Part II.

Essay Writing (120 marks)

Topic 1: In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places
and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons
and details to support your position.
In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and
office buildings. In my opinion, I strongly believe that it is a good rule.
Firstly, smoking in public places and office buildings badly affects others people’s
health. Passive smokers breathing cigarette smoke may get serious diseases such as lung
cancer.
Secondly, smoking causes air pollution. Cigarette smoke contains a lot of toxic
chemicals and it pollutes the air.
Finally, fire may be caused by smoking in these public areas. If smokers are not
careful with their cigarette ashes, they can be harmful for the building and other people inside
them.
In conclusion, smoking negatively affects other people’s health and causes air
pollution and fire. Hence, not allowing people to smoke in public places and office building is
a good rule.
Topic 2: Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to
prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.
Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to
prepare and eat food at home. In my opinion, I would prefer to prepare and eat food at home
because of the following reasons.
Firstly, eating food at home is safer and more hygienic. When preparing and cooking
food by yourself, you can ensure the food quality.
Secondly, eating at home is a good chance for your family members to get closer.
Having meals together is good time for your family members to talk and share anything.
Therefore, you can understand your dear ones more.
In short, safer and more hygienic food and cozier family atmosphere are the main
reasons of preparing and eating food at home. Therefore, you should always take chance to
cook for your family.

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Topic 3: It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do
you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
Some people say that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a
big city. However, I think that it would be better for them to grow up in a big city.
Firstly, children living in a big city can have a good chance to study. There are many
good schools in a big city.
Secondly, children can have many good opportunities to get good jobs when they are
grown up. Most of big companies are located in the city center.
Finally, children can benefit from good medical service. Most of hospitals and
medical centers in the city center are equipped with modern equipment.
In short, better chance to study, opportunities to get good jobs and medical service
are the benefits of growing up in a big city. Therefore, you should choose to raise your
children in a big city to get such good benefits.

Topic 4: Employers should pay young people the same salary as older colleagues doing the
same job. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to
develop your essay.
Some people say that / It is said that employers should pay young people the same
salary as older colleagues doing the same job. However, I completely disagree with that
opinion because of the following reasons.
Firstly, older colleagues have more experience to contribute to the development of
the company. Moreover, thanks to their experience, they can guide the younger ones.
Secondly, older ones have made a lot of contribution to the company. Paying older
colleagues more than the younger ones is a good way to encourage employees to be more
dedicated to their work.
In short, more experience and contribution are the main reasons that employers
should pay older colleagues more than younger ones. Therefore, each employee should be
more dedicated to his or her work.

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Topic 5: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do
anything they can to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your
position.
It is said that businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. However, I
totally disagree with that statement because of the following reasons
Firstly, in order to make a profit, businesses shouldn’t do anything harmful to the
environment. Because the environment is extremely important to people all over the world;
however, some businesses only focus on producing and they destroying it.
Secondly, businesses shouldn’t do anything harmful to people’s heath. For example,
some businesses use toxics in foods or produce low-quality products to reduce costs.
In conclusion, when doing business, businesses shouldn’t do anything harmful to the
environment and people’s heath because of the mentioned reasons. Therefore, the government
should control businesses closely to avoid negative effects.
Topic 6: People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music
important to many people. Support your answer with specific reasons and examples.
It is obvious/ clear that music is popular around the world. It is extremely important
to our lives because of the following reasons.
Firstly of all, music can help you relax after a hard-working day. Listening to music
can relieve your stress and make you feel comfortable, and when you are in a bad mood,
music can cheer you up.
In addition, music is a good way to express your feelings. Sometimes you can’t show
your emotion to someone, but music can help you do it. For example, if you want to show
your love to someone, you can send to a song that person through a music program.
Finally, music is really essential in parties, ceremonies and events. When you listen
to a song, you can know something about its culture and origin. What would Olympic games
be like without anthems?
In conclusion, music plays an essential role in our lives. Therefore, we should take
chance to listen to music to enrich our spiritual life.

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Topic 7: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Watching TV is bad for
children. Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
Some people say/ It is said that watching T.V. is bad for children. I completely agree
with that statement.
Firstly, watching TV too much can be harmful to children’s health. It can badly
affect their eyes and make them become overweight because of sitting too much. For
example, my nephew becomes seriously short –sighted as he watches T.V eight hours a day.
Secondly, watching TV can make children distracted from their studies. If they are
too addicted to watching TV, they spend a lot of time watching and they don’t pay much
attention to their studies.
Finally, watching TV too much can destroy children’s communication. If they focus
on TV, they don’t have much time to communicate with their dear ones and friends.
Therefore, their social skills are badly affected.
In conclusion, watching TV can have negative effects on children. Therefore, parents
should control their children’s TV watching to avoid those bad sides.

Topic 8: Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend
their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside
for your leisure activities? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.
Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend
their leisure time indoors. In my opinion, I would prefer to be outdoors in my spare time.
First of all, when you are outdoor, you can enjoy fresh air, the surrounding trees can
give you more oxygen and make you feel more comfortable.
In addition, spending free time outdoors can make you become more active. You can
enjoy in many outdoor sports, games and activities such as playing football, swimming or
going shopping.
Finally, enjoying your leisure time outdoors can help you extend your social
relationships. When you are outdoors, you can meet many different kinds of people, make
friends and your social relationships and social skills can be improved.

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 In short, spending your spare time outdoors brings you many benefits. Thus, you
should take time to enjoy your free time outdoors.