Some believe that people today have no interest in maintaining the traditional

culture of their country or region. Others believe that it is still important to

people that we preserve a traditional way of life.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Today we live in a globalised world and the development of global culture is

often at the expense of local traditions. There are certainly many people that
show indifference to local customs in favour of embracing global ideas, but there
are still many who see the value in maintaining them, myself included.

It is easy to argue that people are strongly influenced by the effects of

globalisation. Technology in particular seems to dominate the leisure time of
young people, whether it be gadgets or the internet. As a result, there are trends
which can be described as global in all aspects of culture. For instance, many
people now prefer listening to music by Ed Sheeran or Beyoncé rather than the
traditional music of their country, which is often seen as outdated by
comparison. Similarly, many would rather try exotic 'foreign' foods than use
traditional recipes, which they might see as dull or old-fashioned.

However, it would be a mistake to think that everyone thinks this way. Many
people are turned off by technology, which they see as culturally empty. Older
people especially feel nostalgia for how things used to be done. For example, in
the UK, the Royal Family are as popular as ever, and thousands of people turn
out to see them wherever they go. It should also be remembered that many of
today's global pop stars were themselves inspired by more traditional genres of
music. Ed Sheeran, for example, embodies many musical traditions, such as folk
music and busking. In the same way, it is still common to see performances of
more traditional forms of music, such as classical and jazz.

My own opinion is that there is truth in both views. There are certainly people
so focused on global trends that there is no space in their lives for, or interest in,
preserving the past. On the other hand, there are many who prefer to live their
lives more nostalgically and value the traditions that have been handed down. I
would say that I belong more to this second group of people, although I admit I
would struggle without the internet.

Page 1
Investment in local amenities such as leisure centres is the best way for the
government to foster a good community spirit.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What other measures do you think might be effective?

A good community spirit can certainly be promoted by various means, including

investment in local amenities such as leisure complexes. While I agree that this
approach is worthwhile, it is not necessarily the best, as there are other equally
important strategies.

Local amenities like leisure complexes are important for bringing people of all
ages together and for providing them with opportunities to mingle with friends
and meet new people. As well as facilities, such centres can provide a wide range
of activities like swimming clubs and yoga classes as well as art classes, which
give people the chance to meet old and new friends and strengthen the local
community spirit.

Other amenities such as libraries that are open to the public can also play a role
in developing a community. Other measures that are also useful are holding local
festivals and fun days, not just in parks but in streets that are closed off to traffic
for the day or weekend. In fact, any activity that involves local people coming
together, such as volunteering in the clean-up of local neighbourhoods or tidying
up local spaces, is worthwhile.

Another important strategy is the design of local neighbourhoods.

Unfortunately, the enormous pressure to increase accommodation for growing
populations means that there is less space for houses with gardens. However, it
is possible to provide well-maintained open spaces that attract local people
along with venues to give them a chance to interact with each other, like local
shops instead of large supermarkets, all of which can nurture a local identity and
spirit.

In conclusion, investing in local amenities is one among many approaches that

can contribute to the fostering of a good spirit within communities.

(282 words)

Page 2
Globalization is creating a world of one culture and destroying national
identity.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Globalization has had a considerable effect on the world in the last few decades.
While some people believe that these effects are all positive it can also be
argued that globalization is destroying the identity of many countries in the
world. This is because aspects of our lives such as entertainment,
communication, products and business are similar in many parts of the world.
This essay will argue that globalization is destroying national identity for three
reasons.

Firstly, in terms of entertainment young people are less interested in their local
culture and this could have dangerous consequences. If young people do not
know about their cultural heritage they will not understand the older
generation. As a result, there could be serious communication breakdowns
within cultures.

In addition, globalization has produced large corporations which often prevent

local businesses from making money. Many people only want to buy branded
products from these international companies. Unless governments do
something to limit the influence of these companies, local businesses will
continue to disappear.

Finally, there is the problem of language. Due to globalization English has

become the most important language in the world and many languages are
beginning to die out. This is a negative aspect of globalization and could have
serious consequences in the future. If everyone has to speak English in the future
and not their own native language, the way we communicate could start to
change in a negative way.

In conclusion, globalization is having negative effects on national identity and

people should focus more on their local culture. If we allow globalization to
continue to dominate local cultures, in the future we will have a better world.

(276 words)

Page 3
In many societies in the world, the population is ageing rapidly and this is
leading to an unsustainable increase in the cost of public healthcare.

A nation’s population should pay for their healthcare provision in the future.

Advances in medical science are resulting in prolonged lifespans but there is a

knock-on effect for public health services with many hospitals struggling to cope
with an aging populace. Many countries enjoy the benefits of free or subsidised
national public health services. However, there are some within senior health
management who claim that such provision will become unsustainable, and I
firmly agree that changes need to be made in order to reflect this changing
reality.

Despite the notion that healthcare should be ‘free’, such care is predominantly
funded by the taxpayer. To give a specific example, a recent report in my country
established that almost 40% of the nation’s tax spending is distributed to
healthcare and some 80% of that figure is reserved for treating the elderly. This
is a disproportionate amount of money which has greatly increased the burden
on the state and existing funding is no longer sufficient to meet these needs.
This is turn impacts on the standard of care that can be provided as shown by
numerous negative media reports about the conditions for both staff and
patients. If we want quality healthcare then, clearly this financial burden needs
to be alleviated.

One way to do so would be to increase the contributions made by citizens

through increased taxation. Alternatively, governments could encourage those
who can afford it to take up private healthcare arrangements. By switching to a
private model, the well-off can afford a higher quality of care, while at the same
relieving pressure on public services for those who do not have the means to go
private.

One thing is for certain, an ageing population has increased the pressure on
existing health provision. If we are going to maintain the standards of healthcare
that we are used to, more funding needs to be found either through taxation
and alternative forms of provision should be considered. Otherwise, standards
will fall and people’s lives will be put at risk.

(323 words)
Page 4
Fewer students are studying science at school and university, favouring more
computer based subjects instead.

Is this a positive or negative development? What are the reasons for this?

In recent years, it has become evident that there has been a shift among
secondary and university students away from traditional sciences and towards
IT-based subjects. In this essay I will talk about the reasons behind this shift and
explain why I think that overall this is a negative development.

The rise on popularity of IT and similar computer-based subjects is unsurprising

given how pervasive computer technology is within society. Our lives are so
dependent on devices and the Internet that it has become one of the world’s
main industries. What is more, the media is full of stories of tech start-ups that
have made their founders and inventors into millionaires or even billionaires, so
it is easy to see why young people would be attracted to the industry as a field
of study. It certainly seems a safer bet than a career in science, which typically
requires a longer term commitment and at least at first glance less rewards in
terms of salary and social prestige.

However, both academia and society as a whole depend on a sustainable stream

of talented scientists, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. These are the
people who develop our medicines, design our cars, improve our manufacturing
processes, invent new materials - the list is endless and their work is vital for
maintaining and improving the quality of life that we enjoy. A fall in the number
of students taking sciences therefore means a fall in the number of talented
people doing such valuable work.

In conclusion, the move to towards computer-based subjects and careers is

understandable, given the importance of the computing industry in today’s
world. However, if this is at the expense of having new scientists and engineers,
then it is also potentially very detrimental. Without scientific innovation, the
world will be a very different place.

(305 words)

Page 5
Tourism has increased so much over the last 50 years that it is having a mainly
negative impact on local inhabitants and the environment. However, others claim
that it is good for the economy.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and give your own opinion.

Whether or not tourist destinations benefit from international tourism is a debatable

issue. To sonic governments, the local economic benefits are worth the overcrowding
and hiked prices of the tourist season. However, there are environmental and social
costs and other risks of relying on tourism as a major source of annual income.

Sleepy coastal communities can be changed beyond recognition by mass-market

tourism. Package holiday companies operate huge numbers of low-cost flights to high-
rise hotels in developing countries every summer. This means, of course, that easy
money can be had servicing this seasonal influx and the government sees increased
tax revenue and local employment. However, when the tourist season comes to an
end, employment ceases and the area becomes a ghost town. The social cohesion of
a small community can also be blighted by the seasonal migration of people to the
cities to look for work out of season, leaving only the elderly behind. This is perhaps
made worse by second home owners, who drive up house prices beyond the means
of local inhabitants.

On the other hand, the local community do gain language skills and other fringe
benefits of cultural exchange. Such a large volume of travellers every year can cause
environmental problems to fragile habitats and historical sites. Age-old stone remains
can be worn away and traditional buildings demolished in favour of bland
international hotels. Local infrastructure can also fail to cope with large numbers of
visitors, leading to pollution and litter. However, over time this can change as the
economy improves and tourism becomes more of an established industry. Local
government investment in infrastructure should ensure repeat trade and further
benefits for the economy.

Overall, tourism can be a good source of income for countries blessed with natural
beauty or sites of historical interest. However, governments must ensure that the
wishes of local businesses are not put before the needs of the local community and
that any revenue generated by tourism is reinvested in the area to protect the local
environment. (334 words)

Page 6
Students are becoming more and more reliant on the Internet. While the
Internet is convenient, it has many negative effects and its use for educational
purposes should be restricted.

How far do you agree with this statement?

Nowadays, the Internet is used widely in education around the world. Some
people say it is beneficial for teaching and learning because there is so much
information available. However, others claim that the Internet is bad for
students' research skills and believe that its use should be restricted. I believe
that use of the Internet should be limited in some ways, but it is still a valuable
educational tool.

Firstly, the Internet is essential for many people today. It is widely used in the
workplace and people's everyday lives, both for finding information, for personal
finance, for keeping in touch with friends and family, for social networking and
so on. Therefore, school students should learn how to use it correctly. In
addition, students also need it for research in school and university subjects.
Nowadays the most up-to-date information can be found on the Internet, rather
than in books which can become out of date very quickly. Using the Internet is a
convenient way of finding out information and developing independent
research skills.

However, the Internet has some negative aspects. For example, not all websites
are reliable or contain accurate information. Students need to learn how to
evaluate and check the material they find on the Internet. Also, many students
simply copy large amounts of material, such as essays from the Internet. Some
students then pretend that this material is their own work, which is illegal. If
students simply copy information or material from the Internet without
understanding or analysing it, they will not learn it fully. Teachers need to teach
students how to research and use information from the Internet properly.

In conclusion, schools and universities should teach students how to use the
Internet by teaching them good research skills. If students know how to use the
Internet effectively, they are likely to become better students and have better
employment opportunities in the future.
Page 7
Some people believe that a person's culture is defined by their country of
origin, while others believe that has only a minor influence.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

If we define culture as shared beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours, it stands

to reason then that a person's country of origin impacts their culture. The
question is to what degree. Is nationality the defining influence or is it just one
of many factors in play? Personally speaking, I would say both arguments have
validity, but I would lean towards the latter.

It is easy to understand the ‘defining influence’ argument. If someone is born

and raised in a place, they will be heavily influenced by it. Psychologists refer to
this as the ‘nurture argument’ - you are a product of your environment. For
example, if your country's cuisine uses certain ingredients, your palate gets
accustomed to those ingredients, but may struggle with other less familiar
flavours. If your country has a traditional style of music, say, reggae or rock, all
citizens will be exposed to it and, as a result, are more likely to enjoy it.

On the other side of the argument we need to consider the effects of

globalisation. Most people have daily access and exposure to other cultures. The
evidence is all around us- restaurants, films and foreign businesses are
ubiquitous. One of the benefits of globalisation is that it offers us a selection of
cultural possibilities to choose from. It is unlikely that you will find any citizen of
a certain country who does not have likes or preferences that come from outside
of their country of origin. In addition, more and more people work, study or
travel extensively away from their home country. Inevitably, these people will
be subject to new influences.

My own view is that while we are influenced by our nationality, in this globalised
world, one's country of origin is only one aspect of our collective culture. We all
adopt elements from other cultures on a daily basis, unconsciously or according
to our preferences and experiences. To my mind, this is what makes the world
such an interesting place.

(328 words)

Page 8
In the past, most people used to travel to their place of work. With increased
use of computers, the internet and smart phones, more and more people are
starting to work from home.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

The way in which we work has changed a great deal in recent years. Whilst some
people still travel to their place of work each day, others have the option to work
from home. This has all become possible since the birth of the internet and
smartphones, which enable workers to be in constant contact with their
colleagues and clients all over the world.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to this new development. There
are definite advantages to people being allowed to work from home. The main
advantage is that it gives workers more flexibility in their working lives. This can
be particularly useful for parents or people who live far from their workplace.
Working from home is also more comfortable - you can take a break whenever
you need. Another advantage is that you have the possibility to work for
companies in other countries through the use of the internet. Therefore, people
can apply for jobs globally as well as locally.

On the other hand, working from home can also have its disadvantages.
Travelling to work and working in an office with others can be a very sociable
activity which many people enjoy, especially if they live on their own. Without
this social interaction many people might feel very lonely. Furthermore, many
people may lack sufficient discipline to complete the work they need to do
without colleagues around.

In conclusion, therefore, there are clearly advantages and disadvantages to

working from home. Perhaps the ideal arrangement would be to spend part of
the working week in an office with colleagues, and part of the working week at
home, with a certain amount of flexibility and comfort.

(277 words)

Page 9
We are becoming increasingly dependent on computer-based technology.

How do you think it will change in the future?

Is it good for us to rely so much on computers?

It would be difficult to imagine life without computers. Over recent years in

particular, their use and potential have grown at an incredible rate and I strongly
believe that this growth will continue as more innovative ways to use them are
developed. Although there are definitely some downsides to their use, I do
believe the positives outweigh the negatives.

Computers enable us to do a wealth of tasks that would have been unthinkable

for previous generations. We can bank online, book holidays, do our weekly
shopping - the list of labour-saving activities is almost endless. Given the speed
at which they have evolved and altered the way we do things, I am convinced
that this evolutionary trend will continue. Take, for example, the rise of virtual
reality. We can already do amazing things with it, and, as a computer-based
technology, it is only in its infancy. It has so many practical applications, from
improving gaming to providing training for doctors or pilots to handle real-life
situations. As computer processing power increases, so will its potential to
enhance everything we do.

Despite this, there are dangers in relying quite so heavily on computers. So much
of our daily lives is controlled by them, that without them, modern-day life as
we know it would be impossible. Furthermore, computers store all our
important data and the risk of hacking exposes us to crimes such as fraud.
However, I would argue that the technological advances made possible by
computers have improved our world in so many ways. I believe that most people
would argue that that any negative aspects of computers are outweighed by all
the benefits they have brought.

In conclusion, I believe we will probably become more dependent on computers

but that our lives will improve as the technology improves. While there is a
negative side to such a dependency, there are many more positives that we can
focus on.

(318 words)
P a g e 10
The most important consideration when choosing any career or job is having a
high income.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is widely accepted that, for most people, their daily working lives will not be
spent in their dream jobs. Despite this, I do not feel that people should instead
prioritise becoming a high earner above all other concerns.

To begin with, I strongly believe that people need stimulation in their daily
working lives in order to feel a sense of reward. Very few of us can go through
an entire career staying in a position or an industry that we find boring purely
for the financial incentive. Secondly, there are so many people who see their
working life as a search for fulfilment and contentment in helping others, rather
than a search for wealth. It seems unlikely that the priority for, say, every nurse
or teacher in the world is to become well-off, and jobs such as these are rarely
extremely well-paid.

Despite this, some would argue that those people who have families to support
should always prioritise earning a high income; after all, it means securing their
children's future. Others point out that, as the job market becomes increasingly
unstable across the globe, it is vital to earn more and therefore save more.
However, I do not agree that a good salary should necessarily be the number
one concern for everyone. Too many people become preoccupied with the next
pay rise or career move, and eventually become unhappy or even depressed,
neither of which helps them to save or to provide for their family.

In summary, earning as much money as is humanly possible should not be

anyone's main concern. Granted, it arguably brings financial stability, for
individuals and for their families, but it is simply not worth tolerating a lifetime
of unhappiness at work purely for the money.

(291 words)

P a g e 11
Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that many
cities in the world are now 'one big traffic jam'.

How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments
take to discourage people from using their cars?

Most people would agree that car ownership has increased in recent years and
is causing a range of problems, particularly in built-up areas. I think there are a
number of ways that governments can aim to deal with this.

Many big cities in the world have traffic problems but these problems vary. For
example, it is reasonably easy to drive around my city after 10 am and before 5
pm. However, outside these hours, you have to allow double the usual time to
reach your destination. In some other cities, traffic is congested at all times, and
there is the continual sound of car horns as people try to get wherever they want
to go.

One of the best approaches governments can take in busy cities is to encourage
the use of public transport. This means the transport facilities have to be well
run and people must be able to afford them. Buses, trams and trains are good
ways of getting around, and if they are cheap and reliable, people will use them.

Another approach is to discourage people from actually entering the city by

building car parks and shopping centres on the outskirts. Many cities around the
world do this quite successfully and offer passengers bus transport into the
centre, if they need it.

At peak travel periods, governments can also run campaigns to encourage

people to be less dependent on their cars. Apparently, a lot of car trips involve
very short journeys to, say, the supermarket or local school. These are often
unnecessary, but we automatically get in our cars without thinking.

Clearly we all have a responsibility to look after our cities. Governments can do
a lot to improve the situation and part of what they do should involve
encouraging individuals to consider alternatives to driving.

(299 words)

P a g e 12
Women are better at childcare than men therefore they should focus more on
raising children and less on their working life.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Although the care of children has traditionally been the role of women,
nowadays many men have decided to stay at home to raise children while the
woman in the family goes to work. However, some people believe that women
have a natural ability for childcare and this role should be left to them. I disagree
with this for the following reasons.

Firstly, both men and women have qualities which are important for bringing up
and educating children. These qualities are not specific to men or women,
therefore both genders are able to raise children successfully. By saying that
childcare is a specific female role, children will receive a message which portrays
women as carers only. For example, young girls who are taught to believe that
the place of women is in the home may not try hard in school subjects which are
more male dominated, such as science.

Secondly, the role of women in the workplace has changed significantly in the
last fifty years. Many women now hold senior positions in many areas of
employment. Women contribute a range of skills to the workplace which are
both valuable and important. In my opinion, women should continue to focus
on their careers and ensure that their daughters are aware of the opportunities
which are available to them in life. Men should also take on some of the
responsibility of childcare and teach their sons that this is a valuable role in
society for men as well as women.

In conclusion, it is important that men and women share childcare duties

because both genders have important qualities and skills. However, women and
men should also be allowed to focus on their careers and provide strong role
models for children.

(287 words)

P a g e 13
In some countries it is thought advisable that children begin formal education
at four years old, while in others they do not have to start school until they are
seven or eight.

How far do you agree with either of these views?

In some parts of the world, parents encourage their children to begin studying
while they are still toddlers, using a variety of books and computer games which
teach them to count or to learn their letters. The parents choose a first school
for their four-year-old which focuses on academic ability in order that, by the
time they enter the next school, the children are well ahead of their age group,
with high marks in important subjects such as maths and language, or are
equipped to take competitive entrance examinations for other schools if that is
relevant.

In other countries, children are at home or playschool until they are around
seven years old. They do not even begin to study reading until then, but they
listen to and tell stories, they paint and draw, they make models and build tree
houses, they swim and play ball games, they keep fish and grow plants in the
playschool garden.

In my opinion, the question is not which method produces the most able
students, because all over the world, the majority of those who reach university
do so at around the same age, wherever they are educated. A brilliant scientist
from one country may be working in a laboratory alongside an equally brilliant
scientist from another country and the educational start of each career may
have been in complete contrast. Therefore, it is clear that the two approaches
can both produce able academics, all other things being equal. Nevertheless, it
is probable that one method is preferable to the other.

It seems to me that spending early childhood struggling to acquire academic

skills in a competitive atmosphere is not the best way to produce a balanced
personality. Learning through play and developing social skills equips a child for
adult life in essential ways that the competitive parents neglect. If the child has
academic ability, this will manifest itself as the child develops and does not need
to be forced at an early age.

(329 words)
P a g e 14
Governments around the world spend too much money on treating illnesses
and diseases and not enough on health education and prevention.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I very much agree with the statement that governments are not spending their
health budgets in the best possible way. If governments continue to spend such
large sums of money on treating illness and disease instead of preventing these
diseases, then perhaps they should rename our national health services
‘national illness services’!

Governments will probably argue that it is necessary to spend a large proportion

of health budgets on treating illness because the general population do not live
healthy lifestyles and so become ill. They would argue that most people do not
listen to health campaigns. Also, they would say it is not possible to prevent
many illnesses and diseases such as flu and many types of cancer, as well as
accidents and emergencies. The problem with this argument is that it is very
negative because it assumes that people are stupid and refuse to lead healthy
lives. However, when people have the right information, they often do the right
thing – in my country than in the past. I believe that the main reason for this is
government health campaigns, including very strong health warnings on the
products.

In my opinion, governments can do a lot to prevent not only illnesses and

disease, but also accidents. Why don’t governments spend more money on
installing speed cameras on roads to make people drive more slowly? That
would reduce the number of accidents.

To summarise, I really think that there is a lot that governments can do to

prevent illness and disease to make the world a healthier place to live. In
particular, rich governments can spend more money on scientific research to
find the causes of new diseases such as AIDS, while governments from less well-
developed countries can spend money on providing clean water for all their
people. In this way, the world will have less need for expensive cures and
hospitals.

(311 words)

P a g e 15
Many people believe that increasing levels of violence on television and in films
is having a direct result on levels of violence in society. Others claim that
violence in society is the result of more fundamental social problems such as
unemployment.

How much do you think society is affected by violence in the media?

There are different views on the causes of violence in the world today. Some
argue that it is connected to people's exposure to violent scenes on television
and in films, whilst others point to wider problems in society such as
unemployment, poor housing and education as the root of anti-social behaviour.
It is my belief that violence in the media plays a significant role in encouraging
violent behaviour.

A first point is that as levels of violence in the media increase, so does young
people's exposure to it. Even films aimed at children often contain violence and
despite the difficulty of proving whether this directly affects society, it is hard
not to be concerned. After all, children learn through modelling adult behaviour,
so if the models they choose are violent then it is highly likely that they may be
violent themselves.

Furthermore, the way violence is portrayed in the media is often stylized

resulting in violence being seen as attractive. People who are easily impressed
may then behave violently themselves. Although research has shown that
aggressive behaviour is actually often the result of having aggressive parents, I
still believe that the unrealistic way violence is shown in the media must have a
negative result on society.

Finally, the media has become increasingly globalized which means that violence
in programmes or films can be viewed all over the world. I would argue that the
increasing quantity and level of violence seen around the world must be a
negative force in society.

In conclusion, although it is difficult to prove beyond a doubt the effect of

violence in the media on society, I believe that the result on the young, the
unrealistic way it is shown and the global nature of media communications all
have a significant and negative impact on society.

P a g e 16
A government’s role is only to provide defence capability and urban
infrastructure (roads, water supplies, etc.). All other services (education,
health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in
the community.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Governments can only provide a limited range of services for citizens. Certain
types of services, however, must be provided by governments, whereas both
governments and private groups or individuals can share the responsibility to
provide other services.

A government must provide those services which are essential to a country.

These include defence capabilities and-social security. Private enterprise and the
profit motive should not form part of these essential services. On the other
hand, some services could be provided by either governments or private groups
or both. Education and health care are examples of such services. A government
must provide at least a basic level of education and health care so all citizens can
have access to them. Private enterprise, though, could also provide services in
these areas for those who wish to pay for them.

Urban infrastructure is another area where governments and private groups or

individuals can share responsibility. Governments must build and maintain a
system of roads, but toll roads can be built and road maintenance carried out by
private contractors. Similarly, other infrastructure, such as water or electricity
supply, can be operated by private companies.

To sum up, there are some services, such as defence and social security, which
must be provided by government. Other services, for example water supply or
education, could be provided by both government and private enterprise.
Consequently, it is not true to say that a government’s role is only to provide
some services while others should be provided by the private sector. In fact,
both government and private groups can share in the provision of most services.

(265 words)

P a g e 17
Nowadays many countries have very cosmopolitan cities with people from all
over the world. How can the government ensure that all these people can live
together harmoniously?

In today's cosmopolitan world it is unusual to find a major city or country where

there are no immigrants. People travel more now than they ever did in the past
and populations have had to adapt to this transitional lifestyle much more
quickly than in the past. Ultimately society, as a group of individuals, directs the
way that new arrivals in a country are treated. But the government can do a
number of things to support this.

Firstly, all governments should insist that schools teach history and culture from
more than one country, not just the home nation. By learning how others have
lived we gain insight into alternative cultures and ways of life which makes us
more accepting when we meet people from those countries. Of course we don't
have time to learn about the history of every country in the world but
understanding at least one other culture opens our minds and makes us more
tolerant.

In addition, when immigrants choose to settle in a country, the host government

should offer free language and culture lessons. It is impossible for new arrivals
to integrate if they do not understand the language and habits of their new
home. I believe it is important for immigrants to learn the culture of the place
they have chosen to settle. By acquiring the language and knowledge about the
culture, they will be able integrate more easily and comfortably without
necessarily losing their own identity.

Finally the governments of countries should make sure that they have some
stringent laws to protect people from aggression or prejudice so that, should an
immigrant face terrible attitudes, they have some protection. By ensuring
people feel safe the host country shows that it is civilized and promotes
integration.

In summary, understanding others is the key to harmonious living but laws

should also be in place to protect people from those who can't behave
responsibly.

P a g e 18
(317 words)

Each year, the crime rate increases.

What are the causes of crime and what could be done to prevent this rise in
criminal activity?

Crime is an issue of increasing concern around the world, and more money than
ever before is being spent on the detection and punishment of criminal activity.
The reasons why people commit crime are countless, but drugs and alcohol,
social problems and poverty play a major role. To solve these problems,
governments can either focus on draconian punishments, or improve
employment opportunities, invest in good housing projects and tackle drug and
alcohol abuse.

One of the main causes of criminality is the use, sale and trafficking of narcotics.
For example, the sale of drugs is organised by armed criminal gangs who illegally
traffic drugs and control their business with extreme violence. Drug-related
crime does not end there; drug users often steal to fund theft habit, resulting in
further acts of petty crime. The social problems connected with crime are said
to be the result of single-parent families, absent role models and bad living
conditions. The children from these broken families often become criminals
because they feel alienated from society. Poverty is also a reason behind crime.
When unskilled jobs pay so little and prices are so high, it's easy to see why some
turn to crime for an income.

Crime can, of course, be dealt with by toughening criminal laws and introducing
longer custodial sentences for persistent criminals, but some of the best ways to
deal with crime may be to deal with the social causes. Increasing employment
opportunities in poorer areas would improve living standards, which would
mean access to affordable housing and education. Government funding for drug
and alcohol rehabilitation programmes would help reduce dependency on
stimulants and the need for the criminal activity that surrounds them.

In conclusion, crime is a major issue, but cracking down on offenders with a

harsh penal system is not the only way. These problems can be solved through
the government providing jobs and funding which should raise living standards
and dramatically reduce crime levels.
P a g e 19
(323 words)

In some countries an increasing number of people are suffering from health

problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for
governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

The growth of the fast food industry has, without doubt, impacted on the eating
habits and the health of many societies around the world. Diabetes, high
cholesterol, heart and respiratory problems are all on the rise due to fatty and
sugar-rich food. However, the question is whether higher tax would improve this
situation or not.

From an economic point of view, higher tax might seem sensible. In countries
such as the USA, Australia and Britain, the healthcare system spends a large part
of its budget on people with diet-related health problems. It could be argued
that these people have caused their own illnesses because of their choice of
food. In this case, why should they expect the state to pay for their treatment?
The tax could help fund the healthcare system.

However, we also need to consider which socio-economic group consumes fast

food as the main part of their diet. Statistics indicate that lower income groups
eat more of this food than wealthier people. One possible reason for this is that
fast food is far cheaper than fresh produce. This is because many governments
offer large subsidies to farmers who provide products for the fast food industry,
such as corn, wheat and beef. Fruit and vegetables, on the other hand, are not
subsidised. Research suggests that many families simply cannot afford to buy
healthy food or pay higher taxes on fast food. For them, fast food is not a choice
but a necessity.

In conclusion, imposing a higher tax on fast food does not seem to be the
answer. If the government chose to do this, it would only lead to greater poverty
and families facing further hardship.

(278 words)

P a g e 20
In general, people do not have such a close relationship with their neighbours
as they did in the past.

Why is this so, and what can be done to improve contact between neighbours?

In the past, neighbours formed an important part of people's social lives and
they helped them when they had problems. Nowadays, people often do not
even know their neighbours and in consequence they live much more isolated
lives.

There are a number of reasons why we have less contact with our neighbours.
Firstly, our lifestyles are more mobile. This means people may change the area
where they live quite frequently and this causes their relationships with their
neighbours to be more superficial. Secondly, nowadays people often live and
work in different places. This leads to people forming closer relationships with
work colleagues than the ones they have with their neighbours. Finally, modern
lifestyles make us spend more time inside our houses watching television, and
when we go out, we travel by car. Consequently, we do not speak to the people
in our neighbourhood so much.

There are a number of ways in which I think contact between neighbours can be
improved. First of all, local authorities can provide communal areas such as
playgrounds for children and community halls so that there are places where
neighbours can meet and make friends. Next, I think that when new neighbours
come to a street, the people living there ought to introduce themselves and
welcome them. Lastly, people living in a street or small district should form
neighbourhood associations and meet regularly to discuss the things which
affect them.

In conclusion, these suggestions will probably not make neighbours as important

in our lives as they were in the past. However, they will help our relationships
with our neighbours to become more useful and valuable.

(270 words)

P a g e 21
Some people think that professional athletes make good role models for young
people, while others believe they don’t.

Discuss both these points of views and give your own opinion.

People everywhere like watching sports. Many top athletes are admired throughout
their countries, and some even have fans all around the world. Young people
especially, view many athletes as role models and want to emulate the way these stars
dress, act and live their lives. While some athletes aren't deserving of their "role
model" status, others act like role models and responsible community citizens.

Top athletes get the attention of young people. Most children and teenagers like to
follow professional sports. For many of them, star athletes represent heroes, and
children want to be like their heroes. This means they will want to play sports, which
is good for their health. Playing sports also teaches valuable life lessons such as
teamwork, discipline, goal setting, and the realities of dealing with success and failure.
Professional athletes demonstrate the importance of working hard to achieve a goal,
or practicing regularly to become good at something. This is a good example for
children to follow.

However, professional athletes are not always good role models. For one thing, when
young athletes reach a level of fame, it comes with media attention, large financial
benefits and social attention. This can lead children to believe that money and fame
are an important part of sports. Children might focus more on these aspects than on
the fun of the game or on the challenge of learning how to play well. Then there are
those athletes who behave badly. For example, some cheat to win their games or take
drugs to improve their performance. This kind of behaviour sends the wrong message
to children.

Athletes are people who are held at a lofty place in the society owing to their
popularity and wealth. These attributes are what makes people want to look up to
them and model various facets of their lives along those of the athletes. We can thus
be led to conclude that professional athletes can be very good role models for
children, as long as they focus on the positive aspects of playing sports.

P a g e 22
As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are
becoming more and more alike leading to a phenomenon known as
globalization. Some people fear that globalization will inevitably lead to the
total loss of cultural identity.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Globalization means that in some ways people around the world are becoming
more and more similar. We often eat the same food, watch the same TV
programmes, listen to the same music and we wear the same clothes. Some of
this at least can be blamed on the spread of multinational brands available all
over the world.

On the surface, it may appear as if the global diversity of cultural identities is

being lost. If, the argument goes, people in Tokyo and London look and dress the
same, then that must mean that cultural differences are disappearing. However,
I would argue that this is a very narrow definition of culture and that in fact
cultural differences are as present as ever.

Cultural Identity is built on far more than just the films we watch or the jeans we
wear. The foundation of cultural identity is shared values. When you look in
detail at different cultures, you realize that the things that are important to one
culture can be very different from the things valued by another culture.

Take my own culture, India, as an example and compare it to a very different

culture, Japan. Although I have never visited Japan personally, I believe that it is
a culture which places a lot of value on hard work and that people often work
very long hours. The Indian people, in contrast, greatly value their leisure time
and strive to spend as much time with their family as they possibly can. Even if
we consume the same products, I would argue that there are still some very
deep-rooted differences.

To summarize, I do not accept that total loss of cultural identity is inevitable,

despite the influence of large companies and their products around the globe.

(294 words)

P a g e 23
In some countries young people have little leisure time and are under a lot of
pressure to work hard in their studies.

What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

Some young people find themselves with very little leisure time. I believe there
are two main causes of this situation. The first is parental pressure and the
second is competition for university places.

Every parent wants to see his or her child do well in school and go on to have a
successful career. This means that they exert pressure on their children to spend
hours each day studying at home. Some even arrange extra tuition for their
children. In my own country, it is not uncommon for young people to spend
another three hours at small private schools after their usual day at stale school
is over. As a consequence, their leisure time is extremely limited and the
pressure on them is considerable.

The second cause is related to the higher education system. Each year, there are
many times more applicants to university than there are university places. The
result of this is that only those students with very high grades manage to obtain
a place. This contributes to the pressure on teenagers since they must work long
hours to have any chance of success.

One solution to the problem is for parents to be made aware of the effects of
the pressure they put on their children. Schools should inform parents that too
much pressure can lead to anxiety, stress and depression. They should be shown
ways in which they can help their children lead more balanced lives with a
reasonable amount of leisure time.

Another effective measure would be for the government to invest in the creation
of more university places. This could be done by expanding existing universities
or by building new ones. This would have the effect of easing competition for
places giving teenagers some of their precious free lime back.

(296 words)

P a g e 24
The graph below shows the average daily sales of selected food items at the Brisk Café, by season.

The bar graph shows how many servings of certain food items are sold on average
every day in two different seasons at the Brisk Café. The average number of sales of
each item changed with the season.

Certain food items had much higher sales than others in the winter. Hot coffee had
the highest number of sales, with an average of 75 servings sold daily. Following this,
the item with the second highest number of sales was soup, with an average of 50
servings sold daily. Salad and ice cream had average daily sales of 25 servings each,
and iced coffee had the lowest number of sales, with close to zero servings sold daily.

The sales numbers for each food item were different in the summer from what they
were in the winter. Iced coffee sales rose significantly, to an average of 40 servings
sold daily. The item that had the second highest number of sales was ice cream, with
an average of 35 servings sold daily. Hot coffee sales fell to just 30 servings daily. Soup
and salad had the lowest number of sales, with 25 servings sold daily on average.

In general, the average daily sales of each food item changed when the season
changed. Certain items were more popular in the winter, but certain others were more
popular in the summer.

P a g e 25
(224 words)

The graph gives information about the age of the population of Iceland
between 1990 and 2020.

The bar chart compares the different ages of people living in Iceland between
1990 and 2020.
All in all, the size of the 25-54 age group increased the most over the period
while the size of the two younger age groups decreased a little bit. The number
of people in the two older age groups stayed about the same.

The 25-54 age group grew from approximately a third of the population in 1990
to nearly half of the population in 2020.

The older two age groups did not increase or decrease much. The size of the
65 and over age group remained at about 13%, whereas the size of the 55 -64
age group only fell from about 14% to about 10% of the population.

By contrast, the 0-14 age group fell from just over 25% in 1990 to just under
20% in 2020. Similarly, the 15-24 age group dropped from just over 20% of the
population in 1990 to just under 10% of the population in 2020.

P a g e 26
The chart gives information on the percentage of women going into
higher education in five countries for the years 1980 and 2015.

The bar chart shows the percentage of females entering higher education
in the years 1980 and 2015. The chart shows the percentages in five
countries, the UK, the USA, Australia, South Korea and France. Overall,
the proportion of women in higher education increased in the five
countries.

In general, there were more female students in 2015 than in 1980, with more
than half of women in higher education in all of the countries apart from South
Korea. In four of the countries, the percentage of women going into higher
education rose.

The most dramatic change was in South Korea, where the percentage doubled
from 15% to 30%. The smallest change was seen in France, where the number
increased only from 50% to 54%. The only country in which there was not an
increase was Australia. Although the percentage of Australian women going
into higher education remained the same at 58%, this was the highest in 1980
and equal highest with the USA in 2015.

(164 words)

P a g e 27
The bar charts below show the percentages of men and women in
employment in three countries in 2005 and 2015.

P a g e 28
The two charts show the percentages of men and women in employment in
three countries in the years 2005 and 2015. In general, we can see that the
percentages of working people increased, with the proportion of women
showing the most significant rise.

In all of the countries covered, and in both years, the number of men in
employment was greater than the number of women. South Korea has the
highest rate of male employment – approximately 75% in 2005, rising slightly
to about 78% in 2015 – and Canada has the lowest – just over 60% in 2005
and 70% in 2015.

The proportion of women in employment was lower than men in all of the
countries covered over the two years. It was below 50% everywhere in 2005,
but the figures had risen by 2015. In Canada, over half of the women were
working, and in Sweden the figure was exactly 50%. In contrast, the number of
South Korean women who were working was only about 35% compared with a
percentage which was more than double for men at over 70%.

(180 words)

P a g e 29
The pie chart shows the amount of money that a children's charity located in the USA spent and
received in one year, 2016.

The pie charts show the amount of revenue and expenditures in 2016 for a children’s
charity in the USA. Overall, it can be seen that donated food accounted for the
majority of the income, while program services accounted for the most expenditure.
Total revenue sources just exceeded outgoings.

In detail, donated food provided most of the revenue for the charity, at 86%. Similarly,
with regard to expenditures, one category, program services, accounted for nearly all
of the outgoings, at 95.8%.

The other categories were much smaller. Community contributions, which were the
second largest revenue source, brought in 10.4% of overall income, and this was
followed by program revenue, at 2.2%. Investment income, government grants, and
other income were very small sources of revenue, accounting for only 0.8%
combined.

There were only two other expenditure items, fundraising and management and
general, accounting for 2.6% and 1.6% respectively. The total amount of income was
$53,561,580, which was just enough to cover the expenditures of $53,224,896.

P a g e 30
The pie charts compare ways of accessing the news in Canada and
Australia.

The pie charts show the principle ways of finding out the news in two different
countries, Canada and Australia. The two nations show broadly similar
patterns, though there are some differences, both significant and minor.

One of the most prominent features of this data is that, while in Canada over a
third of people access the news online, in Australia the figure is more than half,
at 52%. It is apparent that viewing the TV news is popular in both countries,
with about two fifths of Canadian population favouring this mode of delivery and
only 3% fewer in Australia. One major difference between Canada and Australia
is that over twice as many people read the news in print in the former, compared
with the latter. The figures are 14% and 7% respectively. Similarly, listening to
the news on the radio is preferred by three times more people in Canada than
in Australia.

Overall, it can be said that the high levels of internet use in Australia mean that
other methods such as radio and print are used less in comparison with
Canada.

(182 words)

P a g e 31
The graph below shows the demand for electricity in England during
typical days in winter and summer. The pie chart shows how electricity is
used in an average English home.

P a g e 32
The Demand for electricity in England during typical days in winter and
summer is illustrated in the graph. The use of electricity in an average
English home is shown in the pie chart. From the graph it is generally
obvious that the demand is in its maximum around 2100 in winter times
and in its minimum around 400 being almost constant between 1200 and
2100 in winter times. During summer times on the other hand the demand
reaches its top point around 1300 and the bottom point around 900 being
almost constant between 1550 and 2000.
In wither times the curve gradually increases to reach 40000 units of
electricity by 3 o’clock in the morning. This is followed by gradual decline
to its lowest limit of 30000 units at 9 o’clock. A gradual rise is obvious
again to reach a stationary level between 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock of about
40000 units again. Then there is a sharp rise in the next hour to reach its
maximum before collapsing again to a lower level by the end of the day.
In summer time the curve gradually decrease to reach its lower limit
around 9 o’clock of a bit more that 10000 units. A gradual increase is
noticed to reach its top of 20000 after which a stationary phase is obvious
between 3 o’clock and 10 o’clock at night of about 15000 units.
The pie chart on the other hand shows that 52.5% of the electricity is used
for heating rooms and water. 17.5% is consumed for ovens kettles and
washing machines 15% is used in lighting TV and radio and finally 15% is
consumed in the sue of vacuum cleaners food mixtures and electric tools.
(285 words)

P a g e 33
The charts below show local government expenditure in 2010 and 2015.

P a g e 34
The charts show the percentage breakdown of government spending
across nine categories in 2010 and 2015. Over the five-year period, there
were significant changes in expenditure.
In both years, the four largest areas of government expenditure were:
education, healthcare, pensions, and defence, with education taking the
largest share (24% in 2010 and 21% in 2015). The smallest areas of
expenditure were transport, culture and leisure and "other". Interest on
borrowing and spending on welfare lay in between.
Interestingly, between 2010 and 2015, spending on all four of the largest
areas had dropped, with the exception of pensions, which remained the
same at 19%. Spending on transport and culture and leisure also fell
significantly, with the transport budget declining by two thirds. On the other
hand, spending on welfare and interest on government borrowing rose
markedly, with the latter doubling over the five-year period to 10%.
Overall, the charts indicate that the government has had to cut
expenditure in most areas in order to fund the cost of borrowing and
welfare.
(170 words)

P a g e 35
The line chart below shows the results of a survey giving the reasons why
people moved to the capital city of a particular country.

P a g e 36
The line graph sets out the key motivations for people relocating to the
capital of a specific country between 2000 and 2015.
Moving for the purpose of study saw the greatest rise overall, with a jump
of approximately 62,000. It rose considerably in two periods - from 2000
to 2005 (by 22,000), and then again from 2010 to 2015 (by 33,000), with
a more gentle growth of around 7,000 in between.
Elsewhere, the figure of people relocating for work began at 61,000 in
2000, then peaked at 92,000 in 2010 - the highest of any reason, in any
year - before finishing as the joint-highest in 2015 (87,000 - on a level with
those relocating in order to study). Notably, this category was the only one
of the four that underwent a downturn.
Turning to 'adventure', this category rose the most stably and steadily of
all four categories, from 11,000 to 15,000 over the fifteen-year period.
Meanwhile, the number of people relocating for 'family and friends'
reasons climbed gently in the first five years (12,000 to 14,000), followed
by an upswing to 22,000, before eventually levelling off at around 23,000
in 2015.
(192 words)

P a g e 37
The graph gives information about male and female gym membership
between 1980 and 2010.

The line graph shows male and female gym membership over a thirty-year
period. The vertical axis represents the number of members in units of
1,000. The horizontal axis represents the period from 1980 to 2010.
Overall, the graph indicates that there were greater fluctuations in gym
membership among men than among women. The number of male members
started the period at just over two thousand and reached highs of four thousand
in 1985 and five thousand around 2005. The lowest rates were between 1993
and 1997 and more recently in 2010 when the rate dipped as low as one
thousand.
Female gym membership began lower at one thousand, doubled by 1984, and
then fluctuated between two and three thousand for the remainder of the period.
When male rates were at their lowest, female rates were higher. This was
particularly true between 1993 and 1997 when over three thousand women held
gym membership.
In brief, there were marked differences in rates of male and female gym
memberships in the period covered. (170 words)
P a g e 38
The graph below shows population figures for India and China since the
year 2000 and predicted population growth up until 2050.

The graph shows how the populations of India and China have changed since
2000 and how they will change in the future.

In 2000, there were more people living in China than in India. The number of
Chinese was 1.25 billion, while India's population was about 1 billion. Between
2000 and 2010, there has been a 0.2 billion rise in the number of Indian citizens.
Over the same period, China's population has increased by 0.1 billion to reach
over 1.35 billion.

According to the graph, the population in India will increase more quickly than
in China, and experts say that by 2030, both countries will have the same
population of 1.45 billion. After this, China's population is likely to fall slightly to
1.4 billion in 2050, while India's population will probably increase and reach 1.6
billion.

Thus, over the 50-year period, India is going to experience steady growth in its
population and it will overtake China. On the other hand, China's population will
peak in 2030 and then begin to fall.
(173 words)
P a g e 39
The graph below shows the number of books read by men and women at
Burnaby Public Library from 2011 to 2014.

The graph gives information about Burnaby Public Library between 2011
and 2014. It shows how many library books people read over this four-
year period.

As can be seen from the graph, there were different trends for men and women.
The number of books read by men increased steadily between 2011 and 2012,
from about 3000 to 4000. After that, the number rose dramatically to 14000
books in 2014. This was the highest figure in the period.
Women started off reading more books than men, but their numbers followed a
different pattern. Between 2011 and 2012, there was an increase of 3000 from
5000 books to 8000 books, and then a gradual rise to 10000 books in 2013.
However, in 2014, their numbers fell back to 8000 again. Overall, there was a
strong upward trend in the number of books read by men. Although women
read more books than men in 2011, their reading fell to below the level of men
in 2014. (162 words)
P a g e 40
The tables below show people's reasons for giving up smoking, and when
they intend to give up.

P a g e 41
The two tables together give a snapshot of the reasons people
choose to stop smoking and when they intend to give up.
The main reason smokers give for stopping is for general health (71%),
with financial considerations (31%) and the risk of smoking-related
diseases (25%) being the next two most popular reasons. One fact to
highlight from this table is that almost twice the percentage of heavy
smokers cite present health problems as the reason compared to light
smokers.
According to the second table, the majority of smokers questioned (71%)
intended to give up, with light smokers more inclined to stop (79%) than
heavy smokers (60%). 35% of smokers said they were planning to give
up within the next six months and only 12% said they were prepared to try
within the following month. Although only 29% of smokers on average
were unwilling to give up, heavy smokers were almost twice as unwilling
to try as light smokers, which perhaps reflects the level of addiction in the
former group.

P a g e 42
The table below shows the changes in some household types in Canada
from 1984 to 2020.

The table shows the changes in household types in Canada at 10-year intervals
from 1984 to 2014 and again in 2020.

There has been a steady increase in households without children during this
period. One-person households doubled from 6% in 1984 to 12% in 2020, whilst
the percentage of couples with no children rose from 19% in 1984 to 23% in
2004 and to 25% in 2014. However, this figure levelled out in 2020. Even bigger
changes have occurred when it comes to couples with dependent children. This
category shrank from 52% in 1984 to 36% in 2020. In contrast, the percentage
of lone parents trebled over the same period, rising from 4% in 1984 to 12% in
2020. The percentage of families with non-dependent children has remained
more stable: 10% in 1984, rising only 1% over the next 20 years before falling
to 9% in 2014.
In conclusion, the table shows definite patterns of change within the Canadian
family over the past 40 years, in particular the decline in the traditional. model
of one couple with dependent children. (179 words)

P a g e 43
The table below shows the estimated literacy rates by region and gender
for 2000-2004.

The table shows estimated literacy rates for men and women in 2000-2004 in
five regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. It also shows
average world literacy rates for both genders for the same years.

According to the table, Europe has the highest literacy rates, reaching almost
99%. There is virtually no difference in literacy rates for European men and
women.

In Oceania and the Americas, the figures for both men and women are almost
the same. In both regions over 93% of the population is literate.

In both Asia and Africa, there are considerable differences in literacy rates
between men and women. In Asia, only 72.5% of women are literate, whereas
the figure for Asian men is 13% higher. In Africa, the gap is nearly double, with
53.9% of all African women being literate and 71.6% of the African men being
able to read and write.

Overall, around 82% of the world population is literate. In Europe, Oceania and
the Americas the literacy rates are the highest, with over 90% of the population
able to read and write. Asia and Africa have lower literacy rates than the other
regions in the graph.

P a g e 44
The table below shows the results of a 20-year study into why adults in
the UK attend arts events.

The table illustrates four reasons why adults in the UK have attended arts
events over the past twenty years. The major reason over the whole twenty-
year period was a desire to see a specific performer or artist; while the least
important reason was attending arts events for work-related reasons.

The percentage of people who attended events out of a desire to see a

particular performer has remained relatively stable throughout the twenty-year
period; varying from 58% twenty years ago to 56% today.
On the other hand, the percentage of people accompanying children has shown
a significant increase, from 9% 20 years ago to just under a quarter today. As
far as those who attended arts events because of special occasions or
celebrations are concerned, the percentage fell slightly from 27% 20 years ago
to 20% a decade ago, dropping dramatically to 9% today.
There has been a slight increase in the percentage of people attending arts
events for work or business, from 6% 20 years ago to just over 10% today.

Overall, there has been a rise in people attending events in order to accompany
children and for work-related reasons, while fewer people choose to attend an
arts event as a form of celebration.
(204 words)

P a g e 45
The maps below show changes in the city of Nelson in recent times.

P a g e 46
The two maps show the main changes which have taken place in the town
of Nelson between the year 2000 and today.
In general, it appears that Nelson has become a much more modern city,
with far more shopping and transport facilities.
One interesting change is that a new trans line has been built, to connect
the university with the town centre. In 2000, there wasn't any
accommodation for students, but a hall of residence has been built near
the university. Another striking change is that the old market in the west of
the city has been knocked down to make way for new shops. A completely
new covered market has also been built on the other side of town.
If we look at the port area, it has been pedestrianized since 2000, and a
range of entertainment facilities have been built, such as restaurants, bars
and clubs. The north-east of the city used to be a green area, with lots of
trees, but the trees have been cut down, and a new shopping complex
has been constructed. A final interesting development has been the
introduction of a bike-rental scheme in the city centre.
(194 words)

P a g e 47
The maps below show a science park in 2008 and the same park today.

P a g e 48
The maps detail alterations to a science park dating back to 2008. Looking from
an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the park has expanded to
include more areas for research, education and improved accessibility.

Considering initially the northern end of the park, in 2008 there was
considerable untouched natural land that has now been replaced with a
research and development center (the reception area was also removed in
favor of a university hub, while the adjacent offices remain the same). South of
these new facilities, the car park has reduced in size, the business units are
unchanged, and, most significantly, the cyber security building has been
enlarged, overtaking previously undeveloped land.

In the southern section of the park, the circular IT centre has been transformed
into an innovation centre and there is a new train station on the southernmost
tracks with walkways branching off to various facilities. Finally, there are
additional biking routes along an eastern road and running through the centre
of the park past the car park and new buildings.

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The map below shows the development of the village of Ryemouth between 1995 and present.

P a g e 50
The map shows how a village called Ryemouth has developed over the last
twenty-five years. There have been several changes, the most noticeable being
the increases in accommodation, the elimination of the fishing industry, and the
introduction of sports facilities.
In 1995, to the south of the village where the sea is there was previously a
fishing industry, with a fishing port and quite a large fish market as well. Next to
this was a small cafe. On the other side of the road running by the sea stood a
line of five shops and a hotel, while situated in the north east part of the village
was farmland and a park with trees. The main housing of the village was located
in the north west around a main road that runs from the coastal road, with twelve
houses, four of them encircled by a smaller side-street.
Turning to the present day map, it can be seen that the fishing facilities have all
gone, being replaced by four apartments, and the shops have become
restaurants. The cafe remains, as does the hotel, albeit with parking facilities
which it did not have before. Having been converted into a golf course, the
farmland has now gone, while the forest park has been removed to make way
for tennis courts. Although the old houses remain, new ones have been built,
along with a new road with two new houses beside it.
(240 Words)

P a g e 51
The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourist
facilities.

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The maps illustrate the changes that have occurred on an island due to the
building of facilities for tourists.
The island originally consisted of just palm trees and the beach, yet now,
although the palm trees remain, it hosts a wealth of attractions for holiday
makers, from restaurants and swimming to accommodation.
The island is approximately 200 metres long, with a small beach on the western
tip. It was deserted before, with only a scattering of palm trees. Now though,
there is an abundance of places to stay in the form of fifteen beach huts situated
in circular patterns in the centre of the island and to the west.
Between these two sets of accommodation there is also a new large restaurant
and a reception building, both served by new vehicle tracks. Situated in the
south is a t-shaped pier for ships to dock, and sailing boats are now evident in
this area of the sea. Footpaths have also been constructed, which traverse the
island, leading to the new buildings and also the beach, where tourists can now
swim.
(177 Words)

P a g e 53
The illustrations show how chocolate is produced.

The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a
total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on
the cacao trees and culminating in the production of the chocolate.
To begin, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South
American and African continents and the country of Indonesia. Once the
pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are
removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large
tray so they can dry under the sun.
Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are
then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are
crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part
that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.
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The diagram below shows the recycling process of plastics.

The given diagram illustrates the process of plastic recycling.

Overall, there are essentially six stages in the plastic recycling process, beginning
with the buying, using and discarding of new plastic products and ending with newly
recycled products entering the market again.

In the first stage, new products displayed in shops are purchased, used and thrown
away. Plastic bags, along with other garbage, are sent and buried in landfill sites.
Plastic bottles and containers however, are collected for recycling. After being
gathered, the plastic bottles are then taken to sorting houses where they are divided
into different categories.

Once the plastic has been sorted, it is then loaded onto trucks and transported to
factories where it is processed and made into new plastic products. These new,
recycled plastic products are then finally distributed back to retail shops where they
are sold, reused and discarded once again, thereby continuing the process.

P a g e 55
The diagram below shows the process of recycling glass bottles.

The diagram illustrates how glass bottles are recycled.

Overall, it is clear that there are three separate stages involved in the recycling
process, starting with the collection of wasted bottles and ending with new products
entering the market to be purchased.

In the initial stage, all glass bottles are stored in collection points from where they are
picked up and delivered by trucks to a cleaning plant. Here, the bottles are washed
with high pressure water, and then sorted according to color (clear, green or brown)
and prepared for the following stages.

The clean and sorted bottles are then transferred to a recycling plant, where they are
melted in a special glass furnace to turn the glass into liquid form. The recycled liquid
glass, along with new liquid glass, is then molded to form new glass bottles. Finally,
the new bottles are ready to be used and sent to supermarkets where they will be
purchased and used by customers, thereby completing the process.

P a g e 56
P a g e 57
The image outlines the several phases required to publish a book. Overall,
from the point of writing a book until it is sold in bookshops, the book-
publishing process includes nine main steps, some of which are carried
out manually and others that require the aid of machinery.

The entire process takes approximately 18 to 24 months to complete, and

the first step is where a book is written by an author using a typewriter.
After this, the book is sent to a publishing house where the author’s work
is studied by editors before a contract is made between the publishing
house and the author.

Once the contract is signed, the task of designing the layout begins and
continues until a final decision and the best layout is made. In the next
phase, a printer is used to produce the book’s pages that are then bound
together in the eighth step of the process. The final stage in the process
is where the books are distributed to bookshops.

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