Sample writing task 2 Q3 2023

Writing Sample Vol.1 by Writing machine Thành Nguyễn (8.5 overall, 8.5 Writing nhiều lần), Master Trainer The English Coach cho khóa Advanced Writing nức tiếng lò luyện 8.0+ Writing. Bộ sample gồm hơn 60 bài mẫu gồm cả writing task 1 và writing task 2.

SAMPLE TASK 1

Question 1

Actual answer IDP 9998

The bar chart compares how much money five organizations gave to developing nations annually between 2008 and 2011

Overall, there were distinct trends in the financial support provided by the examined organizations While Organization 2 markedly increased its assistance to economically disadvantaged countries, Organization 5 kept cutting back on its subsidies The funding allocated by the other organizations fluctuated by varying degrees It

is also clear that Organization 2 exceeded Organization 3 to claim the first spot for the latter half of the period Organizations 2 and 3 were the ones that subsidized developing countries the most throughout the period In the first two years, the latter topped the chart, giving $1.5 billion in 2008 and around $1.8 billion in 2009 to less developed nations These figures were around $200 million higher than the corresponding numbers for Organization 2 However, in the latter half of the timeframe, financial aid coming from Organization 2 far surpassed that from Organization 3, as the former surged to around $2.4 billion in 2010 and further to $2.6 billion at the end Organization 3, in contrast, had reduced its support to $1.4 billion by 2010, and this was followed by a slight recovery that brought its number back to its initial level

It is noticeable that the funding pattern of Organization 5 stood in stark contrast to that of Organization 2 Initially, Organization 5 allocated roughly $1.2 billion to supporting developing nations Yet, this figure had dwindled steeply to only $0.4 billion by 2011, representing a threefold overall decline, which is the most pronounced change rate in the chart Regarding Organization 1, at first, it provided the lowest financial assistance at approximately $0.6 billion However, shortly thereafter, it overtook Organizations 4 and 5 to claim the third place, with its aid package soaring to nearly $1 billion in 2009, followed by a slight decline to $0.7 billion at the end

Finally, except for the year 2008, Organization 4 consistently displayed the lowest figures Commencing at

$700 million, the amount of money that this organization gave to developing countries had halved by 2009 and further declined to $250 million by the end of the period, despite a recovery in 2010

Word count: 363 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 2

The pie charts compare the production of different kinds of energy in France in the years 1995 and 2005 Overall, there were slight increases in the production of energy coming from coal and natural gas, whereas that from petrol dwindled significantly This was a tradeoff for the growing popularity of nuclear and alternative energy sources Despite this, France was heavily reliant on fossil fuels in both years surveyed

Regarding fossil fuels, in 1995, the contributions of coal, gas, and petrol to energy production were almost even, with each accounting for roughly 30% of the total By 2005, there had been increases, albeit rather negligible, in the exploitation of the former two energy sources, whereas petrol's contribution had shrunk by a third, settling at 19.55% Despite these changes, the pecking order remained the same: coal led the way, trailed closely by gas, with petrol taking the third spot

The decline in dependence on petrol was counterbalanced by significant upticks in energy derived from nuclear and other, unspecified sources Specifically, the shares of nuclear and other energies almost doubled, rising from 6.4% and 4.9% in 1995 to 10.1% and 9.1% in 2005, respectively Despite showing the most significant growth rates, they remained minor sources in the country surveyed.

Word count: 206 – Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 3

The table below shows population figures for four countries for 2003 and projected figures for 2025 and 2050.

Band 8.5 - Graded by Tony Grace

The table provides demographic information about Argentina, Indonesia, Italy, and the Republic of Korea in

2003, as well as predicting how their populations will have changed by 2025 and 2050.

Overall, if predictions are correct, all countries will see their populations increase, with the exception of Italy, whose numbers will decrease slightly, and Indonesia will remain by far the most populous country throughout Looking first at Indonesia and Argentina, the former had the highest population of nearly 240 million in 2003, whereas that of the latter country was the lowest, at only 34 million By 2050, according to projections, the Indonesian population will have reached 312 million; meanwhile, Argentine resident numbers will experience the greatest growth, doubling to 62 million.

Turning to the other nations, there were 48 million people residing in the Republic of Korea in 2003, and this country’s population is anticipated to increase to 52 million by 2025 and level off there until 2050 In contrast, the Italian population is predicted to observe a slight decline, from 54 million in 2003 to 47 million 22 years later, and this downward trend will likely continue until 2050, at which point this country will reportedly have a population of 45 million.

Word count: 202 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Congo and Nigeria consistently produced significantly higher quantities of oil compared to the other countries The former commenced with the highest figure in the whole chart, at 275,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the latter trailed behind, producing 205,000 bpd Thereafter, however, Congo’s output embarked on a downward trend, bottoming out at 203,000 bpd In contrast, the amount of oil produced in Nigeria, after slight falls between 2001 and 2002, had increased to 213,000 bdp by 2004.

Turning to the remaining nations, they were consistently the smallest producers, despite registering the most pronounced growth rates Specifically, the Somalian oil production expanded tenfold from 5,000 to 50,000 over the period The increase observed in Chad was even more significant Although this country was the only one

to start producing oil in 2003, with a modest 8,000 bpd, its production had rocketed to match Somalia's at

Word count: 225 – Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 5

The line chart shows average attendance at the cinema among various age groups in the

US from 2000 to 2011.

Band 8.5 - Graded by Tony Grace

The line graph illustrates cinema attendance rates of people in four age brackets in the USbetween 2000 and 2011 Overall, all examined age groups showed significant rises inattendance rates, with 15- to 24-year-olds registering the most pronounced increase, and thisgroup also had the highest rates throughout

Looking first at the younger groups, namely the 15-24 and 7-14 ones, the former commencedwith the highest cinema attendance rate of nearly 18%, which was nearly double the figure forchildren aged 7 to 14, at 10% Thereafter, despite slight falls, attendance of the 15-24 agebracket increased significantly, peaking at nearly 60% in 2010, before ending up at slightlyover 50% Following a roughly similar upward trend, the proportion of cinemagoers agedbetween 7 and 14 had tripled to 30% by 2011, after reaching 2009’s peak of roughly 40%.Turning to the other older groups, 25-to 35-year-olds, whose initial figure stood at 5%, sawtheir rate increase steadily until 2007, from which point it fluctuated mildly and eventuallyended up at the same level as the 7-14 age cohort’s Finally, going to movie theaters was byfar the least popular among those aged over 35, although by 2011, attendance of thisdemographic had risen rapidly to about 15%, up from only 2% in the first year surveyed

Word count: 218 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 6

The table presents the prevalence of bicycle usage among the population of a particular town in 2011, grouped

by five age brackets.

Overall, females were more inclined to use bicycles than males across all age segments This difference was most pronounced in the 10-17 age group Furthermore, bicycle usage generally declined with age, though an uptick was observed in the oldest age category.

Looking first at the younger cohorts, children below the age of 9 showed the highest bicycle usage, with just over half of them riding bicycles Among those between 10 and 17 years old, the cycling rate for females was 42.2%, which was about double the figure for their male counterparts, at 24.6%.

Turning to the older groups, 17.1% and 12.3% of women aged 18 to 39 and 40 to 59 were reportedly bike users, outranking men, at only 9.7% and 8%, in that order Interestingly, for those aged 60 and above, bicycle usage saw a minor resurgence: 18.5% of women and 13.2% of men in this age category reported cycling Word count: 180 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 7

The charts below show the number of people in Europe who were affected by four different types of noise by day and by night in cities and rural areas in 2007.

Band 8.5 - Graded by Tony Grace

The bar charts illustrate how many European people in cities and the countryside were impacted by different kinds of noise in the daytime and nighttime in 2007.

Overall, noise levels were higher during the day, and city dwellers were more affected compared to their rural counterparts It is also reported that traffic was the largest source of noise pollution in both examined types of location.

Looking first at the two major noise sources, namely traffic and trains, the former affected 64 million city residents during the day and 48 million at night The numbers being impacted by this noise in rural areas were half as high, at 34 million in the daytime and 24 million at night The disparity between urban and rural demographics was far smaller in terms of train noise pollution Specifically, 10 and 8 million people living in cities were reportedly disturbed by noise from trains in the daytime and at night, respectively, and this was the case for 8 and 6 million rural inhabitants.

Turning to aircraft and industry, noise from flights was a problem for 4 million individuals in cities and 2 million in the countryside in the day These numbers fell significantly by night, both to 1 million Finally, industrial noise impacted more than 1 million city dwellers in a day, while not affecting anyone in rural locations.

Word count: 224 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 8

Band 9 - Graded by Tony Grace

The table outlines the average annual income in various sectors for the year 2004, alongside the percentage change from the previous year, while the pie chart reveals the distribution of graduates across these sectors Overall, the public service sector was the most popular sector for graduates and also the best paid, and the agricultural one paid the least, although it was the second most popular sector Meanwhile, people in wholesale and retail trades saw the highest year-on-year pay rise.

Public services topped the income scale in 2004, providing an average annual income of $92,000, which was a 3.7% increase from the previous year This sector also absorbed the most graduates, constituting 30% of the total Conversely, the sector with the lowest income was agriculture, offering an average income of $40,000, a modest 2.31% increase from 2003 This sector, however, employed a significant 25% of graduates.

The financial sector saw a minimal income increase of 2.9% from 2003, with the average salary being $83,000

in 2004 Despite the high income, this sector accounted for only 5% of the total graduate employment, the lowest among all sectors Meanwhile, manufacturing managed to employ 20% of the graduates, despite having

a much lower average income of $52,000 (a 4% increase from 2003).

In the transportation sector, the average worker earned $81,000 in 2004, representing a 4.5% increase in income compared to 2003 Notwithstanding such a high pay rate, this sector could only attract 10% of the graduates A similar graduate employment rate was seen in the wholesale and retail trade sector, which offered an average income of $77,000, showing by far the highest percentage increase from the previous year at 8.4%.

Word count: 290 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 9

The table illustrates demographic changes across different age cohorts in New Zealand between 2011 and 2012 Overall, while the total population increased, its composition shifted, with a minor decrease in the younger age brackets and an expansion in the senior citizen demographic.

The overall population witnessed a slight uptick of 0.6%, increasing from 4,381,269 in 2011 to 4,410,284 in

2012 This general increase, however, did not manifest uniformly across all age groups.

The most significant change was observed in the senior demographic of 65 and older This age group experienced noticeable growth of 4%, with its size rising from 573,946 to 596,903 Meanwhile, the cohort of 40

to 64-year-olds mirrored the overall population trend, experiencing a modest increase of 0.6% from 1,331,907

to 1,339,898.

In contrast, the younger segments of the population, characterized by those under 15 and within the 15-39 bracket, registered a mild decline of 0.2% each, with the numbers declining from 898,160 to 896,364 and from 1,577,256 to 1,574,102, respectively.

Word count: 182 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 10

Band 8.5 - Graded by Tony Grace

The table illustrates the proportion of first-year students on three different courses who bestowed a 'very good' rating on the various resources provided by their college in three different courses.

Overall, while commerce students were mostly pleased with all resources, economics and law students exhibited more varied approval rates In particular, teaching and tutor services were generally well-received across all courses, while other resources garnered more diverse opinions.

Commerce students generally expressed the highest satisfaction across all resources, with the proportions rating them 'very good' uniformly above 80% These students found teaching and pre-course information most impressive, with 95% positive feedback for both Tutor services were also highly appreciated by 93% of the students, whereas print and other resources garnered slightly lower, yet still substantial, approval rates at 86% and 81% respectively.

In contrast, the satisfaction rates among law students were noticeably lower Their highest appreciation was shown for 'other resources', at 80%, while the teaching aspect of the course saw the lowest approval, at 62% Other aspects, namely pre-course information, tutor services, and print resources were rated 'very good' by between 70% and 76% of the students.

Economics students, while expressing high satisfaction with teaching and tutor services at 95% and 90% respectively, demonstrated less enthusiasm for other areas Pre-course information and other resources were approved by about 60%, while print resources secured an 81% satisfaction rate.

Word count: 228- Written by Thanh Nguyen

Overall, a predominant pattern across all activities and both time periods is the consistently higher participation

in rural areas than urban ones, except for reading in 2010, where the percentages were identical It is also reported that reading was by far the most popular pastime in both years surveyed.

When examining the reading activity, it is evident that the urban and rural figures converged in 2010, at 78%, from initial differences of 61% and 71%, respectively This convergence was a result of a significant increase

in urban readership and a modest growth in rural areas Meanwhile, the pursuit of photography saw a substantial increase, as adult participation rates in urban and rural areas increased markedly from 7% to 14% and from 14% to 24%, in that order.

Regarding the remaining activities, the figure for urban participation in animated play remained at 10%, whereas its rural counterpart saw a decline from 18% to 14% Playing - the generally second most preferred activity, on the other hand, exhibited contrasting trends Urban participation in this pastime experienced a stark fall from initially 21% to 14% in 2010, while rural rates stayed unchanged at 26% across both years.

Word count: 215 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 12

The chart below shows the annual rice production in four countries in 1995, 2005, and 2015

The bar chart compares the annual rice production for four different countries - referred to as A, B, C, and D- in

1995, 2005, and 2015.

Overall, the surveyed countries exhibited diverse trajectories of rice production over the period, with Country A demonstrating a consistent upward trend, Country B fluctuating, and Country C maintaining a relatively stable output with a slight dip towards the end Notably, Country D saw the most pronounced growth rate, albeit from the lowest base.

Over the given timespan, Country A consistently led in rice production, and demonstrated a gradual upward trend Commencing at approximately 45 million tons per year (MTPY) in 1995, production of this nation had slightly increased to 50 MTPY by 2015 (the highest figure in the chart) Country B, on the other hand, displayed a somewhat erratic pattern The production rose from initially 35 MTPY to reach parity with Country

A in 2005, producing around 47 MTPY However, the trend inverted in 2015, as production of Country B descended to about 42 MTPY.

As opposed to A and B, Countries C and D had far lower rice production Country C's output was relatively stable over the period shown, despite a minor increase from about 5 to 7 MTPY between 1995 and 2005, before eventually reverting to the initial level Meanwhile, Country D’s production was stagnant at approximately 2 MTPY in 1995 and 2005, but experienced a surge to 5 MTPY by 2015, equalling Country C's output for that year.

Word count: 234 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 13

The bar chart shows the percentage of adult male smokers in seven countries along with the world average in

2000 and 2015.

The bar chart presents data on the portion of male smokers in seven different countries in the years 2000 and

2015 This is presented alongside the world mean.

Overall, except for Egypt and Lebanon, whose figures increased, the other categories witnessed declines It is also reported that among the seven countries given, Armenia had the highest proportions of male smokers in

There was a 10% decline in male smoking worldwide, dropping from 45% in 2000 to 35% in 2015 However, this trend was not universal Egypt and Lebanon, for example, bucked the trend with increases in male smoking

of 10% and 15%, respectively By 2015, five out of the seven countries analyzed had male smoking rates higher than the global average, a shift from 2000 when only Armenia, Bangladesh, and Cuba exceeded the average Yet, even with the spikes in smoking rates in Egypt and Lebanon, they still lagged behind Armenia

Most other countries show decreases in smoking, with Bangladesh leading the way with the most significant drop, falling from 65% to 40% In contrast, Cuba's decline was the most modest, with a reduction of just around 2% Both Australia and Mexico experienced roughly a third reduction in their smoking rates, mirroring the global trend However, it is worth noting that the percentage of Australian male smokers remained about 15% below the global average in both years surveyed.

Word count: 241 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Tokyo and Beijing lead the pack in terms of utilization, boasting twice as many annual trips compared to most other systems Economically speaking, they are among the more affordable options; only the Mexico City Metro edges them out in affordability, with a fare of 23 cents – a stark contrast to Paris, where a ride costs almost ten times as much.

Despite its high ticket price, the Paris metro's infrastructure is relatively compact, spanning just 127.4 miles This is a mere fraction compared to New York's expansive 659-mile system However, Paris surprisingly operates 16 lines, outpacing most other cities Meanwhile, the London Underground, with the fewest lines, sees 1.2 billion trips yearly, the lowest ridership of the group To add to its distinctions, it is also the priciest; a single ride costs $7.30, nearly three times the fare of New York's subway, which ranks as the second most costly.

Word count: 216 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 15

The graphic provides insights into visitors entering the UK from abroad The line graph charts the expenditure

of these visitors in the UK over three decades, while the pie charts detail the reasons people visited in both

1980 and 2010.

Overall, the amount of money that foreign visitors spent whilst in the country increased significantly over the period surveyed It is also reported that there was a shift in the reasons for people coming, with the proportions going for business and visiting friends or relatives increasing at the expense of declines in those visiting for holiday and other purposes

From the line graph, it is evident that despite variations throughout the period, there was a general upward trend, with visitors in 2010 spending over 2 billion more than at the outset A significant spike occurred in

1996, with visitor spending reaching a high of 12 billion pounds, the most substantial sum within the observed time frame.

Delving into the reasons behind the visits, vacations were the predominant motivation for travel to the UK However, this figure saw a decline of five percent, dropping from 44.1% to 39.1% between the two years surveyed The category labeled 'other' also experienced a decrease In contrast, visits driven by business or to see friends and family increased, with the former rising from 20.7% to 22.8%, while the latter saw an almost 10% increase, to 28.2% in 2010.

Word count: 238 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 16

The diagram provides a detailed look at the process of recycling glass Overall, this cyclical process can be divided into six main stages We can also see that there is no limit to how many times glass can be recycled and reused.

Initially, consumers need to segregate used glass bottles from regular household waste, placing them into dedicated recycling bins These bins are then picked up by waste collection trucks and transported to a recycling facility.

At this facility, the initial action involves washing and sterilizing the collected glass using specialized equipment After being cleaned and sterilized, the glass undergoes another phase where it is crushed and subsequently melted This molten glass is then molded into new glass items using a shaping machine Once manufactured, these new glass bottles are ready to be filled and distributed to retail outlets for consumer purchase Following use, these bottles can enter the recycling loop once more.

Word count: 153 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 17

The diagram illustrates the process through which uranium is utilized to generate nuclear power.

As is evident from the picture, the procedure encompasses six main stages, from extraction to disposal, with an option to recycle certain portions of the material rather than committing them to permanent underground storage.

Initially, uranium is extracted from the earth and then subjected to a series of refinement and conversion processes The culmination of this phase is the production of fuel pellets known as U-235 These pellets serve

as the primary fuel source in nuclear power plants Remarkably efficient, these pellets can sustain energy production for up to four years before needing replacement After this duration, there is an opportunity to reprocess some of the spent pellets for further use.

Nevertheless, not all used pellets are suitable for recycling Those that are not are securely sealed in specialized containers and then buried underground for safe disposal.

Word count: 151 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 18

The two diagrams depict the water cycle in both a forested environment and a developed urban area.

Overall, each illustration consists of six stages, beginning with rainfall and concluding with runoff Both areas receive an equivalent amount of rainfall However, urban regions display notably less water evaporation and ground absorption compared to rural landscapes.

On the surface, it is evident that in forested environments, a larger fraction of the water evaporates from both the ground and trees compared to urban settings Conversely, in urban areas, a significant amount of water runs over the surface, often collecting pollutants as it courses through the city While the level of erosion is not displayed in the forested area diagram, this phenomenon increases in cities.

Subterraneously, forests showcase a substantial volume of water seeping through both topsoil and subsoil In contrast, urban areas witness less water penetration into the subsoil, resulting in a decreased baseflow Consequently, the water table sits noticeably higher beneath woodland regions than beneath metropolitan areas Word count: 165 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

previously green spaces that existed in 2006 Additionally, there have been notable improvements in transportation options for students The car park has been downsized, making room for an expanded bicycle storage area.

The college's library has been relocated, paving the way for the construction of a cafeteria and a sports center in its place This new cafeteria now serves as a central hub, bridging the academic section in the south-west with the sports facilities in the south-east, and connecting to the improved transportation facilities in the north-east Back in 2006, the college seemed to primarily cater to students arriving by car However, the recent modifications reveal a shift in this perspective Apart from the added bicycle area, there is now a designated bus parking bay situated on the northern edge of the campus, complemented by a new pathway leading into the college grounds.

Overall, Lynwich College has seen extensive developmental changes over the years, enriching its sports, dining, and transportation amenities Interestingly, while these areas have been enhanced, the academic facilities of the college appear to have been left untouched.

Word count: 238 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 20

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

The diagrams showcase the transformation of a coastal village named Ryemouth since 1995.

Overall, the village has witnessed the rise of new residential houses and apartment complexes, complemented

by improved sports amenities This expansion, however, has come at the price of green spaces, the local fishing industry, and agricultural plots, signaling Ryemouth's evolution into a modern, residential hub.

Focusing on the village's northern section, the northwest quadrant has seen the addition of new houses, with four situated on the left and five on the right While the central residential square, housing four dwellings, remains intact, the western road has been extended to accommodate two additional houses To the right, the previous agricultural land adjacent to the forest park has been repurposed into a golf course, along with two tennis courts.

Shifting our attention south from the golf course, a new parking area emerges, placed to the east of an already existing hotel Directly across from these establishments and by the beach, the café stands as it did in 1995, untouched by the wave of development Moving westward along the beach road, beyond the T-junction, the original five shops have transitioned into restaurants Directly across from these dining venues, four modern apartment buildings have risen, occupying the land where the fish market once stood The adjacent fishing port

has since been dismantled, restoring the beach to its pristine form.

Word count: 228 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 21

The illustration provides a detailed look into the evolution of stone cutting tools used by early humans.

In general, the most striking difference between the tools of the two periods is their size, with the later version being notably larger Additionally, the tool from 0.8 million years ago showcases a more sophisticated design than its predecessor from 1.4 million years ago.

Looking back to 1.4 million years ago, the cutting tools of that era measured approximately 8 centimeters in length Their design seemed rudimentary: the two sides were distinctly shaped, with a rough texture evident on its surface.

Fast forward to 800,000 years later, the tools used during that period exhibit significant improvements Their size increased to around 10 centimeters in length, and they adopted a more streamlined, tear-drop design, being broad at the base and narrowing sharply towards the tip This contrasted with the blunter design of the earlier tools However, despite these advances, a similarity persisted between the two: the front side of both tools retains a rougher texture, while the back side is noticeably smoother.

Word count: 182 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

Question 22

The picture below shows how a hot balloon works.

The diagram provides a comprehensive look at the components of a hot air balloon and explains how it operates.

Overall, the hot air balloon primarily consists of three essential components: the envelope, the basket, and the burner Additionally, the balloon's ascent and descent are governed by regulating the temperature of the air inside.

The dominant feature of the hot air balloon is its large envelope, shaped much like an inverted teardrop The top houses a 'parachute valve', a self-sealing mechanism designed to control the release of hot air Below this valve, the envelope consists of large vertical sections termed 'gores', which themselves are composed of smaller panels The envelope narrows down to a section called the 'skirt' at its base This skirt connects to the basket with ropes, and directly above the basket sits the burner Propane tanks, stored within the basket, supply the fuel for the burner.

In terms of its operation, the burner mixes ambient air with propane, heating the air within the envelope As this air warms, it becomes lighter, causing the balloon to rise To initiate a descent, the internal air is allowed to cool, increasing its density, which in turn pulls the hot air balloon downward.

Word count: 220 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

SAMPLE TASK 2

9.5.2023

As housing is a basic need for people, the government should provide free housing for everyone who can’t afford it To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There are those who believe that governments should provide free housing for individuals

who find it economically elusive While acknowledging the importance of ensuring that every citizen has a roof over their head, I would contend that this proposal could do more harm

than good.

Proponents of government-sponsored housing argue based on the principle of social

welfare They argue that governments, which derive their authority and resources from the masses, have an inherent duty to protect their most vulnerable These advocates often cite

examples from countries like Finland, where innovative housing-first policies have considerably reduced homelessness Furthermore, a stable home environment can

potentially decrease crime rates and enhance public health, reducing the burden on publicservices such as shelters and emergency medical care

However, advocates of the blanket provision of free housing by the state often fail to consider the following problems Firstly, funding such a project would necessitate either a

diversion of resources from other critical sectors or a substantial increase in taxes, which

could hamper economic growth and place additional burdens on the working populace Also, there is the issue of sustainability; as populations grow, so would the demand for free housing This could lead to a situation where supply cannot meet demand, resulting in

inferior housing conditions A practical example of this is the poorly maintained public housing projects in cities like New York, that often fall into disrepair due to overwhelming demand and limited resources Worse still, providing free housing could inadvertently disincentivize work, as individuals might perceive a safety net irrespective of their

employment status That being the case, the provision of free housing could result in

economic stagnation.

In conclusion, while the government has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of itscitizens, I am strongly convinced that offering free housing to all individuals who cannot

afford it would come at the expense of more serious problems Therefore, governments

should not adopt this idea

Word count: 325 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

housing shortages, I would argue that it would be imprudent to downplay the contribution

of the private sector and individuals to this undertaking.

Indeed, governments possess the vast resources, regulatory authority, and the mandate required to effectively address housing shortages They can enact policies that promote

affordable housing, such as providing tax incentives to developers who embark on income housing projects or rezoning areas for residential development Moreover, the

low-government can directly invest in public housing projects, ensuring that a significant portion

of the population, especially the marginalized, has access to decent accommodation A prime example is Singapore, where government-led housing programs have resulted in over 80% of the population living in state-built residences.

However, to solely rely on government actions would be to overlook the immense potential ofcollaboration among individuals, non-profits, and the private sector While the government

can set regulations and provide foundational structures, the innovation and efficiency of the private sector can expedite housing solutions tailored to diverse needs Crowdfunding,

community-led housing cooperatives, and partnerships with non-profits can lead to creative

solutions that may not always be feasible through government channels alone Furthermore,

the involvement of residents in urban planning and housing projects can lead to moresustainable, community-centered environments The transformation of empty office spaces inNew York City into affordable housing units by private developers is a testament to thepotential of such collaborations

In conclusion, while government actions form the backbone of solutions to the housing crisis

in major cities, I strongly believe it is the amalgamation of efforts from all sectors of society

that can truly provide holistic remedies

Word count: 308 – Written by Thanh Nguyen

12.5.2023

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 and give your opinion.

The debate surrounding the significance of tertiary education in securing a promising

career path has been persistent for years Many consider university or college education as

the best pathway to a thriving career, whereas others argue that diving straight into the

workforce after high school can be more fruitful Though both perspectives have their merits,

I firmly believe that the road to success is multifaceted, and there is not a one-size-fits-all

this, university experiences are not just limited to academic learning; they offer a holistic

environment for personal development Here, students hone critical thinking skills, establish networks, and foster lifelong friendships, all of which can significantly impact

one's career and personal growth

However, the other school of thought emphasizes the merits of gaining hands-on experience immediately after high school They argue that real-world experience, which is not

encapsulated within university walls, can be invaluable For instance, someone who starts

working early gets a head-start in understanding industry dynamics, networking, and

accumulating savings This early exposure can be instrumental in entrepreneurial pursuits BillGates, who dropped out of university to co-found Microsoft, serves as a testament to the

potential success awaiting those who choose the less-trodden path.

In my perspective, while both avenues have their distinct advantages, it is important tounderstand that success is subjective and multifarious It is determined not just by one'seducational or professional choices but by perseverance, adaptability, and passion Some

individuals thrive in academic settings and find that it propels their careers forward At the same time, others are driven by on-ground experiences and the lessons they offer It is thus

essential to recognize and respect individual journeys and choices

Word count: 329 – Written by Thanh Nguyen

we should learn to acclimatize to climate change, I would argue that we should go to great

lengths to address it

Granted, it is justifiable for some to claim that we should adapt to changes in climatic patterns,

rather than finding ways to tackle it Perhaps for them, climate change is an irreversible

phenomenon, so the amounts of money as well as effort expended on solving it would

eventually be rendered futile According to this viewpoint, our focus should shift towards finding measures to coexist with climate change In the face of rising sea levels, for instance,

it becomes paramount to construct sophisticated flood defenses and implement effective

water management systems

Notwithstanding the aforementioned arguments, I am convinced that efforts should be made tosolve, instead of simply adapting to, the problem of climate change First, the fact that climate

change may not be completely reversible does not imply that we cannot take steps to mitigate

its effects Such simple changes in our lifestyles as riding public transport or transitioning to

hybrid vehicles can considerably lower our carbon footprint, which is undeniably a major

contributor to climate change The argument for such a mitigation approach is further

strengthened by our moral responsibility to future generations In other words, if we came to

terms with climate change, it would be tantamount to bequeathing a hostile and uncertain

world to our descendants, an outcome that we cannot justify morally

In conclusion, whilst there are good grounds for acclimatizing to climate change, I firmly

side with advocates of proactive measures to combat it, believing that mitigating theimplications of this environmental crisis is feasible and that it is our moral obligation to

secure a sustainable future for generations to come

Word count: 318 – Written by Thanh Nguyen

16.5.2023

Many people believe that the current system of both teachers and students in the classroom will no longer exist by the year 2050 To what extent do you agree with this opinion?

Advances in technology have undoubtedly revolutionized many aspects of life, with one of these being education The integration of computers and other technologies into education

has made some believe that the traditional model of teachers and students in the classroom

will be rendered obsolete by 2050 Though this thinking is somewhat valid, I would contend

that the role of teachers will still remain indispensable

On the one hand, there are clear reasons why many anticipate a revolution in the standard

classroom model The rapid development of technology, especially with the rise of artificial

intelligence and virtual reality, has led to innovations like virtual classrooms, online courses,and personalized learning modules These platforms provide greater flexibility, allowing

learners to proceed at their own pace and convenience Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden pivot to remote learning, making many question the need for physical classrooms altogether This swift adaptability to an online mode of instruction serves as a testament to the potential redundancy of the traditional classroom.

However, despite these technological strides, the essence and role of a teacher cannot be

marginalized Teachers bring more than just academic instruction; they instill values, foster critical thinking, and cultivate a sense of community Clearly, no digital platform can emulate the empathy, understanding, and mentorship that a teacher provides A machine

might be adept at delivering content, but it lacks the human touch necessary for emotional

and moral development For instance, in complex discussions around literature or ethics, the

nuances, debates, and perspectives brought forth by a teacher are invaluable and

irreplaceable

In conclusion, although technology can enhance, supplement, and even transform many

facets of education, it cannot replace the holistic mentorship, guidance, and human connection

that a teacher offers By 2050, the format might evolve, yet the heart of education - the teacher - will continue to be its driving force.

Word count: 306 - Written by Thanh Nguyen

20.5.2023

The use of social media, e.g Facebook and Twitter, is replacing face-to-face contact for many people in everyday life Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

The rapid advances of technology and communication tools, specifically social media

platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, have transformed how we communicate, veering

from traditional face-to-face interactions to online exchanges While this change offers certain

benefits, I would argue that the drawbacks are substantially more pronounced.

On the one hand, the shift towards communicating via social media platforms is

advantageous to a certain extent One prominent advantage is that it bridges geographical gaps, allowing people to connect, regardless of location For instance, families split across

continents due to work or education can still be part of significant family events via live

streaming or instant photo sharing Aside from this, social media platforms act as a potent

tool for expression and information dissemination The Arab Spring of the early 2010s, for

example, was significantly propelled by social media, demonstrating its capacity to mobilize

movements and disseminate ideas on an unprecedented scale.