SAMPLE 1

Do you agree that the advantages cars bring outweigh the disadvantages?
Using cars has been becoming increasingly common in recent years. Although I think
that it maintains some obvious harmful consequences, I strongly believe that the
advantages of the car can outweigh its advantages.
On the one hand, owning cars has a significant influence on the environment. The first
reason is that the growth in travelling by car can lead to a rise in pollution, traffic
jams, and accidents. More cars are likely to result in rocketing rate of pollution.
Secondly, our dependence on cars can lead to decrease in practices, such as walking
and cycling. People may have a higher chance of carrying more potential health risks
like obesity and heart attack.
On the other hand, there are many reasons why people prefer to own cars. Firstly, it
provides people with the freedom of movement. The ease of transportation which a
car brings is significant/prominent than any other form of vehicles. For example, you
can go from a destination to another destination and no time is wasted waiting for the
bus or train. Therefore, time and distance are not barriers anymore. Secondly,
personal cars can give comfort while travelling compared to the public transports
which are so crowded and disgusting. For instance, you can read books, listen to
your favourite songs or even play with kids while you are in your own car but all
seems to be impossible on a public transport. Finally, families can go together. This
becomes especially helpful when there are elderly, the disabled or even sick members
in the families.
In conclusion, having a car can lead to a few obvious problems, but I believe that
owning a car is the best choice and the benefits that it brings about can outshine its
drawbacks.
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When choosing a job, the salary is SAMPLE
the most important consideration. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
12
It is true that salary plays an integral part in selecting career/choosing a job.
While I accept that this may suite to many people, I believe that there are many
ones choosing jobs according to other considerations.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons / various reasons for considering
salary as the most crucial factor. A high income guarantees a high standard quality of
life, in which the people can afford their increasing demand on not only human basic
needs but also luxurious things such as brand new accessories or overseas holidays.
Besides/ In addition, many people set salary as a measure of their working capacity
as well as their level in the company. The higher income they receive, the more
valuable they are in their prospective employment; therefore, not only the amount of
money itself but also made-up reputation makes the salary the most concerned matter
in job selection.
On the other hand, there is an increasing number of people considering other
conditions to make a decision on job movement. The working environment is
highlighted in the requirement of many job seekers, especially for people who adore
the freedom and outdoor activities. In fact, they cannot stand on the job which requires
8 hours of sitting in front of the computer every day like a bank officer even though
this vacancy is offered the extremely competitive salary in the job market. In addition,
contribution to the society is also an interesting matter that a lot of people choose. For
example, instead of working for a big consulting firm in the city, many friends of
mine go to rural areas, assisting and improving the performance of local enterprises.
They receive a tiny amount of money, but they are happy with their choices because
they help to increase the average income of the local residents.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that the salary is important in job selection of many
people, but this is by no means the key consideration for everybody in making a
career decision.
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12
 SAMPLE
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of
high school programmes (for example13 working for a charity, improving the
neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
Some people think that free social activities should be a mandatory part of high school
programs. While students who take part in these activities may face some unexpected
issues, I agree that educators should design required community services for their high
school students without any payments.
On the one hand, the most considerable trouble affects students when participating in
public activities is the shortage of time. Particularly, they may be less focused on
their core lessons in class, even lack leisure time because of spending too much time
for community services. Besides, there are obligatory services which do not suit to
everyone. For example, working for a charity at mountainous places or suburban areas
requires students to have to go far away or teaching sports to younger children at
outdoor stadium demands a good health. All of these types of work do not fit to the
weak girls or unhealthy students.
On the other hand, attending unpaid public services will bring great benefits to high
school students. Firstly, these programs create a positive environment for students to
be raised in a holistic way, not only improving their social knowledge but also
motivate their perception about the outdoor life. This is really an appropriate method
to train them on how to work for the interest of community instead of living only for
themselves. Secondly, taking part in public activities such as volunteer campaigns and
charity organizations is a highlighted point which makes their resume brilliant. If an
applicant who has the same qualification, as well as experiences with other
candidates, would like to apply for a scholarship or a competitive job, his past
activities for the interest of community may make an outstanding contribution in
helping him defeat the others.
In conclusion, although there are some disadvantages, it seems to me that we should
design more unpaid obligatory community programs for high school students.
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13
 SAMPLE
People should follow the customs and traditions when people start to live in a new
14or disagree?
country. To what extent do you agree
In the modern busy life, there are a large number of immigrants who have been willing
to have a comfortable life in other nations. Many advocate that people should conform
to the local customs and traditions when they settle in a new country. From my
respective, I strongly agree with this idea because of some problems and benefits that
people can face with them.
There are two important reasons why newcomers should blend into the local culture
in the host country. Firstly, the refusal to adapt to host environment would create a
cultural barrier for immigrants. This leads to social isolation, which has negative
influences on people’s lives. Secondly, it is logical/true that limited knowledge of
local customs may result in some illegal actions in the host country and make
local/native people unpleased. For instance, in Singapore, one of the cleanest
countries in Asia, local residents consider anyone dirty and ill-mannered if they litter
the street or spit gum in the public.
Newcomers can gain some benefits if they adopt the customs and traditions of a new
country. One benefit is that if immigrants behave in accordance with the local norms,
they will be accepted easily by local inhabitants, and as a result, they can receive/gain
respects and affections as well as some help from the local. For example, when the
enterprises want to expand their production in a new country, they must be aware of
business practices there, which provides them with useful information to maximise
profits. Another benefit is that newcomers might gain the richness of knowledge by
virtue of the local customs and traditions, which enables them to actively participate in
the activities of the community. In many festivals, people are able to participate/join
freely and feel harmonious like their own country.
In conclusion, I would argue that people who dwell in a new country should follow
the customs and traditions which local people observe.
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There are many different types ofSAMPLE
music in the world today. Why do we need
music? Is the traditional music of a 15
country more important than the international
music that is heard everywhere nowadays?
It is generally known that music holds an indispensable position for our mentality.
There is a wide range of explanations for the necessity of music. Personally, I hold
the perception that the traditional music of a country, compared with foreign music, is
definitely more invaluable.
It is undoubted that music is of necessity for human’s lives. First of all, music is
considered as an efficiently recreational activity for people after a long day of hard
work. Students and officers nowadays have to suffer from an enormous amount of
stress from their study and work. As a matter of fact, music allows them to refresh their
own moods and to be full of beans. Secondly, music is highly appreciated for its
representation of culture and custom of a country. For instance, Vietnamese folk songs
vividly convey how industrious Vietnamese is to introduce to international visitors.
From my perspective, the value of the traditional music overweighs that of the
international one which is widely listened to by a vast majority of young people,
especially teenagers all over the world. Despite the fact that hit songs are eventful,
catchy and bring us enthusiasm, they have no virtuous or meaningful messages. The
traditional music, meanwhile, passes historical and traditional values on the fellow
generations, which reminds them of patriotism and national proudness. Moreover,
International music has recently been used for commercial purposes to gain a
reputation for entertainment companies or celebrities, it has no value at all in the long
run.
In conclusion, music plays a vital part in life and I strongly believe that the role of the
traditional music should be recognized than that of the international music.
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15
Many people choose to work or liveSAMPLE
abroad because of the higher standards of
16 country. Do you think this brings more
living they can find outside their home
advantages or disadvantages to the people who follow this path?
In recent decades witnessed an increase in the proportion of foreign settlement,
raising many questions of safety and integration. Although the ideas of potential
drawbacks appear to be reasonable, I think living abroad will pay dividends.
On the one hand, there is a myriad of benefits when it comes to living abroad. First,
Residing in another nation is conducive to the liberty from the rigid laws and social
norms. For example, Homosexual individuals in Russia have a propensity to move to
other European countries because Homosexual intercourse means capital punishment.
Second, the Foreign residence is invariably associated with higher opportunities of
experiencing a more progressive and standardized learning environment. This means
would act as an incentive for their acquisition of academic and empirical knowledge,
promoting their career prospects with better social status.
On the other hand, there are some potential problems pertaining to working or living
in a foreign environment. First, Individuals moving abroad themselves could be
highly sensitive to homesickness and nostalgia. This psychological disorders would
discourage their desire for integration, increasing the likelihood of isolation from the
locals outside. In addition, the foreign settlement could culminate in the issues of
cultural clash due to religious beliefs. For example, Some Islamic refugees are
susceptible to racial discrimination and even physical battery due to the prejudice
that Islamism is the cause of terrorism.
In conclusion, despite the ideas of safety and assimilation difficulties, the foreign
residence would offer a better living standard in terms of liberty and education
prospects.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that it is best to live in a horizontal city while others think of a
vertical city. Discuss both views and 17
give your opinion.
The idea that, whether dwelling in horizontal areas or in vertical ones is more
beneficial, remains a source of controversy. While some individuals say that they
prefer living in horizontal central, I would argue that it would be better to reside in
high-rise building areas.
On the one hand, a horizontal city has its own notable merits. Firstly, the service
expenditure in their accommodation is not as costly as in the vertical city. On
account of the fact that the security charge or elevator fees will not be included if
they reside in merely a double-storied building. Secondly, it is widely
acknowledged that each person is capable of extricating easily from emergency
cases such as fire, construction collapse and avoiding elevator accidents.
Furthermore, the comfortable and roomy living space in vertical centrals makes a
major contribution to render an enjoyable life that helps to release their stress and
strain.
On the other hand, I strongly believe that living in vertical cities is much more
advantageous. The first benefit is that vertical areas can resolve the issue of
accommodation shortage due to the population explosion in metropolitan centrals. As
a matter of fact, there are more and more multi-story apartments where hundreds of
civilians could experience the co-habitant environment in lieu of solo-dwelling in
separately private houses which will account for a great deal of the residential area.
Another benefit is that a wide range of goods and services such as rental offices,
shopping malls, coffee shops are associated together in many skyscrapers in a
ubiquitous way. For instance, a considerable number of apartments in Ho Chi Minh
City are utilized not only for residential property but also for commercial purposes as
supermarkets or gymnasiums, listed as some examples, which will create the
convenience for dwellers at the max rate.
In conclusion, it seems to me that it is better to live in a vertical city because of some
outstanding points although other people insist on preferring a horizontal central.
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17
 SAMPLE
Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of
18 affected the types of relationships that
technology. In what ways has technology
people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?
In the world nowadays, the behavior of people with their partners has altered since
the light of the proliferation of technology. There are a variety of ways that personal
relationships have been influenced by the use of technical devices and I believe that
the benefits of this change outweigh the drawbacks.
The two main effects on friendships which can be obviously seen are not only how
people show their emotions but also the ways that they contact each other. Firstly, by
reading the statuses written on social networks, teenagers can update the situation of
their friends every day. Lots of people are choosing to talk to their partners by the
assistance of video calls in lieu of going to restaurants or café to save time and
money. Secondly, should a person install some social networks such as Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter and apps like that, he can illustrate his feeling which may be unreal
on the statuses and pictures of his friends. This is the reason why close relationships
have declined, by contrast, losing touch with distant friends is not necessarily an
unfavorable issue.
The adjustment of the way that people interact is beneficial based on two key
reasons. First, the use of handheld devices increasing significantly in recent years
assists the users in getting in touch more easily and faster with their companions than
in approximately three decades ago. For example, while it took about at least one
week to deliver the letters of a temper in the past, current residents can receive
immediately the vital messages in a few seconds. Furthermore, the social relations of
every individual are expanding day by day. Residents nowadays establish easily a
relationship with a foreigner who is living in another country.
In conclusion, there are some changes in relationships towards eschewing traditional
communication methods like letters in favor of modern gadgets and I am firm in my
belief that this improvement is convenient for people in some aspects.
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18
 SAMPLE
International tourism is now more common than ever before. Some feel that this is
19
a positive trend, while others do not.
What are your opinions on this?
In line with the shift in time, a recent phenomenon on the tourism of citizens indicates
some concerns in terms of problems from international tourists. This essay will
elaborate on some probable causes and positive solutions which can improve this
situation.
There are some widespread reasons why local people consider that tourists who are
from other countries would have some negative impacts on their societies.
Firstly, the consciousness of tourists about saving the environment of the country
where they visit is seen as the main reason, for example, some foreign tourists often
draw their marks on the wall in historical places like temple or museum as well as
litter beautiful landscapes such as famous beaches. Secondly, nowadays some
tourists take advantages from visiting another country to stay illegally. For instance,
there are a large number of people from developing countries travel to South Korean
nowadays, and their purpose is to reside without being accepted immigration, so it
would be complicated for the government of the country to manipulate illegal
immigrants.
Therefore/Subsequently/Inevitably, some measures should be implemented to deal with
these issues of international tourism. It is necessary for the host countries to be strict to
tourism agencies about ensuring that they would not let their customers commit any
unfit behavior which is mentioned above by giving some strict rules. For example, the
financial and prison punishments for tourists who lack awareness should be
implemented. Another remedy is that local people especially youngsters can
participate in some volunteer activities to introduce the beauty of their culture and
landscape to tourists so the visitors have more respect for the country they visit.
In conclusion, by conducting some positive solutions to resolve common negative
belief of local people, this situation would be better.
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19
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of
society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learnthis.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about how well older people educate children to become
valuable citizens. While some argue that it would be better for children to be disciplined by
their parents, I believe that children should be educated how to become respectable/decent
citizens at school.
There are various reasons why people believe that parents should teach their children to
adopt/develop/build up good manners. Firstly, children are prone to listen to their parents
who are powerful in families. For example, children might worry about wrong actions,
which leads to their making a decision as to whether they should commit/display such
behaviour pattern if they have ever been punished by their parents before. Secondly,
children have a close relationship with their parents whom they always count on whenever
they meet toughs in their life. Children, therefore, may pour their concern easily into
parent’s heart so parents are able to give advice timely, which is one of the most important
factors to deter children from becoming perverse. Finally, not only do parents bring their
children rights verbally, but also their life behaviors can have profound influences on their
children because children tend to imitate actions of older people.
In spite of these arguments, I hold the perception that/I am inclined to argue that schooling
would play an essential role in the formation of children’s characters. Except for homes,
school is the place children spend the biggest amount of time. Thus, teachers are likely to
be second parents to instruct children in being aware of the rights and the wrongs in every
walk of life. Admittedly, teachers can be stricter with children than parents given that
parents usually spoil their children excessively. Under this circumstance, educating in
school is the best solution to build a good personality of children. Moreover, school
environment will enable children to either find out their abilities or their desires by
attending some recreational physical activities or studying specific subjects; this is
beneficial tochildren in becoming well-rounded individuals in the future.
In conclusion, apart from being primarily responsible for educating children from parents,
schools also prevent children from the misguided frame of mind to be
productive people in society.
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20
Everyone should become vegetarian SAMPLE
because they21
do not need to eat meat to have
a healthy diet. Do you agree or disagree?
With veganism trend, many people are convincing themselves that plant-based foods
can suffice when it comes to daily nutrient needs, so they tend to remove all traces of
meat from their diets. However, I have to (politely) disagree with the anti-meat
argument.
There are a variety of reasons why people should have meat-related foods in their
meals. First, many important nutrients derive from animal sources. For example, if we
are meant to subsist on vegetables alone, we will experience vitamin deficiencies
because of some of the vitamins can only be obtained from meat.
Another reason is that meat helps keep blood sugar levels stable due to its fat and high
protein content. Steady blood sugar level is critical in preventing diabetes, as well as
other chronic diseases. Moreover, with a moderate level of blood sugar, people are
less likely to drool for fattening snacks and sweets which are unhealthyfoods.
Apart from the practical advantages expressed above, meat offers a host of critical
health benefits. Firstly, when people work themselves to the bone trying to gain
muscle, they have to nourish their body appropriately. In fact, they can take protein
supplements, but the best source of protein is fresh meat. Meat contains vitamins and
minerals like zinc that aid muscle growth, which assists in muscle repair. Secondly,
meat is one of the best sources of iron, which boosts energy levels and combats
fatigue. Iron deficits can easily put people at risk of anemia and low energy, which is
why anemia is a chronic problem for vegetarians.
In conclusion, with the reasons mentioned above, I think that people should not cut
meat out of their diets because it has too much to offer.
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21
Several languages are in danger ofSAMPLE 22 they are spoken by a very
extinction because
small number of people. Some people say that governments should spend public
money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of
money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion
Globalization has been taking place so fast that some languages such as English,
Spanish or Chinese have become virtually universal languages, which effectively
helps to foster communications among various nations while unpopular languages
spoken by ethnic minorities are more likely to go extinct. Therefore, some people
believe that public investments on saving the highly likely-extinct languages are
totally wasteful and futile; However, I believe all languages should be protected and
preserved.
On the one hand, the biggest drawback of saving minority languages is the problem in
efficiency which people are confronted. Firstly, there have been millions of people in
need of help to overcome far more urgent issues such as battling against severe
starvation or mass disease, and then it followed that investment on minority language
is reportedly considered a needless waste of money. Secondly, the wider the variety of
languages is, the less efficient the conversations among people coming from different
countries are. For example, the fact that people speaking different languages have to
make much more effort and time as well as misunderstand each other when
communicating make transaction cost increase.
Despite the above argument, I believe that governments should immediately embark
upon protecting and preserving the languages that are less spoken. A language not
only is the means of communication but also reflects distinctive cultures of various
nations. If a significant number of languages go extinct, the world will be
standardized and there will be a decline in cultural diversity. As a result, societies
are unlikely to progress to higher stages of development.
In conclusion, I believe that the short-term benefits in term of cost saving, which is
derived from the objection against saving the minor languages should not outweigh the
long benefits in term of high diversity.
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22
 SAMPLE
It is more important for schoolchildren to learn23
about local history than world
history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is an indisputable fact that history plays an essential role in the educational system
all over the world. However, children nowadays are getting overwhelmed with a
considerable range of historical knowledge; some people, for that reason, believe
that students should only focus on local history. In my opinion, both local and world
history ought to be taught on account of tremendous benefits they bring.
To begin with, local history is completely a great importance, especially for
schoolchildren due to the fact that it is not merely a particular subject at school but the
responsibility of every single student for their own country. To put it another way,
through history, children are able to establish a national identity which is likely to
enhance a sense of patriotism that encourages them to preserve/uphold traditional
values.
From another angle, learning global history is truly necessary as well. As a matter of
fact, the definition of globalization today is becoming more and more popular,
studying world history, therefore, keeps young learners up to date and indeed gives
them more opportunities to get exposed to the outside world, which they definitely
cannot learn through domestic one. Besides, world history also increases the chances
of boosting/improving employment prospects in future career. Take Japanese firms for
a typical example, owing to the appreciation of Japanese companies to a deep insight
of their culture, it is totally advantageous for employees who acquire a wide
knowledge of Japanese history.
In conclusion, both local history and world history are extremely important for
students because of their huge pros. Therefore they should be taught widely in the
school curriculum.
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23
 SAMPLE
In the future, it seems it will be more difficult to24
live on the Earth. Some people
think more money should be spent on researching other planets to live, such as
Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
As humans are becoming too vulnerable on Earth, some people believe
people/governments should pour more money into space research because of the quest
for a new homeland. I totally agree with this view.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that the Earth is no longer able to sustain human lives.
Firstly, environmental degradation is happening at a rapid speed, leading to natural
resources depletion. One potent example of this is the lack/shortage/scarcity of clean
water, particularly in developing countries, is becoming more severe and
insurmountable to deal with. In addition, fighting the greenhouse effect, which has
resulted in not only climate change but also the destruction of habitat, is becoming more
arduous and expensive than ever. This is partly because of the reliance on fossil fuels:
the more humans use them, the moreserious pollutions they would cause.
On the other hand, space exploration has been playing a crucial part in
revolutionizing mankind civilization. One reason is that it is discovering the
mysteries of the universe, which is also offering humans knowledge about planet
Earth. For instance, the information collected from space robes helped people
explain the origin of the Earth. Another reason is that a vast number of state-of- the-
art technologies stem from space research. Satellite technology, from which satellite
television and GPS devices have been invented, is one of them.
Apparently, researching into other planets has produced many spin-offs for solving
problems on Earth.
In conclusion, I would restate that space exploration is essential and worthy to develop
because this planet is becoming too dangerous for mankind to live.
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24
 SAMPLE
Consumers are faced with increasing 25 of advertisements from
numbers
competing companies. To what extent do you think consumers are influenced by
advertisements? What measures can be taken to protect them?
In recent years rather than being well-informed about details of newly launched
products, people are bombarded with all kinds of advertisements. I believe the
excessive popularity of advertisements has profound influences on customers and there
are some measures which can protect them.
The increasing prevalence of advertising exerts several detrimental effects on
consumers. First, commercials might stimulate people to purchase products that they
do not really need. In order to approach prospective customers and create brand
awareness, many enterprises tend to exaggerate the quality of their products. As a result,
unwary consumers who are swayed by glamorous advertisements are easily tempted to
impulsively buy goods that are of little use to them. Second, the rising popularity of
advertising can also encourage people to form bad habits. For example, as youngsters
are not mature enough to distinguish right from wrong or judge what is suitable within
society, they might become addicted to playing video games if they are exposed to
commercials promoting those products on a frequent basis.
There are several approaches that should be taken into consideration to protect
consumers from the adverse effects of advertising. Governments should impose a strict
regulation on the advertising industry. Under stringent control, most businesses would
be more responsible and truthful in promoting their products whether through online
advertisements or commercial advertising on prime-time television. This would
enable consumers to choose the most suitable and reliable products with greater trust
and confidence. Additionally, consumers should have a thorough plan of what they are
going to buy before they shop. By doing this, people will have time to prepare and
make a wise decision about what products should be bought, which eventually save a
great deal of money spent on unnecessary advertised goods.
In conclusion, although the excessive prevalence of advertising brings a lot of
disadvantages to consumers, there are several effective approaches to protect
consumers from negative influences of advertising.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that it is wrong 26 in zoos, while others think
to keep animals
that zoos are both entertaining and ecologically important. Discuss bothviews.
People have different views about the right of animals. While there are some good
arguments against keeping animals in zoos, many people believe that zoos can be
beneficial in some perspectives.
On the one hand, there are some drawbacks towards the trend of keeping animals in
zoos. The main drawback of these is that animals can lose their instinct for hunting or
fighting, and this may have negative impacts on the animals when they come back to
wildlife. Another disadvantage of zoos is that they can go wrong with the original
purpose. In fact, there are some organizations who just focus on profit rather than
protecting animals. For example, they try to catch rare animals and put them in the
cage in order to attract more people and increase their profit. Finally, animals are just
like humans, they should have the right to enjoy their freedom.
Despite the negatives mentioned above, zoos still have various benefits. Firstly, they
are built to protect endangered species such as panda or rhino from both
environmental harm and human activities. They also allow scientists to study about
animal characteristic and behaviour in a convenient way which can save a lot of time
and money. Secondly, zoos can help to promote the economy of the local area by
providing job opportunity and income for local residents. Lastly, zoos are interesting
and educational. For example, families with children can enjoy their weekend in the
zoo and also can teach their children about wildlife andnature.
In conclusion, it is not wrong to keep animals in zoos but it should be conducted in an
appropriate and scientifical way to bring the best benefits for both human and animals.
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26
Some people think that developing SAMPLE 27 need financial help from
countries
international organizations to continue their development. Some people argue that
practical aid or advice is more useful. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.
People‘s views differ over whether developing nations should receive financial or
practical support from developed countries. In my book, I strongly believe that
practical assistance would substantially contribute to the long-term growth of these
countries.
On the one hand, getting monetary support/aid plays a crucial role in alleviating
various economic problems of a country. This amount of money would probably make
a huge difference in various aspects. In terms of transportation, the government can
distribute their budget to the construction of railways towards slowing down traffic
congestion. In terms of healthcare, it is vital to provide ethnic minority at the local
territory with free medical services or raise public awareness through implementing
nationwide campaigns. In addition, fiscal help would also temporarily lift
impoverished people out of hunger, and is used for constructing some factories
creating jobs for millions of residents. This would greatly contribute to mitigating
unemployment rate.
On the other hand, while grants might be misused for wrong purposes, it is easier to
take control of practical support. This would produce long-term measures to the
problems of developing nations. The prosperous countries could spend high- educated
experts to such nations in order to carry out a few training programs for local workers.
For example, Vietnam has an agricultural economy; however, it has still struggled with
low productivity for several decades due to the lack of advanced technology. In this
context, it would be valuable to Vietnam if Japanese advisors travelled to Vietnam so
as to introduce cutting-edge technology, for instance. Therefore, practical assistance
apparently brings about a wider range of benefits than fiscal support.
In conclusion, I am in favour of the opinion that developing territories should
prioritize practical support over monetary help. Should these nations want to gain a
strong economy, they must get a practical contribution from international institutions.
301 words

27
 SAMPLE
Whether or not someone achieves their 28 by a question of luck. To
aims is mostly
what extent do you agree or not agree.
Many people argue that someone’s success is attributable to luck instead of their own
hard work. However, I totally disagree with this opinion.
First, I do believe that being successful requires determination and huge effort. For
example, Thomas Edison had continuously failed hundreds of times before inventing a
variety of creations, in which the light bulb is the most popular invention. Without his
infinite patience and diligent work, the scientist could not possess many different
patents which remarkably influence our daily life. Another case of success through
determination and passion is Steve Job, who kept pursuing his dream despite being
kicked out of his own company. Passion and persistence led him to spend thousands of
hours coding and experimenting to finally create a new operating system which
strongly/significantly changes the world of technology. Therefore, passion,
determination, and hard work are the key traits to succeed, which illustrates a greater
importance than luck.
Second, luck only makes a modest contribution to someone’s achievement. For the
student who prays every night to pass the exam, there is very little chance for him to
complete the test perfectly without any study or review. At least, the student has to
study hard on some key issues and luck does the last if the question in exam relates to
what he has known. However, in lottery case, it is undeniable to say that luck is purely
the reason turning one person to an overnight millionaire. However/ Nevertheless, the
nearly zero percent of probability to win a lottery clearly proves that luck only comes
by a small chance and cannot be the key point added to the success of everyone.
In conclusion, I completely disagree with the idea that it’s all the matter of luck to
succeed as there are other more important factors including passion, determination,
and hard work.
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University students always focus onSAMPLE 29subject, but some people think
one specialist
universities should encourage their students to study a range of subjects in addition
to their own subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that students in university are now placing much attention on the subjects
related to their own future career. However, some critics argue that universities should
resort to some measures to have their students study more diverse subjects. In my view,
I accept that studying more subjects makes students become more mature to some
extent, yet I believe that it is legitimate for them to merely focus ontheir major subjects.
On the one hand, learning/mastering more subjects bring people more knowledge and
a well-rounded perspective of life. It is undeniable that many subjects in the tertiary
curriculum are very important in practical terms. For example, History teaches
young generations about how their ancestors fought against outside intruders and
made sacrifices to protect their motherland and the sovereignty of their nations.
Therefore, this subject fosters a sense of patriotism for the students. However, the
intense syllabus of universities often makes students feel overwhelmed with a great
amount of information to cram in.
On the other hand, in the digital era, people need to be skillful in the major they
choose to pursue. It appears indisputable that studying many subjects would distract
students from their specialty. Moreover, along with the information explosion, people
can easily mitigate their lack of knowledge after graduating from universities.
Information is now widely available on the Internet with high accuracy. Besides,
encouraging students to focus on some subjects can effectively build up a strong
workforce which has the ability to foster general prosperity of anation.
In conclusion, although some people argue that students should study more subjects, I
would side with those who believe it is indispensable for tertiary students to excel in
one field of expertise.
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International travel has many advantages to both travelers and the country visited.
Do you think advantages outweigh disadvantages?
It is true that the growth of the international tourism has exerted positive influences on
tourists as well as the host country. While there are some drawbacks of international
travel, I still believe that these cannot overshadow the benefits.
On the one hand, the downsides of international travel are varied. In terms of the
tourists themselves, travel expenses to famous tourist destinations such as Ha Long
Bay in Vietnam are grossly inflated. Travelers may be overcharged for everything
from a taxi, accommodation or a meal in a restaurant. In terms of the host country,
international travel can also pose a threat to the environment. If the amount of rubbish
illegally dumped into the surroundings and the construction of hotels and tourist
attractions were unregulated, it would lead to a rise in the levels of pollution and
greatly damage the environment. For example, many beach resorts in Vietnam have
become concrete jungles of high-rise hotels and apartments to satisfy the increasing
demand for accommodation of mass tourists from Europe.
On the other hand, I still believe that the advantages of international travel outweigh
the disadvantages. First, a trip to another country can provide travelers with countless
opportunities to gain a lot of fascinating experiences of cuisine and culture. For
instance, when foreign tourists come to Vietnam, they have a chance to use chopsticks,
enjoy traditional meals and have a thorough insight into local life. Second, the influx
of foreign tourists can also contribute greatly to the development of the host country
through the provision of jobs and services for the developing hotels and construction
industries. This positively affects the host country’s economic expansion and
ameliorate local citizens’ standards of living.
In conclusion, it appears to me that the drawbacks of international travel cannot eclipse
the benefits.
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Out of a country’s health budget, SAMPLE 31 should be diverted from
a large proportion
treatment to spending on health education and preventative measures. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with the above statement?
In this world, many people are dying from various types of health-related problems
due to the lacking of appropriate health education and preventive actions. That is
why the government expends a huge amount of money finding an appropriate
approach to this matter. By this, I mean that more money needs to be spent on
programmes to prevent major illnesses and educate the public on their dangers.
There is a lot of ignorance about many common health problems, like heart disease
for example. Many of these can be predicted/avoided, or their symptoms/effects
radically reduced, if more people are made aware of them through public education
programmes. This has already been proven in many countries. The UK, for instance,
has seen a remarkable decrease in the number of women dying from breast cancer
because social marketing campaigns provide information on potential threats and
promote regular self-examination to discover this critical disease. With public
awareness at its highest level ever, citizens are more health conscious and have the
tendency to perform periodic medical check-up, which is beneficial in the long run.
Although I am strongly in favour of spending money on such programmes, I do not
believe that the current health budget should suffer/ be maximized for this sole
purpose. The day to day treatment which patients are currently undergoing/
experiencing is just as important. We must find the money for this crucial cause
elsewhere. At the moment our government spends billions of dollars on weapons. If
they diverted/ reallocated only a fraction of this into the health budget, medical
facilities could be extensively improved and aids are given to more underprivileged
people. Ultimately this would result in a significant reduction in the number of
patients whose illnesses have not been prevented and in need of urgent medication,
which, along with health-protecting and preventive programs, can improve the health
of the nation as a whole.
In the end, whilst it is important to invest in a range of treatments available to people
currently receiving them, I firmly believe that the government should also place an
importance on disbursing the money to implement programmes which

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keep us in good health.
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 SAMPLE 22
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a
successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after
school. Discuss both views.
Nowadays, there has been a growing debate whether it is a better way for young
people to continue study at higher education institutions such as college and
university or to work after graduating from school in order to achieve early success.
While there are benefits to working/ having early employment after high school, there
are also good reasons why students should proceed their education further.
On the one hand, working straight after school is attractive for several reasons.
Firstly, young people can start making money earlier that those who have to go to
university. Therefore, they can afford their own living expenses, become more
independent and mature. This advantage also helps them to ease the financial burden
for their family. Secondly, those people/ they are more likely to make a faster/ more
advanced progress/ fast track to a successful career since they do not have to spend
many years in university or college. Instead, this amount of time can be converted to
earning working experiences in some specific areas. As a result, they can be more
attractive/outstanding to employers who look for employees that have/ those having
practical knowledge and skills.
On the other hand, there are many benefits to having higher education after high school
graduation. First, universities or colleges prepare/ equip young people with higher-
level qualifications, which is what most employers requirement these days/ as a
certificate for their abilities and knowledge, which most employers want to ensure/
expect. In addition, as a consequent of globalization, the job/labor market is becoming
increasingly demanding and competitive. Thus, it is obvious that candidates with
eligible qualifications can open the door/ can easily and securely get access to better
employment prospects. Furthermore, university graduates can expect a much higher
salary than those without equivalent education. For example, in Vietnam, job seekers
who hold degrees in finance or medication are offered impressive salary ranges
amount along with other benefits such as paid holidays, insurance and bonus.
However, as a matter of fact, those without degrees are not trusted for professional
positions; instead, they must start from basic and low-paid tasks to acquire sufficient
requirements for the job, not to mention it may be impossible to become a doctor or
lawyer without having the

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relevant degree.
In conclusion, it seems evident that working right after school and getting higher
education/ joining the workforce and continuing their education beyond high school
level each have their own unique advantages. People should consider their career
option and individual preference to make the decision regarding this matter.
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Schools should not force children toSAMPLE 35language. To what extent do
learn a foreign
you agree or disagree?
In the educational field, people have different views on the question of whether the
foreign language should not be compulsory for children. Personally, while I tend
towards this point of view, I also believe that it should be of great necessity for
students to acquire another language apart from their mother tongue.
On the one hand, there are various compelling reasons why school children do not
need to learn a second language. Firstly, it is non-essential for those who do not have
the needs of fulfilling the expectations of studying abroad. As a consequence, it may
lead to the counter-productivity in their studies when they are given a sense of
compulsion. Another reason is that children may be reluctant in learning without full
awareness of the relevance of obligatory school subjects to their presents and future
lives. This situation, therefore, may turn into depression, which has an adverse impact
on their psychological health.
On the other hand, I believe that learning a new language plays a crucial role in
children’s lives. In my opinion, those who begin to learn a foreign language in
primary school are usually able to have a good grasp of the new language quickly.
Consequently, they rarely find themselves out of their depth. Furthermore, bilingual
students are believed to have an advantage over others who only know how to use
one language. Specifically, they may have greater learning capability for other
disciplines as well.
In conclusion, while it can be unnecessary for children to learn a second language, it
seems to me that acquiring a new language should be given a high priority and be
advisable for students to make the grade in their studies.
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Young people are often influenced SAMPLE 36 and situations by others in
in their behaviors
the same age. This is called “peer pressure”. Do the disadvantages outweigh the
advantages?
It is undoubted that there are a lot of arguments about the effect of “peer pressure” on
youngsters. From my perspective, this phenomenon can lead to both benefits and
drawbacks.
On the one hand, young generations’ being affected by others can bring out some
obvious advantages. First, “peer pressure” is (more) likely to help the youngsters (to)
effortlessly blend into the new community and alleviate the gravity of social isolation
due to/thanks to some similar characteristics and hobbies. Moreover, “peer pressure”
can make a valuable contribution to boosting the cooperation and solidarity among
students in the learning process through teamwork and discussions. Finally, the young
try their best to not only improve themselves but also to achieve an ambition. In this
ways, their determination is emphasized.
On the other hand, “peer pressure” also results in some adverse demerits. There is no
denying of that the omnipresence of this circumstance would make the young people
become more envious and allocate their time and money to keep up with their friends.
Some girl students, for instance, squander their tuition on buying a first-class handbag
like the one their friends have. Furthermore, it is certainly true that youngsters are
bound to find it hard to express their distinction and creativity when they are in a
group in which everyone is the same because of being afraid of boycott and
abomination.
In conclusion, it seems to me that peer pressure can lead to some significant merits to
the young besides (some) inevitable setbacks. As a result, young people should know
the best ways to take advantage of this phenomenon.
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Many people support the developmentSAMPLE 37 such as factory farming and
of agriculture,
creation of new fruits and vegetables. Others oppose this idea. Present both views
and give your opinion.
For many years, farming techniques have been improved by the touch of science which
results in high crop yields and new types of product. While some people think this
development may contain some potential harms to human and the environment, I am
convinced by the idea that its positive aspect is more valuable.
There are some certain doubts about the negative effects of science-related
improvement in agriculture. Firstly, many people believe that genetically modified
crops could lead to health-related problems on humans. In fact, some researchers have
found that genetic modification in foods pose significant allergy risks to our body
which cause by some adding or mixing ingredients which did not exist on the original
plants or animals. Secondly, growing crops with pesticides/ Insect-killed chemistry
alters the way nature works. This mean, when harmful bugs are killed, other types of
animal which eat them would be on the verge of extinction due to the lack of food. As
a consequence, the ecosystem balance is disturbed that create irrevocable harm to the
environment.
On the other hand, applying science advancements into farming brings enormous
advantages to our society. An important thing should be mentioned is that it improves
the quality and taste of products as well as nutrient. By crossing biological barriers,
scientists can create corns that are sweeter or even more nutritious by enhancing the
vitamins in order to provide delicious and healthier food for consumers. On top of
that, genetic modification seems to be the most effective solution to tackle world
hunger problem. This is because it invents productive species and makes crops more
efficient which supply more food for developing countries where their citizens are
facing with starvation.
In conclusion, I support for the revolution in farming because it really contributes to
improving the living condition of human whereas its opposite side is still skeptical.
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 SAMPLE
There are a number of different forms 38
of communication and one such form is
body language. In what way is body language a form of communication? What
others ways do people communicate with each other?
To most people, language speaks for itself and the meaning of language lies in the
words and sounds itself. However, in my opinion, a language goes beyond its literal
meaning and delivers different messages as situations change/ Effective
communication relies not only on wording, pronunciation and sentence construction
but also on physical gesture and facial expressions. It is undeniable that body
language is a useful form of communication in many circumstances/ The movements of
the body also have a bearing on the forming of a language. Besides, there are other
approaches to communicate to with each other.
Physical nonverbal communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, eye
contact, body posture, gestures such as a wave, pointed finger and the like, overall
body movements, tone of voice, touch, and others. There are two cases in which
people mostly use body language. Firstly, two people/ residents/ citizens from
different countries must express their thoughts by moving parts of their body in case of
not speaking any mutual language. Obviously, movements of body play an integral part
in transferring unspoken words and thoughts in mind to foreign partners without
saying any words since these motions are as simple and understandable as possible.
Secondly, people with physical disabilities such as the deaf or mental disorders like
autistic children have to use body language in daily communication to convey
messages and information that cannot be performed verbally. In schools for the
disabled, a universal set of sign language is developed to help not only incapacitated
learners communicate to each other but also normal people understand them. That set
is mainly exercised by hands and really a helpful tool in giving opinions, exchanging
information, and even expressing feelings without any sounds.
Besides body language, verbal and written communications are used daily. It is the
fact that oral communication is the most common form of communication by which
only human beings, among other species living on Earth, can exchange information
with their counterparts. Each nation has its own language but they may learn other
foreign languages to commune when moving to other countries. Last but not least,
correspondences such as letters, emails, transmittals, and facsimiles are making
valuable contributions to communication at work as well as in daily

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life. For instance, companies build their own written communication system to ensure
that information is fully conveyed to all employees. They can be expressed in visual
through visual aids such as signs, typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration,
color and other electronic resources. Technological developments have made
expressing visual communications much easier than before.
In conclusion, there are a number of circumstances in which people derive
benefits from using body language in terms of cultural exchange and language
ability. In additions, humans can opt for (using) other methods/means of
communication, verbally and non-verbally.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that the best way to improve40public health is by increasing
the number of sports facilities. Others think that this has little effects and other
measures are required. Discuss both views and give youropinion.
People have different views about how people can maintain and develop their
health. Some people think that having a great number of modern sports equipment for
the public is the best answer, while others believe that there are several weaknesses
of this way and they require other means. In my opinion, I strongly believe that if
people realize both of them together, they will receive the efficientresults.
There is no denying that regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body.in
other words, thanks to doing exercises, people are able to burn a large number of
calories which helps to build healthy bones and muscles. In addition, after a hard day at
school or offices, everyone demands to release stress and get energy for the new
working day. It is suggested that the best way to achieve this is doing physical practices.
For example, in the afternoons, individuals can walk around the parks and can keep fit
by using the public facilities. As a result, the government should distribute more the
free machines for their citizens.
On the other hand, it is argued that there are various other methods which have direct
effects on people’s body to improve their health. Having a balanced diet is an
instance. It means that people should consume nutritious food which consists of
vegetable without chemicals and fresh meat and fishes. Especially, one of the impacts
of an unhealthy diet is that the number of obesity is increasing rapidly recently
because of eating junk food with the high fat. Therefore, if people have a balanced
diet, it can help people reduce a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, high blood
pressure, and heart attacks.
All in all, when people have a healthy diet and a positive lifestyle they can have a long
span life.
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Nowadays university education SAMPLE 41 Some people say that
is very expensive.
universities should reduce their fees, especially for the less fortunate students or
those coming from rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
In two recent decades, the cost of tuitions in universities has increased significantly
and people have concerned that students who are less privileged or from rural areas,
cannot afford to pursue a university degree / to partake in university courses. I am
strongly in favor of the opinion that universities should decrease their fees.
Frist and foremost, education is the basis/foundation of any development of society.
There is a direct correlation that the developed countries have high education quality.
Especially their universities can create many doctors, scientists, experts in numerous
fields. Furthermore, these experts assist their countries with great research, boosting
the economy, education, science, medicine, etc.
Therefore, every nation needs the highly educated and productive workforce but the
high fees at universities prevent the opportunities from reaching all citizens. Besides,
students are under great financial pressure, having the less sufficient learning than
they are possible. As we know, there are many students who work part-time to pay for
the financial charges. Secondly, the governments are trying to reduce the disparities
among social classes, enabling us to escape from the period when only elite could
study in universities. Therefore, reducing universities frees contributes to reaching
equality for humanity.
On the other hand, some people state/agree that reducing fees in universities resemble
reducing the value of universities. As the result, universities, perhaps, are becoming
less competitive than they used to and the quality of universities does not evolve
intensively. Moreover, universities are not able to get a lot of revenue and this
definitely has some adverse effect/influence on their operations in particular and
economic development in general.
To sum up, the merits of reducing fees in universities outweigh keeping high tuition
fees. Therefore, the government should pour much more money into education in the
form of scholarships for students.
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Some people think that studying from SAMPLE 42 us nothing about today’s
the past teaches
life. Others argue that the history is a valued source of information. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.
There have been different arguments over the possible impacts of history on the
modern society. While many people believe that information from the past has no
effect on today's generation, I would argue that it is reasonable to consider history as a
vital source of knowledge in the progression of the humanity.
On the one hand, it is thought that studying history is fruitless as it is merely a set of
past events. Firstly, in the ever-changing world, human activities now happen in an
entirely different manner compared to the past. Therefore, historical data and
experiences appear to play no role in decision making or predicting the future.
Secondly, there is no firm evidence for the accuracy of the historical information due
to people's biased judgments and lack of a data storage system. If some information
about the historical events were wrong, people would have an incorrect
understanding of the past society and culture.
On the other hand, I would side with those who think that history provides people with
an insight into their surroundings. In fact, history is an ongoing process in which
people are approaching a better world. For that reason, valuable knowledge from the
history could enable individuals to be aware of their unlimited potentials, resulting in
more efforts to be made for the sustainable development of the human civilization.
Besides, learning from the past could help people to avoid making regretful mistakes.
For example, if the US military had thoroughly studied the Vietnam's history of
defending against foreign invasions, they would have called off the Vietnam War,
which took the lives of millions of innocent people.
In conclusion, to some extent, although some arguments arise when gaining
knowledge about history is likely to bring no value to the society, it seems to me that
its ultimate benefits are significant.
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Some people think the governmentSAMPLE should pay for43
healthcare and education, but
other people claim that it is the individual’s responsibility.
Discuss both views and give your opinion?
It is true that the demand for healthcare and educational services has been
significantly increasing in the world in recent years. Although there is widespread belief
that people must be responsible for paying for their own health care and education, the
government would be still accountable on this issue.
On the one hand, some people believe that health and education are personal matters
as it is the responsibility of each individual to maintain their own health and
education. The fact that, in one nation, there are different degrees of living, either
employed citizens or unemployed ones, creates different/varied levels of taxes paid
to the government. Therefore, it is unfair if all citizens can be received the same
amount from government funding for their health care and educational services.
Furthermore, by paying their own fees, people would be more serious about taking
care of themselves.
On the other hand, people think that the responsibility of paying for health care and
educational expenses belongs to the government. Citizens have to pay many kinds of
fees for their government such as income taxes, property taxes and value added taxes,
which strongly support the government in developing their army and technology.
Therefore, government’s budgets should be allocated to fund medical activities and
educational programs for their citizens to satisfy people’s physical needs, especially
the poor people who are not able to get a good education and decent health care. By
paying these expenses, governments would be gaining a number of advantages in
training productive labors who will make a contribution to the development of the
economy.
In conclusion, paying fees for health care and educational services is the
responsibility of both individuals and governments. People must be accountable for
their own education and healthcare while governments should take the appropriate
course of action to relieve the heavy burden of spending on medicineand education.
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Some people argue that individualsSAMPLE
can do nothing44to improve the environment.
Therefore, only governments and large companies can make a difference. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Humans are confronting environmental problems that are more taxing than before.
However, the debate over whether individuals or government play the key role in the
improvement of the environment has been heated constantly. In my opinion, that the
government and large companies can make a big deal in protecting the environment
does not mean that the individuals cannot do anything to make it better.
It is undeniable that significant difference has been made by government’s action.
Almost all top-down policies imposed/introduced by the government about
environment protection has prevented many factories from over-exploiting and
destroying the ecosystem. These regulations are/include those on higher standard
requirements of the emission of manufactures such as heavy metals and toxic, higher
tax on products using disposable materials, or strong punishment on deforestation.
These policies have not only prevented/deterred companies from devastating the
natural surroundings more but also push pressure on them to create the innovative way
to make the environment better. Obviously, many kinds of renewable energy using
natural power, a variety of reusable materials and advanced waste treatment system
has been researched, developed gradually and applied into real life in recent years.
Therefore, it is quite clear to see what difference the government and large groups can
make to the whole world.
However, Individuals are also the main determinant to improve the environment. The
more awareness people have, the more advantageous it is for the environment. With
limited use of private vehicles / by using fewer private vehicles, each person can
help/helps to reduce a lot of fumes, leading to less Air pollution. By selecting the
eco-friendly products, the consumers enable the suppliers to reduce fossil materials
used in manufacturing, resulting in less exploitation of the earth’s natural resources.
Although individuals only make small changes, millions of people uniting can
definitely create significant movement in the improvement of the global environment.
In conclusion, while I accept that the government and big groups play key roles in
dealing with environmental problems, my belief is that it needs concerted efforts

44
of both the government, large corporations, and individuals to enable improvement to
our surroundings.
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Some people believe that a crime isSAMPLE 46 problems and poverty, others
a result of social
think that crime is a result of bad person’s nature. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
People have different views with regard to the factors that make people turn
to/commit a crime. While I tend towards the viewpoint that the bad innate
characteristics are responsible for this situation, I am more convinced that it is
largely a consequence of social issues and poverty.
On the one hand, the bad essence of individuals is an important factor leading to a
rising crime rate. Firstly, it is certainly true that a person possessing bad qualities is
more violent and may start a criminal life more easily than a normal one. For instance,
from an educational perspective, those who are bullying students that usually frighten
the weaker are more likely to be found guilty of breaking the laws in the future.
Furthermore, people who have a sense of laziness and greediness can easily embark on
the life of crime by being lawbreakers to acquire easy money instead of making an
honest living. For example, there has been a growing tendency that the young adults
take an illegal action by taking another person’s property.
On the other hand, I concur with those who argue that social problems and poverty are
the primary reasons associating with the strong passion of people for becoming
offenders. On a social aspect, there are many issues resulting in the increase in crime
rate. For example, the adolescent tends to breed future wrongdoers as a result of the
negative impacts of the prisoners whom they know.
Another key factor is that people suffering from lots of difficulties because of being
in poor condition can decide to commit serious offenses. If people do not have
enough money to make ends meet, they will be tempted to become involved in
criminal lifestyles just to satisfy their families’ financial needs.
In conclusion, while there are some various convincing causes why bad innate
dispositions can lead to criminal trend, my own view is that the main reasons are
social conditions and problems.
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 SAMPLE
In many countries, children are engaged in some 47
kind of paid work. Some people
regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work
experience, important for learning and taking responsibility.
What are your opinions on this issue?
The idea of businesses having children as employees has been highly contentious
across various nations. While I accept that such an early involvement in working
activities can be harmful to children’s development in certain ways, I believe that it
could benefit them as long as the work is adequate.
On the one hand, using child labour obviously imposes an imminent threat to some
extent. In particular, some children need to carry some hazardous activities at work
such as working under harsh conditions, carrying overly heavy items or being
exposed to dangerous chemical materials. Undoubtedly, this puts them at risk for
some serious diseases and injuries. For example, it was a common scene at tile
factories that a number of boys were being forced to work under extreme heat, as well
as come in contact with poisonous substances, which can damage their respiratory
systems.
On the other hand, I personally support those businesses, which offer them with
valuable experiences to stimulate their personal development. In fact, it enables them
to practice a wide range of necessary skills in their transition into adulthood. For
instance, a child who works as a waiter or waitress in Mc Donald’s is likely to learn
to bear greater responsibility, which contributes enormously to his future employment.
Moreover, working to earn their own money encourages them to be more economical.
In other words, their skill of financial management can be enhanced.
In conclusion, while in some cases, children’s engagement in work may hinder their
personal development, I would argue that some businesses are offering them a
valuable chance to gain essential skills and earn pocket money simultaneously.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that tourism promotes 48
the economy while other argue that
tourism destroy the environment. Discuss both views.
During the past few years, the tourism industry has become the leading sector of
national development. However, while some people claim that the economy is
boosted thanks to tourism growth, others criticize it for doing harm to the
environment. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, tourism sector contributes a huge revenue to the country through
economic activities run by societies around tourist attractions. It is clear that tourism
is now becoming an industry that creates thousands of jobs for citizens in terms of its
management, protection as well as promotion. Moreover, it helps improve the
income of local residents through selling souvenirs and providing tourism services
such as hotels and entertainment. Therefore, citizen’s living standard could be
upgraded and the unemployment rate could be reduced. All of these economic
activities crucially contribute to achieving the goals of government to provide job
opportunities and to bring the prosperity of society.
On the other hand, tourism can have a negative impact on the environment.
Specifically, excessive building like roads, and hotels that destroys natural habitats of
animals and spoils the landscape. At the same time, tourism also causes pollution in
some crowded areas. Moreover, it puts pressure on local resources such as food,
water, and energy. However, I believe that environmental protection is the parts of
tourism development on how government allocates the budget to tourism sector for
creating a clean environment or promoting ecotourism in which environment are the
basis of tourism.
To sum up, I think that although tourism can drive a better economic growth, we should
not lose our sight that tourism also can harm our local environment.
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 SAMPLE
Many buildings are protected by laws 49 are part of nation’s history.
because they
However, some people think old buildings should be knocked down to make way
for new ones because people need houses and offices.
How important is it to maintain old buildings? Should history stand in the way of
progress?
Some people believe that old buildings should be replaced with apartments and new
offices because history might interfere with the progress of the country.
However, I strongly believe that it is of great importance to preserve such buildings
as they not only represent the national identity but also carry a significant intrinsic
value.
On the one hand, there are a number of compelling reasons for protecting old
buildings. Firstly, such antique buildings are attached with a great historic value that
contributes tremendously to the national historic preservation. Secondly, without them,
all the countries around the world would become identical, meaning that people would
be assimilated due to the loss of their national identity and connection to their
homeland. Finally, some old buildings also have valuable nature in terms of how they
are constructed which worth millions of dollars. For example, some buildings of
certain eras, namely pre-World War II, were often built with extremely high-quality
materials such as hardwoods from the forests that are no longer exist.
On the other hand, contradictory to the common belief that history hinders the
country’s development, protecting it can actually stimulate the national economic
growth. In particular, numerous antique buildings used as tourist sites often bring an
enormous income to the country. For instance, the Colosseum in Italy has attracted a
vast number of international tourists every year, contributing greatly to its nation’s
tourism industry. Consequently, history can accelerate the national progress
significantly due to its economic benefits.
In conclusion, it is critical to protecting old buildings because of its tangible and
intangible value, and I believe that history is not a deterrent to the country’s success.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that in the modern 50more dependent on each other,
world we are
while others think that people have become more independent.
Discuss and give your own opinion.
It is widely argued in the modern society whether people depend less or more on others.
I personally believe that we live more independently than ever.
There are two main reasons why people think that we have a tendency to rely on each
other. Firstly, as life is complex and difficult, it is hard for individuals to live
independently. In China, many young couples choose to stay with their parents after
marriage because they cannot afford to buy a house as well as they can save money for
a house rent to raise their offspring. Secondly, since people seem to be busier at work
they need a lot of support from others. For instance, my brother and sister in law
always have to work overtime; consequently/as a result, they cannot pick up my
nieces on time at 5 pm. Thus, my father helps them to bring their kids home every day.
However, it seems to me that people nowadays have become more independent.
Many people choose to settle down their lives far away from home. Therefore, they
need to deal with all problems by their own. In America, normally after 18, the young
leave their beloved house and start their independent life. As a result, they are free to
pursue their interests and even travel around the world.
Furthermore, thanks to the technological development, people now can work alone and
from any place on Earth. With a laptop accessed to the Internet, we can easily hold a
conference online. There would be no particular/considerable/compelling need for
any secretary to set up meeting room or prepare any projector or stationary things.
In conclusion, while many people think that we are now relying more on others, I
personally believe that we are now living more independently as a result of
technology advances and the young generation’s new style life.
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Nowadays more and more young SAMPLE 51 important positions in the
people hold the
government. Some people think that is a good thing while others argue that it is
not suitable. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Nowadays, young people are emerging as important resources of leadership for the
government. While some people think they might are incompatible, I would argue that
this trend can be a good/fresh initiative.
On the one hand, this trend may bring about/result in/ lead to some notable drawbacks.
The main issue is that it is really hard for young leaders to influence their older
employees as well as replace important positions by those young people due to the
tradition of respecting for an old generation in some countries. Another problem is
that there is a big/major gap in experience between young and old
generation/candidates. While old leaders have faced many challenged along their
career, young leaders can easily make mistakes, stemming mostly from the lack of
practical experiences and the incapability of decision making.
On the other hand, allowing young people to hold important vacancies can be
advantageous for some reasons. Firstly, young leaders often have an enormous passion
which is very crucial for the work. Their different thinking and creativity are also
essential for changing unfashionable/conventional processes that are often working
unproductively in the past. Secondly, young leaders have a long time working ahead
which contributes to a great advantage compared to older counterparts. For example,
old generation might be persistent under strong pressure or suffer from fewer health
problems that prevent them from working productively.
In conclusion, although there are strong arguments for both views, it seems to me that
on the whole, it is beneficial that more young people are being selected to play some
key roles in the government.
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Both governments and individuals are spending vast amounts of money
protecting animals and their habitats. This money could be better spent dealing
with fundamental issues in society such as poverty and healthcare.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There is no gainsaying the fact that in today’s era, collaboration of local authority as
well as each person is spending their enormous budget in order to preserve animals
living in wild. However, there is a suggestion regarding the expenditure that it could be
utilised on other key elements related to better healthcare infrastructure.
On the one hand, developing areas or nations are struggling with complicated social
problems such as poverty or healthcare and conserving wild animals and their
habitats are not the first priority. For example, suffering from poverty, starvation, and
diseases to death is extremely common in Africa. It is where rainforests, the home of
many animal species, are being destroyed are at an alarming rate, which is primarily
caused by the activities of the general population. They rely heavily on wood as the
major source of energy, cutting down trees for heating and cooking. Residents there
are not even meet their own basic human needs, therefore can hardly bother
conserving wild animals or their habitats. Clearly, this fact requires the authorities to
spend money solving pressing problems in society first if they want to protect animals
and the environment they live in.
On the other hand, high income and developed countries, where issues such as
poverty and healthcare are no longer problems to their society, are giving a great deal
of money to the conservation of endangered animals and their habitats. Many projects
have been carried out, in which infrastructure and research are the two most
expensive. An example of this is the successful captive breeding program in zoos,
which cost a vast amount of money, has resulted in an increase in the world’s panda
population. As the problem of conserving endangered animals and their home is
getting more urgent, it is worth receiving more money.
In conclusion, I accept that the protection of animals and their habitats is receiving a
huge amount of money in some areas and it is reasonable to continue to give money to
it. While in other areas, pressing issues in society such as poverty and healthcare are the
first priorities.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that killing animals for food53is cruel, but others claim that
animals are a necessary part of the diet. What is your opinion?
In recent years, animal welfare and animal protection have been given higher weight
by the general public. Many adopt a view that meat plays an indispensable role in
human daily meals. However, to the best of my knowledge, I do believe that butchery
is cruel, immoral and people can live healthily without slaughtering and eating
animals.
Firstly, it is important that scientific vegetarian diet which has adequate nutrients and
substances has been recognized and favored by a large number of people.
Nowadays, scientists have proven that many types of plants such as grains,
mushroom, and vegetables can provide integral, crucial substances for health and
bodily growth similarly as meat does. In fact, for instance, there are many celebrities
and famous persons have to choose to be vegetarians in order to improve their
health and fight against the capitalization of animals which leads to animal pain and
environmental problems.
Secondly, vegetarian diets are vital, beneficial when it comes to human health and
well-being. Anecdotal evidence shows that meat-free diets can help to inhibit and
even cure some fatal diseases such as cancer. Scientific experiments claim that meat
dishes supply nutrients for cancer cells while plant meals do not.
Furthermore, albeit intangible, some people recognize that vegetarian lifestyle
enhances spiritual life and help them feel better, happier.
In conclusion, not only do meatless diets provide sufficiently necessary nutrients for
people’s health, but it also improves human life in a positive way. Therefore, people
should reduce meat gradually and replace by vegetables because of its benefits and
avoiding cause pain to animals.
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Some people believe that educatingSAMPLE 54 will benefit them. Others
children altogether
think intelligent children should be taught separately and given special courses.
Discuss those two views.
In recent decades, children education has been given higher weight by the general
public. Some people believe that it is crucial, beneficial to gather talented students
and offer them special courses. However, as every coin has two sides, the pros and
cons of this educational philosophy will be discussed in the following essay.
On the one hand, it is not surprising that arranging gifted children with special classes
and giving special instruction would bring tremendous interests to producing elite
students. The nutrient environment which promotes geniuses’ progress toward success
could be provided by this teaching method. In stark contrast, when learning through
the ordinary curriculum, the personal development of prodigies are usually hampered.
In this effort, talented children could facilitate their learning progress by exchanging
knowledge and experience with their same peers.
On the other hand, this teaching method has some drawbacks that should be taken into
consideration. In particular, it would foster depression, frustration amongst slow
students. Treating differently can drive ordinary students to feel the sense of
elimination and worthlessness. As a consequence, low-achievers could cast doubt on
their effort which leads to the lower performance and the lower record in school.
Furthermore, this arrangement can twist children’s perception of their ability and
potentially cause negative effects on their life afterward.
In conclusion, it is a dilemma to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of
teaching separately, differently intelligent students. Although this way can bring a
nutritious environment to the personal development of high-achievers, the feeling of
discrimination and other detrimental results should be taken into account of educators
seriously.
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 SAMPLE
As well as making money, businesses 55 responsibilities. Do you agree
also have social
or disagree?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
In the modern busy life, responsibility to the public/ society has played an integral role
in the development for both individuals and enterprises. Many adopt that businesses
should only contribute to their economic boom without regarding the social concerns.
For my own perspective, generating profits and social duties areequally important.
On the one hand, people recognize that firms need to make money to survive in this
competitive world. Firstly, it is logical that the top priority of any company should be
to cover its running costs, such as employee’s salary and office rental. Only by
satisfying these expenditures can entrepreneurs generate innovations and makes more
improvement in their businesses. Secondly, the expansion of businesses can effectively
help the government to mitigate the problem of unemployment. In other words, a great
number of employees are always needed in the process of expanding any company.
Finally, if enterprises generate more money, they will pay more taxes to the
government. As a consequence, the authority can use this capital to spend on key fields
to enhance the quality of life ofthe whole community.
On the other hand, there are some strong reasons why businesses should accept that
make contributions to the society. One reason is that enterprises must concern about
environmental contamination because their production has direct negative impacts on
the surrounding. A typical example is that if many factories in industrial zones
installed wastewater system instead of discharging chemical waste directly into lakes
and rivers, water degradation could be controlled.
Another reason is that there are various simple measures that firms can take to
contribute to the society. For example, they can carry out some charitable activities
such as providing scholarships. As a result, not only may they help those who are less
fortunate but they also enhance their image.
In conclusion, enterprises should place as much importance on their social
obligations as they do on their financial goals.
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MODEL ESSAY 2:
It is true that besides generating money, companies also need to take responsibility for
social issues. I completely agree with this idea.
On the one hand, there are some reasons why businesses are the importance of making
money. One reason is that company with prosperity can boost the country’s
development. For example, if companies make/ earn more money, they pay more
taxes; as a result, the government can spend these budget on hospitals, schools, and
other services. Furthermore, businesses which make a huge amount of money can
expand and provide more jobs. For instance, nowadays there are a lot of youngsters
unemployed, so thanks to the expansion, these businesses could give them countless
opportunities to have a job.
Apart from the practical benefits expressed above, I believe that businesses should
accept that they have social responsibilities. Firstly, a business must not harm the
environment. Without controls, some factories discharged raw wastes, gases and
poison onto the land, the air and the river, which result in the environmental
degradation. Secondly, businesses which make profits should put money back into the
community through charity and financial scholarship. As a result, increasing number
of homeless people could have an adequate amount of food and sweater, poor/
underprivileged students could have much more motivation to keep their study.
In conclusion, I believe that it is important for firms to make money to cover their cost,
but they must also have responsibilities in social life.
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Although more and more people SAMPLE
read news on57 the Internet, newspapers will
remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?
In recent year, online news and conventional newspapers have been given higher
weight by the general public. Many adopt a view that all newspapers should be
replaced by the online news in the digital age. However, to the best of my knowledge,
traditional newspapers remains the source of news in our life.
On one hand, people can recognize that the growth of accessing the internet has led
the proportion of online news increasing significantly. Anecdotal evidence shows that
the online is able to provide up to the news as it happens, 24 hours a day every day so
you can easy to access this everywhere on your mobile phone or laptop with the
internet. And then you can share, express your comments on the social media. A
typical example is an explosion in the use of platforms as Facebook, YouTube,
twister where people can share the views and minds for free. In addition, the more
colour pictures, clips are attached to this news the more details are accessed.
On the other hand, conventional newspapers still play a crucial role in spiritual life.
In the rural area where the internet is limited or the elder can’t able to access the
internet, it remains the traditional means of communicating the news. Because of the
farming life, people like the experience of holding and reading a newspaper rather
than looking at a computer screen. In addition, it also makes the people trust as reliable
news which is published by the professional journalists and editors.
In conclusion, despite the internet age, the newspapers have contributed to the
knowledge is provided for the people. But we also encourage the development of the
online news to meet the demand for information.
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Some people think that schools should reward students who show the best
academic results, while others believe that it is more important to reward students
who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The idea that, whether academic institutes should award prizes for students on the
basis/on the ground of their top-excellent scholastic achievements or improvements,
remains a source of controversy. While some individuals say that schools are better off
rewarding high score-attaining students, I would argue that it would be preferable to
give prizes to ones who make progress throughout intellectual/educational
attainment.
On the one hand, there are a number of negative consequences if schools reward
learners who obtain the best academic performance. Firstly, ideology about scoring
marks as high as possible can oblige learners to aggressively compete against each
other due to scores in lieu of the knowledge. For instance, in a subjective
circumstance, my peers at university excessively adhere to their study with the
purpose of obtaining good marks without any scrutiny about what knowledge they
should acquire. Secondly, the most excellent students are likely to receive the majority
of the attention and priorities from their teachers. On account of the common tendency
to focus on the most outstanding pupils of teachers, potentials of ordinary students are
often ignored leading to inequality of opportunity in education.
On the other hand, I strongly believe that schools should award a prize for learners
who attempt to improve every day. The first benefit is that it will motivate them to
do a more hard-working job to make a plenty of progress in their study. Therefore, it is
likely to give an equivalent chance for all students from the poor-performed group to
well-performed ones to express their own intellectual ability. Another merit is that the
burdensome pressure on learners will be reduced significantly, which can make a
major contribution to eliminating negative aspects in examinations. Now that score
does not keep holding a crucial part as a decisive factor identifying their ability and
non-stop efforts.
In conclusion, it seems to me that it is better to reward students making progress
profoundly because of some outstanding points although other people insist on the most
excellent students more deserve.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that it is good for 59 to import foreign movies
a country's culture
and TV programmes. Others think that it is better to produce these locally.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people argue that international movies and TV programs imported bring benefits
to a country ought culture while many people suppose that movies and TV programmes
to be made domestically only. I would argue that it is better to import international TV
programs.
On the one hand, there are some reasons why national films and shows are beneficial
for their own cultures. The first reason would be that local TV shows create a huge
opportunity to educate residents about their culture and history. As a result, patriotism
and national pride will be promoted and expanded for all local people to know and
they will appreciate their traditions and their ways of life more. Furthermore, such
entertainment relates to the culture and language of the audience which brings them
satisfaction and enjoyment. For example, in China, the adaptation of the show called
The Voice, which consists of Chinese famous artists who are the coaches for young
talents, always brings enjoyment to millions of viewers throughout the country.
On the other hand, I believe that the importation of TV entertainment from foreign
countries is advantageous to some extent. Firstly, people can broaden their own
knowledge about different cultures through watching some kinds of TV shows. For
instance, the American film “Titanic” is not only a disaster movie, but also gives an
idea about the history of emigration from Europe to the USA. Secondly, many foreign
programs offer countless opportunities for residents to learn languages through listen
to foreigners or read the scripts, such as the US TV series “Like”.
In conclusion, although both imported, and local films and shows are good for a
country’s culture, it seems to me that buying other countries entertainment programs is
much better.
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Some people believe the government SAMPLE
should spend60money on building train and
subway lines to reduce traffic congestion. Others think that building more and
wider roads is the better way to reduce traffic congestion.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
There are some arguments about how to reduce traffic jam. Some people propose that
new and wider roads should be built, others believe that developing systems of
public transportation such as train or subway lines is a more effective solution.
Personally, I am inclined to the latter view.
Admittedly, building wider roads, to some extent, is a good way to tackle road
congestion. However, it seems to simply be a stop-gap method. The effect of this
solution is only temporary because along with the growth of population and
economy, the number of private vehicles will continuously increase which will
quickly fill up the roads again. As a consequence, traffic jam will eventually recur.
Moreover, enlarging or constructing new roads requires new land, which is inherently
a limited resource in crowded cities.
On the other hand, developing public transport systems as train or subway lines
ensures long-term benefits. It has been proven that using public transport brings about
many advantages for the communities. For instance, public transport provides an
affordable and time-saving alternative to driving and helps to reduce gasoline
consumption as well as carbon emission. For such outstanding benefits, people will
certainly be willing to adapt to this kind of transportation provided that governments
can offer a reliable and efficient service to meet their demand. Additionally, owing to
the huge capacity of public transportation, which can carry up to hundreds or even
thousands of passengers, a train or a subway in operation would mean hundreds or
thousands of cars being taken off roads. As a result, traffic congestion would be
significantly reduced.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that investing in public transport is the best method to
mitigate traffic jams.
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Nowadays, more and more people SAMPLE 61 later in their life. What are
to have children
the reasons? Do advantages of this outweigh disadvantages?
It is true that after marrying, much more couples have a tendency of delaying giving
birth until later in their life. This trend may be the result of some notable reasons. In
addition, while I accept that there are several drawbacks, I think these are outweighed
by the benefits.
There are some reasons why young people want to delay/postpone childbirth. Firstly,
having babies later give the young countless opportunities to enjoy their lives. It is
clear that they could have more time to step out of their comfort zones to discover
interesting things such as taking up sports, switching between different jobs to find the
one which may be right for them. As a result, they are more likely to not only have
diverse experiences of life but progress rapidly in their career.
Another factor that causes people to be unwilling to have babies is their employment
status. In fact, the job market is becoming more and more competitive, leading to the
higher unemployment rate. Consequently, they need to concentrate on their work to
maintain their position in the company, which meansthe neglect of parental role.
On the one hand, there are some drawbacks of this trend. The first disadvantage is the
risks of suffering from potential health problems or even death, especially with those
who are pregnant after 35 years of age. Furthermore, having babies later has negative
impacts on their future offspring, resulting in Asperger of babies. On the other hand, I
believe that there are great advantages to be gained. They could avoid being
overburdened with looking after their offspring during the hectic time/schedule to
prepare for their professional career. Moreover, they would have the chance to enjoy
themselves with their passions such as learning how to play musical instruments or
doing whatever they want before embarking on parenthood.
In conclusion, there are several reasons why young people want to delay childbirth. I
would argue that the benefits of this trend have more than compensated for the
drawbacks.
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 SAMPLE
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to62
solve growing traffic and
pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other
measures do you think might be effective?
It is controversial whether a rise in petrol price can efficiently mitigate traffic
congestion and pollution. However/Personally, I totally disagree with this opinion.
On the one hand, there are many possible solutions that the authorities can take to
reduce the traffic jam and pollution. First, there are more and more sustainable energy
sources such as solar power, wind power, and hydropower that can be utilized to run
vehicles and factory, and as a result, the emission of greenhouse gases or other
harmful gases like carbon monoxide and CFC will be reduced. For example, there are
many countries using solar panels to run public vehicles or to produce electricity for
household usages. This not only saves money on the electricity bill, but also
encourages people to travel around with eco-friendly and cheap vehicles such as train
or bus.
On the other hand, in the short term, rising petrol price can bring some immediate
benefits. Because of the increase in the cost, consumers will have to curb the amount
of gasoline that they use, resulting in a decline in private vehicle usages. But in the
long run, this policy may be impractical. In this era, petrol is still the most valuable
fuel that is used in a lot of aspects. Therefore, despite the rise in the cost, petrol
remains indispensable, which makes people maintain their dependence on this fuel. In
Vietnam, although the authorities have applied this policy for many times, there was no
fall in the number of people who used petrol.
Due to the fact that I have mentioned above, I completely disagree with the
opinion that increasing the price of the petrol is the best way of all.
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 SAMPLE 1
Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of
resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There is an opinion saying that protecting wild animals is a waste of time and efforts
since they are not necessary anymore in the 21st century. Personally, I disagree with
this statement for reasons outlined below.
It is nonsense to say wild animals have no part in the 21st century since they always
play an important role in the environment. Whether in the Stone Age, medieval age
or modern age, animals, and plants have been living together and forming a balance
in life that no humans can make. Plants give off oxygen and foods, while animals
help plants grow and multiply. If we don’t protect wild animals well, most of them
will go extinct due to overhunting, which will break the balance of nature and lead
to many adverse consequences of deforestation, hurricane, and other terrible
disasters.
It takes resources to protect wild animals, but their existence will bring other benefits
to the nations that preserve/conserve them. Wildlife, zoos and
preservation/conservation areas that allow tourists to visit would generate a large
amount of income each year to the countries in charge while they can even take pride
in themselves for having some of the rarest wild animals in the world, not to mention
the environment protection along with it. In addition, most of the cost for protecting
the wild animals is covered by various international funds all over the world, so
having rare species is more of a blessing than a burden to a country.
In conclusion, wild animals deserve to live freely under protection of humans due to
the significance/importance of their existence and the benefits they are bringing. We
should do everything we can to protect them for the sake of ourselves and our future
generations.
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Many people go to university forSAMPLEacademic study. More people should be
encouraged to do vocational training72because there is a lack of qualified workers
such as electricians and plumbers. To what extent do you agree ordisagree?
Nowadays, a large number of people study academic subjects at university instead of
attending/taking part in/partaking in vocational training courses. While I accept that a
university degree is also essential and beneficial, I totally agree that we should
encourage people to become qualified workers such as electricians or plumbers
There are two important reasons why more vocationally-trained workers are
required. Firstly, when buildings are constructed or repaired, a source of electricians,
plumbers or other trades are vital. For example, material facilities in some key fields
such as hospitals, schools, museums usually need to be expanded or maintained.
Having trained workers operate such/those kinds of work can not only ensure the
safety of the buildings but also lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the
whole community. Secondly, there are too many academic graduates in the same major
in some countries every year. Consequently, the proportion of graduate unemployment
is increasing significantly each year as well. Therefore, the authorities in those
countries need to ensure that extra vocational training is provided.
More people should be encouraged to attend career-oriented courses/on-the-job
training to meet society’s needs. The schools should not just focus on exam-driven
curriculum which is found to be quite impractical and disheartens/demotivates
students when they have low grades. Schools, therefore, must make changes in the
curriculum and provide workshops to teach practical skills. Parents should also
encourage their children to find out their gifts and explain the good job prospects to
inspire them to choose vocational carriers.
In conclusion, I agree that it is essential that we encourage more people to attend
vocational training due to the fact that the more qualified workers meet the society’s
needs, the more our society can function effectively.
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Should government spend more moneySAMPLE
on improving roads and highways, or
73 on improving public transportation?
should the government spend more money
There is an argument about whether the government should improve transportation by
spending more money constructing the road and highway system or money should be
used to enhance the quality of public transportation. From my perspective, although
both (of these) methods have many positive impacts on traffic, the government should
prioritize the maintenance of road network.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that the investment in public transportation has many
economic, environmental and social advantages. First of all, travelling by means of
public transportation such as bus or subway is a way to save money and energy because
of the economical ticket price and less fuel energy used.
Moreover, the widespread use of public transit service helps alleviate (the) traffic jam
and air pollution due to the decrease in private vehicles and gas emission.
Finally, a high standard of public transportation will encourage people to use such
kind of transport more often. This will lead to some social benefits such as the
reduction of traffic crashes or the connection of community.
On the other hand, it is perhaps more important to upgrade the existing road
conditions. One of the main reasons is that traffic congestion could be solved if a
nation possessed high-quality roads and highways because this makes the movement
of vehicles more fluently. Another reason is that keeping road system to a good
standard also means improving road safety by bringing the number of traffic accidents
down. Last but not least, a developed transport infrastructure will facilitate the growth
of other economic sectors. To be specific, the transport of commodities between rural
and urban areas can become more efficient and optimal owing to the improved road
network.
In conclusion, I can understand why people encourage their government to invest
heavily in public transit system, but it seems to me that building national road
network to a high standard should be invested heavily because this is a key
infrastructure influencing the sustainable development of a nation.
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As well as making money, businessesSAMPLE
also have social responsibilities. Do you agree
or disagree? 74
In the age of industrialization, making the greatest possible profit is supposed to be
the main purpose of any business. While this may be true to some extent, I believe
the responsibilities of businesses should include making money and making
contributions to the community. This can help not only the businesses to grow but
also the whole country to develop.
It goes without saying that earning profits is the ultimate aim of every company. The
first reason to be mentioned is businesses pay taxes for the government. With that
money, the government can build infrastructures such as hospitals, schools, and parks
to take care of citizen’s mental and physical wellbeing, which can increase the
standard of living of a certain country. Moreover, alongside the development of
businesses, more jobs are created. A profitable company will consider expanding
their business by building up other branches or investing overseas. The necessity for
larger numbers of employees is prominent, which can solve the unemployment
problem.
On the other hand, social responsibilities should also be seen as a long run strategy
of businesses. Firstly, businesses cannot earn profits without consideration about the
impacts of their operations on the people and the natural surroundings. Companies
have responsibilities to protect mother nature who provides them with various
materials as well as the users who consume almost all of their products. Strengthening
the mutual beliefs is a wise strategy. In addition, big successful corporations can
contribute to the quality of life of the society through charity and financial
scholarships. This is an investment for the future of those companies. For example,
Unilever often organizes contests with a big award to support promising young
generations. By doing so, it gains a lot of attention from the society, especially the
unveiled talented actors who can become their efficient employees one day.
In conclusion, development of industry nowadays gives businesses various
opportunities to earn high profit. These businesses, however, need to take these
advantages not only to bolster the operations but also to improve the quality of life of
the community.
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Some people say that the best way toSAMPLE
improve public health is by increasing the
75
number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would be little effects
on public health and that other measures are required.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
While some people believe that building more sports facilities is the most effective
approach to improve residents’ health, others argue that this has not many positive
effects on public health and they require other measures. Personally, it seems to me
that citizens could gain undeniable advantages from exercising at public sports places
but other measures also play an integral role in public health improvement.
On the one hand, because prevention is better than cure, constructing sports facilities
at public places is a useful way to prevent citizens from diseases. This makes not
only physical but also mental health better since those places attract many people
come and train together. Sports facilities, especially located in public spaces will
inspire residents, even children and the elderly to exercise.
Besides exercising physically together, citizens may share common things in their life
such as mutual interests which bring them closer and recover their spirit after long
working days. For example, after witnessing an upward trend in the number of
people participating sports games at public spaces, Thailand recorded a significant
reduction in the number of patients in hospitals to be treated by psychological
therapy.
On the other hand, healthcare system and educational methods are making outstanding
contributions to protecting public health. Firstly, modern hospital facilities which
government is taking into account ensure patients’ peace of mind to be cured in case
of suffering diseases. In addition, periodic health checks organized by public
hospitals help people diagnose potential risks of diseases and find helpful treatments
in an early manner. Lastly, educational methods raise resident’s awareness in process
of disease prevention and health promotion which enable people to increase control
over their health. Therefore, public health is protected actively by residents’ medical
knowledge.
In conclusion, while sports facilities certainly improve public health, I do believe that
other measures need to be invested in order to bring more medically mental and
physical benefits to residents.

75
Many people claiming that hopping SAMPLE
from one workplace to another is more
beneficial than staying in one job for76
a very long time. Do you agree or disagree?
It is true that people who find a job early in their working age and keep doing it
consistently are more likely to have/acquire/live in a successful working life.
While I accept that this may suit many people, I believe that switching jobs from one to
another eventually will lead to a fulfilling life.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why job seekers should make their choice
of profession early in their lives. Firstly, by doing so, they will not waste their time
on confusing what job should they take or start all over again in a new working
environment. As a result, they will likely enhance employment prospects to be
promoted higher positions in their career ladder with higher salary packages,
compared with their colleagues who are at the same age but lack consistency in their
choice. Secondly, if you luckily secure a job that gives you the sense of satisfaction
right at the first try, then it is reasonable to spend the rest of your life to pursue that
career. For example, many doctors who undertook years of training and gaining many
related qualifications when they studied at university often get a very high salary with
generous perks and feel so rewarded that they don’t want to lose their jobs.
On the other hand, it is acceptable for some people to change their decision of
profession over time. To be more specific, newly graduated students who often face
psychosocial crisis based on their personal identity and role confusion have to try
many jobs before finally have a defined career path. That is because as you
experience a range of jobs, you will gradually realize your advantages as well as
your passion on which basis you will have a wise choice for your career.
Furthermore, there are various factors that can change people’s decision about a job,
such as working conditions, the atmosphere in a workplace or employment
prospects.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that having a defined career path early in your life
will lead to success, but this is by no means that people should not change their job if
they are not satisfied with the company or their role of themselves.
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 SAMPLE
The consumption of the world's resources (oil, and water etc.) is increasing at a
77solutions?
dangerous rate. What are causes and
Over the past decades, the world has seen an alarming increase in terms of
consumption of natural resources such as coal, oil, and water. There are a variety of
forces that drive this trend and several solutions should be adopted to solve the thorny
issues which have arisen.
Excessive consumption of natural resources may be caused by various reasons.
Firstly, there is a clear connection between a number of global resources consumed
and the great boom of industry all around the world. In fact, in order to ensure the
operation of millions of machine playing a vital role in most of the industrial
sections, industrial sites, and huge resources such as water, electricity, and oil are
required which leads to overexploitation in these sources. Secondly, since we have
been living in the age of technology, we tend to be reliant on many technology
gadgets related to energy in almost every aspect of life, including working, learning
and entertaining. Besides, human beings have been wasting natural resources when
we use them over our demands or for inadequate ones which lead to out of the
resource in the future.
To tackle this taxing issue, there are various effective solutions that should be taken
into account. First, by carrying out selective industrial development plants, the
governments can limit the number of factories and industrial sites at a reasonable
level. This means that we can save not only energy but also money and human
resources to research and use other resources such as electricity from the wind, solar
power and renewable energy more widely. Second, in order to raise the public
awareness on using these resources, the authorities should conduct a variety of
massive campaigns to offer valuable information about this issue. For example, using
the bicycle as a means of transportation allows citizens not only to reduce their
reliance on fossil fuels but also to strengthen their physical health andmental state.
In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for this trend, however, steps
need to be taken to tackle this issue.
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77
Advertisements are becoming more SAMPLE
and more common in everyday life. Is it
a positive or negative development?
78
In light of fierce competitions between a rising number of firms, consumers are now
being bombarded with tons of advertisements. In this essay, I will demonstrate that
advertisements may trigger impulse buying before suggesting some viable solutions
that governments can adopt to alleviate the adverse impacts.
The foremost way companies choose to promote their products is attracting people's
attention by visual arts. The exaggeration of a product's features using eye-catching
graphics in commercials may sway people to purchase items when they have no real
need for it. This is reinforced by the appearance of celebrity endorsements, which
may greatly influence their fans who tend to imitate their idols. OPPO, a mobile
company, perfectly exemplifies this situation. Many youngsters in Japan buy OPPO
phones because their promotion campaign features a prominent pop singer. Afterward,
they often have to replace their phones upon discovering that the products do not
meet their needs.
In order to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions, states could take
the following measures. First and foremost, they must regulate the content of
advertisements. Prior to the publishing of an advertisement, a rigorous check must be
conducted to ensure it reflects the actual quality of the product. This measure ought to
be implemented in tandem with educating consumers on how to filter the information
they watch on media mass. They have to consider whether the commercial is accurate
or not, then make more sensible/reasonable decisions. The combination of these two
methods may safeguard consumers against the aforementioned detrimental effects.
In conclusion, advertisements may lure consumers into purchasing unnecessary items
and therefore governments should take immediate steps to weaken/minimise their
impacts.
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 SAMPLE
Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do
79
you think this is a positive or negative social development?
Some researchers assume that humans will jointly communicate by solely one language
around the world in the future. While I acknowledge that this positively affects on our
society, I would argue that this also brings us cons.
On the one hand, regarding benefits, it is dominant for humans to speak official
terminology in several disciplines such as technology or businesses. For example,
English is a prevalent language which is considered to be the second global language.
The co-operation among humans as well as international meetings are held in English.
Therefore, people can understand what the others are talking about and quickly gain
access to information. Furthermore, using alike mother- land language empowers us
to widen our perspective of life. For instance, in recent years, there are a handful of
books and magazines written in English. If we know English, we can obtain broader
knowledge about not only other countries’ education but also their traditions.
On the other hand, I still believe that it also has negative impacts on our society. It is
undeniable that speaking the same language can defend our countries from outside
intruders. However, almost all countries virtually possess our own customs as well
as distinctive languages because languages are related to historical events. If people
use the same mother tongue, this could lead to elimination in different cultures
among nations all over the world. For example, if Chinese people use English as an
official language, a majority of historical monuments are associated with the Chinese
language will gradually disappear from our minds and the young generations cannot
have thorough insights into not only traditional values and identity of China but also
Chinese language.
In conclusion, while I agree that communicating the same language will help humans
enhance knowledge, but this is by no means that we can conserve ourprecious history.
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 SAMPLE
In the future, it seems it will be more difficult to80
live on the earth. Some people
think more money should be spent on researching other planets to live, such as
Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Alongside the development of industries, climate change makes the earth become less
ideal to live on. Some people, therefore, suggest investing more in the field of
astronomy to find alternative planets. This may be true, but I believe this is not the only
way to save our future.
On the one hand, finding other planets to live is a good idea. Firstly, there are many
limited natural resources that are over-exploited nowadays. Once these resources are
no longer available, we will have been lacking in fossil fuel, such as charcoal or
petroleum. Industrial and daily activities are considerably dependent on them, so it is
necessary to start to find new planets that have these resources to exploit or even live
in. Secondly, setting a goal of settling down on a new planet can force the astronomy to
grow faster. Becoming learned in the field, the scientists will figure out new places to
live and other innovations, exploit the energy of the stars and communicate with the
aliens to exchange the universal knowledge, for example.
On the other hand, the discovery of new planets should not be the only solution for our
future. The first reason is that although we are facing the environmental problems,
degradation is a long-term process. Therefore, we still have enough time if we take
actions now to reduce the pollution on the earth. Moreover, the cost for researching
new planets is much higher than protecting and regenerating the old one. Space shifts,
researching projects, astronauts training fee will consume a great deal of revenue
from the government.
In conclusion, it is necessary to research for new planets. However, the
regeneration of the earth environment is also a promising answer to the future
living places question.
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80
More and more young people fromSAMPLE 81 are spending a short time
wealthy countries
doing unpaid work such as teaching or building houses for communities in poorer
countries.
Why young people choose to do so? Who will benefit more: young people or the
communities?
Volunteering at third-world communities has been a trend among the youth from the
developing countries. There are some underlying reasons for this and I believe that the
local communities gain more benefits than the volunteers themselves.
Perhaps experience is the main contribution to this phenomenon. People who volunteer
tend to seek for the valuable skills and knowledge. In addition, they can get the
opportunities to form some interpersonal relationships, which might be a huge
advantage for their future career. Furthermore, as a volunteer leader, a young person
would gain the adequacy to express one’s idea and connect with people who have the
same perspectives to bring it into reality. Finally, young volunteering can be attributable
to fulfillment. Volunteers seem to enjoy the feeling that they are to some extent making
the contribution to help poor people. Besides, the bonding activities bring a lot of fun
and create a cozy atmosphere between the well- intended participations and local
people.
Turning to the positive effects on the host communities. Firstly, the developing
countries receive the intense amount of human resource to support the local projects.
For example, they can be deployed to constructing house and schools for the poor
people or in rural areas. Furthermore, volunteering plays a pivotal role in the recovery
effort in the response to natural disasters such as tsunamis, floods, and droughts. For
instance, the 2004 Indian tsunami and earthquake attract a large number of volunteers
to support the host organizations and government. Finally, voluntary activities can
reduce stereotypes, increase appreciation of the local culture and on the worldwide
level, the education activities accelerate the globalization process.
In conclusion, although the growing number of young volunteers is attributable to the
great advantages they would gain for their life, I firmly believe that the host
communities benefit more from this phenomenon.
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81
Some people think that schools SAMPLE
should reward 82students who show the best
academic results, while others believe that it is more important to reward students
who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
It is a widespread practice that prestigious awards should be given to brilliant pupils.
While some individuals say that students with the best score should receive awards, I
would argue that it would be better to encourage pupils who arebetter day by day.
On the one hand, rewarding outstanding students would benefit not only in the
present but also in the future. Firstly, in the present, this action would foster the
competitive spirit of all students in school to win the award. After this cutthroat
competition, excellent pupils could make the most of the awards they received to
pursue tertiary education. Moreover, with the tiny number of the best students, each
school could allocate their resources to expenditure on priority things such as
infrastructure or improve the quality of teachers. Secondly, in the future, these
excellent students could achieve a huge success in their careers and become the stars
in the world of work. Then perhaps they would return to support their old schools
through philanthropic actions as scholarships for next generations.
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial to spur students to be better by
awards. Firstly, in short-term, all students would endeavor to be rewarded and never
sit on their laurels, even with students who are having the best score in school. It
would make a dramatic change in education in which instead of “the best” students,
there are only “better” pupils. Secondly, in long-term, this action would enhance the
general quality of the whole workforce, which leads to nation’s sustainable economic
development.
This is not necessarily wrong but it would sound more natural to me if your main
argument were longer than the other one.
In conclusion, it seems to me that rewarding students who reveal their
progressive/ceaseless advancement would be better than solely give awards to
outstanding students.
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82
 SAMPLE
Consumers are faced with increasing 83 of advertisements from
numbers
competing companies. To what extent do you think are consumers influenced by
advertisements. What measures can be taken to protect them?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
Nowadays, while the commercial advertising has proliferated in a variety of
methods, as a result of fierce competition in the market. I would content that people
are inundated with a massive amount of information from different competitors. To
prevent this from happening, I believe that the authorities must take some definite
activities.
The first point to make is that customers are falling victim to companies' advertising
campaigns. They often spend much money on purchases which they have no real
needs for them. This is primarily because a number of companies tend to exaggerate
the usefulness of a few features of their products. The case of Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus
smartphone, which attracted the people all over the world’s attention many days ago
is nearly identical to its predecessor, except for the new dual-camera system and a
slightly faster processor. However, to gain the competitive advantage over their rival
Samsung’s Galaxy S7, Apple’s attempted to advertise that the new features of their
smartphones are necessary. Many customers, as a result, were persuaded to make
the purchase decision regardless of their true needs.
In order to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions,-the
governments should adopt some following solutions. The described problem can be
solved by establishing an authority having responsibility for censorship all new
advertisements. The bowdlerization process must be stringent enough so that all the
extracts that contain any form of exaggeration must be taken out before these are
published. This exclusion would effectively safeguard consumers against the
manipulation of the companies and help them avoid making wasteful purchases.
In brief, many businesses use advertising to gain the edge over their competitive factors
rather than to fulfill their customers' needs, which lued-lures consumers to buy
unnecessary things. In my mind, exercising censorship before airing them should be
carried out to mitigate this influence of advertising.
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83
MODEL ESSAY 2:
Advertising is an effective measure in modern marketing to help enterprises promptly
capture | sales. However, from consumers’ view, it has some negative influences that
require measures to prevent those bad impacts.
Regarding the drawbacks of advertising promotion, the first to mention is that many
advertisements make people misled easily. Advertisements are meant to attract
enterprise’s target customers so the function and quality of products tend to be
exaggerated. As a result, buyers face the high possibility of buying the goods that are
not of any real value to them. In addition, advertising sometimes encourages bad
habits which are detrimental to people’s health. For example, fast- food agencies
always put emphasis on the advantageous side of their products and ignore the
inherent peril of obesity. Furthermore, companies continuously push new products into
the market to generate sales. Via advertising campaigns, these new products would
quickly replace the old ones and the old ones will be disposed of despite the fact that
they are still in good use. This is a recurring cycle that causes a waste of resources for
customers.
To save this situation, it is urgent that governments take action to protect consumer’s
rights by introducing comprehensive legislation on the advertising industry. Tougher
sanctions should also be imposed on any company that violates the law. This would
certainly increase agencies’ awareness of launching ethical advertisements.
Additionally, associations of consumer’s right protection should play more crucial
roles in this battle. To say more, it is vital that consumers protect themselves. They
should learn to become wise consumers by making research and analyzing thoroughly
what they need before giving buying decisions.
To sum up, it is certain that bad advertisements will continuously fill the television
screen, magazines, mailbox, and so on. So, to prevent their negative impacts, there is
a need for both government’s interference and consumers’ wisdom.
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84
Some people feel that entertainers SAMPLE 85pop musicians or sports stars)
(e.g. films stars,
are paid too much money. Do you agree or disagree?
In recent years, entertainment is more significant for life, and it is argued that
entertainers such as film stars, pop musicians or sports stars are paid too much money.
In my opinion, I agree and also disagree with/partly agree with this viewpoint.
I do not concur with this angle because of- some reasons below. First of all, film
stars, pop musicians and sports stars are occupations, entertainers genuine spend
their time, money and health to practice and raise their ability to make many goods and
services for public or audiences. Therefore, it is suitable for them to receive a lot of
money. Secondly, artistic talent is really rare and there is a small number of people
who can create special art goods or art services for audiences. If you have a special
good, you absolutely can sell it with a high price.
These arguments given above can be seen as opposite perspective in equal measure.
To begin with, some entertainers whose goods or services are not really good, but
their salaries which they receive from their audiences are very high. For instance, there
are some singers whose voices are bad in Vietnam recently, but they have had some
scandals and public are interested in them, so they have paid a large amount of money
to see and hear these singers singing. On the other hand, some jobs such as - engineers,
researchers- need abundant time, knowledge and various work experiences to do
these jobs, but they have been paid much far less money than entertainers.
In conclusion, I do concur and also do disagree with the perspective that entertainers
are paid too much money.
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85
Success in formal “pen and paper” SAMPLE 86 is often seen to be a sign
examinations
intelligent. To what extent do you agree with the view that formal examinations
measure intelligence?
There is no doubt that formal examination is a common measurement to evaluate the
capacity of students. In my perspective, I strongly believe that not only formal
examination can measure intelligence, but also learning process is able to assess
accurately the ability of pupil.
At the outset, I concur with this belief that “pen and paper” testing will figure out
competency. During the whole academic year, students will prove their intelligence by
flying colors in the exam. To reach good results, they have to learn industriously from
researching documents to doing small tests with the aim of reviewing every corner of
knowledge. Thanks to hard work, their potentiality canbe taken account perfectly.
To look at it from a different side, formal examinations is insufficient to measure the
cleverness. It depends on all studying process that they demonstrate in the entire year.
I expect to give a salient instance; a student always makes efforts to do every test in this
time before examination happens. Almost teachers assume that he is perfect and
perhaps the last testing is not a huge wall for him. However, because of health or
family problems, he cannot overcome this exam in the best way. At this time, these
teachers may not criticize that he is a bad student.
Therefore, personally, to evaluate the potentiality, let us consider all aspects of
students.
To put it in a nutshell, the competency of students is not simply based on the outside of
“pen and paper” testing, the inherent capacity also plays an indispensable role in the
evaluation process.
260 words

86
 SAMPLE
More houses are needed in many countries 87 with increasing populations.
to cope
Would it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new
towns in rural areas?
There is a debate whether we should build houses in existing urban areas or create
new towns in rural regions. While some people may think more places of residence in
cities have a few advantages, I believe new towns in rural areas benefit a nation as a
whole.
On the one hand, more buildings have some negative consequences on cities. More
apartment units would reduce the price per unit and the renting cost, which will
certainly encourage greater numbers of people to migrate to cities. In this way, urban
areas have to cope with the greater level of overcrowding, both contributing to
increasingly serious traffic congestion and overburdened public services such as
healthcare, education. In addition, constructing new buildings requires space which
is likely cleared by cutting down trees. This will lessen numbers of trees, which are
vital in absorbing rainwater that falls on the grown,leading to flooding.
On the other hand, the new progress in rural areas is positive. As new towns
develop, more companies are opened and the infrastructures are constructed in rural
areas. This creates greater employment opportunities, which reduces numbers of
people migrate to cities for economic purpose, and eventually lessens the migration
burden on urban areas. A proper investment, which focuses on new areas such as
niche manufacturer, tourism rather than traditional agriculture or resource-based
businesses, could improve the socio-economy in rural regions.
This benefits rural citizens and as well as the national economy.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that new towns constructed in rural
areas bring greater positive effects than creating houses in urban areas.
266 words

87
 SAMPLE
Some people think that it is good for 88 to import foreign movies
a country's culture
and TV programs. Others think that it is better to produce these locally.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
MODEL ESSAY 1:
There have been different arguments whether international or domestic films and
telecasts are better for a culture. From my perspective, both of these categories are
equally crucial.
On the one hand, I believe that foreign movies and TV programs considerably
contribute to the cultural diversity of their host nation. Firstly, they enable native
residents to understand various cultural customs from other parts of the world. In fact,
people are likely to gain knowledge about other cultures merely by watching imported
films and programs. Secondly, foreign movies and telecasts could be able to raise
public awareness of a particular community about global trends which are not
popular in its own country. For example, thanks to the Hollywood blockbuster "The
day after tomorrow," Vietnamese people now realize of the significance of the climate
change and how to develop a sustainable economy in today's world.
On the other hand, I would argue that in an era of globalization, domestic movies and
television channels are vital for maintaining unique cultural features of each country.
To be more specific, national films and telecasts could provide viewers with
insightful information about local traditions, which cannot be found in any other
imported movies or TV programs. Even a short cartoon like "The story about God
Giong" could be able to teach children Vietnamese's patriotism and courage.
Additionally, traditional customs could be passed on younger generations through local
films and telecasts. Such values could help people to know more about the social and
cultural patterns of their countries.
In conclusion, it appears to me that the governments should keep a balance between
local and foreign films and telecasts to maintain their original traditions as well as to
absorb good cultural practices of other nations.
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88
MODEL ESSAY 2:
It is true that foreign films have become more popular than domestically produced
films. There are a variety of reasons for such trend and thus authorities should pay
more attention to local film industries.
There are various reasons why people find foreign movies more enjoyable. Firstly, as
huge budgets are invested in films in many countries they soon gain significant
success worldwide. These films, therefore, attract many local and international
audiences by their spectacular action scenes, special effects, beautiful soundtracks
and amazing shoots. “The Beauty and the Beast” produced by Walt Disney is a clear
example for that. Disney spent 160 million dollars on that film and it earned 400
million dollars in its opening weeks. Furthermore, famous actors, actresses or
directors are important factors making millions of viewers go to the cinema every
day. They love the movies because of Hugh Jackman or Brad Pitt. As a result, poor
quality, low budget local films always are often inferior in their values compared to
those films.
To improve this situation, governments should give more financial support to local film
industries. Although there are many talented people in local film field their small
budget films do not have any significant appeal to local residents. Financial support
from governments brings obvious benefits such as increasing film sales and
improving film quality as well as attracting more tourists to local sightseeing. For
example, Korean films have developed around the world and through films, unique
culture and beautiful places in Korean have been known widely by people around the
world. Visitors travelling to Korea increase annually thanks to that.
In conclusion, I believe that governments should support local films so that they can
compete with the foreign productions which recently dominate the market.
289 words

89
 SAMPLE
Some people prefer to plan activities 90 time very carefully. Others
for their free
choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of
planning free time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you
prefer-planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and
examples to explain your choice.
In the age that the pace of life is hasty, there are so many opinions on the topic of how
to spend leisure time. While someone would like to put their holiday in the arranged
schedule, some of the others love to do everything depending on their mood.
Personally, I have the same view as people who always make a plan for their free
time.
On the one hand, it is admitted that carefully planning brings many benefits. For
example, if you are tending to have a far trip, the careful preparation will make your
journey be more comfortable. Firstly, it is certain that planning for relaxation helps
you save your time due to the fact that you do not have to hurry up to think about the
destination, the things that you should bring for the trip, or where you will stay during
the occasion. Secondly, preparing in advance also helps you in avoiding a few
unexpected problems such as no available room in the hotels, being lost or luggage
missing. Therefore, you can rest assured more to enjoy the vacation thanks to a
detailed plan.
On the other hand, some persons believe that their free time should be different with
the daily life. It means that they do not need to follow the workaday rules, just do
anything that they want. As a result, this makes them feel relaxing and freedom. For
instance, traveling to somewhere without knowing of the destination will give you the
chance to enjoy plenty of fun and surprise.
In conclusion, because I relatively love the stability and safety, making a schedule for
leisure time is the best choice for me than another one. However, it depends on
individuals’ hobby to enjoy a free-minded holiday or carefully planned one.
295 words

90
 SAMPLE
Some people think that if a police force 91 it would cause a high level
carries guns,
of violence in that society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In recent years, there have been a lot of controversial arguments about the question of
whether police force should bring guns or not. From my perspective, I wholeheartedly
agree that they are bound to carry weapons like guns during the time of fulfilling their
missions.
There are a variety of reasons for the aforementioned point of view. To begin with,
carrying guns would merely constitute more powerful and professional military force
who can compel criminals to be frightened. In some occasions, they use weapons just
for warning, not to make others get injured. As a result, it can make valuable
contribution to reduce the crime rates and keep the society eventful. Moreover, it is
inconsequential to accomplish their missions when they are facing with fiendish
offenders without weapons, let alone they effortlessly perish.
On the other hand, one of the most undeniable driving forces is that the police are also
carefully trained the way to use guns and in what emergency situations weapons
should be used. In addition, it is undoubted that if military forces use their guns for
falling out of the laws or even personal purposes, they will be punished like a wrong-
doer. It is certainly true that non-weapon police force can alleviate the level of
violence in the society, however, the gravity of violence will get worse if they are not
powerful enough to overpower criminals.
In conclusion, it seems to me that guns used by police force plays a crucial role in
dealing with crimes and its merits outweigh drawbacks, therefore, it is infeasible to
ban police force from carrying weapons.
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91
It is better for college students toSAMPLE 92than live at home with their
live in schools
parents. Do you agree or disagree?
It is commonly seen that undergraduate students should choose to live with their
families. While I accept this may suit some people, I believe that university
students should be encouraged to live independently in the school campus.
On the one hand, there are several benefits for people who decide to live with their
families while they are studying in university. Firstly, their eating habits and diets are
much healthier as their mothers are the ones who prepare every meal for the whole
family. Students living alone, however, tend to shift their focuses away from their
daily nutrition and usually consume an excessive amount of prepared meals or
processed foods which later on cause various health diseases such as obesity and
diarrhea. Secondly, it obviously costs much less money to live with your parent as
you don’t have to pay for your living cost. If you decide to move out and rent an
apartment, for example, you will soon face many financial difficulties because you
have to spend for countless essential things in your daily route with the only limited
budget.
On the other hand, there are some reasons why students would move out and live on
their own. To be more specific, students who live in dormitories within the school’s
campus will have chances to interact with many people such as their roommate or
even other international students. Thus they will be exposed to different cultures,
custom and points of view which are really useful for their lives after they grow up.
Furthermore, in order to earn their living, many students have to secure several part-
time jobs, these experiences will help them broaden their knowledge and gain many
qualifications as well as soft skills which open the door to better job opportunities
after they graduated.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that living with your parent is beneficial in some
ways, but this is by no means people should not enjoy their student lives in school
campus as it brings many advantages for your later career and lifestyle.
329 words

92
 SAMPLE
Education is not a luxury but a basic 93and as such should be free for
human right
everyone irrespective of personal wealth.
It is argued that education is a basic human right therefore free tuition fee is very
necessary for whoever learners are. In my view, I partly think that this brings many
advantages; however, free education has its own limits as the extent to which the
merits of a free education are debatable in certain states and circumstances.
On the one hand, free education affects both students and the whole society greatly.
For poor families or ones with many children, no tuition fee carries a significant
implication because they do not need to force their kids to work instead of studying as
well as saving an amount of money for other needs; therefore a whole society may
become more civilized and well educated. In addition, free education can attract a lot
of foreigners, especially talented people. Taking Germany as an example, this
government frees any tuition fee for both local and foreign students, as a result, top
brilliant people come here and contribute to this country's development significantly.
On the other hand, this law triggers a lot of considerable problems for governments
and students. Paying tuition fee means that the government must be under a huge
economic burden every year and then the development of several fields may be
inhibited. For instance, if Vietnam fulfills the law of free education, the government
must spend thousands of billion VND annually; while many other basic demands are
not responded yet. Besides, free education might make students less responsible for
studying or doing activities in school and result in long-term drawbacks.
Finally, I believe that free education is extremely suitable for typical areas or countries
but it may create many serious issues for others.
280 words

93
Freshwater has always been a limited SAMPLE
resource in94
some parts of the world. Today,
however, growing worldwide demand has made this a global problem. What are the
causes of the increased demand and what measure could governments and
individuals take to respond to this problem?
Many countries and regions around the world frequently experience a shortage of
water resource, and this has become an alarming issue as the global water demand
rises. While there are several causes of the increasing water consumption, nations and
citizens should take certain steps to tackle this issue.
The surge of worldwide water consumption can be explained in a number of reasons.
Firstly, population explosion is the major contributor to the growing water use. This,
in particular, is severe in countries which could not manage the birth rate such as
Africa. Secondly, as the global population rises, industries and factories have
expanded their business to meet the consumption demand, discharging more sewage to
natural resources, and eventually endangering water reverses. For example, in many
developing countries, small farms still pump unprocessed wastewater directly into
lakes, rivers, or oceans, which contaminate water reservoirs used for water
production.
National authorities must take actions to conserve water resource. Governments
would raise public awareness about the importance of water resources, and further
give courses to citizens on how to optimize their water usage. In addition, nations
would do their best on protecting water reverses by both introducing strict laws on raw
discharges to the environment and raising the higher standard of industrial sewage
disposal. Finally, governments could enact infrastructures which purify seawater into
saline free water. Holland, which is a leading country in the desalination, has managed
to generate a third source of national water consumption from sea water.
Citizens also have the responsibility for reducing their water consumption. People
should minimize their water use in daily living activities by re-routing runoff from
washing machines and using that water for flushing the toilet, or simply turning off the
tap while brushing teeth or washing hand.
In conclusion, governments and individuals should do more tackle the growing water
use; otherwise, water scarcity will become severe in the global.

94
 SAMPLE
How should we ensure that television is a positive95
influence in the life ofchildren?
Nowadays, television plays an unchangeable role in the daily life of people in the
modern age/world. However, it is contended that this high-tech device would affect
negatively behaviour as well as the ideology of children. This essay will suggest
some measures to evade pitfalls of television and enhance/promote/uphold the
advantages of informative programmes on TV.
Firstly, along with the booming of information technology recently, more and more TV
products go viral with an aim at entertaining every group of people. For example, the
elderly and the middle-aged are in favour of politics, economics or health
programmes while teenagers prefer music and TV shows. As a result, it will be very
dangerous for children who are so vulnerable if getting exposed to inappropriate
information on TV in the early age. In that case, censorship should be highly
recommended in order to shift sensitive imagines, voice, and information or even
abolish the whole TV products within the active time of children.
In addition to providing much more knowledge for children, producers could offer
some particular pacts of channels for children which include cartoon, basic scientific
information, and suitable music. If so, these solutions will help parents to easily
manage available programmes for children and prevent entirely children from
watching bloody scenes or sensitive plot which could shape their thinking from
childhood. Although some people argue that this recommendation will handicap
children’s freedom of exploring the world through TV which is considered as a very
informative source, it is the best solution we can do to protect children from a large
amount of irrelevant information published every day.
In conclusion, the producers should guarantee that all their programmes have been
come through censorship and publish in the suitable time. Furthermore, a pact of
channels for children should be taken into account to help parents keep programmes
under supervision.
305 words

95
In many countries, governments SAMPLE
are spending96a large amount of money on
improving internet access. Why is it happening and do you think it is the most
appropriate use of government money?
It is true that a wide amount of public money is growingly invested in developing the
Internet in some nations. There are different reasons identified for this trend and I
consider that public funding should be spent on more urgent priorities.
The main reason for this trend toward expanding Internet access in various countries
is that citizens are able to access resources of information available effectively at
any time, meaning that they can have an opportunity to broaden their horizons through
reading newspapers online or searching information on the Internet. In addition, the
Internet always offers opening access to those people is willing to learn regales of
age, location, and background. Another reason is that the Internet helps to enhance
the growth of the economy. Online sale becomes more common these days, hence,
improving Internet access helps to boost the domestic as well as international trade.
In fact, the Internet enables/allows us to save our time and is convenient for us due to
written forms of communication because the Internet allows people to discuss online
through Email, Facebook or other social media.
Although the Internet brings benefits to us, I believe that more pressing issues need to
be invested with government financial assistance. Firstly, the government should
spend the public budget on the education system and healthcare service.
For example, some schools in developing countries require more schools with
capable teachers and administers. Secondly, the national security is also a
rewarding concern. More money is used for police and security service to
increase the safety of all citizens.
In conclusion, although there are sound reasons why public authorities should want to
invest in improving internet access, I consider that there are more important
problems which demand government funding.
288 words

96
In many parts of the world, there isSAMPLE 97 of sport ontelevision.
continuous coverage
Some people believe this discourages the young from taking part in any sport
themselves.
Discuss this view and give your own opinion.
Due to the advance of information technology nowadays, round-the-clock transmission
of sports events increasingly goes vital on television. However, this phenomenon has
triggered a heated debate as to whether it would handicap children’s interest in
participating in sports. This essay will analyze the effects of sports broadcasting on
children followed by personal opinion that not sports coverage but TV products
generally affect children’s enthusiasm toward physicalactivities.
By and large, sports programmes, indeed, play an important role in motivating
teenagers to take part in athletics. When a sporting event is broadcasted, teenagers
could see their role model performing extra-ordinary skills on a match and therefore,
it is understandable that they will be urgent to emulate these techniques in a real game.
In addition, thanks to the introduction of new diverse kinds of sport through media,
children could familiarise themselves with many exotic outdoor activities. For
example, free-style football first appeared in western countries and has been imported
in Vietnam recently. As a result, a large number of people jump on this bandwagon and
this sport has attracted a large number of teenagers.
However, the reason why many people hold firmly the belief of the disadvantage of
sports coverage is that they do not discriminate the influence of sports programmes
and TV products in general. Today, not only do TV producers provide audiences with
sports transmission but they also produce many sorts of programmes such as music,
films in order to satisfy viewers’ needs. Consequently, many children will choose in
preference of watching television rather than engage in sports. The decline in the
number of sports participants come as no surprise because not all teenagers are
passionate about sports.
In conclusion, it appears to me that generally, TV products themselves curb children’s
interest in doing outdoor activities while sport promotes sports spirit in the young
generation.

97
 SAMPLE
In modern society, it has been observed 98 are not duly respected in
that the elderly
some countries. Discuss the reasons why this has occurred and the effects it
might have on our society.
In this day and age, it seems that the young do not show enough respect for the
elderly in many nations. This essay will outline three reasons for this issue and two
negative effects on our society.
First, old people are often conservative in terms of adapting to the modern society. For
example, they often believe that stable jobs in state-owned companies are a better
choice rather than encouraging the young to become entrepreneurs or interfere in the
social circle of younger generations. As a result, young people may find their attitudes
relatively/fairly/deliberately offensive. Second, many old people do not have their
private pension after retirement; consequently, they become their family’s burden.
Third, children are not socialized to understand fully why they should respect their
seniors, so they often pick a quarrel with the elders, such as their grandparents.
Therefore, two impacts of this problem on our society are the threat of decreasing
social values and the lack of well-rounded labors. Firstly, a number of old people
have made significant contributions to the community; for example, Mrs. Cuc, an 80-
year-old woman, who is the owner of Ba Nhat Bamboo Rattan Cooperative, which is
a world-renowned handicraft company, has created a thousand jobs for many young
generations for over 37 years. In this way, it is unfair to say that the elders are useless,
and the public morality standards would decline. Secondly, there are quite a few/a
number of employment positions/roles that are specially designed/suitable for old
people – jobs that call more experience than physical power, hence the qualified
elders can contribute more to the society at present time. Thus, it is a waste of the
valuable human resources for the society if we lookdown on the seniors.
In summary, I believe that people, especially the young, should respect and learn the
wisdom from the elders. By doing this, we can altogether build a better and happier
world.
318 words

98
 SAMPLE
Schools should concentrate on teaching 99academic subjects that will
students the
be useful for their future careers. Subjects such as music and sports are not
useful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is sometimes argued that schools should remove non-academic subjects such as music
and sports from (the educational/its) syllabus so that students will focus on academic
fields which are helpful for their professions. While it is true that intellectual subjects
are important, I do not believe that fully concentrating on teaching academic subjects
at school is a good idea.
Firstly, from the health point of view, non-academic activities are helpful not only for
students’ physical health but also their mental health. For instance, after studying and
sitting in compulsory classes for the whole morning, it is better for students to do some
outdoor or art activities such as dancing, playing basketball to get rid of stress. As a
result, their learning ability and concentration in the afternoon will be improved.
Focusing only on the academic area is not only harmful to student’s health but also
makes their capability decrease.
Secondly, not all of students need to be excellent at academic subjects to achieve
success in their future career. For example, there is no point getting A grades
unnecessarily in science-related subjects if a person wants to become a singer or a
footballer. By encouraging students to engage in extra-curricular activities, schools
can bring out their hidden talents in other fields. This will help not only the students
but also the society since that creates the diversity of occupation and enhances the
division of labour.
In conclusion, I disagree the argument that focusing only on academic subjects is more
helpful than non-academic fields for students in developing their future careers.
259 words

99
Some people do not allow their SAMPLE
children to participate in games, sports or
competitions unless everyone gets a100
prize. Others think that children must learn to
deal with winning and losing in order to be fully prepared for life.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge and experience.
Some teachers and parents only permit their kids to play or compete when all
participants are rewarded; while others accept that the concept of “winner-loser”
belongs to a useful experience to be learned. I favour the second viewpoint.
When all kids play and win together, they often feel happier and can build better a
sense of teamwork. Moreover, they are more willing to participate in / take part in the
next events. However, they are incapable of accepting failure as an inevitable step to
success from this failure.
On the other hand, some children who are allowed to experience to be a winner and a
loser can find out how to handle the real-life situation better. Certainly, being lost,
they would be upset and may refuse to play in the next round. However, such painful
experience is necessary for them to grow and learn to overcome the negative emotions
of losing.
In my viewpoint, the adults should follow the second option. It is essential to coach to
their children the game spirit, which is “to play, to enjoy, and to learn.” The children
should know how to accept their failure and overcome this feeling. Personally, I often
play “hide and seek” with my kids, and observe their changing attitudes. In the
beginning, they were not happy when they lost. And then, thanks to coaching and
discussion, they understand much better how to improve their skills and strategies,
and thus let the deception feelings go. As a result, they grow while playing.
In brief, although the all-the-time winner has some positive impacts, I am convinced
that children should experience the loser’s feeling and learn from it.
275 words

100
 SAMPLE
Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try
new things and take risks. Which 101do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.
Different people have different personalities in that there are those that allure trying
new facets and taking risks while others prefer security or stability in their life.
Personally, I strongly favour the preference of the first view because of the following
reasons.
To begin with, I strongly believe that the optimal things of discovering new things and
seeking new challenges are to fortify experience as well as resolve situation skill in
your work and life merely. My inherent character is to be interested in adventure, in
other words, I always endeavour to find out or adapt to any new environment because
in doing so, by going through the mill in the exploration process, I can practice
valuable characters such as patience, hard work, or the way to deal with difficult
dilemma. For example, in the first time I have taken part in part-time jobs, there are a
lot of job opportunities for me as a tutor, waitress, or freelancer translator.
Particularly, I gave up tutor job with high income, to raise myself/mount myself the
challenge of being a waitress for the purpose of trying new facets and being ready to
accept risks. From this experience, I gradually would be mature, always bravery to
face complicated problem in the near future.
To look at it from a different perspective, people who hold an opposite view consider
that “walk on the spot” or “stick usual habit” are the best ways to learn/grow up in
their life. They point out that it is time-consuming to change something or it is
vulnerable to suffer risk from changes. Stability is the first criteria in their work or
lives as well. However, this belief has the detrimental side which is that you cannot
make progress without changing and taking the risk. Being willing to try new things
does not mean to be willing to take/accept failures.
In sum up, while it is true that it is a good way to keep unusual habits, I believe that
risk would be the important key for you to undergo challenges and become more
mature in your life.
328 words

101
 SAMPLE
Some people think it is more important for the government to spend public money
on promoting a healthy lifestyle in 102
order to prevent illness than to spend it on the
treatment of people who are already ill. To what extent do youagree or disagree?
Whether a large proportion of a country’s budget should be diverted from treatment to
spending on health education and preventive measures has been a great debate. My
view is that it should be the best of both worlds.
On the one hand, it is agreed that governments have limited health budgets, so, they
must be prioritized. Admittedly, educating people how to live a long and healthy life,
which is in human beings’ agendas, is important. It is obvious that some diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, cardiovascular disease, obesity, etc., are related to
individuals’ daily habits, including eating junk food, smoking and involving in
inactive lifestyles; medical costs for these diseases are very expensive.
On the other hand, the development of medical technologies and in curing methods also
plays an important role. If there were no inventions in medicine and medical
machines, doctors would be unable to treat the diseases and save millions of patients
every year, such as people who get cancer, HIV/AIDS or heart diseases. However, to
improve and to innovate the medical systems demand a large amount of money, so,
the government should shoulder this responsibility. However, the budget of that is not
unlimited, and there are simply too many issues that need to be dealt with and paid
for, such as national defense, infrastructure. Therefore, a certain portion/ratio of the
expenditure should be financed/covered by quality private companies.
In summary, I believe that governments should direct their citizens to a healthy lifestyle
and encourage reliable companies to enter the medical market. By doing this, people can
enjoy their life and the government can reduce their financial burden.
270 words

102
 SAMPLE
Some people think that the main purpose of schools is to turn the children into
good citizens and workers, rather 103
than to benefit them as individuals. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
Some people reckon that the schools have responsibility for training children to
become useful citizens for the society instead of individuals themselves. While I
accept that school needs to fulfill their duty of educating good citizens, I believe that
the human rights should be respected, like the right of being well-equipped to be
whoever the children want to be.
It is undeniable that the main purpose of education in school is turning naïve children
into responsible adults whose behaviours and characteristics contribute to the
preservation and development of a civilized country. Human is the key actor of
society, and the more educated people are, the more civilized and flourishing the
communities are. Besides, in developing countries, the labour force is desperately
lacking skilled workers who are well-trained in schools. This burden pushes pressure
on the school to prepare for children necessary skills and adequate knowledge to
meet job market’s demand. Moreover, children spend one- third of their time in
schools, there is no other organization but schools have the ability to do this taxing
task of the society.
However, humans have their right to choose who to become. A child who wants to be
singer cannot be forced to be a manual worker even though there are not enough
workers in the labour market. Schools help to nurture good human beings, not to make
money machines for the government. Therefore, schools should only provide sufficient
information about the real life, and let the children decide what they want to be.
Certainly, schools have to show the rules and regulation, the limit of ethics to ensure
that the children will not go in the wrong direction which is unacceptable in the
society. However, for the things which are not prohibited, the school needs to support
them as much as possible to let them be more mature and well-prepared in making
decisions for their lives.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that social responsibility of schools is not only
building good worker for society but also nurture human beings as it supposed tobe.

103
MODEL ESSAY 2:
There is no doubt that every child in this world should be educated carefully to
become a good member society because they are the future of mankind. However,
whether the responsibilities to teach them belong to their parents or schools is still
argued. Many people advocate that parents play the main role in educating their
children while others blame that it is only the role of the schools. This essay offers
arguments that parents should be primarily responsible for the education of children.
First of all, it cannot be denied that schools are created to be the official place for
educating children and directing them to the general standard of community.
Children often spend at least 4 hours a day at school and have many activities in
which they interact with their friends under their teacher’s guidance to ensure them to
obey the school’s rules. Therefore, school is the ideal place for them to learn what is
right and what is wrong in the most natural and fastest way. For example, when a
children see all their friends go to sleep in the noon, they tend to fall asleep easier and
more voluntarily than when they are at home.
However, I believe that while school plays an important role in educating children to
recognize the rights and wrongs, the parents should also take the main responsibilities
in shaping their personalities and teach them to be a good citizen. Children are born
and grown up day by day besides their parents, so their parents’ characters and
behaviors have significant impacts on them. In addition, parents are the people who
understand their children the most so they will be able to find the most effective
methods to adjust their children’s manners and behaviors.
Meanwhile, there is almost no occasion when children spend their all 24 hours a day
at school but there are many holidays for children to stay with their families all their
time. That is the other reason why they will be affected by their parents more than
their teacher or their friends in the school’s life.
In conclusion, the role of the school in educating children to meet the standard of
society cannot be denied but it is the parents that should take the main responsibilities
to teach them how to become a good member of society.
330 words

104
 SAMPLE
The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books and they do not waste
105
their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as
computer software, videos, and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with the statement.
It is argued that public libraries are the only places with an array of books, which
should not be equipped with advanced forms of storing media like CD-ROMS, video
or computers. Personally, I completely disagree with this view because I believe that
modern media plays an essential part in retaining information as wellas books.
In the digital age, people have more effective measures to save information than in the
past. The first reason is that storing resource of information by means of media is
convenient for users as well as librarians. Because of the immense storage capacity
of DVDs, people tend to save data on a DVD rather than on a bookshelf. Therefore,
librarians can save more space and time in managing the resource of information. In
addition to, this is also friendly for readers when books are available online or are
stored in DVDs, meaning that readers can read books online at their home or
anywhere they like through the Internet instead of coming topublic libraries.
Furthermore, digital means of media can retain information much longer than
traditional forms, because they are able to protect books from human activities, fire,
and other factors. While books in traditional libraries just serve readers for only a
few hundred years, digital files easily duplicate to be restored for a long period of
time. In fact, accessing information through multiple media with the combination of
images and videos is much more interesting.
In conclusion, there has been the argument that multimedia facilities are quite
expensive. This may be true to some extent. However, the investment in modernizing
libraries is rewarding and should be encouraged.
273 words

105
The restoration of old buildings in major cities in the world costs numerous
governments’ expenditures. This money should be used in new housing and
road development. To what extent do you agree and disagree?
In recent years, governments have spent a great capital on solving housing problems
and the improvement of the transport system. While I agree that these investments
have brought a host of benefits to citizens, I believe that city planners should allocate
an acceptable proportion of public expenditure to rehabilitating aged buildings.
There are various reasons why authorities should spend much money on restructuring
old buildings. Firstly, it is important to recognize that many architectural styles have
characterized cities, countries where they are located. In fact, it is common that a
variety of old buildings which have unique and traditional values in architectural
patterns have been integral parts, if not symbols of cities, countries. In other words,
modern buildings, which only serve the fundamental function of providing shelters,
cannot hold a candle to ancient buildings with cultural heritages in them given that
they are created by time. As another reason, the existence of old buildings is of
profoundly educational purpose. In certain countries/nations, some old buildings,
which are not famous for outstanding design features, are well-known for their
attachment/identity closely attached to either historical events or religious factors,
playing a critical role in education. As witnesses, aged buildings reflect landmarks in
the history or religion, which are irreplaceable, should be transmitted through the
generations.
On the other hand, these days, the migration to metropolises has gained currency in
many nations. Therefore, not only do governments face the need for housing but also
deal with transport issue. As a result of the mentioned problems, the demolition of old
buildings is reasonable and understandable. Singapore and Hong Kong are telling
examples for this. In such countries, providing appropriate apartments and improving
transport qualities are the most essential targets.
Besides, old buildings which are under the poor condition, low quality and worthless
should be knocked down to give spaces to the emergence of new ones with higher
safety and greater economic values.
In conclusion, only when old constructions bear special values in terms of culture or
history, should governments subsidize to maintain them. Otherwise, the urgent issues
as accommodation and transport development should be taken in priority.
330 words

106
The subjects and lesson contentsSAMPLE
are decided by the authorities such as the
government. Some people argue that 107teachers should make the choice. What are
the pros and cons of each method, give some solutions?
It is argued that instead of the government, teachers should make a decision on
subjects and lesson contents. There are a number of reasons behind this point of
view and several solutions should be proposed to make the best choice for this
circumstance.
Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, if authorities choose
which contents should be included, all schools will follow this regulation and the
curriculum will be consistent. However, it may be ineffective and unsuitable due to
lacks of concern about student’s demand. On the other hand, it is hard for everyone to
accept the teacher’s decision because of the difference in approaches and
interpretations even though teachers communicate with students every day and are well
aware of which are essential and should be improved.
However, measures must be taken by governments and international bodies to solve
this conflict. The first solution would be conducting/carrying out on teachers and
collecting information, such as student’s favorite contents, or parts which are hard to
understand or methods used to enhance quality. These data will be analyzed and
given to government then they will make a decision based on its result. Furthermore,
students can express their ideas through a poll at school. This action will help to
lobby/examine valid and accurate academic demands and improve the syllabus that
children find it hard to understand or boring to learn at school.
In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for the argument about choosing
lesson contents and steps need to be taken to tackle this problem.
258 words

107
 SAMPLE
To solve the ever-increasing environmental hazards throughout the world, the best
way is to increase the price of 108 fuel. What is your opinion on the above
assumption?
The growth in means of transports nowadays has recently been a heated issue because
it leads to serious environmental problems. Some individuals state that the efficient
way to approach the risks is to raise the fuel price. On my perspective, I suppose that
there are other/alternative methods which also addresses the problem
adequately/successfully.
To begin with, it is evident that the influence of fuel cost on the number of transports is
unremarkable. This is because most people decide whether to buy a new car or not
depending on their need as well as their budget, not particularly fuel price. One good
example is in Vietnam, although the price of petrol is double compared with that 10
years ago, the figures of motorbikes and cars are significantly rising every year.
Therefore, what the government should do is to impose laws to restrict imported cars
by tax in order to decline vehicles which play an integral factor in causing traffic
congestion and pollution. In that case, the customers could take into consideration if
the price of cars is too high to afford. As a consequence, traffic jam is reduced
effectively. Furthermore, public transport should be improved to attract more
passengers. This solution does not only cut down private vehicles but also reduce
carbon dioxide emission that causes greenhouse effects and climate change these
days.
In conclusion, as far as I concerned, there are many effective ways to tackle traffic and
pollution problems besides the rise of petrol price. Above all, we should combine
above – mentioned solutions to cope with traffic and environment issues.
261 words

108
Several languages are in danger ofSAMPLE
extinction because they are spoken by very
small numbers of people. Some 109 people say that governments should spend
public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a
waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
Globalization has been taking place so fast that some languages such as English,
Spanish or Chinese have become virtually universal languages, which effectively
helps to foster communications among various nations while unpopular languages
spoken by ethnic minorities are likely to go extinct. Some people believe that public
investments in saving the highly likely-extinct languages are totally wasteful and
futile. However, I believe all language should be protected and preserved.
On the one hand, the biggest drawback of saving minority language is the problem in
efficiency with which people are confronted. Firstly, there have been millions of
people in need of help to overcome far more urgent issues such as battling against
severe starvation or mass disease, it followed, then it followed that investment on
minority language is reportedly considered a needless waste of money. Secondly, the
wider the variety of languages is, the less efficient the conversations among people
coming from different countries are. For example, the fact that people speaking
different languages have to make much more effort and time as well as misunderstand
each other when communicating make transaction cost increase.
Despite the above argument, I believe that governments should immediately embark
upon protecting and preserving the languages that are less spoken. A language not
only is the means of communication but also reflects distinctive cultures of various
nations. If a significant number of languages go extinct, the world will be
standardized and there will be a decline in cultural diversity. As a result, societies
are unlikely to progress to higher stages of development.
In conclusion, I believe that the short-term benefits in term of cost saving, which is
derived from the objection against saving the minor languages should not outweigh the
long benefits in term of high diversity.
291 words

109
Some people believe that studying SAMPLE
at university or college is the best route to a
110that it is better to get a job straight after
successful career, while others believe
school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people have a perspective that a successfully developed career typically
requires formal education from attending university or college, while the opponents
of this view believe that pupils should apply for jobs after high school graduation. In
my considered point of view, I think students should be encouraged to get a job
straight after school.
On the one hand, there is a variety of reasons favoring keeping studying at higher
education over getting a job. Firstly, students would be comprehensively equipped
with fundamental knowledge as well as academically trained to think critically and
logically in order that they could manage to take grips with complicated problems
which heavily require theoretical base rather than experience. Secondly, (the) learners
would be kept updated with new knowledge derived from academic research in their
field. It is followed, then leaners would become sufficiently qualified for highly
skilled jobs which usually offer a generous salary.
On the other hand, I totally believe that looking for employment also brings many
advantages to a pupil. Bill Gates, for instance, has been in the first rank of world
billionaires for five successive years although he was a college dropout. Through
working, a student (singular) can gain much professional experience, become
increasingly competent at the job as well as find out whether the job is suitable for
him. Furthermore, he can thoroughly explore not only his strengths to take advantage
of, but also weaknesses to overcome with the purpose of improving performance.
Therefore, he can figure out for himself the best direction, then make appropriate
investments to guarantee a successful career.
In conclusion, people can develop their careers by pursuing higher education as well
as gaining experience from jobs. However, I believe that having a job straight after
school presents more of advantages over studying at a university.
299 words

110
 SAMPLE
Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. What are
the causes? 111
Suggest some measures to reduce traffic in big cities.
In recent years, traffic congestion has become an enormous obstacle for modern
citizens. From my perspective, there could be several reasons why this is a case and
a wide range of remedies could be used to tackle the problem.
There are two major causes that lead the congestion to be on the increase in
metropolitan areas. An upsurge in population could be seen as the first precursor. As a
matter of fact, a large number of people have recently migrated to reside in urban areas,
Beijing, New York or Ho Chi Minh City, for instance, hence an excessive number of
commuters who travel in cities every day. As a consequence, streets are often
overcrowded; this, coupled with the insufficient infrastructure of transportation, could
result in heavy traffic jams, especially in peak hours. The second explanation could be
that individuals prefer using private vehicles rather than public transport as it stands out
for the convenience of time-saving and flexibility. Therefore, there are numerous means
of transportation travelling on streets, which greatly contribute to traffic congestion.
However, this issue could be mitigated by a variety of measures. To begin with,
governments should spend their budget on improving public transport as well as the
infrastructure. With more national financial resources allocated to the up- gradation of
the transport system, it would encourage residents to travel by bus, tram or subway
instead of private means. Since the number of vehicles on roads reduces, it eventually
alleviates the situation of traffic congestion. Additionally, restricting the excessive
usage of individual transport by imposing higher taxes or charging congestion fee
could partly solve the issue. Taking London as a good example, there is a congestion
charge of $11.5 per day for every car going to the city in business hours. This helps
to discourage people from driving private transport into the centre and raise more
money for public transport.
In conclusion, there are two main contributors to traffic congestion and the
aforementioned solutions should be taken to address this modern-day problem.
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Many people say that cooking and SAMPLE
eating at home is better for the individual and
112 or canteens.
the family than eating out in restaurants
Do you agree or disagree?
It is widely argued that home food preparation and consumption are beneficial for an
individual and a family rather than eating outside. Personally, I completely agree with
this point of view from every perspective.
On an individual level, home-cooked meal is of indispensable necessity to ensure a
healthy diet. As a matter of fact, many restaurants tend to generate greater profit by
deliberately producing food with low quality of nutrition and hygiene, which causes
food poisoning and long-term health issues, such as digestive diseases or a variety of
cancers for instance, whereas cooking meal at home allows individuals to select fresh
ingredients and prepare in the cleanest way as possible.
Furthermore, having meals in a restaurant often costs a great deal of money which could
be saved up by eating at home, and such money could be wisely spent on other
important things such as the possession of a house or education purpose.
More importantly, many young adults who live far away from home fail to maintain
a healthy lifestyle and a sufficient budget due to a habit of having mealsoutside.
From another angle, dinning at home advantages family bonding and youngsters’
development. In fact, a developed world leads to the deterioration on family
interactions due to a hectic lifestyle, especially in metropolitan cities. In other words,
modern citizens barely have time for their family members on daily conversations and
emotional supports. Therefore, dinning time serves as an effective way to fill out this
gap and enrich family lives. Additionally, home - cooked meal allows parents to teach
their offspring an essential life skill of cooking and a sense of responsibility towards to
their family as when they get involved in related chores such as preparing and cleaning
before and after meals.
In conclusion, it seems to me that an individual and a family greatly benefit from
consuming home-cooked meals and it should be encouraged rather than eating outside.
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Some people believe that tourists SAMPLE
should accept social and environmental
responsibility while others believe 113 that tourists should not accept any
responsibility at all. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many people argue that travellers should take social and environmental on us.
While some people do not accept this point of view, I completely concur that this
responsibility belongs to tourists.
The reason why tourists have to be responsible for environmental issues is that
tourism, along with its booming development, has brought many negative impacts on
the local environment. Firstly, many famous tourist attractions are endangered
nowadays because of tons of trash and pollution spread | by the tourists. For
example, -Maldives, a famous tropical paradise on the globe, has become the
world’s biggest rubbish island owing to the fact that more than 10,000 tourists come
here every week and discharge their waste there. Secondly, the more the tourist
destinations are being launched, the more quickly nature habitats of wildlife animals
disappear. Therefore, this situation cannot be handled by the national government
solely, but many visitors could give their hands to protect these attractions and their
biodiversities.
Apart from the practical drawbacks expressed above, I believe that there is another
problem related to society. Every country has its own cultures values and religious
believes that travellers need to respect and follow. Therefore, if they deny obeying
the rules set by local authority, this could raise | conflicts between travellers and
indigenous- people. Another fact to note that the increase in the number of visitors
could lead to the over-consumption of resources, which is not compatible with the
sustainable development of the country.
In conclusion, I totally agree with the view that travellers should go hand in hand with
locals in order to reserve the famous destinations.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that it is wrong to keep animals in zoos, while others think
that zoos are both entertaining and114
ecologically important. Discuss bothviews.
There is a debate over whether zoos should be maintained or not. While some people
argue that zoos are beneficial in terms of entertainment as well as ecology, others
believe that keeping animals in zoos violates animal’s right.
On the one hand, people who are in support of the first view advocate that zoos can
function as sanctuaries for endangered species which help to maintain the balance of
the ecosystem. It is a fact that many rare animals such as tigers, elephants have been
on the brink of extinction because of habitat destruction.
However, owing to successful captive breeding programs in zoos this hazard has
been prevented. Moreover, modern zoos can act as educational centers at which
many classes or day trips are conducted to teach people especially children
different aspects of zoology. Children have opportunities to see wild animals
directly rather than through the books. Scientists also have chances to study animals
and their behaviors. In addition to these, zoos bring about economic benefits too.
Zoos provide job opportunities for a large number of people and to some extent,
make contributions to the revenue of local governments. The money raised can be
used for conservation projects.
On the other hand, zoos have some drawbacks. Firstly, zoo animals are kept in an
artificial environment with limited place/space which can make them lose their
inherently natural instinct. For instance, they cannot have the freedom to hunt for food,
therefore, when released into their original habitat, these animals may have trouble
living in their own lives. Secondly, some zoos organize animal exhibits with the aim of
making money which is unethical. Animals have their all rights and it is wrong for a
human to use animals for entertainment and profit.
To sum up, the arguments stated on both views make sense. So it is hard to draw a
definite conclusion.
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 SAMPLE
Cycling is more environmentally friendly than other forms of transport. Why is it
not popular in many places? And how115
to increase its popularity?
In light of global warming and the rising level of pollution, using eco-friendly means
of transport especially bicycle is greatly encouraged by authorities as well as
conservationists. However, it is not favored by many people due to various reasons
and there are some viable solutions that governments can adopt to supportcycling.
The unpopularity of bicycles can be attributed to several underlying causes. The key
rationale is that using bikes consumes a large amount of time to travel from a place to
another on a daily basis, which can affect people’s work and other activities. In
particularly, long-distance commuters whose offices are located in central areas may
encounter difficulties with arriving at their own companies on time. Another reason is
that nowadays people are less likely to pay attention to the harms which can be
inflicted on their surroundings. In other words, they generally do not forego the
privilege of driving their own car/motorbike and switch to cycling in order to
partially purify the atmosphere. Therefore, it is understandable that in some places,
bicycles are not preferred.
However, governments can take several steps to cultivate this green habit. First and
foremost, environmental campaigns should be promoted to raise people’s awareness
of the positive contribution that cycling can make to their residential areas. For
example, environmentalists can indicate that deterioration of air quality caused by the
emissions from personal cars can pose an imminent threat to people’s health.
Moreover, states can impose/adopt stringent regulations accompanied with holding
competitions to encourage people to cycle to work at least one day per week. Da
Nang perfectly exemplifies this solution. Local authorities usually require citizens to
use bikes at weekends, forming a good habit and making them more responsible for
environmental protection.
In conclusion, despite the advantages cycling can bring to the environment, it is not
highly appreciated. Therefore, governments should take proposed measures to urge
their citizens to use bikes more frequently.
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An ordinary man copies the famousSAMPLEpeople that he sees on TV and magazines. Do
116to follow famous people or not?
you agree this is a good idea? Is it good
It is true that people nowadays, especially young individuals, have great admiration
for celebrities and tend to imitate their fashion and lifestyles through various means of
communication such as TV and magazines. Personally, I consider it to be a
detrimental trend.
From one standpoint, emulating famous entertainment stars might result in changing
patterns of fashion and behavior among young adults who are not mature enough to
judge what is suitable within their society. As a matter of fact, they show a propensity
for copying what those stars say or do on TV, even if their actions are inappropriate
or go against the cultural value of some localities.
Regarding fashion, taking Dam Vinh Hung who is a renowned Vietnamese singer as an
example, the way he dresses sometimes would be rather inappropriate/unsuitable
trend of fashion with exposed skin Vietnamese culture. Unfortunately, the young have
yet to understand the long-term shortcomings of such a manner/tendency to the
traditional way of dressing which values the beauty and elegance of clothes such as
the Ao Dai.
From another angle, individuals, particularly the young who spend an excessive
amount of time following and emulating celebrities would impact adversely on their
academic, mental and physical development. In fact, adolescents, especially girls,
devote almost all their time to window shopping in the malls, watching fashion
shows on TV or reading mainstreams fashion magazines to catch up with new trends,
hence the deterioration in other important activities, studying, sports and social
interactions for instance. In other words, for pupils, who overspend time imitating
their fashion stars, school attendance and academic performance often suffer. Such
amount of time could be wisely allocated to enhancing knowledge and physical
health.
In conclusion, the phenomenon that people mimic the media and sports celebrities
presents aforementioned demerits, and it seems a negative tendency in some aspects
to me.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that people have the right to university education, and
government should make it free no 117
matter what their financial background. To
what extent do you agree or disagree.
Not everyone is born with the good condition, however, everyone has the right to
access to university education. Therefore, some people believe that government has
the responsibility in offering its citizens free study program. Meanwhile, the others
suggest that university should not be free to anyone.
On the one hand, the government should provide support to every person who has a
desire to the university by carrying out a no-tuition fee program. Firstly, people have
equal right to receive an adequate education environment. As a result, people from all
walks of life can sit in the same class at the university, which narrows down the rich-
poor gap. Secondly, human resource is a key factor in the well- being of a country.
Therefore, the national budget should be allocated to make university free so that
unveiled talents can study and contribute to the country in the future.
On the other hand, the government should only provide financial university aid to the
poor people. The first reason to apply tuition fee on available people is that it is one
of the most effective ways to stimulate people to determine in studying.
With the presence of an affordable amount of money for the university, people will be
more serious in their studying because they need to have responsibility for their
money. Moreover, tuition fee can help the university to pay for infrastructure's cost and
enhance teaching quality.
In conclusion, although studying is an equal right to everyone, the government should
support only some people who are poor but serious in learning. Only by doing so can
the university truly becomes equal to everyone.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that students should get involved in making decisions on how
118or disagree? Give reasons with relevant
their school should run. Do you agree
examples.
It is widely argued that pupils should be allowed to participate in decision- making
on how their school should be managed. Personally, I disagree with this point of view
because, despite some indisputable benefits, there are some detriments that should
be taken into consideration.
On the one hand, learners are entitled to several merits of making their own decisions
in school management. Firstly, they are a chance to design the most suitable program
for their needs. In other words, students are well aware of their strengths and
weaknesses, thus, they could create or include useful activities to alleviate their
weaker points. Secondly, young individuals are likely more active in learning’s
processes since they have a freedom to raise their voice at school. As a matter of fact,
students are often reluctant to learn tedious lessons from textbooks; therefore they
could find themselves a way to absorb knowledge effectively by engaging in making
study plans and programs, which could result infavorable outcomes.
On the other hand, it is true that youngsters are not professional in management as they
are not well-trained specialists in learning and education, thus, their decisions might
show adverse impacts or inadequate orientation on the overall development. For
instance, some students might favor only particular subjects; hence the negligence of
others, in such cases, schooling disciplines and designated programs are of
indispensable necessity to strike a balance on their learning.
Additionally, educators have thorough insights into every stage of human development
and learning. Therefore, they could make better decisions in learning paths for school
students.
In conclusion, I personally prefer the current system in which authorities and teachers
take a principal responsibility in managing schools.
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118
 SAMPLE
Scientist agree that people are damaging their health by eating too much junk
food. Some people think that the 119
answer to this problem is to educate people.
Others think education will not work. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
It is true that junk food has many detrimental effects on human health. While some
people consider that education is an ineffective measure to solve the problem. I would
like to contend that this practice would serve as a definitely workable solution to
tackle such an issue.
On the one hand, there is a variety of reasons why educational programs might not be
effective in the battle against junk foods. Firstly, the industrial lifestyle, in which
people are all in a hurry due to work pressure, is the roof of this issue.
They are always in short of time to prepare their meals. As a result, in spite of
potential health risks, they choose fast food for their lunch or dinner to save time.
Furthermore, hamburger or fried chicken are a delicious and addictive dish.
Therefore, they have become a type of popular food especially to children and
adolescents, who did not perceive the health consequences of their eating habit.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that educational programs could play a key part in
preventing people from consuming an excessive amount of junk food. Firstly, through
these programs, people might be able to aware of various harmful impacts of this kind
of food. For instance, once people have gained adequate knowledge and awareness
of life-threating cancer and other diseases caused by overeating fast food, they will
curb the consumption of junk food that might pose serious threats to their health.
Secondly, education about nutrition diets at school can help to form healthy eating
habits for children at their childhood. This can promote acknowledgment of the
benefits of healthy diets and warn them against the potential risks of fast food.
In conclusion, although there are many arguments against the education method, I firmly
believe that educational measure plays a vital role to mitigate junk food consumption
and deter the problem from being exacerbated further.
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Television is dangerous becauseSAMPLE it destroys family life and any sense of
120 with our family we just watch TV.
community; instead of visiting or talking
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion.
It is generally believed by many people that television is the root of people’s
seclusion from their family and society. Personally, I completely disagree with this
point of view from every perspective.
Firstly, I would argue that TV could act as a powerful tool to enhance family bonding.
As a matter of fact, a developed world leads modern citizens to a hectic lifestyle,
hence the deterioration in family interactions, in other words, individuals, especially
in metropolitan cities, hardly have time for their family members. Therefore, family
bonding time, watching TV after dinning, for instance, should be reserved to fill this
gap out as when its members gather daily for a designated time, communications and
family relationships will be strengthened.
Furthermore, watching TV together allows parents to interact and exchange ideas with
their offspring about social issues, which is an effective way of communication to
alleviate generation gap.
Secondly, I believe that TV has empowered individuals to acquire more knowledge
about their community than ever before. In fact, every aspect of life, latest news about
sport, education or criminals, for example, is constantly updated in many TV channels
which facilitates people a closer look at how their society really is. This easy
accessibility equips people with sufficient information, thus, they are more aware of
the problems lying within their society. Taking south- central Vietnam as an example,
many serious floods happen all year round, national TV programs keep viewers
informed on a daily basis; hence they can lend a helping hand towards their
community.
In conclusion, as the two analyzed reasons above, I strongly disagree with the idea that
TV viewers are drifting away from their lives because of the service it offers.
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120
In some countries, a few people earnSAMPLE
extremely high salaries. Some people think
121others believe that the government should
that this is good for a country, while
control salaries and limit the amount people can earn
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that residents having extremely well-paid jobs are making their
countries better, whereas others think that remuneration should be controlled and
limited strictly by the authorities. In my opinion, I endorse the limitless amount
people can earn.
On the one hand, nations derive great benefits from citizens who are paid at high
salary level. It is the fact that the more people can earn the more taxation is paid.
Thus, Government incomes which are making an outstanding contribution to budgeting
for public infrastructure construction, education system, healthcare system or other
social services will increase significantly if there is a reasonable rise in the number of
employees earning high salaries. Therefore, residents’ life becomes facilitated since
public services are more invested by the authorities.
However, there is an obvious drawback occurring as a consequence of raising
salaries. Particularly, the gap between the poor and the rich grows and social equity
is not guaranteed.
On the other hand, controlling and limiting the amount people can earn bring
community an undeniable advantage which is the elimination of wealth gap. The gap
will be narrowed if citizens are paid at similarly designed levels of salary. It results
in ensuring social equality. Nevertheless, this leads to a reduction of working
productivity because high remuneration is one of the most crucial factors affecting
workers’ motivation. This not only has a detrimental effect on working enthusiasm
but also make employees dissatisfied when they think that they may deserve a higher
level of salary than a limited one.
In conclusion, although there are advantages and disadvantages under both
aforementioned views, it seems to me that the public sectors should not control salaries
and allow residents earn the amount they deserve.
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 SAMPLE 1
Young people who commit crimes should be treated the same as adults who commit
crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that same punishments should be applied to both young criminals and adults
who commit offenses. In my opinion, I agree with this point of view only if the crime is
serious.
There are several reasons why it is wrong to impose the same punishments on both
adolescent and adult criminals. Firstly, perhaps young people could only commit
minor crimes, and this causes very little damage to society. It is better to send them
back to family or school for rehabilitation. Secondly, they are not mature enough to
understand that their misbehaviors could have negative impacts on the society, and
these behaviors often come from peer pressures. For example, those who suffer from
school discipline problems, such as bully, are forced by their bulliers to pursue
illegalities such as robbing or stealing which can exert serious effects to others.
However, I would argue that strict punishments like prison sentences should be
imposed on young offenders who commit dangerous crimes. This is because only such
punishments could demonstrate to the adolescents that heinous actions will have
consequences, and this can help to dispel any ideas of committing crimes of young
people in communities. In some countries, Vietnam for example, young offenders
aged below eighteen will be put on probation, even if they commit a serious crime
such as murder. As a result, the number of young people who break the law in
Vietnam has been increasing rapidly. Therefore, it is necessary for governments to
implement a policy of zero tolerance to dangerous crimes regardless of the ages.
In conclusion, it seems to me that juvenile offenders who commit dangerous crimes
should deserve same treatments as adults.
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130
 SAMPLE
In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in crimes committed by young
131
people in cities. What has caused this? What solutions can you suggest?
Recently, the rise of crime among young people is an urgent problem in urban areas
around the world. There are a number of reasons behind this issue and several
solutions should be proposed to handle this problem.
There are two primary causes of the rise in crimes committed by the youth. One reason
is that drugs and alcohol today are commonly sole with low prices that enable young
people to buy and use them. It is undeniable that people could easily lose control
because of over-used drugs and alcohol. For example, street fights are commonly
witnessed outside of bars and clubs in Viet Nam. Another reason is that nowadays
children learn academic subjects only rather than have moral and social classes. For
example, the pressure of marks, which usually came from parents, force children to
study harder in order to achieve high scores. As a result, students will not have enough
time to learn about negative impacts of drugs and how to avoid them.
However, measures must be taken by governments to handle this problem. Firstly, we
should create a stricter system of penalties and punishments to deter young people
from the life of crime. A recent research conducted by Dantri, a well- known
newspaper in Vietnam, shows that countries that have tighter laws have lower crimes
rate than the others. Secondly, schools must provide children with moral values such
as tolerance and sharing. For instance, we could reduce the amount of time that
children spent on studying math or chemistry, and fill in with some practical courses.
This could raise awareness about crimes among students, as a result, crimes rate is
more likely to be reduced.
In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the increase in youth crimes
rate.
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Many students have to study subjects SAMPLE
which they do not like. Some people think
this is a complete waste of time. Do 132
you agree or disagree with this statement?
It is true that in schools or universities most of the students are obligated to study the
subjects that they do not love. While I accept that this is a complete waste of time for
some people, I believe that others are ready to spend their time studying all the
subjects rather than only concentrating on their favorite subjects.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why people should pursue only the
subjects which they are keen on. One reason is that many opportunities are given to
those who devote their whole time to sharpening the aspects which they consider more
important. A student who does not have outstanding achievements in literature may
win the honor prize in a national or even global physical competition. Furthermore,
spending time practicing whatever people like in general and studying favourite
subjects, in particular, is really intriguing and might be compared with doing a hobby.
This could result in mental satisfaction.
On the other hand, students have different reasons when trying to study all compulsory
subjects. Firstly, every subject conveys definite knowledge. The more fields people
study, the more general competence life they may get. In fact, there have been a great
number of students studying at a university which he or she chooses at the same time
another university which his or her family wants though he or she does not like at all.
Secondly, studying unfavourite subjects could train students patience in order that
they might easily overcome unavoidable obstacles in their prospective ages.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that studying unfavourite subjects can be a total waste
of time for a large number of schools or universities students but this is by no means
the complete wastage of time for every student who always makes great efforts to
become perfect people.
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132
 SAMPLE
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of
133
society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learnthem.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about the best place to teach children to be a good
person, in school or at home. While there are some benefits to learn behaviors and
attitudes at school, I believe that family plays the main role in children education.
On the one hand, the school can be a good place for children to learn both academic
knowledge and social skills, helping them develop fully in terms of mental and
physical aspects. It is undeniable that teachers provide from basic to advanced
knowledge of all subjects. By doing practices at school, children might establish and
improve a wide range of skills such as working independently and collaboratively,
presentation skill, the skill of finding and analyzing information. Moreover, the
school is a small environment of a very large society where children are taught on
how to behave with teachers and other students in socially accepted manners. When
they leave school, their knowledge and skills will help them in doing a job well. It
can, therefore, be argued that school education should gain more attention from the
general public as it fully prepares children with relevant skills useful for their adult
life, helping them become good citizens.
On the other hand, it is even more important to prepare for children essential
knowledge in many aspects of life which can only be acquired at home. Parents are
usually the first teachers who guide their children from the beginning steps. Children
learn from their parents’ behaviors and attitudes right after they were born so the
family has significant influences on forming their characteristics. For example, my
mother often takes part in charity activities because she supposes that she has a huge
fortune to have all current degree of success and happiness she wants but thousands
of people out there are less lucky. By contrast, there are thousands of people out there
are less lucky than she is, and they do not have sufficient food to eat and clothes to
wear. Her thoughts instill into my psyche and support me to do as many volunteers
work as I can. Life always has challenges and rewards, and parents should be beside
and teach their children on how to dealwith difficulties.
In conclusion, I understand why people might consider school is the place to teach

133
children to be good individuals of society, but it seems to me that family is a much more
important environment to build key characteristics for an adult life.
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134
Some people think that it is good forSAMPLE
a country’s culture to import foreign movies
and TV programmes. Others think 135
that it is better to produce these locally.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Nowadays, people can access a lot of entertainments such as films and TV channels.
While a country may benefit from making its own programmes, I would argue/prove that
it is advisable to import those media/genres from abroad.
There are several reasons why producers should create culturally relevant/related
programmes. Firstly, it would be a good way of preserving and conveying the
national character/heritage to the public. Some historical dramas seemingly
introduce a wide range of the country’s important landmarks. When individuals/ the
nationals enjoy/see those films, they not only gain useful information about their
nation’s history but also deliver these cultural values to even foreigners.
Secondly, making local production with the aim of meeting people’s demand also
brings a country’s entertainment industry an economic efficiency. More consumption
in amuses leads to a great/tremendous increase in domestic income/the national
profit.
On the other hand, it is apparently more beneficial to import foreign productions. One
particular/specific reason is that international programmes are considered a means of
broadening people’s horizon about surrounding countries. Some channels present
European parental teaching and caring, which helps couples raise their children
properly. The other reason is these media are the places/channels where
residents/nationals/the locals are able to study foreign languages. Some English
teaching networks provide/ bring about a lot of practical skills for/to learners and as a
result, there is no need for them to go abroad to explore other nation’s language and
culture.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that a nation should trade in/let
international programmes in to bring more benefits/tremendously benefit [to] its
culture.
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135
Some reports have discovered the SAMPLE
incidence of violence/ crimes committed by
136 reasons and recommendations to the
young women is increasing. Give possible
situation.
In recent years, it is a fact that the proportion of young women breaking laws and
having violent actions has been growing at an alarming pace. There are a diverse
number of reasons which could explain for this phenomenon will be put forward
before a few possible solutions are drawn.
The aforementioned fact could be ascribed to many reasons. A primary reason could
be the low quality of education. At their young ages, those females who committed
crimes might not be taught about moral and polite behaviors elaborately.
Consequently, young women have an inclination of becoming wrongdoers. Therefore,
the percentage of juvenile female delinquents witnessed a sharp increase. Another
reason explaining this phenomenon could be the existence of gender inequality in some
countries. An excellent example of this is that in Argentina, a young woman spent
money buying a gun to shoot a group of men because of priority for men in the
company she worked for. This action results in many losses of life that remind people
to implement gender equality.
Some solutions could be adopted to tackle the aforementioned problem. An effective
measure is seeking a way to enhance the quality of education for juvenile girls. What
both families and schools should do to solve this phenomenon is illustrating moral and
behavior lessons for adolescent girls. In addition, gender equality laws should be
enacted. For example, the managers of corporations should give promotion
opportunities for both men and women. From my perspective, this action could
mitigate the number of young women committing crime and violence actions because
women may feel that they are respected and treated fairly in society.
In conclusion, there are many causes which create this proclivity. Positive measures,
including improving quality of education and implementing gender equality laws
should be adopted to address this situation.
300 words

136
 SAMPLE
It is observed that in many countries, not enough students are choosing to study
science subject. 137
What are causes? And what will be effects on society?
People hold myriad concerns about the insufficient number of students, who apply for
science subjects in some countries. There are several reasons for this trend and a
number of damaging effects that come along with it.
Perhaps the high level of difficulty of these disciplines is mainly giving rise to this
phenomenon. Science subjects include vast amounts of knowledge, elusive concepts,
and theories, many of which confuse or even frighten students at first glance.
Substantially, it requires both intelligence and diligence in students in order to fully
comprehend these contents. Another rationale is studying science disciplines is a long-
term process that does not offer immediate results. Other subjects, such as music or
arts, however, are found to be more attractive for students. Besides, those subjects
seem to provide them with more practical benefits, namely increasing their
confidence, or expanding their social circles.
Turning to the downside of this growing trend, the scarcity of human resources in the
future is perhaps the worst impact on the community. If this happens, those employees
with inadequate qualifications will be engaged in high demanding works. As a
consequence, it will detrimentally affect the development of science and technology.
Furthermore, the staff crisis might result in system corruption among the society, as
people would seek for bribing with the aim of acquiring a high position and
effortless job.
In conclusion, I believe the root cause of why the majority of students do not prefer
science subjects is their superficial vision; And the negative impact of this trend
would mainly be the lack of qualified employees that might occur in the future.
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137
 SAMPLE
Crime rate, in most countries, is often higher in urban areas than in ruralareas.
Why do you think that is?
138
What can be done to reduce the crime rate?
It is true that the crime rate has been increasing in a lot of areas, which requires
different approaches in dealing with this phenomenon. Given that the crime level is
higher in metropolitan areas than it is in rural areas. Identifying the reasons behind
this pattern is the key to finding the solutions.
There are a number of factors for the existence of this trend. First, since urban
districts are more ethnically diverse than rural ones, the likelihood of conflicts leading
to crime among people with different values and belief system is higher. For example,
the more severe lack of familiarity and mutual understanding among individuals in
urban areas can get people/them into unnecessary fights, which potentially leads to
crime. Second, in metropolitan zones, people have to compete for limited
opportunities and scarce resources due to the overcrowded population. To put it
simply, those who cannot compete with other few successful, even petty ones, would
have a greater tendency to commit crimes, just to make/earn a living.
By understanding aforementioned reasons, governments and authorities can take some
steps to control the crime rate. To deal with the ethnically diverse problem, local
officials should organize more sociocultural activities and gatherings to improve
interpersonal relationships as well as resolve any existent conflicts. For example,
Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world with crime rate among the lowest
thanks to such activities and cultural events, which enhance citizen’s awareness.
Furthermore, when it comes to the high level of crime commitment, enforcing stricter
punishments, such as an extremely expensive fee for a criminal case, would
discourage people from committing a crime. For instance, if the costs of breaking the
law were much higher, every potential criminal would think twice, hence resulting in
crime deduction.
In conclusion, cultural diversity and overpopulation can explain the higher crime rate
in urban districts than rural ones. By focusing on the differences among people and
the law, crime rates in either cities or countries would decline.

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 SAMPLE
It is more important for school children to learn about local history than world
139
history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
History has played an integral role in the cultural development of most nations in the
world. Many advocate that the young should study local history because it is more
beneficial than world history. From my perspective, I totally disagree with this idea
since both of the local history and the world history are equally essential.
On the one hand, there are some reasons why children need to learn about the local
history. One reason is that by virtue of coming up with the national history,
youngsters are reminded about resounding and glorious history. For example, in
Vietnam, the previous generation has experienced a variety of wars and sacrifice
significantly to protect the freedom of this nation. Another reason is that by no
means can young people respect the origin and core values which existed thousands
of years in their nation if they do not search for local history. Not only might they
broaden their own knowledge but they are also inspired to endeavor their best and
live up to the expectation of the forefather.
On the other hand, I believe that we should not lessen the emphasis on the world
history. Firstly, the globalization trend is growing remarkably so it is logical that the
young must have the remarkable understanding of numerous ethnic groups and
traditions all over the world. By dint of arming with the broader perspective, people
can form the mutual knowledge about the origins and the past development of other
nations/countries. Furthermore, many types of research about the global history
provide the young with an overview of the relationship among nations and how
international historical events happened, such as the liberation of slave and the end of
colonialism.
In conclusion, it is obvious that both local history and world history bring many benefits
for studying.
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139
As most people spend a major partSAMPLE
of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is
140
an important element of individual wellbeing.
What factors contribute to job satisfaction?
How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?
In the modern world where the living standard is constantly increasing and work- life
balance is getting harder to maintain, people need enjoyment at work to become a
mentally healthy individual of the society. It is true to say that income, working
environment and passion are the key determinants of job satisfaction. For different
professions, expectations in the listed factors are varied, but I believe that
satisfaction is only an unachievable dream for the majority of workers.
First, it is argued that the main reason for people to go to work every day is
remuneration. In fact, employees demand an appropriate salary from the organizations
and will consider changing their career path once a better- compensated position
becomes available. Obviously, a higher paid worker will be more satisfied than
someone with lower pay rate. Secondly, a positive working atmosphere will reduce
the pressure on employees, which results in a happy and stress-free community. A
workplace where everyone is friendly will encourage people to enjoy their working
basis. Finally, human’s passions and desires also play a vital role in a delightful
career. For instance, an artistic person will find painting more enthusiastic than being
an IT professional, while a history lover will live his dream of becoming an
archaeologist.
On the other hand, it is nearly impossible for anyone to be completely satisfied with
his or her occupation. The truth is, with a high remuneration comes an enormous
amount of stress. A worker who is constantly under pressure will not be satisfied with
their position, while a flexible job that fulfills workers’ passion often has low wages.
It seems that human nature is the main obstacle for employees to achieve working
delight.
In conclusion, people are seeking satisfaction at their workplace as a daily
motivation to work. Three main contributors to a satisfying job are appropriate
compensation, positive working environment, and enthusiasm. On the whole, I believe
human nature will hinder our desire of working satisfaction.

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 SAMPLE 11
Some people say that subjects like arts, music, drama and creative writing are
more beneficial to children and therefore they need more of these subjects to be
included in the timetable. Do you agree or disagree?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
It is argued that students must be taught more lessons like arts, music, drama and
creative writing in their official timetable. While I accept that these subjects have
multiple benefits, I believe that only the inborn talents should spend more time on
them.
On the one hand, creative subjects are very beneficial to students. One reason is that
these lessons not only nurture a love of art in children but also make them more
emotional, which is believed to bring individuals a bright future. In fact, some
scientists say that people with high emotional quotient have a tendency to be more
successful in their career. Furthermore, music, painting, drama, etc are kinds of
pleasing recreation. They effectively help learners to relieve stress and pressure
from academic subjects.
On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons why we should not set aside more
hours to teach arts. Firstly, scheduled lessons have already enhanced both creative
ability and academic ability. Therefore, there is no need to break the balance by
adding more arts education. Secondly, because not all students are supposed to be
artists, they must be given the right to choose what they are interested in. For example,
it is a waste of time to ask the deaf-tone to have more music lessons if they are keen
on biology and math so as to become a doctor while people having a flair for art can
get more professional training from dedicated institutions after school.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that arts education is very beneficial to all students,
but I believe that there is no need to change school curriculum by adding more
creative subjects.

141
MODEL ESSAY 2:
In the modern education, there are many creative subjects added to a timetable for
children due to their certain benefits. While some people consider that subjects, namely
arts, music, drama and creative writing should be spent more time in classes, others
advocate that these are not necessary. From my point of view, there is no need to
increase the duration of classes focusing on those co-curricular subjects.
First of all, while creative subjects like arts, music, drama have their own power such
as enriching children’s mental life, stimulating their creativeness and helping them to
escape from stresses, academic subjects are believed to be more necessary for
children because they provide vital knowledge related to people’s daily life. For
example, academic subjects like mathematics, physics, literature, languages or
biology help students to know how to calculate, make them understand the natural
phenomenon that occur daily and affect human life, teach them how to communicate
effectively. Otherwise, the society needs more doctors, engineers, lawyers and
workers than singers, actors or composers based on the fact that demands of material
life relating to health, accommodation, food, clothes need to be satisfied before
fulfilling demands of mental life relating to music, movies, novels and so on.
Furthermore, if co-curricular subjects occupy more time in the timetable of schools,
children who are not talented in artistic fields would be put under pressure because
well – studying in such those aspects really needs inborn talent. While studying more
about music, arts, drama and creative writing tends to be just a waste of time for
untalented children, it seems not to be enough for gifted ones to develop their future
careers without being trained carefully and professionally in specified institutes. In
fact, people are easier to become good doctors, advanced engineers and skillful
workers than to become a famous artist like Leonardo De Vinci or a well – known
composer like Beethoven just by learning seriously and working hard.
For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that such creative subjects as music,
drama, arts should be added to education programs for stimulating children to develop
comprehensively but they should not be considered as the crucial subjects which
occupy much more time in classes.
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 SAMPLE 12
Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to
test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments
should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while
others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion?
It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they
are cleared for human use. There are many arguments for and against the idea of
animal testing for new drugs or domestic products, causing public controversy.
Although some suggest that animal should be used for new products testing because it
benefits human, I am inclined to the view that these experiments should be banned as
they are ethically unacceptable, except for the medical purpose.
Proponents of the former standpoint claim that if animals were used in laboratory
tests, especially in medical ones, hardly anyone will die of smallpox, polio or rabies
anymore. This means that vaccines would help to wipe them out, and without animal
testing, we would not have vaccines. Therefore we need animal experiments to find
vaccines and let scientists try out new medical techniques, such as heart transplants.
Furthermore, they may aware that by doing these tests, some animal will get hurt, or
even die, however, it saves thousands of human lives, so it is really important. These
points cannot be recovered by any support from animal - rights activists.
In animal – rights advocates perspective, animal’s experience in the experiment
should be banned due to animal suffering. They suppose that animals have feelings,
just like humans, animals get hungry and thirsty and they feel fear and pain, so the
lives of animals should be respected. In addition, many animal experiments are
performed for non-medical products, including domestic ones, which is morally
wrong and unfair to put animal’s lives at risk for human while there are alternative
non-animals methods of testing. For instance, computerized human - patient
simulators and In vitro testing, which is defined as a research using human cells and
tissue, can be used instead of using animals.
In conclusion, animal testing should be limited and only used for medical purpose.
Governments and authorities should focus more on developing non-animal methods
and ensuring animal rights as well as human.

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 SAMPLE
The society would benefit from a ban on all forms of advertising because it serves
no useful purpose, and can even be 144
damaging. Do you agree or disagree?
Today, it comes as no surprise that advertisements can be seen everywhere, from
banners being hung up on the street to advertising video on the Internet. Most of
them are very irritating and sometimes detrimental too. However, I suppose that we
just need to prohibit and regulate more strictly some kinds of advertising but not all
of them.
There is no denying the fact that there are more and more fiddling advertisements
printed outstandingly on newspaper or distributed by hand. The development of
information technology makes the availability of such advertisement viral. Some of
them, especially those with violent or sexy imagery, can be harmful to the growth of
children in terms of physics and mentality. Furthermore, the majority of
advertisements tend to exaggerate the quality of products and overlook their
drawbacks. For instance, attractive videos about a kind of spicy snack or fast food can
easily increase people’s appetite and make them skip the main meals which are far
more healthy.
However, only by creating enchanting forms of advertising can we encourage
consumers ‘purchase, boost company’s revenue and eventually lead to economic
development. Moreover, formal advertisements, particularly from prestige labels,
might partly direct customers to which products they are more appropriate with.
Then, they can make a good choice on their own.
Therefore, competent authorities should take immediate measures to control the
numbers as well as the content of each advertisement to ensure that they represent the
true quality level of product and customers are not deceived.
To wrap up, I am in favour of limitation and enacting stringent regulations to
advertisements instead of banning all kind of them.
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144
Some people think that good health SAMPLE
is very important to every person, so medical
145 companies. Do the advantages of private
service should not be run by profit-making
healthcare outweigh the disadvantages.
MODEL ESSAY 1:
People have different views about whether private centers should operate services
related to healthcare due to their great concern over their health/well- being because
they consider that the good medication is very crucial for them. Although there are
some shortcomings of accepting/running the private healthcare system in society, I
believe that it is better to facilitate it for some beneficial reasons.
On the one hand, there are some disadvantages that eliminate the implications of
profit-based companies on the public-health system. Firstly, this is owing to the
important requirement of equal treatment for people/everyone as a basic human right.
Any healthcare based on the purpose of earning profit from treatment fee can deter
people to access the quality of medication which they deserve. As regard to cancer
treatment for example, because of prohibitive expenditures for the chemical and
radioactive process, most cancer patients with financial constraint cannot have/stand a
chance to be cured in private hospitals. Without money, no charity or free-charged
treatment can be perpetuated in these places. Secondly, the system of health care
aiming to generate profit can widen the gap between the rich and poor. This is
attributed to the reason that people who have the tighter finance for the best healthcare
are more vulnerable to decease than prosperous class, and thus they are likely poorer
and poorer.
On the other hand, regardless of financial background, people are responsible for their
own health conditions and they also have the right to choose which caring service
they desire to apply for. In this respect, private services obviously provide better
support for patients. For example, they can have benefited from fast treatment, which
means they no longer have to wait too long for appointments or operations.
Furthermore, these private centers for healthcare can collaborate with state hospital to
help the poor have an access to modern facilities of healthcare so they can still be
treated with affordable costs. Hence, in my opinion, instead of banning or prohibiting
the private sector of health services, there should be a cooperation of profit-making
hospitals and public health centers to assure that all

145
people can be looked after at the best conditions.
In conclusion, despite the weaknesses of profit-making companies, it seems to me that
health care for every person should be judged taking both private and public systems
into account.
MODEL ESSAY 2:
It is true that good health care services are a fundamental need that every citizen
demands. While there are some drawbacks of private hospitals, I still believe that
these will be eclipsed by the benefits.
On the one hand, the downsides of private health care cannot be overlooked. As a
matter of fact, patients may suffer from the expensive fees for diagnosis and treatment
as the costs for private hospitals to maintain state-of-the-art facilities and employ
well-trained doctors are extremely exorbitant, which discourages the underprivileged
from enjoying quality health care services. As a result, only the affluent are able to
have access to good health care but those who always struggle to make a living cannot
afford it. This practice goes against the common belief that everyone, regardless of
financial background, is entitled to medical service.
On the other hand, I still believe that the disadvantages of private clinics cannot
overshadow the advantages. Private healthcare centers can share responsibilities with
state hospitals in taking care of people’s health. With the rapid growth of population,
public medical services are unable to solely provide sufficient health care for a large
number of patients. Therefore, the widespread presence of private healthcare
institutions with facilities greatly modernized and doctors carefully trained not only
supplies people with high-quality professional treatment but also solves the problems
of overloaded public healthcare systems. For instance, as the publicly funded
healthcare system in Vietnam is becoming overloaded, the appearance of private
hospitals such as Phap Viet and Hoan My can share responsibilities for easing the
pressures of state hospitals.
In conclusion, I believe that the advantages of the prevalence of private clinics
outweigh the disadvantages.
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146
Nowadays people normally stretchSAMPLE
their work hours and get stressed than before.
147 can employers do to make people’s life
What are the reasons for this? What
easier?
It is true that more and more people are expanding their working hours and (are)
putting themselves under too much pressure. There are a number of reasons for this
phenomenon and several solutions should be adopted to solve the problem.
There are two primary reasons why workers nowadays tend to work extra hours and
why people’s lives are becoming stressful. Firstly, it is due to the heavy pressure
given by the employers to finish the projects on time. If one person doesn’t finish the
work on time, it may affect the whole team and lower the productivity of the firm.
Another reason is the competitiveness in the labor market. As the supply of labor is
higher than the demand, it means that employers could be selective in hiring their
potential employees. The workers can be laid off anytime if they cannot work
efficiently. As a result, they need to secure the job by showing their better performance
at work, and working extra hours is the solution chosen by many people.
There are several things that employers and employees could do to deal with the
problem. Many people believe that exercises could reduce stress level and help
people increase productivity at work. Therefore, many companies are providing
fitness center in their office so that their staff members can relax after work and help
them sustain their health condition. Another solution to this issue is that employees
should set themselves a timetable, order the work based on their priority, focus on
their work, avoid anything that can disturb them at work to increase the productivity
and finish the task on time.
In conclusion, working extra hours and getting stressed at work is a big problem for
many companies, and solutions should be implemented urgently to tackle thisissue.
296 words

147
 SAMPLE
Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do
148 tell us about new products that may
not need. Others say that advertisements
improve our lives.
Which viewpoint do you agree with?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience.
Promotion of new products, particularly in advertising campaigns, has been gained in
popularity over past few years, thanks to social media development. Although some
may argue that advertising offers customers a promotion to purchase a lot of kinds of
products that they are not really on demand, I personally suppose that advertisements
would bring benefits to buyers when it comes to enhancing people’s awareness about
new products introduction.
When some people claim that business companies design various advertisements to
attract their customers and let them buy more, either necessary products or
unnecessary ones, they may not think that purchasing goods is customer’s right and
promoting products is business’s responsibility. In other words, advertising may not
the factor that encourages people to buy things they do not need. Furthermore, if many
advertisements were designed to introducing new products, people would have more
chances to get knowledge about any new product in advance not only its quality but
also the price, which will enhance customer’s shopping experiments.
Through advertisement, people can learn about new products. For example, many
grocery stores with good quality now sell prepackaged lunches, which are
absolutely convenient for busy parents because they can just give these lunches to
their children to take to school instead of letting them on stores themselves.
Furthermore, without advertisements, busy parents may waste of time looking at every
item on the store shelf and they might not know about such a convenient new product. In
addition, advertisements keep us informed about prices and sales. This means that,
though prices change all the time, everyone can look at the pieces of advertisement in a
newspaper and see the latest prices and the discount ones.
In conclusion, advertisements improve people lives by keeping them informed about
the latest products developments and the best prices.

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 SAMPLE 17
It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an
early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach
good behavior of children?
Imposing punishments to children at the early age is imperative to facilitate their right
behavior and to prevent wrongdoing, which is applied by a myriad of parents all around
the world. Although it cannot be denied that punishment plays an indispensable role in
nurturing a child, not only the combination of punishment and rewarding but also the
right sort of punishment should not be taken lightly.
To begin with, Punishment and rewarding should be simultaneously used to ensure the
internalization of distinguishing wrong and right behaviors. Since most children are in
favor of rewarding not only materially but also mentally, it acts as an incentive for
them to behave even better. For example, once being given an applause for having
scheduled meal, children aware that good behaviors link to rewarding, consequently,
they tend to repeat it afterward. On the other hand, punishments also act as a deterrent
to stop children from misbehaviors. By being punished, children internalize what
they are not allowed to do, which will deter them from repeating the same
inappropriate behaviours.
However, although punishment is vitally important to prevent misdeeds, only light
punishment is encouraged to use for early age children. Corporeal punishment and
spiritual anguish must be excluded from children’s education since children at an
early age are susceptible to severe punishments, causing either mental or physical
agony in the long run. In addition, those punishments may even cause pronounced
counteraction as the child would become more stubborn and even commit crime at
their adolescence. Mild punishments, on the other hand, are conducive for children to
realize their fault.
In conclusion, children’s awareness of the distinction between right and wrongdoing is
reliant to the combination of slight punishments and rewarding. Having said that,
parents and teachers should be careful in imposing punishment in order to ensure the
well-being of children.

149
 SAMPLEwith families and friends all over
E-mail is now the easiest way to communicate
the world. Some people say that it150
does not have the sincerity of handwritten
letters. Do you agree or disagree?
Email is becoming more popular around the world and is replacing the majority of
traditional letters. It is generally claimed that apart from the numbers of its advantages
compared with the oldest ones, it is lacking in sincerity. Personally, I completely
agree with this point of view.
On the one hand, I accept that the sincerity of a letter is measured in the time spent as
well as the writer’s feeling in the process of preparing it. There is no doubt that people
do not spend much time writing, correcting and rewriting to complete electronic
letters, nor do they often read them again before sending because of computerized
grammar and spell checking facilities. Additionally, it is no more convenient than
finishing an email thanks to using a number of technologies such as copying and,
either sending an email from any email address or sending one to a group of
mailboxes. As a result, hardly do receivers feel the truthfulness’ senders when the
others also read this email.
I also agree that you can see an insufficient sincerity reading an email. This is the
reason why some businesses/companies ask their applicants to write an application
letter to measure both their capability in communicating by means of writing and their
commitment. Evidence for this is provided by most people choose the traditional
letters to congratulate someone, write to a government office or to write to a beloved
person to show their goodwill.
In conclusion, it is true that much as an email is the best way to communicate in the
recent day, the personal touch, affection, and sincerity, a handwritten letter can convey
could not be found in this form.
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150
Some people say that we do not needSAMPLE
printed newspapers anymore. To what extent
151
do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
In developing societies, it would be certainly undeniable that printed newspapers are
now losing popularity and at great unnecessity. While I tend towards this point of
view, I believe that printed papers are still useful and should not be forgotten.
On the one hand, there are various compelling reasons associated with the
irrelevance of printed papers to a contemporary world. Firstly, newspapers are more
likely to be a thing of the past. In fact, they are unable to provide the most up-to-
minute news or to carry the latest breaking news stories. As a consequence, printed
newspapers are now becoming only a source of stale news, which is a major reason
why they have become less compatible and prevalent. Another primary factor is that
printed papers are overwhelmed by the power of online news. For instance, young
adults have a growing tendency to be updated through electronic media instead of
getting access to outdated information from printed newspapers.
On the other hand, I believe that printed media remain a vital source of information
and are certainly applicable in the modern world. The main reason is that newspapers
are the most traditional form of communication which [or that] has led people to
happier [or more enjoyable] lives, especially for the elderly.
The old generations, for example [or in particular], do [or may] not have the
opportunity [or capacity] to get online, thus keep being old-fashioned.
Furthermore, the way of delivering new coverages of events and carrying many
stories in newspapers still maintain the reliability. For instance, it seems that the
significant events in the private lives of celebrities could never be trusted online but
only through the headlines of the old-fashioned newspapers.
In conclusion, even though the traditionally printed news is becoming less common in
the modern world, I would argue that their functions are irreplaceable.
304 words

151
 SAMPLEin children should be encouraged.
Some people think that a sense of competition
152taught to co-operate rather than compete
Others believe that children who are
become more useful adults.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Education for children always wonders the question what we should teach a child to
strengthen personality and skills for the mature stage in life. People have different
points of views that children should be more competitive or co- operative. While a
motivation of competition can build good preparation for adult life, I do believe that
working in a group is more important.
On the one hand, firstly, competition can be considered as a way to raise up the
motivation for children. In some high schools or even primary schools, the
compulsory requirement of upgrading academic level in high-quality classes is the
highest mark and excellent evaluation on final test each year with a competitive rate
equivalent to 5%. Competing to be the best inspires high-flyers to acquire better and
unique methods for achieving and conquering new record. Moreover, a sense of
competition enhances/boosts/improves the ability to think independently to come over
hardship or troubles faced in real life. However, some stressful tests will lead children
to depressing emotion when they cannot achieve a better resultwith high expectation.
On the other hand, some people assert that it is better for children to develop
themselves, by the way, to cooperate with others. When they work in a group,
knowledge will be shared and lots of innovative ideas will come out/will be come
up with. Children can learn from each other to strengthen strong points and address
weakness points also. In reality, adult life requires the skills of communication and
ability to create a network which regards as the basic foundation for social
development. Collaborating with teammates also sharpens management skills and
raises responsibility for working and living in the community.
In conclusion, for best preparation for adult life, the more cooperative children are,
the better they advance themselves.
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152
Advertisements are becoming moreSAMPLE
and more common in everyday life. Is it
a positive or negative development?
153
Politicians, large organizations, and business people have been striving to promote
their products and their purposes to the society in recent years. This phenomenon
appears to be global and I believe it has detrimental effects on thepopulation.
There are innumerable drawbacks of advertising to the community. Firstly, it distracts
the observers’ concentration and affects their productivity while working. For
example, a student, who is using the internet to collect relevant information, would
certainly be distracted by some fascinating ads, or annoying pop-ups which are
designed to draw their attention. This is not to mention that such long commercial
advertisements can swallow up an intense amount of their time. Secondly, the
advertiser can influence people’s thinking through their publications. The political
propagandas set a good example for this; these tend to provide only some parts of the
truths, with the aim to control the perceiver’s feelings and their opinions about the
particular issue, or may be subjective. Thus trigger rallies and cause social unrest
among the community. Finally, the new methods of advertising are causing negative
impacts on young people, especially adolescents and children. With the support of
technology, advertisers can now promote their product to the exact people who will
be interested. Teenagers and children, however, are those who spend a large amount
of time on these websites. They are still mentally weak, and may not be able to
prevent themselves from drifting to these ads, which might be pornographies or toxic
information.
I do appreciate the fact that many advertisements present good products, deliver a
meaningful message, or provide people with relevant knowledge. But I believe these
pieces of information can be found on other patterns, which would not affect their time
and concentration.
In conclusion, I personally think that the rapid development of advertising, although
brings some particular benefits to people, is still a negative trend due to the numerous
impacts it has on the population.
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153
It is generally believed that someSAMPLE
people are born with certain talents, for
154are not. However, it is sometimes claimed
instance for sport or music, and others
that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
The question of whether or not the ability in sport or music is mostly innate rises heated
debates. From my point of view, although talents play an essential role, children could
become a successful athlete or musician through adequate trainingand practice.
First of all, talents have a significant contribution to people in the fields of music and
sport. The most striking reason is that children are born with special abilities to own
a stronger starting point in comparison with others to develop their capacity.
Specifically, they can learn new knowledge faster as well as make impressive
performances at a young age, which allows them to climb faster on their career
ladder. The second reason comes from an undeniable fact that sport or music requires
several distinctive abilities to succeed. For instance, a good musician desires for
sensitive ears to feel the rhythm, while only people who have good health or strong
endurance could become competitive athletes. Without these significant abilities,
people may not reach their highest potential even when they spend much effort to
practice hard.
Despite all the advantages/benefits of inborn talents, practicing and training can still
contribute to one’s success as athletes or musicians. Firstly, a talented person will lose
their advantages without practicing, thus will lag behind compared to other hard-
working people. Talents can provide a good base but not the confirmation of a bright
future, especially in the field of art or sport. Secondly, despite the obstacles of
lacking talents, people could learn and practice intensively in a logical schedule to
become a master in any categories. One of the best examples of the advantages of
working hard is Cristiano Ronaldo, a world- class footballer, who gained a variety of
trophies in soccer leagues. He is known as the one who practices more frequently
than any other soccer players, which allows him to have the strength as well as the
unique skills to achieve the victory.

154
Overall, though innate talents are significant, training and practicing also make the
differences and create the success of outstanding musicians and sports people.
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155
 SAMPLE
Some people say that what children watch influences their behavior. Others
156 on television influences their behavior
believe the amount of time they spend
most.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people think that children’s behavior is affected by the things they see on TV
while the opponents of this idea argue that/are convinced that how much time they
spend on TV affects/has an impact on the way children act daily. I myself believe that
both of these factors influent differently on the ways children behave.
On the first hand, the things young people see might give them the first ideas about
what they should do in life. There are two reasons for supporting this
statement/argument. Firstly, children do not have enough knowledge about life so they
normally tend to mimic unconditionally the actions of adults, which they have
encountered before, without any adjustment. For example, a reality show such as
“Dad, where we are going?” may influence children in terms of the way they
communicate with peers and elder people as well. Secondly, working parents are so
busy earning money that they have little time to talk and guide their boys and girls.
Instead of guiding children about social skills, parents often let them learn those by
themselves through watching TV.
On the other hand, the more children stick their eyes on TV, the more their
communication and actions are affected. The first impression of any program may not
get the deep impression from audiences but if that content remains for a long time,
children tend to think that these actions are the way people communicate with others.
Therefore, it might influence the way they act in social life. For instance, watching a
huge number of fighting games might cause children to act violently.
In conclusion, while there are so many arguments about the impacts of watching TV on
young people’s actions, it seems to me that both the content of programs and the time
budget for watching have their effects to a certain extent.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that the government should spend more money on public
157
services rather than waste money on arts [i.e music and painting]. To what extent
do you agree or disagree.
It is true that government expenditure on public services should be high on its agenda
rather than spending money on art. While I accept that this opinion may suit many
people, I would argue that the government should also allocate budget on developing
arts such as music and painting.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why the government should focus on
public services. Firstly, though public transport systems play a crucial role in our
daily life, it has received inadequate investment from local and national authorities.
As a result, traffic congestion has become one of the most pressing problems in big
cities in the world, which causes environmental deterioration and numerous health
diseases for citizens. Secondly, health care services should also be a priority of
government spending. For example, Hospitals across Vietnam have recently have
experienced high infant mortality rate due to the lack of vaccine. Without proper
investment from government, this problem could bring catastrophic consequence on
our demography/demographic patterns and in turn our economy.
On the other hand, the government should also pay attention to arts as it does for
public services. One reason is that arts are means of recreation for all people in the
society. Music can bring us a sense of relaxation after hours of stressful working and
make our life more colourful and meaningful. Furthermore, arts can generate income
for many people which become government revenues through individual taxes. Music
industries nowadays are developing faster than any other sector and artists, many of
whom are billionaires, pay a fair amount of taxes to thenational budget.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that the government should pay attention to public
services. But this is by no means synonymous with imposing spending cut on art as it
plays an important part in our life.
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 SAMPLE
Nowadays the way people interact with each other has changed because of
technology. 158
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? Has
this become a positive or negative development?
As globalization occurs in many aspects of people’s lives, technology is becoming
more and more crucial in the new age. It is argued that technology has negative effects
on the way people treat one another. From my perspective, I believe that it changes our
interactions both positively and negatively.
On the one hand, technology may play a negative role on young people, especially kids
and teenagers. In recent years, it is not difficult to observe them being attached to a
modern equipment such as smartphones, tablets, or even larger devices like
computers. To some extent, it is good since they can learn valuable knowledge from
the Internet, even (if) while they are playing games. However, this habit may lessen
the level of their participation in family and social relationships, provided that they
concentrate too much on these technical tools.
On the other hand, the development of technology does have encouraging/supportive
impacts on relationships at work. Nowadays technology acts as an essential
instrument in any jobs, given (the fact) that people rarely see any job without the help
of technical equipment. Since technology affects the ways of working, it also changes
the interactions among colleagues. Moreover, with the presence of social networks,
everyone can take it easy to communicate with others, and colleagues are able to
discuss matters at work through this channel. In some cases, this could break the
barrier between an individual and another at a higher status. Consequently, the
friendly working environment is possibly in reach.
In conclusion, technology has its own good points and drawbacks. If being used
properly, the technology could be an effective method of connecting/ to connect
people.
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 SAMPLE
Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classes delivered on
159or negative development?
campus. Do you think this is a positive
It is true that distance education is now offered for students at some universities as a
replacement for classroom learning. Although there exist some disadvantages in this
form of studying and teaching, I believe it is a revolutionary learning method.
On the one hand, students at online classes usually lack regular face-to-face contact
with teachers and other peers. They have to work on their own and barely have a
chance to make friends. Moreover, they cannot compete with each other, which is a
benefit of classroom learning that used to motivate students.
Consequently, they may underestimate the importance of rivalry and competition in
contributing to academic achievement. In addition to that, students using e-learning tend
to be procrastinated and have poor time management due to the lack of direct
instruction and inspection from teachers. This form of education also requires a great
deal of self-discipline and self-motivation to balance their schedules.
On the other hand, studying on the Internet proves to be an effective way to acquire
knowledge without going directly to campus. First and foremost, it reduces the
amount of time spent on commuting for students as well as providing them with a
variety of subjects with lower costs compared to tuition fee in the classroom. This
kind of education is of great importance to those who are working in offices but still
need a diploma. For example, American Center usually cooperates with prestigious
universities to offer online courses for Vietnamese students. Furthermore, the quality
of online courses is increasingly enhanced by universities in order to ensure that
students can obtain enough knowledge and skills.
In conclusion, despite several demerits which online education may bring to learners, I
believe that this form could be seen as an essential step forward and its merits are
irrefutable.
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The older generations tend to have SAMPLE
very traditional ideas about how people should
live, think and behave. However, 160
some people believe that these ideas are not
helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
It is widely argued that whether traditional ideas are still valuable for young
people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that
others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
On the one hand, many ideas that elder people have about life has become less
relevant to young generations. In the past, people were well advised to pursue a
professional and secure career, but today job seekers expect much more about the
variety and diversity of their careers. Another old fashion is the attitudes towards
gender roles. The idea that men work outsides and women stay at home and take care
of family is no longer supported. The increasing of female leaders is a clear evidence
for that change which can be named as Theresa May – The UK prime minister or
Angela Merkel – German prime minister.
On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the
modern world. Older generations believe that working hard and taking pride in jobs
guarantee a successful career, and young people who apply these behaviors today can
definitely compete with others in the job market. Furthermore, politeness and good
manners are other traditional value that obviously always useful in life. Since the
youth learn from the older that they should treat people with respect, they can build up
their social relationships and also gain others belief.
In conclusion, it seems to me that although there are some traditional views are no
longer suitable to modern life, other ideas are still valuable and should be widely
expanded.
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 SAMPLE
Many students find it difficult to concentrate or pay attention at school. What are
the reasons? What could be done?161
It is true that many students are not able to focus on their lessons at schools (these
days). In this essay, I will discuss some causes of the issue and what measures should
be implemented.
There are two underlying reasons for this phenomenon. Firstly, some undergraduates
have a propensity to develop physically, which allows them to display advanced
performance in sports rather than theoretical lessons. For example, Cristiano
Ronaldo who is considered as one of the best players around the world in this century
has not graduated from high school. As a result, there is an increasing number of
physical academies which develop curriculums intensively emphasizing on sports and
physical training. Secondly, some students who have scholastic abilities of geniuses
often find the syllabuses of schools so tedious. For instance, Bill Gates who
established Microsoft- one of the most popular corporations across the globe also
has not finished his secondary study.
As long as education systems can understand the reasons contributing to this
phenomenon, they can fulfill students' wants and needs to mitigate this problem.
Firstly, providing Gymnastics periods into every school can be an effective measure
to satisfy those physically developing students. For example, In Vietnam, this idea has
been implemented for many years and that group of students always has exciting
moods in these periods. Secondly, educational experts should add some extra parts
into the curriculums for remarkably smart students, which is at a higher level of
difficulty. This could exert willing attitude to study for those students.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that many students are facing the problem of
concentrating in periods due to two aforementioned reasons and some measures should
be taken in order to build a stronger workforce in the future.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that men and women have different qualities. Therefore, some
162some jobs are suitable for women. To what
certain jobs are suitable for men and
extent do you agree or disagree?
While there are arguments that men and women are suitable for some different
types of a job due to their distinctive abilities, I personally believe that gender
should not a deterrent to one’s decision to pursue a particular career.
Firstly, I would argue that females are still able to earn a living by doing masculine
jobs and vice versa. For instance, there are plenty of women who are doing blue-
collar jobs with a heavy workload in factories while the number of men choosing to
be pink-collar workers, such as telephone consultants, is rapidly increasing.
Moreover, they are not only able to work in but also successful in fields tending to
be stereotypically suitable for the other gender. One potent example is Hillary
Clinton, a powerful woman who has reached the top of her career with strong career
ambitions … in politics although this field is supposed to be dominated by men for a
long time.
Secondly, it is undeniable that different characteristics between males and females
create variety/diversity in working environment, which will enhance labour
productivity. To be more precise, women and men could play complementary roles by
making the most of their own capability to be supportive co-workers.
Take drivers, for example, female drivers seem to be more careful, thus they might be
better at transporting fragile products. Meanwhile, male drivers are likely to be
stronger, so they could be more appropriate for long journeys. Apparently, if firms are
able to provide both women and men opportunities to move up the career ladder
regardless of their gender, their profits would be dramatically maximized.
In conclusion, I would restate that either males or females should have equal chances
to put their knowledge and skills into practice in any industry they want towork in.
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Some people think that people who SAMPLE
choose a job early and keep doing it are
163life than those who frequently change
more likely to get a satisfying career
jobs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
Many people argued that deciding their career path at an early aged and stay
persistent in pursuing it to gain satisfaction job rather than being frequent job
hoppers. While nobody can deny the benefits of staying longer at the same company, I
believe that job hopping and temporary jobs give an equally rewardingexperience.
On the one hand, people who are aware of their personal interests in a career path
which lead to a satisfying working life is beneficial in some ways. Firstly, from early
childhood, many people had an overall picture of their work field what they will
pursue in the future and this will instill in them enormous motivation and persistence
to gain their goals. For example, many children dream of becoming scientists, they
have to nurture their ambition and devote efforts to gaining the relevant qualifications
and undertake years of training. Besides, people who are loyal to a company will
have various opportunities for career advancement. They will be highly valued and be
promoted to a higher position by the manager. This brings them a satisfaction in their
career life.
On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons why people tend to change their job
after a period working at the same company. Firstly, switching jobs allows workers to
escape dead-end jobs and continue to learn and grow different skills in their
profession. They will be exposed to new colleagues and working environment that
shows them how to do things differently. This might help many job-seekers satisfy to
the desire for adventure. Secondly, many people have a tendency to try on diverse
jobs before they figure out the jobs what they are passionate about. When they love
their work, they will work hard and maintain their enthusiasm in their new role.
In conclusion, although working longer in one organization is more beneficial for
people’ career life, I believe that job switching helps people learn new skills and
therefore work in a lot.
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MODEL ESSAY 2:
It is true that from an early age many people are able to decide what career they want
to pursue, which remain as their profession for the rest of their lives. While there are
several benefits of the loyalty to one job, I would argue that regularly switching jobs
will lead to a more satisfying working life.
On the one hand, staying in the same job exerts many positive influences on workers.
Firstly, being familiar with their job allows workers to effectively maintain the
balance between work and life. By having a thorough insight into their work routine,
workers can easily spare time to enjoy their personal lives, which reduces their level
of stress. Secondly, people who stay in the same profession for a long time can also
benefit from better job prospects. In other words, as experience and commitment are
both taken into consideration when deciding one’s position, those who work for an
organization longer will have countless opportunities to move up the ladder and earn
a more lucrative living.
On the other hand, I still believe that job hopping will result in a more satisfying
professional life. As a matter of fact, discovering the ideal career is a continuous
process of trial and error. For example, many graduates have to change jobs several
times to figure out their ideal/prefect/ dream job which can enable them to maintain
their enthusiasm and keep the cycle of excitement and performance ongoing.
Additionally, job hopping also helps individuals to gain valuable knowledge and new
skills. Being experienced with various jobs, people would possess a golden selling
point to integrate into the global working environment, which is essential in the age of
globalization where different cultures cross.
In conclusion, while staying in the same profession offers several practical values for
workers, I still believe that changing jobs regularly will provide people with a greater
sense of fulfillment.
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 SAMPLE 31
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a
successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after
school. Discuss both views
MODEL ESSAY 1:
Upon graduating from high school, young people always consider that whether they
should continue to attend university or not. Some people think that attending university
or college is the best way to pursue brilliant career prospects while others believe
that working right after school is a better option. From my perspective, both of views
bring equal benefits/benefits equally.
First of all, there are some reasons why studying further straight after school is
beneficial. One reason is that by dint of pursuing higher education, youngsters can
broaden their own knowledge, which helps them to meet higher-level qualifications
that most employers expect now. After graduating from university, the young often
gain countless opportunities and gets a higher salary than those who do not study at
university. Another reason is that in a currently competitive job market, with a view
to getting a well-paid job, people should earn a degree to enhance their resume. For
example, students who graduate with an economics degree usually seek easily a high
salary job.
On the other hand, getting a job straight after school has many advantages. Firstly, by
virtue of working, young people can earn a living, which helps them to be mature
enough to live independently on their own income. It is undeniable that having a job
results in more maturity. Secondly, it is true that a large number of people who work
for a long time have a variety of chances to climb the career ladder. Thanks to
obtaining a great deal of real experience, they are likely to progress rapidly in their
career.
In conclusion, I believe that both working right after school and attending higher
education have unique advantages.
277 words MODEL
ESSAY 2:
As graduating from schools, people usually wonder whether seeking a job immediately
or keep studying to pursue a high level of study status is much better.

165
While many youngsters believe that continuous study is the best way for their further
career, others think that embarking on work soon is a better option.
On the one hand, working straight after graduation is beneficial in some ways. Firstly,
by entering the labor workforce, the young can earn money for a living as soon as
possible to do whatever things. With independent financial ability, they not only can
live separately without having a monthly allowance from families, but also purchase
new houses and modern cars if they are paid off by their hard working and
professions. Secondly, long-term working time can bring to people working skills,
and more chances to move up their career ladder. The more employees are well-
skilled specifically in companies, the more chances they might be trusted by the
leaders, so they can progress rapidly in their career path.
On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons why some people prone to choose to
go on to further education. First, some particular jobs require academic qualifications,
such as researchers and doctors who need a prolonged period of time studying before
working in particular working field as specialists.
Furthermore, in the context that the job markets have been changing day by day, people
with a high diploma can obtain a fulfilling job with a higher salary and more
advanced opportunities to be at the peak of ones’ career. For example, in Vietnam,
people with high qualifications from universities can be respected more in the eyes of
society due to the high social standing they might get.
In conclusion, it seems evident that either obtaining a degree in a university or working
straight after schools has its own unique advantages.
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 SAMPLE
Team activities can teach more skills for life than those activities which are
167
played alone. Explain the benefits of each and give your own view?
There are many activities which develop basic skills for life. While many people
believe that teamwork is the best way to gain many skills, others support playing alone
as this approach also brings a lot of benefits for life. I admit that group activities train
people well / provide people with decent training, but I also understand that being
alone has its unique advantages.
Teamwork is well-known for giving people the chance to practice leadership skill
which is essential for success. Almost all the millionaires in the world are the
talented leaders who manage and are responsible for hundreds of people. Besides,
team activities simulate real social life in which close interactions among team
members are the key points leading to fair compromise and good results. Team
members learn to propose their suggestions, practice negotiation and try to persuade
the whole team to come to the common ideas. Therefore, lots of social skills are
acquired after joining team activities.
On the other hand, people who play on their own possess other precious skills. First,
they have the ability to pay attention to only one field of interest and figure out the
difficulties easily. One (small) example supporting this view is that a child playing a
puzzle alone can fix it faster than a team. Generally, when it comes to solving
problems, these kind of people are more decisive and independent, thereby devising
solutions rapidly whereas a team needs time to discuss and vote for a decision.
Second, working alone enables people to acquire good self- discipline and effective
time management which are necessary skills of professional persons. In the modern
life where problem-solving skills are highly required, people who can work
independently are highly appreciated and get plus point.
In conclusion, both kinds of activities have their own merits. I am of the opinion that
whether people join team activities or work and research alone will be of benefit to
their self-growth to a certain extent/in some aspects.
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 SAMPLE
In modern society, it has been observed that the elderly are not duly respected in
some countries. Discuss the reasons168why this has occurred and the effects it
might have on our society.
In recent years, it is true that elderly people encounter inadequate respect from
younger generations. There could be several reasons why this is the case and I
would argue that it leads to detrimental impacts on society.
There are a variety of explanations why young individuals show less respect for the
elderly. The deterioration in family and social interactions is the first precursor of the
phenomenon. As a matter of fact, a developed world sways people to adopt a hectic
lifestyle, especially in metropolitan areas, hence the negligence on older family and
community members. Since family elderly members are often considered irrelevant to
younger people’s lives, they tend to underestimate moral values and express a lack of
respect and attention to the elderly. Another reason why senior citizens are often
shown little respect is due to a generation gap. In fact, many young people believe that
the perceptions and ideas of older people are outdated and incompatible with a
modern life; they, therefore, suppose that/justify that they could behave in a sarcastic
way with elderly people.
This trend is causing severe consequences on each individual, and a society as a
whole. Firstly, it could lead to psychological influences and mental illnesses on old
people, a sense of depression or isolation for instance, as their presence is not
appreciated by younger people, particularly their family members. More importantly,
this tendency/social swing would cause the moral degradation of the youth. Since
young people find it unnecessary to respect seniors, they will soon show no respect to
other human beings. Additionally, they will subsequently fail to transmit the primary
values of mutual respect and a sense of family/domestic customs.
In conclusion, improper respect to the elderly is caused by several factors and the
negative influences of this problem should be taken into consideration.
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 SAMPLE
Some people say that too much attention and too many resources are given in the
169
protection of wild animals and birds. Do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that today people put a huge amount of attention and a great number of
resources to the protection of wild species. I completely disagree with this point of
view.
In my opinion, this is absurd to argue that people/governments are putting enough
attention to the protection of wild animals and birds. In fact, humans are more likely to
destroy the wildlife than protecting them. Natural habitats are gradually vanished due
to the negative effects of human activities on wildlife. Furthermore, humans are
responsible for climate change, stemming from the development of industrial
revolution; therefore, wild species can hardly adapt to the dramatic change of
climate. Actions need to be taken in order to protect wild animals and birds
immediately. For example, International conference on wildlife protection is necessary
for countries to collaborate on searching an optimal way to protecting animals as well
as making people more aware of the importance of wildlife conservation.
I also disagree with the idea that there are too many resources are given in the
protection of wild animals and birds. Building new wildlife sanctuaries is an
essential way to protect wild species. If there was no safe place for animals, they
would be easily vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change and human
activities. Furthermore, hiring more forest guards can ensure the survival of animals
from illegal wildlife trade. Those resources given to the protection of animals are
necessary in order to keep the natural balance of all lives on earth.
In conclusion, attention and resources are needed for the survival of wild species, and I
believe that every effective method must be taken/conducted to protect them.
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Today more and more people are SAMPLE
using mobile phones and computers. Thus,
170
people are losing the ability to communicate face to face. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
It is argued that although mobile phones and computers play an important role in the
modern society today, they prevent people from the face-to-face interaction. I
completely agree with this idea.
There are a variety of reasons why people have a tendency to use high-tech devices in
their daily life. Firstly, mobile phones and computers allow people to keep in touch
easily with each other. People around the world, especially who live far away from
their homes, can contact quickly and conveniently without being charged a great sum
of money on the mobile line as the interaction/contact/communication is performed by
applications such as Facebook or Zalo. Secondly, modern technological devices help
school leavers or unemployed people have a higher chance to find a job. In a high-tech
era, most employers have uploaded the recruitment and are more likely to receive
applications on websites, so using electronic devices gives them more opportunities
to approach/get access to job information/description and make an instant application.
At the same time, high-tech devices might keep users from minimizing their face- to-
face conversation in real life. In fact, a large number of people seem to disregard to
build a relationship with their families and true friends since they spend much time
on keeping their eyes glued to screens. They are busy with smartphones to take
photos, check in or comment on Facebook and ignore surrounding activities. They
may prefer sharing their feelings with virtual friends to their family members or true
peers. In addition, if users usually interact via mobile phones or computers, they are
likely to decrease some communication skills such as eye contacts or body language
expressions.
In conclusion, I think in spite of an indispensable role in the modern life, mobile
phones, as well as computers, also have negative impacts on direct interaction.
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 SAMPLE
It is more important for the government to spend public funds on promoting a
healthy lifestyle than treatment. 171
Do you agree or disagree?
One school of thought is that instead of budgeting to cure illnesses, the government
should focus financial resources on shaping a healthy lifestyle among citizens to
prevent health issues. From my perspective, I object to this idea because both
treatment and prevention are equally important.
On the one hand, further investment in simulate physical activities and eradicating
alcohol addiction is crucial to reduce the potential threat of serious ailments. First and
foremost, the world has been witnessing an increasing number of cases of obesity and
heart diseases which are allegedly under the influence of sedentary lifestyle.
Therefore, it is necessary for authorities to construct more communal facilities such as
public playgrounds and gardens with the aim to encourage people to attend outdoor
activities. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the popular habit of drinking beer
or wine, in Vietnam for example, is the culprit of a myriad of traffic accidents and
cancers. The Vietnamese government, hence, has to grant extra fundings to education
campaigns to change people’s perception of drinking culture and tightening
management of consumption of alcoholic liquor.
On the other hand, an equal concentration of money is essentially required to build
extra medical infrastructure and research for more advanced medication. To
commence with, apart from diseases associated with the unhealthy style of living,
human beings are afflicted with innate disorders, natural epidemics like H5N1 or
Ebola, and accidental injuries. To be equally important, thousands of people have been
diagnosed with not only the century illness namely AIDS but also many kinds of
cancers which have no or little effective remedies. By virtue of that, only with a
significant amount of money spent on improving healthcare service; establishing
hospitals and clinics; and discovering new cures can the government provide more
medical access to patients and guarantee the well-being of human society.
By way of conclusion, owing to the aforementioned arguments, I am of the opinion that
government should allocate equal money to both cures and encourage a healthy
lifestyle.
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 SAMPLE
Some people spend more time reading books, while others prefer to watch TV.
The former group are more likely 172
to develop creative imaginations and have a
much better grasp of languages skills. Do you agree or disagree?
In today’s world, there is a school of thought that reading exerts more positive impacts
on imagination and knowledge of languages than watching TV. I am convinced by this
opinion although I concede that watching TV also could createmany benefits.
On the one hand, it is useful for people to watch TV because of the following
reason. If people pay attention to the auditory and visual effects of the TV which
books could not create, they could have an excellent heating system. Having a
sensitive/simulating auditory, people could improve their listening skills. This
condition is an advantage for people to learn a foreign language. For instance, when
students study the English language, they are encouraged to watch TV with English
subtitles to listen to English reflexively. This fact explains that watching TV might
help people improve their listening skill of foreign languages.
On the other hand, many benefits would be gained if people would rather read books
than watch TV. A primary reason could be that books do not have motion pictures like
TV. Therefore, reading books forces people to brainstorm to understand the stories in
books in detail. Through this processing brain of activity, the imagination of people
may develop. This hobby/good habit can also boost the language prospect of one,
accounting for equal importance as its watching TV counterpart. When people read
books, they would have the omnipresent access to both words and writing styles in a
book. Consequently, they not only have an abundant vocabulary, but also accelerate
enhancing writing skill process.
In conclusion, I am an advocate of the ideas that reading book could exert more
positive effects on imagination and knowledge of languages than the act of merely
watching TV.
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Smoking is a major cause of serious SAMPLE
illnesses death throughout the world today.
In the interest of the public health, 173
governments should ban cigarettes and other
tobacco products. Do you agree or disagree?
The past 50 years have seen a dramatic increase of death due to smoking. Many people
adopt a view that authorities need to prohibit selling and using cigarettes and other
tobacco products to tackle this problem. I strongly agree with this view.
First of all, it is common to recognize that smoking is one of the most primary causes
of death. Scientists have intensely verified that smoking for many years is
responsible for lung cancer and respiratory-related conditions. As well as this,
statistics have significantly proved that smoking detrimentally affects not just the
smokers but also the non-smokers. In fact, when a man smokes in a public place,
everyone around him will inhale the toxic emission released from his cigarette.
Therefore, it is undeniable that smoking threatens the health of the smokers and even
people living with him or her particularly his or her beloved ones.
Secondly, smoking is also a financial burden of citizens in developing countries. In
fact, the tough life induces people to find it very difficult to make ends meet, resulting
in suffering from depression and stress. As a result, they consume cigarettes as the
most efficient way to relax and escape from the sadness.
Gradually, that becomes an indispensable habit in their daily life. Therefore, smoking
frequently drains the significant part of their family budgets which makes their lives
become harder and harder.
In conclusion, with the evidence I have mentioned above, I strongly believe that
governments should prohibit selling and advertising tobacco products to provide a
healthier quality of life to the public.
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 SAMPLE
Tobacco is a kind of drug. People have been free to use it. Some people think that
174
it would be illegal to use it compared with other drugs. To what extent do you agree
or disagree? What is your opinion?
Every year, thousands of people die from smoking tobacco all over the world. Some
hold the view that tobacco should be prohibited to use. I do not totally agree with this
view. In this essay, I shall give reasons to support my argument and form my opinion.
To begin with, tobacco especially cigarettes have many detrimental effects on
people’s health. Drug abuse is a key factor which causes the lung cancer and a great
possibility of heart attack or dental problems. Moreover, using tobacco gives
smokers a high chance of an early grave and it holds true for those who are around
smokers due to second-hand smoke. Women who are pregnant will be seriously
affected by the active smokers, thus it can develop congenital defects for the baby
later. Therefore, a tobacco prohibition seems to be a must.
However, there are many drawbacks of tobacco banning. Firstly, some smokers who
oppose this regulation can form an organized crime so that they can be free to use
tobacco. As a result, there is an increase in violence because these organizations are
against the police’s actions. This can make the society becomes more complicated
than ever. Hence, this policy cannot work well as it is believed. Secondly,
manufacturing of drug can generate a lot of benefits that prosper a country as a whole.
This income comes from the tax which companies, as well as consumers, have to pay.
Additional, drug factories allowed to operate will create more employment chances
for job seekers. This can lead to a growth of standards of living for residents.
Thus, in my opinion, the government should put controls on- the manufacturing and
consumption of tobacco instead of enforcing a prohibited regulation. The reason for
this is that government may have a huge loss of income and deal with the unstable
social issues.
To put it into the nutshell, I pen down with my view that tobacco should not be banned
but it should be put into the limits to ensure the society’s health as well aseconomy.
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 SAMPLE
The consumption of the world’s resources (oil, and water, etc.) is increasing at a
175
dangerous rate. What are the causes and solutions?
It is true that resources such as water and oil are decreasing rapidly as the result of
overexploitation. There is a number of reasons behind this phenomenon and solutions
must be applied to resolve the problem.
There are several main reasons why the consumption of the world’s resources is
rising at a dangerous rate. Firstly, world’s population is ballooning significantly,
especially in developing countries. As a result of this trend, more and more resources
are needed to serve a great demand of over 7 billion people on Earth. Secondly, the
rising in the standard of living also contributes an important factor to this trend. For
example, millions of oil’s barrels are being exploited to fill up a large number of
vehicles such as cars and motorbikes. Finally, the development of petroleum and coal
industries also plays a significant role in the trend of overexploitation. With the
undoubted economic profits which often contribute the main revenues to some
countries, it is really difficult to encourage governments to reduce those exploited
activities.
Measures must be taken by governments, scientists, and energy investors to resolve
the problem. Governments should encourage people to save water and energy
through social events such as “Earth Hour”. Those events are the efficient way to
make people more aware about the overconsumption of resources which has a
negative impact on the environment. Another measure is that scientists should
collaborate with energy investors to research and expand the use of renewable
energy. For example, solar and wind energy are expected to replace fossil fuels such
as coal and oil in the future. By adopting those new renewable resources, people will
soon no longer damage the environment.
In conclusion, some reasons why the consumption of world’s resources is creasing
significantly can be identified, and some solutions should be adopted to handle that
problem.
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In recent years, the structure of SAMPLE
a family and the role of its members are
gradually changing. 176
What kinds of changes can occur?
Do you think these changes are positive or negative?
Over the past decades, the patterns of family life have been greatly diversified. There
are some changes regarding its structure and members’ role; and these changes, in my
perspective, can be seen as a progress.
There are two main differences in families at present compared to the past. First of
all, the structure of nuclear family now can have more than one breadwinner, who is
normally the father. It is due to the fact that in a developed world, only a few jobs
could guarantee the financial stability of a family, which forces both partners to be the
supporters. Secondly, the trend that parents exchange their roles has become more
common. As a matter of fact, mothers now are of equal opportunities for education
and work, which allows them to pursue their career.
As a result, stay-at-home dads, who take a responsibility to take care of the children
and household chores, have gained popularity among modern families.
In my opinion, these changes in the family’s structure and parental roles are positive
for several reasons. To begin with, that both parents can become breadwinners would
stabilize the finance of a family, which not only directly eases the burden that the
father has to bear in order to support the family but also enables the mother to chase
after her dream job. Additionally, it is an upward step that people are at the liberty to
do what they like or what they are good at. In other words, women now could follow
their dream and at the same time secure her family financial status.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the changes towards the hierarchy and members’
responsibilities of a family are a positive step to a better world.
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 SAMPLE 1
International tourism has brought enormous benefits to many places. At the same
time, there is concern about its impacts on local inhabitants and the environment.
Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?
International tourism becomes increasingly popular all over the world. While I accept
that this trend can sometimes have harmful impacts on local inhabitants and the
environment, I believe that it is more likely to have positive effects.
On the one hand, international tourism can be stressful for a number of reasons. Firstly,
local residents would be involved in unavoidable effects. Some foreigners who do not
understand local distinctive conventions are willing to behave in a bad way with
people living there. Consequently, domestic residents no longer have a sympathetic
view with foreign tourists. Secondly, international travel can cause detrimental
problems for the environment. Some impolite travellers not only speak loudly instead
of keeping tourist destinations peaceful as regulation but also throw a lot of rubbish
into those places. As a result, the image of the host country will decrease
dramatically.
However, I would argue that these drawbacks are outweighed by the benefits. The first
reason is that thanks to this tourism development, the host country easily enhance its
attractive image to the world. For example, some distinctive customs are broadcasted
widely to draw tourist’s attention to come to visit and learn more about the country.
Last but not least, this enhancement also brings an economic efficiency to the domestic
country because tourism is considered one of the most advantageous industries at
present. There will be more tourists spending their travelling budget on comfortable
services provided by the local companies. That results in a significant revenue from
this tourism and service industry.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the positive benefits of international tourism are
more considerable than the potential impediments.
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Human activities have negative effectsSAMPLE
on plants and animals species. Some
people think that it is too late to do188
anything about this problem. Other people
believe that effective measures can be taken to improve the situation. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.
It is true that human development has been detrimental to other species on our planet.
While some people think that there are very few measures that can be taken to save the
life of plants and animals, I believe that there are still many opportunities for humans
to correct what they have done and protected wildlife from devastation.
On the one hand, to meet the increase in population and other human demands, an
increasing in the number of forest areas have been cut down to make land available
for farming, or the lives of marine animals are being endangered due to industrial
waste. These activities damage the natural habitats of animals and plants, and led to
the extinction of some species. It is tough to admit that even with the most modern
technologies, people cannot bring back the life of species that were killed.
However, I believe that humans are now aware of the advantages of the diversity of
the ecosystem, and governments together with scientists are doing their best to save
endangered plants and animals. For instance, non-governmental organizations launch
various campaigns to raise the awareness of people on the importance of protecting
wild-animals. Recently, many celebrities throughout the world have advocated for
boycotting products made from threatened species. Moreover, in our daily life, we are
educated to recycle and buy sustainable products from bamboo or wood to protect
species lives in forests. Besides that, the simple action like placing decals on the
windows in order to keep birds from colliding with them is the simple thing we can
do to save our planet.
In conclusion, although it is too late to do anything for extinct species, I strongly believe
that there are many things we can do to create safer habitats for existing.
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Prison is the common way in most SAMPLE
countries to solve the problem of crime.
However, a more effective solution189
is to provide people with a better education.
Do you agree or disagree?
People have different views about the most effective way to minimize crimes. While
I agree that prison can be a good solution to solve crimes, I would also argue that it
is better if the government educates citizens to reduce the problem ofcrime.
On the one hand, I agree that prison is a necessary measure to help the government deal
with crime. Firstly, this is an effective method to punish people who commit crimes.
For example, those who commit murder in many nations can face a life sentence. As a
result, everyone can be afraid of some punishments who are less likely to commit a
crime. Secondly, when offenders are kept in jails, they will not get out and interact
with other people in society. This contributes to making sure everyone is safe. If
serious offenders are not sent to prisons, this can be a great threat to others.
On the other hand, I believe that educating citizens is a better way to reduce the
problem of crimes. The first reason is that there are many crimes that occur from the
lack of awareness. For instance, many people do not know that having intercourse
with an underage is illegal. Therefore, it is necessary to educate individuals about
the law and this can help them avoid making mistakes. Besides, when people are
properly educated, they can have sufficient knowledge and essential abilities to get a
job to support themselves. This can contribute to the reduction of some types of
crimes such as robbery and burglary.
In conclusion, while prison is an effective solution to punish criminals, I would agree
that education is a better way to reduce social evils.
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Some people think that there shouldSAMPLE
be some strict controls about noise. Others
190 noise as they want. Discuss both views
think that they could just make as much
and give your opinion.
While many people argue that noise should be limited to an appropriate level,
others believe that it is their freedom to produce as much noise as they want. I
personally argue it would be better to reduce noise.
On the one hand, noise plays various roles in daily life as people make use of it for
plenty of purposes. Moreover, in some cases, it would be more effective if louder
noises are taken advantage of. In the field of entertainment, if the noise was strictly
controlled, some audiences might find it difficult to listen clearly to music and
singer’s voice because those shows are usually held in a wide-open space such as
stadiums. In the field of marketing, loud noises could contribute to drawing the
attention of consumers by placing speakers in front of stores to play ear-catching
music. To sum up, it is evident that people have the right to exploit noise for their
own aims.
On the other hand, I believe the government should impose tough laws to keep noise
under control. This is mainly because noises, particularly those are of exceeded
volume, have detrimental impacts on humans. Firstly, they could trigger several
physical disorders such as hearing loss, which would eventually result in being
permanently deaf. Secondly, modernization process creates so many intrusive sounds
that could lead to many serious mental health problems for urban citizens. For
instance, residents living near areas of constructing are likely to suffer from insomnia
caused by those irritating noises.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that although people could generate noise in their own
way, they should consider for others by controlling the amount of noise theyproduce.
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 SAMPLE
A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people
and that they should have the same191
rights as a human, while others argue that
humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including use for
foods and research.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
It is argued that animals should have equal rights as a human being or should be used
for human’s purposes. While some individuals suggest that animals should be protected
by laws of animal rights, I would argue that it would be better to employ animals
appropriately and effectively to improve our quality of life.
On the one hand, some people think that animals should be protected by laws
because they have equal rights as human living together on the earth. Firstly, if they
don’t do anything damaging or harmful to humans’ lives, we should respect them and
do not do anything that might threaten their existences. It is obvious that animals help
to balance our eco-system and make our nature becomes more diverse. Secondly,
some animals are our good friends from a long time ago. For example, dogs and cats
can live with people as their friends and make us happy and safe. Eventually, dogs
can help people hunting and play as guards to protect poultries in farms.
On the other hand, it would be more useful if we can employ animals appropriately
for specific purposes such as food source and research. Firstly, animals should be
used effectively to provide sufficient nutrition for our daily diet. We cannot have
enough energy and muscles without eating fish and meat. Secondly, animals should be
used effectively in some experiments that couldn’t be carried out on humans. For
example, rats and rabbits are used quite often in vaccination laboratories to help
human find out the appropriate vaccine to against serious diseases such as malaria,
HIV, and flu. Thirdly, if humans don’t intervene the animals’ development, they might
increase very fast and will have negative effects on human. One good example of this
is the act of controlling the number of kangaroos in Australia in order to keep their
population grows at a safe level for human being and ecosystem.
To sum up, animals should be protected by animal rights as well as used appropriately
in order to maintain a balance of the eco-system and usefully served some specific
human’s purposes.

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 SAMPLE
As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? 193
Businesses used to merely focus on making profits. However, corporate social
responsibilities are becoming increasingly essential in today's commercial world. I
absolutely concur with the idea that entrepreneurs should make contributions to
society apart from focusing on profit-making.
On the one hand, I admit businesses must make money. According to Milton Friedman,
there is one and only one social responsibility of business - to use its resources and
engage in activities designed to increase its profits (Capitalism and Freedom).
Conglomerates need to serve the best interests of shareholders, employees, and
customers. Simultaneously, they have to invest in buildings, utilities, and innovations
in order to remain successful. If a company lacks the capacity for paying its bills and
tranches, all efforts towards corporate social responsibilities will become
insignificant. In other words, only when a firm has financial stability, can it
contribute positively to society.
On the other hand, companies should not be operated with the only desire of
maximizing profits. They need to achieve some social missions so that they can do
business ethically and minimize negative environmental impacts. I also support the
ideas that businesses raise funds or donations, participate in charitable activities, and
increase a high sense of employees’ job satisfaction. As far as I have known, many
conglomerates have established various programs and strategies to achieve a balance
between the profitability and responsibility. Taking Apple and Microsoft as typical
examples, two well-known multinational companies in information technology
industry are substantial demonstrations of these actions.
To include, I think it is certainly true that businesses have profit-making amenability,
but this is by no means sole mission in the long-term viability of every conglomerate
in cutthroat competition nowadays.
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 SAMPLE
Some people say that to solve today’s global program every nation should have
194To what extent do you agree or disagree
a good relationship with other nations.
with this statement? What do you think about cooperation and communication
between countries?
The world today is confronting many issues, and to resolve these requires all nations
to keep a good connection altogether. I totally agree with this notion and assert that the
unification when a country attempts to cooperate and communicate to others is vital to
foster healthy development of global economy and society.
It is undeniable that since all humans started to live on the same land, the Earth, every
individual nation apparently should get in touch well with other countries to ascertain
that every issue related to (troublesome) problems in economical-social terms can be
effectively solved. For example, global issues like climate change cannot be deceased
completely unless every nation commits to cutting down fume emission not only from
green campaigns for fuel tax but also from environmentally-friendly factories
encouragement. Furthermore, good relationship over the world means no war on the
globe, which symbolises peace and friendship, which is indispensable to relieve the
international conflicts.
Notwithstanding, neighbour nations cannot avoid some disagreement, such as
politics, or invasions beyond borders of land or ocean, the seeing-eye-to-eye
relationship can help them mediate themselves and solve global issues much
easier than the case with intervening of negotiators.
Based on what is mentioned, (the) cooperation and communication are vital for the
balance and health of economy and society of all countries. While cooperation helps to
solve the global issues in terms of economic chaos like regression, the teamwork
between nations indicates that every country can have a chance to help their friend
countries better. For instance, refugees flooding to smelting spots, forcing the
countries in different worlds have right and efficient actions to tackle this problem
through shaking hand and finding the solution from global aids to enhance the
standards of living in any place on any continent. Meanwhile, by
communication, every country can share its success and discuss its problems, from
which it can perfect its economy, boost the development and research internationally.
Furthermore, communication assists to ease the conflicts on land or ocean, especially
in countries/regions with potential economic benefits such as oil resources or fishing
diversity.

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195
 SAMPLE
Some people think that schools should reward students who show the best
196that it is more important to reward
academic results, which others believe
students who show improvements.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
It is universally believed that rewards should be presented to students who excel in
their study. While this is valid to a certain extent, I contend that rewarding students
who make impressive progress is a superior option.
It is understandable why some people advocate rewarding the elite student only. The
key rationale is that they have applied themselves in order to achieve the best
performance, so it makes sense that their efforts earn them the praises and privileges
over those with lesser achievements. However, this thinking is flawed, as it may have
an adverse effect on the rest of the students. They would feel overwhelmed by the fact
that they can never compete, then gradually become disheartened. As a result, they
may be reluctant to study harder, leading to lag behind their peers and the school’s
overall performance may be deteriorated.
Instead of the aforementioned approach, I am of the opinion that not only outstanding
students but also those who aspire to get better performance should be rewarded. This
would incentivize all to be diligent in their study and promote healthy competition,
which would immensely place a positive effect to the school’s progress. My
university class is perfectly exemplified. Every time a student gets a higher grade
than in the previous exams, they will be praised in front of the whole class. This
creates a sense of encouragement for everybody and they will endeavor to study
harder.
In conclusion, while there still exist appropriate reasons to support the act of
rewarding only the best student, I believe those who show signs of improvement
should be encouraged too.
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 SAMPLE
Universities and colleges are now offering qualifications through distance learning
from the Internet rather than the 197teachers in the classroom. Do you think the
advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
The digital development nowadays has some impacts on education in many countries.
One of these effects is the approach/pathway people adopt/take/are offered towards
higher/further education at the ultimate academic institutions of universities and
colleges. These days, some universities have started to open courses online so that
students can study from their home. In my opinion, this is an innovation of the
education; however, we also need to consider their drawbacks tothe university system.
Nobody can deny the convenience of online courses of the university. The first reason
to be discussed is that taking online courses is time-saving. Travelling to school does
not seem to be an issue to students living nearby but it is a huge deterrent to those
who have to spend hours commuting to school. By applying for online courses,
students are encouraged to learn the suitable course without worrying about the
distance from their house to university. Secondly, online courses provide learners
with more flexible time to study. Students can arrange their schedule to make full
use of their time and obtain/acquire extensive knowledge in their specialized field
while they still have time to relax after studying.
On the other hand, there are negative sides of online courses that also need to be
considered. Firstly, this kind of courses limits the directly interact between the
students and the classmates. There are other things besides the knowledge that the
learners will take after the course, such as communication skill or team-working
skill. These soft skills can only be practiced when people actually talk to each other
in person. Secondly, everyone is not supposed to have the same ability of self-study,
which makes the results can differ among the students. Online courses are a
considerably alternative for a well-organized person while it can cause failure for
lazy students.
In conclusion, online course is a huge step in the development of education, which can
take all advantages of students. However, those who have no motivation to learn by
themselves had better apply for courses at the campus because they can receive the
encouragement from friends and lecturers there.

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198
 SAMPLE 10
If countries are serious about solving traffic problems, they should tax private
cars very heavily and use the money to provide free or very cheap rail travel. To
what extent do you agree with the above?
It is true that the government should impose heavy taxes on private cars in and spend
on rail travel in order to solve the traffic issues. While I accept this may suit many
people, I believe that the government should instead invest their money in road
extension.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why the government should tax private
cars harshly and use the budget to provide cheap rail travel for the citizens. One
reason is that the more people use railway transportation the less intense the traffic
systems will be. Especially in the large cities, the number of operated railway systems
in each day are less than the number of private transportations that are used by each
household, which usually results in a traffic jam in rush hours. Another reason is that
the number of car accidents will be reduced dramatically when many citizens use
railway systems instead of private cars. Obviously, thanks to taxes, people will
prevent from using cars and therefore travel by trains, which might save them from
careless or drunk drivers on the roads and any unforeseen casualty.
On the other hand, I suppose that the government should contribute parts of their
revenue to the expansion of infrastructures in order to minimize the traffic issues in
large cities. Firstly, if the city has more road systems, the possibilities that traffic jam
occurs are quite small. Since there are various routes to reach certain destinations
when more roads are built, passengers will have more options to decide the planning
journey based on the current conditions of each highway. As a result, there will be less
roadblock in rush hours as well as unfortunate accidents. Secondly, each individual is
able to manage their own desired schemes for the travel when they have a private car.
Since the public transportation schedules are established based on numerous factors
such as economic benefits and the number of people in each area, many people find
it hard to both visit many places and reach the public stations in time. Meanwhile,
private cars help visitors think of more flexible plans for their journey to a wide
range of destinations without any rail travel time interference.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that heavy taxes on private transportation will

199
resolve the traffic problems and provide free or very cheap rail travel. However, it is
also beneficial to suggest other resolutions that are not related to taxes such as
infrastructures construction.
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 SAMPLE 11
More and more people are relying on the private car as their major means of
transportation. Describe some of the problems over-reliance on cars can cause,
and suggest at least one possible solution.
The rapid increase in the number of private cars travelling on street is a major topic
of concern in modern society. This alarming trend poses many threats and must be
addressed by a number of definite actions.
As private cars are becoming increasingly prevalent, several related problems can
be anticipated. Firstly, the overuse of cars might lead to the emission of tons of
harmful gases, especially greenhouse gases which acts as one of the main culprits of
the ozone layer depletion. Moreover, ozone layer depletion as a consequence of
pollution can cause skin problems. For example, in Australia, an increase in car users
has attributed to accelerated depletion of ozone layer protecting people’s skin from
ultraviolet rays. Consequently, this causes a great number of respiratory diseases
such as asthma, bronchitis or skin cancer.
Secondly, the trend toward abusing private cars could be ascribed to traffic congestion.
When a huge number of cars travel on street during rush hours, they would take up a
vast space for other vehicles, which causes traffic to become overload. If individuals
use some types of light vehicles such as bicycles or motorbikes, they would not have to
grapple with the nightmare of the traffic jam.
However, measures must be taken by governments and environmental activists to
alleviate/cope with the negative impacts of over-reliance on cars. On the one hand,
the authorities should impose a higher tax on car importers in order that the price of
cars would be increased significantly, which dissuades individuals from owning cars.
Additionally, it is necessary for the government to invest money in upgrading the
public transportation system as well as step up campaigns to encourage citizens to
travel on these public vehicles. On the other hand, the amount of air pollution
caused/released by cars can be reduced by installing air filter system in high-density
urban areas. For instance, Dutch designers have given a birth to a device named “smog
free tower” that can remove almost all the carbonparticles from the air.
In conclusion, the increase in car owners may result in both environmental
problems and traffic congestion. Thus it is vital for policy makers to adopt
effective measures to tackle the problem.

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202
 SAMPLE
Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing
countries. What are the advantages203
and disadvantages of this?
Multinational enterprises have been increasingly popular in today’s business world. It
is claimed that these enterprises provide plenty of opportunities for host countries;
simultaneously, they are also pregnant with certain drawbacks for local businesses
and the environment.
The activities of transitional corporations can create a significant economic boost for
less developed nations. Firstly, thanks to projects concerning the construction of
factories and infrastructure, more jobs and trainings for local people are created.
Secondly, due to their activities, these corporations help other nations improve
economic governance as well as broaden export and import, which enables them to
gain further integration into global economy. From the international perspective, the
activities of transnational companies also contribute to hunger eradication and
poverty alleviation in developing countries.
Additionally, the local industry can get access to higher technology from foreign
countries through transitional companies, which helps improve its technological
parameter.
On the other hand, multinational enterprises obviously have negative impacts on the
local community. First, the jobs that they create are not permanent because these
enterprises could relocate to another country, which is caused by management
barriers in the host nation. Second, in developing economies, large multinational
companies can have greater competitive advantages than local firms which may lead
to the latter becoming broke. Last but not least, in order to maximize profits,
transitional corporations often contribute to pollution in the local areas, which puts
the environment under threat.
To summarize, despite the inevitable negative impacts when setting up business in
other nations, transitional enterprises are evidently appealing to and are welcomed
by the nations provided that their practices also respond to their social responsibilities
apart from making money.
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The government should invest more SAMPLE
money in teaching science than in other
subjects for a country development204
and progress.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The importance of science and technology in national progress has long been
recognized, so it is said that government funding for education should give preference
to science-based subjects over others. Personally, I disagree with this opinion because
of non-science subjects’ distinct impacts.
Advances in science have been fundamentally altering the way people live, work and
communicate, which bring about some profound effects on economic growth. The
advent of computers and the Internet, for example, has empowered individuals and
businesses to access knowledge and markets, to communicate and transact regardless
of geographic distance. In addition, robotics and machine learning can now serve as
substitutes in lots of activities with greater efficiency and higher productivity.
Another benefit that modern science has provided is the development of renewable
energy. Sources of renewable/alternative energy such as solar and nuclear power
begin to help ease nation’s reliance on oil and fossil fuels.
However, the process of a country’s development is not only based on science
education and advancement since the prosperity of a country calls for talents from a
wide range of fields. It is known that in parallel with the operation of applying
science and technology in socio-economic development, many problems such as
pollution, crime, and diseases have surged. Therefore, a country needs scientific
experts as well as those in many other fields to make its progressing path smoother
and safer. For example, scientists play an integral part in combating climate change as
they are counted for finding out causes and corresponding effects of this issue.
However, in order to solve this problem, authors and activists are required to improve
social awareness at the same time.
In conclusion, although a nation without science and technology is definitely a
backward one, science only/alone cannot bring growth and well-being for a
country. Instead, I do believe a nation’s sustainable development would require a
well-rounded education with an emphasis on all disciplines.
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 SAMPLE
Some people believe that unpaid community services should be a compulsory part
205 working for a charity, improving the
of high school programmers (for example
neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
It is agreed that students should partake in unpaid community service as a mandatory
part of their curriculum in high schools. I believe this opinion is reasonable based on
many factors.
Firstly, through serving the community freely, teenagers can be grown up beyond our
imagination. When working voluntarily, students learn how to solve an unexpected
problem without the instructions from their teachers or parents. As a result, they are
able to be more independent rather than the period they learn academic knowledge
at school. Moreover, teenagers involving in community service volunteer to
complete the required tasks. Because they think that they are contributing to develop
their own society and their actions have impacts on other’s lives, they are motivated
to finish all the workload. Therefore, they become more responsible for all the
works they will attend in the future.
Secondly, partaking in unpaid community service boasts a myriad of personal benefits.
If students serve the community without payment, especially working for a charity,
they will have a chance to meet different people, many of whom are orphans, disabled
children or the elderly in nursing homes. Therefore, they are more empathetic for
other’s destiny. Besides, the value of labor is perceived by students when they
perform the work without payment, they feel deeper gratitude to the labor result. For
example, many teenagers born in a full materialistic condition tend to waste their time
and money on useless things. If schools require them to engage in unpaid community
service, they will know how hard is it to complete the work and what the meaningful
life is, which leads to the fact that theycan study more diligently.
In conclusion, I am strong of the view that doing unpaid work can be advantageous for
students and the high school should consider putting it in the curriculum as a
compulsory part.

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 SAMPLE 15
Some people think that parent should teach children how to be good members of
society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
It is sometimes argued that children should learn how to be good citizens in school
instead of learning from their parents. In my opinion, families would provide a more
suitable environment for children to acquire the appropriate behaviors.
On the one hand, schools may have significant advantages in education. Firstly, teachers
in schools go through adequate training to be qualified to teach.
Moreover, they can also gain better access to academic resources on the society’s
principles, rules and values than parents in order to guide students in becoming well –
behaved individuals. Secondly, parents need to spend a lot of daily hours on their
work, household chores, and other responsibilities, resulting in the lack of time with
their children. Meanwhile, teachers’ sole responsibility is to focus and developing the
right attitude and actions in students, so they are more capable of fulfilling this role.
Finally, educational institutions frequently receive formal support from governments,
nonprofit organizations, educators and researchers to teach children life values. These
resources are valuable to help children to have the wanted direction of development.
On the other hand, it would be extremely beneficial for the children if they are taught
how to be good members of society from their parents. One of the key points is that
children usually spend time and interact with their parents since their births, hence
their characteristics are best known by their parents. Fathers and mothers would be
the one who can come up with the most suitable approach on how to train their
children and what qualities of good citizens that the children are in need. Furthermore,
the strong connection and affection with the children would also assist parents in this
lifelong cause. For example, I’ve seen many parents around me actively/constantly
equip themselves with materials, skills, and knowledge to educate children. Last but
not least, teachers in school often have other students to take care of, therefore they
cannot individualize the learning method as well as parents.
In conclusion, while I understand that there are some benefits to this alternative, I
strongly believe that parents should take the major role in teaching children how to
become responsible individuals in the society.

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 SAMPLE
There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack of respect for
209
others. What are the causes and solutions?
Anti-social behaviours and disrespect towards others have been a heated topic of
debate in today’s world. Some explanations will be put forward before optimal
solutions can be drawn to tackle this problem.
There are several reasons as to why hostile behaviour and disrespect are increasingly
becoming popular in society. Firstly, lack of education for children in their early life
could be attributed to anti-social behaviour. This is because, in the contemporary life,
parents are too busy with their work to take care of their offsprings. Thus, children
may be disoriented and could not distinguish between the right and the wrong
behaviours in society. As a result, it is the precursor to gradual spread of aggressive
behaviours in the community. Secondly, frequent exposure of people to violence in
surrounding environment is also the main culprit of anti-social and disrespectful
behaviors. Therefore, modern means of communication has become such an integral
part of people’s life. People, mostly the young aged, can try to emulate such acts of
violence, being unable to differentiate between good and bad. As a result, children, in
particular, would have ill-mannered everyone.
Diversified measures can be implemented to address anti-social behaviours and
disrespect. An obvious solution is to emphasize the importance of parental guidance.
By paying more attention to the behaviour and emotional children, parents can provide
children with the healthy educational environment, which help them develop proper
manners and behaviours. For example, when children have accomplished high
achievements, parents ought to give them a full credit and encourage much more.
Another crucial solution is that the government should heavily censor violent contents
that could adversely affect children’s cognitive ability. This will discourage people,
especially the young, from emulating aggressive behaviours.
In conclusion, there are a variety of reasons for the increase of hostile behaviours and
disrespect in society. This urges both the government and family to take immediate
actions to tackle this circumstance.
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 SAMPLE
Some people think that children should obey the rules or do what their
parents and teachers want them to 210
do. Some people think that children
controlled very much cannot deal with problems themselves.
There are many different views about how parents and teachers should educate
children to become productive citizens in the future. While some people adopt a
view that children should abide by regulations from their parents and teachers, I
believe that tight control would bring negative effects on children.
On the one hand, the obedience of children is necessary to gain a wealthy growth.
Children are naïve and pure so they are susceptible/ vulnerable to adverse impacts
from the living environment. Parents and teachers; therefore, play an important role in
keeping their children away from unacceptable behavior by the strict rules. In other
words, the insufficient awareness of the rights and the wrongs would lead to
misguided beliefs among children; in this case, children should obey the true spirits
of elders’ rules to get proper habits.
On the other hand, I agree with those who believe that children restrained narrowly
could not cope with the problems themselves. In fact, it is common that children who
are imposed the strict rules and regulations by their parents and teachers are more
likely to become sensitive and vulnerable/ introverted people. This is the main trigger
which leads to the potential lacking of problem-solving skills and makes inadequate
decisions given that when they become adults, they must confront with all affairs by
themselves without their parents or instructors. For this reason, parents and teachers
should encourage their children to see and touch harsh realities at early ages, instead
of acting in accordance with the rules.
In conclusion, despite benefits from complying with the rules and regulations, the
elders like parents and teachers should break the tough rules, which might prevent
children from to be more confident and determinable in modern societies.
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Some people think that all universitySAMPLE
students should study whatever they like.
Others believe that they should only 211be allowed to study subjects that will be
useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
MODEL ESSAY 1:
There are different opinions about how much choices students should be given in
selecting university subjects. While some people think that the universities should
only offer required courses focusing on science and technology, which are beneficial
for the students’ future, I believe that adult learners should be able to choose subjects
following their own interests.
On the one hand, there are some certain advantages of acquiring knowledge in science
and technology courses in terms of both students' life in particular and the social as
well as economic development in general. Firstly, it is widely thought that university
courses like medicine, engineering and information technology provide more job
opportunities, better salaries, and even higher social status; and therefore bring
brighter future for learners who take them. Secondly, technology such as the Internet
and digital devices is applied in almost every aspect of modern society, so forcing
students into particular technical courses ensures any technological gaps would be
handled. Finally, focusing on science and technology studies will accelerate
innovations that stimulating the economic growth in the long-run.
On the other hand, I would agree with the idea letting college students choose their
own courses. It is undeniable that learners will achieve good academic performance
when they are passionate about what they are learning. In addition, art talents like
Mozart and Picasso would not have emerged if young people are forced to study
science-based subjects. Besides, engagement in non-science classes such as arts,
music, and drama brings about spiritual values for students in terms of stress relief and
overall mental health. Last but not least, learning a wide range of subjects in
universities have benefits for any country in dealing with global issues such as global
warming that is counted on not only scientists to find out its causes and effects but
also activists, artists, and lawyers to improve socialawareness.

211
In conclusion, despite the aforementioned advantages of forcing learners into studying
science and technology, the students’ life and society, from my perspective, would gain
more benefits from allowing young people to select whatthey want to learn.
325 words MODEL
ESSAY 2:
Nowadays, universities wonder if they should force their students to learn certain
key subjects or not. While this could be beneficial for students, I believe that it will be
useful if students only study subjects that they like in university.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why university students should only
study subjects that will be useful in the future. The biggest reason is that this will give
students countless opportunities to seek a job with a high salary after graduating from
college. For example, in Vietnam, students could get a higher salary if they work as a
programmers or scientists after school. Furthermore, particular university subjects
such as information technology and physics can provide students with a wealth of
knowledge, which they can apply that in creating or studying something that is useful
for mankind in the future.
On the other hand, it seems to me that universities should create more spaces for
students to study whatever subject they like. Firstly, students who only study their
favourite subjects can save a great deal of money. Consequently, they spend it buying
books on their subjects in order to master their skills. Take my sister as an example,
instead of taking part in all of the classes in her university, she just took a leadership
course and bought a lot of books about this subjects to read and now she is working as
Linkedin CEO. Secondly, a university that allows students to freely choose their
subjects will help develop their strengths if they are not good at logic related subjects
so that they can draw inspiration from their favourite subjects.
In conclusion, while forcing students to study subjects that will be useful in the
future does have benefits, I strongly believe that university should let their
students have the right to learn their own favourite subjects.
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Overpopulation of urban areas has SAMPLE
led to numerous problems. Identify one or two
serious ones and suggest ways that 213
governments and individuals can tackle these
problems.
It is true that population explosion in urban areas has caused negative impacts to
people’s lives and society. In this essay, I intend to propose some possible solutions
to deal with it.
The Huge population in big cities has led to enormous troubles. First of all,
infrastructure has been seriously overload causing congestion of the traffic during
peak hours. As a result, transportation system which is the backbone of the economy
has been impacted significantly. Secondly, public services, especially healthcare,
have been always overcrowded. Thousands of patients cannot receive sufficient
treatment, many of them have to wait for hours to be served and sleep in the corridors
of hospitals.
However, I contend such problems could be tackled by the effort of both governments
and individuals. The primary measure would be authority’s investment in
transportation and services. Firstly, construction of new roads and bridges as well as
metro lines must be accelerated to be operated. At the same time, the government
should publish strict law to limit private vehicles and promote citizens using public
transport. Secondly, new hospitals should be built up along with the deployment of
qualified medical staffs in order to serve a largenumber of patients.
The other tactics are to raise individuals’ awareness about traffic problems, they should
minimize the use of personal vehicles and incline to travel by public transport
simultaneously. Moreover, people might consider living in suburb areas instead of city
center to deal with congested space
In conclusion, the problems caused by overpopulation are extremely serious. However,
the above-integrated solutions could be offered to overcome it.
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 SAMPLE
Buying things on the Internet, such as books, air tickets, and groceries, is
becoming more and more popular. 214
Do the advantages of shopping in this way outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Online shopping has become a common tool when we increasingly search for goods
and place our order instantly on the internet. All kinds of goods and services are
available online and within our reach with just one click. While purchasing things
online exposes us to the risk of buying low-quality products, the convenience and time
saving from online shopping far outweigh its drawback.
The primary concern with online shopping is the risk of buying inferior products.
That is to say, consumers make their decision according to the appearance and the
attractive advertisement without personally checking the item. Consequently, this
results in complaints or disappointments later upon delivery of the product. For
instance, I got an awful experience with online shopping, the chair I bought online was
broken after a week. However, many websites of high reputation have a return policy
within a set period of time, which enables customers to return the product if they are
not satisfied with their purchase.
Nevertheless, it is irrefutable that online shopping brings immense convenience. In
other words, there are thousands of products online which we can search for within a
few seconds. We are also able to compare the prices, features, comments from other
buyers and apply for periodic discounts. This feature would never be duplicated with
traditional/conventional shopping in which we would spend a great deal of effort
ongoing around, looking for the product and comparing the prices. We definitely save
our precious time for doing something else which is much more meaningful. For
example, a recent survey conducted by The Consumer Behaviour Association in the
United States has shown that convenience remains the greatest feature which
encourages/makes customers opt for online shopping.
To conclude, online shopping saves us a lot of time and offers the great convenience
and these features far outweigh any drawback of low-quality products when
purchasing online. We, therefore, should access/approach trusted websites for online
shopping to minimize any dissatisfaction.

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215
Some people believe that teachingSAMPLE
children at home is best for a child’s
216
development while others think that it is important for children to go to
school.
Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion.
Some people believe that home-schooling is the most critical method for child
development of all aspects including physical, intellectual, social, and emotional
changes. While there are strong arguments to support this point of view, I would
argue that there are more advantages for a child to attend schools.
On the one hand, I understand why people often think that children should be at home
and taught by their parents or private tutors. Firstly, children/young children do not
need to face the pressure of formal examinations or excessive exercises but progress
faster. This is because those who study at home could learn at their own pace as their
parents often prepare lessons that are more appropriate to their children’s level.
Secondly, the problem of school discipline may be avoided, as young children could
enjoy their childhood without negative influences around them. Consequently, their
personality would not be negatively shaped because of these effects.
On the other hand, I would side with those who believe that schools will equip
children with sufficient knowledge as well as useful social skills. To begin with,
pupils would academically and positively compete with their peers because they
often want to become the highest achiever in class. As a result, this attitude will foster
their competitive spirit which is a golden selling point to have better employment
prospects in the future. Furthermore, schools, being a small community of a society,
resemble the real world outside more than a single family. Students are more likely to
learn how to overcome obstacles such as exam failure or bullying, which eventually
helps them to gain more confidence to deal with problems in their life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that going to schools would have more positive impacts
on children’s development compare with studying at home.
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Some suggest that young people SAMPLE
should take a job for a few years between
school and university. Discuss what217
the advantages and disadvantages might be
for people who do this.
Having finished high school, a majority of youngsters tend to directly enroll in a
recognized university to pursue their future occupation dream. However, the number
of those taking a gap year to be employed for a period of time is remarkably increased
nowadays. This phenomenon provokes a fierce controversy over the issue of whether
adolescents should take a break for a while before continuing their tertiary
education.
The first advantage of getting a job during this time is to have an adequate time frame
to consider satisfactory future major at university. Students with no working
experience are thoroughly confused about the selection of their upcoming occupations.
Another is that young adults are able to achieve real-life skill set and job experience
essential for their later careers during this working period of time. Tackling financial
issues is the last benefit investigated in this essay. Not all students are able to afford
the university fee for the whole four academic years; therefore; working in the gap
year may assist them in dealing with fiscal problems.
Nevertheless, getting a job for a period of time before officially registering to a
university may also bring some undesirable influence on adolescents. Firstly, it might
be more difficult for them to recall previous fundamental knowledge essential for their
entrance exam. Secondly, working without formal qualifications leads to low salary,
unsatisfied working environment and being put under pressure. Last but not least,
they may later lose their interest in pursuing tertiary education leading to the scarce
intellectual workforce.
In conclusion, it is not always a good idea to be recruited after graduating from
high school; but it is one of the most effective arrangements for youngsters to
consider depending on their authentic financial and study conditions.
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217
Countries are becoming more and SAMPLE
more similar because people are able to buy
the same products anywhere in the 218
world.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Nowadays, due to the globalization as well as the development of import and export,
many countries have resembled to each other because their citizens have opportunities
to access to the commodities of many regions in the world.
However, recently, this phenomenon has triggered a heated debate - as to whether this
trend would be beneficial to countries themselves. In my opinion, I believe that this
development is advantageous -because it would boost economy despite slight
damage to the domestic market.
On the one hand, if many commodities from all over the world are imported into a
country, its residents are able to approach and purchase high-quality products
worldwide. To illustrate, it is some parts of the world such as the USA, Japan which
excel at micro-technology, GMO foods and thus, along with the boom of
transportation, these goods could be given to customers in developing countries.
In addition, the universal access to international products is likely to optimize the
cost-effective use of expensive products. More specifically, many products are
bought from foreign countries but their components are from many parts of the world.
As a result, if the market resembles due to similar goods, customers are capable of
fixing and replacing the broken elements instead of buying new wholeproducts.
On the other hand, this trend could influence adversely to the domestic market. As
long as customers could approach cutting-edge products from developed countries,
they have a tendency to ignore homegrown products because they usually pale in
comparison with foreign commodities. However, this negative effects could be
curbed provided that domestic companies and manufacturers are offered insights into
modern technology with the help from the government and they are willing to adapt to
the international development. In conclusion, it seems to me that global combination
could bring the best services for customers and promote the economy.
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218
Many people argue that in orderSAMPLE to improve educational quality, high school
219
students are encouraged to make comments or even criticism on their teachers.
Others think it will lead to loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. Discuss
both views and give your own opinion.
It is true that finding ways to improve the education system is one of the top priorities
of every nation/country. In some cultures, while some people believe that students
should be encouraged to give opinion about their teachers, I would argue that this can
give rise to lack of respect and discipline in the classroom
On the one hand, the option to make comments about their teachers is attractive due to
several reasons. Firstly, it will help improve the quality of education. For example, if
the class is slow, it will be ineffective for teachers to teach so fast that most students
fail to retain the information. Without the comments of students, teachers will find it
difficult to know whether the speed of the lesson is appropriate for the class, which
has a great impact on the quality of the lesson.
Moreover, some professors have said that course evaluations help them tremendously
improve the course.
On the other hand, I believe that there are several drawbacks of allowing students to
give feedback or criticism on their teachers. The main demerit is that some students do
not know the limit and respect to their teachers in some situations. As a result, it may
lead to the occurrence of bad-behavior such as offending or even insulting their
teachers. Additionally, the classroom may be in chaos due to massive numbers of
comments. Opinions vary from students to students, and it may be impractical for
teachers to work out a way of teaching that satisfies all students
In conclusion, although the idea of advantageous in some aspect/to some extent, it
seems to me that it is better to discourage students to do it.
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 SAMPLE
Employers sometimes ask people applying for jobs for personal information, such
220 they are married or single.
as their hobbies and interest, and whether
Some people say that this information may be relevant and useful. Othersdisagree.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
It is true that the question of whether to provide personal information or not when
applying for a job is rather debatable. Some are of the view that it is necessary to do
it, yet others do not agree. I will examine both views in this writing before setting
out my personal opinion on the matter.
There are a variety of reasons why recruiters tend to ask for personal information
from job applicants. Firstly, they definitely want to recognize the strengths and
weaknesses of such candidates. By this way, it will be easy to choose suitable
employees for the vacancy. For example, rather than choosing those who are married,
single people are obviously more appropriate for the positions which require many
business trips. Secondly, the staff are likely to benefit in some cases when the
companies help them develop their career path based on their strengths. Instead of
struggling to meet/fulfill sales target, introverted staff will be encouraged to do in the
back office, which might lead to career success in the future.
On the other hand, I strongly believe that the privacy cannot be invaded. The first
reason for this is that it is a human right to have their information kept confidentially. It
is not compulsory to expose one’s privacy to everyone. In some multinationals,
application forms even do not require to provide the private information such as their
gender, age, marital status and so forth. Furthermore, the result may be devastating if
the personal information is stolen or hacked. There is no evidence that the companies
can absolutely guarantee the employee’s information safety even though they have
spent a great deal of money on data security.
In conclusion, although the more information the applicants provide, the more beneficial
it is for both employers and employees, it seems to me that the privacy

220
is vitally important and it cannot be invaded by any reasons.
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Overpopulation in many major urbanSAMPLE
centers around the world is a major
222How can this problem be solved?
problem. What are the causes of this?
It is widely argued that the incredible rise in population has negative impacts on the
modern society. There are a number of reasons behind this point of view and several
solutions should be proposed to change this difficult situation.
There are two primary reasons why more and more people start to move to big and
popular cities. One reason is that urban environment offers a wide range of huge job
opportunities which helps human earn a better living. Indeed, the higher pursuit of
professions can hardly be followed in such rural areas due to the shortage of
conditions and infrastructures. This may lead to the unfulfilment of life quality which
constantly drives farmers and workers to immigrate to big towns.
Another reason is the desire for enjoying better facilities and welfares which are only
available in urban centers. For example, all children are expected to attend qualified
schools or every citizen longs for being taken care in advanced and professional
hospitals.
However, measures must be taken by the government and international bodies to solve
this intricate problem and recreate a better society. Firstly, it should be one of the
demanding jobs of authority to extend the area of cities and make efforts to develop
and construct more buildings, hospitals as well as schools in the countrysides. This
not only encourages people to move to other places to prosper but also decrease the
chances of overpopulation in towns. Secondly, states ought to impose a strict
limitation on the number of residents by discouraging each family to give birth more
than two in urban areas. Thereby, the population will be tightly supervised and
reduced significantly.
All in all, only by restricting the population of urban centers will the problem be
resolved and the society becomes more orderly.
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 SAMPLE
The movement of people from agricultural areas to cities to work can cause
serious problems in both places. 223What are the serious problems and what
measures can be taken to solve this problem?
In recent years, people tend to move from agricultural regions to cosmopolitans to
look for job opportunities. Several problems have resulted from this tendency and
they should be tackled by a number of solutions.
There are two major issues can be anticipated. Firstly, too many people living in
cities can cause overcrowding and overpopulation which could put infrastructure of
big cities such as hospitals, schools or public transport vehicle under high pressure
and may lead to overloaded status. As a result, access to those resources could be
limited, meaning that the quality of life of citizens will not be guaranteed. Besides, an
increase in city population will result in the increased number of vehicles which can
make the city become more polluted. Secondly, city migration could contribute to the
depletion of farming due to the lack of agricultural labor force. As a result,
agricultural land can be uninhibited and this will lead to the food shortage.
Since urbanization is a part of economic development, it seems impossible to stop this
tendency and measures should be taken in order to control those problems.
First, governments should encourage enterprises to invest in agricultural areas and use
the local workforces. This will not only help to decrease the migration of people but
also attract workers from big cities. Besides, improving essential infrastructure and
providing better health care services to people in rural areas are also helpful in
controlling urbanization.
In conclusion, migration of people from agricultural areas to urban areas is a serious
problem and solutions should be implemented urgently to overcome thisissue.
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223
Some children think that subjects SAMPLE
such as mathematics and philosophy are too
difficult for them to study at school,224
so they should be made optional rather than
compulsory. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Nowadays, an increasing number of students find it difficult in studying mathematics
and philosophy. Some people claim that these subjects would rather become optional
subjects than the compulsory ones. From my perspective, I suggest that either
mathematics or philosophy should remain mandatory for all students.
Mathematics and philosophy are the standing point to majority subjects in school or
even almost major in the economy. For instance, physics requires some useful tool of
maths which is vectors, integrals, derivates in order to analyze the directions of
forces or interpret the acceleration and speed. In addition, many people may argue
that mathematics and philosophy are only for people who do science. These subjects
are not only for students who love studying science but also for the ones who learn the
art. Thanks to the assist of philosophy, people will have the power of reasoning
according to the thesis.
Moreover, both of two subjects will strengthen the connection between theory and
real-life experience. Many people will capable of linking logically the new concepts
with their experience. Thus, their job will be done more efficiently which can lead to
a successful career in particular and a whole new future in general. Another
beneficial side of math and philosophy is that they help people enhance logical
thinking and they have a variety of applications in the students’ future.
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224
More and more students are choosing SAMPLE
to study at colleges and universities in a
225 abroad outweigh the drawbacks?
foreign country. Do the benefits of studying
It is true that the number of students who choose to study overseas has increased
rapidly in the past few years. While there are benefits and drawbacks of studying in a
foreign country, I would argue that it has more benefits for the students themselves.
On the one hand, some people believe that the choice of studying abroad have some
disadvantages. The first reason is that studying overseas will cost more than studying
in the home country. It is necessary for parents to spend more money on airplane
tickets, accommodations, foods and clothes, besides tuition fees and insurances.
Another reason is that students might be unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the culture,
environment, and language of the new country. As a consequence, it might have a
negative effect on their mental condition and physical health. For example, most
students have problems adjusting to culture shock. This can lead to symptoms such as
nausea, frustration, extreme tiredness, confusion, and homesickness.
On the other hand, I believe that studying in another country brings so many positive
aspects for the students themselves. Firstly, if students study in a new country, they
will have a chance to learn new languages and new cultures.
Secondly, students will learn about how to live independently, such as cleaning their
own rooms or doing the laundry by themselves. Thirdly, they could make new friends
with people from other countries and get familiar with multicultural environments.
Lastly, it is a fact that in certain countries, international graduate certificate gives
additional values when the students search for jobs.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that the preference of studying in a foreign country has its
own benefits and drawbacks. It seems to me that it has more advantages for the students
themselves.
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 SAMPLE
In schools and universities, girls tend to choose arts while boys like science. What
are the reasons for this trend and do226
you think this tendency should bechanged?
Nowadays, there are more and more female students enrolling art classes while males
tend to opt for science subjects. There exist several obvious reasons behind this
tendency and I believe that it should be altered in some circumstances.
First of all, students’ preferences in different classes can be attributed to the
requirements in each field. Generally, females with vivid imagination are more likely
to take part in art courses, while science subjects such as physics or mathematics
need considerable analytical abilities and logical thinking which are among the
strengths of male students. Moreover, science-related fields require more physical
abilities, concentration than others. For example, to successfully obtain a diploma in a
medical course, a person needs to pass many exams including tons of experiments and
dissertations to hand in and he or she is also overwhelmed with a lot of assignments
within a short amount of time.
However, I am of the opinion that this trend should be slightly changed. First and
foremost, some science subjects are more suitable for girls than the opposite sex,
which are classes requiring patience and meticulous preparation. Nursery perfectly
exemplifies this reason. When a person wants to learn to become a nurse, especially
when he or she has to care for the elderly, this person has to be considerate and take
heed of even minor things. Furthermore, students should have free choices to choose
their future paths. It is evident that nowadays some are learning particular subjects in
schools or colleges just because of their parents’ wishes. This may cause resentment
and discourage the students’ performances.
In conclusion, the upsurge in the number of males entering science classes along with
females’ participation in art fields can be understandable due to the aforementioned
reasons and some alternation should be made to this tendency.
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Some people think that people movingSAMPLE to a new country should accept new
227think that they should live as a separate
culture in the foreign country. Others
minority group with a different lifestyle.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
The issue of whether people settling in a new country should adopt new culture or not
is opened to debate. While there are benefits to maintain their lifestyle, I would agree
that immigrants should behave as people of the host country.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why people insist on keeping their
traditions. Firstly, cultural conservation allows them to express their love for family
and nation. For example, beginning of February, more East Asia students celebrate a
party for a new year as following old type. Secondly, if a person is from a country
with strong and old customs, it will be difficult for him to adopt new ones. He cannot
break the old customs such as food habits and wear certain types of clothes.
On the other hand, it seems to me that copying the new traditional lifestyles is the best
choice. Exploring and understanding new culture provides a plenty of opportunities
to success succeed/move forward in the life. It supports them to get on well with
communities rapidly or build a strong relationship with others because locals feel
respected when their customs are understood and imitated.
Moreover, it decreases chances of misunderstanding and embarrassment. For example,
when you move by public transportation in Japan, you will not certainly give up the
chair for older people, this is considered being impolite action.
In conclusion, while holding on own culture does have some benefits, it seems to me
that changing the tradition of host nation has positive effects on their lives.
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 SAMPLE
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
When the topic of overseas education228comes into view, there exists controversy. Some
assert that studying abroad is beneficial, whereas opponents of this idea prefer to
pursue higher education in their own countries. Personally, I find the advantages of
studying in a foreign country outweigh the disadvantages based onvarious reasons.
Studying abroad offers many benefits. One of them is the multi-cultural environment
that students experience. They are able to expand their knowledge on diversity, which
makes it easier to work in international companies in the future. Furthermore,
overseas education not only cultivates an intercontinental relationship, but also
strengthen understanding and respect between different backgrounds. Another
notable advantage is the practice of independence for overseas students. Most
students travel alone to pursue higher education, therefore, they ought to have self-
reliance and responsibility for themselves to maintain a healthy lifestyle. On top of
which, they need to be diligent with their studies as well, which is bound to stimulate
self-improvement.
On the other hand, overseas studying experience could have some short-comings.
Being unfamiliar with the education format is a huge drawback for international
students. It requires a certain amount of time for them to get used to the newly
introduced learning method, which could put a strain on their results. This could be
rather discouraging and stressful to some students who fail to keep up, affecting their
mental health. Moreover, having to manage everything on one’s own requires great
efforts. As previously mentioned, overseas learners are expected to both meet
academic requirements and living arrangement. For young adults, carrying out tasks,
such as cooking, doing the laundry, without any help from their families could be quite
challenging. Those who are not capable of balancing their education and lifestyle are
likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
On the whole, the essay clearly communicates that there are both advantages and
disadvantages to studying abroad. However, in my humble opinion, overseas
students could greatly benefit from a foreign studying environment if they are
determined to overcome the challenges it brings.
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 SAMPLE
The crime rate in teenagers has increased dramatically in many countries in
229what are the solutions?
recent years. What are the causes, and
The proportion of crime in teenagers saw a dramatic increase in other nations in
recent years. There are several causes of increasing crime ratio in teenagers, and
several actions need to be taken to solve this problem.
The growth of crime rate in teenagers is caused by several factors. Firstly, the internet
and media are one of the factors, which lead to the wrongdoing of children. Because
nowadays the internet and media tend to develop rapidly, young people have access to
more violent materials such as video games or films. As a result, they imitate violent
action in films or games which result in ABC. Secondly, since parents are busy to
make money, they do not have enough time to take care of their children. Therefore,
children can do whatever they want and might have inappropriate behavior such as
drugs or stealing.
Effective solutions should be proposed to deal with the problems described above.
First of all, the government should limit children’s access to violent materials. For
example, violent films can be banned on TV. A second measure is that parents need to
pay more attention to their offspring. For instance, parents should encourage their
children to participate in useful activities such as sports or musical instruments as well
as apply heavier punishments to teenage criminals to make them be afraid and avoid
committing crimes.
In conclusion, a number of reasons for dramatic increasing adolescent crimes can be
addressed, and various measures need to be taken to tackle this problem.
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Some people say that young peopleSAMPLE
learn useful skills by playing electronic and
computer games. Others say that 230 young people who play electronic and
computer games are wasting their time.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
These days, an increasing number of people are playing electronic and computer
games. While some people are of the opinion that young people can learn useful
skills by playing such entertainment games, others say that they are wasting their
time.
It is certainly true that people who play electronic and computer games can get some
benefits from it. Generally, people play computer games in their free time because
they want to relieve stress. Further, video games can help players improve certain
skills. As players have to handle situations that require accuracy and agility because
of the interaction between them and the games, they must have the good eye-hand
coordination to play well. Moreover, electronic games always offer challenges to
players, so it demands them to react with a very responsive brain and come up with
quick effective solutions. This allows them to improve their thinking skills and plan
the right strategies that contribute to the success of their work.
However, there are many people who feel that young people who play electronic and
computer games are spending their time on a frivolous thing. Playing video games
habitually is associated with an increase in adverse effects on health such as high
blood pressure, eye-related diseases, dry skin, and wrinkles. In addition, there is a
clear connection between abusing games and students’ failure in learning. Students
who spend excessive time on playing games will neglect their school work. Playing
video games also gives rise to a high level of truancy. As a result, their school
performances are adversely affected.
In conclusion, I believe that although young people can learn some useful skills by
playing entertainment games, it is clear that playing games too much has more adverse
effects than benefits. Therefore, young people should not spend excessive time playing
computer games to get the positive advantages of games and to avoid the negative
effects of game addiction.
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In many Western countries, there SAMPLE
is an increasing number of couples choosing to
have no children. 231
What are the advantages and disadvantages to couples having no children?
Western couples these days have increasingly changed their minds about having
children. It is a fact that parenting or not-parenting brings both benefits and drawbacks
in many fields of life.
On the one hand, raising/bringing up a child is immensely expensive. A lot of beliefs
are held that supporting a child’s life from birth to eighteen years old is beyond their
financial ability. Some people initially refuse to give birth because they want to save
money for their leisure activities and elder life. Moreover, it is relatively easier for
not-parenting to pursue higher in their chosen professions.
Also, being a childless couple can let them spend more time together with theirpartner.
On the other hand, those who have children prove to gain a variety of advantages.
Adult children are normally believed to take good care of their parents when they
become old. For example, an elderly alone cannot drive to the supermarket and cook
for himself. In addition, having no child can make people feel sort of misfits from their
fellows who have one. Sometimes children are the ones who can connect their parents
together, maintaining well the relationship of couples. In fact, many broken
marriages/many marriages being on the brink of divorce are saved thanks to the bond
of their kids.
All in all, although being parents can experience the sense of responsibility, childless
life help people to live more independent by saving a certain amount of time and
money. It can be concluded that each choice brings unique advantages and
disadvantages.
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 SAMPLE
Cycling is more environmentally friendly than other forms of transport. Why is it
not popular in many places? And how232
to increase its popularity?
Although riding a bicycle can bring numerous benefits to our environment instead of
using other sorts of vehicles, it is true that there is a limited number of people are
more likely to use it because of several reasons. To reduce this unpopularity, some
solutions could be proposed at the level of individuals, as well as the society.
To begin with, there is a range of reasons why few people use bicycles to travel on a
regular basis. Firstly, living in a fast-paced life, people seem to become much busier
with a heavy workload than in the past, and individuals want to reduce the time
spending on transport as much as possible. To be more precise, nowadays, not only do
people work at their workplace, but also take time to finish their tasks at home, so the
increase in hours of work required them to minimize the time for transport. As a result,
they could not utilize bicycles – a low-speed vehicle but tend to prioritize the usage of
motorbikes or cars which would take less time. Secondly, cycling requires a greater
strength and stamina than riding a motorbike or driving a car. This partly discourages
people from choosing this means of transport, especially in the uncomfortable weather
or when they have to travel a long distance.
Regarding solutions, several steps can be taken to raise the popularity of bicycles. The
first solution should come from the governmental actions to dissuade citizens from
owning and utilizing private motorbikes or cars such as increasing the price of petrol
or raising the tax on these vehicles. As a consequence, more people would opt
bicycle as their primary means of transport. Additionally, at the same time, central
authorities should also build more lanes serving only cyclists, which would make it
much faster and safer to travel by bicycles. In the level of individuals, the final
solution is to launch campaigns to raise citizens’ awareness of the environmental
degradation which is partly caused by harmful effects of motorbikes and cars, and this
could lead people to cycle more often.
In conclusion, there are some reasons why bicycles become less common in today’s
world, and measures should be taken to promote this means of transport to achieve
sustainable development early.
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 SAMPLE
The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it
has also created problems that did233
not exist before. What are the most serious
problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?
It is true that internet has caused enormous problems to users besides its positive
effects. In this essay, I intend to identify the most serious impacts associated with this
network and propose some possible solutions to deal with it.
There are numerous negative impacts involved in the internet. First of all, it is
undeniable that some information on this network is extremely harmful, ranging from
pornography, violence to instruction on how to make an explosive bomb. Such
contents would stimulate the juveniles who could not distinguish right from wrong to
form wrong behavior or even commit crimes. Secondly, there is a potential risk of
social isolation, a problem is occasionally seen in people who prefer spending
significant time on terminals to engaging in the real world.
However, I contend such problems can be resolved by the effort of both the
government and the society. The primary measure would be censorship of the
authority to control the information that is exposed to the public. This procedure can
eliminate harmful contents, which could approach internet users from the websites.
Simultaneously, schools and organizations implement education campaigns to raise
people’s awareness about drawbacks of being addicted to social networks which
have been increasingly popular with the youths. The other tactic is parents’
observation to their children. They should set rules on their children’ time
consuming to the internet, as well as control the content the kids watch.
In conclusion, the negative impacts of the internet are incredibly tremendous.
However, the proposed integrated solutions could be offered to tackle this
problem effectively.
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The money spent by governments on SAMPLE
space programmes would be better spent on
vital public services such as schools234
and hospitals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is often argued that it would be a waste of resources when the government in
some countries spends large amounts of money on space exploration programs,
instead, the budget should be invested in public services such as education and
healthcare. While I agree that this is true in practical terms, I believe that
allocating to space programs is actually an important thing in the development
progress of our planet.
On the one hand, the authorities should spend money on vital public services because
of their positive impact on society as a whole. Compared to the expenditures on
space exploration projects, it is much cheaper to train professionals working in
public sectors such as doctors, teachers or police officers who are totally beneficial
for improving social welfare. Furthermore, every member of the society can benefit
from schools, hospitals, and roads, and we all need the security that the police
provide. If the central governments reallocated the money spent on space travel and
research to develop community services, thousands of people could be lifted out of
poverty or given a fairer andbetter quality of life.
On the other hand, I believe that space programs should be encouraged in the
technological society despite the fact that space facilities and equipment come at a
huge cost to the government. It is undoubted that this field can be considered as an
innovative achievement of the world as it has contributed to the specialist source of
knowledge of the universe, which is beyond the limits of our planet. For example,
there is a profound increase in the accomplishments of outer space exploration such as
launching space rockets, space probes and space shuttles in recent decades. As a
result, these insights have become valuable and reliable for the education of younger
generation, and which can stimulate their creativity, especially on nature scientific
research, which would be actually a long-term planto build a more modern society.
In conclusion, my view is that besides spending money on vital public services that
benefit all members of the society, governments should continuously invest in space
exploration projects to build a progressive and civilized society.

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Fossil fuels such as coal or oil areSAMPLE
main sources of energy in many countries.
However, in some countries, the use 236of renewable source of energy such as
solar and wind energy are encouraged. Is it positive or negative?
In recent years there has been a growing tendency for countries to use alternative
sources of energy rather than fossil fuels. I believe that this should be given a top
priority because of lots of its advantages brought to people’s lives.
On the one hand, societies would have to face some negative consequences of using
fossil fuels as the main sources of energy. Firstly, an amount of fossil fuel is limited. If
people do not take advantage of renewable sources of energy, they have to suffer a
serious shortage of energy supplies in a foreseeable future. Secondly, using fossil
fuels would not be environmentally friendly. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to
the increase in the amount of CO2 emission, which is the leading cause of the global
warming. As a result, this would have a detrimental effect on all life on the Earth.
On the other hand, there are many benefits for countries that use alternative sources of
energy. Green power sources are eco-friendly and do not contribute to air pollution.
As there are no carbon emissions, problems of climate change and poor air quality
can be tackled by increasing the dependence on alternative energy. Additionally,
wind and solar power are both renewable sources of energy. Instead of using
exhausting fossil fuels which are becoming exhausted, the use of renewable energy
will guarantee a boundless supply of energy for the future generation.
In conclusion, I would argue that governments should place a considerable importance
on developing and using alternative sources of energy for the reasonsmentioned above.
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 SAMPLE
Some people say that health care and education should be the responsibility of
237it is the responsibility of the individuals
the government but others think that
themselves.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that payment of two aspects: health care and education should
be afforded by government, whereas the opponents of this idea claim that the
responsibilities to pay for these aspects should belong to the individuals.
While there are rational reasons for individuals to be responsible for their own
healthy and educational payment, I would argue that the government should play the
main role in affording for these demands of their citizens.
On the one hand, some people support the idea of individuals paying for health care
and education because these are personal matters. It is believed that if people have to
pay their medical bills and schooling fees by themselves, they will have more
motivation to be more careful in maintaining their health as well as studying more
seriously. In addition, it may be unfair when a part of citizens who work harder and
pay more tax not only pay for their healthcare and educational demands but also pay
for the ones who are jobless or indolent.
On the other hand, many people claim that it’s government who must be in charge of
paying for their citizens’ health care and education. This is based on the fact that
people all have to pay many kinds of tax such as income tax, property tax, and value-
added tax so the funds should benefit them as well. Furthermore, spending budget on
improving health care and education’s quality is an effective way to enhance the
government’s international reputation. Moreover, leaning on government’s budget is
an opportunity for the poor to approach to acceptable conditions to develop
themselves so that they can escape from poverty and difficulties.
In summary, although it is reasonable that medical and educational fees should be paid
by individuals, I would argue that it is government’s task to provide their citizens
with free basic needs in education and healthcare.
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In the past, shopping was a routine SAMPLE
domestic task. Many people nowadays regard it
as a hobby. 238
To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
It is evident that shopping nowadays is considered to be a hobby rather than a
responsibility as it was in the past. While I accept that this may suit many people, I
believe that shopping should be a required weekly task that will retain our lives.
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why shopping is considered to be a
hobby rather than daily work. Firstly, shopping helps people rewind after a long week
of diligent studying and working. Apparently, while going shopping, people are likely
to experience a lively atmosphere of the crowd rather than an intensive lonely
atmosphere in the room and being under the pressure of an excessive number
assignments. Secondly, going shopping is considered to be a pastime activity as people
can pay a visit to various shops that are interesting to them. For example, in terms of
fashion, women and girl teenagers commonly spend hours at several boutiques in the
department stores. Meanwhile, boys are more likely to enter gaming and technology
shops in order to try up-to-date products.
On the other hand, it is evident to regard shopping as a routine domestic task based on
two primary reasons. The first reason is that going shopping weekly will help supply
food sources and necessary equipment. While going to the supermarket, it is
economical to spend money on grocery products that are needed such as food items
and household appliances as customers have to keep themselves sustainable in the
next few days. Another reason is that seeing shopping as a hobby and
buying/purchasing unnecessary items might lead to the shortage in the household
budget, which is supposed to be spent on other essential commodities. For example, if
customers spend lots of time and money in the supermarket in order to buy new
fashionable clothes, they will soon run out of money for food supply and other
equipment. Therefore, it is important to take shopping into consideration as well as
regarding this as a routine task rather than merely a leisure activity.
In conclusion, it is common sense that people can view shopping as an activity

238
that is able to cater for both their relaxation and their leisure pursuit.
Nevertheless, it is more reasonable to take shopping into account and buy
necessary products that will sustain our daily lives.
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In developing countries, childrenSAMPLE
in rural communities have less access to
education. Some people believe that240
the problem can be solved by providing more
schools and teachers, while others think that the problem can be solved by
providing computers and Internet access. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.
There is no denying that children who live in remote areas of developing countries have
limited access to education. While some people suggest that the obstacle can be
resolved by providing computers and internet access, I do personally believe that
supplementing schools and teachers is the best solution to deal with it.
On the one hand, providing computers and internet access is brought great chances for
children in the rural area to access education. These instruments have facilitated
students to connect with the world and therefore broaden their horizons. In addition,
with the assistance of the internet, they can participate in online classes regardless of
their geographic locations. These courses act as virtual lessons to provide them with
knowledge of various subjects. Moreover, whenever they encounter difficulties in
searching information, the internet would be a useful tool to help them.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that academic institutions and teachers play an
extremely important role in education. Firstly, students are likely to be encouraged to
participate in such physical classes which were conducted by well-trained mentors.
These experienced teachers instruct lessons face to face and therefore children can
absorb knowledge comprehensively. Secondly, schools which have been equipped
with sufficient facilities will facilitate kids to understand the lessons perfectly. For
instance, science that is an abstract subject for most pupils can be understandable by
experiment periods in the school laboratory. Lastly, by attending academic classes,
students can interact with tutors who directly explain them difficult points in the
lessons. Moreover, those classes stimulate children to fulfill their home assignments
and lead them to comprehend the subjects fully.
Having taken the issue into consideration, I once again affirm that providing
computers and internet can benefit school children in rural areas. However,
supplying academic classes and teachers is a crucial solution to help them access to
education.
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 SAMPLE
Many people say that we have developed into a “throw-away” culture because
241so many plastic bags and rubbish that we
we are filling up our environment with
cannot fully dispose of. To what extent do you agree with this opinion and what
measures can you recommend reducing this problem?
It is believed that many people have the habit of disposing plastic bags and rubbish
without considering environmental issues it may cause/result in/lead to. In my opinion,
I do totally agree with this idea and intend to propose some possible solutions to deal
with the problem.
There are a number of reasons why the environment has become increasingly
polluted/contaminated with an excessive amount of waste. First of all, as the
explosion of population, needs for daily life have demanded a huge amount of goods,
therefore the enormous quantity of garbage has emerged subsequently. Furthermore,
people tend to send “unwanted” things to second-hand shops or just simply throw
them into trash cans whenever they purchase new products. This largely contributes a
significant volume of rubbish to the environment. Last but not least, food processing
companies have deliberately packaged goods by single- use-only containers which
could not be recycled; accordingly, these bags have remained intact in piles of waste.
However, I contend such problems can be solved by the effort of both individuals and
the government. The primary measure would be maintaining people’s habit of
segregating organic waste material and un-biodegradable ones. Simultaneously,
manufacturers try to recycle reusable materials such as glass, waste metal, plastic and
so forth to utilize them in other industries. Such procedures are likely to reduce the
waste load to the environment significantly. The other tactics would be government’s
implementation plans to encourage people in protecting the environment by
considering the way to reuse and repair their old items instead of throwing them away
and purchasing new ones.
Having taken the issue into account, I once again affirm that we have been
producing waste materials more than ever before. However, the proposed
integrated solutions could be offered to tackle the problem.
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In some countries, the governmentsSAMPLE
encourage industries and businesses to move
out from large cities to regional242
areas. Do you think that the advantages
outweigh disadvantages?
Decentralization of industries and businesses out of city centers has been encouraged
by the government in some countries. Despite raising concern on low development in
infrastructure in suburban areas, the benefits of utilizing low land cost and reducing air
pollution far outweigh any drawbacks.
Main concerns of relocation to suburban are the low development in infrastructure and
the increase in transportation and communication cost. Firstly, infrastructure such as
sewage, water, and electricity system is not as developed or stable as those in the city
center, creating regular power cut-off, communication breakdown, which would, in
turn, increase the production cost. Secondly, if other suppliers and business-related
partners are still located in the city center, the transportation cost ought to be
increased due to the long distance of travel and limitation on highways and roads. For
instance, a report conducted by Beijing government in 2010 shows that low
development in infrastructure for manufacturing had increased the cost of production
by 20%. Knowing the impact of these problems, the government ought to give tax
redemption and major subsidies to encourage the relocation.
The primary benefit of relocation is taking the pressure off high pollution (level)
from the city center. In other words, the presence of factories in the city center
contributes significantly to the air pollution through it carbon dioxide and waste
emission, threatening the health of citizens. In 2005, General Health Institution in
Beijing conducted a study and it reveals that more than 300,000 of people die each
year from air pollution alone. It comes from the fact that many mass- produced
factories of cellphones and electronics had increased the number of metals in the
environment, causing toxic to living in soil, animals, and humans.
Carbon dioxide, particles, and heavier metals are released into the environment and
they are very detrimental to the health of citizens. Therefore, the relocation ought to
be carried out in order to alleviate these problems.
In conclusion, I am of the opinion that the benefits of relocating industrial companies
in reducing air pollution outweigh its disadvantages.
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Some people believe that to protectSAMPLE
local culture, tourism should be banned in some
areas whereas others think that the243
change is inevitable and banning tourism will
have no benefit.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Some would argue that tourism is threatening the survival of local culture, so it should
be restricted in some places, while others believe we should not blame tourism for
the changes that always happen inevitably. While banning tourism is a quick and easy
solution to protect local culture, I believe that properly managing and controlling
tourism industry would help to promote and enrich the local culture.
On the one hand, tourism brings about negative environmental and social impacts on
the host community. Firstly, foreigners’ behaviors can have detrimental effects on the
cultural values of locals. For example, activities which are related to drug addiction,
alcohol problem, prostitution, and crime often occur in the host community when
interacting with tourists, infringing and erasing cultural values of the local community.
Secondly, tourism poses high threats to cultural resources when mass construction of
hotels and resorts is carried on nearby the temples, historical or heritage sites,
destroying local habitats. However, I believe these problems can be solved if the
government imposes proper laws and control on tourism.
On the other hand, some people are against the idea of blaming tourism alone for the
detrimental factor to local culture. Their view is that the way of life is always
changing regardless of the presence of tourists. People always urge to learn new
things, to share and to integrate to the rest of the world. If they are obsessed with the
new world and highly disregard their local culture, they will, without any doubt, lose
their identity and their own culture during the interaction of the world. I believe
tourism may help in this situation by promoting and enriching local culture. Tourism
encourages the preservation of traditional customs, festivals that might otherwise
have been forgotten. While interacting with tourists, locals are more aware of their
rich cultures and create a better understanding of their origin and identity.
To conclude, allowing tourism to promote local culture is preferred as it helps to
preserve cultural values of the host community. However/nevertheless, tourism

243
should be controlled so that it will not impose threats to the local culture.
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 SAMPLE
Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What
245
factors are important in achieving happiness?
It is true that happiness plays an important role in our lives and it is different from one
to another. In my opinion, there is a wide range of reasons about this complex
definition and there is a plenty of elements to help humans obtain happiness.
The most effective line of reasoning about this definition is that happiness is an
abstract concept. Therefore, each person has his own different happiness in each
period of life. Since people live in different situations, they are affected by different
factors, namely living environment, family, friend, relationship and even knowledge,
so each of us has a different awareness of what happiness is. For example, with
patients, their happiness means that they can soon recover from the diseases, come
back to their homes with healthy bodies. With students, their happiness could be
scholarship, as they want to receive the awards of school in order for their families
to be proud of them, and their friends will admire their achievements.
At the same time, there is a variety of factors to get happiness. Firstly, it is
perseverance. That means people need to keep their beliefs in order to go to the end
of the road. As in order to obtain the achievement, people must suffer lots of
challenges so when overcoming the difficulties, they understand the value of
happiness. Secondly, people need to learn how to give deference to others, especially
in the family relationship. For example, husband and wife should know how to listen
and share the difficult problems at work; hence, when they release the stress, they
will feel comfortable and happy.
In conclusion, it seems to me that happiness is an indispensable element in
humans’ lives. Therefore, in order to get happiness, people need to become
optimistic in all situation.
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Fewer and fewer people walk on a SAMPLE
daily basis. What are the reasons and how to
encourage them to spend their time246
walking?
Nowadays, it is argued by some people that there are decreasingly effective
motivations for people to form a habit of walking regularly. There are various
contributing factors making this kind/sort/type of exercise less prevalent, however,
essential measures can be implemented to have a stimulating effect on the reluctance
of the public to walk.
There are a number of compelling reasons why people fail to follow a tendency of
walking on a regular basis. When taking up walking, people have to face up to a
challenge in terms of time length, which acts as a deterrent, especially when they are
in a hurry. For instance, as a part of the contemporary world, many parents have
become over-reliant on cars to pick up their children at schools instead of walking.
Furthermore, this situation is mostly attributable to the laziness of those who are out of
condition and have a sedentary lifestyle. Infrastructures such as lifts and escalators in
building or shopping offices, for example, are ubiquitous and thus people increase the
dependence on such technologies, rather than walkingto keep in shape.
Nevertheless, increasing the popularity of walking on a daily basis is the
responsibility of both national and local authorities. Firstly, the appropriate solution
that should be a focus on the agenda of international bodies would be to impose
restrictions on the use of escalators, in particular, in the low-rise buildings. As a
result, the use of stairs should be obligatory, with lift only for disabled people.
Secondly, improving and introducing the construction of infrastructures such as
pavements and pedestrian areas must be the alternative government priority. Indeed,
more walkways and trees could provide relief from rain and sun so as to gain an
improved quality of life.
In conclusion, although many people downplay the importance of walking, with
planning and initiatives it would be impossible to underestimate this form of exercise.
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 SAMPLE
Leaders and directors in an organization are normally older people. Some
people think younger leaders would247
be better. Do you agree or disagree?
People have different views about whether young people or the elderly is more suitable
for the important position in organizations. While I agree that the elderly have
accumulated significantly vital qualities, I would agree that youngsters are more likely
to become better leaders.
On the one hand, the elderly can be a good leader for some reasons. Firstly, because
the elder people have worked for many years, they have gathered more experience
than young workers. This allows them to make a wiser decision and bring success for
the company where they work. Secondly, the old people usually be more respected by
other people. Therefore, they can have a more powerful voice in the company, and
the others are more likely to listen to them.
On the other hand, I believe that it is better for young individuals to take up crucial
position. The first reason is that young people are physically stronger, so they can
handle big responsibilities and involve many works. Becoming a leader requires
everyone work with much pressure, and the elderly are less likely to do it.
Furthermore, youngsters are more creative, they are more like to find the newer and
better improvement that benefits the entire organization. For example, a young manager
can come up with an advertising strategy for a product line, and this contributes to
increasing the sale of a company.
In conclusion, while I agree that the elder people can be a good leader of an
organization, I would believe that vital positions should be given to youngsters.
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 SAMPLE
People try new dangerous sports such as sky-diving or rock climbing. Should such
sports be banned? 248
When it comes to playing sports, many people opt for/ people choose to play
extreme sports such as sky-diving or rock climbing. As these activities contain great
risks, there is a raising question of whether they should be prohibited. In my opinion,
extreme sports athletes should be able to decide for themselves without the
interference of authoritative figures.
People are drawn to taking up dangerous sports based on two main reasons. One of
them is the feeling of overcoming their fear and the pleasures that extreme sports
bring. For example, if one is afraid of height, sky-diving could be a great opportunity
for one to challenge oneself and conquer his fear, while enjoying the picturesque
landscape from above. Additionally, there are certain people who participate in risky
sports, so as to feel the adrenaline rushing in their bodies, establishing a sense of
self-fulfillment. Furthermore, these sports have become increasingly popular, as they
are not only physically demanding and bound to put people in good shape, but also
enable people to approach a vigorous lifestyle in a more exciting manner. Those who
aim to get fit without the dread of working out solely in a boring gym choose extreme
sports to enhance their training experience. For instance, rock climbing allows one to
strengthen his upper-body strength and enjoy the beauty of nature at the same time,
hitting two birds with one stone.
On the other hand, such sports hold many risks for those who take them up, raising
concern from society. These athletes could injure themselves because of not strictly
following the rules of the sport or merely by accident. Regardless of the reasons, I
reckon they are fully aware of the possibilities of hurting themselves before deciding
to practice extreme sports and should be responsible for their own choice.
On the whole, I strongly believe that preventing people from enjoying the benefits of
dangerous sports due to the risks of getting injured is unjustifiable. People ought to be
free to choose whether they should get involved in extreme sports.
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The only way to improve the safety SAMPLE
on your own road is to have stricter
249
punishment for driving offenders. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that stricter punishment for losing control on road is the only method to
keep safe. While I accept that this may suit some situations, I believe that education
has long-term effect/ effects on a long period.
On the one hand, it is true that having a stricter punishment and increasing the
penalties for irresponsible drivers would reduce traffic accidents and improve road
safety. One reason is that a rule plays an important part in guaranteeing to deter
drivers from unlawful behaviour. Being offered a sentence allows them to focus on
owned line, reduce dangerous situations and avoid causing a traffic jam. Furthermore,
being deprived driver’s license is one of the worst things for inhabitants, because
private vehicles are top-priority to keep their works on time. If this thing happens, it
will cut down the level of job performance.
On the other hand, education has more particular benefits to build a safe environment
on road. Firstly, through teaching, valuable lessons contribute to a better social
awareness when people move on the street. It shows that terrible consequences have
negative effects on the life. For example, getting a drunk before driving cars, fast
speed will lead to injuries for pedestrians. Secondly, wrong attitude and routine
driving on road are hard to change although the government proposes some stricter
punishments, so schools ought to provide education about traffic for all people.
Furthermore, rich nations should also create a real accident models to attract people’s
attention.
In conclusion, it is true that law can be important to reduce careless drivers; I believe
that education is the main key to solve this problem.
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It is generally believed that someSAMPLE
people are born with certain talents, for
250are not. However, it is sometimes claimed
instance for sport or music, and others
that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Nowadays, there are many disputes about abilities of people. Some people think that
children have certain capacities when they are born while others say a child can be
good at something if they are taught. Personally, I believe that whether people
already have talents or not, hard practicing can make them professional.
It is unquestionable that some people are born with certain talents, which are
advantages for them to develop better than others. In fact, musical prodigies naturally
have abilities to feel melody that they can sing a song exactly after the first time
listening. For example, a seven-year-old kid can play fluently one difficult piece of
music while he does not have any knowledge about music previously. Moreover,
people having talents in sport are often born with fast physical response, substantial
body and endurance. For instance, basketball athletes are usually tall so that they can
play easier than the short ones.
On the other hand, children can be taught to become a good sports person or musician
because it is generally believed that practice makes perfect. Obviously, normal people
will become a good musician if they learn and practice hard. For example, a kid can
sing beautifully when he sings hundred times. In addition, children may also be good at
sport if they receive sufficient knowledge such as the special techniques as well as
skills. Take football, for example, learning how to control the ball with confidence
may help kids to be good players.
In conclusion, it is lucky for people who are born with certain talent as they have
beneficial basic to develop. However, effort and practice are also brilliant ways to
be professions.
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 SAMPLE 1
In recent years, more and more people are choosing to read e-books rather than
paper books.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this trend?
MODEL ESSAY 1:
It is true that nowadays many people prefer reading books online to buying traditional
ones. While I accept that e-books may have some drawbacks, I believe that they are
more likely to have positive influences.
On the one hand, it has been scientifically proven that this type of reading experience
may bring about a number of health concerns. Staring at digital screens for a prolonged
period of time would certainly cause eyestrains, headaches, and blurry vision and its
long-term effects could be even worse. Furthermore, books can be easily shared in
digital forms compared to paper ones. This could directly affect the rights of the
authors and publishers, leading to decrease in the sale of books.
However, I would argue that these drawbacks are outweighed by their benefits.
Firstly, reading and buying books online can be time-saving and convenient. Now,
there is no need to wander from one store to another in search of a book when we can
simply find and pay for them through virtual banks and enjoy reading immediately.
Secondly, online books offer much lower prices compared to paper books, meaning
that readers can buy books they love and still have more money for other things.
Digital books also have positive impacts on the environment. The more digital books
people read, the fewer paper books are produced, which means many trees would be
saved from being cut down.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the advantages of e-books are more significant than
the possible drawbacks.
249 words MODEL
ESSAY 2:
It is commonly believed that taking a job in an international company is the most
effective way to learn nation’s ways of life. While I agree with this perspective,

256
my view is that there are numerous choices to comprehend various foreignlifestyles.
To begin with, being an employee in global corporations does help him/her perceive
distinctive cultures. One clear reason for this is the interaction with people from
different backgrounds as well as learning how to behave properly with others. For
instance, not only does a member have to know how to perform in an appropriate
manner towards the others from diverse overseas countries, he/she also gets the
opportunity to encounter various lifestyles owing to regular communication and
relation with others.
In spite of the aforementioned points, there are also several good approaches to
comprehend the cultural beauty of other nations. First and foremost, living with local
people is especially beneficial when someone wants to learn about other lifestyles.
While this may take a lot of time and costly in some cases, people will eventually
have a thorough understanding of foreign moral values. Secondly, Enrolling in social
activities is also a possible way for one to attempt. For instance, participating in
Japanese holidays will help foreign people perceive Japanese tradition as well as
cultural significance. Even though these activities do not occur regularly throughout a
year, people from overseas countries will have ideal chances to observe and
understand local people’s way of life.
To conclude, it is certainly true that the apprehension of the foreign ways of life can
be obtained by working in worldwide corporations, but this is by no means the
optimal ways to understand other cultures.
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 SAMPLE
Nowadays, more and more people decide to have children later in their life. What
are the reasons? Do the advantages 258
of this outweigh the disadvantages?
In recent years, the decision of young parents to start a family later in life has been
becoming increasingly popular. There are a number of reasons behind this point of
view and this tendency results in several negative impacts on both family life and
society as a whole.
On the one hand, there are two main factors leading to this trend. First of all, rather
than embarking their parenthood early, most of the young people consider building
their own successful careers as their top priorities. They do not need to split their
limited time between working and bringing up their offspring.
Therefore, their performance at work and promotion prospect will not be negatively
affected. Secondly, delaying giving childbirth allows people to enjoy their time with
personal choices and freedom. It may give them countless opportunities to have richer
sociable lives or even travel around the world.
On the other hand, deciding to start a family at the later stage in life has several
significant consequences in term of both individual families and community. An
important concern for family life having to raise a child/for family life with children
is likely to be a huge challenge for older parents. It seems not to be easy for the parent
to communicate, be related to their child due to a generation gap even though they may
have stable socioeconomic status or great experiences and knowledge. Besides, getting
pregnant after 35 years of age may carry a certain number of health risks for both
mothers and babies. Specifically, older mothers get the higher danger of miscarriage or
stillbirth and babies might be at greater risk of having Down’s syndrome.
Consequently, the quality of the future workforce is being seriously impacted.
In conclusion, the increasingly popular trend of giving birth later in life results from
several factors. Eventually/Subsequently, there could have significant influences on
both family life and society at large.
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New technologies have changed theSAMPLE
way children spend their free time. Do the
259
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
The technology revolution has massively influenced the way children spend their
leisure time. While some people believe this is a negative trend, I would agree with
those who argue this brings more benefits than drawbacks.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that advanced technologies have some certain
negative impacts on pupils. Firstly, modern technologies might contribute to making
children so addicted to them that such important duties such as learning are not
prioritized. For instance, several schoolboys in Vietnam skip classes to play online
games. Secondly, spending hours on sitting in front of and keeping eyes glued to the
screens will result in sedentary lifestyle, which will give rise to the likelihood of
suffering from diseases such as obesity, eyes-relating diseases.
On the other hand, I would argue that thanks to modern technologies, children have
more opportunities to broaden their knowledge as well as keep in contact with their
peers. One reason is that there are a variety of TV programmes or games which have
not only served for entertainment purposes but also provided a world of knowledge
and information. Thus, discerning parents would choose channels like Discovery or
games like Math games so that their children could learn about wildlife or enhance
their Math skills. Another reason is that innovative technologies such as social
networking sites, message services have revolutionized communication, helping
children keep in touch with their friends more conveniently. If students want to discuss
with their classmates about lessons in school, they just need apps like Skype to send
instant messages or video calls.
In conclusion, I would restate that although there still remain problems with state- in-
the-art technologies, they are making children’s free time more enjoyable and
beneficial, provided that they are used properly.
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In some countries, more parents areSAMPLE
educating their children at home instead of
sending them to school. Do you 260think the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages?
It is true that home-schooling has gained enormous popularity among parents.
Although several benefits of this tendency could be seen, I would argue that these
advantages are eclipsed by considerable drawbacks.
On the one hand, home study presents inevitable merits for children. First of all, they
are entitled to a full parental support in terms of mental and physical development. It
is due to the fact that young individuals, who stay at home with their parents, are of
the healthy living environment which could be seen as an excellent setting for the
formation of their characteristics and knowledge at their early ages. Secondly, home
is a safer place to avoid unpredictable incidents, car accidents while travelling back
and forth every day or school bullying for instance. As a matter of fact, school
bullying is a serious problem in many countries whose victims might (have to) suffer
from mental illnesses such as constant depression or even autism.
On the other hand, I believe that the aforementioned positive influences could be
outweighed by the following demerits. To start with, since children only stay at
home with their parents, the lack of chances to communicate with friends and teachers
eventually leads to the deterioration in social interaction. As a result, it highly limits
not only their social life but also their communication and interpersonal skills which
could hinder their future career paths. More importantly, parents are not well-trained
specialists in educating children compared to teachers and other staff who have
thorough insights into every stage of human learning. This is to say that they could
give inadequate orientations and guidelines for their offspring, which adversely
affects on children overall development.
In conclusion, even though it is beneficial to educate children at home to some
extent, it seems to me that the mentioned downsides are of more/greater
significance and should be taken into account.
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Some people think that good health SAMPLE
is a basic human need and the medical service
should not be run by profit-making 261companies. Do disadvantages outweigh
advantages? Give your opinion.
It is true that nowadays there is an increasing number of privately-operated
healthcare services besides public agencies. While there exist several drawbacks to
the services of these private-owned firms, I believe they are eclipsed by the
substantial benefits.
On the one hand, it is understandable why people disapprove of medical treatment
provided by profit-makers. The key rationale is attributed to the expensive equipment
used in these hospitals or clinics along with the exorbitant prices that patients have to
cover. Additionally, due to the major aim of maximizing profits, these firms may raise
the costs of their services such as prescription fees or surgery prices. This may act as
a contributor to the inaccessibility to medical care of people who live under the
poverty line, which prevents them from receiving the most effective cure. For example,
the USA is a typical example of an excessively unfair and inaccessible healthcare due
to the privatization of such factor.
Meanwhile, the UK offers a National Health Service that delivers universal
healthcare.
On the other hand, notwithstanding the aforementioned disadvantages, I would argue
that private healthcare is still an optimal choice for people. The foremost reason is a
large number of experienced practitioners working in these companies. In order to
gain profits, these hospitals also need to boost their service quality to attract more
customers. They spend a flood of funding on taking on veteran doctors and surgeons
aiming to prove patients with excellent services. Furthermore, the cleanliness of
medical services and the generous capacity of these companies are the reasons why
they are quite popular among people despite the high costs. Hong Ngoc hospital in
Hanoi perfectly exemplifies this choice of patients. Compared to some public
hospitals with the overloading and the poor sanitation, this hospital offers a wide
range of sickrooms which are sterilized daily and a number of considerate staffs,
which is equivalent to the costs.
In conclusion, while the demerits attached to private medical services are definite, I
believe with the number of seasoned doctors and the adequate cleanliness, these
hospitals still have more merits than the negative ones.

261
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 SAMPLE
In some cultures, the old age is more valued, while in some cultures youth is more
valued. 263
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
People have different views about the values embraced/upheld by the old
generation’s culture and youth culture. Some consider that the elderly plays an
important role in the society and vice versa. In my opinion, despite the
differentiation of age, both generations make an essential contribution to human
civilization.
First of all, the old population has an integral part to play in the build-up of a well-
rounded society. It is undeniable that old people have a wealth of real-life
experiences and deep wisdom as they have lived through situations others cannot
imagine. Also, such precious expertise enables them to give careful consideration and
avoid a variety of mistakes. Therefore, they often perform as consultants and
leaders in organizations or decision-makers in their families. Furthermore, in spite of
the limitation of physical health, they always desire to support both their families and
the society as a whole. To be precise, old individuals frequently take care of their
grandchildren at home and participate in many/a wide range of charity activities as
volunteers or donors.
On the other hand, young adults are essential parts of our world as they are
regarded as the future backbone of social development. Firstly, they are the
primary labor forces that create the majority of material and spiritual products
because of their excellent physical and mental health condition. Moreover, this
group of age is rich in creation, curiosity, and motivation that promote novel
discoveries and innovations both fostering economic and social advancement. Last
but not least, the young generation is also the main reproduction force that assures
the sustainable development of human beings.
With the reasoning mentioned above, I would like to conclude that all people who live
in our society have their own value whatever generation they belong to/regardless of
the generation they belong to/are identified with.
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Teachers used to convey information, SAMPLE
but now with wide resources of information,
264for teachers to play in modern education,
some people think that there is no role
others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that with a wide variety of information resources available,
teachers’ role is eliminated in modern education. While I understand that students
nowadays can resort to a diverse range of learning methods, I believe that teachers
still play an important part in students’ road to knowledge.
On the one hand, there are a number of reasons to argue/claim that teachers’ role is
currently mitigated in students’ learning process. One of the primary causes is that the
explosion of information technology has offered learners new ways of education. By
learning from different educational websites, applications, and online courses,
students are increasingly reducing their reliance on teachers and traditional
classrooms. Furthermore, in terms of traditional education, with a considerable
number of paper books having been published in recent years, there is an abundance
of learning materials for students. This results in a lot of individuals opting for self –
learning as well as other trendy educational methods such as homeschooling and non-
academic pathways/vocational courses.
On the other hand, I would argue that teachers still take the lead in students’
educational pursuit in various ways. Firstly, in the matrix of information being
produced, it is likely that students who are not equipped with information searching
and selection skills will be confused. In such cases, the teacher would play the role of
an instructor and guide to help students in acquiring relevant knowledge. Secondly,
with numerous methods of learning, teachers can utilize diverse online tools to
transfer their knowledge and skills to their targeted learners. A good example is
massive open online courses, in which teachers digitalize their syllabuses and
publish them on the internet in order to provide distance learning for students of all
ages and classes. Finally, encouragement and guidance from educators are always
crucial in learners’ studying process.
Therefore, instead of merely conveying information to students, teachers in the modern
world are helping to improve students’ academic achievements more creatively.
In conclusion, while it is true that students no longer depend on their teachers as before,
this is by no means the termination of teachers’ responsibility in modern

264
education.
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There are many different types ofSAMPLE
music in the world today. Why do we need
music? Is the traditional music of a 266
country more important than the international
music that is heard everywhere nowadays?
Various types of music have been made increasingly worldwide and accessible in
recent years. It is an undeniable fact that music is virtually indispensable to our lives
for a number of reasons. However, whether it is traditional or international, both
music genres/kinds are strongly believed to play certain integral parts in today
society.
The role of music in human lives is comparatively direct and pivotal. Firstly, it is
completely clear that music prevents negative and unwanted feelings in many aspects
of life. For example, those who often get strained or troubled at work might usually
use music to help them ease their minds. Secondly, music plays a vital and huge part in
terms of festivals, events, and performances. Without music, a show could be
considered extremely unfulfilled and dried due to the lack of sounds and symphonies.
Therefore, music can be concluded to have giant impacts on the general public. For
example, music has connected people all around the world as a sign of unity. The One
Love Manchester concert by Ariana Grande in collaboration with a number of A-list
stars has shown an unprecedented power of music in healing and empowering people
to stand strong after the tragic terrorist attack in Manchester.
Nevertheless, traditional and international music have recently been compared and
judged as to which more valuable/effectual/important. Although both music types are
preferred and listened to the same extent, each one shares different characters and
styles. The country type is considered to be more conventional and usually played in
traditional or local shows and events. Yet, absorbing international music can help
people integrate and become more updated to friends living in other parts of the
globe.
All in all, the fact that music is growing more and more favoured is, by all means, a
positive development because of its practical benefits. Also, it is convinced that
traditional and international music to some extent completes each other.
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Recent research has shown that SAMPLE
within the European Union the largest
267and women exists in the UK. Many equal
difference between the earnings of men
rights campaigners believe that immediate action should be taken to close the
gender pay gap.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Researchers have recently revealed that within the European Union, the UK has the
greatest gender pay gap. Supporters of the equal rights movement urge people to take
action to eliminate this difference in income between males and females, whereas
others object this sudden change. This essay discusses both sides of the debate,
followed by my personal opinion.
Advocates of equal earnings of men and women base their arguments on two main
reasons. To commence, the closing of the gender pay gap will encourage female labor
and benefit the economy as a whole. As women feel like their work is valued, they
are bound to increase their productivity and dedication, resulting in better quality
human resources for corporations and ultimately stimulating the growth of the
economy. Moreover, the increase in the number of financially independent women also
reduces poverty, minimizing the burden on the budget of the nation. Furthermore, by
taking actions to narrow the gender pay gap, one is promoting social justice, which is
essential for the development of the community. For instance, a female has a passion
for astronomy, a male dominant field can now feel welcomed to join and contribute her
talent to our world. Although few people are aware, the person who wrote the coding
for spaceships that took humans to the moon was a woman,
providing/offering/establish a compelling evidence for why social justice is crucial
for the progress of mankind.
However, opponents of paying women equal wage insist that it is challenging to
immediately close the gender pay gap. Firstly, such sudden change in economic
infrastructure could put a strain on the country’s resources, leading to/causing the
reduction in workforce. This could cause protests and unwanted controversies.
Additionally, rewarding males and females equally could lead to the neglect of
children. Since women are more motivated to pursue their career, their children would
receive much less attention, which is disadvantageous to their upbringing.
In conclusion, I agree with the advocates for closing the gender pay gap, as by
doing so, not only females, but our entire society benefits on various aspects.

267
However, the process of paying women and men equally should be carried out
moderately to avoid unnecessary difficulties.
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 SAMPLE
It is right that top sports people should be paid a lot of money. To what extent do
you agree or disagree? 269
The question whether (or not) investors should pay high salaries for top athletes has
recently drawn much public attention. From my perspective, I support that it is
legitimate to pay less money for these people.
Such telephone figure salaries earned by sports stars could be a wonderful resource
of finance for satisfying human basic needs. Firstly, such expenditure is more
reasonable to be spent on social welfare schemes to help people from
disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, In China, footballers are paid with a
huge amount of money. If this amount is subsidized to eradicate hunger and alleviate
poverty, it can eliminate domestic famine and contagion from its root. Secondly, if
investors use this expenditure on scientific researches, it could generate huge
benefits for the survival of humans.
Advocates of the idea that sports stars play an integral role in our society may
believe some celebrities in sports sector exert strong positive influences on the
behavioural patterns of young generations. However, the reverence for celebrities may
trigger/provoke arguments among fans, which causes some arguments, which causes
irritation for the locals and challenges for authorities to maintain social security. For a
prime example, the arguments between the fans of Messi and Ronaldo, two of the most
notorious footballers of all time, in which they often use swear words can even be the
culprit of some heinous crimes.
In conclusion, while some people believe sports stars deserve to get high salaries due
to their pivotal role to the young generations in this era, I strongly oppose this idea
because of the aforementioned reasons.
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 SAMPLE
It is important for all towns and cities to have large public spaces such as squares
and parks. Do you agree or disagree270with this statement?
It is argued that public spaces such as squares and parks are necessary infrastructure
for all cities. From my personal perspective, it is crucial to ensure such facilities
available to the public in any region.
Firstly, urban citizens have to deal with busy and stressful lives nowadays. Moreover,
noise pollution in cities is a serious problem, which will definitely lead to
deterioration in people’s mental and physical health. By having large public spaces,
people can improve their physical fitness, beginning with jogging and cycling every
morning. Besides, a combination of a moment of quietness and a place of fresh air is
useful for relaxation, which is a perfect escape from the hustling and bustling part of
city life.
In addition, such public spaces also help people build strong relationships with their
friends or families. For example, after a long and hard-working week, people usually
spend time at parks chatting and camping with their loved ones. Furthermore, parks
are places which many gatherings and celebrations take place. As a result, people will
have countless opportunities to take part in diversified conversations and group
physical activities. If this happens, people will be offered/provided with to form new
relationships with people. Because of a similar interest, ideas can be easily spread
and bonds can be smoothly formed among them. Finally, outdoor public spaces make
a city or town happier and more liveable. As a matter of fact, all cities nowadays are
in the lack of such public places. Governments frequently force the public to use the
land for commercialization. They are not aware that/are not conscious of the fact that
it is public space that cements every community and eventually molds the whole city
into a healthy and strong organism.
To conclude, I do believe that governments should make greater investments in large
public spaces.
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Nowadays animal experiments are SAMPLE
widely used to develop new medicines and to
test the safety of other products.271
Some people argue that these experiments
should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while
others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.
During the development of medicines and other products, many test on animals were
carried out. Some people think that these experiments make the animals suffer and
should be prohibited, while others support them because of the benefits they brought.
In my opinion, reducing these tests to the lowest possible amount is the best solution.
Medicines or any products that affect human’s health must be tested clinically before
publishing them to the market or hospital. Since theoretical researches are different
from the practical ones and their results are also not enough to ensure the safety of the
drug when it is applied to human; therefore, testing on animals is required. Due to the
matching of body structure and reaction, we may detect any dangers that theoretical
researchs have missed and have proper modifies on the product. After all, the highest
priority should be the health of the people who use the products.
Though sacrifices are required, there are people that cannot bear seeing a huge
amount of animals suffering and dying in those experiments. It is understandable, for
them, these creatures deserve the right to live and die naturally, without being tortured
by some chemical substances that human create. There are a few things the scientist
can do to relieve this concern: limiting the number of experiments, giving anesthetics,
tranquilizers to reduce the painful moment and showing respect to the sacrifices of
those animals for science, or in other words, for the sake of humanity.
People should understand that testing on animals is a necessary phase for a product to
be used by humans that cannot be banned, meanwhile, the scientist also have to find
the most suitable research to minimize the number of animal experiments.
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Some people believe that it is good SAMPLE
to share as much information as possible in
scientific research, business and the272
academic world. Others believe that some
information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
One of the most controversial questions today is whether the contents of documents
about science, business or academy should be granted or it should be limited because
of their preciousness. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both
points of view and then give my own opinion on the issue.
On one side of the argument, there are people who argue that the benefits of sharing
that kind of information considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for
believing this is that being well known by the general public who might apply them to
different fields makes those researches more practical. It is also possible to say that
sharing them can contribute to the development of society because others are likely to
create a new invention or strategy based on knowledge of those works. One good
illustration of this is university seniors who write a thesis in their fourth year. They
normally read information from prestigious researches to find ideas for their own
thesis.
On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that
in fact, some information is so priceless that its sharing has to be controlled. People
often have this opinion because it is a good way to show respect to the owners,
anyone who wants to apply their works has to ask for permission. A second point is
that secrets are acutely important in some cases. A particularly good example here is
in business. If the companies reveal their strategy, it will have a detrimental impact
on them such as increasing competition with their opponents.
In my opinion, both propositions/assertions have their merits. On balance, however,
I tend to believe that sharing is better. Therefore, other people can give comments or
contribute to making the origins more perfect.
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 SAMPLE
Many students have to study subjects which they do not like. Some people think
273
this is a complete waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?
It is sometimes argued that educational institutions are wasting time when teaching
students compulsory academic subjects in which they have little or no interest.
While I understand that mandatory disciplines may be associated with several
disadvantages, I personally believe that they are usually more beneficial in various
ways.
On the one hand, there are a number of reasons why people argue against forcing
students to study undesirable subjects. One explanation for that is if a student
expresses no enthusiasm or talent in an academic subject, he/she is unlikely to
progress in this field of studies. Instead of spending a considerable amount of time to
improve his/her score in his unfavorable subjects, that student could focus on
acquiring relevant knowledge in the areas that he is genuinely fascinated by. In
addition, some academic subjects are proven to have little practical use in later
stages of life. For example, advanced physics or chemistry which are compulsory
modules in a number of high school syllabuses are rarely applied in an adult’s life
unless his profession relates to these subjects.
On the other hand, my view is that students could benefit from studying the subjects
that they initially are not in favour of. Firstly, a subject which seems to be unpleasant to
handle is possibly useful for a student’s future life. For example, it is unquestionable
that common knowledge in mathematics generally plays a necessary role in people’s
daily routine, despite the fact that a significant number of students struggle during
math classes. Secondly, in this constantly changing modern world, having profound
knowledge and skills in various fields will reinforce one’s advantages in the job
market and secure better employment afterward. Therefore, a student is advised to not
only study in depth but also broaden his knowledge in a wide range of subjects to
become a well – rounded person and prepare himself for the severely competitive
world.
In conclusion, I believe that although students may find difficulties in studying subjects
they do not like, it is necessary to include common knowledge of various disciplines
into the educational curriculum.
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Animal rights’ protesters strongly SAMPLEbelieve that any form of animal
experimentation is not only cruel 274 and inhumane but also immoral. Scientists,
however, believe that it is justified when used to develop new medicines, which
benefit the lives of humans.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Advocates of animal rights argue against experimenting on animals, as it is heartless
and brutal, whereas scientists assert that animal experimentation is justifiable if used
to produce medicines that improve the healthcare industry. This essay will discuss
both views, followed by my humble opinion.
Protesters of the anti-animal testing movement base their argument on moral reasons.
To commence, it is cruel to keep wild animals in captivity and deprive them of
contact with their peers. Common experimental creatures such as rabbits, monkeys,
and rats are conditioned to the laboratory environment. They live alone in small cages
with little space to move around and are not exposed to natural sunlight and left in
hunger, all to serve the purpose of experimentation.
Furthermore, it is absolutely inhumane to perform dangerous testing on these
creatures. For one successful medicine, there are over a hundred lives of rodents
affected. These laboratory mice are either dead, suffer from severe deformation, or
are released back into their natural habitats. However, only a few released mice
lived, as they lack survival skills due to a long period of time in captivity.
On the other hand, scientists insist that it is reasonable to sacrifice these animals’ lives
to develop new antidotes for humans. Firstly, supporters of animal experimentation
claim that rodents are under the risks of overpopulation.
Therefore, it is acceptable to use some of them to perform testing on. Researchers
have shown that there is an abundant number of mice and rabbits, and therefore, by
injecting them with new drugs, they are actually helping to maintain the balance in the
ecosystem. Secondly, as proponents of animal testing consider men’s lives superior to
other beings, they find it fair to take advantage of less intelligent creatures for
scientific purposes. Because of mankind’s high position in the food chain, they
maintain that it is quite natural to use these animals for their own benefits. Moreover,
as experimentation on animals helps tremendously with the medical industry and
ensures safety and better health for human, it is simply logical to sacrifice these
creatures.

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In conclusion, I agree that testing on animals is inadvisable because of its cruelty.
However, in case of absolute necessity, researchers should be allowed to select
some creatures that are already in bad shape to assist them with the development of a
new cure.
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Many countries use fossil fuels suchSAMPLE
as coal or oil as the main sources of energy.
However, in some countries, the276 use of alternative sources of energy is
encouraged. Do you think a positive or negative development?
In recent decades, some countries have been attempting to promote alternative energy
sources in order to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Although I accept that there
are some dangers of this trend, I would argue that the utilization of these sources is an
effective solution for dealing with the energy crisis.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why environmental scientists and activists
believe that being more reliance on alternative energy resources could make some
serious troubles. First, since many countries have been producing nuclear power,
people now have to face the issues of safety and pollution. For example, the
explosion at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan nuclear plant generated a lot of poisonous
and radioactive emissions which not only killed many people but also left a legacy of
cancers deaths for the future. Second, another energy resources, like wind power,
have negative impacts on many different aspects of life. For instance, many local
residents strongly disagree with the construction of wild farms as they come at the
expense of the landscape and the level of noise.
On the other hand, I would argue that it is more beneficial for environmental
protection to use renewable energy sources instead of the burning of fossil fuels
such as coal and oil or gas. First, since green power sources are eco-friendly, there
are no carbon dioxide emissions contaminating the atmosphere. These acts as
incentives for controlling problems of climate change and poor air quality.
Second, the fossil fuels are generally considered to be non-renewable resources
which have limits on supply. As a result, the use of renewable energy such as wind
and solar power will guarantee a boundless supply of energy for a future generation.
In conclusion, although there are safety concerns and other impacts about alternating
traditional energy sources, it seems to me that governments and the public should
support the use of them.
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It is impossible to all help people inSAMPLE
the world, so governments should only focus
on people in their own countries. Do277you agree or disagree?
There is a widespread belief that governments should take care of citizens who live
in their own country rather than the needy people in other countries since it is
impossible to help all people around the world. I completely disagree with this
opinion.
Firstly, thanks to advances in technology, every country could provide international
aids easily and quickly. It is true that the modern means of transportation nowadays
could deliver global assistance to even the most remote areas in the world. Therefore,
the provision of assistance for residents of all countries is not an impossible task
anymore. For example, the immediate assistance of many nations saved thousands of
Thai people from homelessness and starvation as a result of the devastating tsunami in
2008.
Secondly, the governments of nations should give priority to allocating more resources
to support the global community as serious problems happen. This is due to the fact
that assisting citizens living in other countries is synonymous with saving people in the
home country. A good case in this point is in 2014, the US and the UK sent hundreds
of doctors and nurses to African countries to cope with the outbreak of Ebola. As a
result, this charitable action not only saved many African citizens from a dreadful
plague but also prevented the further spreading ofEbola to other nations.
In conclusion, with what I have mentioned above, I strongly believe that besides
focusing on the well-being of their people, governments need to have global
responsibilities since helping other nations also means helping the residents living in
their own countries.
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Some people argue that too much SAMPLE
attention and too many resources are given to
278 To what extent do you agree or disagree?
the protection of wild animals and birds.
It is argued that the conservation of wild animals and birds has attracted much attention
and resources from the public. I strongly disagree with this opinion.
Firstly, the attention that the community has paid to wildlife habitats seems to be
insufficient. It is undeniable that the public nowadays tend to be interested in news
about celebrities and movies rather than wildlife preservation. Thus, in order to meet
the demand and expectation of the majority, the mass media gives priority to
broadcasting TV programmes like romantic films and game shows which have the
attendance of famous people and to ignore wildlife news. Furthermore, the laws
about animal rights, which have been loosely enforced due to the lack of
governments’ attention, is also a contributing factor to the extinction of wild animals
and birds.
Secondly, I believe that allocating more resources to protect wild habitat is not a
waste of money. One reason for this is that the presence of wild animals and birds
make a significant contribution to a balanced ecosystem and the beauty of natural
environment. In fact, there are many tourists attracted by endangered species and this
could help the citizens living nearby the wildlife environment to earn money for
raising their families. Another reason is that people are using various medicines
which are used to cure some serious diseases stemming from substances produced by
wild animals. Therefore, if the animals are gone, there is no chance for humans to
study and produce valuable medicines from us.
In conclusion, with what I have mentioned above, I completely believe that the public
should pay more attention and allocate more budget to protect wild animals due to
benefits they bring to humans’ lives.
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Although more and more people SAMPLE
read news on the internet, newspapers will
279
remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that newspapers are still the major source of news although more and more
people nowadays prefer surfing the Internet for reading news. I strongly disagree with
this opinion.
It is true that newspaper has some drawbacks which could affect its popularity. Firstly,
the process of editing, printing and distributing printed editions is time- consuming,
resulting in the fact that breaking news in the newspapers has been on the Internet for
a while. In fact, following online news could provide people with up-to-the-minute
news as it happens. As a result, readers nowadays tend to rely on the Internet as the
main source of news. Secondly, the cost is also a contributing factor to the falling
circulation of newspapers. This is due to the fact that in the economic downturn with
the increased unemployment, people prefer reading the freely available newspaper
instead of buying printed version to save their money.
In modern times, thanks to the invention of hi-tech devices such as smartphones and
tablets, people could access the Internet in order to keep up to date with the latest
news around the world in a few seconds. Moreover, the presence of social media like
Facebook and Instagram might help users to interact with the social news while
chatting with their beloved ones. It is common that many online publishers these days
take full advantages of social pages to enhance their public image by sharing online
articles stemming from their websites.
In conclusion, with what I have mentioned above, I completely believe that the
Internet’s advantages could surpass the newspaper to become the major source ofnews.
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 SAMPLE
Being a celebrity – such as a famous film star or sports personality – bring
280think that being a celebrity brings more
problems as well as benefits. Do you
benefits or more problems?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
In recent years, there has been a growing tendency for people to look for being
well-known. In my opinion, this trend could have positive and negative
consequences in equal measure.
Being a famous person can be seen as positive for both personal and broader social
reasons. On the individual level, the activities on showbiz can bring them a reputation
as well as wealth. Their coverage in the movies, TV channels or magazines helps
them earn a great deal of money. These persons/people usually tend to receive a higher
payment than those who have yet to be famous. From the social perspective, it is true
that most celebrities have many good qualities. No successful person makes it to the
top without years of working hard and a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, they will
definitely be a role model for thousands of youngsters.
However, the aforementioned personal and social arguments (given above) can be
considered from the opposite angle. Firstly, in order to stay in public’s eye, many
celebrities are willing to pay for luxurious things that cost an arm and a leg, such as
clothes, cars and so forth. Even there are some people who go bankrupt just because
they do not control their spending, Siu Black singer as an example.
Secondly, famous people’s privacy is very/highly vulnerable. They are always
followed by paparazzi. Their scandals such as marital marriage or revealing clothes
will instantly spread in the tabloid newspapers when they have just happened. This
might adversely/negatively affect younger generations when they usually consider their
idols as a source of inspiration.
In conclusion, being famous will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on
individuals and on the society. Thus, this is, in my view, simultaneously advantageous
and detrimental.
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Stress now is a major problem in SAMPLE
many countries around the world. What are
281 that cause this stress, and how we can
some of the factors in modern society
reduce it?
Stress is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon in our modern society.
People face up the problems which we did not cope with in the past. There are
some main factors which lead to stress and some proposed solutions which can
help.
Firstly, the issue of terrorism that we are constantly confronted with in the media is
one the main factor causing stress. Whether it is real or not, we are led to believe our
lives are constantly danger, when we are be flying on the plan or travelling on the
public transport. Climate change is another worry that everyone has to face. The rise
in temperature could result in not good impacts on our way’s life and our children
too. There are also health issues to be concerned in the past, with the rise in
Alzheimer, diabetes, and stroke to narrow but few. All of these concerns can result in
stress.
Tackling this problem will not be easy but there are measures that can be taken.
Government and media can play their part by ensuring that instead of persistently
bombarding with negative image and information about the world in which we live,
we are given positive story too. Doing exercises regularly is another solution which
can release stress from the exhausted condition. By practicing physical exercise, it can
help to bring more oxygen to your brain and lung; relaxing your mind and the stress
will be removed by this way.
In conclusion, stress is considered as a common problem in our modern society caused
by many reasons such as terrorism, climate change, and strange diseases. Addressing the
problems consequently need the contribution from government, media and each
individual for physical exercise.
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Some universities now offer onlineSAMPLE
courses on the internet so that people can
282 development?
study online. Is this a positive or negative
Online programmes arranged by universities are becoming popular in modern
society. In my view, I believe that this trend is considered beneficial to the
educational system in several aspects.
The main reasons why studying online on some universities’ websites is a positive
trend is that students are able to organize their own timetables which are more
flexible than that of traditional courses. For instance, students can work part-time,
engage in social activities at day and study at night. Therefore, they finish their
bachelor degrees without missing any real-life experience. In addition, online
courses from schools empower people from the third world countries to approach
modern education. With distance learning on the internet, people around the world will
have more opportunities to cultivate knowledge from many prestigious universities
in the industrialized nations.
On the other hand, traditional programs might be outdated in the age of fast- growing
development of technology. The first disadvantage is that students cannot review the
lectures and it is inconvenient and uncomfortable to be dependent on a fixed timetable
every day. Secondly, the traditional method is inefficient in terms of finance. For
example, schools have to pay a considerable amount of money lectors in class
instead of making videos online. Another drawback is that some professors have to
spend much time on lecturing in class instead of researching and doing practical
work to update their courses on the website. Consequently, online programs are
indispensable methods in education.
In conclusion, the progress of studying university courses online is considered the
positive phenomenon and it will play a crucial role in the prosperity of modern
educational system.
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Children who grow up in families SAMPLE
which are short of money are better prepared
283children who are brought up by wealthy
with the problems of adult life than
parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
People have different views on whether children from wealthy (families) or low –
income families would cope better with life challenges. While I understand that a
materially abundant life may offer some advantages, I would argue that being
brought up in poverty-stricken families is usually more beneficial. Very well-
written!
On the one hand, there are a variety of reasons why some people advocate nurturing
children in comfortable environments. One of the essential elements is that children
in wealthy families are undoubtedly provided with better living conditions and
learning materials. With the widely available (re)sources of information, these
children are likely to achieve better academic achievements than their poorer peers.
In addition, children who have prosperous parents often obtain good-quality
childminding and after-school childcare; hence, they are allowed to focus completely
on their studies and enjoy other extra-curriculum activities.
On the other hand, I believe that being brought up in families which are lack of
financial resources would better prepare children for their future. Firstly, junior
members in impoverished families are usually educated about the value of money in
their formative years, as well as learning how to support their parents in earning
money. Therefore, they could engage in diverse activities and be equipped with
various life/soft skills that may be extremely useful in their adult lives, such as
communication (skills) or problem-solving skills. Secondly, if children are given the
chance to interact with the reality from their early stages in life, they could develop
strong personalities to overcome adversity in their adulthood, and thus/thereby
coping better with the competitive world. For example, a child that grew up in a
working-class family and since my childhood I have been cultivating/ cultivated
valuable virtues of life like responsibility, endurance, and diligence, which helps me
a great deal in leading my adult life.
In conclusion, while it is true that children growing up in wealthy families benefit in
some ways, this is by no means that they can be better prepared for life’s challenges
than children whose childhood suffers from poverty.

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The society would benefit from aSAMPLE
ban on all forms of advertising because it
serves no useful purpose, and can285
even be damaging. However, others argue
that there are still some advantages of adverts. Discuss both views and give
your opinion?
It is widely argued that every type of promotion should be prohibited owing to its
impractical intention and even detrimental effect on society as opposed to others
who believe that marketing still brings in some good outcomes. In the following
paragraphs, I will discuss both positions before declaring a personal stance.
To begin with, it is unquestionable that some kinds of commercial might not be
beneficial and probably provoke unnecessary losses to the community. These adverts
tend to cause controversies among members of the society as well as unwanted
violence in some cases. For instance, there are a number of sexist adverts which
encourage some male members to treat women with disrespect and contempt. Not
only do these adverts raise scorching issues about female discrimination, they also
lead to the increase in domestic aggression.
Despite the aforementioned points, my personal perspective is that society can
achieve many gains from marketing provided that the contents are thoroughly
considered before publicizing. First and foremost, there are adverts which send
profound and meaningful messages to society such as British’s Christmas marketing.
In spite of the main purpose of these adverts being to promote Christmas products,
they also convey significant ideas which are sharing love towards others. Secondly,
conservative organizations often appear on publicity. Their focus is raising
awareness of people about endangered species and warning of natural habitat
destruction leading to detrimental effects on the environment. This results in less
harmful substances emitted to the environment caused by industry companies due to
protests made by members of society with the aim to protect animals and their living
habitat.
To conclude, my view is many kinds of marketing can be completely profitable for
society if only the content of these adverts is carefully deliberated before
publicizing.
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Some people that it is best to live SAMPLE
in the horizontal city while others think of a
vertical city. Discuss both views and286
give your opinion.
In terms of accommodation, many people prefer to settle in a horizontal city while
others opt for a vertical one. Although there is evidence on the benefits of cities with
low buildings, I believe living in ones with high constructions is a better choice.
On the one hand, the reasons why a horizontal city is viewed as a suitable
arrangement are varied. Firstly, low buildings provide accommodation for people
with low income. Since residents do not have to pay much for building services such
as maintaining or repairing, the expenses of living in separate houses are more
affordable than incorporated apartments. Secondly, living in low constructions is
considered a safe option. When emergencies occur, the survival rate in low buildings
is always higher and there is also less damage than in high constructions since it is
easier to escape as well as to be rescued when living close to the ground.
On the other hand, it seems to me that dwelling in the city with skyscrapers is the best
choice. The first reason is that high buildings always bring about better living
conditions. They are well-decorated, more modern, more convenient and luxurious
services are also offered. Furthermore, there is a multitude of different forms of
entertainment provided in tall constructions including shopping center, game center,
cinema or gym. Another advantage of skyscrapers is that there will be more space
for public usage owing to the reduction of lands used for residential areas, which
results in the availability of other facilities such as hospitals or schools.
In conclusion, while living in a horizontal city are undeniably beneficial in some
extent, I would argue that the advantages of a vertical city are even greater, which
makes it a better place to live.
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International tourism is now moreSAMPLE
common than ever before. Some feel that this
is a positive trend, while others do 287
not.
What are your opinions on this?
It is true that nowadays transnational travel is becoming progressively more
affordable, which has driven the growth of tourism industry. While there exist
several drawbacks from the upsurge in global travels, I believe they are outweighed
by the substantial benefits.
The potential impacts of this trend on individual countries are definite. The foremost
repercussion is that the environment would be exacerbated. Tourists are more likely
to litter in some resorts, which may contribute to air pollution, water contamination
and land degradation. The construction of tourist amenities such as hotels and
restaurants also deprive wild animals of natural habitats, which places them at risk.
Moreover, differences in social background and cultural values may make the
discrepancy of foreigners and locals on some issues more indelible. For example,
Arabians often consider westerners their foes and their divergence seem to be
inherent; therefore, they may show hostility against visitors from these countries.
However, the benefits/virtues/assets from a growing number of international tourists
far outweigh the aforementioned demerits/weak aspects. First of all, both the locals
and the state where global tourism is popular are economically motivated. It opens
up opportunities for business development throughout the world especially tourism
companies. A lot of jobs would be generated, which would help improve the living
standards of the citizens. This is mostly beneficial for underdeveloped countries
where people are struggling to earn a living. For example, Thailand, a previously
impoverished country, has managed to alleviate its poverty by focusing on tourism.
In conclusion, the contraction in international travel has brought a wealth of
significant benefits to the natives, rather than some drawbacks including
environmental effects and hostile attitudes towards visitors from locals.
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 SAMPLE
The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by
almost 20% in the last ten years. 288
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.
There is an alarming increase in overweight children in western countries in the last
ten with a high rate of 20%. This essay will discuss that unhealthy eating habit is the
main cause of the problem and that leads to our children suffering from obesity and
other health-related problems.
Poor diet is the primary cause of overweight in children. In the western world where
parents are living a hectic life, preparing healthy meals for their children seems
impractical as it takes more time to cook and it really costs more. That results in the
popularity of fast food and junk food in the society such as McDonald, KFC and
Pizza Hut which locate almost every corner of the street, selling food with a high
level of trans fats and soft drink with a great amount of sugar. According to a
stunning report of the Childhood Overweight Association in the U.S, American
children only consume about 10% of the calories from fast food, the remaining 90%
of calories remain in their bodies. Good but the task requires to show causes, not
cause
Overweight children often lead to obesity. Children with obesity are facing an
elevated risk of a broad range of diseases from blood pressure to heart-related
diseases and even mental problems. According to a report published by the National
Academy of Health showed that overweight and obese children are four times more
likely to have heart disease than their normal-weight counterparts. Furthermore, they
are often bullied by friends and suffering from social isolation which results in higher
levels of stress hormones, of self-esteem and of depression in their childhood. Ok,
concise and fully acquire the task
To conclude, western countries experienced the fast growth in the number of
overweight children. Poor diet with predominant fast food is the main cause of this
worrying trend and it immensely impacts children’s physical and mental health.
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Some people think that all universitySAMPLE
students should study whatever they like.
Others believe that they should only 289be allowed to study subjects that will be
useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Some people argue that students should choose kinds of subjects as they prefer;
however, others believe that they should study subjects suitable for their future
purpose. I personally agree with the idea of choosing useful subjects to support
their future.
On the one hand, students should be allowed to study whatever they are interested
in/keen on from a range of academic disciplines. Firstly, every single student has
different strong points so they can study subjects which are suitable with their
characteristics and hobbies. Some students, for example, are easily sensitive with music
and sound of instruments so that they may be good at musical perspective.
Additionally, if universities set a frame of disciplines, students may not expose all of
their abilities as well as talents. Secondly, the tuition fee is paid by students so they
should have the authorities to decide what they will study.
On the other hand, it seems to me that choosing useful subjects will support young
generations more. Students can reach their future target as fast as possible if they only
study useful subjects for their future. For instance, if students want to be a researcher,
some subjects related to science and technology should support their career. From a
personal point of view, studying a number of useful subjects will cover the gap of
knowledge and occupation’s skills; as a result, students with high qualification are more
likely to find a job with an extremely high salary.
Moreover, companies or organizations always favor someone who in-depth
knowledge in his/her has chosen field so that graduate students should focus on useful
subjects to create their priority.
In conclusion, to a certain point, I would agree that students should study useful
subjects to contribute to their success in the future.
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The unlimited use of cars maySAMPLEcause many problems. What are those
290
problems? In order to reduce the problems, should we discourage people to use
cars?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience.
Cars, nowadays, can be considered as one of the most common means of
transportation in our modern society thanks to their convenience, comfort, and
flexibility. The increase in the use of cars, however, may lead to many serious
problems for our living environment and human health. The following content will go
into details and propose some possible solutions to these problems.
The use of too many cars can lead to serious traffic congestion problem. This may
result in wasting a lot of time spending on cars and even lose energy without creating
any value. The dire consequence is many other activities can be postponed by
properly organizing time. Another problem that should be counted is the effect on
human health. The emission and fume exhaust from using car make our living
environment polluted with carbon dioxide gas and other pollutants which can be
considered as the most common factors causing health problems such as a cough, a
sore throat, and our respiration system.
Discouraging people to use cars is one of the effective solutions for this issue. The
government can apply some regulations which help to reduce the number of cars
used by apply high tax and fee to using and relevant services for cars. The
government can encourage people to use public transportations by doing investment
in the modern and comfortable facility and then apply supported price to residents.
This would help people enjoy travelling around by public transportation instead of
using cars.
In conclusion, the unlimited using cars can lead to serious problems such as traffic
congestion and our health. Tackling these problems needs the support from
government to apply a high tax of owing car regulation and investing in public
transportation with an affordable price so that encourage people using them.
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Advertisements are becoming moreSAMPLE
and more common in everyday life. Is it
a positive or negative development?
291
In the competition of businesses, the figure of advertisements has been rising
continuously to encourage consumers to use their products and services. In my point
of view, advertising manipulates customer’s choices significantly in a dishonest way.
To safeguard buyers, governments should take responsibilities for performing
advertisement law as well as raising awareness for purchasers.
With regard to advertising manipulation, advertisers intentionally make their adverts
be impeccable with their imagination and functions. Firstly, many companies
generally make their commercials look infrequently similar to the real products
bought by purchasers. Secondly, advertisers attempt to hide how bad their products
and services are for clients. For instance, many noodle brands make their adverts be
attractive with various spices or nutritious foods such as shrimp, chicken, and egg.
Adversely, there is the only noodle with a little spice in their products. Moreover,
they deliberately show up the best aspects so viewers probably pay no attention to the
harm of their noodle.
In terms of measures, government performs an essential service to protect clients
from being negatively influenced by advertisements. Therefore, they should initiate
by enforcing a statute which regulates advertising activities. Subsequently, they have
to ensure advertisers compliance with the law as well as give adequate punishment to
violation party. Additionally, authorities should administer necessary measures to
enhance knowledge for citizens to be a wise consumer. If authorities do their
liabilities well, the customers will be protected effectively.
Overall, it is undeniable that advertisements manipulate customers for the sake of
their sale numbers/at the expense of their dishonesty. In order to deter clients from
being influenced by them, the government needs to pay more attention to execute
laws and broaden citizen’s horizon in this area.
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It is generally believed that some SAMPLE
people are born with certain talents, for
instance for sport or music, and292 others are not. However, it is sometimes
claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or
musician. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
It is widely argued that there are innately gifted musicians or sportsmen as opposed
to others who can never excel in sports and music even if being trained from the
early stage of their lives. While each view has its own reasons, I personally believe
that excellence in sports or music requires both inborn talents and serious training.
To begin with, there are a certain number of individuals who possess special talents
since they are born. These people are endowed with incredible abilities which bring
about significant advantages in sports and arts. While a layman may desperately
struggle to compose a simple song or to learn how to swim, gifted people are able to
learn to perform a particular skill in an extremely short amount of time.
Consequently, they could produce outstanding results in these areas and the road to
victory would be more widely opened to them than to normal people. However, it is
unquestionable that any child can be taught to practice arts and sports to a certain
extent. That is perhaps one of the reasons why a large number of countries make
these disciplines compulsory in their teaching curricula. With intense training and
practice, children would be allowed to develop their artistic or sports skills later in
life.
Apart from the aforementioned points, I would argue that no genius can last/can be
retained without practice. On the one hand, some people may possess special talents
since they are born. Nonetheless, without a suitable environment or proper training, it
is likely that their talents will remain hidden for the rest of their lives. On the other
hand, people without talents can only learn to be proficient but not excellent, hence
they cannot be taught to become outstanding artists or sportsmen despite professional
training or restless effort.
In conclusion, my view is that not every child can be trained to become excellent
artists or sportsmen, but gifted people also need training and practice to be
successful in their areas.
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 SAMPLE
In a number of countries, some people think that it is necessary to spend a large
sum of money on constructing new293railway lines for very fast trains between the
cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public
transport.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
In many countries, people argue about how governments should utilize their budgets
on transportation areas. Some people think that governments should invest a huge
amount of money for construction of new railway lines for express trains between
the cities, while others believe that improving existing public transport is more
important. In my opinion, governments should proportionally allocate their budgets
for both projects as both of them are equally important to the development and
advancement of the countries’ economy and people’s lives.
On the one hand, it is understandable if some people think that people should expand
express railways between the cities rather than existing public transport. Firstly, it is
obvious that when a country has extensive fast train networks connecting its cities, it
will positively affect logistic costs as well as dramatically reduce delivery times and
as a result, the price of many products would be much cheaper. Secondly, the
number of passengers travel nationwide will increase significantly due to the
convenience of these fast and safe transportation systems. These factors will help to
boost the development of the nations, in term of both economy and tourism. Finally,
the development gaps between the cities will also be narrowed as many
manufacturers may relocate their factories to satellite cities in order to utilize cheap
labour and land costs. Hence, express railways will be the future of transportation
and investment in it is the better choice of any government.
On the other hand, other people believe that it is important to improve and maintain
the existing public transport. With the governments’ investment into the mass
transportation facilities, many outstanding issues could be successfully solved. For
example, traffic jams will be reduced, resulting in people spend less time and cost for
transportation. In addition, as the public transportation system becomes more
convenient and safer, it will encourage more people to use these means of
transportation and will gradually reduce the number of private cars. As a consequence,
it will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution as well.

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In conclusion, I personally believe that the governments’ spending on high-speed
railway networks and existing public transport are both essential to the development
of the nations and the enhancement of people’s lives. Without one another, these
development and enhancement will be incomplete.
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Caring for children is important SAMPLE
in any society. Some people believe that all
parents should be required to take295childcare courses, while others believe that
there are other ways for parents to learn how to take care of their children.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
How to look after children has been a heated topic of concern in modern society.
While some think parents should go to attend parenting classes, I am firm of the
opinion that parents are able to learn how to properly raise their own child in several
other ways.
On the one hand, there are some certain benefits for parents to take childcare
courses. Firstly, since parents are taught by well-trained experts, they are fully
equipped with valuable knowledge and information. Besides, they also have the
opportunities to practice essential caring skills such as changing diapers or calming
their babies down. If parents do not take part in childcare courses, they might find it
difficult to face these situations. Secondly, when taking part in course, parents also
have a chance to meet other parents. This could help them exchange realistic
information and give useful advice to each other.
On the other hand, I strongly believe parents can learn how to bring up their children
from other sources. The first valuable source is from grandparents who already have
much practical experience. It would be easier and more convenient to learn from
their loved ones anytime during the day. Additionally, since another useful source is
the Internet, parents could learn knowledge from websites or online books. For
instance, Vietnamese parents could surf websites such as lamchame.com that contain
a reservoir of knowledge about raising children. Consequently, parents are able to
have access to various information from different authors, which helps them
compare and select the most suitable method for their children.
To conclude, although enrolling in parenting class is beneficial for parents to some
extent, I would argue that it is a better option to learn how to take care of their
children from other sources.
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People who live in foreign countriesSAMPLE
should follow the traditions and customs. To
296
what extent do you agree or disagree.
When entering other countries, expatriates have to think thoroughly whether they
should stick to their motherland’s culture or try their utmost to lead the same
lifestyles as the locals. While the adjustment to new customs is of paramount
importance to those people, I still believe their traditional values should also be
maintained.
On the one hand, it is understandable why some people subscribe to the view that
immigrants should conform to cultural norms of the countries they relocate in. Such
adaptation would help them easily integrate into new society as well as getting on
well with other people in the neighborhood. For example, a person who complies with
traditional concepts of another country would successfully assimilate into the
community, making good impressions on his or her neighbors. By contrast, if he or
she does not follow basic local rules, it is more likely that the person will receive
negligence from the others or feels a sense of isolation.
On the other hand, expatriates should also preserve their cultural practices which are
imprinted profoundly in their mind. These sets of beliefs and behaviors are taught to
them for an extended period of time since their birth; therefore, it is difficult for
those to change some certain attitudes. For instance, when a Vietnamese family
moves to the US, they will find sex discussion in the public inappropriate and
embarrassing because such topics should be shared privately. Moreover, several
conventional values can disappear if its natives are exposed to foreign cultures on
daily basis. This can potentially lead to the loss of cultural identity among certain
groups.
In conclusion, while it is highly beneficial for people to live in harmonious alliance
with the locals, they should also follow their own long-standing conventions.
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 SAMPLE
Advances in technology and automation have reduced the need for manual
labour. (opinion) Therefore, working297
hours should be reduced.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The outstanding development in technology and automation have created a
significant social revolution, moved some industries away from labor-intensive
status. Hence, the demand for manual labor is decreasing, leading to the cutback of
working hours. While I accept that reducing working hours is quite reasonable, I
believe that this may lead to some matters of employment.
On the one hand, the technological advances and computerization enable employees
to do more works/ accomplish more tasks and enhance productivity. As a result, they
create more value per hour compared to the past and perform work efficiently. For
example, in the past, workers had to work manually in 16 hours per day to maintain
production efficiency. However, nowadays, this is no longer the case thanks to the
machinery advances. Reducing working hours seems logical to me because it helps
employees to have more free time to spend with their family to establish a healthy
professional and personal life balance.
On the other hand, shorter working time may have long-term concerned impacts.
Fewer working time would presumably mean less income which may result in
feelings of anxiety or frustration and have side-effect for society as a whole. For
instance, along with the development of automation technology, the cleaning staff is
likely to be then replaced by an automatic cleaning system and this may cause these
people to be unemployed.
In conclusion, it is certainly true that the cutback of working hours should be
implemented due to advances in mechanization but this may impact on some
employees in the long-term employment market.
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In some countries, an increasing SAMPLE
number of people are suffering from health
problems as a result of eating too 298
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?
People tend to spend much time at work and have little time to come home for a
proper meal with their families. Fast foods appear ideal for them to maintain their
energy to keep on working through these are not truly healthy foods. Some people
believe that government should regulate this food industry by imposing a higher tax
on the business on this type of food in order to restrict its potential harm. However, I
absolutely disagree with this opinion.
To start with, fast food could not completely be considered as drug or tobacco. The
reason for this is because the latter is used for leisure and they themselves are the
products that can make the users end up becoming addictive. Meanwhile, people
have fast foods because they do not have enough time to prepare a lunch or dinner in
their own kitchens. They are all likely to have other choices of what and where to eat
provided that they could help them to save time.
Second, fast food or junk foods are considered unhealthy due to the ways to process
them. Instead of imposing a higher tax on the outlet owners, the government should
have programmes that encourage producers and cooks to alter their methods of
cooking. For example, the frying process could be replaced by steaming. More
vegetable or fruits could be added to the food items so that they become more
nutritious. This solution might take much time to be implemented but it is not quite
impossible.
The final way for the government to tackle the issue could be that they should have
more campaign to boost citizens to exercise. Cardiovascular, obese or diabetes could
be of genetic or age or other reasons apart from merely having junk foods. Only
when people work out regularly are they able to prevent evitable health problems.
My cousin who eats hamburgers, spaghetti and pizzas virtually every other day is not
only fine in heath but also in body shape just because he plays badminton three times
a week.
In conclusion, a certain legal action is taken by the government to mitigate public
opinion on fast foods is deservedly applauded. I think, however, imposing a higher
tax on fast-food producers and outlet owners could not be the most

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reasonable way to be engaged.
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Prison is the common way in most SAMPLE
countries to solve the problem of crime.
However, a more effective solution300
is to provide people a better education. Do
you agree or disagree?
It is obvious that the popularity of prison sentences acts as an important way to
control illegal actions, while the improvements in education have been considered as a
means to eliminate the crime problems from its root. In my opinion, I strongly believe
that both approaches are necessary to tackle the issue of offence.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why imprisonment policy is of
indispensable necessity for citizens’ safety. Firstly, prisons are the place to keep
people who have broken the law, which ensures social security. Especially, in terms
of organized and premeditated crimes, cold-blooded murderers and serial rapists
have to be imprisoned for their heinous actions. Furthermore, severe prison
sentences can act as a deterrent against offences. Understanding deeply of
consequences of committing crimes such as getting caught or condemned to jail,
which also means losing freedom and living a miserable life in a cell, ones who are
having the intention of offending illegalities would reconsider what is really worthy
to do.
On the other hand, education serves as a remedy for the origin of crimes. Education
contributes greatly to raise people’s both awareness and intellect and to form a
civilized society. With full access to a better educational system, citizens would be
well-informed about the damages that crimes would cause to their community and
themselves, which eventually leads to the decrease in crime rate. Additionally, people
armed with professional or vocational qualifications through fundamental education
could secure their lives because it might be much easier for them to find a job with a
stable salary. As a result, this would dispel any ideas of breaking the law.
In conclusion, I believe that there is no absolute solution to the question whether
prison sentences or well-rounded education would take the dominant role in dealing
with crimes as they both tackle the problem in different ways.
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Some people believe that studying SAMPLE
at a university or college is the best route to a
301that it is better to get a job straight after
successful career, while others believe
school.
Discuss both views.
After graduating from high school, students have to choose between seeking a job and
pursuing higher education. Some people think that continuing to study at a university
or college is the best way to develop the career path, whereas the opponents suppose
that getting straight to work is more beneficial.
On the one hand, there are several benefits to start working early. Firstly, if the
young have a job immediately after leaving high school, they will be able to earn
money and financially support themselves. Subsequently, they become mature
enough to live independently and do what they want without being influenced by
their parents or others. Secondly, working environment provides great opportunities
for the students to gain valuable experience and skills, which considerably contribute
to their future success. Finally, gradually taking early steps in professional
development may lead young people to their stable lives. For example, school leavers
who work hard to get promotions and work their way up to the career ladder are more
likely to afford a house, settle down and build their own family very soon.
On the other hand, it is important to approach higher-level education after finishing
high school programme. First, there is a wide diversity of jobs in the modern life and
many of them require academic qualifications, which can be obtained in the
scholastic environment only. In addition, the job market has become more and more
competitive and big employers tend to search for highly qualified candidates for job
positions in their companies. As a result, people graduated from university or college
will have greater chances to be selected by high-ranking recruiters. Such advantage
enables them to work for big corporations which offer higher salary level as well as
extremely satisfying perks.
In conclusion, it seems evident that both choosing to work after finishing high school
and seeking further study each have their own unique advantages.
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Some people believe the governmentSAMPLE
should spend money on building train and
302 Others think that building more and
subway lines to reduce traffic congestion.
wider roads is the better way to reduce traffic congestion. Discuss both views
and give your opinion.
To ease traffic congestion, whether the expenditure should be spent on constructing
railway and subway networks to enhance the efficiency of road systems remains a
source of controversy. However, I would personally stand with this solution instead of
expanding the existing roads.
On the one hand, the authority should improve road systems by building more and
broader roads in order to deal with traffic congestion. Firstly, since cars are likely to
be the most viable mean of daily transport, roads should be able to bear the
increasing number of cars. The more cars are used, the worse congestion problems
are. Because of this, there is no doubt that improving the road system is an obvious
way to solve the issue. In addition, it would be more convenient for commuters to
travel by roads because they are directly connected to destinations without stopping
at any station.
On the other hand, I would argue that building train and subway systems are the
better methods to cope with traffic congestion. Firstly, the fact that commuters using
personal cars often travel alone leads to inefficient use of car and road space,
whereas just one train is able to carry hundreds of passengers simultaneously.
Apparently, train and subway networks would contribute to saving more traffic space
thus reducing traffic congestion. Moreover, there is no doubt that travelling by
public transport system such as train and subway lines would help protect the
environment since those means of transport emit much less carbondioxide than cars.
In conclusion, I would restate that if government prioritizes building train and
subway lines instead of constructing more and wider roads, traffic congestion would
be reduced more efficiently.
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Nuclear energy is better than SAMPLE
other energy resources in meeting ever-
303extend to you agree or disagree?
increasing needs of the globe. To what
People have different views about the role of nuclear power stations in supplying the
energy for the growing demands of the whole world. While I am totally convinced
about the importance of nuclear energy, I am against the viewpoint/advocate that this
source of energy is far advantages than other energyresources.
On the one hand, I understand why many people prefer building more and more
nuclear power stations to supply the human energy needs. It is clear that nuclear
power is a sustainable energy resource. It can be used to produce electricity without
wasting natural resources such as coal, oil or gas. Moreover, these natural resources
are running out due to the higher demands of humans. As a result, many people
consider nuclear power being a future energy for the advanced developments of
humans. Another reason is that nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel
power stations. By using the nuclear resource, we can reduce carbon emissions that
cause global warming.
On the other hand, nuclear power has its disadvantages, which make it impossible to
replace totally other energy resources. The most obvious concern is the safety of
building nuclear power stations. Operating nuclear manufactories requires enormous
advanced technologies and strict procedures to ensure no leaking radioactive
material. If a small incident happened, it would cause a tremendous tragedy. For
instance, several years ago, there was a problem occurring in a nuclear plant in
Japan. This incident damaged the lives of thousand people and surrounding areas.
This problem makes people concern of living nearby nuclear power stations and
question about the safety of nuclear resource in comparison with solar, wind or water
power.
In conclusion, although nuclear power plays a significant role, this resource should
be used along with other forms of energy to provide sustainable developments for
humans.
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The widespread use of the InternetSAMPLE
gives people more freedom at home instead
of going to work or college. Do 304you think its advantages outweigh the
disadvantages?
The recent computer development has resulted in the burgeoning number of people
working at home and students learning through the Internet. This is definitely
positive in some particular aspects.
The enhancement of technology can be considered as an effective measure to deal
with the lack of employment. It is a driving force for people to operate their own
businesses online which can generate a larger income. For example, Vietnamese
people are witnessing a dramatically growing number of online sales pages such as
Tiki or Lazada which earn telephone figure profits per year. This improvement leads
us to a distinctively new era of economics/market in which highly unemployment
incidence is no longer a tough and urgent problem for governments. Therefore, the
development of computer technology is for sure necessary and beneficial from this
point of view.
This aforementioned development also fosters the self-learning competence of
undergraduates. Firstly, people now are granted access to a huge storage of
rewarding knowledge which is especially helpful and relevant to their studies at
school. Wikipedia, for a prime example, is used for researching information in such
terms of history, geography or chemistry by a vast number of students around the
world. Secondly, social networks such as Facebook and Instagram which are an
advance of technology in recent years have empowered students to contact with each
other and together cope with hard exercises regardless of the geographic adversities.
In this way of learning, students have golden opportunities to boost their personal
teamwork capacity. Therefore, the lack of teachers is no longer animportant issue.
In conclusion, from available justifications, this essay further reinforces the author’s
personal advocate for the increasing/rising merit of technology to both education and
the working environment in recent years. However, it has to be conceded that the
limited aspects of the wide application of technology should be taken into careful
account to prevent any possible undesirable consequence.
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The subjects and lesson contentsSAMPLE
are decided by the authorities such as the
government. Some people argue that 305teachers should make the choice. What are
the pros and cons of each method, give some solutions?
It is widely argued that teachers should take the lead in deciding the disciplines and
lesson content in lieu of the government. Each option has various benefits and
drawbacks, and steps can be taken to tackle the problem.
There are several reasons for the authoritative bodies to take control of the school
curriculum. Firstly, the education system of the whole region or country could be
standardized consistently. When the government designs syllabus/course of studies,
they can monitor and audit the nation’s teaching quality uncomplicatedly. Secondly,
by centralizing the textbook compilation process, the government can support to
relieve this burden from schools and teachers. In this case, teachers will be enabled
to primarily focus on delivering lessons/academic knowledge of best quality.
However, it may be more beneficial for students if teachers are allowed to choose
what to teach. One reason is that teachers are the ones who understand their students’
needs and interests, hence they would come up with the most suitable teaching
approaches. Another reason is that students in different social groups, ethnics or
regions would undoubtedly possess various characteristics. Therefore, it would be
ineffective to apply one single curriculum to all students nationwide as a whole.
However, several measures could be taken by the government and educational
institutions to tackle this issue. One simple solution would be a combined teaching
program with the compulsory subjects designed by the government in accompany
with several optional disciplines decided by teachers. In addition, in order to
have/offer flexible curriculums that are applicable to students from different
backgrounds and geographic areas, teachers should be encouraged to revise and
complement the lesson content to a certain extent. This does not only generate more
interests to in the students but can also help to keep the curriculum up to date.
In conclusion, it is clear that each method has a number of advantages and
disadvantages, and solutions should be made to propose an appropriate decision.
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 SAMPLE
It is suggested that everyone wants to have a car, a television and a fridge. Do
306for society outweigh the advantages?
the disadvantages of this development
Nowadays, most people would like to have a car, a television and a fridge. While
some people believe this is a positive development, I would agree with those who
think this trend brings more disadvantages than advantages.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that those pieces of equipment are beneficial in
certain ways. Firstly, they make humans’ life more convenient. To be more precise,
while fridges provide a favourable environment to keep food fresh longer,
televisions entertain people through various programmes such as films, variety
shows, and cars which are armed with various facilities such as comfortable seats,
CD players contribute to enhancing travel experience of their users. Secondly,
people might be motivated to work harder to afford those advanced technologies so
that the productivity will be boosted; thus, the economywill also be improved.
On the one hand, I would argue that the drawbacks of this trend outweigh the
benefits. The main reason is that this might lead to a sedentary lifestyle, where
people gradually turn into couch potatoes, spending most of their leisure time lying
in front of TV’s screen while eating snacks from the fridge. Although those habits
might relieve adults stress, people having this unhealthy way of living are at high risk
of suffering from such dangerous diseases as heart attack, diabetes. Moreover, if
humans rely on cars too much, the carbon footprint produced by cars will soar.
Apparently, the more cars are used, the more severe air pollution is. To sum up, the
dependence on cars, fridges, and televisions might be detrimental for not only
humans’ health but also the environment.
In conclusion, I would restate that although those pieces of equipment have some
benefits, it would not be discerning to the desire for them.
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Many employees may work at home SAMPLE
with the modern technology. Some people
307 not the employers. Is it a negative or
claim that it can benefit only the workers,
positive development?
In the modern world, with the help of technology advancement, there is an increasing
number of employees who are allowed to work from home. While there are several
drawbacks to organizations which offer remote jobs, I would argue that this prevalent
movement usually offers more advantages.
On the one hand, working from home is unattractive to some business bodies and
individuals for several reasons. One of the primary concerns is that this trend may
cause some difficulties in evaluating employee’s productivity. In some particular
types of business, it is remarkably challenging for managers to measure their
members’ performance if they are not able to directly supervise staff’s activities.
Furthermore, remote workers generally do not engage in many face-to-face
interactions and group activities, leading to the lack of teamwork spirit, and reducing
the sense of connection with their colleagues and companies.
On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons why working at home is extremely
pervasive nowadays. Firstly, it could help employees to save a great deal of time and
expenses involving commuting to work. With flexible working hours, they would
obtain better work/life balance and feel more fulfilled professionally. Secondly,
working from home generates a suitable environment for better concentration,
resulting in higher levels of outcome and service. Finally, organizations who offer
remote jobs also have minimal office areas and decreased operation costs, which in
turn benefit the businesses themselves.
In conclusion, it seems evident that working from home is a positive development for
both employers and employees who adopt this innovative change.
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