Task 2

There are many different reasons that can keep a person in their workplace. Some believe that money is the main reason. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

178 words, 30 minutes.

People need money to live, and it is usual that they find a job in order to be able to cover all for their expenses; however, it is hard to say that the only reason to work is becoming rich; it is a deep issue which deserves an evaluation before offering an opinion.

It is common to hear some people saying that if they have enough money, they will never come back to their jobs, because they want to enjoy life, play sports, travel around the world and share more time with family and friends. These groups of people have the firm idea that the only reason of working is money. Nevertheless, most of them fall depressed after their retirements, because they are bored or feeling alone. To make things worse, it is usual that after long time dreaming with leaving work, when they can finally do that, they want to do some free jobs because they do not how to use their time.

On the other hand, some workers love their jobs, because it is an opportunity to develop their skills, find social recognition and enjoy their productive ages. Many people enjoy working and studying as way to feel better and to discover new things. I take my hat off to people who are able to appreciate their labor activities and being part of the workforce because they like to do whatever they do.

In conclusion, everyone has a special way to see life and in consequence they have different reasons to work, but from my point of view, the really important subject is to feel happy about personal daily activities and to use time in a satisfactory way.

Task 2

The traditional lifestyle of developing countries has been attracting an increasing number of tourists. As a side-effect this has been preventing the people in developing countries from adopting modern ways of living. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give your opinion and examples from personal experience.

269 words, 30 minutes.

Lifestyle has been changing day after day, and people who live in modern ways get used to visiting developing nations and places which have had traditional standard of living, consequently those places have started to be more modern, but it is not necessarily the whole true. That is why, it is an important issue which deserves a deep down evaluation before offering an opinion.

Traditional cultures which are still alive in the world are opportunities to know part of both our history and root. So people like to travel to know them, it is a culture exchanged because tourists learn about old cultures and people there discover other ways to live and think, Those new knowledge change all involved people and bring consequences in them. Some of them might believe that another culture is better or worse than their one, and start to have different behavior as result of it.

Nevertheless, everyone has different ideas about things. Some people would want to have better living condition and try to move to a big city, while others could think that nothing is better than their present place and make an effort to keep it alive. However, world and people are always changing as well as their cultures. But, every cloud has a silver lining and even if things become different people will always have special ways to see life and we will be able to share them each other.

In conclusion, from my point of view, it is possible that tourists make a high impact in traditional cultures, but some people there will want to change and others will not. 

Task 1

172 words, 21 minutes.

The chart below illustrates how nowadays environmental matters has been increased in life cycle of production. It shows seven steps in the process to create industrialized things.

In the first stage, there is time to develop ideas about the item and plan how it will be made and sold. Then, it is the moment to find all necessary materials, infrastructure and resources such as energy, human tools, etc.

After that, the production process starts, followed by packaging stuffs to distribute them in shops, markets, etc.

When they are in commercial places, they are sold to people who are interested in them.

The sixth step is when people use the product in the way they want to. In the last stage, the cycle may take either two ways, has a feedback and starts the process in step one or be recycled and go to the second phase.

It is a long process, which involve the whole production life, since the first idea until the moment when customers are not using it any more.

Task 2

Air traffic is increasingly leading to more noise, pollution and airport construction. One reason for this is the growth in low-cost passenger flights, often to holiday destination.

Some people say that government should try to reduce air traffic by taxing it more heavily.

Do you agree or disagree?

268 words, 31 minutes (after self corrections)

There is an interesting debate whether governments should increase air tickets taxes in order to reduce the amount of passengers who use airplanes to travel in both holidays and work, because the great rise of air traffic is generating lots of environmental problems. Some people support the idea that it cannot be the solution. It is a complicated issue which deserves a deep evaluation before offering an opinion.

In the last 20 years air traffic has greatly raise as well as its consequences, such as pollution noises and many natural changes. It is necessary to control this trouble before having more hazardous situations. One idea to face it has been increase the tickets cost; so that less people can buy them, and they would avoid some air travels which can be done using other transportation ways like bus or boat. This approach might has a direct impact on these problems and solve wide range of them.

On the other hand, other group of people believes that common people must not pay for those consequences and world leaders should look for different solutions to think out this trouble, such as deny using no environmental friendly aircraft or force companies to develop new more efficient machines which carry fewer problems on environment.

In conclusion, from my point of view, the easiest solution for those problems would be increase taxes on fly tickets, but it is not a good answer for them, because people ought not to be charged with the whole trouble, it may be more useful that governments look for global solutions forcing companies to offer more environmental service.

Task 1

158 words, 23 minutes (after self corrections)

The chart below illustrates the amount of overseas students in Australia who were from four countries (Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore), during 18 years between 1982 to 2000.

In the first stage, most of foreigners students were from Malaysia (around 5 thousand), while there was almost none student from other nations.

In 1984, there was some Indonesian students, and step by step all of those countries had students in Australia.

In 1990, there was higher range of overseas students, and in 1994 there was 10 thousand of students from Hong Kong and Singapore, around 12 thousand from Malaysia and almost 20 thousand from Indonesia.

At the end of the period, the sum of foreigner students from each country was between 18 thousand to 22 thousand.

Summarizing, during this period there was a great rose of overseas students in Australia which had the major increased between 1992 to 2000 though there was some fluctuation during the whole time.

Task 2

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

271 words, 32 minutes (after self corrections)

There are an interesting exchanged of arguments whether innate talents are the most important element in the success or any young people can become in a great musician or sports person with practice. It is a complicated issue which deserves a deep evaluation before offering an opinion.

Many researchers have demonstrated that some people were born with special abilities such as better music understanding and facility to play an instrument, or higher sport skills. Scientists have found that in most cases these particular capabilities are inherited from parents who have practiced those activities; in fewest people there are not relationship between ancestors’ skills and special abilities which someone has when he/she was born. However, it is wide known that some people have “a special gift” since they were babies.

On the other hand, it is proved that even if a person has the greatest innate skill, it will not be really special without practice and hard work. For example, a child who has good soccer abilities but no interests to practice it, he/she will not develop it; otherwise, a boy who loves playing soccer and spend three hours per day practicing it will be a good player; maybe this one will be less successful than other who have “a special gift” and practice at the same time, but both of them have a chance to become great athletes.

In conclusion, from my point of view, both natural talents and effort are important in the process to develop skills, but it is not necessary to have been born with “a special gift” to reach success, it is only essential to make an effort.

Task 1

156 words, 23 minutes (after self correction)

The chart below illustrates the percentage spent in three consumer categories in five countries (Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Turkey) in 2002.

All these countries showed the biggest proportion of consume in Food/Drinks/Tobacco, but with important difference each others; for instance, Turkey which was the highest consumption spent 32,14% in those items, more than twice to Sweden that had at 15,77%.

The second more popular group of items was Clothing/Footwear, with a range between 5.40% in Sweden to 9% in Italy.

Otherwise, the fewest amount of spend in those countries was in Leisure/Education; again Turkey was the first one with 4,35% and the last one was Spain with around a quarter of the biggest percentage.

With this information at hand, it is possible to say that in those nations the major priority was related to feed and smoke, followed by dress, and then pleasure-education in which any of those countries spent less than the previous items.

Task 2

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life.

Which do you consider to be the major influence?

271 words, 31 minutes.

There is an interesting debate whether what is more important in the personality, genetically features or daily experiences. Lots of researches have showed the first point as the stronger one, but it is possible to find different arguments for each position. This is an essential issue for human life;  that is why, it is necessary to evaluate it deeply before offering an opinion.

Neurological studies have indicated that babies arrive to the world without thought or knowledge, and step by step the brain I developing and giving humans new abilities. Our mind are building related to our experiences which are the key to understand the life. Moreover, people feelings can change depending on relationships with important persons. What is more, psychologists support the idea that most of people personality characteristics are linked to their earlier experiences.

On the other hand, each person has special reactions front same situations; with this information at hand, it is possible to think that experiences are not the only element in personality features. Furthermore, experiments with twins who have been separated in their first month of life have indicated that they have same interests and ideas in the adulthood. Then, it is evident that genetic charge is important too.

In conclusion, from my point of view, it is impossible to say that one of those is more important than the other. Humans are complex, so they are affected by many elements which are part of their physical, psychological and social development, and each one is a result of this combination in an special way, which make people different from others, even if they share some features.

Task 1

169 words, 19 minutes.

The graph below illustrates some essential dates about subway railway systems in six cities from developed countries (London, Paris, Tokyo, Washington DC, Kyoto and Los Angeles).

London underground is the oldest and largest, which was founded in 1863, and nowadays, it has a route of 394 kilometer; however, it is in the third place in number of passage per year; while Tokyo and Paris are the most popular respectively. Moreover, those two are older too; Paris metro was founded in 1900 (and the route is 199 kilometer), followed by Tokyo in 1927 (and a route of 155K).

Otherwise, Washington DC railway system is working since 1976 with an extension of 126 K, and it is visited by 144 million people per year.

Kyoto and Los Angeles subways are the newest, but with 20 years between each other (1981 and 2001 respectively). They are the shortest and less populated too.

Summarizing, there are important differences between all those railway systems, but in general the oldest are longer and more crowd.

Task 2

Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults.

Discuss both views and give own opinion.

280 words, 33 minutes.

There are interesting exchanges of arguments whether it is better for children to be persuaded into the sense of competition or co-operability, in order to reach success in the adulthood. It is a complicated issue which deserves a deeply evaluation before offering an opinion.

We live in a competitive world in which the pace of life is faster every day; then it is essential to give to younger people the necessary tools to face this lifestyle. That is why, it is fundamental to help children to learn to do their best, and try to work better than others to find good works and wages when they become older. However, it has some drawback such as children might be stressed and have problems to make friendships because they are always in a competition that does not have a chance to feel confident with partners.

Nevertheless, most of works need a team to be done in a proper way, and people who do not know work with others will have troubles to do good tasks. For those reasons, it is pivotal to teach children to work together in a single aim, because it is the way for them to learn to deal with and support each other. Even if, it is an important element that young people learn to make as best work as possible, it is only possible for them who are able to work with a team.

In conclusion, from my point of view, both things are important, so children need to learn to be competitive but working in groups with the same goal; it is the way to be sure about they would be ready for future.

Task 1

The chart below is a Garlsdon Town’s map which offers a global vision of that place and where there are a couple of new supermarkets.

Garlsdon is a town with a population of 65,000 people which has two industrial areas; one in the north and the other one in the south of the housing zone in the Countryside.

There is possible to find the Town Centre just in the middle of the housing one area, but a little south the whole place. There is not allowed to use any kind of motor transportation; but the railway which crossover the town from west-north to east-south is over this part of Garlsdon. One of the supermarkets is close to the way of the Railway in the Town Center; while the other one is between the housing zone and the border of the Countryside.

There are two main roads, the first one run throughout the south, and the other one run from the west-north of the Town Center to out of the town.

Task 2

Universities should accept equal number of male and female students in every subject.

To what extend do you agree or disagree?

253 words, 30 minutes (after self corrections)

Presently, most of universities around the world are allowed to register women and men; however in the past and in some primitive countries it is still an important issue which may be difficult to understand for west population and developed world, but it is essential matter in some places as well as it is part of our history. That is why, I believe that it is necessary to evaluate this point deeply before offering an opinion.

Humanity history has been full of discrimination problems for natural situations such as people skin color and gender. For instance, there was only 100 years ago when women could neither go to universities nor study in high education levels in general. Nowadays, it is same as some countries in which people think that women are not as smart as men are, and they do not deserve to have similar right and opportunities.

On the other hand, these days, the majority of universities and colleges do not take care of people gender; they are only interested in students’ skills in order to receive them there. Moreover, those place are get to having more women than men, but it is not because the gender, it is a consequence of individual features and abilities.

In conclusion, from my point of view, people gender should not be related to be accepted them or not in any kind of study place. Requirements to study at university or colleges must be only the academic ones which make people able to have success there.

Task 1

164 words, 24 minutes (after self corrections)

The chart below illustrates a century projection (between 1994 to 2040) of percentage of elderly people in three developed nations (Japan, Sweden and the US).

In the first stage, there had between 5% to 9% of senior citizens, but the highest level was in USA and the lowest in Japan, where had predicted an important decrease until later 1980s, then a slow rise for around 30 years, to reach a peak between 2030 to 2040 when this country will have the biggest proportion of old people (over 26%).

Otherwise, in the United States the amount of elderly group show fluctuation with increase and slight drops, but in the last part of the period it is expected a great rise to finish with almost  at 25% of senior citizen there.

Meanwhile, in 1940, Sweden population had around 7% of them over 65 years old. This proportion has been continually increasing with some fluctuations, to close at 25% of them at the end of the stage.

Task 2

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

261 words, 30 minutes (after self corrections)

People are used to spending their first 25 years of life on study activities, in order to prepare themselves for adulthood. In different parts of the world parents persuade their children to travel or work a year before starting study at university or collage. This point has some arguments in favor and downside; that is why, it is necessary to evaluate it deeply before offering an opinion.

The surest way to reach success in adulthood is studying and learning all possible things related to the personal interested in each one during early years. So, school is the first stage on this road; but it is essential to continue receiving academic formation to learn specific skills for future. Moreover, people who get their degree earlier have more opportunities to find better jobs with good wages. For those reasons, it is fundamental that young people continue studying after high school.

On the other hand, school is not able to teach all important elements of the life, neither it is its aim or responsibility. Consequently, some parents want to give their children all possible chance to become as good people as they can. Some ways to do that are encouraging them to work a year after high school or to travel to know other cultures. Those experiences help them in both, to grow up and become more responsible.

In conclusion, from my point of view, taking a year either to travel or work has more positive aspect than drawback because they give people some knowledge that they cannot find into a classroom or reading.

Task 1

179 words, 24 minutes (after self corrections)

The couple of bar graphs below illustrate different topics; the first one is about the motivation to study in some age groups, while the second one is related to the percentage of support that people receive according to how old they are.

Younger people tend to chose study because they like the career, and in people under 39 years old, it is the main reason. While people are younger this proportion are used to being higher. Otherwise, people who are between 40 to 49 years old have same proportion as both reasons to study (because he career and the interest). Only people who study when they are older than 49 take this decision in most cases because their interest and just fewer than 20% of them said that it decision was related to the career.

Finally, employers who are under 26 are used to receiving more support than any other age group (over 60%); followed by workers between 26 to 29 (50%), and over 49 (over 40%); meanwhile people in their middle age (30-49) receive less help than others.

Task 2

More people use their own cars rather than public transport, so it is up to the government to encourage people to use buses and trains instead. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

262 words, 30 minutes (after self corrections)

It is a clear trend that people prefer using their vehicles in spite of public transportation such as subways or buses. This situation is bringing some consequences, and governments are trying to convince people change their transportation habits. It is not an easy issue; that is why, I think that it is necessary to evaluate the point deeply before offering an opinion.

Some people support the idea that everyone should have the option to choose if he/she wants to use his/her car or travel in other ways. They believe that it is part of the freedom which all citizens deserve, and none government or organization have to take part of how people go either to work or travel. Moreover, these groups tend to say that using a personal car is more comfortable and easier, because people save the time of waiting the bus or in long routes which get them tired.

On the other hand, around the world, environmentalists are complaining about high pollution levels as result of the biggest car amount in the last 20 years. Furthermore their common criticism is that in most of cases each car is used only by one or two people; then it increases smoke problems. For these reasons, green groups are asking governments to take care about it; and those ones have been developing some politicians in order to avoid or drop this trouble.

In conclusion, using personal cars have positive aspects and drawback, but from my point of view, nowadays, taking care about environmental matters is essential, and a fundamental task for world leaders.