Task 2

Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the government of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this point?

277 words, 33 minutes (after self corrections)

Around the world are big difference between developed world and poor countries; however the essential keys of improve the last once are working in health, education and trade. It is possible that with help from richer nations, developing countries could reach better life conditions; but I am not sure there is an easy answer, and it is necessary to think deeply about it before giving an opinion.

Countries with high standard of living could have a chance to offer some tools and support to countries which are below the poverty line in order to encourage better health facilities, higher literacy rates and good wages for people. This kind of help would be a great input for the whole world.

On the other hand, it is common that the poverty in countries is not related to lake of resources or help; on the contrary, most of developing nations have lots of natural richness and they tend to make bad decisions at the moment to manage them. To make things worse, they are used to feeling the government of wealthy nations as nemesis of them.

From my point of view, every case is different and even if countries with better standard of living have more opportunities to help others nations, it is not their obligation. I am not expert, but I believe that it depends on each specific country and its interests.

In conclusion, though the world conduction is a responsibility of all (rich and poor) each country should be able to look for better ways to improve their people lifestyle, and only in some case when nations have a clear intention, the developed world have to help others.

Task 1

173 words, 26 minutes (after self correction)

          

The chart below is about the group of people who did not have a job during a period of seven years (between March 1993 and March 1999) in the United State and Japan.

In the first stage, the rates of unemployment were dramatically different in the US from Japan; there has 4% more people without any kind of work in the US than in Japan (7% in the US and 3% in Japan).

Nevertheless, the amount of unemployed people in the United State was decreasing slowly and with some fluctuation; at the same time, in Japan happened exactly the contrary. Consequently, in the last period, both of countries had the same proportion as people who were not working; it was around 5% of the workforce unemployed in March 1999 for those nations.

Summarizing, those countries began with a high level of difference in the percentage of people who had not a job (4%), but after 7 years this rate was changing and they finished the term with similar proportion of people without work.

Task 2

Most students choose to work part time during university studies. Do you think its a good or a bad idea? Give your opinion and support it with an explanation and examples.

276 words, 31 minutes (after self corrections)

Nowadays, it is often that university students are used to having an employ in order to get money. It has obvious benefits and negative effects; so it is essential to analyze deep down this point before giving an opinion, because it is a serious issue which need an important reflection.

Working during high study time (such as college and university) is a great opportunity for young people to earn experience and prepare themselves for the future as part of the workforce in their community and society. Moreover, they have a chance to discover what kind of work they really want to do, at the same time they are gaining money for their expenses.

On the other hand, parents are worried about that students have bad scores in their matter because they are focusing on the job and forgetting their academic business. Additionally, another worry is that students could leave the university or college because they only want to have money.

Nevertheless, the attitude toward both studying and working depend on each person and her/his goals. Then, from my point of view, if a student is not clear or is feeling confused, their parents should help to he/she supporting in both economic and personal needs, and avoiding that she/he works while is at the university. However, when a student is focus on his/her career, it is fundamental to encourage to he/she to work at the same time.

In conclusion, I think that in general, it is a wonderful idea that university students find a job, but it is pivotal to be careful about specific features of each student to offer better options related to his/her needs and interests. 

Task 2

In the modern world, the image (photograph or film) is becoming a more powerful way of communicating than the written words.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

29 minutes (after self correction), 266 words.

These days, people tend to prefer imagines than written to communicate their ideas and news; it is frequently that the majority choose to watch a movie or picture instead of reading an article. It is an expression of how people are changing as well as their interests and way to show them.

In the past, all important information and opinion were written; when someone wanted to know about anything important they were used to reading newspapers or books. This communication way has been essential for the humanity life, because it is a method to keep our history and understand how people have changed.

On the other hand, technological developments have carried lots of new ways to do all things. In this case, it has altered people communication habits. Nowadays, it is usual that people prefer using a photograph to show and summarize something important. Then, theses new types of communication are mirror of human changes in general.

It is hard to say that one or another costume to express both ideas and news is better. From my point of view new and old-fashioned forms to communication are important and offer fundamental tools to people. Each one has obvious benefit and downside, but they have place and aim in our lives which are pivotal.

In conclusion, the most important thing is find the position of each innovation, and rich our lives using it as an opportunity to improve our standard of living and education ranges. Any of those communication ways is better or worse than other, but they may be a team to improve people global touch.

Task 2

Some people think that genetically modified (GM) crops are a positive development. Others, however, argue that they are potentially dangerous.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

286 words. 30 minutes.

Genetically modification crops are becoming more and more popular each day, because it is a solution for high rate of food that humans need to feed. However, it is a controversial point, because some people believe that this kind of crops might be hazardous, while others do not mind about that.

It is usual that each new development wakes up lots of dreads; moreover, talking about food people tend to be worried because health and food are directly related each to other. So, genetically modification crops bring many concerned such as they are not natural and may be dangerous to our bodies, as well as they could generate pollution or environmental problems in general.

On the other hand, scientists have developed these types of crop in order to solve a social problem, because people need more food that they can find from nature. Then, an obvious effect of them is more people can receive food around the world. Additionally, companies which produce genetically modification crops are obligated to investigate if their products are hazardous, and when they may put in risk people health, they are eliminated and it is prohibit selling.

 Nevertheless, it is essential to offer a solution to people who are worried about this situation. From my point of view, it should be well known all experiments to prove that they are safe, and allow people asking about their doubts.

In conclusion, it is natural that people are apprehensive about modified crops, but it is a solution of a world trouble. People need to receive more information about these crops, and companies should start an education campaign encouraging people to know deeply about it and feeling quiet when they buy and eat their food.  

Task 1

 150 words. 19 minutes (after self corrections)

The couple of illustrations below show the process used to produce electricity from wave power.

There is a cliff over the ocean floor which has a structure in a diagonal position. It is compounded by three elements: a chamber (it is the biggest part), turbine (into the column) and vertical long column.

First, waves arrive into the chamber and the air pushed it in the rest of the structure; then the water in the process to raise meet with the turbine that produces electricity while water is reaching the peak of the column.

After that, water starts the process to come back to the ocean, but when it faces the turbine again, more electricity is generated. Finally, air sucked out water to the seas. It is a cycle.

Summarizing, it looks as an easy process to produce electricity in an environmental way without make an important disturbs into the ambient.

Task 2

Most people prefer shopping in supermarkets to small shops or local markets. Is this a positive or a negative development?

287 words, 30 minutes (after self corrections)

Nowadays people use to go shopping in big places as supermarkets which are open most of hours and have many kind of product. Citizens have changed their shopping habit and they avoid visit local markets. It is a result of the new people lifestyle, and it is essential to analyse this point with its drawback and positive aspects before giving an opinion.

Small shops have lots of obvious benefit such as they are near people homes, and shopkeepers become acquaintances of their clients offering better products and attention. However, those places tend to be more expensive because they buy products in small amount; moreover, they are open less time than bigger shops.

On the other hand, supermarkets tend to have more products from different brands, and what is more, bigger shops can offer cheaper stuffs. A person, who needs an onion, ream of paper and a couple of sandals, may go to the supermarkets to find all of those. It is possible that nobody knows who is him or her but in short time this person solved his/her needs in a single place.

Bigger and smaller shops have common criticism and good points, but they have different roles from people lives; and changes in our lifestyle affect what kind of place we prefer to buy. Though generally people go shopping to supermarket they still find some arguments in favour of smaller shops, and it is not bad or good situation, it is just a natural effect of our needs.

In conclusion, from my point of view, it is not good or bad change; it is a natural transformation as a consequence of the new fast lifestyle. Anyway, both local market and supermarkets have important function to people.