HOT Bộ đề IELTS Writing task 2 và đáp án chi tiết cực hay

Nowadays, more and more people decide to have children later in their life.. Band 8.5 Model Essay 2: Many people currently decide not to have babies when they are young and wait until

IELTS WRITING MATERIALS

1.In the future, it seems more difficult to live on the Earth Some people think more money should be spent on researching other planet to live, such as Mars To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Band 9.0 Model Essay

It is true that, if present trends continue, it will become increasingly difficult

to sustain human life on Earth While I agree that it is vital to tackle this problem I believe that expenditure on research for new planets to colonise should be given a low priority, and resources must be used to find other, more practical solutions

There are two major reasons why life on Earth is becoming more and more unsustainable One obvious problem is the uncontrolled consumption of natural resources, which are being depleted as a result For instance, the extraction of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil to satisfy growing energy demands has serious environmental impacts, and these resources will eventually run out Another concern is the rising level of pollution worldwide, of the land, the oceans and the air that we breathe In India, for example, thousands of tons of industrial rubbish have been released illegally into rivers, killing aquatic life and contaminating drinking water

However, I would argue that the search for a new planet on which humans could survive is a waste of valuable resources Firstly, a vast amount of funding would be required to finance such space exploration, with no guarantee of success This money is needed now to improve health services globally and to provide better education for all Secondly, financial resources should be used to develop advanced technologies that would be more environmentally- friendly and provide renew able energy In the field of transport, to take a simple example, vehicles can now be converted to run on

hydrogen or even waste cooking oil – as McDonald’s have done with their trucks

In conclusion, I consider that the search for new planets on which to settle is

a waste of time and resources, and efforts should be concentrated on living more sustainably here on Earth

Band 8.0 Model Essay

Advances in technology make the prospect to find the second Earth potentially viable While I agree that terrestrial life has become increasingly difficult, I

do not believe that we should invest money in finding a new planet to live

On the one hand, there is no doubt that life is not as easy as it was in the past The main problem is the growing level of environmental pollution that adversely affects humankind in all parts of the world The rising consumption

of natural resources such as gas, oil and coal has resulted in an enormous amount of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere, which impairs the air quality and accelerates climate change The consequences of this are grave People in many big cities are suffering respiratory diseases; more lands are being shrunk due to the rise of sea levels; and there are frequent heat waves in tropical countries Apparently, human life is now put in danger

On the other hand, I would contend that spending money finding another home for all creatures on the Earth is not an effective measure There is little hope of seeking a planet that has favorable conditions for life while the expenditure can be extremely huge In contrast, a much better solution would

be that we should invest in environmental projects and encourage people to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle For example, green energy should be harnessed and made more available to replace our dependence on fossil fuels, and individuals ought to opt for public transport rather than driving their vehicles Such actions can cut exhaust emissions and slow down

the effects of global warming, making the earth a more desirable place for us all

In conclusion, although global warming is a global malady, it seems ludicrous

to suggest that people should find another planet to settle down

2.Some people think that governments must insist on preserving traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Band 8.0 Model Essay

Preserving historic buildings is vital to understanding our nation’s heritage

In the process of restoring them, some people believe that the authorities should not compensate on any changes done in their original appearance, and that the buildings should be restored as they were This essay shall advocate

a practical approach to this scenario

Restoration is said as the process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period All around the world, there are many active redevelopment projects undertaken by the government to preserve the sanctity of these ancient treasures However, it is not reasonably possible to restore each and every detail of these buildings as

it was

Primarily, the construction of these century-old buildings begins to wear in time In such cases, some parts of the buildings might not be in a recoverable condition Here, the architects need to reconstruct that particular part to give

a complete look to the puzzle of these primeval structures Therefore, it is unaccommodating for the government to demand accurate traditional appearance of the buildings Sometimes, a few relevant contemporary touches need to be added to make the older buildings appeasing enough

In closing we can safely say the government should not be insistent on

minute preservation of traditional appearance of old buildings Minor

modifications can definitely be made to adapt existing buildings to

compatible new uses This not only makes good economic sense, but

preserves our legacy also

3 Nowadays, more and more people decide to have children later in their

life What are the the reasons? Do advantages of this outweigh

disadvantages?

Band 8.5 Model Essay:

In modern society, there has been a major concern that many couples have delayed parenthood Some explanations for this social trend will be put forward, before an analysis of its impacts on society and family life is given

A few reasons can be given to justify the trend of giving birth at later stages

of life First, the labour market is increasingly competitive, and it is a norm that young parents defer having children to devote the whole time in the first years of their employment to lay a sound foundation for their future career Second, it is believed that children are raised better by older parents This seems valid due to the fact that older fathers and mothers are generally wealthier, more experienced, and more willing to take the responsibility of bringing up a child

The trend exerts both advantageous and disadvantageous influence on society and families On the one hand, children born to more prosperous and experienced parents can receive better and more comprehensive education, and thus contribute more to society when they grow up In each household, the parents may also reap the benefits of this trend, as their first working years are not interrupted by pregnancy and childcare On the other hand, when an aged couple decide to give birth, there are serious health risks for the woman

in the prenatal and postnatal period If any complicated maternal health problem arises, the life whole family would be turned upside down

To conclude, the tendency to have children at later ages is caused by a number

of factors, such as the competitiveness of the job market for young adults, and both the positive and negative impacts of it can be seen in families and society

Band 8.0 Model Essay :

Having babies later in life is regarded as a new trend of marriage, especially

in these days when soon becoming adolescent parents might face plenty of troubles It is easily seen that financial burden is one of the reasons why many spouses tend to delay their childbirth because giving birth early forces them

to tighten budget In this essay, I will lend more other detailed reasons and effects to this trend

The fact that pregnancy has been more common in older women stemming from late –life marriage whose benefits are huge Tying the knot early, in some cases, would cause constant quarrels about rights of child-rearing between young couples due to their immature thoughts on marital values In

contrast, delayed marriage may secure better conditions for children’s future

This would help singles have more time to seek a financially stable job and broaden behavioral experience before deciding to live with someone forever Besides, high remarriage rate led by the rise of divorce in recent years partly contributes to late childbirth The reason is that the lack of

compatibility forces many couples to end their first love and marry again

Therefore, they may start having children after age 35

As mentioned above, the benefits of late childbirth are undeniable, however, elderly parents, as well as society also face threats that they can foresee Indeed, raising kids at old age is more arduous than that at young age, not only because their health will decline but also because their children are too little

to self-manage Moreover, having children when reaching over 35 can affect pregnancy due to aging health As a result, babies are not healthy enough or even die premature death

In conclusion, stable income and settled life make delayed marriage more appealing The thing is we need to consider pros and cons of this to decide what is right for a happy union

Band 8.5 Model Essay 2:

Many people currently decide not to have babies when they are young and wait until they get older instead There are some reasons for this tendency, and it could have some impacts on family life as well as society

To begin with, there are several reasons why a number of individuals want to have children later in their life Firstly, this choice allows them to have more time to enjoy life when they are young For instance, it is easier for a young couple to travel when they do not have a baby to nurture Secondly, people who are at the early stage of their career usually have lower income compared

to when they are older Therefore, many people decide to start raising a family after having accumulated enough money to ensure a better life for their children

However, this tendency might bring about some negative effects on both family life and society The first impact is that having children later will cause

a significant age gap between two generations This makes it harder for parents to understand and communicate with their offspring Additionally, if people give birth when they are too old, the babies being born might be less physically healthy This might adversely affect the quality of the future workforce if too many people decide to follow this trend

In conclusion, there are some reasons why many people prefer to have children later in their life, and this tendency can result in some negative impacts on both family life and society

4 Some people say that humanitarian subjects such as philosophy, history and literature that people study in universities have no value for their future career To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples

Band 9.0 Sample Essay:

Humanitarian education teaches various social topics from

a humanitarian perspective However important our academic careers may be for us, a certain iota of humanity is always expected from us as being the superior living beings on earth Whether we need to study specialized subjects for such a quality to develop in us is a debatable issue

The people who opine that studying such subjects is a waste of time may believe so, keeping in mind that many academic curriculum is set and rarely changes Therefore, the history, literature or philosophy that is taught is done

from a text-bookish perspective, and does not give in-depth knowledge of the same Also, people feel that memorizing dates and facts, sources of the origin

of a language, or brooding on lessons derived from life hardly matter when

we go out in search of work

On the contrary, humanitarian education particularly relates to offering assistance to others in an emergency or crisis and is also used to refer to the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for individuals and communities to help themselves In the hostile environment we are living nowadays, the goal

of humanitarian education of communities increasing their resilience and individuals and groups becoming confident, able and willing to help themselves and others when faced with a crisis, is something that can obviously not be developed on our own

I believe we need to look beyond the established stereotyping of history, literature and philosophy as subjects and need to broaden our mentality Apart from the much popular career choices that rake in our desired amount of money, the historians, literary scholars and philosophers too play an important role in our societies The teachings and observations of Karl Marx, Aristotle, Socrates, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain and many such other personalities are still cited today for reference

Summarizing this essay we can conclude that classifying humanitarian subjects as having no value for future careers is narrow minded These subjects are also as important as any other, when being chosen for a thorough study so as to make a career out of them

5 Some people say that when children under 18 are committing a crime they should be punished, while others believe they should be educated To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion

Band 9.0 Model Essay:

Cases of juveniles committing crimes are on the rise lately While it is absolutely necessary to punish those guilty of committing crimes, an argument put forward in this case suggests underage criminals should be made aware

about their actions rather than being punished straightaway This essay shall discuss the extent of feasibility of both solutions in the interest of the society Over the last few years, there has been a worrying increase in the numbers of young offenders being reported, where many of them are involved in instances

of burglaries, robberies, shoplifting and even street muggings In the hostile environment that we live in, it becomes necessary to nip such problems in the bud, lest the youngsters become full-fledged criminals when they grow up Many believe that the children of today’s generation are very much aware and intelligent, than the ones 30 years ago, to comprehend the actions around them Many a times they aren’t even remorseful for their actions Therefore, they should be tried in courts as adults and punished according to the severity

of the offence regardless of them being underage

In contrast, a lot of people also believe that such treatment of teenage offenders might not be the best solution Knowing the reason behind the crime committed is an essential factor in deciding the punishment to be given The environment during the upbringing of a child too influences his mentality to

a great extent Most of the research cases in this matter have indicated that children who commit crimes, mostly do so because of some trauma they have themselves suffered from in the past It is only logical that the judgement of right and wrong of such children becomes impaired; therefore they should be educated about the same, and not punished Rehabilitating them and flushing all aggression from their minds is giving them a deserved chance to live a better life, as they still have a lot of growing up to do

To conclude, this being a sensitive and debatable issue, in my opinion, I feel the primary course of action for underage criminals is to provide them guidance regarding the consequences of their actions I don’t fully agree with not punishing them at all; the extent of the punishment should be decided by the circumstances and the attitude of the offender, whether he is penitent or not

6 A person’s worth nowadays seems to be judged according to social status and material possessions Old-fashioned values, such as honour, kindness and trust, no longer seem important

Sample Essay from BC:

Given the power and influence of the super-rich, it might seem as if social status and material possessions are the new symbols of personal worth, but in everyday life I do not think this is true

It is apparent that most celebrities today are admired or envied solely for their material wealth or position in various social hierarchies Many of these people are known to turn their backs on friends, cheat on their spouses or spend their evenings over-indulging in alcohol and/or drugs Things like owning a mansion, driving an expensive car and getting into A-list parties are exalted above old-fashioned values Ultimately, though, it is the many readers of gossip magazines and celebrity blogs who reinforce these ideas

Nevertheless, I do believe that in their day-to-day lives most people still believe in values such as honour, kindness and trust In some way most of us want to form loving families, raise our children to be good citizens, stand up for the downtrodden and protect our communities from harm We still form friendships, romances and business partnerships based on old-fashioned criteria When our trust is abused or we are unfairly treated, we see that as a major violation of our relationship and we judge the wrongdoer accordingly

In conclusion, I believe there is some truth to the notion that status and possessions have superseded old-fashioned values as a measure of a person’s worth Looking beyond the tabloids, however, it is apparent that most ordinary people have still preserved an old-fashioned conscience

7 In some countries, a high proportion of criminal acts are committed by

teenagers Why has this happened? What can be done to deal with this?

Band 8.0 Model Essay

Today, youth crime is rife Theft, burglary or even murder are now committed

by people of younger and younger ages The aim of this essay is to investigate

the factors responsible for the increase in juvenile delinquency and put forward a number of ways to appropriately punish young offenders

It is observed that extreme behaviours are exhibited by most children from dysfunctional families Without the supervision from parents or caregivers, children’s extreme behaviours such as aggression, hostility or defiance are given free rein to develop in their later lives In addition, there is a direct correlation between the lack of engagement in educational activities and serious criminal offending in children Out of boredom, children befriend with antisocial peers and will gradually copy their behaviours Media also plays an enormous role in shaping children’s criminality For example, games such as grand theft auto can desensitise younger players to extreme acts of violence and cruelty, encourage them to commit crimes while giving them the impression that it is morally acceptable to do so

Imprisonment is often cited as a way to punish juvenile offenders However,

it is my view that this approach can produce extremely destructive effects The youth can potentially be victims of physical or sexual abuse from older prisoners, as well as can adopt their negative behaviours I feel that the better cure for young criminals is rehabilitation Throughout education and training, the youth can realise their wrongful actions and be given opportunities to turn over a new leaf and transform themselves into useful members of society later

in life

There are reasons to explain why today antisocial behaviour among the youth nowadays has reached a historically unprecedented high and

rehabilitation is the answer for this

Useful words and expressions:

Youth crime is rife: Youth crime is very common

Juvenile delinquency: act of crime committed by the young

Defiance (n.) behaviour in which you refuse to obey others

Aggression (n.) behaviour that is threatening or involves harm

To be given free rein to develop: go uncontrolled

Desensitise (v.) cause people to experience emotion less strongly than before Out of boredom: Because they are bored

To produce extremely destructive effects: have bad results

Wrongful actions

To turn over a new leaf: To become another person

Rehabilitation (n.) the act of returning someone to a good condition, normal

life

8 Traffic and accommodation problems are increasing and government should encourage businesses to move from cities to rural areas Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

In the past, factories were often built in close proximity to city areas as the lack of transportation forbade people to do otherwise However, this is not exactly the case today, when industries and businesses are moving from municipal and into countryside areas in flocks This essay will elaborate on both positive and negative effects of this trend

On the positive side, firstly, this movement makes perfect environmental sense Due to industrial activities, residents of many cities around the world are still breathing in air and consume water dirty enough to cause numerous health diseases Therefore, moving businesses out of the cities will rid human and other species of pollution A further advantage of this trend is reducing the gap between the rich and the poor in a country, as countryside dwellers can opt to work in factories with higher pay, rather than agricultural work This will eventually bring about peace and harmony to society

On the negative side, doing business in the countryside also represents some notable drawbacks To begin with, skilled workers are a rarity in rural areas Most of people living in small towns and villages do not receive sufficient education to undertake intellectual jobs What is also disadvantageous is based

in regional areas, companies risk distancing themselves further from their customers, their suppliers and other partners in their business transactions, which can weaken their profitability

In conclusion, moving business from cities to rural areas can be a smart decision However, there are disadvantages that should be weighed carefully against the advantages

Useful words and expressions:

Be in close proximity to: be close to

A flock of: a lot of

To elaborate (v.) to explain further

In flocks: a lot of them

Rid human and other species of pollution: to make them free of pollution

To make environmental sense: to be good for the environment

To rid somebody of something: remove that thing from someone

To undertake: To bear the responsibility of, to carry out

Intellectual jobs (n.) jobs that require mental skills

Weaken their profitability: make it less profitable

Distance yourself from: to stay away from

9 Many people believe that international tourism is a bad thing for their countries What are the reasons? Solutions to change negative attitudes?

Band 8.5 Sample 1:

There are several reasons why many people have a negative attitude towards international tourism However, this can be handled by adopting possible solutions, as will now be discussed

Firstly, the influx of foreign travelers is often associated with an increase in the level of environmental pollution Many tourists throw rubbish into the surroundings irresponsibly, which contributes to air, water and soil contamination In addition, there might be a growing demand for transport, decreasing the air quality at the tourist destination

Secondly, international tourism increases the odds of spreading infectious diseases into the local community Viruses such as Ebola and H5N1 can become a threat to the locals if an infected traveler visits their country In Vietnam, for example, many people died after a visitor from Hong Kong carried the H5N1 virus to the country in 2003 This example makes it clear why many people are still against the development of international tourism However, there are a range of options that can be taken to improve the situation One measure would be that the government should continue campaigns to raise the awareness of tourists when they pay a visit to a new land Travellers should be encouraged to put waste into the right place or to use public transport if possible Another remedy is that there should be medical checks at airports and borders This is to guarantee that infected visitors should be quarantined to halt the spread of the disease

In conclusion, negative feelings about global tourism still are common in society However, this can be resolved by taking the above suggestions

Band 8.5 Model Essay 2 :

Advances made in air travel have shrunk the world With these, today, people from all walks of life can travel abroad; however, the rise of international tourism is greeted with dismay by many In this essay, I will present the reasons why some local people harbour unwelcoming attitudes towards foreign tourists and put forward some solutions to this issue

International tourists are now criticised mainly due to their contribution to the environmental degradation In many countries, many famous tourist destinations are now bearing the scars of vandalism committed by travellers arriving from outside Other places of interest are also gradually being turned into which are comparable to garbage dumps, despite all attempts to reduce

the amount of waste by local community In addition to this, many foreigners travel on a shoestring In order to economise, many are willing to sleep on the streets in their tents, which mars the cityscape

What local authorities can firstly do to change the behaviours of foreign tourists is through education While advertising the beauty of an area, the media should also strive to raise the awareness of prospective travellers about protecting it The other method is to pass stricter regulations regarding littering particularly in popular tourist places The high effectiveness of fining litterbugs is clearly demonstrated in the example of Singapore, where one can

no longer find trash in public places

To summarise, the inhospitable feeling that the local people have for international tourists can be explained by many ways I feel that this issue can hardly be solved by a single wave of a magic wand – it takes a great deal of efforts from both the locals and the foreigners

10 People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out What are the causes? What are the solutions?

Band 8.0 Sample Essay

In modern days, there has been a higher and higher percentage of those who reported not feeling safe in their communities What has been disclosed in recent surveys has highlighted the need to increase safety not only on the streets but also at home The goal of this essay is to outline why this has happened and put forward appropriate solutions

In countries rich and poor alike, much concern has been raised about safety issue both on the street and at home, and their concern is justified In the first place, individuals has been bombarded with tragic crime reports of murder, rape or house robbery almost every day This is a particular issue in developing countries where people are desperate enough to rely on committing crimes for food, money or survival Besides, road fatalities have been rising on an unprecedented scale, no matter what means of transportation taken

This problem can be firstly remedied by increasing the penalty for street crime In view of the damaging consequences it can caused to victims, the several-month prison sentence that is imposed to this kind of criminals is too lenient and therefore should be made longer In addition to this, many methods can be adopted to put the brakes on the death rates on the road For example, the government can upgrade the infrastructure and also the road condition

To conclude, street crime and road accidents can be identified as two most common reasons why more and more people do not feel safe today It is hoped that this issue be resolved before it gets out of hand

Useful words and expressions:

• Road fatality: mortal accidents

• To remedy something: solve something

• Put the brakes on something: Make it go slowly

• Be bombarded with something: receive a lot of it, often without wanting

• Tragic crime: horrendous crime, something that is shocking,

unacceptable

• Damaging consequences: bad consequences

• On an unprecedented scale: on a scale that no one has ever set

• Get out of hand: to go uncontrollable

11 It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should only focus on people in their own countries To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 9.0 Model Essay

The role of one government to support citizens of other countries has been a major topic of concern in today’s society From my perspective, this practice

is feasible and there are compelling reasons why governments should help

people in the global community rather than only focusing on the citizens of their own countries

In this context of globalisation and international integration, the provision

of assistance for peoples of all countries in the world is not an impossible task

anymore One explanation for this is that modern means of transport have transformed the way that international assistance could be

given, and now assistance could reach even the most remote places on Earth

For example, thousands of victims of a deadly earthquake in a mountainous

city in Nepal were rescued by US and German military helicopters in 2014 One further explanation is that thanks to international banking, the international community could offer a helping hand to any country where the

financial system is on the verge of collapse An excellent example of this is

that the saving money of millions of taxpayers and pensioners in Greece was

saved by a timely act of the European Commission of injecting a huge amount of bailout money into Greek banks in 2009

I strongly believe any government must assume the responsibility of helping

citizens in other countries This is mainly because assisting inhabitants in other countries, to some extent, is synonymous to assisting people in the home country In 2014, hundreds of US and UK doctors and nurses were sent to

African countries to cope with the outbreak of Ebola, a dreadful plague,

which had killed many thousands by that time This action prevented the plague from further spreading to other nations, including the US and the UK themselves, considering that there was a free movement of people between countries and there were millions of African migrant workers in the US and the UK at that time In addition, the act of supporting people all around the

world may promote a sense of humanity, which is essential to the sustainable development of the world, because humanity is the foundation of peace and stability

To conclude, governments must provide assistance for citizens of other countries for a clear reason that this feasible act could simultaneously enhance

a global sense of humanity and assure their own nationals of a proper living environment

Band 9.0 Model Essay 2

Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long

as there are problems in our own society I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as possible

On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow citizens In most communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these people In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a soup kitchen As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity

At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist A small donation to an international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need

12 People should follow the customs and traditions when people start to live

in a new country To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 9.0 Model Answer

Many people argue that foreigners should adapt to the local customs and traditions when they come to reside in a new country I completely agree with this view c led

Newcomers will certainly face difficulties if they do not conform to the norms

of social behaviour in the host country Firstly, it will become almost impossible for them to blend into their new environment For example, an

entrepreneur who comes to live in a new country and starts up a business must

be aware of the business practices of that country There are bound to be many pitfalls, not only legal ones but also simply in terms of winning and keeping customers Secondly, recent immigrants might fall foul of the law if they do not respect the behaviour and customs of locals In Singapore, for instance, residents will consider newcomers dirty and ill-mannered if they litter the street or spit gum in public places

There are also many benefits for foreigners when they do adopt the customs and traditions of their new country of residence One advantage is that local people will be more welcoming when they feel that the newcomers are showing respect for the local way of life The establishment of closer links with the host community might lead to greater integration and mutual understanding Another benefit is the richness of the experience which newcomers will gain from enjoying aspects of local customs and traditions, enabling them to participate in community life and avoid social isolation During festivals and national holidays, especially, they will feel like they

‘belong’ in their new country

In conclusion, I would argue that it is essential for new residents to follow the traditions and habits of locals in the host community in order to integrate fully into society

13 Some people think that young people should be required to do unpaid work helping people in the community Are disadvantages of this requirement greater than the benefits for the community and individuals?

Band 8.0 Model Essay

Every year when summer comes around, volunteer students in their conspicuous blue shirts are ubiquitous They can be spotted in the streets delivering free food to the less fortunate, at waiting tables in front of the school gates providing information to students or on the beach collecting trash under the sizzling weather However, it still remains a topic of debate whether these activities are wholly beneficial for students

On the one side of the argument, there are a number of benefits for students who are involved in community service In the technologically-advanced world, it is a common problem that people show scant concern about others’ affairs This activities certainly help them gain insight into the lives of the underprivileged, realise how fortunate they are and therefore inspire in them higher sense of responsibility with the community Besides, participating in volunteer programs is also a very effective way for students to combat stress and hone various crucial life skills such as communication, teamwork or time-management

Despite the multiple merits of volunteer activities, there are still a lot of raised eyebrows Firstly, making unpaid work obligatory to all students without any exception will certainly cause resentment among themselves or their families

In addition, students’ studies at school can be sabotaged as they are always short of time to complete their homework or revise their lessons The other more profound consequence that can ensue from constant poor academic performance is the bleak career prospects that the future hold for them

To conclude, the importance of community service should be fully realised, however, it should not be made compulsory for all students

Useful expressions:

• Show scant concern about…: Pay no interest to…

• The underprivileged: Those who don’t have much money, possessions…

• The sizzling weather: extremely hot weather

• Inspire in them higher sense of responsibility: to make them become

more responsible

• Hone various crucial life skills: improve those skills

• Multiple merits: a lot of benefits

• There are still a lot of raised eyebrows: There are more things to be considered

• To be short of time: do not have enough time

• To cause resentment: cause anger, disagreement

• To sabotage (v.) to damage, destroy

• Ensue (v.) happen

• Bleak career prospects: low chance of getting a good job

14 Some people prefer to directly help or support people who need it in the local community, however, others prefer to give money to the national or international charities Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Band 8.5 Model Essay

Today poverty is still on full display anywhere in the world, even from the sparkling and vibrant streets of Los Angeles, or to the less glamorous district

of Mumbai city In the fight against poverty, help is at hand However, a bone of contention remains whether people should directly support the

underprivileged or give their donations to charities This essay will look at this issue from both perspectives

There are clearly justifications for why some funders would rather help the poor by themselves First of all, help is given instantly as there is no paperwork, no collection, no delivery involved It would also mean that no money is lost into the pockets of corrupt government officials Second of all,

it has been found that a considerable number of recipients of aid programs spend money on children’s education or healthcare, rather than alcohol or cigarettes Therefore, development can be easily promoted

However, the idea of giving cash directly to the poor is also treated with skepticism by many people who otherwise suggest that money or any other type of donation should be given to charity organisations Their main argument is that for the people whose lives have always been devoid of material possessions or money, knowing how to manage the financial aids is out of the question There are many cases that poor people use the money to start businesses; however, bankruptcy is imminent due to their lack of knowledge regarding financial management For this reason, charities, which can distribute the funds in a more effective way, prove their prominent roles

in improving living standards of the impoverished

To conclude, I am inclined to think that giving money to charities is a better way to end poverty as it deals with deeper causes of the issue in the long run

Useful expressions:

Poverty is still on full display: Poverty happens everywhere

The sparkling and vibrant streets of Los Angeles: dynamic Los Angeles

A bone of contention: something that causes dispute

To be treated with skepticism: to be viewed with suspect

To be devoid of material possessions: have little material belongings

Recipient (n.) the person who receives

Their lack of knowledge regarding financial management: they do not

have enough knowledge about managing their money

Bankruptcy is imminent: is highly probable

In the long run: in the long term

15 Everyone should become vegetarian because they do not need to eat meat to have a healthy diet Do you agree or disagree?

Band 8.5 Sample Essay

In the last few decades, vegetarianism has entered the mainstream of many societies, most notably in western countries It is suggested by those who side with vegetarians that meat is not a necessary element in a healthy diet and that going vegan is the way to go in modern times Personally, I reckon that this view has flaws

In the first place, non-vegetarian diets are considerably higher in total intake

of protein, which is highly beneficial for the body As scientists show,

protein can not only improve the overall health and fitness but also can

contribute to reinforcing the immune system As vegetarian diets hardly meet daily protein requirements, those who follow are generally more

vulnerable to fatigue even when doing physically undemanding tasks or they can be more susceptible to common diseases such as flu or cold

In the second place, meat is also a fertile source of many nutrients such as iron or zinc It is already recognized that while iron helps in producing

tissues inside the body, zinc is indispensable in helping transporting oxygen

to different parts of the body, thus allowing the proper functioning of all body organs Besides, when consuming meat, the body will also be

absorbing numerous kinds of vitamins which strengthen bone structures and promote the health of the teeth or the eyes

To conclude, the above-mentioned points have manifestly shown that the benefits derived from following a wholesome diet overshadow those from vegetable-only one Thus, it is not advisable to become vegetarians

Useful expressions:

To enter the mainstream of…: become popular

This view has flaws: This view can be argued against

To reinforce the immune system: make the immune system stronger

To improve overall fitness

They can be more susceptible to common diseases: they are more likely to get sick

Indispensable (adj.) very important

To be more vulnerable to fatigue: to be more likely to get sick

Be a fertile source of many nutrients: be very nutritious

To strengthen bone structures: make the bones stronger

Manifestly (adv.) obviously

16 Studies show that many criminals have a low level of education For this reason, people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate people

in prison so they can get a job when leave prison Do you agree or disagree?

Band 8.5 Model Answer

Recently, crime has been increasing out of control Some hold the idea that in order to deter crimes, criminals should be given proper education while in prison Personally, I partly share the same view with this

It is my belief that nurture, not nature, is responsible for malignant and antisocial behaviours That is to say, everybody is born with good personalities and what turns some into criminals is parental neglect and lack

of education Many studies have shown that children who are not supervised

by their parents on a regular basis are many times more likely to go off the rails, commit acts of selfishness or to behave aggressively against others This rationalizes why I think a good number of prisoners after being released will not repeat their offences if they are given education

In addition, while being in jail, inmates have plenty of time which can be misspent For example, some of them spend their time on gambling with their cellmates or accessing materials with objectionable contents Thus, giving them the opportunity to be educated translates to the reduction of time which can be potentially frittered away or used for malicious purposes

Nevertheless, there are objections to this perspective Those who oppose claim that the potential program of giving education to criminals can cost a huge amount of money from the Government budget However, considering the result it can deliver in the long run as far as societal stability is concerned, this program is not a waste of taxpayers’ money

What has been discussed above has effectively corroborated my view that education can reduce participation in criminal activities and inmates should receive education while serving time

Useful expressions:

• To deter crimes: prevent criminal acts

• To have antisocial behaviour: A behaviour that is harmful to society

• Parental neglect: not enough care from parents

• Supervise (v.) control

• Go off the rails: start behaving in a unacceptable way

• Objectionable (adj.) unpleasant, wrong

• Inmate (v.) those who are imprisoned

• Societal stability

• To fritter away time: misspend time

• Malicious (adj.) intended to harm others

• To translate to: change something into something

• To corroborate something: add proof to it

• To serve time: to be put into prison

17 Some people think that it is good for a country’s culture to import foreign movies and TV programmes Others think that it is better to produce these locally Discuss both views and give your opinion

Band 8.0 Model Essay 1

People have different views about whether it is better for a country to

purchase foreign movies or to create domestic ones While importing movies from other countries can have some advantages, I would argue that

producing local movies is a much better option

On the one hand, there are some clear benefits of buying movies from other countries Firstly, when a country imports movies that are produced overseas,

it can help its people learn about other cultures in a much easier and more effective way This would help its citizens to be more knowledgeable Secondly, individuals can learn the good things of other more civilised societies and alter the way they behave For example, the habit of queuing is

a nice thing in many Western countries, and people from Vietnam can learn and copy this action when watching foreign movies

On the other hand, I believe it is better for countries to produce movies domestically because of some reasons The first one is that movies made by local people would help to preserve the traditions and customs of their own cultures For instance, many Vietnamese TV programmes remind young generations of how people celebrate Lunar New Year, which is the most important public holiday in some Asian countries If young people only watch foreign movies, the traditional values might be gradually forgotten Another

reason is that the film industry often create jobs such as actors, directors or cameramen Therefore, it is necessary to invest in producing movies in order

to provide more employment opportunities for local people

In conclusion, while purchasing foreign movies is beneficial for a nation’s culture to some extent, it seems to me that making local ones is a much better choice

BAND 8.0 MODEL ESSAY 2

For the past decades, the importance of a country developing its own motion picture expertise versus importing foreign entertainment programs has been the center of attention in the entertainment industry I believe that having the best of both worlds would work most effectively

There are certain grounds supporting the view of featuring foreign films and

TV shows Firstly, globalization supports the widespread of cultural

products that integrate within themselves the essence of the nation from which they originates Viewers, therefore, while enjoying the entertaining element of these programs can simultaneously learn more about the world and its various cultures For instance, an Asian viewer can be amazed by the individualism conveyed in western blockbuster movies while an American can explore the significance of collective eastern values from a Chinese or Korean drama Furthermore, the international trade of these items has not only aided the development of globalized culture but also broadened

people’s understanding of the diverse world around them It is not deemed daring to say that without cultural exchange through TV channels, feeling and learning about other cultures would turn less visually impressive

On the other hand, it is justifiable, though maybe considered ethnocentric, that domestic entertainment products retain an equally indispensable role in

a country’s film segments The most obvious reason is that the act of a

country developing its own movies and broadcasting industry is of necessity

to preserve its culture Through local films and TV shows, children and adolescents develop their cognition of local customs and traditional values and have a tendency to practice them Another endorsing reason is that

domestic films and shows are irreplaceable products that bring people true

feelings and complete understanding of contexts and clichés used Since people can more easily relate themselves to others who speak their language and whose behavior they could totally understand, viewers can reflect

themselves and their society in a lively way through local TV programs

In conclusion, I believe it is crucial for a country to find a balanced

coexistence of both ways, not only advancing towards globalization but also preserving one’s unique film and TV industry

18 In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general

education across a range of subjects In others, children focus on a

narrow range of subjects related to a particular career Which of these two systems is more appropriate in today’s world?

Band 8.0 Model Essay

Although most children today enjoy the right to receive education, it is not within their power to decide what subjects they may study at school Regarding this matter, educational theorists still find themselves at loggerheads over whether secondary schools should impart knowledge of various fields, or they should concentrate on teaching only a few selected subjects relating to a certain sphere of education From my perspective, I reckon that secondary educational content should be narrowed down for students

First of all, a fewer choice of subjects to study at school will create a window

of opportunity for students to blossom socially To further explain this, students will not constantly find themselves in a battle against time trying to complete their homework, to prepare for new lessons or to review for upcoming exams Instead, they will have more spare time to spend outdoors,

to be with their friends or just to be with themselves In this way, their confidence or communication skills will be boosted significantly

self-It has been found that secondary students nowadays are feeling more stressed and overwhelmed than ever before, and the reason to explain this is quite self-explanatory Many children today consider their schools prisons and their teachers correctional officers who would not stop giving them dull

assignments to complete When the inspiration to study is almost non-existent,

it is understandably difficult for the students to keep a good performance at school Consequently, the quality of education, on the whole, will go downhill

To conclude, I hold the firm belief that the schools should focus on a small choice of practical subjects so that the lives of secondary students should not

be fettered down by any undue responsibility

Useful expressions:

It is not within their power to decide: They cannot decide

To be at loggerheads: strongly disagree

Sphere of education: aspect of education

Create a window of opportunities: provide a lot of opportunities

To blossom socially: to socialise more with more people

Dull assignments: works that make no sense

Overwhelmed (adj.) under pressure

To go downhill: to reduce in quality

Fetter down (v.) to keep somebody within limits

19 In recent years, the family structure and the role of its members are

gradually changing What kinds of changes can occur? Do you think these changes are positive and negative?

Band 8.5 Model Essay 1:

It is true that these days the family structure has considerably shifted, and the changing roles of men and women in the family has become increasingly similar There are several new forms of family composition, and in my opinion, these developments are not always desirable

In the past, nuclear families where parents and their offspring living together under one roof used to be prevalent However, there is now a huge trend towards single-parent families due to more marriages ending in divorce, while the increase in cohabiting couple families and stepfamilies is probably a result

of cohabitation and remarriage becoming much more acceptable In addition,

the number of single-mother families has increased as many mothers want to have children without getting married In terms of changing parental roles in

a family, there has been a rise in the number of stay-at-home dads in recent years when it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue their own career path This is in sharp contrast to about half a decade ago when men were breadwinners and women were in charge of household chores in their families

In my view, the changes described above could have both positive and negative consequences On the one hand, due to the lack of emotional attachment and legal binding, non-traditional households such as stepfamilies and cohabiting parents are more prone to breaking down Consequently, children of these families are more likely to be involved in antisocial behaviors while their parent may experience feelings of loneliness and worry

On the other hand, the changes in the roles of members in the family could be seen as progress because women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their own careers to assume childcare and domestic responsibilities

In conclusion, I believe that the changes in the roles of family members and the family structure are both positive and negative

Band 8.5 Model Answer 2:

The changes of family structure and family roles have become a major topic

of concern in modem society Some of the main changes will be identified, before an evaluation on whether this is a positive or negative trend is made

A few drastic changes could be observed in families today The most obvious one is the decreased size of an average family in society In Vietnam, for example, a majority of extended families of three generations or more living under the same roof have been transformed into nuclear families with only parents and children In addition, there is also a significant change in terms of the roles of the father and the mother in a family The responsibility of males

as the sole breadwinner of the family has now been shared with their partners, and now women have equal working opportunities compared with their male counterparts Accordingly, household duties are also shared equally between the two sexes

I contend that this new family structure is without doubt beneficial for all families As regards the smaller family size, each family member could benefit from an increased sense of freedom For instance, parents have more time for themselves now, compared with the situation in the past when they had to bear the responsibility of taking care of both grandparents and children With respect to the change in family roles, women may reap the benefit of having their own career and thus financial freedom Men also gain from this change since they have been freed from the financial pressure of being the only source of income in the family

To conclude, the most apparent changes in today’s families include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility of men and women All the existing data has provided a concrete foundation that these changes are beneficial for all members of the family

Model Essay 3

It is true that there have been significant changes in not only the family structure but also family roles In my opinion, these changes should be regarded as a positive tendency

To begin with, the structure of a family is relatively different from that of some decades ago In the past, it was likely that extended families became prevalent among societies when many generations including children, parents and grandparents lived in the same roof In contrast, these days are witnessing the domination of nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, men and women were supposed to be breadwinners and homemakers respectively as fathers tended

to earn a living while mothers were supposed to stay at home to fulfill household duties as well as looking after children However, both men and women currently go to work to support the whole family, whereas household tasks are often divided

I am of the opinion that these changes would have beneficial effects on family life First of all, if fewer generations reside together, people seem to have more freedom and privacy to do anything they have interest in without disturbing other members For instance, in extended families juveniles adoring pop

music might have to stop listening to it because their grandparents could find

it annoying and noisy Furthermore, pursuing their own careers can allow women to become financially independent from men and this also provides families with another income to have a higher standard of living Another benefit when husbands assist their wives with household chores is that women would ease the burden of housework and have more time for themselves which can be spent on recreational activities

In conclusion, I hold the view that several changes in family pattern and the role of member such as the fact that extended families are gradually replaced

by nuclear ones and the fair division of household duties is a positive development

20 Students today can easily access information online, so libraries are no longer necessary To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 8.0 Sample Essay

Today, concerns are high about how the digital age will change the libraries Some argue that libraries soon will sink into oblivion as nowadays information of any field is readily available on the Internet To the best of my knowledge, this idea should be rejected as one can see quite a few facts in favour of why libraries are still of relevance in modern days

Generally speaking, students today are learning in conditions which are not conducive to their education At home, they are attacked with all kinds of noise coming from next door It is not a rare occasion when a party is organised or a karaoke session is held In school, vehicle horns, the sound of motorbike engines or from construction sites continue to wreak havoc on students’ concentration In such situations, libraries are no less than oases in the desert for the students They are places where it is invariably quiet anytime they visit, where they have their work done effectively

Some hold the belief that libraries are no longer necessary in this day and age, when knowledge and information is freely up for grabs for students From my perspective, this view is flawed What this argument fails to take into account

is the fact that a significant amount of information on the Internet nowadays

has never been verified and therefore it is prejudiced, inaccurate or even misleading Such information can potentially warp students’ perception on many life issues, which can cause devastating effects on both their professional careers and private lives later down the road Books, on the other hands, are always censored before being published Hence, it is much better for students to gain wisdom from books than from materials circulating the Internet

These foregoing points have brought me to the conclusion that the importance

of libraries should not be downplayed despite many advancements made in the technological era

Useful expressions:

• To sink into oblivion: to be forgotten

• To be of relevance: should be considered

• To wreak havoc on something: to cause trouble

• To be no less than oases in the desert: to be rare

• Information is freely up for grabs: Information is available

• Gain wisdom: learn more

• Circulate (v.) be available

• Downplay the importance of…: make something seem less important

• Foregoing (adj.) what has been mentioned

• The technological era: the time when technology reins

21, Scientists agree that people are damaging their health by eating too much junk food Some people think that the answer to this problem is to educate people Others think education will not work Discuss both views and give your opinion

Band 8.0 Sample Essay

Fast food has been proven to be the main culprit of obesity and other related diseases, however, the habit of eating excessive amount of fast food has never lost momentum One school of thought holds that education can rectify this situation However, there is still much skepticism about the effect

diet-of education In this essay, both diet-of these viewpoints will be analysed

On the one hand, education can stop people from further damaging their health

by consuming fast food From my perspective, although many eat fast food because of its affordability, the root cause of this lies in the fact that they are not adequately educated about the damaging consequences of junk food consumption, and the benefits of healthy eating According to recent studies conducted in the neighborhoods where fast food stores are easily accessible, more than two-quarters of the residents know or care little about what they are consuming and how it can affect their health

On the other hand, education alone will not work The fact is that many people who are aware of the consequences of eating junk food are unduly pessimistic

In other words, they are often in denial and convince themselves that unhealthy habits are not as terrible as the media want them to believe Secondly, it is very difficult for fast food eaters to reduce their dependency on fast food because it contains many addictive artificial flavours

All things considered, education is one viable solution to put a stop to the obesity epidemic, but it does not suffice I feel that more efforts should be made to combat obesity

Useful expressions:

To be the main culprit of: be the main reason for

To lose momentum: become unpopular

Accessible (adj.) easily bought

Because of its affordability: because it is cheap

To be in denial: be unwilling to accept

Reduce dependency: become less dependent

Obesity epidemic: the problem of obesity

It does not suffice: it is not enough

Combat (v.) fight against

22 The consumption of the world’s resources (oil, and water etc.) is increasing at a dangerous rate What are causes and solutions?

Band 8.0 Model Essay:

Recently, the rapid consumption of the world’s resources such as oil, fresh water or mineral deposits has inflicted detrimental effects on both human kind and other species In this essay, some causes and solutions to this issue will

be cited

There are a variety of forces that drive this issue First of all, the populations

in many countries, especially the developing ones have risen tremendously, which speeds up industrialisation to meet the growing demands of the rising number of people This is clearly reflected in China where hundreds of factories are established and put into operation on a daily basis to accommodate more than 1.3 billion residents Second of all, the combination

of low awareness of the citizens and lax regulations from the government has contributed to the exhaustion of natural resources in many areas For example,

in the middle highland of Vietnam which used to lush with countless species

of trees, the forest has now been bare due to these two reasons

Although this is a thorny issue, it can be dealt with by some methods The first one is imposing population control It is my opinion that this should be considered temporary as in the long run, it can create aging population and poor quality labour force The second solution is raising the awareness of citizens about the importance of preserving and protecting the world’s resources This can be done by organizing educational programs or school activities The third is seeking alternative sources of energy Although this can

be risky and incur high costs, it can bring many promising results In addition, the government can pass and enforce stricter laws, along with impose higher taxes on businesses which operate on the use of resources, however, it can stagnate the economy

All things considered, the excessive use of resources is caused by many factors and it can be bridled by the aforementioned methods

(314 words)

Useful expressions:

There are a variety of forces that drive this issue: There are many reasons

for this

Speed up (v.) make something happen faster

Lax regulations: regulations that not many people follow because they are

not strict

The exhaustion of natural resources: The fact that natural resources become

rarer

Bare (adj.) not covered by anything

To put something into operation: to run it

To lush with countless species of trees: to be full of trees

A thorny issue: a complicated issue

To incur high costs: to be expensive

To stagnate the economy: make the economy worse

23 Some people say that computer games are bad for children by all means, others believe that these games are contributing to children’s development Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Band 9.0 Model Essay

Children nowadays spend several hours playing video games; since the last few years these games have become increasingly popular While some experts think that these games corrupt the brain, some others also feel that computer games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills for their future This essay shall consider both perspectives and end at a personal approach

Parents usually complain of their child being addicted to video games, like playing for 2 hours at a stretch, but practically but the time issue is a red herring This is a normal time for a child to play – video game or otherwise Another issue is of these games being too violent Although there’s no concrete research linking violent games to violence in real life, common sense says we should limit a child’s exposure as such games glamorize violence and are not realistic Playing video games can be considered to be an addiction or detrimental if it disrupts or compromises other important things in children’s

life, for instance if they can’t concentrate on their homework because of gaming or have no friendships

When a child plays video games, it gives his brain a real workout In many video games, the skills required to win involve abstract and high level thinking In shooting games, the character may be running and shooting at the same time, which develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills In strategy games, for example, while developing a city, an unexpected surprise like an enemy attack might emerge This forces the player to be flexible and quickly change tactics enabling quick thinking and making fast analysis Because of all these factors, video games are deemed to be more constructive than harming

In closing, I’d say computer games are contributing to children’s development, though in an unconventional sort of way We cannot deny that

we are now living in a high-tech, sophisticated world so an all-out negative attitude towards computer gaming is not reasonable Level-headedness in such matters can help curb the damaging effects

24 Too much emphasis is placed on going university for academic education People should be encouraged to do vocational training, because there is a lack of qualified tradespeople such as electricians or plumbers To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 8.0 Model Answer:

By most people, vocational training is considered a dishonourable escape route for those who are not smart enough to attend colleges Now that the scarcity of qualified craftsmen, such as construction workers, electricians or locksmiths is getting more acute, some have suggested that more people should be encouraged to undergo vocational training From my point of view,

I cast no doubt on the veracity of this statement

There are multiple benefits that can be derived from attending trade schools, instead of universities In the first place, programs of vocational schools are often shorter More specifically, while college students have to commit to at least 3 years of full-time study, it takes only 1 or 2 years for students to receive certain specialised certifications In addition, the principal focus of vocational

programs is on providing hands-on experience to students and there is no need for them to study subjects that are not relevant to their choice of subject The prime example for this is Vietnamese college students, regardless of what majors they pursue, are obliged to study concepts of the communist party while students of trade schools do not have to For this reason, their employability is significantly enhanced

Despite such advantages, many are still skeptical about taking vocational training as it does not offer much flexibility I acknowledge that the career choices are much more limited for vocational students and that there is little chance for them to change their career if they desire to However, if students receive proper career orientation program before embarking on their learning, few wrong decisions will be made

All things considered, I am inclined to restate that vocational training should

no longer be kept on the periphery of the educational system and that it should

be encouraged among students of all levels of education

Useful words and expressions:

I cast no doubt on…: I firmly believe in…

Derive benefit from: take the benefit from

Vocational school: school that provides you with skill necessary for a job Prime example: classical example

Employability is enhanced: The chance of getting employed is increased Keep something on the periphery: consider it to be unimportant

25 Nowadays, young people admire stars though they often do not set a good example Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Band 9.0 Model Answer:

The admiration young people hold for celebrities is not a new phenomenon Throughout/During history, youths have been inspired by

people with outstanding athletic ability It is argued that this admiration brings with it more positive than negative issues/ramifications This will be proven by looking at how sports figures both instill inspiration and teach life lessons to young people

Firstly, celebrities often display extremely developed skills, which can help to spur young people towards a life full of physically active For instance, school children are often driven to exercise in an attempt to become/emulate superstars, such as Novak Djokovic, Ronaldo and Messi As this additional exercise is good for their health, it is difficult to argue that the inspiration celebrities bestow/leave upon young people is entirely a bad thing Thus, this shows that the admiration people hold for sports stars has positive implications/reasons

Although the negative character figures/traits of many sports celebrities are often called into question, it is felt the public mistakes professional athletes make can act as good morality lessons for young people A good image of this occurred when Canadian runner Ben Johnson dishonorably lost an Olympic gold medal due to steroid use This incident showed young people around the world that drug use is a shameful practice As this example illustrates/is shown, often the public errors athletes commit can act as good lessons for adolescents

After looking at the above, it is felt to hold athletes in esteem does not bring with it entirely negative consequences It is assumed the historical admiration people will retain/retain for sports stars is not going to change into the foreseeable future

Band 8.0 Model Essay

In the modern society, youngsters often look up to well-known entertainers and athletes Many people believe that these celebrities are not good role models for young individuals Thus, they are concerned about the influence

of such admiration From my perspective, whether that idolisation is beneficial or detrimental depends merely on the young generation’s attitudes

On the one hand, youngsters’ adoration towards celebrities can bring about several positive effects to themselves First of all, individuals who are selective will filter out all the negative characteristics and only opt for good traits in famous figures to emulate This consciousness ensures that adolescents will not blindly reduplicate improper actions from celebrities For example, even though singer Michael Jackson was involved in several allegations, his talent, perseverance and work ethic still inspire many youngsters around the world Secondly, teenagers can also take valuable lessons from their idols’ mistakes Since celebrities’ actions are often publicized, adolescents have the opportunities to observe various examples of misconducts and learn from them For instance, upon hearing the doping accusation of Louis Armstrong, many of the biker’s fans realize that there is

no shortcut which leads to success and honesty should be of paramount importance

On the second hand, idolizing entertainers and sportsmen may result in adverse effects To begin with, since most adolescents are malleable, bad examples from celebrities can develop moral issues in them Many teenagers who look up to Hollywood figures such as Paris Hilton believe that they should pursue a glamorous, material life with parties and nightclubs Other celebrities like Kim Kardashian present a wrong message to the young generation, suggesting that using scandals and PR stunts are the most effective methods to gain attention and be successful Furthermore, there are considered

to be better role models for the young to hold in high regards, such as activists

or philanthropists However, the popularity of celebrities may sway teenagers’ interest away from these individuals To be more specific, many teenagers do not care much about politics and other social issues since their attention is solely devoted to entertaining figures

All things considered, I believe that the adoration which youngsters dedicate

to media and sports stars have both strengths and weaknesses While this admiration allows youngsters to emulate celebrities’ good traits and draw a lesson from their mishaps, it also develops moral issues in them and takes the spotlight away from the more deserving role models

26 Some people think that in order to prevent illness and disease, governments should make efforts in reducing environmental pollutions and housing problems To what extent do you agree to disagree with this statement?

Band 8.0 Sample Essay

In recent years, the outbreak of rare and new diseases has been preying on the minds of millions of people in the world Some suggest that the only way to win the battle against illness and disease is to improve the environmental conditions and solve housing problems As far as I am concerned, I am on the same wavelength with them on this matter

It is no exaggeration to say that today the environmental pollution has reached its peak and its effects on human, animals and vegetation alike can be grave and irreparable With each passing minute, hundreds of lives are claimed in the world and their reasons of death are from people’s daily activities – those related to the degradation of the environment For instance, farmers today are

no stranger to the practice of overdosing the farmlands with pesticides and insecticides Besides, countless factories are poisoning the water with toxic refuse and environmentally unfriendly chemicals Apparently, if efforts are made in stopping these activities, many people would be saved from unnecessary diseases

In addition to this, I feel that in order to combat disease, housing problems should be properly addressed; especially in metropolitan areas where accommodation is scarce and people are plentiful Homeless people who are forced to live in the gutter or in small sewage-ridden, iron sheds on the streets are carrying diseases that are highly infectious For this reason, they should

be provided with sanitary places where they can live so as not to affect the lives of other people

To conclude, it is my belief that most modern plagues can be prevented if the governments are willing to take the bull by the horns, to introduce and enforce appropriate measures in handling this situation I hope that future generation enjoy lives with no disease

Useful expressions:

• The outbreak of diseases: The time when diseases begin to spread

• I am on the same wavelength with something: I agree with it

• Reach the peak: become severe

• Vegetation (n.) plants in general

• Toxic refuse: toxic chemicals

• Infectious diseases: contagious diseases

• To overdose: To abuse

• Plague (n.) any serious disease

• To take the bull by the horn: face with problems

• Enforce (v.) make it happen

27 Some people believe that anyone can create art such as painting,

poetry, music and so on Others think that a person should have special abilities to create art Discuss both views and give your opinion

Band 9.o Model Essay:

Art is a diverse range of creative activities that express the creator’s imaginations Naturally one can assume, to create art all you need is a good imagination However, some others believe that you need to learn special skills to become an artist This essay shall discuss both the views in detail Any person with a creative vision and ingenuity can create art forms such

as writing poetry, painting, or composing a song or two Drawing up a mental picture of your feelings and expressing them effectively on paper will make you an artist For example some people are sometimes driven by longing or grief for someone, which makes them spill their feelings out in a song or a painting This is why people feel that creating art is not that hard and can be attempted easily

On the contrary, there are people who firmly opine that without learning how to express creatively, imagination alone cannot help one become an artist It requires years of training for people to become great artists To become a musician for instance, one needs to learn all the fundamentals of