others think other factors such as money and good appearance are
more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion?
It is true that some people believe that
the key factors for success in life are
hard work and determination,
although others place more
importance on money and smart to earn a living: to earn money
appearance. While all these are
necessary, I would argue that money is
the single most essential factor for a heavy workload: having many
those who wish to achieve success. tasks to perform
On the one hand, the determination minimum wage: the lowest wage
to work hard is essential for anyone that an employer is allowed to pay by
who wants to earn a living and raise a law
family. Firstly, this is true in terms
of employment, because most jobs job prospects: the chances of being
impose a heavy workload on successful and having more
employees. Even jobs such as serving opportunities at work
customers in stores, supermarkets or
coffee shops, offering a minimum promotion opportunities: chances to
wage, no job prospects and no move to a more important position in
promotion opportunities demand hard a company or organization
work and dedication. Secondly, from
a perspective of life outside work, to support a family: to have enough
simply supporting a family involves money to be able to look after a
commitment and a lot of effort to family
maintain a close-knit family. Such
parental involvement is the basis of commitment: the willingness to work
preparing children to enter adult life, hard and give your time and energy to
and to pursue a successful career. a job or activity
On the other hand, money and a close-knit family: a family having

appearances are the things most strong relationships with each other,
valued in the modern world. People helping with problems and enjoying a
are increasingly judged by their wealth lot of time together
or their smart and fashionable clothes.
Without money, it is impossible to parental involvement: the act or
think about running your own business process of parents when taking part in
or developing contacts with rich and their children’s activities.
influential people who can help you to
get ahead in life. Most aspiring to enter adult life: the stage when
entrepreneurs, film or sports stars, for adolescents are almost old enough to
example, do not achieve their dreams, be legally independent of their
and are considered by society as parents.
failures. If you have money, then
designer clothes and celebrity status to pursue a successful career: to
advertise your success to others. have a series of jobs in a particular
area of work, with more
In conclusion, it is a sad reality that of responsibility as time passes
all the factors most likely to bring judged: to form an opinion about
success, money is, in my opinion, the something or somebody
most important. to run your own business: to have a
business which you own
283 words
influential: having a lot of influence
on something or somebody
get ahead in life: to succeed in life
aspiring: wanting to be successful
2. (01/08/2019): In many countries the cost of living is rising. What are the
effects on individuals and society? What measures can be taken to deal with
this problem?
It is true that in many countries, it is
becoming increasingly difficult for
the majority of people to make ends to make ends meet: to earn just
meet. While the effects on enough money to be able to buy the
individuals and society as a whole are things you need
serious, I believe that steps can be
taken to address this issue.
to address: to think about a problem
Rising living costs result in hardship or situation and decide how you are
for many individuals and serious going to deal with it
consequences for society. In terms hardship: a situation that is difficult
of individuals, they are faced with and unpleasant because you do not
higher prices for everyday necessities, have enough money, food, clothes etc
such as food, paying rent or heating
bills. They are forced to make
cutbacks in their household budgets to make cutbacks: to decrease, to
in order to make the most of the reduce
income that they have. From the
to make the most of something: to
perspective of society, when goods
make something appear as good as
and services are more expensive,
possible; to exploit something; to get
major socio-economic changes occur.
as much out of something as is
People spend less in stores and on
possible.
entertainment, or they have to pay in
arrears or run up debts, and the whole socio-economic changes: changes
economy of the country goes into relating to the society and economy
decline. of a country
However, effective policies must be to pay in arrears: refers to making a

payment to a supplier later than the
adopted to tackle the rise in living
terms of the arrangement under which
costs. Firstly, governments should
provide public subsidies for basic goods or services were purchased
needs, such as food, heating and from the supplier.
healthcare. For example, in the USA
to run up: to allow a bill or a debt to
citizens on average incomes cannot
afford rising medical bills, and so reach a large total
universal free medical care should
to adopt policies: to start to use
high on the agenda of the
particular policies
government. Secondly, if
governments curbed public spending
on military weapons, they would be to provide public subsidies for: to
able to prioritize expenditure on give government money to reduce the
programmes to reduce taxes for costs of services or to produce goods
in order to keep the price low
people on low incomes. This would
help people to afford the higher prices
high on the agenda: something which
in the shops and enable them to buy
is among the first things in the list of
the things they need. actions to be taken
In conclusion, in order to tackle the to curb public spending on: to

increase in the cost of living, restrict what the government spends
governments must adopt measures to on something
help those in society who are in most
need. to prioritize expenditure on: to put
the need to spend money on certain
things first
276 words
C. COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY

1. (15/01/2019): Nowadays, many people cannot read or write. What problems
does this cause? What measures can governments take to solve these
problems?
It is true that even today, illiteracy is illiteracy: the fact of not knowing how
widespread. While this presents to read or write
serious difficulties for individuals and
society, there are steps that
disadvantaged: not having things,
governments should take to deal with
the problem. such as education or enough money,
that people need in order to have a
When people can neither read nor
good life
write, they are disadvantaged in
important ways. In terms of the
individual consequences of illiteracy,
dealing with bureaucracy is a bureaucracy: the system of
nightmare. Reading and writing – or complicated official rules or ways of
even adding a signature to – an official doing things organised by a
document is often necessary, for government
example when people have to apply
for social welfare benefits. From the welfare: practical or financial help
perspective of society in general, it is provided by the government to help
difficult to integrate economic people in need
migrants into society who are perhaps
illiterate in their home countries, or to integrate into society: to become
are unable to read and write in the accepted as a member of a social
language of the host country. This
group, especially when a person
makes the task of constructing a
multicultural society difficult if comes from a different culture
minority groups are forced to do a multicultural society: a society
sweated labour, simply because they
which includes people of different
are illiterate and excluded from better-
paid jobs. origins, traditions and languages
There are, however, policies which minority groups: small groups

national and local authorities can within a community that are different
adopt to improve matters. Firstly, because of their origin, religion,
resources should be allocated to language or traditions
provide basic literacy classes in local sweated labour: hard work that is
colleges or social and community done for low wages in poor
centres to help people to learn to read conditions; the people who do this
and write. Secondly, government work
departments must employ staff who
have specific responsibility for to allocate resources to: to make
helping illiterate people to cope with
money and materials available to do
the confusing mass of official
paperwork. In this way, they will not something
be discriminated against, for instance to adopt policies: to start or use
by losing welfare rights to which they policies
are entitled. Finally, governments
even in developing countries must
ensure that everyone has the right to a national and local authorities:
basic education which enables them to government organizations acting at a
read and write.
national level or within a smaller, local
In conclusion, although illiteracy is a area
serious problem, there are steps which
governments should take to help those social and community centres:
who can neither read nor write. places where people who live in the
same area can meet for events or to
282 words do different activities
to cope with: to deal successfully with

something difficult
paperwork: the written work that is

part of a job, such as filling in forms or
writing reports or letters
to discriminate: to treat one person or

group worse/better than another in an
unfair way
2. (19/03/2019): In many countries not enough students are choosing to study
science subjects. What are the causes? And what will be the effects on
society?
It is true that in some countries there is

a shortage of students opting for science to opt for: to choose to take – or not to
courses. While it is necessary to take – a particular course of action
identify the possible causes of this
trend, it is also necessary to predict the
effects on society. behind the times: refer to a person who
is old-fashioned and has not adopted
I believe that there are at least two major certain modern customs, beliefs, or
causes of the lack of appeal of science behaviors
subjects. Firstly, many schools and
college are behind the times and have to dismiss traditional ideas: to decide
been slow to dismiss traditional ideas that traditional ideas are not important
that girls should not study science. This and not worth considering anymore
sexist attitude regards the study of
science as a traditional male preserve, sexist attitudes: beliefs that women
thus it is time for university science should be treated unfairly because of
faculties to abolish selection procedures their gender
based on gender. Secondly, subjects
such as business and management are a traditional male preserve: to be
attracting growing numbers of students. exclusively reserved for men
Many young people consider that the
job prospects in these areas offer the to abolish: to officially end a law, a
greatest financial rewards and the best system or an institution
chance to move up the career ladder.
There will be serious effects on society

if more students do not choose to study
science subjects. In terms of the selection procedures based on gender:
environment, one result will be a lack the act of choosing someone according
of trained professionals to find solutions to their gender.
to urgent problems, such as the need to
conduct research into alternative energy job prospects: the chances of being
sources and to help society to achieve successful and having more
sustainable development. For example, opportunities at work
more scientists will be necessary to lead
the fight against climate change and to
meet the enormous challenge of global to move up the career ladder: a series
warming. From the perspective of of stages by which you can make
health, another outcome could be a progress in your career
lack of qualified researchers to search
for a cure for life-threatening
conditions, such as the increase in
degenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’salternative energy sources: refers to
disease, as people live longer. any energy source that is an alternative
to fossil fuel
In conclusion, some causes of this to achieve sustainable development:
economic development that is achieved
problem can be identified, and the
without depleting natural resources
serious effects on society must not be
underestimated.
to fight against climate change: to try
to prevent changes in climate patterns,
282 words such as rainfall, temperature and winds.
global warming: the process by which

the Earth is getting hotter, as a result of
the greenhouse effect – in particular the
increase in carbon dioxide in the air.
to search for a cure: the process of

looking for a way to make a sick person
healthy again
life-threatening conditions: illnesses

which are likely to kill somebody
a degenerative illness: an illness that
becomes worse as time passes
to underestimate: to not realize how

good, strong, determined somebody (or
something) really is
3. (11/05/2019): Some businesses find that their new employees lack basic
interpersonal skills, such as cooperative skills. What are the causes and
suggest some possible solutions.
It is true that some companies complain

about the poor interpersonal skills of
their new staff. While some reasons for to shape a child’s personality: to
this can be identified, there are solutions decide or influence the form of a child’s
which firms should adopt. personality
As many new employees are school-
leavers, the causes of this problem can formative years: a period of a person’s
be found in the home and in the school. life, usually childhood, that has a big
A child’s personality is shaped during influence on the person they become
the formative years of home-life and later in life
schooling. In terms of the home, close- a close-knit family: a family having
knit families are a thing of the past in strong relationships with each other,
many societies, and youngsters do not
helping with problems and enjoying a
learn to live in harmony with one
another and with their parents. For lot of time together
example, meal times used to be
occasions when families ate together to live in harmony with one another:
and discussed the tasks to be done and to live with others in a way which
the problems of each family member. avoids conflict or disagreement
In school, children are encouraged to
achieve individual excellence in exams,
rather than to have social skills and to be
team-players.
to have social skills: to have the
However, in order to conduct a business personal skills required for successful
efficiently, firms must take steps to train communication and interaction
new employees to acquire interpersonal
skills. Firstly, cooperative skills should
be developed, making the most of the to be a team player: a person who
latest management techniques. Some willingly cooperates with others
companies in Europe and the USA, for
example, organise challenging activity to conduct a business: to operate a
weekends during which staff must work business in a particular way
as teams to do mountain-climbing or
climbing and camping. Working
together, their survival skills are put to
the test. Secondly, codes of conduct at make something appear as good as
work should be strictly enforced for possible; to exploit something; to get as
both new and existing employees to much out of something as is possible.
facilitate communication and
cooperation. to put to the test: to see what someone
or something can achieve, to find out
In conclusion, although some reasons
how good someone or something is
can be suggested as probable causes of
this problem, there are measures which
companies should take to develop the
interpersonal skills of new staff. codes of conduct: voluntary rules
which people accept in a situation
265 words
4. (18/07/2019): It has been said that people who read for pleasure have more
developed imaginations and language skill than people who prefer to watch
TV. Do you agree or disagree?

reading for pleasure develops both
imagination and language skills, in
contrast to the passive activity of
watching TV. While a minority a
viewers do watch informative TV
programmes, such as documentaries, I
completely agree with the arguments in works of literary fiction: types of
favour of the benefits of reading. literature which describe imaginary
people and events, not real ones
Firstly, in terms of the development of
creativity, works of literary fiction
stimulate the human imagination. bedtime stories: stories told to children
Reading bedtime stories to children, or before they sleep
reading some well-written work of
literature, everyone can broaden their a work of literature: a book, play, or
literary horizons. Whereas TV presents poem
audiences with ready-made images,
reading stories forces readers to use
broaden one’s literary horizons: to
their own imagination. They might, for
example, picture themselves widen the limit of your desires,
shipwrecked on a deserted island, like knowledge, or interests by reading
Robinson Crusoe. Because they have widely
created that personal image for
themselves, it is stronger and more to picture: to imagine
durable than an image which is not their somebody/something, to create an image
own, but which is manufactured and
of somebody/something in your mind
ready to consume.
Secondly, from the perspective of durable: likely to last for a long time
language skills, specialists in linguistics without breaking or getting weaker
argue that reading extends vocabulary,
as well as developing critical thinking. critical thinking: the process of
An important part of literary analyzing information in an objective
appreciation is to recognize not only way, in order to make a judgment about
new words, but also to notice the choice it
and use of words which are familiar.
There are no distracting images on literary appreciation: pleasure that you
screens, so when readers are engrossed
have when your recognize and enjoy the
in a book written by a literary genius,
they can focus on the aesthetic qualities qualities of a good piece of writing
of the language. In contrast, although it
is possible to play back a TV recording, to be engrossed in: to be completely
words and images are invariably heard focused on something
and seen in an instant. Then, they pass
and are instantly forgotten, whereas it is a literary genius: a person with
easy to read over passages in a book. outstanding ability in writing
In conclusion, I fully agree with those

the aesthetic qualities of something:
who argue that reading encourages
imagination and develops vocabulary, The qualities related to beauty and
which sitting in front of a TV will never understanding the beauty of something.
do.
to read over: to read something carefully
291 words from beginning to end to look for
mistakes or check details
5. (12/09/2019): Entertainment such as electronic games on portal devices is

harmful for individuals and the society they live in. Do you agree or
disagree?
It is true that many children and social networking sites: a website on

adolescents, in particular, spend hours which you communicate with people
and hours playing electronic games, or who share your interests
simply chatting or accessing social
networking sites on their cell phones,
behind the times: refers to a person
as their main pastime. While I may be
considered to be behind the times, I who is old-fashioned and has not
completely agree that this is harmful adopted certain modern customs,
for both individuals and society as a beliefs, or behaviors
whole.
Firstly, young people in particular

have problems in developing social
skills if they spend too much time
relying on their cell phones for their to develop social skills: to become
entertainment to play electronic games better at communicating and interacting
or to chat. Advances in technology are in different situations
bringing about the downfall of
communication between people, since advances in technology: the
real interaction is discouraged. For improvement or development in
example, I often used to talk to other technology
passengers during my long journeys by
bus or train, but it no longer seems to the downfall of communication: the
be socially acceptable to do this. decline of communication
Instead, most fellow travellers spend
the entire journey on their mobile to discourage real interaction: to
devices, playing some electronic game
result in less face-to-face
or messaging online friends. The result
is increasing personal isolation and a communication with other people
growing distrust of others.
to be socially acceptable: agreed or
Secondly, becoming over-reliant on approved of by most people in a society
electronic portable devices for
entertainment is detrimental to fellow: used to describe somebody who
individual health. It encourages a is the same as you in some way, or in
sedentary lifestyle, whereas people
the same situation
need to take regular exercise to keep
fit. As a child, for instance, I used to
play football in the street, making to become over-reliant on: to need
friends with other youngsters and something so that your survival or
becoming strong. People should take success depends too much on it
up sport or they will be prone to
obesity if they simply sit around to be detrimental to health: to be
playing electronic games on their hand-
harmful to health
held devices. In particular, if people
spend too much time on these games,
then they may suffer from mental a sedentary lifestyle: involving little
health problems if they become exercise or physical activity
addicted to them.
to take regular exercise: to do some
In conclusion, I fully agree that forms
physical activity on a regular basis
of entertainment such as electronic
games are harmful for both individuals
and society. to keep fit: to stay in good physical
condition
288 words
D. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
1. (07/03/2019): Research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent
to prison commit crimes when set free. What are the reasons? What can be
done to solve the problem?
It is true that a large proportion of to re-offend: to commit a crime or
criminals are known to re-offend after crimes for a second time, or for more
they have been released from prison. times
There are some important reasons for
this return to a life of crime, but there
are solutions which could mitigate the to mitigate: to make something less
problem. harmful or less serious
I believe that there are two principal to serve a prison sentence: to remain in
reasons why many criminals who have prison as a punishment
served their sentences, commit further
crimes when they are released back into to release back into society: to give
society. Firstly, prison is popularly freedom to prisoners who have finished
regarded as an institution whose their sentences.
purpose is to punish wrongdoers. There
is a public outcry against being soft on to punish wrongdoers:to punish
crime, and many argue that only the full
weight of the law will act as a deterrent, people who do something illegal
even though this is obviously not
working. As a result, few resources are to be soft on crime: not to impose strict
allocated to prison programmes which punishments on offenders
will help ex- offenders to make a fresh
start in society. Secondly, prisons are the full weight of the law: all the
overcrowded and often violent places, strictest punishments available
in which the most hardened criminals according to the laws of a country.
influence and intimidate other inmates,
and form networks to plan future
to act as a deterrent: a measure which
crimes, such as a criminal prison gang
called the PCC do in Brazil. makes somebody less likely to do
something
Steps should be taken to solve these
problems. One solution is reintegrating to make a fresh start: to try something
offenders back into the community. new after making mistakes in one’s life
Programmes which provide vocational
training or academic study opportunities
must be implemented in order to give
prisoners a chance of rehabilitation and hardened: having developed a way of
to find work. Some universities in the dealing with bad experiences, so that
UK and the USA, for example, offer they no longer upset you
degree programmes to enable offenders
to gain qualifications. Another
to intimidate: to frighten or threaten
solution is to segregate the most
dangerous convicts, in order to prevent somebody, so that they will do what you
intimidation and bullying in prisons, want
from which offenders are released as
even more expert criminals. inmate: one of the people living in a
prison
In conclusion, while important reasons
for the rate of re-offending can be to reintegrate back into the
identified, some steps must be taken to
community: to restore someone into
implement workable solutions.
society through education or therapy
286 words
a chance of rehabilitation: a chance of
helping someone to have a normal life
after serving a prison sentence
an outcry against: a reaction of anger

or strong protest shown by people in
public
to segregate somebody: to separate

people for some reason and treat them in
a different way
to allocate resources to: to make

something
convict: a person who is guilty of a

crime and who has been sent to prison
2. (27/06/2019): Science finds that by studying the behavior of three-year-old
children they can predict if they will grow up to be criminals. To what extent
is criminality related to human nature? Is it possible to stop children from
being a criminal when they grow up?
It may be possible to predict to turn to crime/ drugs: to start
scientifically if children will grow up committing crimes or using drugs.
and turn to crime. While this may
suggest some link to human nature, I
law-abiding citizens: people who obey
believe that children all have the chance
and respect the law
to grow up and become law-abiding
citizens.
to condemn: to express very strong
disapproval of something/somebody
It seems absurd to condemn children as
evil criminals at the age of 3. Parents
to shape a child’s personality/ values:
have an enormous influence on shaping
to decide or influence the form of a
a child’s values during the formative
child’s personality
years of a child’s life. Children often
copy, or are influenced by, the patterns
formative years: a period of a person’s
of behavior which they observe in their
life, usually childhood, that has a big
parents. For example, in a
influence on the person they become
dysfunctional family there is often a
later in life
lack of parental involvement in the
upbringing of children. The failure to
patterns of behavior: ways of acting
teach ethical values such as honesty and
and doing things (either positive or
concern for others, may combine with
negative)
social factors such as living in deprived
neighborhoods so that children are
a dysfunctional family: a family in
already damaged as they prepare to
which the relationships are bad or
enter adult life.
unhealthy
It is possible to deter children from
embarking on a life of crime. Firstly, in parental involvement: the act or
schools, ex-prisoners who have served process of parents when taking part in
their sentences and been re-integrated their children’s activities.
back into the community should be
invited to talk about their experiences
and warn children that it is not deprived: without enough food,
glamorous to be a criminal. This is education and all the things that are
already done in some schools in the UK, necessary for people to live a happy and
for instance. Secondly, all adults in comfortable life
society have a responsibility to provide
children with good role models. to enter adult life: the stage when
Modern consumer culture has a adolescents are almost old enough to be
negative influence on individual legally independent of their parents
families, with the result that children
learn that it is more important to have to embark on something: to start
things than to be a good member of the something new
community.
to serve a prison sentence: to carry out
In conclusion, if criminal behavior is confinement in prison as a punishment
linked to human nature, then there is no
hope for young children who are to reintegrate back into society/
identified as criminals by some community: to restore someone
‘experts’. On the contrary, children can through education or therapy
be led away from a life of crime.
glamorous: especially attractive and
293 words exciting, and different from ordinary
things or people
negative influences on individual

families: negative meaning bad;
influences meaning effects; on
individual families refers to each
nuclear family - a couple and their
children, rather than families in general;
E. EDUCATION
1. (27/07/2019): Schools should focus on academic success and passing
examinations. Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodwork should not
be taught at school as it is better to learn these from family and friends. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that many people believe that
schools should only teach academic
subjects and prepare students for formal
exams. I disagree completely with this
view, and I would argue that teaching
practical life skills is essential.
Firstly, it is a mistake to tailor teaching

strategies to the narrow focus of
academic subjects and exam success. It
is impossible for every student to pursue
a successful career with fantastic job
prospects in fields such as finance,
medicine, law or education. All of these
demand academic skills, but the job
market for these professions is
relatively small. Those who fail their
exams will consider themselves as
failures. Such negative feelings will
inevitably shape a child’s personality
and values during their formative years.
Only a few students who are high-flyers
will succeed and enjoy the material
rewards of their academic success.
Secondly, while children need to

acquire practical skills, there may be no
family or friends to help them.
Consider, for example, single-parent
households, with no father to teach DIY
skills, or households in which working
mothers have no time to teach children
to cook or sew. There are, too, many
dysfunctional families in which, for
whatever reasons, parental involvement
in bringing up their offspring is almost
completely absent. Yet children need to
learn these domestic skills, and the only
place for many of them to do this is in
school. Otherwise, when they enter
adult life, they will rely on expensive
ready meals or on buying new clothes
and furniture when all that is needed is
a simple repair.
In conclusion, I totally disagree with an

educational policy which focuses only
on academic subjects and exam success.
Schools must place equal value on life
skills to ensure the full development of
children.
291 words
university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
Some people believe that students to pursue a successful career: to
should not receive help with the have a series of jobs in a particular
costs of their university education. area of work, with more
While graduates may benefit responsibility as time passes
individually later in life from the
opportunity to pursue a successful to provide funding for: to give
career, I would argue that the money to enable something to be done
government should provide funding
for students. headhunting: connected with the
activity of finding people who are
In many cases, it is true that students
benefit from their university suitable for top jobs and persuading
education in terms of future salaries. them to join a company
Headhunting corporations compete
with each other to offer attractive
employment to graduates. Graduates
can expect to have better job job prospects: the chances of being
prospects than non-graduates, successful and having more
enjoying higher pay and good opportunities at work
promotion opportunities. They will,
therefore, be more likely to live in
promotion opportunities: chances to
prosperous neighbourhoods, with an
move to a more important position in
enviable lifestyle. For example, in
a company or organization
the USA college graduates may earn
two or three times as much as an
prosperous: rich and successful
unskilled worker.
enviable: something that is enviable is
However, I consider that there are something that is good and that other
two important reasons why students people want to have too
should not pay the full cost of their
university education. Firstly, they
acquire skills which are useful, and
sometimes essential, to society as a
whole. Doctors, scientists and
engineers are obvious examples, but
other professions should not be to acquire
forgotten, such as teachers, artists or experience/knowledge/skill: to gain
philosophers. Secondly, if students experience/knowledge/skill by your
have to pay for their education, they own efforts or behavior
may be forced to pay off a huge
student loan when they graduate, or
they may have to work their way
through college. In the latter case,
their studies will suffer, and some to pay off a student loan: to repay
may fall behind with their studies or money borrowed in order to study at
even drop out of college.
college or university
In conclusion, I disagree that to work your way through
students should pay the full cost of university: to have a job when you are
their university education. at college/university in order to help to
Although in some cases they benefit pay for your studies
individually from having a degree,
they also contribute to the prosperity to fall behind with your studies: to
and well-being of society and, improve more slowly in studying than
therefore, deserve some financial other people so that you fail to learn the
support while studying. course material at the necessary speed
279 words to drop out of college: to leave college

or university without finishing your
studies
F. THE ENVIRONMENT
1. (24/02/2019): Some people believe that all wild animals should be protected.
Others say that only a few wild animals should be protected. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
in the wild: in a natural environment
It is true that people hold different not controlled by people
opinions about the extent to which
wild animals should be protected. a violation of animal rights: an
While it is difficult to justify the
action that harms or acts against
protection of every wild animal, I
believe that some wild animals ought animal rights
to be protected.
to treat animals humanely: to be
On the one hand, some people put kind to animals and treat them in
forward the moral argument that such a way that they do not suffer
humans have no right to kill any
animal in the wild. They argue that to condemn: to express very strong
it is a violation of animal rights.
disapproval of something, especially
They believe that it is necessary for
everyone to treat animals humanely, for moral reasons
and they correctly condemn the
many forms of animal exploitation, animal exploitation: the use of
animal suffering and even animal animals in order to get an advantage
slaughter in the world today. For from them
example, animal lovers will argue
the need to eliminate poaching of
elephants in Africa or India and to animal suffering: physical or
establish more wildlife reserves. In mental pain that an animal is feeling
terms of the oceans, there is an
international campaign for an end to animal slaughter: the killing of
the practice of whaling.
animals for meat
On the other hand, I tend to agree
with those who argue that only animal lovers: people who like
animals on the brink of extinction animals very much, and feel love for
should be protected. Their views them
combine practical and moral
arguments. Although they recognise to eliminate poaching: to stop all
the ethical dilemmas, they believe illegal hunting of wild animals
that the numbers of some species of
animals must be regulated. Rats, for wildlife reserves: protected areas for
example, are everywhere and they
wild animals
are a danger to human health,
contaminating food and water and
carrying diseases. If their numbers the practice of whaling: the activity
were not reduced, the consequences of hunting and killing whales
would be serious. Therefore, people on the brink of extinction: an
should mainly be concerned with animal or plant which has almost
protecting rare or endangered disappeared from the planet
species of wild animals.
ethical dilemmas: a situation in
In conclusion, because it is
impossible to protect every species which a difficult choice has to be
of wild animal, I believe that priority made between two different things,
should be given to saving those relating to beliefs about what is
species which are in danger of morally right and wrong
becoming extinct.
272 words
to contaminate: to make a
substance or place dirty
endangered species: plants or
animals that only exist in very small
numbers, so that in future they may
disappear forever
priority: something that you think is

more important than other things,
and therefore should be dealt with
first
2. (15/03/2019): Nowadays, many animal species are becoming extinct. Some

people believe that countries and individuals must solve this problem, others
believe that human beings are more important. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.
It is unfortunately true that many on the brink of extinction: an
species of animals are now on the animal or plant which has almost
brink of extinction. While some disappeared from the planet
people believe that the interests of
human welfare should be a
government priority, I agree with
to be a government priority:
those who argue that urgent action
must be taken to prevent the further something which is so important that
loss of animal species. the government should deal with it
first.
On the one hand, everyone who has
a social conscience will admit how a social conscience: the state of
important it is to bring about major being aware of the problems that
socio-economic changes to benefit
affect a lot of people in society, such
the mass of humanity. Firstly, the
effects of poverty, famines and as being poor or having no home,
natural disasters across the world are and wanting to do something to help
shown on TV screens every day. these people
Therefore, the struggle for a more
egalitarian society, in which natural socio-economic changes: changes
resources are shared, must be relating to the society and economy
pursued vigorously. Secondly,
of a country
another issue that must be addressed
if everyone is to have a decent life is an egalitarian society: a society in
to end wars. The huge allocation of which everyone has the same rights
resources to defence budgets - $750 and opportunities
billion annually in the USA alone –
could be used to preserve human life,
not destroy it. the green movement: all the
organisations concerned with the
On the other hand, I agree with protection of the environment
those in the green movement who
insist that the protection of endangered species: plants or
endangered species of animals and animals that only exist in very small
the protection of the human species numbers, so that in future they may
go hand-in-hand. Governments
disappear forever
should implement environmentally-
friendly policies, protecting wildlife
habitats, such as the tiger reserves in to go hand-in-hand: to happen
India, while will create local jobs in together or to exist together
eco-tourism. They should also
introduce restrictions on pollution environmentally friendly: behavior
and other forms of environmental or products that do not harm the
degradation. For example, the environment
dumping of toxic waste into the
rivers and oceans, kills rare marine environmental degradation: the
creatures and destroys traditional
process or fact of the environment
fishing communities. Individuals
must play a part too, by supporting becoming worse
organisations like Greenpeace or the
World Wildlife Fund. toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted
waste produced by factories
In conclusion, I believe that the
welfare of humans cannot be
separated from saving animal to allocate resources to: to make
species from extinction, and the money and materials available to do
campaign for both objectives should something
unite everyone.
to introduce restrictions on: to
291 words limit what people can do or what can
happen
eco-tourism: organized holidays
which are designed so that tourists
damage the environment as little as
possible.
to bring about: to make something

happen
3. (06/07/2019): Many foods are shipped from far away. Some people think
that eating local food is better environmentally and economically. Do you
think the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?
It is true that in recent decades the food miles: distance food has to travel
increase in food miles has raised between where it is grown or made
important environmental and and where it is consumed
economic issues. While there are
some drawbacks of consuming only
food produced locally, I believe that
the advantages of eating local food
outweigh the disadvantages.
In terms of the environment, the

transport of food across the world
causes major problems. Firstly, the
freight services responsible for freight services: the system of
shipping food from distant places transporting goods
cause pollution and hinder efforts to to fight climate change: to try to
fight climate change by cutting down prevent changes in climate patterns,
on emissions. For example, the such as rainfall, temperature and
transport of soya from Brazil to China winds.
involves a journey of thousands of
kilometres. Secondly, crops for export to cut down on emissions: to reduce
are usually grown as monocultures, the amount of gases sent out into the
usually resulting in the habitat air
destruction of animals and plants,
including endangered species. monoculture: the practice of growing
Deforestation in the Amazon, for only one type of crop on a certain area
instance, to raise cattle for beef of land
exports, is causing the loss of
thousands of species and putting other habitat destruction: the process that
species on the brink of extinction. occurs when a natural habitat, like a
forest or wetland, is changed so
From an economic perspective, there dramatically by humans that plants
are benefits and drawbacks of only and animals which live there.
eating food which is grown locally.
On the one hand, if consumers buy endangered species: plants or
food from local farmers, then this animals that only exist in very small
stimulates the local economy. More numbers, so that in future they may
money will remain within the local disappear forever
community rather than lining the
pockets of distant shareholders. On on the brink of extinction: an animal
the other hand, thanks to the or plant which has almost disappeared
globalisation of food production, the from the planet
market provides a vast choice of
products for the consumer. If people
to line one’s pockets: to get richer by
eat only local foods, they will be able
taking unfair advantage of a situation
to enjoy only a limited range of food
or by being dishonest
items which are in season.
In conclusion, although consumers shareholder: an owner of shares in a

will only have the choice of particular company or business
foods at certain times of the year, I
would argue that it is better for the
in season: (of fruit and vegetables)
environment and the economy to eat
easily available and ready to eat
as many food products which are
because it is the right time of year for
grown locally as possible.
them
288 words
4. (10/08/2019): Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed
down. Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild
animals. Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.
confining wild animals in zoos is cruel to confine: to keep a person or an
and that zoos should therefore be animal in a small, closed space
closed down. While I believe that
cruelty to animals should be avoided at
all costs, I agree with those who see a
vital role for zoos in protecting at all costs: whatever is needed to
wildlife. achieve something
On the one hand, there is an outcry in an outcry (at/over/against

many countries over the cruel something): a reaction of anger or
conditions in which animals are kept in
strong protest shown by people in public
some zoos. As a result, many people
argue that the public must exert
pressure on governments to shut down to exert pressure on: to use power to
all zoos. For example, in some zoos influence somebody or something
the animals are still kept in cages, with
little room in which to move around.
Critics argue correctly that the health
of wild animals kept in such conditions to subject: to make a person or animal
must suffer, because they cannot experience something unpleasant
exercise or follow their natural
behaviour. Physically and mentally,
cramped: not having enough room to
therefore, it is cruel to maintain wild
animals in such confined spaces. move freely
On the other hand, others argue that

not all zoos subject wild animals to
cramped conditions and, in addition,
zoos perform a useful role in animal
protection. Firstly, the welfare of
animals in a priority for many zoos.
London Zoo, for instance, houses wild
animals in large, open spaces, often to mimic: to look or behave like
with trees or ponds to mimic their something else
natural habitats. Secondly, our small
planet is facing an ecological crisis. an ecological crisis: a serious situation
Today, there are many endangered that occurs when the environment of a
species, because of exploitation and species or a population changes in a way
habitat destruction, which have left
that destabilizes its continued survival
many creatures on the brink of
extinction. Captive breeding endangered species: plants or animals
programmes in zoos have saved some that only exist in very small numbers, so
species, including the well-known that in future they may disappear
success story of the giant panda. forever
In conclusion, I agree that all zoos habitat destruction: the process that
must provide spacious, natural occurs when a natural habitat, like a
environments for their animals.
However, zoos have an important role
to play in wildlife protection and dramatically by humans that plants and
survival. animals which live there.
287 words on the brink of extinction: an animal

or plant which has almost disappeared
from the planet
captive breeding: the reproduction of

animals in confinement, not in their
natural habitats.
a success story: a person or thing that is

very successful
5. (24/08/2019): The responsibility for preventing and reducing global
environmental damage lies with politicians and there is a little that
individuals can do about the problem. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
It is true that politicians have a great
deal of responsibility for the environmental degradation: the
environmental degradation which is process or fact of the environment
occurring today. While they have the
becoming worse
power to limit and even reduce this
damage, I disagree completely with the
view that individuals can make very to allocate resources to: to make
little contribution to solving the money and materials available to do
problem. something
Politicians must play a prominent role to introduce restrictions on: to limit

in protecting the environment. They
what people can do or what can happen
must allocate resources to creating
nature reserves, such as the National
Parks in the UK and the USA. In these international bodies: organizations
areas, the government has introduced which operate in many countries
restrictions on construction and any
form of development activity. In to cut down on emissions: to reduce the
terms of global action, politicians must amount of gases sent out into the air
also be active in international bodies, to
secure agreement on targets to cut
to fight climate change: to try to
down on carbon emissions and to fight
climate change. They should also take prevent changes in climate patterns,
strong measures against pollution. such as rainfall, temperature and winds.
On the other hand, individuals can

make significant contributions to
safeguard the planet. Firstly, each
person should reduce their dependence
on fossil fuels, for example by using
their car less, and saving energy in
their home by installing solar panels. to reduce the dependence/reliance on
Secondly, if everyone buys locally- fossil fuels: to decrease people’s
produced food, this will save food
miles. Following a vegan or vegetarian
diet and eating organic food will also consumption of fossil fuels, like oil,
reduce the environmental impact of coal or gas.
humans on the planet. Finally, the
green movement relies on the support food miles: distance food has to travel
of individuals to exert pressure on
between where it is grown or made and
politicians. Individuals should help
organisations like Greenpeace or where it is consumed
Amazon Watch to campaign for an end
to the hunting of wild animals or a vegan diet: a diet without any animal
deforestation. products, such as meat, milk or eggs
In conclusion, although politicians a vegetarian diet: a diet with no fish or

have a major responsibility to adopt meat
environmentally-friendly policies, there
is much that individuals can do to the green movement: all the
combat environmental damage by
actions in their homes, their
neighbourhoods and in supporting protection of the environment
global organisations.
environmentally friendly: behavior or
276 words products that do not harm the
environment
to exert pressure on: to use power to

influence somebody or something
to campaign for something: to take

part in a series of activities in order to
achieve a specific aim.

particular policies
organic food: produced without using
artificial chemicals
prominent: important or well-known
to safeguard: to protect
something/somebody from loss, harm
or damage and to keep safe
6. (07/09/2019): Increases in the production of consumer goods results in

damage to the natural environment. Why is this the case? What can be done
to solve this problem?
It is true that the environment is being
damaged and that one of the causes of output: the amount of something that a
this is the growing output of consumer person, a machine or an organisation
goods. While some reasons can be produces
identified to explain why this is
happening, there are measures which
should be taken to deal with this issue. an ecological crisis: a serious situation
that occurs when the environment of a
There are important ways in which the species or a population changes in a way
production of more and more consumer that destabilizes its continued survival
goods is resulting in an ecological
crisis. Firstly, in order to maximize to maximize profits: to increase profits
profits, corporations are depleting
to the highest possible level
natural resources. For example, energy
is required for all production processes,
and so the search for oil and gas to deplete natural resources: to reduce
reserves has led to habitat destruction the amount of natural resources.
as well as repeated oil spills
threatening marine life in the oceans. habitat destruction: the process that
Secondly, toxic waste is released into occurs when a natural habitat, like a
our environment in the process of forest or wetland, is changed so
producing consumer goods, such as
dyed fabrics or detergents. Finally, the dramatically by humans that plants and
packaging of consumer goods to make animals which live there.
them look attractive has resulted in a
huge volume of plastic waste which is to dye: to change the colour of
simply dumped. something, especially by using a special
liquid or substance
Ways must be found to alleviate such
environmental problems. In terms of
detergent: a liquid or powder that
energy management, public subsidies
must be provided for the expansion of removes dirt, for example from clothes
renewable energy. In many parts of or dishes
Europe, for instance, offshore wind
farms now make a significant toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted
contribution to the energy needs of waste produced by factories
industry. From the perspective of to dump: to get rid of something that
reducing waste and limiting pollution,
you do not want, especially in a place
there should be research into producing
packaging for consumer goods that is which is not suitable
bio-degradable. Governments must
also exert pressure on producers to cut to alleviate environmental problems:
down on emissions from factories and to make bad environmental problems
to fine companies which pollute the less severe
land, water or the atmosphere.
renewable energy: energy is renewable
In conclusion, while some reasons can when it source, like the sun or wind,
be identified to explain this problem, cannot be exhausted or can easily be
effective measures are available and replaced (like wood, as we can plant
must be imposed to make the
trees for energy)
production of consumer goods more
environmentally-friendly.
offshore: happening or existing in the
282 words sea, not far from the land
wind farms: an area of land on which
there are a lot of windmills or wind
turbines for producing electricity
to be bio-degradable: a substance or
chemical that can be changed to a
natural harmless state by the action of
bacteria
to cut down on emissions: to reduce the

amount of gases sent out into the air
to provide public subsidies for: to give

government money to reduce the costs
of services or to produce goods in order
to keep the price low
to exert pressure on: to use power to

influence somebody or something
spill: an act of letting a liquid come, or

fall, out of a container

products that do not harm the
environment
7.(14/10/2019): Human activity has had a negative impact on plants and

animals around the world. Some people say that it is too late to do
something, while others think that actions can be taken to improve the
situation.
Discuss both sides of the view and give your opinion.
It is true that the activities of people an ecological crisis: a serious situation
have provoked an ecological crisis, that occurs when the environment of a
with the result that many species of species or a population changes in a way
plants and animals are on the brink of
that destabilizes its continued survival
extinction. While some measures may
be effective in alleviating
environmental problems, I agree with
on the brink of extinction: an animal
the view that it is now too late to
prevent the destruction of most forms or plant which has almost disappeared
of life on the planet. from the planet
On the one hand, there are many
to alleviate environmental problems:
efforts which should be supported to
to make bad environmental problems
limit the enormous environmental
less severe
degradation resulting from human
activity. These efforts include accord: a formal agreement between
international accords to ban the two or more organisations or countries
discharge of chemical waste into rivers
and oceans, which kills aquatic life. environmental degradation: the
NGOs, such as the Worldwide Fund process or fact of the environment
for Nature and Greenpeace, raise funds
becoming worse
and public awareness to prevent habitat
destruction and protect endangered
species. There is a growing movement to discharge chemical waste: to
to develop alternative energy sources, dispose of waste products from
for example wind farms, to reduce chemical processes.
dependence on fossil fuels. Such steps aquatic: growing, or living on, in or
are just a few of many actions which near water
are being taken to improve the
situation.
non-governmental organizations
On the other hand, many consider (NGOs): a charity or association that is
that the fight against environmental independent of government or business
disaster is already lost. Despite all our awareness: knowing that something
best efforts in recent years, the climate
exists and is important
science is clear. The ice will melt, sea
levels will rise and extremes of weather
like droughts, floods and hurricanes habitat destruction: the process that
will increase in regularity. Billions of occurs when a natural habitat, like a
people will lose their homes or starve forest or wetland, is changed so
as crops fail, and low-lying countries dramatically by humans that plants and
like Bangladesh will disappear from animals which live there.
our maps. The oceans are poisoned, endangered species: plants or animals
filled with toxic waste and plastics that only exist in very small numbers, so
which are not bio-degradable.
In conclusion, although it is vital to that in future they may disappear
take what actions we can to support the forever
green movement, I agree with the view
that it is already too late to avoid
alternative energy sources: refers to
environmental disaster and possible
human extinction. any energy source that is an alternative
to fossil fuel
286 words
wind farms: an area of land on which
there are a lot of windmills or wind
to reduce the dependence/reliance on

fossil fuels: to decrease people’s
consumption of fossil fuels, like oil,
coal or gas.
toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted
waste produced by factories
to be bio-degradable: a substance or
chemical that can be changed to a
natural harmless state by the action of
bacteria
the green movement: all the

protection of the environment
G. FAMILY AND CHILDREN
1. (25/04/2019): In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in
small family units, rather than in large family groups. Is this a positive or
negative trend?
It is true that in recent years, many urban urban dwellers: people who live in a
dwellers have tended to live on their city or a town
own or in nuclear families. In my
opinion, this trend has both positive and
tend (to/towards something): to be
negative consequences in equal
measure. likely to do something or to happen in a
particular way
On the one hand, the rise in smaller a nuclear family: a family consisting of
households is a positive trend primarily a father, mother and their children
for economic reasons. The migration of
people from rural to urban areas has the migration of people from rural to
resulted in an enormous increase in urban areas: the movement of people
demand for housing. The housing stock
from the countryside to cities
has been inadequate to cope with this
demand, and so property developers
have taken advantage of this population the housing stock: all the houses
shift to raise house prices and rents. available for living in
They have built apartment blocks which
provide accommodation for only single to be inadequate to cope with: not
people or small families. If they do not good enough to deal with a problem
wish to endure squalid housing a property developer: a person who
conditions, therefore, it is clearly buys land or buildings, and then makes
necessary for people to live alone or in
improvements in order to sell them for
small, usually family, groups.
more money
On the other hand, there are negative
aspects of this trend. With the mass apartment blocks: large buildings with
exodus of people to cities, ties of apartments on each floor.
kinship are broken as the extended
family which lived together in the population shift: a change in the
countryside is broken up. Socially,
numbers of people who live in a
family gatherings take place only rarely
and, financially, living costs can no particular area
longer be shared between many family
members living under the same roof.
For example, grandparents or other
relatives used to help with household to endure squalid living conditions:
expenses, child-minding and cooking. very dirty and unpleasant conditions in
Individuals rarely felt lonely or isolated, which to live
experiencing a sense of alienation as
they sometimes do in cities, without
a mass exodus: the movement of a lot
such family support.
of people from a place
In conclusion, I believe that this trend ties of kinship: the fact of being related
has equally significant positive and in a family, with links of friendship and
negative aspects for both social and assistance to other family members
financial reasons. an extended family: a family group
with many members, including parents,
258 words
children, grandparents, aunts and
uncles, cousins etc
to break up: to come to an end and go
away in different directions
a family gathering: a meeting of family

members for a particular purpose
under the same roof: in the same

building or house
child-minding: caring informally (not

in schools) for children when parents
are busy or working
a sense of alienation: the feeling that

you have no connection with the people
around you
university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
it is important to focus only on the
present and future generations.
However, I agree with those who argue
that researching our family history is a
useful and worthwhile activity. worthwhile: important, interesting and
enjoyable. Worth spending time or
On the one hand, it is important to money on.
concentrate on the health, happiness sustainably: in a way that can continue
and well-being of the present or be continued for a long time
generation and to live sustainably for
the sake of future generations. From
patterns of behavior: ways of acting
the perspective of the present,
everyone should try to provide a good and doing things (either positive or
moral example and to set patterns of negative)
behaviour that demonstrate respect for
others. For instance, being formative years: a period of a person’s
consistently kind and honest provides a life, usually childhood, that has a big
good model for children to follow influence on the person they become
during their formative years. This
later in life
behaviour will shape their personality
and values as they enter adult life. In
terms of future generations, it is to shape a child’s personality/ values:
essential to focus on fighting climate to decide or influence the form of a
change and to combat global warming. child’s personality
On the other hand, it is also essential to enter adult life: the stage when
to have a sense of the past, including adolescents are almost old enough to be
family history. This sense of history legally independent of their parents
enables people to understand the socio-
economic changes taking place around
them today. Many people enjoy to fight climate change: to try to
assimilating knowledge of the past by prevent changes in climate patterns,
studying their family history. such as rainfall, temperature and winds.
Discovering the origins, the
occupations and some of the life stories
of previous generations of family global warming: the process by which
members helps to give individuals an the Earth is getting hotter, as a result of
understanding of time and place. The the greenhouse effect – in particular the
study of family history, therefore,
increase in carbon dioxide in the air.
bridges the generation gap and helps
people to look at the past in connection
with the present. socio-economic changes: changes
relating to the society and economy of a
In conclusion, while it is vital to be country
concerned with present and future
generations, I contend that it is also to assimilate knowledge: to absorb and
both interesting and important to study understand knowledge
family history.
generation gap: the experience of not
268 words
understanding your parents or
grandparents and them not
understanding you due to being raised
during different time periods, in a
different cultural setting
to bridge: to reduce or to get rid of the

differences that exist between two
things or groups of people
3. (20/10/2019): People nowadays tend to take their family to another country

when they work abroad. Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?
It is true that different patterns of patterns of behavior: ways of acting
behaviour can be observed when and doing things (either positive or
people move to another country for negative)
work purposes. While some prefer to
do this on their own and remit part of
their salary to their family back home,
many prefer to take their family with to remit: to send money to a place or
them. I believe that the benefits of person
taking the family outweigh the
drawbacks. negative influences on individual
families: negative meaning bad;
On the one hand, moving alone to
another country may have negative influences meaning effects; on
influences on individual families. If individual families refers to each
the man goes on his own to another nuclear family - a couple and their
country to find work, to earn more children, rather than families in general;
money to support a family, this leaves
the woman to cope with the task of to support a family: to have enough
bringing up their offspring. It is very
money to be able to look after a family
stressful to take on all the
responsibilities of a single-parent
household, even if there are members to bring up their offspring: to bring up
of the extended family who can help. means to raise; this is what you do as a
The man himself, in the new country, parent with your children; you educate
may find himself lonely and isolated. them, nurture them, etc.; offspring
Despite having supportive work refers to your children;
colleagues, he may still spend part of to take on: to decide to do something
his wages on drinking or gambling.
or to agree to be responsible for
On the other hand, moving to another somebody/something
country as a family may benefit the
children, in particular. Firstly, a single parent household: a family in
although they may at first be out of which one person takes care of their
their depth in school, children very child or children without a husband,
quickly pick up a new language. In the wife or partner
new country, there may be
an extended family: a family group
opportunities to qualify for entrance to
top-tier institutions, which may have with many members, including parents,
been denied them at home. They may children, grandparents, aunts and
be able to make the most of new uncles, cousins etc
educational opportunities. Secondly,
when the family stays together, the supportive work colleagues: people
children receive the emotional support that you work with who give you help
that they need during their formative and encouragement
years.
to be out of one’s depth: to be unable
In conclusion, I would argue that to understand something because it is
taking the family when going to too difficult
another country to work is far more
to pick up: to get information or a skill
advantageous than leaving a wife and
children behind. by chance, not by making a big effort
286 words
top-tier institutions: leading or
prestigious educational institutions

make something appear as good as
possible; to exploit something; to get as
much out of something as is possible.
formative years: a period of a person’s
life, usually childhood, that has a big
influence on the person they become
later in life
H. HEALTH
1. (04/05/2019): Today, many children spend a lot of time playing computer
games and little time on sports. What are the reasons for this and is it a
positive or negative development?
It is true that many youngsters waste hours and hours: for a very long time
hours and hours on computer games, to neglect: to fail to pay enough
neglecting sports and physical exercise. attention to something
I believe that there is at least one
important factor to account for this
trend, which is in my opinion a totally to account for: to be the explanation or
negative one. the cause of something
I would argue that the marketing

industry is chiefly culpable for the fact culpable: responsible and deserving
that a growing number of children are blame for doing something wrong
addicted to computer games. Even in to be addicted (to something): to be
developing countries, a lot of unable to stop taking harmful drugs,
youngsters these days are computer- tobacco or alcohol.
literate, and software companies know
to be computer-literate: able to use
how children are easily swayed by the
novelty of playing new games. Through computers well
their advertising, such companies aim
specifically at children as their target to be swayed by: to be influenced to
audience to promote their products. buy things
These soon become obsolete and are target audience: consumers whom
replaced by new ones. As a result, businesses aim at when selling their
children are not taking up sports.
products
Instead, they find their excitement in
imaginary virtual worlds of gaming to promote their products: to make
rather than the real, physical world. products popular by advertising them
The main argument against computer to become obsolete: to be no longer

games is that they are detrimental to used because something new has been
children’s health. Firstly, a sedentary invented
lifestyle is encouraged by playing
to take up sport: to start doing a sport,
computer games, whereas youngsters
need to take regular exercise. Without to start doing exercise
sport, children may become prone to gaming: playing computer games
obesity. My cousin, for example, never
plays any sports and he is putting on to be detrimental to health: to be
weight, mainly because of all the hours harmful to health
that he spends playing computer games. a sedentary lifestyle: involving little
Secondly, too much time spent on
exercise or physical activity
computer games may lead to social
isolation and resulting mental health to take regular exercise: to start doing
problems. It might be a good idea for exercise, for example every day/every
computer games to be sold with a week…
warning that they carry health risks, like
to be prone to obesity: to be likely to
cigarettes or alcohol. become fat [in an unhealthy way]
to put on weight: to become heavier
In conclusion, advertisers are
and fatter
responsible for the gaming obsession of
many youngsters, and I consider that
this has serious negative consequences social isolation: being alone and lonely,
for health. without much contact with other people
279 words mental health problems: related to

illnesses of one’s mind
2. (07/06/2019): “More and more people are becoming seriously overweight.

Some people think a solution can be to increase the price of fattening foods.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that an increasing number of to raise taxes on: to increase the
people have serious weight problems. amount of tax on something
While some argue that raising the price
of fattening foods might help to solve content: the amount of a substance that
the problem, I only partly agree with is contained in something else
this view.
On the one hand, an increase in the

price of fattening foods might lead to a junk food: food that is quick and easy
to prepare and eat, but that is thought to
reduction in the amount of these foods
be bad for your health
which people buy. Governments could
raise taxes on all foods with a high fat or to put on weight: to become fatter and
sugar content, because if people eat too heavier
much junk food containing a lot of fat or to be prone to obesity: to be likely to
sugar, they will certainly put on weight become fat [in an unhealthy way]
and be prone to obesity. Becoming
addicted to such eating habits will to be addicted to something: to be
definitely be detrimental to their health. unable to stop taking harmful drugs,
For example, this was highlighted in tobacco or alcohol.
the film ‘Supersize Me’, in which the
hero ate only at McDonald’s for a month eating habits: refers to why and how
and became very ill. Therefore, it is people eat, which foods they eat, and
possible that people will buy less of this with whom they eat, as well as the ways
junk food if it is more expensive.
people obtain, store, use, and discard
On the other hand, while price may be food.
a factor, the problem of an increasingly
overweight population also requires to be detrimental to health: to be
other solutions. Firstly, through health harmful to health
awareness campaigns, people should be to highlight: to emphasize something,
encouraged to take regular exercise, especially so that people give it more
because a sedentary lifestyle is attention
definitely linked to obesity. Secondly,
schools and workplaces could provide health awareness campaigns:
children and staff with a healthier diet. publicity to encourage people to be
By preparing meals which are low in fat concerned about looking after their
and high in fiber, children and health.
employees would be much less likely to
put on weight. In the UK, for instance, to take regular exercise: to do some
a recent campaign for healthier school physical activity on a regular basis
meals was very successful.
a sedentary lifestyle: a type of live
In conclusion, although I believe that involving little exercise or physical
governments should adopt policies to activity
increase the price of fattening food,
there are also other measures which to provide somebody with a healthier
must be taken to tackle the issue of diet: to give somebody a diet which is
rising obesity levels. more healthy than that which they have
286 words at present
low in fat and high in fiber: a diet

which does not contain much fat, but
which contains foods which have a lot
of fiber
to put on weight: to become fatter and
heavier

particular policies
I. TOURISM
1. (22/06/2019): Many museums and historical sites are mainly visited by
tourists but not local people. Why is this the case and what can be done to
attract more local people to visit these places?
It is true that tourists from many parts
of the world pay more visits to museums
and historical places than local
inhabitants. Resulting from a number
of reasons, this situation should be
solved by attracting the locals in some
practical ways.
There are two main reasons why historical sites: an official location
museums and historical sites are where pieces of political, military,
preferred more by tourists than by local cultural, or social history have been
residents. One reason is that museums preserved due to their cultural heritage
are too familiar to nearby inhabitants. If value.
museums do not change anything, there
will be nothing new for the locals to local residents/ inhabitants/people:
discover. Like eating the same dish the inhabitants of a place are the
every single day, they feel bored with people who live there.
visiting the same places. Furthermore,
entrance tickets at some historical sites
are expensive for the local inhabitants to attractions: a place which draws
afford. For example, in Dien Bien, a visitors by providing something of
province in northwestern Vietnam, it is interest or pleasure.
rather hard for the residents to make
ends meet, let alone to spend money on to discover: to find information, a
visiting some famous historical place, or an object, especially for the
attractions there. first time
The governments should take some spend money on sth/doing sth: to

measures/steps to tackle this issue use money to pay for things
effectively. Firstly, museums ought to
be invested in more by the authorities to
refresh the exhibits. The fresher the relic: an object from the past that has
museums are, the more local residents been kept
are interested in them. Secondly,
historical relics need to be free for all
the local people. Without worrying
about additional expenditure, those to take measures/steps:
residents will pay more and more visits to take action; do things to accomplish
to historical sites in order to broaden a purpose.
their knowledge about their home
towns. to tackle: to make a determined effort
to deal with a difficult problem or
In conclusion, there are some evident situation
reasons that bring about this trend.
However, something should be done to invest in: to put money, effort, time,
attract more visits of the locals by the etc. into something to make a profit or
authorities. get an advantage
260 words exhibit: an object or collection of

objects on public display in an art
gallery or museum or at a trade fair.
expenditure:
an amount of money, time,
or effort that is spent
to broaden knowledge: to increase

your knowledge
2. (24/07/2019): International travel is becoming cheaper and cheaper, and more

countries are now opening their doors to foreign visitors. Do you think that
the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
It is true that it is now less expensive to
travel to other countries than it was in
the past. New travel destinations appear brochure: a small magazine or book
in tourist brochures to attract visitors containing pictures and information
from abroad. While there are about something or advertising
advantages, I believe that these are
something
outweighed by the disadvantages of
these trends.
On the one hand, international travel to experience phenomenal growth: to
has experienced phenomenal growth, experience an extremely successful or
and many people can now enjoy special development, especially in a
exploring places which in the past only surprising way
the rich could visit. After all, many
people on limited incomes have a thirst to have a thirst for something: to have
for seeing far-off destinations, and this a strong desire for something
should not only be the privilege of far-off: a long distance away
wealthy people. For example, many
Asian countries now welcome foreign privilege: a special right or advantage
visitors who can book an affordable that a person or a group of people has
package holiday to experience the
holiday of a lifetime. More and more to book: to reserve something, such as a
people are able to go sightseeing along hotel room or a ticket
the Great Wall of China, discover the a package holiday: a holiday that is
temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia or organized by a company at a fixed price,
simply to get away from it all on a beach including the cost of a hotel, travel etc.
in Malaysia. So, now the many can the holiday of a lifetime: a special
enjoy experiences that in past only a few holiday that you are unlikely to repeat
could afford.
to go sightseeing: to look around the
On the other hand, there are two major places that tourists like to visit
disadvantages associated with these
developments. Firstly, the green to get away from it all: to have a
movement argues convincingly that holiday in a very quiet place where you
there are environmental costs of the can relax.
growth in international travel. It is
necessary to fight climate change, but the green movement: all the
air travel pollutes the atmosphere, and organisations concerned with the
the construction of new airports and protection of the environment
tourist facilities such as hotels and to fight climate change: to try to
roads inevitably results in habitat prevent changes in climate patterns,
destruction. Secondly, international such as rainfall, temperature and winds.
travel destinations are increasingly
crowded. At the height of the tourist habitat destruction: the process that
season, even remote beaches now occurs when a natural habitat, like a
swarm with tourists. The beauty of such forest or wetland, is changed so
places is now destroyed in the interests dramatically by humans that plants and
of moneymaking. animals which live there.
In conclusion, I would argue that the the height of the tourist season: time
drawbacks of environmental of year when the greatest number of
degradation and overcrowding people visit a place and when the prices
outweigh the benefits of these trends. are at their highest level
289 words to swarm with tourists: when people

swarm somewhere, they move there in a
large group or in large numbers.
moneymaking: producing or making a
large profit
environmental degradation: the

becoming worse
3. (14/09/2019): Some people think that cultural traditions will be destroyed if

they are used as money-making attractions aimed at tourists. Others,
however, believe that is the only way to save these traditions. Discuss both
these views and give your own opinion.
It is true that many people argue that
cultural traditions will only survive if
they are commercially packaged for the
tourist market. While this may be the
case, I agree with the opposing view
that such packaging inevitably leads to
the death of those traditions.
socio-economic changes: changes

On the one hand, globalisation is
resulting in socio-economic changes relating to the society and economy of a
which are destroying traditional ways country
of life. It is not always possible to in the face of: despite problems,
preserve cultural traditions in the face difficulties
of these changes. The changes affect
traditional cultures in many ways. For folk songs: songs in the traditional style
example, folk songs and other genres of a country or community
of music such as American blues
genres of music: particular types or
reflect a way of life which is
disappearing, based on agricultural styles of music
work in the fields. Without the
organisation of music concerts aimed at literary and artistic heritage: the
tourists, this artistic musical heritage traditon of writing or painting that a
will almost certainly be lost, and there
will be nobody to perform the country, city or town has had for many
traditional music and dances associated years, distinguishing it as an important
with it. part of its character
On the other hand, I agree with those

who believe that the commercialisation
of traditional cultures aimed at tourists
will not save those cultures. Firstly,
culture becomes meaningless when it is
something which is presented to
visitors simply to make money.
meaningless: without any reason or
Tourists, for instance, may want to try
local cuisine in a restaurant which purpose, and therefore not worth doing
follows a traditional recipe, but it will
not be eaten in the authentic
surroundings of the home or served to Chinese cuisine: A type of food that is
accompany a traditional ceremony. traditional in China – you can write
Secondly, many traditional cultures ‘Italian cuisine/Vietnamese cuisine’ in
retain their vitality despite
globalisation. Carnival in Brazil, for the same way
instance, is performed and watched to follow a recipe: to cook a meal using
mainly by local people, even though instructions
television and the tourist industry authentic: known to be real and
exploit it as a source of revenue. genuine
vitality: energy and enthusiasm
In conclusion, I agree with the view
that when a culture can only survive by revenue: the money that a government
turning itself into a money-making receives from taxes or which a company
attraction, then that culture is already receives from its business
destroyed. All that remains is spectacle
for tourists.
spectacle: a performance or event that
294 words is impressive to look at
J. GOVERNMENT
1. (23/05/2019): In many cities there is little control on the design and
construction of new homes and office buildings, and people can build houses
in their own style. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a
situation?
It is true that national and local national and local authorities:
authorities in some cities around the world government organizations acting at a
fail to introduce restrictions on planning. national level or within a smaller, local
While this allows great freedom of choice area
for property developers and individual
homeowners, I believe that the to introduce restrictions on: to limit what
disadvantages outweigh such benefits. people can do or what can happen
a property developer: a person who buys
On the one hand, uncontrolled
land or buildings, and then makes
construction of housing and offices
improvements in order to sell them for
encourages investment in a city. If there
are few planning regulations to adhere to, more money
investors are more likely to speculate on to adhere to: to limit what people can do
increasing the housing stock, often using or what can happen
the most cost-effective designs. With
more available housing, there should be to speculate: to buy a house or other
fewer people living on the streets. In property, hoping to make a profit when you
terms of the construction of office sell it, but with the risk of losing money
buildings, without controls on the
the housing stock: all the houses available
provision of high-rise buildings, a huge
for living in
amount of space can be made available for
companies to locate in a particular city. cost-effective: giving the best possible
This might potentially increase benefits or profits in comparison with the
employment opportunities in the area. money that is spent
On the other hand, there are major to be living on the streets: to be without a
drawbacks when urban development is place in which to live
unplanned in this way. Firstly, urban
high-rise buildings: tall modern buildings
sprawl is encouraged, and this is an
(not as tall as skyscrapers)
undesirable feature of many modern cities.
In some US cities, for example, sprawling
suburbs have sprung up while at the same
time slum areas and sink estates have been urban sprawl: a large area covered with
allowed to decay in the inner city areas. buildings that spreads from the city into the
Secondly, when individuals can put up countryside in an ugly way
buildings to any design which they want, sprawling suburbs: an area outside of the
the result is that the city simply becomes centre of a city where people live, but
an eyesore. Buildings may simply not which is spreading without control into the
blend in with each other. For instance,
surrounding countryside
towering skyscrapers may be constructed
next to famous landmarks, completely to spring up: to appear or develop quickly
overshadowing them. or suddenly
In conclusion, I would argue that the slum areas: parts of a city where the
unplanned growth of cities has produced houses are poor and the houses are dirty
both ugliness and chaos. Such drawbacks and in bad condition
greatly outweigh any benefits. sink estates: housing located in a poor area
of a city where social conditions are bad
268 words
inner city areas: the parts near the centre
of a city, which often have social problems
to be an eyesore: to be ugly to look at

towering skyscrapers: very tall modern
buildings, usually in a city
a famous landmark: a building that is
very important because of its historical or
modern significance
to blend in (with something): If
something blends in, then it is similar to -
or matches - its surroundings
to overshadow: to make something (or
somebody) seem less important
chaos: a state of complete confusion and
lack of order
2. (20/06/2019): Government should invest in teaching science subjects rather
than other subjects in order for a country to develop and progress. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that investment in science high on the agenda: something which
education in schools and universities is among the first things in the list of
should be high on the agenda of all actions to be taken
governments. However, while this is
to allocate resources to: to make
important, I disagree that this should be
the only priority, because it is also
something
important to allocate resources to the
teaching of other subjects.
to provide funding for: to give money
It is clearly essential to provide funding to enable something to be done
for the study of science subjects. Recent
discoveries in science have been applied to apply something to something: to
to bring about changes in such fields as use something or make something work
health, food production and, above all, in a particular situation
communications. For example,
genetics based on the research of
biologists is revolutionising the to revolutionise/revolutionize: to
treatment of diseases such as cancer. completely change the way that
Therefore, governments must invest something is done.
heavily in science subjects in order to
ensure that the knowledge of science up-to-date: modern, fashionable
graduates is up-to-date. If this is done,
the international scientific community pressing: needing to be dealt with
will, for instance, be able to find immediately
solutions to pressing environmental
challenges facing the world today.
to neglect: to not give enough attention
However, government investment in to something
science education must not be at the
expense of neglecting other subjects. to express oneself: to communicate
Progress and development do not mean some idea or emotion through speech,
economic growth. Firstly, schools writing, painting, music or some other
should encourage students to express form of art
themselves through art, literature and
music and develop those talents which to see the big picture: to understand all
are a part of our cultural life. Secondly, the important aspects of a situation
if it were not for the study of subjects
such as history, philosophy and to live in harmony with one another:
languages, then nobody would be able to live with others in a way which
to see the big picture. Ethical social avoids conflict or disagreement
questions concerning how people might
live in harmony with one another in a
sustainable way would never be
discussed.
In conclusion, it is necessary for

governments to invest in science
education, but they must also promote
the study of other subjects to develop
the creativity and critical thinking of
students.
273 words
K. SOCIETY
1. (23/03/2019): It is expected that there will be a higher proportion of older
people than that of young people in many countries in the future? Do you
think it is a positive or negative development?
It is predicted that in many countries
the percentage of the elderly
population will be higher than the
proportion of the young generation.
While this will create some
problems, I believe that it is on
balance a positive development.
to confront (a problem or
On the one hand, the main issue difficulty): to appear and to need to
confronting countries with a large be dealt with by somebody
elderly population is the cost of
providing public health services. As
people grow older, they generally public health services: the agencies
need more medical attention. It will, funded by the government to protect
therefore be necessary for
and promote the health of the
governments to impose spending
cuts or to raise taxes on incomes or population
goods in order to provide funding for to impose spending cuts: to
increased health care. In countries introduce new rules to spend less
like the USA and the UK, many money on something
people fear that they may be faced to raise taxes on: to increase the
with large health bills in their old age amount of tax on something
and have decided to take out private
health insurance. They argue that to provide funding for: to give
the resources of a welfare state will money to enable something to be
not be adequate to guarantee good done
health care when they are old.
On the other hand, I agree with to be faced with: if you are faced
those who argue that the world is with a particular situation, you have
changing and fewer young people to deal with it
will be required to work in future.
Firstly, advances in technology to take out private health
mean fewer young workers are insurance: to make regular
needed. Robotics technology is still payments to an insurance company,
in its infancy, but fewer workers are
who will pay for medical or hospital
needed now in many occupations.
For example, labour-saving treatment when you need it
appliances have replaced many
workers in the industrial and service a welfare state: a taxation system
sectors. Secondly, as populations which allows governments to
age, the number of people will provide for the economic and social
decline. The present world well-being of its citizens
population of about 9 billion is
depleting the natural resources on adequate: enough for a particular
which everyone depends. purpose or need
advances in technology: the
In conclusion, although the health improvement or development in
costs of caring for an increasingly
elderly population will be high technology
initially, an ageing population will robotics technology: the design,
avoid both the future problems of an construction and operation of robots
army of young jobless people, and
also population pressure which will to be in its infancy: to be in the early
provoke an ecological crisis. development of something
290 words labour-saving appliances:

machines that reduce the amount of
work or effort needed to do
something.
to deplete natural resources: To

reduce the amount of natural
resources.
jobless: without a job
an ecological crisis: a serious
situation that occurs when the
environment of a species or a
population changes in a way that
destabilizes its continued survival
2. (06/04/2019): People have little understanding of the importance of the
natural world. What are the reasons for this, and how can people learn more
about the natural world?
It is true that most people do not realize
how important the natural world is.
While there are some reasons to explain
this lack of knowledge, there are ways
in which people can improve their
understanding. the disappearance of traditional ways
of life: the fact that traditional ways no
I believe that the major reason why
many people do not appreciate the value longer exist
of the natural world is the disappearance
of traditional ways of life. In terms of
work, hunting, fishing or agriculture are advances in technology: the
now the occupation of a small minority improvement or development in
of the workforce in most countries.
technology
Advances in technology mean that most
people now spend a large part of their
day in a closed working environment, working environment: the conditions
such as an office, shop or factory, that you work in
without any contact with nature. From
a cultural perspective, traditional
festivals related to the natural seasons in
agricultural communities have fallen by to fall by the wayside: if something
the wayside. Celebrations of nature, for
falls by the wayside, it is no longer used
example at times of spring or harvest,
which once provided a link to our roots, harvest: the time of year when crops are
continue only in the hands of an ageing collected on a farm
population, while younger generations
are addicted to the electronic media.
to provide a link to our roots: to
However, people can learn about the connect with previous generations
natural world in three important ways.
Firstly, there are many opportunities to in the hands of an ageing population:
become involved in local volunteer dependent on the elderly
work, carrying out environmentally
friendly tasks like planting trees.
Secondly, schools should include
nature studies and environmental to be addicted to: to be unable to stop
science in the curriculum. Finally, taking harmful drugs, tobacco or
more nature documentaries on TV and alcohol.
the internet would stimulate a revival of
interest in the world around us. They the electronic media: broadcast media
are an excellent means of informing the which use electronic technology, such
public about life on the planet, and the as the internet, television, radio, DVDs
need to combat the environmental etc
degradation which threatens it.
In conclusion, although there are
important reasons why there is little
public understanding of the natural environment
world, there are ways in which this lack
of knowledge can be overcome. to stimulate: to encourage something to
289 words develop
a revival of interest in: the process of

something becoming more popular
again
environmental degradation: the

becoming worse
3. (18/06/2019): Many people disagree with a school policy which forces

children to learn new languages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that many people oppose the
idea that learning a foreign language
should be compulsory in schools.
While it could be argued that learning a
new language is valuable in schools, I
believe that such a policy should not be
made compulsory.
On the one hand, it is advantageous for advantageous: good or useful in a
schoolchildren to study a foreign particular situation
language. One reason is that in some
schools there are opportunities to
participate in organised exchange visits
with overseas students, or to travel on
school trips to countries with a different
language and culture. In these ways,
to assimilate knowledge: to absorb and
children can assimilate knowledge and
understand knowledge
even acquire social skills while having
to have social skills: to have the
fun at the same time. Another reason
personal skills required for successful
is that if children are able to speak a
communication and interaction
foreign language, they may find this
useful in later life. It could improve
their job prospects and help them to job prospects: the chances of being
pursue a successful career. successful and having more
opportunities at work
On the other hand, I would argue that
children should not be forced to learn a to pursue a successful career: to have
new language. Firstly, some children a series of jobs in a particular area of
might fail to see the point of studying a work, with more responsibility as time
subject, for example French or passes
German, which they think they will
never use. They would soon become to see the point of: to understand the
bored and disrupt lessons. Secondly, purpose or aim of something
the school curriculum may already
cover a lot of ground. Given a busy to disrupt lessons: to make it difficult
timetable, pupils may prefer to study to conduct the lesson in the normal way
things which they think will benefit
them in the future, such as science or to cover a lot of ground: to deal with
mathematics.
much information and many facts.
In conclusion, although learning a new
language would be useful, fun and
challenging for children, I feel that this
should not form a compulsory part of
the school curriculum.
260 words
4. (19/10/2019): Many people are now spending more and more time travelling
to work or school. Some people believe that this is a negative development
while others think there are some benefits. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
It is true that commuting times to work commuting times: the time taken
or school are generally longer today travelling to and from work
than in the past. While this trend may
be beneficial from one point of view, I
agree with those who consider this a
negative development.
On the one hand, the need to spend

to prompt: to make somebody decide
more time travelling to work or school
has provoked some beneficial changes. to do something/ to make something
This problem has forced companies happen
and education authorities to take
measures to deal with the situation. flexible working hours: hours of work
Firstly, the difficulties of getting to that can be changed by agreement
work have prompted some employers between the employer and the
to introduce flexible working hours. employee
Many employees prefer this flexibility,
and it has proved helpful in particular working mothers: Mothers who have
for working mothers who need to pick to go out to work as well as to look
up their children after school. A after children
second benefit is in the field of to pick up : to go somewhere and
education. Most universities now offer collect somebody who is waiting for
an option for distance learning, you
recognising the fact that lengthy
journeys deter many potential students. distance learning: delivering education
Now, the virtual classroom enables
to students who are not physically at
studies to be done at home.
school/at university
On the other hand, it is a waste of
time to spend hours each day getting to a virtual classroom: an online
or from work or school. One problem classroom in which participants can
is that everyone finds it more and more communicate and interact with other
difficult to be punctual, when faced students, view videos and actively
with rush hour traffic jams, which is a engage with the study materials
stressful situation causing daily to be punctual: to arrive at the correct
anxiety. Many of my classmates, for
time
example, tell me about their worries
about being late for lectures. Another rush hour traffic jams: the time when
problem is that people arrive most people are travelling to or from
exhausted at school or the workplace work/school and so there is too much
and, in the evening, they arrive worn- traffic on the roads.
out after a long journey home. They
are too tired to enjoy their leisure. anxiety: the state of feeling nervous or
worried that something bad is going to
In conclusion, I believe that the
happen
problem of increased journey times to
work or school has forced the
introduction of some beneficial worn-out: looking or feeling very
changes. However, these long tired, especially as a result of hard
journeys cause stress and fatigue, and work or physical exercise
they are clearly a negative
development. fatigue: a feeling of being very tired
291 words
5. (23/10/2019): Charities and organizations always give special names to

particular days such as 'National Children's Day' and 'National Non-smoking
Day'. What are the reasons for these particular days? How effective are
they?
It is true that many charities and NGOs non-governmental organizations:
organise special days. They are NGOs: a charity or association that is
convinced of the need for such days, independent of government or business
and I would support their argument that
special days are effective and
worthwhile: important, enjoyable,
worthwhile.
interesting – worth spending time,
There are two major reasons why money or effort on
charities and other organisations have
special days. Firstly, they may use
them as an opportunity to raise funds to
support their work. In the UK, for prime time television: the hours during
example, the charity ‘Children in which most people are watching TV
Need’ have a special day, with to enhance their public image : to
celebrities presenting a show on prime
make their company appear more
time television, which raises millions
of pounds each year. Secondly, they attractive to people
use these special days to enhance their to make the most of something: to
public image, making the most of make something appear as good as
increased news coverage to inform the possible; to exploit something; to get as
public about their aims and much out of something as is possible.
achievements. Volunteers talk to news coverage: the reporting of news
people in the streets on such days and
and sport in newspapers, tv, or radio.
offer badges, sometimes even
recruiting people to become voluntary
workers for the charity.
to recruit: to find new people to join a
In terms of effectiveness, these special company, an organisation, the army etc.
days are worth all the extra work and
preparation which charities devote to
organising them. One good example
are the days organised by various
health awareness campaigns. The
charity ‘Samaritans’ in Europe and the
USA offers emotional support by health awareness campaigns:
telephone to people with mental health publicity to encourage people to be
problems. It uses a special day to concerned about looking after their
inform people about what they do and health.
to appeal for more volunteers to join
to offer emotional support: to give
their work. Thus, the special day
highlights the extent of the problem counselling to a person who is suffering
and appeals to the social conscience of from a mental health problem
the public. mental health problems: related to
illnesses of one’s mind
In conclusion, there are good reasons
for organising specific days to social conscience: the state of being
publicise the work of particular aware of the problems that affect a lot of
charities. The special days are both
people in society, such as being poor or
effective and essential to enable them
to continue with their valuable work having no home, and wanting to do
throughout the year. something to help these people
273 words
L. MEDIA AND ADVERTISING

1. (02/02/2019): More and more people want to buy famous brands of clothes,
cars and other items. What are the reasons? Do you think it is a positive or
negative development?
It is true that a growing number of
people want to buy well-known
designer labels of many consumer
products. While there are some
obvious reasons for this trend, I
believe that it is a totally negative
development.
The reasons for the increasing

consumer concern with brand names
are simple to explain. Firstly, the
marketing departments of giant
corporations aim to identify their
goods with a glamorous and
successful lifestyle, and people are glamorous: especially attractive,
easily swayed by advertisements. exciting and different from ordinary
Companies often use celebrity things
endorsement to promote their to be swayed by advertisements: to
products, with famous people like be influenced to buy things as a
Cristiano Ronaldo or Victoria result of advertising
Beckham. Secondly, the possession celebrity endorsement: a form of
of a Mercedes car or a Gucci brand or advertising campaign that
handbag, for example, advertises involves a well-known person using
one’s own wealth and taste to others. their fame to help promote a product
The idea behind owning a brand or service
name is to make others jealous. to promote their products: to make
products popular by advertising
However, I would argue that this is a them
completely negative development.
In terms of what ordinary people
can afford, consumers are
encouraged by corporations to
squander their savings on designer
goods which the companies promise
will improve their lives and make
to squander savings: to waste
them happy. From a social
money by not using it to your
perspective, such messages are very
advantage
dangerous, encouraging crime, for
example to steal the latest cell
phones from people in the street.
The target audience is often young
people, who companies seek to
attract by promoting brand
awareness of their products such as
Coca Cola, Nike or Samsung. These
target audience: consumers whom
are now considered to be essential
businesses aim at when selling their
items to have in our modern global
products
village.
brand awareness: the action of
bringing the name of a company to
In conclusion, there are some
the attention of the public
important reasons to explain why
many people find brand name
products so attractive. Although
famous designer labels are
increasingly in demand, I would
argue that this form of consumerism
gives people a false idea of what is
important in our lives.
281 words.
consumerism: the act of buying or

using goods or services
2. (09/03/2019): Some people believe that the only purpose of films is to

entertain. But others say films should have educational value. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
It is true that some people think that
films should just be for
entertainment, while others believe
that they should inform as well as
entertain. I strongly agree with the
second view that the film industry
should not be simply a source of to appeal to audiences: to attract or
entertainment. interest those who go to watch a play
or film.
On the one hand, many people the portrayal of something: the act
watch films solely in order to be of showing or describing
entertained. To appeal to audiences, something/somebody in a book,
therefore, the film industry usually painting, play or film
focuses on the portrayal of scenes of effects: special looks or impressions
violent action, accompanied by that somebody, such as a film
spectacular effects. Some people director, wants to create
say that we need such films to
provide an escape from the stresses
of daily life. Although each film to bombard someone with
must contain some kind of story, something: to continually send
these action movies bombard someone something, esp. messages
audiences with the simplistic theme to inform or influence them.
of bad characters– often alien simplistic: simple, but ignoring
monsters – chasing the heroes for 90 complicated parts which are
minutes. Certainly, the purpose of important
such movies, such as ‘Independence
Day’ or the ‘Mission Impossible’
series can only be to entertain, since
they have no serious message or
even factual content.
On the other hand, I concur with content: the subject matter of a book,
the view that films should be film etc
instructive as well as entertaining.
Firstly, historical films like to concur: to agree
‘Titanic’ or ‘Schindler’s List’ have
some basis in fact for people to learn instructive: giving a lot of useful
about the past. The target audience information
for such serious films is surprisingly
large, suggesting that many people
want films to tackle these subjects. target audience: consumers whom
Secondly, even films about the businesses aim at when selling their
future can have some educational products
themes to make audiences think.
For example, despite their absurd
exaggerations, the ‘Jurassic Park’
movies have probably inspired
many youngsters to want to know
more about dinosaurs.
In conclusion, while films should

obviously entertain audiences and
hold their attention, their purpose
should also be to add to people’s
to hold the attention of someone: to
knowledge and understanding of the
world. maintain the interest of someone in
280 words something
3. (28/03/2019): In some countries, advertisers increase the amount of

advertising which tries to persuade children to buy snacks, toys and other
goods. Parents object to such pressure on children. But some advertisers claim
that there is useful information in these advertisements. Discuss both views
and give your opinion.
It is true that commercial advertising in commercial advertising: advertising
many countries is sometimes aimed at on the radio or television, between or
children. While there are some who during programmes.
argue that advertisments contain
product information that is useful for
youngsters, I agree with those critics youngster: a young person or a child
who believe that advertising pressurises
children into wanting things which are to pressurise/pressurize: to persuade
neither necessary nor desirable. somebody to do something, especially
by making them feel that they have to
On the one hand, some companies do it
deny that they put pressure on children
to buy their goods, and argue that they
are simply informing children about the
range of choices open to them. When
firms promote their products, they bring
the attention of youngsters to new toys
or sweets. For example, a new
chocolate bar may be launched and to promote their products: to make
children will only learn about it if it is products popular by advertising them
advertised. Therefore, it is justified to
aim at children as a target audience to launch a product: to introduce a new
because they need to learn how to make product
consumer choices. If products were not a target audience: consumers whom
promoted to youngsters, they would
businesses aim at when selling their
enter adult life without acquiring this
useful skill. products
to enter adult life: the stage when
On the other hand, I concur with the adolescents are almost old enough to be
criticisms of those who consider that legally independent of their parents
parents should be wary of the marketing
to which they expose their children. to concur: to agree
Firstly, children are too young to be
able to make informed judgments. They
tend to be swayed by advertisements. It to be wary of something: not
is, for instance, easy to promote brand completely trusting or certain about
awareness among children, so that if a something
classmate has the latest Barbie doll or
Captain America toy, everyone in the to be swayed by advertisements: to be
class then wants to have the same thing. influenced to buy things as a result of
Secondly, youngsters should be
advertising
allowed to enjoy the simplicity of
chilhood play and adventure, free of the brand awareness: the action of
pressures to consume which seems to be bringing the name of a company to the
an inevitable consequence of modern attention of the public
life.
In conclusion, I agree with the view that

advertising puts too much pressure on an inevitable consequence: certain to
children, and develops no useful happen and unable to be avoided or
childhood qualities. prevented
291 words
4. (18/05/2019): Advertising is all around us; it is an unavoidable part of

everyone's life. Some people say that advertising is a positive part of our
lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that nobody can escape the commercial advertising:
power of advertising these days, advertising on the radio or television,
whether this is commercial or online between or during programmes.
advertising, or even telemarketing. online advertising: advertising a
While some argue that it is a positive product or service on the internet
part of our lives, I believe that this is telemarketing: a method of selling
rarely the case. things or taking orders for sales by
telephone
On the one hand, a few
advertisements provide useful
information about products or to book: to reserve something, such
services which are available on the as a hotel room or a ticket
market. For example, someone may the holiday of a lifetime: a special
be planning to book the holiday of a holiday that you are unlikely to
lifetime, but there is a bewildering repeat
range of possible destinations to bewildering: making you feel
choose from. Really informative confused because there are too many
advertising can help a customer to things to choose
make the right choice of holiday
resort to meet their needs and to suit a holiday resort: a place where lots
their pockets. In my own case, I of people go for a holiday
found some tourist brochures very to meet one’s needs: to have the
helpful when I was looking for a things that somebody requires in
quiet destination to get away from it order to live in a comfortable way or
all and relax. In some cases, achieve what they want
therefore, advertising is a positive to suit one’s pocket: to be
part of our lives. affordable for the money that you
have to spend
On the other hand, however, I
consider that advertising is largely brochure: a small magazine or book
unnecessary and intrusive. Firstly, containing pictures or information
it is intrusive, because we are about something or advertising
constantly surrounded by the images something
and sounds of advertisements, to get away from it all: to have a
disturbing our privacy. For holiday in a very quiet place where
instance, I regularly receive you can relax.
telesales marketing calls on my
phone when I am busy or trying to intrusive: too noticeable or direct, in
read a book. Secondly, some people a way that is disturbing or annoying
are easily swayed by advertisements privacy: the state of being alone and
to buy goods impulsively. not watched or disturbed by other
Techniques such as celebrity people
endorsement of products like telesales: a method of selling things
sportswear persuade people to buy by telephone
things that they do not need and
cannot afford. Finally, people must to be swayed by advertisements: to
be wary of advertising which makes be influenced to buy things as a
false or exaggerated claims, which result of advertising
will lead to disappointment if they to buy goods impulsively: to buy
buy the product. things suddenly without any
planning and without considering the
In conclusion, I believe that most effects they may have
advertising has a negative impact on celebrity endorsement: a form of
our lives, in terms of stress and the brand or advertising campaign that
creation of false dreams of involves a well known person using
fulfilment. their fame to help promote a product
or service
289 words to be wary of: not completely
trusting or certain about something
fulfilment: happiness and

satisfaction with having what you
want or need, or what you have done
5. (26/10/2019): Although more and more people read the news on the internet,
newspapers will remain an important sources of news for the majority of
people. Do you agree or disagree?
It is true that many people nowadays to gain access to the internet/to access
access the internet to find out about the the internet: to have the opportunity to
latest news. I believe that this trend use the internet
will increase dramatically in the future,
and I disagree that newspapers will
remain a significant news source for
many people.
I accept that newspapers will still be

popular in future among some
traditional readers, especially the
elderly, though not among the general
public. Some people will continue to
follow the habits of a lifetime, but
around the world newspaper sales show
falling circulation: the decline in the
a falling circulation. They are
becoming obsolete, and will eventually number of copies of a newspaper sold
be superseded by the internet when each day
people want to know the news. It is to become obsolete: to be no longer
not simply a question of price, as used because something new has been
printed newspapers become invented
increasingly expensive. It is also a to be superseded by: to be replaced by
question that newspapers can provide
something which is better
only relatively stale news when
compared with the internet. This is
particularly important when live stale news: information that is no
events, for example natural disasters, longer interesting or new, because it has
are being reported. already been reported
The electronic media have already the electronic media: broadcast media
taken over the role of news providers
which use electronic technology, such
for most people. Firstly, news
coverage on the internet is up to the as the internet, television, radio, DVDs
minute, because it can be updated etc
instantly. The internet is always first to
report any breaking news. Secondly,
news on the internet is often to take over: to become bigger or more
accompanied by dramatic video important than something else; to
footage of important events, such as replace something
the recent fires in the Amazon. news coverage: the reporting of news
Finally, in terms of price, accessing and sport in newspapers, tv, or radio.
the news on the internet is free,
whereas the cost of a newspaper
up to the minute: having the latest
constantly increases.
information
In conclusion, I predict that to update: to give somebody the most
newspapers will decline in importance recent information about something;to
and that most people will read the news add the most recent information to
on the internet in future. This trend is something
already evident and will continue.
breaking news: newly received
268 words information about an event that is
currently taking place
footage: part of a film showing a
particular event
M. TRANSPORTATION
1. (14/03/2019): In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of
business because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a
result, people without cars have limited access to out-of town stores, and this
may result in an increase in the use of cars.
It is true that in many countries,
people now routinely use their cars to
shop at large supermarkets or
superstores outside the town centre.
While this has a number of
advantages, I would argue that the
disadvantages of this trend outweigh
the benefits.
On the one hand, there are benefits
to be gained by shopping at out-of-
town stores. Firstly, in big cities
a congestion charge: an amount of
like London, motorists who shop in
city centre stores have to pay a money that people have to pay for
congestion charge to enter the central driving their cars into the centre of
urban zone. They may also be some cities, as a way of stopping the
unable to avoid rush hour traffic jams city centre from becoming too full of
when city centre traffic grinds to a traffic
halt. Secondly, if there is a lot of rush hour traffic jams: the time
shopping to carry, then a car is very
when most people are travelling to or
convenient and, for example, the
food items for all the family can be from work/school and so there is
loaded into the car. Of course, such too much traffic on the roads.
out-of-town megastores provide to grind to a halt: to go slower and
ample free parking and encourage then stop completely
car use, in contrast to the stores in the
centre of town. to load: to put a large quantity of
things into something
On the other hand, I believe that ample: enough or more than enough
there are important drawbacks which
outweigh any benefits. One
problem is that convenient shopping a feature of urban living: a typical
is a feature of urban living and
quality of city life
nothing is more depressing than a
row of boarded-up shops and derelict boarded-up shops: shops with their
buildings where the city centre stores windows and doors covered with
used to be. Without these shops, wood
inner city areas become areas of
crime and poverty. Another derelict buildings: buildings not
disadvantage is that poorer people used and in bad condition
do not have cars, and out-of-town
stores may be inadequately served by inner city areas: the parts near the
buses. Unless local authorities centre of a city, which often have
upgrade and expand public transport social problems
provision, the convenience of out-of-
town shopping is denied to the
to upgrade and expand public
poorest members of the community.
transport provision: to improve bus
and train services and to make these
In conclusion, despite the services more available
advantages of out-of-town
superstores, I consider that the
benefits are outweighed by the
drawbacks.
278 words.
2. (30/06/2019): Air travel is causing some problems for the environment,

therefore we should increase the price to discourage people. Others disagree
that this is the solution. Discuss both views and give your opinions.
It is true that the growth of air travel
is resulting in damage to the
environment. While price increases
might be one measure to tackle the
problem, I would argue that
developing cleaner fuels would be
fairer and more effective.
On the one hand, when the cost of

air travel is cheap more people can budget/economy airlines:
afford to fly. The growth in companies which offer cheap flights
popularity of budget airlines proves
that cheap prices encourage flying. to book: to reserve something, such
In the UK, for example, after the as a hotel room or a ticket
1960s there was a huge increase in a package holiday: a holiday that is
the number of people who booked organized by a company at a fixed
package holidays to holiday resorts price, including the cost of a hotel,
in Spain, to sunbathe and get away travel etc.
from it all. Cheap flights offered by a holiday resort: a place where lots
the economy airlines were part of of people go for a holiday
these package holidays. Therefore, it
is clear that there is a definite link to sunbathe: to sit or lie in the sun,
between the popularity of air travel in order to get brown/to get a suntan
and the cost of buying an airline
ticket, so raising prices would
definitely discourage some to get away from it all: to have a
travellers. holiday in a very quiet place where
you can relax.
On the other hand, I agree with
those who contend that other actions
would be preferable. Firstly,
raising prices would affect only to contend: to say that something is
those people on limited incomes true, especially in an argument
who could no longer afford air preferable: more attractive or more
travel. This would unfairly penalize suitable; to be preferred to something
them, as the rich would continue to people on limited incomes: people
fly as frequently as before. who do not have much money
Secondly, in terms of alternative
measures, investment in advances in to penalize: to put somebody at a
technology to produce cleaner disadvantage by treating them
aviation fuel should be a unfairly
government priority. This would cut
down on the carbon emissions of advances in technology: the
aircraft and make a significant improvement or development in
contribution to reducing our reliance technology
on fossil fuels. to be a government priority:
something which is so important that
In conclusion, although raising the the government should deal with it
cost of air travel would be an first.
effective policy to adopt to
discourage people from flying, this to cut down on emissions: to reduce
would be unfair, and it would be the amount of gases sent out into the
better environmentally to air
concentrate on developing cleaner to reduce the dependence/reliance
non-polluting fuels for aircraft. on fossil fuels: to decrease people’s
consumption of fossil fuels, like oil,
284 words coal or gas.

particular policies
N. ENERGY
1. (28/09/2019): Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are the main
energy source for many countries. However, some nations are using
alternative energy such as solar power, or wind power. To what extent do
you think this is a positive or negative development?
It is true that some countries have been to reduce the dependence/reliance on
unable to reduce their dependence of fossil fuels: to decrease people’s
fossil fuels to meet their energy needs. consumption of fossil fuels, like oil,
In contrast, other nations have been
coal or gas
investing heavily in alternative energy
sources and I personally consider that
this is a very positive development. alternative energy sources: refers to
any energy source that is an alternative
Reliance on fuels such as coal, oil and to fossil fuel
natural gas has negative consequences
for both human health and the
environment. Firstly, the extraction
and use of fossil fuels carries grave to carry health risks: to have effects
health risks. The burning of these fuels
which could be bad for one’s health
in power stations, or in cars or other
forms of transport pollutes the
atmosphere, and endangers health. It
results, for example, in poor air quality
in major cities across the world, such
as Los Angeles, Shanghai or Sao the greenhouse effect: the natural
Paulo. Admissions to hospitals rise process by which the sun warms the
sharply when air quality becomes surface of the Earth.
critical. Secondly, the burning of carbon footprint: a measure of the
fossil fuels adds to the greenhouse amount of carbon dioxide that is
effect at a time when international
produced by the daily activities of a
efforts to reduce our carbon footprint
must succeed in the effort to fight company or person
climate change. to fight climate change: try to prevent
changes in climate patterns, such as
I believe that investment in renewable rainfall, temperature and winds.
energy is essential to avoid an
ecological crisis. Building wind farms renewable energy: energy is renewable
and using solar panels to heat homes, when it source, like the sun or wind,
factories and offices would neither cannot be exhausted or can easily be
pollute the air that we breathe nor replaced (like wood, as we can plant
deplete natural resources. In terms of trees for energy)
human health, the incidence of life-
threatening conditions like respiratory
an ecological crisis: a serious situation
disorders, would be reduced. From an
environmental perspective, this that occurs when the environment of a
would be an environmentally-friendly species or a population changes in a way
energy strategy. It would minimize that destabilizes its continued survival
habitat destruction and tackle the
pollution that stems from the activities wind farms: an area of land on which
of the fossil fuel extractive industries. there are a lot of windmills or wind
In conclusion, I would argue strongly
that reducing reliance on fossil fuels
to deplete natural resources: to reduce
and investing in renewable forms of
energy will bring enormous positive the amount of natural resources.
gains for both human health and our life-threatening conditions: illnesses
environment. which are likely to kill somebody
incidence: the extent to which
278 words something happens or has an effect

environment
habitat destruction: the process that
occurs when a natural habitat, like a
dramatically by humans that plants and
animals which live there.
to stem from: to be caused by
extractive: relating to the process of

removing or obtaining something,
especially minerals
O. WORK
1. (10/02/2019): In most successful organisations, some people believe that
communication between managers and workers is important, while other
people said that other factors are more significant. What is your opinion?
It is true that many people argue that,

in any efficient organisation, it is
vital that there is good
communication between managers
and workers. In my opinion, while
this is one aspect to consider, I
consider that other factors are more
important.
On the one hand, in order to

conduct a business or organisation
effectively, communication among to conduct a business: to operate a
all the workforce is necessary. A business in a particular way
breakdown in communications may
a breakdown in communications: a
be one reason why a production
misunderstanding which results from
process in a factory comes to a stop.
people failing to discuss and resolve
The management may not be aware,
something
for example, of problems with a
raw material: a basic material that
machine or the raw material, if they
do not regularly consult the workers. is used to make a product
In a store, the manager must train the
staff to offer good customer service,
so that the employees understand
how to provide this. In an
organisation such as a hospital, the
managers have to see the big picture,
to see the big picture: to understand
and talk constantly to doctors, nurses
all the important aspects of a
and support staff to ensure that
situation
everyone knows their tasks and has
everything they need to carry them
out.
On the other hand, I would argue job satisfaction: the good feeling
that job satisfaction is the most that you get when you have a job that
important factor in creating a you enjoy
successful working environment. working environment: the
No organisation can prosper if the conditions that you work in
workers are dissatisfied. An to prosper: to develop in a
authoritarian style of management
successful way, to be successful
which dictates to the workforce is no
basis for reaching a consensus. authoritarian: believing that people
When workers enjoy a decent salary, should obey authority and rules, even
with sick leave, holiday entitlement
and a retirement package, then the when these are unfair, and even if it
organisation will benefit enormously means that they lose their personal
from the loyalty of their staff.
Supportive work colleagues freedom
cooperate to ensure that things run to dictate: to tell somebody what to
smoothly, and therefore I believe
do, especially in an annoying way
that worker cooperatives without
management are the future. to reach a consensus: to come to an
agreement
sick leave: permission to stay away
In conclusion, in a traditional
management structure, from work because of illness or
communication with the workers is injury
important. However, when the
workforce organises itself, this holiday entitlement: the number of
results in an effective organisation days off work that you are allowed as
with satisfied workers.
holidays
293 words
retirement package: the money or
other benefits that you receive from
a company or organization when you
stop working there because of your
age
supportive work colleagues: people
that you work with who give you
help and encouragement
workers cooperative: owned and

run by the workers involved, with the
profits shared by them
2. (02/03/2019): The world of work is changing rapidly and people cannot

depend on the same job or the same conditions of work for life. Discuss the
possible causes for these changes and give your suggestions on how people
should prepare for work in the future.
It is true that in the modern workplace,
employees can no longer rely on keeping
the same job, or even the same working
conditions, for life. While there are
some important reasons for this, there
are also ways in which people might
prepare for work in the future.
The most important cause for such

changes is the introduction of new to have a steady job: to have a job
technology. In terms of manufacturing, which you are unlikely to lose, but
few workers can expect to have a steady
which is usually the same routine
job. This is an inevitable consequence of
mechanisation and, while this increases an inevitable consequence: certain to
labour productivity, it also reduces the happen and unable to be avoided or
need for workers. In product design, for prevented
instance, advances in technology, using mechanisation/mechanization:
computer software packages, have changes made to a process, so that the
resulted in the loss of conventional skills work is done by machines, not people
of creative drawing. In service
industries, online shopping and self- labour productivity: the rate at
service supermarket checkouts result in which a worker, a company or a
fewer staff. Order pickers, working country produces goods, and the
alongside robots, in vast warehouses like
amount produced, compared with how
Amazon mean fewer assistants in stores
to provide personal service to customers. much time, work and money is needed
to produce them
However, people must prepare for the advances in technology: the
future world of work. One suggestion is improvement or development in
that workers should be prepared to technology
welcome change by accepting the need service industries: the part of a
for flexible working hours, or even country’s economy that provides
moving to another area or country to find services to customers
employment. Another suggestion is
that employers ought to play their part by
providing vocational courses and
training at work, so that their employees online shopping: shopping while
can learn new skills. For example, a connected to the internet
person serving customers in a store
would also be able to tackle supermarket checkouts: the place
where you go to pay for the things that
administrative work requiring them to be
computer literate. you have bought
order pickers: people used to pick
In conclusion, although leading-edge goods from storage and package or
technology has changed how people deliver them for customers
work, employers and employees must
find ways to adapt to such changes. conventional skills: traditional and
common skills
261 words to welcome change: to accept change
with enthusiasm
flexible working hours: hours of
work that can be changed by
agreement between the employer and
the employee
vocational courses: courses which

provide students with the skills and
knowledge that they need to do a
particular job
to tackle: to make a determined effort
to deal with a difficult problem or
situation
to be computer literate: able to use

computers well
leading-edge technology: the most

advanced position in technology

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GIẢI ĐỀ IELTS WRITING QUÝ 4_2019 THEO CHỦ ĐỀ BY NGOCBACH

A. THE ART ....................................................................................................... 6

It is very expensive to maintain a to provide funding for: to give money

In conclusion, although these cultural

the digital revolution: the

B. BUSINESS AND MONEY

On the other hand, money and a close-knit family: a family having

However, effective policies must be to pay in arrears: refers to making a

In conclusion, in order to tackle the to curb public spending on: to

C. COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY

There are, however, policies which minority groups: small groups

to cope with: to deal successfully with

paperwork: the written work that is

to discriminate: to treat one person or

It is true that in some countries there is

There will be serious effects on society

global warming: the process by which

to search for a cure: the process of

life-threatening conditions: illnesses

to underestimate: to not realize how

It is true that some companies complain

It is true that some people believe that

In conclusion, I fully agree with those

5. (12/09/2019): Entertainment such as electronic games on portal devices is

It is true that many children and social networking sites: a website on

Firstly, young people in particular

D. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

an outcry against: a reaction of anger

to segregate somebody: to separate

to allocate resources to: to make

convict: a person who is guilty of a

negative influences on individual

Firstly, it is a mistake to tailor teaching

Secondly, while children need to

In conclusion, I totally disagree with an

279 words to drop out of college: to leave college

priority: something that you think is

2. (15/03/2019): Nowadays, many animal species are becoming extinct. Some

to bring about: to make something

In terms of the environment, the

In conclusion, although consumers shareholder: an owner of shares in a

On the one hand, there is an outcry in an outcry (at/over/against

On the other hand, others argue that

287 words on the brink of extinction: an animal

captive breeding: the reproduction of

a success story: a person or thing that is

Politicians must play a prominent role to introduce restrictions on: to limit

On the other hand, individuals can

In conclusion, although politicians a vegetarian diet: a diet with no fish or

to exert pressure on: to use power to

to campaign for something: to take

to adopt policies: to start to use

prominent: important or well-known

6. (07/09/2019): Increases in the production of consumer goods results in

to cut down on emissions: to reduce the

to provide public subsidies for: to give

to exert pressure on: to use power to

spill: an act of letting a liquid come, or

environmentally friendly: behavior or

7.(14/10/2019): Human activity has had a negative impact on plants and

to reduce the dependence/reliance on

the green movement: all the

G. FAMILY AND CHILDREN

a family gathering: a meeting of family