TỔNG HỢP BÀI MẪU CHỦ ĐỀ COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY

1. (18/02/2016) New technologies have changed the way children spend

their free time. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Essay:

It is true that many children now spend

much of their spare time playing with the
latest technological devices. outweighed: [verb] greater or more
Despite some obvious disadvantages of important than something.
this trend, I believe that these are
outweighed by the advantages.

On the one hand, there are two major drawbacks: [noun] a very useful word to
drawbacks when children devote much mean ‘disadvantages’.
of their free time to playing electronic
devote to: [phrasal verb] give an
games or using the Internet. Firstly,
amount of time or attention to
exercise is necessary for the physical
something.
development of children, so playing
games in the street or in the park with
their friends is an integral part of
an integral part of: [expression] play an
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Secondly,
essential part in something.
spending too much time on their
computers or mobile phones may lead to
health problems for some youngsters. If
they keep their eyes glued to screens keep their eyes glued to screens:
for hours on end, they may suffer from [expression] look at screens in a very
eye-strain. Waves from hi-fi devices also concentrated way for a long time.
tend to cause headaches if used for too
long. hi-fi devices: [noun] equipment which
plays recorded music.

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 On the other hand, I believe that the benefits: [noun] a very useful word to
benefits are more significant than such mean ‘advantages’.
disadvantages. One reason for this view
is that new technologies encourage
children to use their free time to
broaden their knowledge, which is broaden their knowledge: increase
and make wider their knowledge of
possible in fun ways through interactive
something.
software. My young nephew, for
example, spends hours on the Internet
interactive: allowing information to be
learning about dinosaurs.
passed to and from the computer and
Another reason is that the Internet the person who is using it.
gives youngsters countless
opportunities to discover friends with
the same interests in any part of the countless: very many.
world, using chat rooms and social
networks such as Facebook. circle of virtual friends: a group of friends
Consequently, new technologies both whom you chat with online.
promote the habit of self-study and
encourage young people to develop
a wide circle of virtual friends.

In conclusion, I would argue that the

advantages of this modern trend are
more significant than the
disadvantages.

270 words

2. (29/04/2017) Some people say that what children watch influences their

behaviour. Others believe the amount of time they spend on television influences

their behaviour most. Discuss both view and give your opinion.

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Essay:

While it is clear that watching TV affects

children, it is difficult to determine
whether it is the content of the programs
or the length of time spent watching
them that has a more significant impact
on children. In my opinion, although the
to be addicted to sth : to be unable to
amount of time does affect youngsters, it
stop taking harmful drugs, tobacco or
is the content of the programs that has a
alcohol.
more marked influence on them.

to become over-reliant on : to need

On the one hand, the consequences of something so that your survival or
watching TV for long periods of time can success depends too much on it
be deleterious. Firstly, the longer children
fail the results will be disastrous.
are exposed toTV programs, the more
likely it is for them to become addicted
to watching television. When children
sedentary lifestyle: involving little
become over-reliant on television for
exercise or physical activity
entertainment, they might neglect
engagement in outdoor activities,
resulting in a sedentary lifestyle that is to be detrimental to health : to be
highly detrimental to their physical harmful to health
health. More importantly, excessive TV
watching impairs children’s
communication abilities, so they find it to live in harmony with one another: to
hard to play or live in harmony with live with others in a way which avoids
others. Children would feel discouraged conflict or disagreement
from having real interactions with
people around them if they spent too
discourage real interaction : to result in
much time in front of the screen, which
less face-to-face communication with
may hinder their development of social
other people
skills.

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 to develop social skills : to become
On the other hand, it is the broadcasted better at communicating and
images that have the most direct effects interacting in different situations
on young viewers. First, in most countries
the majority of TV shows present
glamorized depictions of inappropriate
materials such as violence, drug abuse or to carry health risks : to have effects
casual sex, thus youngsters may adopt which could be bad for one’s health
unhealthy habits and improper behavior.
For example, they might fall under the
impression that the use of alcoholic drinks the consumer society: a society in
is fashionable without being aware of the which buying and selling are
considered extremely important
health risks they carry and later end up
consuming these substances.
Besides, in our modern consumer
to be wary of something : not
society, commercials also affect how completely trusting or certain about
children behave. Unwary young viewers something
could be easily swayed by captivating
advertisements for junk food or video
games, products whose target to be swayed by advertisements : to
audience includes children, and so may be influenced to buy things as a result
pester their parents to buy these goods of advertising

impulsively.

target audience: consumers whom

businesses aim at when selling their
In conclusion, though both factors have
products
their own implications, I believe the
element with more considerable impacts
on children is the content.
to buy goods impulsively : to buy
Hence, parental involvement is
things suddenly without any planning
essential in controlling children’s TV and without considering the effects
viewing habits and in shaping a they may have

parental involvement: the act or

process of parents when taking part in
their children’s activities.

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child’s values to help them enter
adult life with a healthy mind. to shape a child’s personality/ value:
to decide or influence the form of a
360 words child’s personality

to enter adult life :the stage when

adolescents are almost old enough to
be legally independent of their parents

3. (09/09/2017) The mobile phone is used both for work and personal phone

calls at all times of the day, every day of the week. Do you think this has more

positive or negative effects both for individuals and society?

Essay:

It is true that mobile phones are now used

all the time for business and social
purposes. While there are some negative
impacts on both individuals and society
as a whole, I would argue that these are
outweighed by the positive effects.

to live in harmony with one another: to

There is one major negative aspect of live with others in a way which avoids
the way in which mobile phones are conflict or disagreement
often used. In order to live in harmony
with one another in society, people
must show consideration for others,
especially in public places. to make small talk: to make
Personally, for example, I do not conversation about things that are not
consider that using a mobile phone to important, often between people
who do not know each other well
make small talk in a loud voice is
socially acceptable. While some
people may have a laid-back attitude

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to such discourteous behaviour, I have socially acceptable: accepted as
frequently argued with fellow passengers normal or appropriate within
on buses or trains who chat endlessly at a social culture
the top of their voices on their phones,
oblivious to all around them.
to have a laid-back attitude: relaxed,
Fortunately, codes of conduct are
not worrying about anything
strictly enforced in cinemas, theatres and
concert halls, where mobile phones must
discourteous: showing rudeness and a
be switched off.
lack of consideration for other people

at the top of one’s voice: If you say

However, most people would say that something at the top of your voice,
their mobile phone enables them to do you say it very loudly
so many things which improve their
lifestyle. Entrepreneurs argue that it is
easier to conduct their business outside oblivious: not aware of or not
the office if customers or employees can concerned about what is happening
around one
contact them instantly, for example to
place an order or to arrive at a quick
decision. With the rapid transactions
codes of conduct:
made possible by mobile phones, the
an agreement on rules of behaviour for
improved efficiency of production,
a group or organization
transportation and sales boosts the whole
economy. Fewer firms go out of business
and everyone is able to earn a living. entrepreneur: someone who starts
Individuals also benefit, taking into their own business
account the ease with which they can
contact friends and family, whether for
important matters or just for a chat. To conduct one’s business: to carry
on the normal activities of a business
entity
In conclusion, I believe that mobile
phones have had huge positive impacts
To go out of business: to stop
operating, especially because of
financial problems

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on society, despite their inconsiderate
use by a minority. To earn a living: to earn the money
needed for food, clothing, etc
(297 words)

To take into account: to consider or

remember something when judging a
situation

4. (16/12/2017) The use of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, is

replacing face-to-face contact in this century. Do you think the advantages of this

outweigh the disadvantages?

Essay:

While I accept that social networking

social networking sites: a website on
sites make communication between which you communicate with people
who share your interests
people more convenient, I believe that

they have some negative effects on our

skills of personal interaction. Overall, in this

to have social skills: to have the
context, I would argue that the personal skills required for successful

drawbacks in the decline of social skills communication and interaction

outweigh the benefits of this advance in advances in technology: the

technology. improvement or development in

technology

On the one hand, there are advantages

of using such increasingly-popular sites.
For example, people may want to post
their latest news on Facebook, enabling
their friends and family to keep abreast to keep abreast of: to have the most
recent information about something
of what has been

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happening and to send comments. One
simple Facebook posting may reach
hundreds of contacts. Another
advantage is that those who have autism [noun]: a mental condition in
psychological problems such as autism, which a person finds it very difficult to
or who lack self-confidence in face-to- communicate or form relationships with
face meetings, can find an alternative others
outlet to express what they are thinking
or feeling, or even just to exchange
to exchange pleasantries: to talk in a
pleasantries with others.
polite way about unimportant matters
such as the weather

On the other hand, this trend has some

drawbacks. Firstly, some people may
become over-reliant on acquaintances
to become over-reliant on: to need
in the virtual world. There are some something so that your survival or
unscrupulous users of social media, who success depends too much on it
adopt a false identity to trick people and
acquire information about them for unscrupulous [adjective]: dishonest
online scams and cyber crime. and without moral principles
Secondly, such sites discourage real
interaction. When obsessed with online scams : clever and dishonest
Facebook, Twitter or similar sites, some plans using the internet in order to
make money.
youngsters in particular are reluctant to
cyber crime [noun]: a crime that
spend time with their true friends and
involves a computer or a network to
their families. My friend, for instance, is so
discourage real interaction: to
addicted to exchanging tweets on her
result in less face-to-face
smart phone that she ignores everyone
communication with other people
when we gather together for a chat.
While I try to adopt a laid-back attitude
towards this behaviour, there is now
to have a laid-back attitude: relaxed,
almost a complete breakdown in not worrying about anything
communications between us.
a breakdown in communications: a
misunderstanding which results from

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In conclusion, I consider that the
disadvantages of this trend outweigh
the advantages, and the ability to
articulate thoughts and emotions to
others face-to-face may soon be lost
altogether.
people failing to discuss and resolve
something
to articulate something to somebody:
to express your feelings or thoughts
clearly in words

295 words

5. (18/08/2018) In the modern world it is possible to shop, work and

communicate with people via the internet and live without any face-to-face
contact with others. Is this a positive or negative development?
Essay:

It is true that in contemporary life

people in many parts of the world are
contemporary: belonging to the
able to do their shopping, work and
present time
communicate with each other via the
internet. While there are clear positive
aspects of this trend, there are also
negative aspects of having less face-to-
handy: convenient
face contact with other people.

to keep in touch with: to communicte

with somebody regularly
On the one hand, the internet can be
very handy in many ways. Many
people use it to keep in touch with
friends and family, using Facebook, to hunt around: to look for something
Skype or What’s App to send instant that is difficult to find
messages or to enjoy a quick chat.
Many also use the internet for online bargain [noun]: a thing bought for
shopping, thus saving time and petrol less than the usual price
on trips to the supermarket as well as
hunting around different sites for

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bargains. However, it is in terms of work
that the internet offers the most
potential benefits. More and more
people are working or even studying
from home, at hours which suit their own
schedules. Many hours are saved each
week by eliminating the daily commute
and the stress of coping with the rush
hour.
On the other hand, as social beings,
people need personal contacts. Firstly,
virtual friendships which are formed
online may not be genuine. The media
carries many horror stories of youngsters
who have fallen prey to paedophiles, for
example. Secondly, online shopping is
not always appropriate, depending on
the item. It is best, for instance, to try on
clothes before buying, and while a
bookworm can find almost any book title
that they want online, they will certainly
miss browsing the shelves of bookstores.
Finally, personal interaction with work
colleagues can generate ideas and
avoid misunderstandings.
schedule: a list of things that you have
to do at certain times
to eliminate: to remove or get rid of
something
to cope with: to deal successfully with
something
the rush hour: the time (usually twice a
day) when the roads are full of traffic and
the trains and buses are crowded,
because people are travelling to and
from work.
social beings: people who like to be in
the company of others
to fall prey to: to be harmed or
affected by something bad
paedophile: a person who sexually
abuses children
to try on: to test a piece of clothing to
see if it fits
bookworm: a person who likes
reading very much

In conclusion, although there are

positive aspects of this trend, there are
also aspects of face-to-face contact
which it would be a shame to lose.

292 words.

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6. (15/01/2019): Nowadays, many people cannot read or write. What
problems does this cause? What measures can governments take to solve these
problems?

Essay: illiteracy: the fact of not knowing how to

It is true that even today, illiteracy is read or write

widespread. While this presents serious
difficulties for individuals and society,
disadvantaged: not having things, such as
there are steps that governments should
take to deal with the problem. education or enough money, that people

need in order to have a good life

When people can neither read nor write,

they are disadvantaged in important
ways. In terms of the individual
bureaucracy: the system of complicated
consequences of illiteracy, dealing with
official rules or ways of doing things
bureaucracy is a nightmare. Reading
organised by a government
and writing – or even adding a signature
to – an official document is often
necessary, for example when people
welfare: practical or financial help
have to apply for social welfare benefits.
provided by the government to help
From the perspective of society in
people in need
general, it is difficult to integrate
economic migrants into society who are
perhaps illiterate in their home countries, to integrate into society: to become
or are unable to read and write in the
accepted as a member of a social group,
language of the host country. This makes
the task of constructing a multicultural especially when a person comes from a
society difficult if minority groups are different culture
forced to do sweated labour, simply
a multicultural society: a society which
because they are illiterate and excluded
from better- paid jobs. includes people of different origins,

traditions and languages

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There are, however, policies which minority groups: small groups within a
national and local authorities can adopt community that are different because of
to improve matters. Firstly, resources their origin, religion, language or traditions
should be allocated to provide basic
sweated labour: hard work that is done
literacy classes in local colleges or social
for low wages in poor conditions; the
and community centres to help people
people who do this work
to learn to read and write. Secondly,
government departments must employ
staff who have specific responsibility for
to allocate resources to: to make money
helping illiterate people to cope with the
confusing mass of official paperwork. In and materials available to do something to
this way, they will not be discriminated adopt policies: to start or use policies
against, for instance by losing welfare
rights to which they are entitled. Finally,
governments even in developing national and local authorities:
countries must ensure that everyone has
government organizations acting at a
the right to a basic education which
national level or within a smaller, local area
enables them to read and write.

social and community centres: places

In conclusion, although illiteracy is a
where people who live in the same area
serious problem, there are steps which
can meet for events or to do different
governments should take to help those
activities
who can neither read nor write.

to cope with: to deal successfully with

282 words
something difficult

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 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

7. (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?
Essay:

It is true that in some countries there is a to opt for: to choose to take – or not to
shortage of students opting for science take – a particular course of action
courses. While it is necessary to 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
certain modern customs, beliefs, or
I believe that there are at least two major behaviors
causes of the lack of appeal of science
subjects. Firstly, many schools and to dismiss traditional ideas: to decide
college are behind the times and have that traditional ideas are not important
been slow to dismiss traditional ideas that and not worth considering anymore
girls should not study science. This sexist
attitude regards the study of science as a sexist attitudes: beliefs that women
traditional male preserve, thus it is time for should be treated unfairly because of
university science faculties to abolish their gender
selection procedures

13
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
chance to move up the career ladder. system or an institution

selection procedures based on gender:

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

In conclusion, some causes of this to fight against climate change: to try

problem can be identified, and the to prevent changes in climate patterns,
serious effects on society must not be such as rainfall, temperature and winds.
underestimated.
global warming: the process by which
the Earth is getting hotter, as a result of

14
 282 words 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

8. (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.
Essay:

It is true that some companies complain

about the poor interpersonal skills of their
to shape a child’s personality: to
new staff. While some reasons for this can
decide or influence the form of a child’s
be identified, there are solutions which
personality
firms should adopt.

formative years: a period of a person’s

As many new employees are school-
leavers, the causes of this problem can
be found in the home and in the school.
A child’s personality is shaped during the
formative years of home-life and
life, usually childhood, that has a big
influence on the person they become
later in life
a close-knit family: a family having
strong relationships with each other,

15
schooling. In terms of the home, close- helping with problems and enjoying a lot
knit families are a thing of the past in of time together
many societies, and youngsters do not
learn to live in harmony with one another to live in harmony with one another: to
and with their parents. For example, live with others in a way which avoids
meal times used to be occasions when conflict or disagreement
families ate together and discussed the
tasks to be done and the problems of to have social skills: to have the
each family member. In school, children
personal skills required for successful
are encouraged to achieve individual
communication and interaction
excellence in exams, rather than to have
social skills and to be team-players.
to be a team player: a person who
willingly cooperates with others

However, in order to conduct a business

to conduct a business: to operate a
efficiently, firms must take steps to train
new employees to acquire interpersonal business in a particular way
skills. Firstly, cooperative skills should be
developed, making the most of the latest to make the most of something: to
management techniques. Some make something appear as good as
companies in Europe and the USA, for possible; to exploit something; to get as
example, organise challenging activity much out of something as is possible.
weekends during which staff must work as
teams to do mountain-climbing or to put to the test: to see what someone
climbing and camping. Working or something can achieve, to find out
together, their survival skills are put to the how good someone or something is
test. Secondly, codes of conduct at work
should be strictly enforced for both new
and existing employees to facilitate codes of conduct: voluntary rules which
communication and cooperation. people accept in a situation

16
 In conclusion, although some reasons
can be suggested as probable causes of
this problem, there are measures which
companies should take to develop the
interpersonal skills of new staff.

265 words

9. (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?

Essay:

It is true that some people believe that

reading for pleasure develops both
imagination and language skills, in
contrast to the passive activity of
watching TV. While a minority a viewers
works of literary fiction: types of literature
do watch informative TV programmes,
which describe imaginary people and
such as documentaries, I completely
events, not real ones
agree with the arguments in favour of the
benefits of reading.

bedtime stories: stories told to children

Firstly, in terms of the development of before they sleep
creativity, works of literary fiction stimulate a work of literature: a book, play, or
the human imagination. Reading
poem
bedtime stories to children, or reading
some well-written work of literature, broaden one’s literary horizons: to widen
everyone can broaden their literary the limit of your desires, knowledge, or
horizons. Whereas TV presents audiences interests by reading widely
with ready-made images, reading stories
forces readers to use

17
their own imagination. They might, for
example, picture themselves
to picture: to imagine
shipwrecked on a deserted island, like
somebody/something, to create an image
Robinson Crusoe. Because they have
of somebody/something in your mind
created that personal image for
themselves, it is stronger and more
durable than an image which is not their
own, but which is manufactured and durable: likely to last for a long time
ready to consume. without breaking or getting weaker

Secondly, from the perspective of critical thinking: the process of analyzing

language skills, specialists in linguistics information in an objective way, in order to
argue that reading extends vocabulary, make a judgment about it
as well as developing critical thinking. An
important part of literary appreciation is
to recognize not only new words, but also literary appreciation: pleasure that you
to notice the choice and use of words have when your recognize and enjoy the
which are familiar. There are no qualities of a good piece of writing
distracting images on screens, so when
readers are engrossed in a book written
by a literary genius, they can focus on the to be engrossed in: to be completely
aesthetic qualities of the language. In focused on something
contrast, although it is possible to play
back a TV recording, words and images
are invariably heard and seen in an a literary genius: a person with
instant. Then, they pass and are instantly outstanding ability in writing
forgotten, whereas it is easy to read over
passages in a book.

the aesthetic qualities of something: The

qualities related to beauty and
In conclusion, I fully agree with those
understanding the beauty of something.
who argue that reading encourages
imagination and develops vocabulary,

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 which sitting in front of a TV will never do. to read over: to read something carefully

291 words from beginning to end to look for mistakes

or check details

10. (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?

Essay: social networking sites: a website on

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

to develop social skills: to become

Firstly, young people in particular have better at communicating and interacting
problems in developing social skills if they in different situations
spend too much time relying on their cell
phones for their entertainment to play
electronic games or to chat. Advances advances in technology: the
in technology are bringing about the improvement or development in
downfall of communication between technology
people, since real interaction is
discouraged. For example, I often used
to talk to other passengers during my the downfall of communication: the
long journeys by bus or train, but it no decline of communication
longer seems to

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be socially acceptable to do this.
Instead, most fellow travellers spend the
entire journey on their mobile devices,
playing some electronic game or
messaging online friends. The result is
increasing personal isolation and a
growing distrust of others.
to discourage real interaction: to result
in less face-to-face communication with
other people
to be socially acceptable: agreed or
approved of by most people in a society

Secondly, becoming over-reliant on

fellow: used to describe somebody who
electronic portable devices for
is the same as you in some way, or in the
entertainment is detrimental to individual
same situation
health. It encourages a sedentary
lifestyle, whereas people need to take
regular exercise to keep fit. As a child, for
to become over-reliant on: to need
instance, I used to play football in the
something so that your survival or success
street, making friends with other
depends too much on it
youngsters and becoming strong. People
should take up sport or they will be prone
to obesity if they simply sit around playing
electronic games on their hand- held to be detrimental to health: to be
devices. In particular, if people spend too harmful to health
much time on these games, then they
may suffer from mental health problems if
they become addicted to them. a sedentary lifestyle: involving little
exercise or physical activity

In conclusion, I fully agree that forms of

entertainment such as electronic games to take regular exercise: to do some
are harmful for both individuals and physical activity on a regular basis
society.

288 words
to keep fit: to stay in good physical
condition

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