IELTS TRAINING

WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET

Grand Topic 1
EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS/ECONOMY
● occupational competency
● economic downturn
● labor value
● increase competitive advantages in a labor
market
● operate with a profit-driven strategy
● sufficient capital to cover the
labor/maintenance costs
● climb the promotion ladder
● senior working professionals
● sense of satisfaction
● stay competitive in the market
● formidable candidates
● staff morale
● balancing work and family demands
● giving products an exaggerated account
● possess rich experience
● financial deficit
● professional manner
● stiff/fierce competition
● work around the clock: làm việc cật lực
● workaholics
● unethical/questionable means
● maximize business profits
● discontent/dissatisfied
● in good financial health
● a steady source of income
● job security
● employability
● dynamic/versatile/agile
● corporate culture

GRAND TOPIC: WORK

Type: Agree/Disagree
Some say that because many people are living much longer, the age at which
people retire from work should be raised considerably.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Thanks to technological advances and enhanced living standards of today’s world, the
lifespan of mankind is getting longer compared to the past. This raises the question of
whether the retirement age should be postponed for the sake of individuals’ benefits as well
as society as a whole. I will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs.

To start with, let us take a look at the positive impacts of prolonged working age on economic
growth. It goes without saying that an extended labor age means greater productivity in terms
of generating profits for dominant industries such as Business, Technology, and Education
where the demand for the workforce is extensive. Moreover, those experienced workers can
majorly contribute to the overall progress by orienting junior staff as senior leaders in their
expertise domain, thereby leading to a smoother transition between generations. In fact, it can
be widely recognized that CEOs of reputable corporations are often those who have decades
of experience in their profession, namely Frederick Smith of FedEx who is currently 73 years
of age.

Another point worth noting is the influence of retirement on human wellbeing since the rate
of aging physically and intrinsically seems to decelerate over time. Research shows that job
withdrawal due to old age is the culprit of a 5 to 16 percent rise in impedance with mobility, a
6 percent increase in ailments, and 9 percent of mental illnesses during the first 6 years of
post-retirement. Not only affecting the physical state of retirees, putting elders off of work
can potentially be detrimental to the self-esteem of these individuals as they will gradually
become more dependent on the youths and no longer cultivate a sense of identity and
purpose.

All in all, I stand firmly with the point that the retirement age should be extended as humans
are becoming more capable of living a longer life to boost national progress. Otherwise, not
only there will be less opportunity for the economy to experience a great leap but the welfare
of senior citizens will also plummet.

GRAND TOPIC: BUSINESS

Type: Opinion

Some people say that individuals who make a lot of money are most successful. Others
think that those who contribute to society like scientists and teachers are most successful.

Nowadays, with the massive development of the economy and further division between social
classes, many people no longer regard individuals whose purpose is to improve the lives of
others as successful but rather believe that those who have enormous amounts of wealth do.
In my opinion, it is understandable that this perspective is supported by many, however, this
is an extremely poor view to think of success as a whole. This essay will discuss both
viewpoints regarding the two contrasting beliefs in the following paragraphs before giving a
reasoned opinion.

First off, some may say that believing in success only being attainable through wealth will
motivate many to exert themselves to the utmost to serve their purpose as mostly everyone
strives to succeed in climbing the career ladder. It goes without saying that extremely talented
people who get wide recognition and respect from the public in certain expertise have many
valuable traits that are an indispensable factor for their flourishing career. By following their
admired forerunners’ paths to achieve life purposes, individuals will be more likely to
cultivate a sense of occupational satisfaction and live a fulfilled life. Successful business
people such as CEOs will serve as role models for those who want to get rewarded through
monetary means. This stimulation is beneficial in enhancing work productivity as well as the
economy in a broader scope.
Public servants, on the other hand, put all of their heart and soul into helping the people
around them but are mistreated in many ways. Teachers in the US make next to no money
from their job yet they are responsible for shaping the future of their country. Furthermore, in
the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists worked day and night just to create a vaccine for the
disease but the people who will make the most of the profit will be the company that funded
the project. These people are truly successful as they sacrifice their lives for the betterment of
others’ lives. Take Jonas Salk as an example, he refused to register a patent for a vaccine
against polio as he wanted it to be accessible to every citizen. According to Forbes magazine,
this refusal prevented Jonas Salk from gaining $ 7 billion for his outstanding invention.

All in all, albeit billionaires and millionaires are the role models for many whose aim is to be
wealthy in life, there should be more recognition in the exponential contribution of others
who work in professions that aid the betterment of society. Therefore, I believe that scientists
and teachers are the ones who should get the well-earned spotlight that recompenses for their
sacrifice and be a shining example for the youths to follow
 Grand Topic 2
EDUCATION
● pass exams with flying colors
● outstanding academic records
● lay a solid academic foundation
● vocational skills/ apprenticeship
● tailored teaching method
● basic cognition formed from
● domains/disciplines/fields/subject
s/sector
● a lifetime ongoing process
● broaden their scope of general
knowledge
● enlighten/cast light on
● comprehension of academic
knowledge
● provision of well-qualified teachers
● cultivation and maximization of
personal capacities
● exert to the utmost
● grasp the lessons efficiently
● sufficient educational resources
● harness/strengthen bonding amongst peers
● friendships and comradery are forged
● develop a sense of indiscipline
● access to rich knowledge and manifold techniques
● zeroing on = focusing on
● correct guidance and consultation
● acquisition of knowledge
● top-tier/prestigious/top-notch
● wealth of knowledge
● accomplish comprehensive development
● examination-oriented assessment system
● aesthetic appreciation/athletic ability/moral integrity
● accumulate/cultivate
● plunged into the sea of knowledge
● admission process
● pursue university studies
● deliver optimum performance

GRAND TOPIC: EDUCATION

Type: Causes & Effects

It is observed that 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 claimed that people nowadays prefer not to attend science-based subjects which leads to
the shortage of students studying scientific majors. This essay will give justifications for this
issue and also the unfavourable impacts on the community.

First of all, let us take a look at the reasons behind the shortage of pupils studying science. It
is widely believed that these subjects namely Physics, Chemistry and Biology are
exceedingly demanding in terms of intellectual theories and holistic understandings about a
particular field. Therefore, those who pursue science-related subjects need to acquire both
theoretical and practical knowledge at a high academic level to apply formulas into real-life
experiments. What’s more, there is an allegation that graduates who specialize in science
majors find it difficult to attain a stable and high position profession to climb their career
ladder since there needs to be at least a master's degree to get a contented salary. As a
consequence, it is feasible that students will be likely to study easier majors and still be able
to ensure their occupational stability since the drawbacks of studying science seem to
outweigh the benefits. In fact, this phenomenon can be clearly shown in many high school
institutions in Vietnam including Vinschool where only one-thirds of the students choose to
study these subjects in their curriculum as they are able to customize their own study
schedules.

As a result of insufficient students who have interests in this field, there are a number of
detrimental effects that can be triggered by this situation. It goes without saying that a
noticable imbalance in the ratio of scholars pursuing science compared to other majors can
indisputably lead to the deficiency of scientific breakthroughs. The shortage of personnel who
have dedication in this area is the core reason for the lack of achievements in important fields
such as Technology and Medicine. Needless to say, the consequences of neglecting scientific
advancement might potentially be an impediment to universal development as a whole since
urgent global problems regarding famine or pandemic cannot be solved.

In conclusion, people should be more aware of the adverse effects due to human’s scarcity in
scientific fields as it can severely impact the wellbeing of the society.

GRAND TOPIC: EDUCATION

Type: Opinion
Some people think that getting a degree from a university is the best way to
guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be better to go straight into
work and get experience instead.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

In this day and age, the workforce has made it harder for individuals to find their future
path after graduating high school.Some people consider that a university diploma is vital to
getting a secure career, while others argue that getting work experience is more important.
This essay will discuss both viewpoints about this issue before giving a reasoned opinion.

On the one hand, having a job without a college degree is advantageous to some extent.
It is feasible that those who are able to earn an income at a young age are more mature than
their peers since they are financially independent and do not have to rely on their guardians.
These individuals will have more time to focus on their career and develop the skills needed
to deal with real life situations. Therefore, it is likely that they will get promoted sequentially
due to their experience and agility.

On the other hand, obtaining a university qualification is also said to be beneficial in

various ways. In today’s society, employers are becoming more selective towards their
chosen personnel so they are asking applicants to meet extremely high requirements. As a
result, getting a diploma is usually the key not only to get a position in repubtable enterprises
but also helps graduates acquire vital and specialized skills that prepare them for future
professions. In Washington, the disparity rate of income between college graduates and non-
graduated is 167% difference in earnings, which undeniably emphasizes the importance of
having a degree in higher education.

In conclusion, both getting a job right after high school or going to university has its
own benefits and I think one should evaluate their own ability to make the most rational
decision.
 Grand Topic 3
ENVIRONMENT
● triggering the amelioration/exacerbation of air quality
● discarding goods after a short life cycle
● domestic waste is inevitably generated daily
● household garbage classification is effectively implemented
● non-biodegradable rubbish
● fast-depleting reserve of fossil fuels
● draining the earth at an astonishing speed
● minimize the ecological footprint
● value the ideology of environmental protection
● on the verge/brink of extinction
● discharge of pollutants and gas emissions
● close contact with nature
● mutual reliance in the food chain
● imbalanced ecology
● loss of habitat
● environmental contamination
● large-scale suffocation for marine life (oil spill)/ claim the lives of many
● avoidance of disposable and high-carbon products
● reliance on vehicles and machinery
● do great harm to surroundings
● disrupt natural ecosystems
● a scarce commodity
● impose heavy fines on
● indifferent to protecting the environment
● the earth-based resource being drained
● depletion of natural resources
● biological diversity
● safeguard animals = protect
● endeavors in rescuing endangered animals
● Pressing existential threats
● Protect Earth’s fragile ecosystems from further degradation
● deter and prevent those deliberately cause harm to the surroundings:
● harsh penalties against litterbugs

Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and
poverty, while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment so
it must be stopped. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Economic growth ends hunger and poverty:

- Elevates the living standards of laborers (raise salaries)
- budget will be allocated to untackle the chronic problems of poverty and starvation
Economic growth is damaging the environment:
- pollution, habitat destruction. (emissions of greenhouse gases + unfiltered waste being
discharge into ecosystems)
In this day and age, there have been many controversies around the merits and demerits
regarding economic growth. While some agree that it is the ultimate remedy to demolish
famine and poverty, others argue that this development is detrimental to the ecosystem and
should not be hailed. I will discuss both sides of this argument and give a reasoned opinion in
the following paragraphs.

First off, the booming of one country’s economic status is irrefutably an indispensable factor
in enhancing the livelihood of civilians. Not only does it help with reducing the
unemployment rate which substantially lifts the burden of poverty but it also elevates the
living standards of laborers. Flourishing industries tend to raise salaries for employees,
thereby benefiting all members of disparate classes, including the impoverished. A survey
conducted by World Bank shows that a 10 percent increase in economic upsurge will result in
a 26% decrease in the percentage of people living in poor conditions. Moreover, as a nation is
taking a sharp upturn to prosperity, more budget will be allocated to untackle the chronic
problems of poverty and starvation. An example can be found in India’s National Food
Security Act which helps 800 million people access subsidized food, making substantial
progress in addressing the problem of famine and impoverishment.

On the other hand, however, this improvement in finance is alleged by many due to its
adverse impact on the environment. Economic development can be ascribed to the high level
of pollution, habitats’ destruction, and global warming as dominant industries are impulsively
exploiting natural resources to generate profits. Moreover, many major companies are also
held accountable for the emissions of greenhouse gases during the process along with
unfiltered waste being discharged into the ecosystems, affecting humanity in drastic ways. In
fact, research has shown that during the period of economic acceleration from 1960 to 2014,
CO2 emissions rose by 66% which causes serious health problems and volatile weather
patterns.

In conclusion, even though a country’s financial rise is incentivized for the mitigation of
poverty and food shortage, there should be an emphasis on the damages of this development
to the ecosystem. I believe that we can still achieve sustainable economic advancement as
long as large-scale initiatives prioritizing technology that serve the purpose of conserving
natural resources and the promotion of green lifestyles can be implemented.
 Grand Topic 4
GOVERNMENT / LAWS
● entitled to financial support
● provide/allocate subsidies/financial allowance/funding
● timely precautions
● tempted into illegal activities
● enact/launch/establish/implement/impose/formulate
● custodial sentences
● violate legal system
● imprudent actions
● receptive to new notions and innovations
● rigid and conservative
● delinquency/teenage violators/youth crime/perpetrators/evildoers/underage
● trivial/petty/minor crime
● exert a deterrent/incentive effect
● be led astray/arouse violent impulse
● jeopardize the safety of the community
● baneful family background
● strictly penalize
● official complaints/ legal matters
● rigid/rigorous/stiff penalties
● vocational training/ rehabilitation
● unshakeable obligation of

GRAND TOPIC: GOVERNMENT/LAWS

Type: Agree / Disagree

Under British and Australian laws, a jury in a criminal case has no access to
information about the defendant’s past criminal record. This protects the person who is
being accused of the crime.
Some lawyers have suggested that this practice should be changed and that a jury
should be given all the past facts before they reach their decision about the case.
Do you agree or disagree?

Agree:
- A more accurate punishment when the past criminal record is considered.
+ severity depends on if the defendant has committed any crimes.

The juridical systems of Britain and Australia have established regulations limited access to
past information of the law-breaker for the sake of defendant’s right to be investigated objectively.
This policy has caused controversies amongst lawyers who propose an amendment to this practice
and claim that the jury should have access to the criminals’ past records. I wholeheartedly agree with
this statement and justifications will be given in the following paragraphs.
 First of all, advocates of the presence of criminal profiles have no doubt that this provides
insights factors including cultural background, educational status, and social class. With this
extensive information, the jury can have a deeper understanding of the intention for one’s misdeed,
whether it stems from poverty, peer pressure, or other factors. Through this holistic consideration,
civil officers can evaluate the severity of a specific law-breaking action, thereby imposing a sound
prison sentence on those who are involved in crime, especially in the case of habitual criminals.

Moreover, a retrospective viewpoint is also beneficial in many circumstances. Innocent citizens who
are accused wrongly or trivial offenders that have a clean criminal background can potentially be
reassessed to reduce the level of imprisonment. Taking Jean Valjean in a French novel named Les
Miserable as a prime example, he was incarcerated irrationally for 19 years for stealing a loaf of
bread due to hunger. This reflected the fault of the 19th century when back in the day, there was no
mercy on those blameless civilians because the jury did not have comprehensive information about
the guilty

In conclusion, although some believe that judge should avoid preconceived notions based on past
records in order to come up with the most unprejudiced decision, I still stand firmly with the view
that it is more thorough to know about the background of wrongdoers for the most judicious
outcome.

(314 words)

People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are
out. What are the causes and solutions?
1.Causes:
- Traffic
- Pollution
- Increase of the crime rates
- food poisoning
- natural disasters
2.Solutions:
- be encouraged to use public transport instead of private vehicles → reduce traffic
congestion, pollution.
- develop technology → predict occurrence of earthquakes.
- the government should have stricter market access requirements to secure the entry of
products in the markets.
 Grand Topic 5
TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT
● an enormous volume of traffic
● bottlenecks and traffic tailbacks = congested streets
● unbridled use of cars
● expansion of road networks
● rule out safety problems

TRANSPORT Topic: Cyclists and car drivers today share the same road causing some
problems. What are the problems? What can be done to reduce these problems?

These days, it is observed that bicycles and cars are sharing the same lane which result
in a number of issues regarding traffic safety. This essay below will analyze some major
problems of this situation and measures to tackle this dilemma will be presented.

To commence with, there are indisputable consequences that come from undivided
roads for these two means of transportation. The most troublesome issue is the increasing
number of accidents that occur when car drivers cannot have a holistic view of the
surroundings, particularly the blind spots. When small vehicles get into these unobservable
areas of four-wheel controllers, they are susceptible to causing unwanted incidents which can
be life-threatening. Another point worth noting is the high possibility of heavy congestion
during peak hours due to the difference in the speed of two vehicles. A good example of this
situation takes place during the lockdown where large crowds of inhabitants rent bikes to
cycle along the cramped West Lake streets as a trending recreational activity. This has caused
long hours of traffic jams amid the sunset times since the roads are also for motorcyclists and
car drivers.

In order to mitigate this issue, there are a number of measures that could be taken into
account. It is believed that the most effective solution is to have a proper road distribution to
distinguish those two transportations so that different commuters can conveniently travel at
their own appropriate pace without affecting others. Moreover, governments should also
regulate policies to restrict the speed limit of drivers, especially car owners, to curtail the
chances of traffic collisions due to reckless driving. This can distinctly ease the seriousness of
road blockages in rush hours of urban areas where there is a high demand for transiting.

To elucidate, there can be an emergence of issues regarding traffic safety when

cyclists and car drivers commute in the same road. Therefore, it is fundamental for the
authorities to regulate laws to work on solving this problem.
 Grand Topic 6
SOCIETY / LIVING
SOCIETY/LIVING
● quickly-spreading and worrisome phenomenon
● leading a busy urban life
● live a sedentary lifestyle
● city dweller/urbanists/people dwelling in cities/ urban inhabitants/urbanites
● galvanizing/incentivizing people into
● over-urbanization
● buying power for necessities
● developed into an inseparable element in modern civilization
● entitled social welfare
● abide by civil obligations
● highly populated/high-density residential area/densely populated
● economically underprivileged
● living with a greater degree of comfort and convenience
● loosened family bond
● anti-social members
● over-materialism
● global integration
● embroiled in starvation
● betterments of living standard
● resurrect/arouse the interest of
● lend a helping hand
● harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship
● resentment/grudge/conflict/dispute/hatred/tension/despise
● people’s frame of mind
● voice one’s opinion towards some issues
● cosmopolitan society
● assimilated into the mainstream of the local social life
● prosperous living conditions
● hereditary characteristics
● child prodigy/prodigious talents
● social cohesion
● breadwinners for the family
● enlarge social circle
● civic engagement
● account for a marginal proportion of the population
● a rise in tax revenue
● pushing marriage to the verge of divorce
● family sentiments
● blur the border/boundary between

GRAND TOPIC: LIVING

Type: Opinion

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory
job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such
situations.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Many people opine that the most optimal solution when facing an unwanted situation is to
accept the circumstance while others claim that they should seek improvements and strive for
better results. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and give a reasoned opinion for this
argument.

To begin with, there are a number of reasons that support the view of those who are not risk-
takers. Proponents of this approach believe that by altering the fixed results, the consequences
can be more damaging compared to accepting an undesirable scenario. Moreover, they claim
that it takes a massive amount of effort and time to invest in enhancing the situation, not to
mention the greater possibility of monetary loss. Therefore, by having satisfaction with the
given situation, people can have more sense of financial security especially when it comes to
a workplace setting. An ideal example for this perspective can be proven during the period of
the COVID-19 pandemic where thousands of people are losing their jobs. In this case, it is
optimum to be content with their low-wage occupation rather than trying to climb up the
career ladder by transferring positions in the course of an economic downturn.

On the other hand, however, the advocates for betterments in different aspects of life believe
that this mindset can bring extensive benefits. There are many entrepreneurs, managers, or
even scientists, artists… who are ready to engage in any challenging motivation by taking
risks as a response to vulnerability. Those who dare to take risks and They will work hard
with the object of improving their current situation are likely to be paid off with booming
success, typically a job promotion or a wide recognition and respect from a certain
community. In addition, it is the major contribution of people with a never-give-up mentality
that helps augment the living conditions of society with scientific breakthroughs and
technological advancement. They are people who are not discouraged by criticisms and will
continue to endure hardships until they reach their goals or favorable results.

By and large, although avoiding unsure situations can be a wise move to a certain extent, I
still stand with the view that people should try to better themselves through improving
unwanted situations. This approach not only assists them in materialistic problems but also in
mentality prospects since these individuals can be able to fulfill their wishes and live
purposefully.
 Grand Topic 7
TOURISM/ TRAVEL
TOURISM/TRAVEL
● historical/cultural heritages
● war relics
● local customs, religious beliefs
● sense of patriotism and belonging
● places of historical significance
● original landscapes
● abundance of wildlife
● foreign/overseas/cross-border
● cross-cultural bridge to boost the country’s international image
● facilitator of cross-cultural communication
● indigenous customs
● integrity and preservation of historical buildings
● nation’s cultural legacy and spiritual values
● cultivate a sense of patriotism and national solidarity/ strengthen national identity
● French colonialism and American imperialism
● forefathers bravely fought against their enemies
● deprive of a sense of root and belonging/ ignorant of historical values
● shrinking cultural diversity
● bring pride to
● geographical barrier
● cultural discrepancy
● intercultural exchange
● cheap airfare
● host country
● establish a rapport with local people
● preserve and bequeath
● tangible remnants from the past
● legacy bestowed by our ancestors
● aesthetic and artistic value

GRAND TOPIC: TRAVEL

Type: Advantages / Disadvantages

It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural

environments, such as the South pole. Do the advantages of this development
outweigh the disadvantages?

Thanks to the advancement of technology and scientific breakthroughs, these recent decades
have been witnessing a surge in the number of visitors to exotic locations for research and
recreational purposes. Personally, I believe that the merits of this phenomenon outweigh its
demerits, however, both sides of this issue will be thoroughly discussed in the following
paragraphs.

To commence with, advocates of this happening claim that there are multifarious benefits that
can be derived from this trend. First of all, the increasing rate of visits to isolated natural
environments, whether it is for occupational means or personal interests, still offers many
potential opportunities for the exploration of a particular unfamiliar site. Scientists can collect
samples for ecological research through firsthand observation to reduce the chances of
misleading information, thereby contributing to the development of many striving industries
such as Medicine and Biotechnology. Moreover, travelers to isolated areas such as the
rainforests or the South pole can take this experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
discover the world and broaden their horizons in a fascinating setting that does not occur in
their daily lives.

On the other hand, this tendency is also alleged to be posing possible threats to mankind,
particularly to our surrounding environment. The upswing trend of exploring intact locations
can take a heavy toll on the deterioration of the sites, as people can unwittingly disrupt the
biodiversity of animals or irresponsibly harm the ecology by leaving behind non-
biodegradable rubbish. Furthermore, impulsive exploitation of resources can appear to be
feasible as the entertainment industry may find alluring chances of generating profit from
tourists in these places as the demand for exotic experiences is growing. Taking Con dao in
Vietnam as a prime example, this forest was once a place with diverse flora and fauna but
since the introduction of tourism, the wildlife has dramatically reduced at an alarming rate,
plunging from more than 2000 species to below 300 within the timescale of 20 years.

To elucidate, it is irrefutable that the rising popularity of visits to remote natural locations has
significantly contributed to the discovery of various scientific purposes that serve the
betterment of society. However, I believe that more emphasis should be taken to raise
awareness of the potential harms posed by human interactions on the natural habitats, thereby
establishing a consensus on preservation for these areas for the most comprehensive and
sustainable development to protect the Earth’s fragile ecosystem from further degradation
 Grand Topic 8
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
● equip advanced facilities
● high-tech apparatuses
● continuous technological breakthroughs
● mass production and automatic assembly lines
● cutting-edge/state-of-the-art functions
● malfunction
● enjoy the fruits of technology
● undermining interpersonal relationships offline
● the era of a technological boom
● distances are no longer a barrier
● overdependence
● slaves of machines
● abuse of technology
● trap our lives into disorder

GRAND TOPIC: TECHNOLOGY

Type: Two-part question

Psychologists have known for many years that colour can affect how people
feel. For this reason, attention should be given to colour schemes when
decorating places such as offices and hospitals.
How true is this statement?
How far does colour influence people’s health and capacity for work?

It is commonly agreed that decorations in functional buildings should be influenced by

suitable color choices as many believe that a person's emotions are inextricably linked with
the color they observe. Personally, I am in agreement with this statement, and illustrations for
the impacts of color on people's wellbeing and productivity will be discussed in the following
paragraphs.

First off, colors can exert diverse effects on an individual's mood. The basic psychological
rules of shades have been applied in many industries for profit generation. To illustrate, many
well-known fast-food chains and restaurants such as KFC, Lotteria, and Dookki chose red as
a dominant color in their logo as well as in their interior design since this bright tone is
known to boost appetite, therefore attracting passerby to purchase meals. Also, light hues are
believed to stimulate happiness as people tend to be more cheerful when exposed to colorful
settings, whereas darker shades often bring a sense of misery and despair. This implication of
dark colors has justified the fact that on Halloween, houses and buildings are ornamented
with black decorations to create a gloomy and horror sensation.
More importantly, color schemes can be most effectively utilized for business and healthcare
purposes to produce the optimal output. Hospitals are often attached with the color white as it
symbolizes hygiene - which is the most prioritized factor in a non-bacterial environment to
reduce the incidence of infection. Also, a light-colored palette is claimed to have a healing
effect on patients as these neutral hues help ease the mind and put them in a tranquil state. As
in the business setting, monotony seems to be a widely used scheme for the furniture and
interior paint of an office where the managers dignify discipline as they believe it is
wondrous in helping employees to concentrate on their tasks. However, bright colors such as
orange, yellow or red are rising to popularity amongst entrepreneurial enterprises since they
are associated with creativity - an important attribute in a dynamic workplace.

All in all, it is irrefutable that colors play an indispensable role in altering a person's spiritual
state. Therefore, it is vital for individuals to master the implications of color in order to
maximize productivity and yield the best result out of these psychological insights.

GRAND TOPIC: TECHNOLOGY

Type: Discussion
Discuss the part played by science in the promotion of public health during
the last hundred years

It is irrefutable that scientific disciplines have contributed to the rapid development of

civilization in the present century. Building on the foundations laid by their predecessors, the
scientists of today are carrying their investigation into ever-widening fields of knowledge and
the well-being of individuals is being enhanced. This essay will discuss the importance of
science in improving the living standard of human beings.

It goes without saying that the soaring success of pharmaceutical innovations being invented
in this domain has brought significant merits to the welfare of mankind. The unceasing efforts
of scientists who work day and night in the laboratories for experimentation are rewarded
with remarkable discoveries that help combat global concerns such as deadly illnesses or
epidemics. Take malaria - a worldwide fatal disease as an example, the introduction of
vaccines to treat this ailment has already saved 378,000 lives and prevented 673,000 new
infections since 2010, and new child-friendly malaria drugs have helped cut childhood
malaria deaths by 65 percent since 2000. Another renowned figure who contributed
exponentially to the promotion of wellness is Marie Curie. Along with her husband, she
discovered radioactivity - a finding that paved the way for the utilization of X-rays for
medical diagnosis and treatment of cancer that is used universally in today’s world.

On the other hand, however, the dominance of the healthcare industry also poses its demerits.
As enormous profits are generated annually, this can easily lure pharmaceutical corporations
into implementing immoral deeds for monetary gain.
Many medical companies are introducing so-called newly invented drugs or supplements
with incompatible effects compared to what they advertise as a panacea. This exaggeration
causes a financial deficit for individuals and can also be detrimental for health as side effects
of the medicine are often not well-informed. Research shows that drug promotion codes
violations occur regularly, as 20 major enterprises are found to be involved in 972 breaches in
the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry rules from 2002 to 2005, and 35% of
those are related to misleading drug information.

In conclusion, scientific advancement has played an indispensable role in enhancing the

health of the public with various breakthroughs in the medical domain. However, unethical
behaviors of large pharma companies should be addressed by strict regulations to erase the
bad reputation of this devoting industry.
 Grand Topic 9
HEALTH / SPORTS
HEALTH/SPORTS
● physical fitness and stamina
● medical care expenditure
● frequent outbreaks of disease
● timely treatment/precautions
● prevention is better than cure
● adopt a healthy lifestyle
● high incidence of obesity, diabetes
● eye fatigue
● recuperate=recover
● release endorphins for a sense of wellbeing
● replenish from the rigors of daily life
● build endurance, strengthen muscles, cardiovascular fitness
● quicken reflexes

● Lucrative (adj): Sinh lời

● • Sponsorships (n): tài trợ

● • To have greater motivation to do something: có động lực để làm gì

● • To enhance their performance in competition: nâng cao hiệu suất trong cạnh tranh

● • To pour money into something: đổ tiền cho

● • To provide somebody with something

● • Predecessors (n): Tiền nhiệm

● • To have a greater passion for something

● • a healthy lifestyle (n)

● • Financial incentives (n) động cơ tài chính

GRAND TOPIC: FOOD/HEALTH PROBLEM

Type: Two-part questions

Topic: Nowadays people waste a lot of food that was bought from shops and restaurants.
Why do you think people waste food? What can be done to reduce the amount of food they
throw away?

We live in an age where many of us are purchasing a large amount of food from stores
and end up throwing them away, resulting in excessive food wastage. This essay below will
analyze some major reasons for this situation and measures to tackle this problem will be
presented.
 To commence with, there are two explanations for why food is being wasted. Firstly,
due to the economical price and the availability of some certain food types namely fast food,
consumers tend to be more comfortable when it comes to purchasing those in a generous
portion that exceeds their needs. As a result, the food can be easily thrown away because it
does not have much monetary value. To cite an example, Mc Donald’s has contributed the
most gigantic waste in the fast food industry with 90000 tons of leftovers annually, costing
1.3 billion USD to process the waste. Another point worth noting is the poor diet and
indecisive shopping habits of consumers that contribute to this issue. It is the impulsiveness
of buyers when purchasing groceries that leads to the consequence of the products being
expired and having to be disposed of.

However, some measures are proposed to mitigate this urgent problem. One feasible
solution to reduce the wastage of fast food and other convenience products is to increase the
price. Through this enhancement, consumers will be more aware towards their shopping
decisions, therefore purchasing a sufficient amount of food for themselves. Moreover,
shoppers can actively make a list of to-buy items and plan a thorough diet to avoid wasting
money on the unnecessities. Those who dine out can choose to request more dishes after
finishing their initial order to minimize unfinished plates.

To elucidate, inexpensive food prices and poor diet plans are the main culprits that
contribute to the unused food. Thereby, a carefully prepared meal along with higher price in a
particular type of products are keys to avoid further food wastage.